What You Always Wanted to Know

WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW
BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK
(Resource Column)

Inclusion of materials in this publication is for

information only and does not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.

NEW DIABETES RESOURCES

The Diabetes Action Network of the National

Federation of the Blind now offers DIABETES RESOURCES: EQUIPMENT, SERVICES AND

INFORMATION, a comprehensive list of resources for diabetics. DIABETES RESOURCES is a

Effective Food Shopping

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE
FOOD SHOPPER
WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES
by Andrea Ciccone Troutner,
RD, LD

Imagine eating a milk chocolate-coated, caramel

nougat candy bar that has only 3 grams of fat, 21 grams of total carbohydrate and 90

calories per bar—and you're still following your diabetic meal plan. Now, the dream

can become a reality. How? By understanding the 1995 "Exchange List" diabetes

New Tool to Combat Impotence

A NEW TOOL TO COMBAT IMPOTENCE

Impotence, a man's inability to achieve
and sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, is a frequent complication
of long-term diabetes. Several times in the past few years, we have carried
articles reviewing its causes, symptoms, and treatments. We do this because,
although a difficult subject for many, diabetogenic impotence is not mysterious,
or even difficult to treat. These new treatments deserve to see the light of
day.

New Foot Medication

NEW FOOT
MEDICATION

One of the more ominous complications of diabetes

is "diabetic foot disease," a package of difficulties that can include

diminished sensation (neuropathy), dry skin, impaired circulation, and very slow healing.

Diabetics face heightened risk of infection from undetected, slow-healing foot injuries.

At the worst, gangrene can develop, and amputation may become necessary.

The biggest problem, once an infected foot wound

A Personal Problem

BLOOD CHEMISTRY
VALUES FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS

by Patricia Hansen, RN

Patricia Hansen, RN, is Administrator of the

Dialysis Center and Director of Renal Nursing Services at Good Samaritan Hospital of Long

Island, NY.

Blood Chemistry

Normal Values

Accepted Normal for Dialysis Patients

Causes of Abnormals (I.E. of High Abnormals)

Signs and Symptoms Associated with Abnormal Levels

CALCIUM

(Ca)

8.5-10.5

Same

Ely Lilly and Insulin Vials

ELI LILLY AND INSULIN
VIALS

by Ed Bryant

Last June 3, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration called a meeting of insulin manufacturers, government regulators, and

concerned organizations, to discuss the inclusion of tactile codes on insulin vials sold

in the United States. This is an issue of public safety. Thousands of blind diabetics, and

those losing vision, need reliable means to identify their insulin types, without sighted

ASK THE DOCTOR

ASK THE DOCTOR
by Wesley W. Wilson, MD

NOTE: If you have any questions for "Ask the

Doctor," please send them to the VOICE editorial office. The only questions Dr.

Wilson will be able to answer are the ones used in this column.

Wesley Wilson, MD is an Internal Medicine

practitioner at the Western Montana Clinic in Missoula, Montana. Dr. Wilson was diagnosed

with type 1 diabetes in 1956, during his second year of medical school.

Q: A friend in my diabetes support group has

Dialysis at National Convention

DIALYSIS AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

During this year's annual convention
of the National Federation of the Blind in Dallas, Texas (Saturday, July 4 through
Friday, July 10), dialysis will be available. Individuals requiring dialysis
must have a transient patient packet and physician's statement filled out prior
to treatment. Conventioneers should have their unit contact the desired location
in the Dallas area for instructions.

Individuals will be responsible for, and must pay

NATIONAL CONVENTION

NATIONAL
CONVENTION, 1998

Are you ready! As Federationists know,
our 1997 convention in New Orleans was the biggest we have ever had; however,
Texas in 1998 promises to be even better, and with your help, even bigger.

We will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth Hyatt

Regency, where we met in 1990 and again in 1993. NFB of Texas president Tommy Craig

promises that 1990 and 1993 were merely openers for the 1998 extravaganza.

As usual, our hotel rates are the envy of all who

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

(This article appeared in the BRAILLE MONITOR,

Volume 41, No. 1, January 1998, published by the National Federation of the Blind.)