Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

March 2005
(Volume IV, Issue 3)

What is Diabetes Self-Management?
The simplest definition is: An individualized program designed to assist you in decreasing your blood sugar levels and preventing long-term complications of diabetes. The most important factor is to understand and learn to live with diabetes. This is done through education for keeping up-to-date with what's happening with diabetes and adapting behaviors for a healthy lifestyle.

In our Latest News sections we bring you the tools you need to help you self-manage with Food, Self Care and System Care.

We've been hearing a lot about the herb stevia. It's a sweetener with no calories. Is it good for diabetics? Read this month's Nutrition News by Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE and find out.

You can now sell your items on eBay and select a percentage from the final amount to donate directly to Defeat Diabetes Foundation. It's easy. for more information

How about a great holiday feast that not only tastes great, but is good for you too? Here's are recipes for a complete Easter dinner from America's Healthiest Mom, Jyl Steinback.

We know why Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, received the award of Diabetes Educator of the Year from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. She helps people find humor in diabetes and that is oh so true in this month's Islets of Humor™.

Type 3 diabetes? Successful islet transplants. No more insulin shots? Those are all articles in Treatments on the Horizon.

Mr. Diabetes®, Andy Mandell, is making preparations to start up the Mr. Diabetes® Walk Up and Walk® Tour after a long, cold and especially hard winter for some of you. He expects to be walking by mid April and starting where he left off in Zion, Illinois.

Self-Management means working with your physicians. But, what happens when they don't work with you? Also, we're revisiting how to prepare for a trip to the hospital. read Readers' Forum

This is vacation, holiday and family time. We at Defeat Diabetes Foundation wish our growing international family all the best wishes.

Good Health,
Lisa M. Rasolt
Program Director
lrasolt@DefeatDiabetes.org
Awareness + Action = Prevention®
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Did You Know?
A difference in blood pressure between the two arms can be expected in about 20% of patients. The higher value should be the one used in treatment decisions. Hypertension. 2005;45:2-21
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Latest News - Self-Management - Food
Dark Chocolate May Lower Blood Pressure and Reduce Risk of Diabetes  Eat a healthy dose of dark chocolate every day to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
Yogurt: An Antidote to Bad Breath? Researchers found that eating 6 ounces of yogurt a day reduced levels of odor-causing compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, in the mouth.
A Cherry A Day Can Keep Diabetes Away Cherries may one day be part of diabetes treatment. Can increase insulin production by fifty percent.
Eating a Low Glycemic Index Diet After eating low GI carbs, there is no spike in blood glucose and no subsequent precipitous drop. The body receives a consistent flow of energy into the blood, which circulates the energy throughout the entire body. When nourished this way, the body experiences a sense of sustained satiety and well-being.
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Did You Know?
You can now sell your items on eBay and select a percentage from the final amount to donate directly to Defeat Diabetes Foundation. It's easy. for more information
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Latest News - Self-Management -  Self Care
Treatment of Sleep Apnea Lowers Glucose Levels in Diabetics CPAP, the most common treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea, involves wearing a mask that supplies a steady stream of air through the nose during sleep. The airflow keeps the nasal passages open sufficiently to prevent airway collapse. When CPAP treatment was administered for at least four hours each day, there was a significant reduction in the participants' glucose levels.
Which Hand Washing Cleansers Fight Germs Best? When it comes to hand washing, using soap and water is still one of the best bets for good hygiene. "Our study showed that the antimicrobial hand washing agents were significantly more effective in reducing bacteria than the alcohol-based hand rubs and waterless hand wipes."
Forearm Test Not Good for Checking Blood Sugar Although testing blood sugar levels using a forearm prick produces readings similar to those obtained from a fingerstick when levels are high or normal, it may overestimate blood sugar levels when they are low, according to two brief reports in the medical journal Diabetes Care.
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Did You Know?
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 40. When detected early, it is highly treatable.
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Latest News - Self-Management - System Care
Specialists vs. Primary Care Physicians - Intensifying Treatment Specialists were more aggressive with insulin initiation than primary care physicians, which may contribute to the lower A1c levels seen with specialist care.
New Certification for Doctors in Diabetes Care by NCQA Beginning this summer, internists seeking maintenance of certification in diabetes care can apply for a new feather in their caps: recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Seniors Look to Doctors For Medicare Drug Info Older patients are choosing their physician over the phone or electronic resources to help them understand the complexities of the new prescription drug law. Physicians are not aware of the details regarding what new things Medicare is covering.
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Did You Know?
The Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has determined that the standard serving size for wine is 5-ounces, but most companies that offer low carb wines use 3.5 ounces as a serving.
The Low Carb Bartender, Adams Media
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Nutrition News nutrition
March 2005
By Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE

Questions about Stevia
What is Stevia?
Stevia (stevioside) is extracted from the leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni---a plant indigenous to South America. Natives call it “sweet herb” or “herb of sugar” because of the sweet taste its leaves impart to foods and beverages.
Is it safe? read more
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Mr. Diabetes® Says
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure---which is: Try to please everybody. Herbert B. Swope
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Diabetic Recipes recipes
How about a great holiday feast that not only tastes great, but is good for you too? Here's are recipes for a complete Easter dinner from America's Healthiest Mom, Jyl Steinback.
Quick Peach Papaya Fizz
Artichoke Pita Chips
Hot Spinach Salad
Creole Fish with Rice
Asparagus Dijon
Trifle Fruit Salad
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Did You Know?
An HbA1c of above 7% is a strong predictor of diabetes-related health complications.
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Islets of Humor™ humor
March 2005
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE

see more of Theresa Garnero's cartoons
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We Need Your Help to continue our highly recognized and well received programs, but we would like to do more. Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible.
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Treatments on the Horizon
New Type 3 Diabetes Discovered Discovery that insulin is produced in the brain and it’s decrease raises possibility of Type 3 diabetes linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and changes the way we view the disease.
First UK Islet Transplant Successful A multidisciplinary team at King's College Hospital has successfully achieved islet cell¹ transplantation in a Type 1² diabetes patient. The patient, a 61 year old man, now no longer needs insulin injections, following three transplants of islet cells isolated from cadaveric donor pancreases.
New Approach May Keep Diabetes Patients Off Insulin Shots Scientists are learning how to make embryonic stem cells into insulin producing cells. The research could be a major step toward a cure for Type-1 diabetes.
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Readers' Forum forum
Self-Management means working with your physicians. But, what happens when they don't work with you? Also, we're revisiting how to prepare for a trip to the hospital.

Q - In 1996, I discovered that I was having some problems with sugar regulation.  I wasn't feeling right and went to the doctor and the sugar level was dangerously low - 32.  So my doctor ordered a glucose tolerance test.  According to the test, the results revealed that I was mildly diabetic.  I was instructed to purchase a meter to check my fasting sugar every morning.  Since I am a serious runner, my doctor referred me to an endocrinologist. When I met the endocrinologist, he blew me off, and treated me like one of the overreacting idiots.  He didn't even check me and told me that I was crazy for even thinking that I was possibly diabetic.  I left his office embarrassed and never returned.  This was in 1996.  Time went on and there has been times when I have checked my sugar level, it would be over 150.  Last month, I got very sick with bronchitis and was on medication.  Due this illness, I was unable to eat adequate meals.  I got better but still struggled with appetite.  I went back into running because I was training for a marathon.  While I was running, I felt really terrible.  I thought my sugar was low due to not eating well from my illness.  After running 6 miles, I checked my sugar and it was 211.  Tell me, is this a warning sign.  Should I try to go back to the doctor?  I don't to be embarrassed again. - Sandra - for our response

Q - Can surgery affect my diabetes? - Anne - for our response
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Did You Know?
An increase in HbA1c of just 1% corresponded to a 35% increase in risk of nerve, eye and kidney complications.
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This concludes the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter.

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

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

Important Notice: The opinions and statements expressed in the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lertsä Newsletter are directed at a general audience. Its intent is solely for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. Please consult a health professional on any matters regarding your health and well-being, or if you are interested in anything mentioned in the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lertsä Newsletter. The information presented here is believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment of the Program Director, but the reader is responsible for consulting with his/her own health professional on any matters raised within.