Archive label 'reflections'

Good World Diabetes Day to all!

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

Il cerchio blu, simbolo della Giornata Mondiale del Diabete

The blue circle, the symbol of World Diabetes Day

This date is a great opportunity for the 300 million people with diabetes around the world, 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 a positive message of the beauty of life. But ask in a loud voice the commitment of the institutions of science and the care, assistance for all vehicles, and medical research, putting the individual at the center of everything. Should be promoted where possible prevention, healthy lifestyles by educating in 'power and in the' physical activity, especially for young people. It is necessary to raise awareness in 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 the activities and associations in the streets, let's hear it. The blue circle is the symbol that identifies diabetes: indossiamolo diffondiamolo and everywhere, even on the internet.

... Well, 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! :-D

Simon

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

Pandemic influenza A-H1N1 and diabetes vaccine, the vaccine is not it?

Influenza H1N1: alcune persone indossano la mascherina

Here we are in full pandemic: the army of infected people now spreading like wildfire. Everyone knows someone who is at home with a fever and the flu? ... This year is added to the classic seasonal influenza known as swine flu, technically called H1N1 flu. Authorities on television and 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 the 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 just on that pandemic vaccine is a great discussion:

  • some say the vaccine stimulates and 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 influence was relatively mild flu symptoms, while the vaccine could even be dangerous to your health.

We must indeed admit 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 vaccine, the vaccine is not it?'

The rankings and all the results of the Italian Cyclists with Diabetes 2009

July 26, 2009 in Urbino was held the fourth Italian Championship of Cycling Road and Diabetes, Changing Diabetes Trophy in 2009. The route was that of the large fund Straducale: more than 123km of bike very challenging. Logo di Ciclismo&Diabete

On this blog we have followed the event in all its phases, publishing several articles: propose below a summary with all the information, referring to their sources.

Ciclismo&Diabete alla partenza

Thanks to all the cyclists who have allowed the creation of this wonderful event in the heart enriches us and that a positive testimony on diabetes. Goodbye to the next steps of Diabetes & Cycling!

Simon

Download: Ranking Official of Diabetes and Cycling Championship in 2009 [PDF, updated to August 3, 2009, details of files ]

From Urbino the emotions of the Championship for Riders with Diabetes

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 of the association Cycling Diabetes & NPO in the square in Urbino, set up to provide information on diabetes mellitus and our activities: breaking down the ignorance that is crucial to diabetes runs around in society, to create a future without prejudices and a better prevention and awareness. In the afternoon there was a meeting between all participants in the Championship Trophy Changing Diabetes: this year we were 41, almost all regions of Italy, a really good success, especially if you think that everything was created 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 above all there was the possibility reunited with old friends and learn about the many new arrivals! A good meal in the evening then concluded 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 we are spread a little '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 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 found ourselves cycling 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. Among us, a tandem that of David and Michela. It's the time to get on the grid in the middle of 2400 to other bikes, where one of the photos are wasted even 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 talks about seeing us go and diabetes!

David Panichi e Michela Sisani in tandem sul Monte Nerone

Panichi and Michela David Sisani in tandem on the Monte Nerone

The pace of the race proves to be supported from the beginning ... 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, perhaps reserving a little '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 went awry, 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.

The 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 cycling races harder: we have given the testimony that you just have a good self-control and always travel with a blood glucose meter and insulin on hand, so they can better manage. During the race I managed to keep blood glucose levels of excellent, 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 the emotions of the Championship for Riders with Diabetes'

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

In recent days the world of diabetes has triggered an earthquake: a study published June 26 of Diabetes, EASD magazine, has revealed a possible carcinogenic effect of Lantus, or insulin glargine. The famous and expensive insulin similar that allows those who have diabetes to control blood glucose profile thanks to a baseline of 24 hours (or almost) with one injection a day would be dangerous to health, even if the conditional is obligatory .

Cartucce di insulina Lantus A survey of 127,000 patients with diabetes in Germany have found that people who regularly use the Lantus has 31% more 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 a daily basis. Similar studies conducted in Sweden, Scotland and the United Kingdom have confirmed partial 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 should certainly be deepened with additional studies before reaching a definitive answer, as the authors themselves have admitted the scientific publication. However great was the confusion triggered by the news, along with the sensation exploded in diabetes. But above all it is great dismay that crosses so many people with diabetes who use insulin that, which they request some answers and quick. It is important to remember, however, that patients treated with Lantus must not discontinue treatment without the consent of their diabetologist.

Even from a financial standpoint there is a stock market crash of the title Sanofi-Aventis: 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" 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 leadership of Sanofi Aventis? Doctors who prescribe the Lantus? Or maybe the shareholders who buy the securities? 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 major 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'