Food for Thought

Food for Thought

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We invite blurbs and tidbit articles for inclusion in this column.
Materials received may be edited and used as space permits. Products and services
included in this column are for information only and do not imply endorsement
by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
NEW VIDEO FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS
"CHOICES: Options for Living With Kidney Failure"
is a new patient education video from Baxter Healthcare, aided by the American
Association of Kidney Patients. It offers advice from people who have faced
renal failure, and who play active roles in their own care, determining what
treatment options are most suited to them and to their lifestyle. The video
is now available for rent at Blockbuster Video stores nationwide.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, A RAFFLE
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the
Blind reaches out and provides support and information to thousands of people.
Because it costs to operate this valuable network and to produce the VOICE OF
THE DIABETIC, we must generate funds to help cover these expenses. Our Diabetes
Action Network has elected to hold a raffle, which will be coordinated by our
division treasurer, Bruce Peters.
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket will be drawn,
and the winner's name announced, on July 5, 1999, at the banquet held during
the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
Raffle tickets cost $1 each, or a book of six may be purchased
for $5. Tickets may be purchased from state representatives of our Diabetes
Action Network or by contacting the VOICE Editorial Office, 811 Cherry Street,
Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911. Anyone interested
in selling tickets should also contact the VOICE Editorial Office. Tickets are
available now! Names of persons who sell 50 tickets or more will be announced
in the VOICE.
Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the
Blind. Money and sold raffle ticket stubs must be mailed to the VOICE office
no later than June 10, 1999, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman
Bruce Peters, at this year's NFB convention in Atlanta, Georgia. This raffle
is open to anyone age 18 or older, and the holder of the lucky raffle ticket
need not be present to win. Each ticket sold is a donation, helping keep our
Diabetes Action Network moving forward.
NEW DISPOSABLE INSULIN PEN
Eli Lilly and Company announces a new product: the Humulin and
Humalog Pens. These are disposable, prefilled syringe devices, each holding
300 units of Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, or quick-acting Humalog insulin. These
pens (which require detachable pen needles such as the Becton Dickinson Insulin
Pen Needles, sold separately) adjust in single-unit increments, with an audible
click for each unit. They also have a clear plastic barrel, and a magnifying
dose window to help show the exact dose.
Insulin pens have their strengths and weaknesses. They offer
undeniable dosing convenience, but make precise insulin mixing difficult. Talk
to your health care team about whether an insulin pen is the best choice for
you. For more information about the Humulin and Humalog Pens, contact Eli Lilly;
telephone: 1-888-885-4559; website: http://www.humulinpen.com
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
from Col. David Hackworth, US Army (Ret.)
Try not to dwell upon these too much. You may need an aspirin.
Only in America...does a pizza get to your house faster than
an ambulance.
Only in America...are there handicap parking places in front
of a skating rink.
Only in America...do people order double cheese burgers, a large
fry, and a diet coke.
Only in America...do banks leave both doors open and then chain
the pens to the counters.
Only in America...do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars
in the driveway and leave useless things and junk in boxes in the garage.
Only in America...do we use answering machines to screen calls
and then have call-waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want
to talk to in the first place.
Only in America...do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and
buns in packages of eight.
Only in America...do we use the word "politics" to
describe the process so well: "Poli" in Latin meaning "many"
and "tics" meaning "blood-sucking creatures."
INDEX OF SUPPORT GROUPS
Have you ever wished to join a support group in your community?
There are millions of support groups, covering a tremendous number of topics—but
where is the one you need, in your community? The American Self-Help Clearinghouse,
a national non-profit organization, offers an index of such groups, indexed
by region and by topic. You can access this index by phone: (973) 625-9565;
e-mail: [email protected]; on the World Wide Web: http://www.cmhc.com/selfhelp;
or by mail (send self-addressed, stamped envelope): American Self-Help Clearinghouse,
Northwest Covenant Medical Center, Denville, NJ 07834. The Clearinghouse has
also published a book: "The Self-Help Sourcebook: Your Guide to Community
and Online Support Groups," priced at $10, available at the above address.
REPORT MEDICARE FRAUD
If you receive Medicare, you need to inspect your receipts,
to make sure the bills reflect services you actually received. Sometimes unscrupulous
providers try to take advantage, and inflate prices, or bill for services never
delivered. If you find such a charge (they DO happen!), and you can't resolve
it with your Medicare contractor, report it! Call the Medicare Fraud Hot Line:
1-800-447-8477. Remember, you're part of the team.
IN MEMORIAM
On September 17, 1998, our National Federation of the Blind
Diabetes Action Network lost a friend and long-time leader. Cheryl McCaslin
Smith died that day, of complications from diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.
Originally from Iowa, she spent most of her working life in
Texas, where she was a teacher and librarian. An active member of the National
Federation of the Blind for more than 22 years, she was part of our Division
since the very beginning, and for many years served as our Resource Librarian.
Our condolences to her husband Lyn. Cheryl will be missed.
WHAT IS DIABETES INSIPIDUS?
As if the types and terms of diabetes mellitus were not enough
to remember, there is an unrelated medical condition also called "diabetes."
This is diabetes insipidus.
Diabetes insipidus (DI) results from the body's inability to
properly retain and concentrate urine, so the kidneys just keep flushing it
out. The word "diabetes" in this case refers to the very rapid flow
of water through and out of the body. The sufferer's urine is almost colorless
and odorless. Unlike the more common diabetes mellitus, this condition does
not alter blood glucose levels.
The cause of this incontinence is in the pituitary gland, located
in the brain. Normally the pituitary secretes a hormone called vasopressin,
which acts on the kidneys to retain water, allowing concentration of urine.
If this hormone is absent or in short supply ("central cranial DI"),
or if the kidneys fail to respond to its commands ("nephrogenic DI"),
large volumes of dilute urine will be passed.
Although the impact of diabetes insipidus is benign (provided
one ingests enough fluid to replace urinary losses), such is not always possible.
When a person with DI is unable to ingest sufficient fluids, severe dehydration
can result.
Central cranial DI can be treated with DDADP (desmopressin acetate
antidiuretic replacement therapy), administered by nasal spray.
Diabetes insipidus is fairly rare, and is unrelated to diabetes
mellitus, but one can have both conditions. Of course men who have unexplained
urinary incontinence should consult their doctor, as prostate difficulties can
cause some of the same symptoms.
FREE RESEARCH INFORMATION
Joslin Diabetes Center is one of the most famous names in diabetes
research and treatment. This institution has been involved in major research
for more than 50 years. Now, Joslin offers a free 20-page report on the latest
in diabetes research and its implications, written in plain language, for you
to share with your doctor. To obtain this summary of current diabetes research,
send your name and mailing address to: Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place,
Boston, MA 02215; Attn: Communications Department; telephone: (617) 732-2415.
Or you can e-mail them (with your postal address in the message) at: [email protected]
SEEKING COMMUNICATION
We have been asked to announce: Ria Meade knows all human beings
have feelings. She does not believe illnesses or complications should limit
one's life. Diabetic 33 years, blind for the last 16, with a kidney transplant
in 1985, she lives independently. She'd like to communicate, to start a dialog,
with others facing the same issues, of bias, hesitancy, limitation... Contact:
Ria Meade, 13 Locust Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050; telephone: 516) 883-0251.
A NAME EXPLAINED
If you've ever examined any U.S. government documents relating
to diabetes, you may have seen that they came from the Centers for Disease Control,
Division of Diabetes Translation. The "centers" part is clear, of
course, as many different institutes make up this facility, but what about "translation?"
The CDC explains that "The `translation' part indicates that the primary
focus is the translation of scientific data and information to daily practice."
GLUCOSAMINE CAUTION
It is always important to consider how medications you may be
taking might interact with each other. Make sure your doctor knows all the pills
you're taking—even those you bought at the Health Food Store. There are
many meds you should not mix! For example, glucosamine, an over-the-counter
medication sometimes used to reduce arthritis pain, is known to increase insulin
resistance. As insulin resistance is the primary symptom/root cause of type
2 diabetes, if you have diabetes, you need to steer clear of glucosamine. Nobody
needs to make themselves sicker.
ELECTIONS COMING UP
At this year's national convention in Atlanta, Georgia, elections
will be held to fill our Diabetes Action Network divisional board positions.
These are one-year terms, running from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000. Positions
to be filled are: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and two Board Members-at-Large. If you are interested in a board
position, or know someone who you think would do a good job, then contact our
Diabetes Action Network President, Ed Bryant. Yes, hard work and dedication
are prerequisites for board positions—but one must lead by good example.
BOARD MEMBERS
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the
Blind.
President: Ed Bryant—Columbia, MO
First Vice President: Janet Lee—Cedar, MN
Second Vice President: Sandie Addy—Prescott Valley, AZ
Secretary: Sally York—Castro Valley, CA
Treasurer: Bruce Peters—Akron, OH
Board Member-at-Large: Gisela Distel—Albany, NY
Board Member-at-Large: Eric Woods—Denver, CO
PLAN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED
At this year's annual convention of the National Federation
of the Blind, there will be many insulin-dependent diabetics in attendance.
Each of us should have the foresight to bring extra insulin and syringes so
as to avoid needing to search for a pharmacy.
At every convention, a few diabetics undergo avoidable hypoglycemic
attacks. Hotels are jammed, and restaurants are packed, with long waits for
a table. We diabetics should always be prepared for an insulin reaction. THINK
AHEAD! Always carry something sweet, such as candy or glucose tablets, that
can be used for reactions. We should be sure to have, in our rooms, snack foods
to help control our food needs.
We diabetics can travel anywhere and do almost anything we want,
except go without food. Our bloodstreams should have a balance of insulin and
glucose. If there is not enough glucose (food), then we have an insulin reaction.
"Plan ahead and be prepared."
THE SPEECH EXPRESSOR
Users of talking-book machines and tape players that have a
variable speed control have known for years that they can comprehend audio material
(recorded speech) at a faster rate than normal spoken speech. Thus many people
speed up their taped books and magazines, to save time. Unfortunately, running
an audio recording at faster or slower than normal rate will change its pitch.
Some readers find this pitch change irritating, but up to now,
there has been nothing to do about it. That has changed.
The American Printing House for the Blind announces the Speech
Expressor, a device that allows you to shift the pitch of a signal such as a
taped voice. If you speed up the playback, the pitch will rise, but then you
can use the Speech Expressor to drop the pitch again, without slowing the now-faster
conversation. Used with any variable-speed speech device (including the National
Library Service Talking Book Player), the Speech Expressor turns that fast,
squeaky chipmunk-voice into something still fast, but more normal (Note: If
you hook it to the radio, you can change the pitch, but it will not alter the
speed of speech). For information, or to order (cost is $125), contact: American
Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue (PO Box 6085), Louisville,
KY 40206-0085; telephone: 1-800-223-1839; website: http://www.aph.org
ARTICLES NEEDED
If you have diabetes, are a family member or friend of a diabetic,
or a health professional with an interest in diabetes, we invite you to submit
an article for publication in the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC.
Our philosophy regarding diabetes is positive. Do you have an
inspiring, enlightening story? We, the Diabetes Action Network of the National
Federation of the Blind, seek to show people they are not alone, and do have
options, regardless of diabetic complications. If you have experienced ramifications,
others, who may be facing the same side-effects, could benefit from what you
have to say.
Perhaps you have not experienced complications—your unique
insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire others. Are you
a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 243,445 VOICE readers
could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission guidelines, contact:
VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone:
(573) 875-8911.
VOICE DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED
Since the VOICE is now offered free, our Diabetes Action Network
will provide extra copies to anyone wanting to help spread the word. We will
gladly send from five to five hundred-plus copies each quarter to be used as
free literature. Medical facilities can order as needed for patients. Individuals
can usually place copies of the VOICE in libraries, pharmacies, hospitals, doctors'
offices, or other public locations.
Diabetes education is essential. Anyone who distributes the
VOICE will be helping people with diabetes, and their families, to learn about
the disease and its ramifications; to learn that they have options; and that
their world is far greater than whatever "limits" may be imposed by
the disease. If you would like to help spread the word by distributing the publication,
please contact: VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia,
MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911, fax: (573) 875-8902. Please provide a phone
number so we can reach you.