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Good World Diabetes Day to all!

Published

November 14, 2009

in diabetes , events , news and reflections

Today, November 14, 2009, is World Diabetes Day, as established by the United Nations Resolution on Diabetes. I want to address all the following message ...

The blue circle, the symbol of World Diabetes Day

This date is a great opportunity for the 300 million people with diabetes worldwide, a chance for redemption. The World Day offers us the opportunity to shine the spotlight on this scourge that still kills today, especially in poor countries: it is a scandal. We bring to our support people with diabetes with positive messages of the beauty of life. But ask in a loud voice the commitment of institutions and knowledge about the treatment, the same for all the assistance, and medical research, putting the individual at the center of everything. Prevention should be promoted where possible, educating on healthy lifestyles in the 'power and in' physical activity, especially for young people. It is necessary to sensitize the society and the media, by conveying the rights of people with diabetes to reduce ignorance, injustice, and the prejudices that still exist today anachronistic.
A better future for diabetes is possible, for everyone's build it together.

This World Diabetes Day to be a party: we participate in activities in piazzas and associations, let's hear it. The blue circle is the symbol that identifies diabetes: indossiamolo diffondiamolo and everywhere, even on the internet.

Here ..., I can only wish all people with diabetes (I do not like using the word "diabetes") and all the readers a good World Diabetes Day!

Simone

PS: more information in the previous articles of this blog or on the official website www.worlddiabetesday.org

Influenza A-H1N1 pandemic and diabetes: yes vaccine, no vaccine?

Published

Simone

November 8, 2009

in diabetes , news and reflections

. Comments 15

Here we are in full pandemic: now the army of people infected with spreads like wildfire. Everyone knows someone who is at home with a fever and the flu? ... This year, the influenza viruses is added the so-called swine flu, technically called H1N1 flu. By television and the authorities is a mess, you go from 'rampant alarmism to total more reassurance: both extreme positions are probably unjustified. We try to understand more.

Vaccines for these influences are ready for some months now: that of the season you can buy in pharmacies, while influenza A for now is only found in hospitals, and is currently reserved only for certain professional groups and for people with chronic diseases and complications, such as diabetes.

But on this last pandemic vaccine is a great discussion:

Some maintain and stimulates the vaccine to slow the epidemic and reduce the risk of serious complications, also blocking any malicious virus mutation;
there are some who oppose this vaccine claiming that it is useless because this flu is relatively mild flu symptoms, while the vaccine may actually be dangerous to health.

We must indeed recognize that the alarmism and panic is not justified: this new virus is not particularly aggressive, indeed, is usually less severe than the other seasonal flu despite there being led to believe otherwise. If anything to worry about is its spread. So we must be quiet!

Continue reading 'A-H1N1 flu pandemic and diabetes: yes vaccine, the vaccine is not it?'

From Urbino emotions Championship for Riders with Diabetes

Published

Simone

July 31, 2009

in diabetes , events , thoughts , and sports

. 6 Comments

This year the Championships for Riders with Diabetes is past! Participation in this event, now in its fourth edition in 2009, counts among its ranks many athletes Cycling & Diabetes.

It all started Saturday, July 25 with the stand & diabetes Cycling Association NPO streets in Urbino, set up to provide information on diabetes mellitus and our activities: shoot down the ignorance that is essential to turn around diabetes in society, to create a future without prejudices and better prevention and awareness. In the afternoon there was a meeting between all participants in the Championship Trophy Changing Diabetes: this year we were in 41, almost all regions of Italy, truly a great success, especially if you think that it all started in 2005 by agreement in less than 10 friends! During the meeting were presented the technical details of the race, and information specific to diabetes, but mostly there was the possibility reunited with old friends and learn about the many new arrivals! A nice dinner then finished the evening with the usual attention due to gluten for those who had celiac disease: this year there were three, me, Diego, and Dr. Broad. After dinner there are distributed a bit 'of gadgets and gifts, such as apples offered by Sergio, then we cyclists we wrap made from the arms of Morpheus, enjoying a long night's sleep in anticipation of the race! Too bad that some rooms were a bit 'hard to reach, and that many of us have suffered from the heat and mosquitoes, including me ...

Sunday, July 26 episode was the alarm clock at 6 am or earlier. Immediately after a hearty breakfast to fuel power, each with their own adjustments to therapy and insulin: tricks matured with experience and advice of friends. Then we had our riders with diabetes in the beautiful historic center of Urbino: a really nice big group, all with the same mesh Cycling Diabetes & identify where, as having a positive message. Between us even a tandem: that of David and Michela. It's the time to get into the grid in the middle of 2400 to other bikes, where among the photos is also wasted superstitious rituals to relieve nervousness and tension of departure for the slight delay in the scheduled time. But then, finally, here! Here we go! Even the announcer speaks of us, seeing us go and diabetes!

David Panichi e Michela Sisani in tandem sul Monte Nerone

David Panichi and Michela Sisani tandem on Monte Nero

The pace of the race proves to be immediately supported ... Until you reach the Monte Nero, the protagonist of the large fund Straducale: more than 13 km climb out! Each with his own hand can reach the top and to overcome hills, maybe paying a bit 'of forces to observe the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. Too bad for my recurring and excessive caution in making the descent, because of which I lost many positions. Then I met a few mishap: sometimes cramps, nearly choking when trying to swallow something that I've gone through, the heat of summer makes me suffer so much ... With a lot of effort in each short leg or tear up next turned out to be terrible.

Blood glucose for all cyclists with diabetes has been a key variable in the race: who went into hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia in people ... The most important thing is to convey the message to all people with diabetes that is quite possible, also take part in cycle races harder: we have given the testimony that you just have a good self-control and always travel with glucometer and insulin on hand, so they can better manage. During the race I managed to keep good blood glucose levels, thanks to the adjustments of the insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor: in only part of the race was relatively low blood sugar, which I remedied by integrating with biscuits and sugar. Read ' From Urbino emotions Championship for Riders with Diabetes'

Lantus Scandal: suspicion of cancer and the economic interests of insulin

Published

Simone

July 13, 2009

in diabetes , news and reflections

. Comments 52

Over the last few days in the diabetes world has unleashed an earthquake: a study published June 26 in Diabetologia, the magazine of EASD, has highlighted a possible carcinogenic effect of Lantus, insulin glargine ie. The famous and expensive insulin similar way for people with diabetes to control blood sugar levels due to a basal rate of 24 hours (or almost) with one injection a day would be dangerous to health, even if the conditional is obligatory .

A survey of 127,000 patients with diabetes in Germany have found that people who regularly use the Lantus has a 31% greater chance of developing cancer over a period of 1 year and a half, and that the risk is proportional to the amount of Lantus taken daily. Similar studies conducted in Sweden, Scotland and the UK have partially confirmed the results, although there has been some conflicting data. The Food and Drug Administration has opened an investigation to pursue the matter.

This is a preliminary research that certainly deepened by further studies before arriving at a definitive answer, as they allowed the authors of scientific publication. However great was the confusion triggered by the news, along with the sensation exploded in diabetology. But above all it is great dismay that crosses so many people with diabetes who use insulin that, some of which require answers and quick. It is important to remember however, that patients treated with the Lantus must not discontinue treatment without the consent of their diabetologist.

Even from a financial standpoint there is a stock market crash of Title Sanofi-Aventis: the French pharmaceutical company that produces the Lantus has lost more than 7% in one day of publication of the study. Sanofi Aventis is the same corporation that only a few days before the outbreak of the "scandal Lantus" had announced the production of vaccine against the famous "flu", also known as swine flu.

Immediately after the stock market crash, Sanofi Aventis has seen fit to issue a series of statements, with which it seeks to ensure that in reality the Lantus is safe and that there is no link with cancer, challenging the method used by researchers in the study recently published. The question that arises is "who" wanted to reassure the leaders of Sanofi Aventis? Doctors who prescribe the Lantus? Or maybe the shareholders who buy the bonds? The fear is that people forget. Because the money and interests that revolve around these topics are so many, indeed many, and I would not want the biggest concern was to secure all sales and the capital, before the actual safety of the drug. But diabetics are truly more important than money? Continue reading 'Scandal Lantus: suspicion of cancer and the economic interests of insulin'

Easter, earthquake, diabetes

Published

Simone

April 12, 2009

in diabetes , general , news and reflections

. 2 Comments

Un esempio della furia del terremoto in Abruzzo dell'aprile 2009

The earthquake in Abruzzo

It's Easter! Day of great celebration! Congratulations to all! The thought in these days can not go to those who are experiencing difficult times, especially for earthquake victims of Abruzzo. There are many human dramas that intertwine in situations like these. Among the many pressing issues think there's also that people with diabetes, who have found themselves homeless almost overnight, with the lack of everything, displaced in the general confusion. Diabetes, especially type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition requiring treatment continues without interruption. So my hope is that people with diabetes who live in Abruzzo still succeed, despite the difficulties, to have access to insulin and medical need. A similar thought is for people with celiac disease, that even in difficult conditions such as these should only eat gluten-free foods. Here are some pointers on how to help these people.

Everyone can send their aid to the people of L'Aquila and its major energy through the channels, such as the Italian Red Cross ( www.cri.it ) and the Italian Caritas ( www.caritasitaliana.it ). In particular, in order to help people with diabetes and celiac disease, including through the provision of specific material (insulin, needles, syringes, strips for blood glucose, gluten-free ...), you can follow the instructions provided on their websites Internet associations dedicated to diabetes and its cliachia as diabetes Italy ( www.diabeteitalia.it ) and Italian Celiac Association ( www.celiachia.it ). Alternatively you can contact the associations and local authorities. Everyone can do their part in this emergency.

So, again, best wishes for a Happy Easter by the editors of Diabetes Sunt, reminding all people with chronic illnesses who are living at the forefront of dramas like the earthquake.

Ah, yes: for those with diabetes, attention to sugar Easter eggs!