Walking off Diabetes - New, Realistic and FUN exercise goals for Type 2 Diabetes Patients

A common misconception concerning exercise is that physical activity must be vigorous to provide health benefits.  But don't go signing up for any marathons just yet - new guidelines are requiring more realistic goals for Type 2 diabetes patients.   The HHS guidelines state that 150 minutes of brisk walking a week - about 20 minutes a day - substantially reduces the risk of numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes, depression, and breast cancer.

Walking is one of the most popular and widely recommended forms of physical activity for people with diabetes. It’s easy, relaxing and can be done practically anywhere, with anyone! Dr. Regensteiner, professor of medicine and director of the center for women’s health at the University of Colorado at Denver, stresses the important of making exercise goals fun and realistic.  Focusing on this behavioral aspect of exercise will result in more patients following their regimens.


For more information about contemporary exercise guidelines, check out the full article here
http://www.familypracticenews.com/news/more-top-news/single-view/diabetes-patients-require-more-realistic-exercise-goals/97367cbec2.html

Want to start reaping those health benefits right away?? 
Jump start your walking routine with us on October 1st at the Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes.  For more information or to join our team 
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?team_id=514351&fr_id=7809&pg=team

From omnivore to vegan: The dietary education of Bill Clinton

Source: CNN.com

     Former President Bill Clinton recently in an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN admitted that he now considers himself a vegan and that he has lost more than 20 pounds after revamping his diet!
   
     In the past two decades, the former president has gone from eating unhealthy fast foods like hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, and even a dozen doughnuts at a campaign (sounds like Shlok's current diet!) to basically vegetables. And this has made him healthier than ever! He obviously learned it the hard way as he only revamped it after multiple heart procedures and bypass surgeries. But now that he realizes how important it is to eat healthy, he has created a partnership between the Clinton Foundation and American Heart Association with the goal of promoting exercise and healthy lunches for 12000 schools across the nation. Clearly, he is now promoting what Operation Diabetes has been standing for all along at not only the UMB School of Pharmacy via MOD but at every other other School of Pharmacy across the nation! Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy!

You can read the full article on http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/18/bill.clinton.diet.vegan/index.html?npt=NP1

A Jonas Brother with Diabetes

Source: CNN.com

Nick Jonas, a member of the boy band Jonas Brothers, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 13. He hasn't let that stop him from fulfilling his dreams of becoming an actor and singer. Check out his fight against diabetes in the video above!

To learn more about the disease, learn ways to prevent it, or to join the fight, visit http://www.diabetes.org/

Taking lessons from a teenager

I came across an article that struck a chord in me about a 13-year old aspiring tennis star named Elizabeth Profit. She ranks in the top 10 of her age group in her state and hopes to compete in the U.S Open one day. But, that's not what I found inspiring. Not only does she fight on the court, but she also fights off the court - against diabetes.

Elizabeth has had juvenile diabetes since she was 2, but she doesn't let that stop her from accomplishing her dreams. At the young age of 3, she learned her to test her own blood sugar, and at just 5 years old, she started doing the insulin injections herself.

Here's a small blurb from the article:

"My mom said I'm not going use my diabetes as a disability," said Elizabeth. "I've got it for the rest of my life. And if they miraculously find a cure for it then that's great, but I have to live with it. I can't make excuses."

Until she learned how to manage diabetes, Elizabeth found herself collapsing at times. "In this one particular tournament Elizabeth played in, her blood sugar was totally out of control and I kept hollering out to her, 'Quit! Retire, you don't have to do this,' " said Yvonne. "She stopped and she turned around and said, 'I can do this. I can do this, Mom.' " Elizabeth went on to win the match and the tournament. "By the time we got home, she had collapsed on the floor. And I said, 'Sweetie pie, why didn't you quit?' " Yvonne remembered. "Because you didn't raise me to be a quitter," Elizabeth told her mother. In spite of her diabetes, Elizabeth reached the No. 1 ranking in her age group in Southern California at 10 years old.

Elizabeth inspires us by knowing that someone with diabetes doesn't have to feel completely restricted by the condition. There are ways to overcome it as long as you want to! You can find the rest of the article by clicking here. It's worth a read!

You can also make a difference by helping fund the research for a cure through the American Diabetes Association!


Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/13/profit.sisters/index.html

Diabetes Awareness Month

Happy November!! Hard to believe how quickly the month is coming and going, almost Thanksgiving already! :) Well, in case you didn't know... November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This past weekend MOD participated in a health fair in Rockville, MD which was themed 'Knock Out Diabetes' and focused on empowering people to deal with their disease. And just a few short weeks ago, MOD  hosted 'Healthy Halloween' for elementary and middle school aged children at the school of pharmacy. Amongst her efforts to promote diabetes awareness, MOD has also been very busy with pharmacy school exams! Until she can update you with stories, news, and videos(!!)... check out this article written by Operation Diabetes Past Senior Chair, Ashley McCabe. I bet you can learn something about the role of your pharmacist in the management of diabetes. Enjoy!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

In support of American Diabetes Month, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, pharmacists in Maryland and Nationwide want to remind Marylanders of the pharmacists’ role in combating the illness, saving lives and saving patients’ money.

Diabetes is a confusing, complicated and frustrating disease that affects over 24 million Americans (1). It takes teamwork and dedication to battle Diabetes. This is where a pharmacist has the most value. As the most accessible healthcare provider and as the medication experts, pharmacists are on virtually every street corner with knowledge and resources to keep patients with diabetes on track to a long, healthy and happy life.

Pharmacists are the medication experts. They know all about diabetes medications as well as the medications for the diseases that often accompany diabetes, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. To successfully manage medications, side effects, outcomes and complications, pharmacists are one of the best resources at your disposal. Some pharmacists have specialized to become Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) and can have an active role in diabetes care. Others have skills in Medication Therapy Management (MTM), ensuring the most effective and affordable care for their patients. Furthermore, all pharmacists can educate about medications, demonstrate glucometers, take blood pressure, and explain lab results.

Involving a pharmacist in Diabetes care also has proven financial benefit. In 2007, Diabetes cost the United States $176 billion1 in direct and indirect costs. Controlling and managing Diabetes while preventing complications with help save money. Pharmacists can help with this.

Pharmacists have proven their value. An example is the Asheville Project, a 5 year study in Asheville, North Carolina where pharmacist provided pharmaceutical care services through community pharmacies. The results showed improved health outcomes and cost savings (2). Another study that expands this theory is currently taking place ‐ the Diabetes Ten City Challenge. This study similar to the Ashville Project, but expands the concept of pharmacists managing Diabetes to ten cities across the United States. One of those cities is Cumberland, Maryland, which in association with local pharmacist through the Maryland P3 Program (Pharmacist, Patients, Partnerships), the Maryland Pharmacists Association and The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, is helping over 250 Maryland residents (3).

Chances are you know someone with Diabetes or you yourself have Diabetes. Young, middle‐aged, pregnant women and older Americans are all burdened with daily blood glucose checks, multiple medications, and insulin injections.

Help friends, family members or yourself get the most benefit from your medications and improve overall quality of life.
 
If you know or think you are at risk for Diabetes, talk to your local pharmacist today!
 
Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist.

References:
1. National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2007.
2. Cranor CW, Bunting BA, Christensen DB. The Asheville Project: Long‐Term Clinical and Economic Outcomes of a Community Pharmacy Diabetes Care Program. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2003;43:173–84.
3. Cumberland, Maryland Diabetes Ten City Challenge Fact Sheet. American Pharmacists Association Foundation. Washington, D.C.

For more information look to the following resources:
www.mpha.org
www.diabetes.org

Ashley McCabe, Student Pharmacist, University of Maryland Class of 2011

Use of Avandia in diabetes patients significantly restricted

Less than a month ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to severely restrict the use of Avandia in diabetes patients. Avandia was approved by the FDA in 1999 and soon after it became the top selling diabetes drug in the world. But in 2007, after Avandia, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, was shown to cause cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes instead of preventing it, drug sales pummeled.

A good number of patients with diabetes die due to heart problems, and antidiabetic drugs like Avandia are supposed to prevent them. With these new restrictions in place, Avandia, just like Accutane, will have to undergo FDA’s stringent monitoring program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). Health care providers will have to let the patients know about the risks before prescribing the drug.

While US decided to restrict the use of Avandia, the European Union (EU) decided to withdraw the drug from European market.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm226956.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DiabetesNews/fda-restricts-avandia-patients/story?id=11709403

Step Out for Diabetes October 2, 2010!!

We'll write with more American Pharmacist Month updates soon, but check out our videos from Step Out for Diabetes. We walked last weekend and raised about $2200 for the ADA in their fight against Diabetes with nearly 40 University of Maryland pharmacy students!