Farxiga for type 2 diabetes will soon hit shelves

By Stephanie Yager, Student Pharmacist

Is Your Blood Pressure Under Control?

 

Last week, we participated in our annual blood pressure screenings for Million Hearts Week. We went to 3 pharmacies and conducted over 30 blood pressure screenings

 

  New guidelines for the management of blood pressure were recently released. MOD went through the guidelines and created a new chart for patients to determine their blood pressure goals. The treatment goals listed below are for people who are diagnosed with hypertension. Note that if you have Diabetes, your blood pressure goal is probably less than 140 over 90. If you are over 60 years old and don't have diabetes, your goal might be less than 150 over 90. Consult your doctor to determine what blood pressure goals are right for you.

 

 

Diabetes Jeopardy!

Last month, MOD played Diabetes Jeopardy at Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy. How much Diabetes Jeopardy do you know?

Glycemic control for 100: The goal blood pressure for most people with diabetes.

                         Answer:What is 140/80 mmHg

Diabetes Management for 100: Things you can do if you think you have low blood sugar.

                       Answer: When would you check your blood sugar right away. Treat by eating/drinking something containing sugar such as 1/2 cup of regular fruit juice or soda, 3 glycose tablets, or 5-6 hard candies.Wait 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again. If it is still low, have another 1/2 cup of juice or a few hard candies

Glycemic control for 200: The goal Hemoglobin A1c for most people with diabetes.

                    Answer: What is < 7 percent

Photo of pharmacy students providing diabetes education in the pharmacy.

World Diabetes Day Blue Monument Challenge

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14th.  It was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to growing concerns about the escalating threat of diabetes worldwide.  In 2007, World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day as a result of UN Resolution 61/225.  The Resolution invites all member states to participate in World Diabetes Day and draw attention to the need for education and awareness to tackle the growing diabetes epidemic.

Since 2007, the global diabetes community has worked together with local champions to light iconic landmarks and buildings in blue to mark World Diabetes Day around the world. More than 1000 monuments in 84 countries have gone blue for diabetes.

This year, one students lit one of the monuments in front of the library blue. The Bromo-Seltzer Tower was shining blue in the background. Pharmacy students handed out flyers containing diabetes education to spread awareness to people walking by.

MOD was excited to be involved in such a monumental event!

Healthy Halloween

Last week 20 third and fourth graders came to the School of Pharmacy for a Healthy Halloween celebration.
The event combined health education with fun activities and a haunted house. The number of children affected by obesity and diabetes continues to increase each year. It is important to educate children and their caregivers at a young age to make healthy lifestyle choices.

One of the stations was a guess the calories game. Did you know that there are about 100 calories in an apple, 300 calories in a sandwich, and 400 calories in a hamburger?

 



One of the stations was about healthy hand washing. Did you know that frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness? When you wash your hands you should rub them vigorously for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

 

  



Other stations included Healthy Hydration, How Sweet are these Treats, Healthy Exercise and more.





Step Out Walk for Diabetes

We had a great turn-out at the annual Step Out Walk for Diabetes in Baltimore on Saturday, October 5. Our team managed to raise over $1014 and we had nearly 40 students walking from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. All of the proceeds went to the ADA to support diabetes research. Go Maryland!

Invokana

By Stella Chan, Student Pharmacist