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.
In Espanol?
Health statistics show the impact of diabetes is disproportionately high among the Hispanic population. It has been suggested that we at VOICE OF THE DIABETIC reprint one article each issue in Spanish. What do you think of this idea? Should we do it? What kinds of articles should we translate? Write or phone your responses to us at the VOICE office. Thanks.
Type I Diabetes Prevention Trial
The National Institutes of Health has launched a research study to determine whether daily insulin injections, given to persons judged at risk of developing type I diabetes, will prevent the disease. Researchers are looking for close relatives of persons with type I diabetes, to participate in the study. Eligible participants must: Be between the ages of three and 45, be willing to accept either "injecting" or "control group" assignment, have blood test results that show the person is at high risk of developing type I diabetes, and must have a close relative with type I diabetes.
Ten different diabetes centers, located in California, Minnesota, Washington State, Florida, and Massachusetts, will gather data. Participants living in other areas can have tests forwarded by their family physician. For information and a list of screening sites, call the National Coordinating Center, located in Miami, Florida; telephone: 1-800-425-8361.
Thank You! Thank You!
To all of you who responded to our recent donations drive, an enormous THANK YOU! It costs more than $150,000 per year to publish VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, the principal communication tool of our Diabetes Action Network. Through the generosity of the National Federation of the Blind, we offer subscription without charge; but our advertising income covers only a portion of production costs, so we depend on YOU, our readers, to help us keep on carrying our message to more diabetics, family members, health professionals, and individuals with an interest in the condition. As our circulation has now grown beyond 187,000, our need for your assistance grows more acute. Twice a year we send out requests for donations. To those of you who responded--Thank You again!
Nutrasweet
Rumors have been circulating that the artificial sweetener Aspartame, sold as NUTRASWEET, has been found to cause brain tumors. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found such claims to be without merit at this time. Data from the National Cancer Institute show that the recent increased incidence of brain and central nervous system cancers began in 1973--and Aspartame was approved in 1981. The FDA continues to watch all food additives.
VOICE Formats
VOICE OF THE DIABETIC is offered in two formats: standard print, and 15/16 ips audiocassette, "talking book" speed. Anyone who is currently receiving the VOICE in print and having difficulty reading it, may receive it on cassette at no charge. VOICE tapes require the special tape player available free to the legally blind from Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which can be obtained by telephoning the National Library Service at 1-800-424-8567.
Periodically we receive requests for the VOICE in Braille or Large Print. It is not available in either of those formats at this time.
All a subscriber needs to do, to switch from standard print to tape, or to receive both formats, free of charge, is contact us at the VOICE editorial office.
Fruit Juice
If asked to choose which is "better for you," a glass of fruit juice or a can of soda pop, most of us would reach for the juice. However, if you read the label, there may not be much difference. Most fruits are naturally sweet, and many contain added sugar--a lot of added sugar! Eight ounces of orange juice contains 24 grams of sugar, and eight ounces of cranberry juice contains 34 grams, as much as an equivalent measure of root beer! It is best to be very cautious with high-sugar, high-carb drinks, unless you are treating a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Infections and Insulin
Especially now, in the middle of the flu season, it is well to remember that infection causes a stress on the body, and may well result in a blood glucose rise. You need to meter more carefully if you are sick. Plus, hyperglycemia, elevated blood sugar, promotes and encourages infection. As if that were not enough, if your sugars are up above 240, your immune system can be compromised. What an argument for good self-management, even when you (a-choo!) feel lousy.
Blind Poet's Work Available
"Hearing the Sunrise" by Nancy Scott is a collection of 28 poems, many previously published in national magazines. They explore everything from the sound of solder and snow, the memories evoked by the feel and smell of good wood, to coping with a blind six-year old with a squirt gun. "Hearing the Sunrise" is available in Braille for $4.50 per copy (shipped free matter) or in standard print for $6 (includes shipping). To order, make check payable to: Nancy Scott, 1141 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042.
Implantable Insulin Pump
A new type of insulin pump is currently undergoing trials. This is the "MiniMed 2001 Implantable Pump." Where current insulin pumps, about the size of phone pagers, are external, delivering insulin through a catheter, the hockey- puck sized implantable pump is surgically installed in the abdominal cavity. Before meals, the patient holds a small transmitter device over the pump site, programming it to deliver extra insulin. Because the pump uses a special high-concentration insulin (U-400), users should be able to go up to several months on one reservoir of insulin.
Implantable pumps have some drawbacks. First, the implantable is NOT an "artificial pancreas," and the user must continue to test blood glucose, as often as with a conventional pump. Second, the pump needs to be "refueled," recharged with insulin, by the doctor, who injects insulin under the skin, into the pump (reloading it yourself, at home, is not possible). Third, in recent tests, a number of users experienced mechanical failures--and for nine of the 59 test participants, those failures required further surgery to correct.
Not yet approved by the FDA, the pump "works", but offers challenges and inconveniences beyond those of the current generation of external insulin pumps, those made by MiniMed and its competitor, Disetronic. Development work continues, and with luck we shall soon see an "interactive pump," a self-adjusting insulin pump incorporating a blood glucose monitor, more closely approaching an "artificial pancreas."
For more information about the MiniMed 2001, or its other insulin pumps, contact: MiniMed Technologies, 12744 San Fernando Road, Sylmar CA 91342; telephone: 818-362-5958.
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 treasurer, John Yark.
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket will be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on July 4, 1997, 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, 1997, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman John Yark, at this year's NFB convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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.
1996 Raffle Winners
At the keynote banquet for the 1996 annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Anaheim, California, the winning ticket was drawn in the Diabetes Action Network raffle. Winning ticketholders were Ed and Toni Eames, of Fresno, California. Told of her $500 prize, Mrs. Eames stated: "We were delighted to win; the money will be put to good use..."
Lots of people helped sell tickets, and the following folks each sold 50 or more. In descending order of tickets sold: Eileen Rivera, of Baltimore, MD; Olivia Ostergaard, of Fresno, CA; Ken Staley, of Chicago, IL; Marlene Curran, of Oak Lawn, IL; Karen Mayry, of Rapid City, SD; Ed Bryant, of Columbia, MO; Martha Young, of Kansas City, MO; Betty Walker, of Jefferson City, MO; Maurine Barcelo, of Pasadena, CA; Gisela Distel, of Albany, NY; Kerry Smith, of St. Louis, MO; Edna Stevens, of Springfield, MO; and John Yark, of Stamford, CT. Truly a winning performance--See you next time!
Obesity and NIDDM
Consider obesity. "Overweight" can come from a number of causes, separately, or together in the way we call an "unhealthy lifestyle." If you are genetically predisposed toward type II diabetes (NIDDM), and an astonishing number of people are, being overweight and sedentary can greatly increase your chance of developing the disease.
Years ago, before the age of convenience devices, convenience foods, television and couch potatoes, most people's lifestyle kept them physically fit. Few but kings had the opportunity now provided to all by household devices. We use our "conveniences" instead of our muscles, and we are not looking after our diet, or our exercise. Too often, we pay for it.
Being overweight by itself does not cause diabetes. There are many overweight people with perfectly normal blood sugars and A1C tests. But if you are genetically predisposed toward NIDDM, a fit and healthy lifestyle is the best thing you can do to keep the wolf from the door.
Tax Help
For assistance with completing your 1996 tax forms, you can telephone the Internal Revenue Service, toll-free: 1- 800-829-1040.
Dialysis at National Convention
During this year's annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans, Louisiana (Sunday, June 29 through Saturday, July 5, and see "Convention 1997" article in this issue) 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 New Orleans area for instructions.
Individuals will be responsible for, and must pay out of pocket, prior to each treatment, the approximately $30 not covered by Medicare, plus any additional physician's fees.
DIALYSIS CENTERS SHOULD SET UP TRANSIENT DIALYSIS LOCATIONS AT LEAST THREE MONTHS IN ADVANCE. THIS HELPS ASSURE A LOCATION FOR ANYONE WANTING TO DIALYZE. New Orleans is a popular tourist destination, and in July, everything is very busy.
Here are some dialysis locations:
* Saint Charles Dialysis, 3600 Prytania, Suite 83, New Orleans, LA 70115; telephone: (504) 895-3992. About 10 minutes by taxi from the convention hotel.
* Uptown Dialysis has two locations. A: Truro Hospital, on Foucher Street, New Orleans, LA 70115; telephone: 504-897-7946. Social Worker is Mary Wendt; contact her for information about either Uptown Dialysis facility. B: Uptown Dialysis, 3434 Prytania Street, Room 200, New Orleans, LA 70115. Use the same phone, 504-897-7946, for both; and both are about 10 minutes from the hotel.
* BMA New Orleans, 2000 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112; telephone: (504) 581-6363. For further information contact: Jennifer Wallace, administrator, at (504) 455-5535. About 10 minutes from the hotel.
* DCI of New Orleans, 1400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112; telephone: (504) 593-9895. Although DCI reports itself "full" they may well have a cancellation. About 10 minutes from the hotel.
* Napoleon Dialysis, 2817 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115; telephone: (504) 891-8176. About 15 minutes from the hotel.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SCHEDULE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS EARLY, TO INSURE SPACE. You will be expected to pay, at time of service, the 20% Medicare copayment (about $30 for each treatment), plus any non-covered physician's fees, and any charges for EPO or Calcijex.
If scheduling assistance is needed, contact: Diabetes Action Network First Vice-President Ed Bryant at (573) 875-8911. See you in New Orleans!
Braille Calendar
The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is offering, free-of-charge, an attractive 1997 calendar in Braille. Contact the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, 1800 Johnson Steeled, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.
What's Coming Up
The next edition of the VOICE, Volume 12, No. 2, will include information on renal failure, dialysis, and transplantation, a report on progress at our latest meeting with the FDA and the insulin manufacturers regarding efforts to include tactile cues on insulin vials, and our regular columns and features. As always, articles covering different aspects of diabetes will be presented.
Talk it Over
The information and advice contained in VOICE OF THE DIABETIC is for educational purposes, and is not intended to take the place of personal instruction provided by your doctor, or by your health care team. Discuss any changes in your treatment with the appropriate health professionals.