Mary Tyler Moore’s Death A Reminder Of The Toll Of Diabetes

Mary Tyler Moore’s death a reminder of the toll of diabetes

Mary Tyler Moore debuted on television in the 1950s, appearing in commercials that aired during a popular show. Her star continued to rise until Moore landed the eponymous sitcom that became a staple of 1970s pop culture.
But it was another event that cast her in a new, unfamiliar and lifelong role: a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at age 33. Moore, who died Jan. 25 at age 80, did more than just fight her disease. She leveraged her star power to become an advocate for diabetes research.
Moore’s official cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest, was released Jan. 30. Diabetes was listed as a contributing factor.
As a physician who directs a diabetes institute at an academic medical center, I see this moment as a teaching opportunity about her disease. I also hope to show how Moore used her celebrity for good in the fight against diabetes, which kills 69,000 people a year, more than the toll of HIV/AIDS and breast cancer combined.
An old problem, with new and growing numbers
The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, in all forms, in the U.S. increased by 382 percent from 1988 to 2014.
There are two types, but both involve the build-up of sugar in the blood, which can damage blood vessels and organs and lead to death and disability.
Type 1 diabetes arises when the pancreas fails to produce insulin that allows the body to extract energy from food. Sugar builds up in the blood rather than going to cells, where it is used for energy. About 1.25 million people have this type of diabetes, and it is what Mary Tyler Moore suffered from.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common, with about 30 mi Continue reading

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Elderly Women at Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes While Taking Statins

The risks may be outweighing the benefits, but only to a point.
Statins, the inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, have long been an important piece in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders. By reducing production of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the risk of developing cardio- and cerebrovascular events has been significantly reduced in patients with and without diabetes. Statins are fairly well tolerated, with the major use limiting side effect being myalgias, which are largely associated with increases in statin dosage and potency, as well as prolonged periods of use. Since the discovery and increased use of statin therapy, development of diabetes has also been linked to their use, in varying degrees.
Several studies over the years have proposed mechanisms by which statins promote diabetes, including decreasing insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, but the consensus remains open. This could be due to variation among the class itself. For example, pravastatin has been shown to be less likely to cause diabetes than the other statins, whereas atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin have the most profound effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity. It is not surprising that the mid- to high-range doses of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are considered to be high potency, carrying the largest effect on lowering LDL-C, with higher dose simvastatin being moderate potency. Further clouding the issue is the finding that the most dramatic reduction of insulin sensitivity occurred in patients who were normoglycemic, suggesting th Continue reading

Diabetes Warning Signs – Discover the Risks and Signs of Diabetes and Be Prepared

Whether it be type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes some of the early diabetes warning signs are the same. By recognizing the signs, you will be able to help your doctor give an early diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible.
Yet, type 2 diabetes evolves slowly and there is a chance you might not get many warning signs.
Diabetes is a very serious illness but, at the same time, it’s common.
If you have diabetes, you need to regularly supervise your blood sugar levels and keep them under control within the adequate range.
Many people don’t know that there are different types of diabetes. It’s even common for those who are diagnosed to be surprised they have the disease, since symptoms appear gradually over the span of months or even years.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the diabetes warning signs you should pay close attention to.
Diabetes Warning Signs
The warning signs for diabetes can happen progressively or appear all of the sudden. Different types of diabetes may have similar indicators or very different ones.
Special attention should be paid to the following symptoms since they can indicate danger:
Extreme thirst
Dry mouth
Frequent urges to urinate
Hunger
Constant fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision
Injuries that don’t scar or do so with difficulty
Itchy or dry skin
Constant fungal infections
Type 1 Diabetes Warning Signs
This type of diabetes is diagnosed generally in children and very young adults, even though it can happen to any age group.
Children tend to experience the following additional symptoms, so pay close attention:
Sudden and involun Continue reading

What Can You Eat If You Have Diabetes? Foods To Eat & Avoid

Through twenty-five years of working with people with diabetes, when they come in for diabetes education, their first question is most often “What can I eat (or drink).” The next question is often, “What can’t I eat (or drink)? In this article, we will explore what foods are best to eat when you have just been diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes, and what foods are best avoided.
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There is no other guide available on the internet that will guide you through the best foods to choose, and the best foods to avoid. Take heed, as some foods in the American diet are detrimental. These are also the same foods that Americans are addicted to.
On occasion, you will be able to eat from the foods to avoid list, such as on a holiday, or your birthday. It shouldn’t become a regular occurrence to eat foods that are best avoided if you have Pre-Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. Also, eating healthier throughout your lifespan, can prevent Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes from ever surfacing at all.
Starting to eat a healthy diet can help you to reverse your Pre-Diabetes, along with regular physical activity, and sometimes medication (most often Metformin). You can either get Type 2 Diabetes in good control, or you can reverse it to a Pre-Diabetes state in some cases, if you work on healthy lifestyle changes.
Though it’s not always possible to reverse Type 2 Diabetes, it is certainly worth a shot. My new book to come out soon, entitled, “The Practical Guide for the Reversal of Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes,” published b Continue reading

Thawing Out That Frozen Shoulder

Having trouble reaching behind your back? Do you struggle to button your shirt or tie your necktie? Does your shoulder hurt more at night while you’re trying to sleep? Is your golf game suffering because of shoulder pain? If so, you might be experiencing a painful — yet common — condition called adhesive capsulitis, also known as “frozen shoulder.” Read on to learn more about it, including treatment options.
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in your shoulder joint. Over time, the ability to move your shoulder is reduced, and it may get to the point where your shoulder literally becomes “frozen.” Frozen shoulder is not the same thing as arthritis, however.
Your shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, much like your hip joint. The joint is covered by a capsule of ligaments. When frozen shoulder occurs, it means that the capsule and ligaments swell and become tight, making it difficult — or even impossible — to move your shoulder.
Who’s at risk for frozen shoulder?
People between the ages of 40 and 60 are more likely to have frozen shoulder, and this condition affects women more than men. In addition, you have a higher risk of it if you’ve had the following:
• Rotator cuff injury
• Broken arm
• Stroke
• Shoulder injury
• Surgery
Certain medical conditions also increase the likelihood of frozen shoulder, including:
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease (under- or overactive thyroid)
• Heart conditions
• Parkinson’s disease
• Tuberculosis
• Hormonal changes
As you can see, having diabete Continue reading