Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

September  2003
(Volume II, Issue 8)
********************************************************
Don't forget to subscribe to Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™
********************************************************

Diabetes in the United States is responsible for approximately 50% of all leg and foot amputations from non-traumatic causes and the number one cause of lower limb amputations in the United States! Our Latest News addresses the changes that researchers have identified that take place in the feet of diabetics. We have included 3 articles covering information that aids foot ulcer healing, doubles the healing rate, and how to detect early signs of inflammation.

Mr. Diabetes^® has turned the corner and is heading east. After a successful stay in Seattle, Washington Mr. Diabetes^®, Andy Mandell, is now on his way to Moses Lake, Washington,  having walked over 4100 miles. To read more...

Our readers are challenging us with their questions. Check our  Readers' Forum for the latest questions and our responses. We welcome your comments. We'll give you great Recipes by Jyl Steinback that you will swear are too good to be diabetic!

There are some exciting new Treatments on the Horizon including a new drug that may target the liver and the pancreas and a new and better source of insulin. Scientists unlock the mystery of nerve pain. There is a hormone that tells the brain that you are full and cuts appetite by 1/3rd.

WE NEED YOUR HELP to continue our highly recognized and well received programs, but we would like to do more. The Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible.

Good Health,
Lisa M. Rasolt
Program Director
lrasolt@DefeatDiabetes.org

Awareness + Action = Prevention™
*********************************************************
Did you know?
Approximately 15% of people with diabetes develop at least one foot ulcer during their lifetime. Diabetes Care
*********************************************************
Latest News
Full-time Cast AIDS Healing of Diabetic Ulcers Diabetics often develop skin ulcers on the bottom of their feet, and if these sores do not heal properly, amputation may be required to save the patient's life. A new study shows that while wearing a cast full-time on an affected foot aids ulcer healing and can prevent such drastic outcomes, many subjects don't wear the cast as directed.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Improves Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Hyperbaric oxygen doubles the mean healing rate of nonischemic chronic foot ulcers in selected diabetic patients.
*********************************************************
Did you know?
People with diabetes are 15 times more likely to have an amputation than those without. Diabetes Care
*********************************************************
Location of Ulcerations in Diabetic Patients May Be Explained Sixty percent of hospital admissions of patients with diabetes are caused by complications of foot ulcers. More than 70 percent of these admissions require surgical intervention with 40 percent resulting in amputations. It is estimated that at least half of the amputations are preventable through improved foot care programs.
Diabetes Can Cause Major Problems With Your Lower Limbs Few people with diabetes realize how the disease can devastate their feet. But diabetes is the number one cause of lower limb amputations in the United States, and among people who do have an amputation, only 30 to 40 percent are still alive after five years.
*********************************************************
With no Government funding, Defeat Diabetes Foundation relies on the generosity of "We the People" to help keep our programs going and growing.   We can't do it alone ... We need your financial support!
Make a "Tribute", "Memorial", or "General" donation.
*********************************************************
Researchers Zero In on Foot Problems in Diabetics Changes that take place in the tissue and bone structure of the feet of people with diabetes have been identified by researchers. The understanding of these changes can improve prevention and treatment of foot ulcers, a common complication of diabetes and the leading cause of lower-extremity amputations in the United States.
EASD: Temperature Monitoring Device Prevents Diabetic Foot Complications Use of infrared home temperature monitor can help detect early signs of inflammation in diabetic patients' feet, helping to prevent the development of ulcers and other serious complications such as amputation.
*********************************************************
Mr. Diabetes^® Says
People seldom improve when they have no other models but themselves.
*********************************************************
Diabetic Recipes recipes
The kids are back in school and the leaves are turning beautiful colors and here are some great recipes from Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom, and her cookbook The Fat Free Living 2 Cookbook:
Crabmeat Dip With Zip
Blueberry Pancakes
Fruit and Cabbage Slaw
Baked Sole
Tangy Mustard Cauliflower
Polynesian Bread Pudding
*********************************************************
Treatments On The Horizon
Scientists Unlock The Mystery Of Nerve Pain The pain is caused by subtle nerve damage, can often be agonizing, and frequently does not improve over time. Scientists are still struggling to exactly why such a powerful pain message is sent back to the brain. But, the answer may lie in "microglial" cells - which can be found in the spinal cord and behave a little like immune cells.
New Peptide Reduces Appetite The hormone tells the brain that you are full and cut appetite by 1/3rd. In the study, both obese and lean people ate about 30 percent less after they were given a dose of PYY. The research also showed lower natural levels of PYY in the obese, which may explain why they are hungrier and overeat.
*********************************************************
Did you know?
Diabetic foot ulceration and amputations cost U.S. health care payers $10.9 billion in 2001. Diabetes Care
*********************************************************
New Drug Targets Liver and Pancreas Researchers said they had found a new class of drugs that might attack diabetes on more than one front -- and that could be taken as a pill. The medications could offer an alternative to some of the drugs that many diabetes patients must take. At this point in time, this type of drug will not allow us to replace insulin. The drug is targeting type-II diabetes populations before they get to insulin.
Fish Insulin Discovery A Breakthrough In Diabetes Treatment In what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, scientists have zeroed in on a new source of insulin in fish that mimics human insulin more closely than any known animal source -- porcine or bovine -- currently in use. This new insulin is highly active and has shown greater biological activity than porcine insulin in rat models.
*********************************************************
Readers' Forum
Q - I am a 12 year veteran of diabetes. What started as a mild case controlled by diet and exercise has progressed to oral medication and now to insulin injections. I have developed a chronic itch that has all of my doctors baffled. It's so bad it keeps me up at night. Could this be another symptom of diabetes and how can it be treated? - Patricia - for our answer

Q - I just delivered a baby 3 months ago and at that time I had no signs of diabetes, but for the past two weeks I have been showing signs of it. Is it possible that I could have gotten it since my 6 week check-up? by the way I took the test that you have and I scored an 80. should I really worry? - Jami - for our answer
*********************************************************
This concludes the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter.

If there are specific questions you have, you may reach us at info@DefeatDiabetes.org.

If you liked our E-Lerts™ Newsletter, found interesting and informative articles, or enjoyed our delicious recipes, please refer this newsletter to someone you know who may also benefit from reading it.  Just click HERE.  When you do, an email (from you) will open.  Enter your friend's email address, Copy and Paste the message below into the email, personalize the message and click send/submit.

Privacy note:  Your friends email address will NOT be logged into a data base, unless they choose to subscribe.  If they do not subscribe they will never receive any communication from us.  

If you're not already receiving E-Lerts™ each month, please join us and subscribe to the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter.

To unsubscribe, please go to our unsubscribe form.

The Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible.