I have never seen the need. One time I tried a couple, by the end of January they were no more.
Everyone seems to think they are needed and many are blogging about how to make them achievable. Granted, most that I hear are so grandiose that it is small wonder they can't be kept. Many are totally impracticable and impossible to keep in the first place. So why even make them. This takes all the fun out of the new year and sets a pattern of failure which many people then follow for the rest of the year.
Jen Hubley, the About Today Editor at about dot com started her newsletter for December 29, 2010 stating “New Year's Resolutions: So easy to make, so hard to keep. Unless, like me, you resolve every year to stop setting unreasonable goals. Then you can start out by not making resolutions, and you're already a winner.”
Then she had to ruin her excellent start by proposing some ways to make New Year's Resolutions. Not really, but she does link to lots of types of resolutions written by others at about dot com.
Have a Happy New Year!
December 30, 2010
December 25, 2010
Medically Induced Diabetes
What is this you say? Why would anyone allow diabetes to be induced. It is one of the types of diabetes that is recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). I feel that there is one exception that is not officially recognized by the ADA, but still exists in daily life.
I will start with the not recognized diabetes which I will emphasize is not considered by the ADA. This is when an accident happens which severely damages the pancreas making it incapable of insulin production. This does not happen that often, but there are a few individuals in this unofficial category.
The medically induced is simply called – Drug- or chemical-induced diabetes. There are apparently many drugs that can impair insulin secretion, but not cause diabetes by themselves. These drugs can start diabetes in people with insulin resistance. When this happens, the classification is difficult because the sequence or importance of the beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in unknown.
Some toxins like Vacor (a rat poison) and intravenous pentamidine can destroy pancreatic beta-cells, but these are rare. There are many drugs and hormones that can affect insulin action. A list (link is broken) in table one is not all-inclusive, but includes the more commonly recognized drug-, hormone-, or toxin-induced forms of diabetes.
When I was told recently that a friend had medically induced type 2 diabetes, I had to look this up. There is only a classification of medically induced and no type associated with it. I am not going to debate this until the ADA does more clarification or assigns a type. Then there is diabetes resulting from prescription steroids.
Medically induced diabetes is still diabetes and must be treated as such. Some are treated with oral medications and the rest with insulin depending on the damage done to the pancreas. Most of the few that have accident caused diabetes are on insulin.
Read the ADA definitions here. This definitions for the above discussion are about one-third to one half way down the page.
I will start with the not recognized diabetes which I will emphasize is not considered by the ADA. This is when an accident happens which severely damages the pancreas making it incapable of insulin production. This does not happen that often, but there are a few individuals in this unofficial category.
The medically induced is simply called – Drug- or chemical-induced diabetes. There are apparently many drugs that can impair insulin secretion, but not cause diabetes by themselves. These drugs can start diabetes in people with insulin resistance. When this happens, the classification is difficult because the sequence or importance of the beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in unknown.
Some toxins like Vacor (a rat poison) and intravenous pentamidine can destroy pancreatic beta-cells, but these are rare. There are many drugs and hormones that can affect insulin action. A list (link is broken) in table one is not all-inclusive, but includes the more commonly recognized drug-, hormone-, or toxin-induced forms of diabetes.
When I was told recently that a friend had medically induced type 2 diabetes, I had to look this up. There is only a classification of medically induced and no type associated with it. I am not going to debate this until the ADA does more clarification or assigns a type. Then there is diabetes resulting from prescription steroids.
Medically induced diabetes is still diabetes and must be treated as such. Some are treated with oral medications and the rest with insulin depending on the damage done to the pancreas. Most of the few that have accident caused diabetes are on insulin.
Read the ADA definitions here. This definitions for the above discussion are about one-third to one half way down the page.
December 22, 2010
Learn How to Manage Holiday Stress
Many people are telling us how to minimize the stress of the holiday season. Some are excellent, some are okay, and others almost seem to create more stress than help reduce stress. I am looking as this as a person with diabetes. What works for some may not work for all us. Stress makes management of blood glucose levels more difficult.
This article fits and includes many of the criteria for reducing stress. The most important point is not forgetting to take care of ourselves. There are many points that can be included in taking care of ourselves. These also work for minimizing depression. Learn to manage your diabetes routine and expectations to make the holidays enjoyable.
Make sure that you maintain a good sleep schedule. This means not shorting the amount of sleep and getting the eight hours needed each night. Sleep deprivation is a negative factor in managing your blood glucose levels and can make it more difficult.
Avoid overeating or loading up on carbohydrates. This will force blood glucose management out the window. Know you limits and stick to them. If you must have the extra piece of desert or extra serving of your favorite food remember to plan for some exercise before eating and some light exercise after eating to help burn the extra carbohydrates. Those of us on insulin have a much easier time, but we still need to be careful of the extra carbohydrates.
This is important – know your limits. Avoid family gatherings that include airing family issues and grievances. It is often better to miss these gatherings than feel resentful for days afterward. It is better exercising restraint beforehand than dealing with problem relatives and letting them raise your blood pressure.
Rather than staying late at gatherings, leave early when necessary to allow yourself some time unwind and relax before bed time. Allow time for taking a walk if possible or other types of exercise. Take a good hot shower or soak in the tub to wash the day's stress away. In other words, take care of yourself first and don't let little things become mountains.
Learn to budget your time and patience for the holidays to get the most enjoyment out of them for you. If you have something that reduces the stress for you, do it. You are worth it!
I cannot leave this without adding another reference that may reduce the food stress for the holidays. Even though the author does not have diabetes, he knows how to adapt for diabetes. His blog has a practical way to handle the eating stress many of us feel during the holidays. Though he probably was not thinking stress, his blog has some excellent tips. I use many of them, but never thought of them the way he presents the ideas.
Happy holidays!
This article fits and includes many of the criteria for reducing stress. The most important point is not forgetting to take care of ourselves. There are many points that can be included in taking care of ourselves. These also work for minimizing depression. Learn to manage your diabetes routine and expectations to make the holidays enjoyable.
Make sure that you maintain a good sleep schedule. This means not shorting the amount of sleep and getting the eight hours needed each night. Sleep deprivation is a negative factor in managing your blood glucose levels and can make it more difficult.
Avoid overeating or loading up on carbohydrates. This will force blood glucose management out the window. Know you limits and stick to them. If you must have the extra piece of desert or extra serving of your favorite food remember to plan for some exercise before eating and some light exercise after eating to help burn the extra carbohydrates. Those of us on insulin have a much easier time, but we still need to be careful of the extra carbohydrates.
This is important – know your limits. Avoid family gatherings that include airing family issues and grievances. It is often better to miss these gatherings than feel resentful for days afterward. It is better exercising restraint beforehand than dealing with problem relatives and letting them raise your blood pressure.
Rather than staying late at gatherings, leave early when necessary to allow yourself some time unwind and relax before bed time. Allow time for taking a walk if possible or other types of exercise. Take a good hot shower or soak in the tub to wash the day's stress away. In other words, take care of yourself first and don't let little things become mountains.
Learn to budget your time and patience for the holidays to get the most enjoyment out of them for you. If you have something that reduces the stress for you, do it. You are worth it!
I cannot leave this without adding another reference that may reduce the food stress for the holidays. Even though the author does not have diabetes, he knows how to adapt for diabetes. His blog has a practical way to handle the eating stress many of us feel during the holidays. Though he probably was not thinking stress, his blog has some excellent tips. I use many of them, but never thought of them the way he presents the ideas.
Happy holidays!
December 21, 2010
Seasons Greetings
To all my readers
May you have a happy holiday season
Have a Merry Christmas!
and
A Happy New Year!
The blog will continue during the holidays. I wanted to take this opportunity to greet everyone and wish you happy holidays.
December 20, 2010
New Vitamin D Standards
Once in a while, I seem to do something right. When the first information came out on the new standards for vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) I wanted to scream. To me they seemed to be missing the point and I thought maybe I should not write about this and set it aside. Now about three weeks later, I am glad I did not throw this reference away.
After reading several other blogs by doctors, I know as a patient that I am not out in left field for wanting to believe that many people that I like to read their blogs could not be wrong for as many years as they have been doing this. So hopefully I will not mess this up in the explanation.
First, I have been reading David Mendosa for several years and he is not bashful in recommending high quantities (International Units - IU) of vitamin D. He does tell people to find their own levels and not necessarily follow his example. Several others who shall remain nameless take Vitamin D, but not quite as high IU. Now the IOM has just raised the recommendation. The recommendation is here and because I now understand what they have done, I am still upset. The IOM level is still only a maintenance level to prevent deficiency only.
Doctor William Davis did an excellent task of pointing this out and referring to another Doctor about the topic of vitamin D. Dr. Davis also refers to another website about vitamin D. So like me, you have your reading ahead, but I feel that you will better understand the need for vitamin D and the levels suggested.
I am not sure of where to suggest starting your reading, but I would start with the recommendation above and then read three of the blogs by David Mendosa. Blog 1, Blog 2, and Blog 3. Or if you want to read more later go to the main site and use the search tool that he has on his time and type in vitamin D.
Next I would suggest reading the blog by Dr. Davis here. Then follow the links he has in this blog. Finally, read this by Dr. John Cannell.
I have to appreciate these bloggers for using common sense in recommending higher levels of Vitamin D that the IOM. It is discouraging to realize than the IOM just recognizes the minimum levels to prevent deficiency and not giving us levels for optimal health which could be set as a range – deficiency prevention to optimal health.
I find that the doctors recognize that about 30 minutes in the sun gives us about 10,000 IU of vitamin D. They also recognize that vitamin D is a hormone that was miss identified but important enough that the term vitamin has been left in place. So when they mention taking 5000 IU this is not out of line.
However, most physicians only see the recommendations of the IOM and get upset with us when they find out the number of IU we are taking. I do feel fortunate that my endocrinologist is knowledgeable and even suggests higher levels during the winter that I am currently taking.
I suggest bookmarking the reference links if this topic is of interest to you. Links in other blogs mention above but not listed by me yet include: link 1 and link 2.
After reading several other blogs by doctors, I know as a patient that I am not out in left field for wanting to believe that many people that I like to read their blogs could not be wrong for as many years as they have been doing this. So hopefully I will not mess this up in the explanation.
First, I have been reading David Mendosa for several years and he is not bashful in recommending high quantities (International Units - IU) of vitamin D. He does tell people to find their own levels and not necessarily follow his example. Several others who shall remain nameless take Vitamin D, but not quite as high IU. Now the IOM has just raised the recommendation. The recommendation is here and because I now understand what they have done, I am still upset. The IOM level is still only a maintenance level to prevent deficiency only.
Doctor William Davis did an excellent task of pointing this out and referring to another Doctor about the topic of vitamin D. Dr. Davis also refers to another website about vitamin D. So like me, you have your reading ahead, but I feel that you will better understand the need for vitamin D and the levels suggested.
I am not sure of where to suggest starting your reading, but I would start with the recommendation above and then read three of the blogs by David Mendosa. Blog 1, Blog 2, and Blog 3. Or if you want to read more later go to the main site and use the search tool that he has on his time and type in vitamin D.
Next I would suggest reading the blog by Dr. Davis here. Then follow the links he has in this blog. Finally, read this by Dr. John Cannell.
I have to appreciate these bloggers for using common sense in recommending higher levels of Vitamin D that the IOM. It is discouraging to realize than the IOM just recognizes the minimum levels to prevent deficiency and not giving us levels for optimal health which could be set as a range – deficiency prevention to optimal health.
I find that the doctors recognize that about 30 minutes in the sun gives us about 10,000 IU of vitamin D. They also recognize that vitamin D is a hormone that was miss identified but important enough that the term vitamin has been left in place. So when they mention taking 5000 IU this is not out of line.
However, most physicians only see the recommendations of the IOM and get upset with us when they find out the number of IU we are taking. I do feel fortunate that my endocrinologist is knowledgeable and even suggests higher levels during the winter that I am currently taking.
I suggest bookmarking the reference links if this topic is of interest to you. Links in other blogs mention above but not listed by me yet include: link 1 and link 2.
December 16, 2010
Smart Hospital Beds in Our Future?
Can we have a smart hospital bed in our future? This may happen if hospital bed manufactures come on board with current technology.
John LaCourse may soon have his name on a lot of hospital beds. He is a professor and chair of the University of New Hampshire's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research may soon represent a leap forward in hospital patient care. He is presently negotiating with hospital bed manufacturers to add his programmed algorithm technology to make hospital beds “smart” computerized beds.
This research looks very promising and is on the fast track to becoming a reality. It will be useful for many applications including, blood pressure monitoring, prevention of bed sores, sleep apnea, and potentially many other applications.
The microprocessors will be incorporated in the bed and must be standardized as a plug-and-play so medical devices can share information and communicate with each other. This will provide patient information which will hopefully reduce care errors.
Read the article here for more information. This is something I am looking forward to seeing come to fruition. These could prove very useful, not only in hospitals, but also in nursing homes, hospice care, and even in home care. This may also have applications for continuous blood glucose monitoring and insulin pump use.
John LaCourse may soon have his name on a lot of hospital beds. He is a professor and chair of the University of New Hampshire's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research may soon represent a leap forward in hospital patient care. He is presently negotiating with hospital bed manufacturers to add his programmed algorithm technology to make hospital beds “smart” computerized beds.
This research looks very promising and is on the fast track to becoming a reality. It will be useful for many applications including, blood pressure monitoring, prevention of bed sores, sleep apnea, and potentially many other applications.
The microprocessors will be incorporated in the bed and must be standardized as a plug-and-play so medical devices can share information and communicate with each other. This will provide patient information which will hopefully reduce care errors.
Read the article here for more information. This is something I am looking forward to seeing come to fruition. These could prove very useful, not only in hospitals, but also in nursing homes, hospice care, and even in home care. This may also have applications for continuous blood glucose monitoring and insulin pump use.
December 13, 2010
Exercise
Before starting any exercise regimen be sure that you talk to your doctor and get his permission. Your doctor may have some advice that you would be wise to follow. And your doctor may want to do some tests that will help guide the advice s/he gives you particularly if you have any medical limitations.
Exercise is generally considered one of the keys to weight loss, managing blood glucose levels, and lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems. Many sites are touting the benefits of aerobic and resistance exercises. These are excellent for people without medical limitations.
What many people forget about is swimming. This is low impact and the water provides buoyancy for those with some medical restrictions. Your heart, your brain, and your entire body benefits from exercise. Once you have your doctors approval, select the type of exercise that fits you goals and abilities. Make sure that the exercise is something you enjoy as this will aid you in maintaining a regular routine.
Many people walk every day. Some lift two to five pound weights while in a wheelchair using their feet or hands, or use their arms to push the wheels around the block. Do what you are capable of doing on a daily or regular basis. With winter basically here, many people are fortunate enough to have indoor equipment and can and do use it.
Some cities have swimming pools that are available year round for swimming, whether they are city owned or in a YMCA or YWCA or other organization. Some will allow use for a fee and some require yearly memberships. Some hospitals have small rehabilitation pools that can be used for a fee. So check around and ask questions.
In many cities there are malls that allow walking and this is great if they are indoor areas and have good distances. In a few areas there are stores that will allow you to walk indoors during the winter. Most request that you ask permission and complete some paperwork for their protection and yours if you fall or have something like a hypo and cannot communicate yourself.
This just scratches the surface of what is available or can be done for exercise. Those with medical limitations are often capable of more than they realize and with proper instruction and desire are often to stretch their abilities. Those that have no medical limitations need to put forth more effort to exercise.
Exercise is generally considered one of the keys to weight loss, managing blood glucose levels, and lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems. Many sites are touting the benefits of aerobic and resistance exercises. These are excellent for people without medical limitations.
What many people forget about is swimming. This is low impact and the water provides buoyancy for those with some medical restrictions. Your heart, your brain, and your entire body benefits from exercise. Once you have your doctors approval, select the type of exercise that fits you goals and abilities. Make sure that the exercise is something you enjoy as this will aid you in maintaining a regular routine.
Many people walk every day. Some lift two to five pound weights while in a wheelchair using their feet or hands, or use their arms to push the wheels around the block. Do what you are capable of doing on a daily or regular basis. With winter basically here, many people are fortunate enough to have indoor equipment and can and do use it.
Some cities have swimming pools that are available year round for swimming, whether they are city owned or in a YMCA or YWCA or other organization. Some will allow use for a fee and some require yearly memberships. Some hospitals have small rehabilitation pools that can be used for a fee. So check around and ask questions.
In many cities there are malls that allow walking and this is great if they are indoor areas and have good distances. In a few areas there are stores that will allow you to walk indoors during the winter. Most request that you ask permission and complete some paperwork for their protection and yours if you fall or have something like a hypo and cannot communicate yourself.
This just scratches the surface of what is available or can be done for exercise. Those with medical limitations are often capable of more than they realize and with proper instruction and desire are often to stretch their abilities. Those that have no medical limitations need to put forth more effort to exercise.
December 1, 2010
This War Must Be Fought!
Normally I would wait to post this, but this demands action now!
This war is with the government and our ill advised bureaucracy that is out to kill people with chronic diseases, namely diabetes. This would otherwise be called Medicare. And we all know this means that the insurance companies will follow this lock-step.
For the background of what is going on, please take time to read the post of December 1, 2010 by Lee Dubois. I know others will be writing about this also. Take time to read his blog now and then come back. I know that your blood pressure will go up, and hopefully you remembered to take your medication last night.
It is bad enough that we have to fight for every test strip that we can get and ask our doctors to go to bat for us to get a few extra strips, but to have medicare dictate that we will only be allowed one test strip if you are on oral medications and three if on insulin it totally out of line and could be fatal for some. We all need to test if we think we might be having an episode of hypoglycemia.
What is so frightening is this time your doctor will not be able to argue for you. This will be the rule and no exceptions will be allowed. It is bad enough that these decisions are not up for public comment before being enforced, but to ram this down our throats is totally unconscionable.
Therefore - call the Congressional Switchboard at 1-866-220-0044. If you give them your zip code they’ll connect you with your Senator’s office. Each Senator apparently has a Healthcare Liaison. Give that person an earful. I lifted this from Lee's blog and I hope that this is acceptable because of the need to do this.
I would also suggest that you email your senators at this link and make the subject attention the Healthcare Liaison. In the first sentence get their attention by stating that Medicare has overstepped their boundaries or wording to this effect.
Do this now and don't wait. Also contact any friends that you know might support you and have them do this as well.
This war is with the government and our ill advised bureaucracy that is out to kill people with chronic diseases, namely diabetes. This would otherwise be called Medicare. And we all know this means that the insurance companies will follow this lock-step.
For the background of what is going on, please take time to read the post of December 1, 2010 by Lee Dubois. I know others will be writing about this also. Take time to read his blog now and then come back. I know that your blood pressure will go up, and hopefully you remembered to take your medication last night.
It is bad enough that we have to fight for every test strip that we can get and ask our doctors to go to bat for us to get a few extra strips, but to have medicare dictate that we will only be allowed one test strip if you are on oral medications and three if on insulin it totally out of line and could be fatal for some. We all need to test if we think we might be having an episode of hypoglycemia.
What is so frightening is this time your doctor will not be able to argue for you. This will be the rule and no exceptions will be allowed. It is bad enough that these decisions are not up for public comment before being enforced, but to ram this down our throats is totally unconscionable.
Therefore - call the Congressional Switchboard at 1-866-220-0044. If you give them your zip code they’ll connect you with your Senator’s office. Each Senator apparently has a Healthcare Liaison. Give that person an earful. I lifted this from Lee's blog and I hope that this is acceptable because of the need to do this.
I would also suggest that you email your senators at this link and make the subject attention the Healthcare Liaison. In the first sentence get their attention by stating that Medicare has overstepped their boundaries or wording to this effect.
Do this now and don't wait. Also contact any friends that you know might support you and have them do this as well.
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