News: Insulin pump may cut risk of heart disease deaths with diabetes
from Rueters Health: by Roxanne Nelson
(Reuters Health) - People with type 1 diabetes must control their blood sugar with insulin, but getting it automatically from an implanted pump may also help to stave off death from heart disease, according to a large Scandinavian study.
Among more than 18,000 type 1 diabetics in Sweden followed over time, those with an insulin pump were about half as likely to die of heart-related causes, and 25 percent less likely to die of any cause, compared to those who injected themselves with insulin many times a day.
“Our study shows that treatment with an insulin pump almost halves the risk of cardiovascular mortality,” said lead study author Dr. Isabelle Steineck from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark.
“Personally I think that more persons with type 1 diabetes could benefit from using an insulin pump as long as they get all the right education about the pump and are able to understand how to use it,” she told Reuter’s Health in an email.
The rest of the article can be found here
Spotlight: Type 1 Diabetes Community on Facebook
One of the goals of my (and many other diabetes bloggers) advocacy is to bring the community, comfort and guidance of the Diabetes Online Community into the real world - because not everyone is online but everyone should have the ability to find others who understand their lives with diabetes.
During the recording of episode #23 of my podcast I asked Jack's Mom and Dad about the guidance that was provided to them at the hospital during their son's type 1 diagnosis. I was thrilled to hear that insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors were on the menu but I couldn't quite believe my ears when Beth told me that their doctors recommended a Facebook support group. My heart leapt and I instantly thought of Cherise Shockley the founder of DSMA... she is always talking about bringing the goodness of the online community into the real world. Looks like it's happening and wait until you hear how that advice has benefited the Tran family.
Below is some information on the Facebook group that Jack's parents are members of and an inline player that you can listen to their podcast episode with... you can also listen at iTunes, Stitcher or on your favorite podcast app.
A little history from the TOFN founder, Alison Zettle:
"TOFN- is for parents(grandparents) of school-aged children or younger with type one diabetes living in Texas. The parents wanted to keep the topics focused on kids issues and not adult issues. We have three networks TOFN-North Texas, TOFN-Central Texas and TOFN-South Texas which includes Houston.
How it started: Andrew was dx in March 2010. I was so overwhelmed and I felt so alone. I read and read and read and I kept coming across the statement made by adults with type one "I felt so alone and different as a child". That broke my heart and I knew that in today's day and age our kids did not have to live/feel like that. We have to be aware the mental strain of having type one as well as the physical one.
I knew there had to be other parents living near me that had a child with type one. I wanted to meet them and learn from them and have Andrew meet other kids living successfully with type one. But no one could give me the names of anyone living with type one near me due to HIPPA laws. So I decided to create a local network so that parents and children could meet each other , learn from each other and support each other.
TOFN works closely with JDRF and the local children's hospitals. It took a lot of work to get it going but Andrew and I wouldn't be were we are today without the support of all our fellow D mom's and dads. The reason TOFN is so successful is because the TOFN members themselves. Someone is always there day/night to give you a much needed virtual hug or a "way to go"! I hope TOFN has made a difference in many families lives as it has certainly made a difference in mine."
VIDEO: Nick Jonas/Crossfit Diabetes War featured on Good Morning America
Ignorant Crossfit CEO and his stupidity is still making news...
Crossfit CEO Greg Glassman recently tweeted, "Make sure you pour some out for your dead homies. _ Greg Glassman #CrossFit #Sugarkills @CrossFitCEO". The tweet was accompanied by an image depicting a Coca Cola bottle that included the words open diabetes.
The diabetes community, including Nick Jonas, fired back at Crossfit and it's CEO and today the folks at Good Morning America picked up on the story and aired this piece.
See what readers of my book Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal have to say...
It was an easy read with several funny laugh-out-loud moments. Yet, beyond the funny antics throughout the book relating to life, marriage, and raising children it is a reminder that life will undoubtedly fail to go as you plan it. It’s what we learn from our struggles that ultimately help us become more understanding, compassionate, and remind us to embrace life and loved ones. Erin, Amazon review
Have any questions about Dexcom for Nick Jonas?
Short and simple post today...
Tomorrow myself and a few other diabetes bloggers are getting to listen in on a conference call with Nick Jonas about his Dexcom use. I'm submitting my questions for Nick later in the day and thought I'd see if you have any that you'd like me to include.
Also, I'm doing my best to get the audio from the call so that you can hear it and I've inquired about putting the call live on Periscope (though that's not looking good)... Good stuff! Post your questions for Nick in the comment section below.
JDRF Speaking Event Wrap Up
A huge thank you to the New Haven Connecticut chapter of the JDRF for inviting me to give the keynote at their 2015 annual meeting!
I took the opportunity to thank the nearly 100 advocates in attendance for their time, effort and selflessness. I shared with them how their dedication has helped Arden and how, in turn, I've shared our lives with all of you. Then I told them about some of the amazing things that you have accomplished and shared with me - Full-circle advocacy - I wanted to leave them with the feeling that their local efforts reach much farther than perhaps they realize.
and I took a few pictures for you to see...
I spoke a bit about my time at this event in episode #20 of the Juicebox Podcast - links to podcast episodes are below...