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������������ FOOD FOR THOUGHT�������������������� ���������������������������� Artwork:� Dancing
fruits and vegetables ���������������������������� ���� 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. ���������������� Drug
Substitution Errors ���� The Institute
for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) reports that prescriptions for the popular diabetes medication Diabeta (glyburide) have been mistaken for
the beta‑blocker Zebeta (bisoprolol fumerate).� They look and sound alike, and substitution errors have been reported.
ISMP advises doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to consider the patient's diagnosis, to determine whether the drug
is indicated, and to use print, not cursive script, to communicate drug names.� Patients should also be observant. ������������� New
Type 2 Diabetes Information ���� Those of
us who have diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, are aware of the "post‑prandial spike,"
the sharp rise in blood sugars that can occur after a meal.� We chart it, we detect it with our monitors, and, hopefully, we take
action to bring the sugars back down, with exercise, medications, and modifications to diet next time. ���� Type 2
diabetes, more than 90% of all diabetes, is characterized by slow and ambiguous onset.� By the time the symptoms are obvious and apparent, diabetes may have
been present for years ‑‑ causing damage and
increasing the chance of complications.� The problem is one of early detection. ���� New studies
suggest a post‑meal blood sugar "spike" may well be a sign of early type 2, even if the FPG (fasting Plasma Glucose) test is still within the normal range.
Research suggests that such "post‑prandial"
diabetes needs intervention, to reduce the risk and rate of complications, and that some of the newer oral medications, such as
Glyset and Acarbose, are effective "spike reducers." ���� Remember
to discuss your blood glucose test results with your doctor and diabetes educator. ������������������
2000 Raffle Winners ���� At the
keynote banquet for the 2000 annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Atlanta,Georgia, the winning ticket was drawn in the Diabetes Action Network raffle.� Winning
ticketholder was Aaron Hartman, of Shelby, South Dakota. � ���� Lots of
people helped sell tickets, and the following folks each sold 50 or more.� In descending order of tickets sold:� Karen
Mayry, from Rapid City, SD; John Stroot, of Clinton, IN; Gisela Distel, of Albany, NY; Billie Weaver,
of Springfield, MO; Betty Walker, of Jefferson City, MO; Bernadette Jacobs, of Baltimore, MD; Sally York, from
Castro Valley, CA; Ed Bryant, of Columbia, MO; Sandie Addy,
from Prescott Valley, AZ; The NFB of South Dakota;� Bill Yates, of Bakersfield, CA; and Paul Price, of Valley Center,
CA. Truly a winning performance ‑‑ See you
next time! ���������������� More
About ACE Inhibitors ���� There are
many classes of medications to reduce blood pressure.� Research
has shown that one class, the ACE inhibitors, is most appropriate for diabetic use, especially where kidney damage (nephropathy) is present. ���� But all
ACE inhibitors are not quite the same.�
While they all show clear cardiac benefits, and all help
reduce fluid pressure in the kidney (making the ACE inhibitors
a good choice for treatment of nephropathy, kidney disease), They are not equally effective in their primary role,
the treatment of certain cardiac conditions.� Comparison of findings from two studies, the HOPE ("Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation") and the QUIET ("Quinapril
Ischemic Event Trial") strongly suggest that newer ACE
inhibitors, such as Altace (ramipril) are more effective against
cardiac events.� So,
if you need an ACE inhibitor, be sure you are using the correct one for you ‑‑ they're
not all the same. Talk to your doctor about the ACE inhibitors. �� ������������������
New Islet Cell Study ���� The "cure"
for type 1, insulin‑dependent diabetes, may well come from islet‑cell transplantation, from
replacement of the diabetic's own defective islet (Beta) cells
by new, healthy, insulin producing islet cells.� The problem has been to deal with the body's immune response, with
the problem of rejection.� Many strategies have been tried. What follows is a new one. ���� An Israeli
team, led by Dr.� Shimon Efrat,
from Tel Aviv University, is attempting to genetically re‑engineer islet cells so they will resist autoimmune attack,
by splicing viral proteins into their DNA.� Where other researchers are exploring shielding islet cells by surrounding them in porous polymers, Dr.� Efrat's team is perhaps the first to combine such shields with genetic manipulation.� ���� The study
is still working with animals at this time, and there is not yet a date for commencing clinical
tests on humans.� The
team expects such clinical tests could start in the next few years. ��������������� Talking
Telephone Caller ID ���� We have
been asked to announce:� The
CIDney Model 560 Talking Caller ID will "speak" an incoming
caller's 10‑digit phone number (or custom caller category), between the
first and second ring.� If
that number is blocked or unidentifiable, it will announce "number blocked,"
or "number unidentifiable."� The unit stores the last 99 incoming phone numbers, and speaks them back to you on command, along
with date and day of the call.� It has a visual and audible "message waiting" indicator, and its three‑line
LCD displays name, number, date and time.� The 560 also has a new "dial back" feature.�
Priced at $49.95, contact:� Full
Life Products, PO Box 490, Mirror Lake, NH 03853; telephone:
1‑ 800‑400‑1540; website: http://www.superproducts.com ���������������������������� ���������������������������� �������������������
New Division Board ���������������������������� ���� At this
year's NFB national convention, in Atlanta, Georgia, we, the Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind, elected our new Board.� All veteran diabetics, they are:� President:� Ed
Bryant (Columbia, MO) First Vice President:� Eric Woods (Denver, CO) Second Vice President:� Sandie Addy (Prescott Valley, AZ) Treasurer:� Bruce
Peters (Akron, OH) Secretary:� Sally
York (Castro Valley, CA) Board Member‑At‑Large:� Gisela Distel (Albany, NY) Board Member‑At‑Large:� Paul Price (Valley Center, CA) � Board Member‑At‑Large:� Dawnelle Cruze (Portsmouth, VA) ���� Dawnelle,
our newest member, is president of the NFB of Virginia's Diabetes Action Network.� She also works for the Red Cross. ����� ���������������� 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.� NOTE:�
Please provide a phone number so we can reach you.� |
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