Health ShortsSeptember 2004Heart Risk High for Diabetics
At least 40 percent of diabetics die of heart disease. Even with no previous history of heart disease, a diabetes patient is as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke as someone who has already had an attack. To head off cardiovascular problems, doctors recommend tight control of both blood sugar and blood pressure.
[SOURCE: Richard Pasternak and Vincenza Snow; "Reducing the Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Diabetes," JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants, November, 2003] Top Warning Signs of Heart Disease
The number one killer of Americans, heart disease usually gives warning before it strikes. The top four warning signs of heart disease risk are: - high blood pressure,
- high cholesterol,
- diabetes and
- cigarette use.
A recent study found that 90 percent of heart disease patients had at least one of these signs prior to diagnosis.
[SOURCE: "High Blood Pressure, Elevated Cholesterol, Diabetes, and Cigarette Use Have Always Been the Warning Signs for Heart Disease Risk," Consumers' Research Magazine, February, 2004] African Americans Have High Rates Of Diabetes and Hypertension
African Americans have high rates of both diabetes and hypertension. Compared to non-Hispanic whites the same age, blacks are 1.6 times more likely to develop diabetes. A health screening program in predominantly black rural areas of Alabama found that 18.3 percent of African Americans had diabetes, compared to a prevalence of 10.1 percent among whites. Seventy-five percent of African American diabetics (but only 29 percent of non-diabetics) had pre-existing hypertension. Among whites screened, 54 percent of diabetics and 27 percent of non-diabetics had high blood pressure.
[SOURCE: "Study Indicates Aggressive Treatment Helps African Americans with Diabetes, High Blood Pressure," Black Issues in Higher Education, July 1, 2004; Dennis Pillion, Anna Schmidt, Kent Daum and Mary-Jean Sanspree, "Diabetes and Hypertension Screening in the Rural 'Black Belt' of Alabama," Diabetes, June, 2003] Milk Proteins May Help Lower BP
ACE inhibitors are frequently prescribed to control blood pressure in diabetes patients and may also be helpful in preventing kidney disease and other complications of diabetes. They work by inhibiting an enzyme that causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby allowing improved blood and oxygen flow. Foods which have an ACE inhibitory effect include milk proteins, both caseins and whey proteins. Animal studies and a few human trials have demonstrated a blood-pressure-lowering effect for milk proteins.
[SOURCE: Richard J. FitzGerald, Brian A. Murray and Daniel J. Walsh," The Journal of Nutrition, April, 2004] Athlete's Foot Poses Risk for Diabetics
For most of us, athlete's foot is a minor nuisance; for a person with high levels of blood sugar, even a fungal infection can quickly escalate into major trouble. A study involving about 1,200 subjects in 11 European countries concluded that diabetes patients were 50 percent more likely than non-diabetics to have a fungal foot infection. About 33 percent of diabetes patients had both athlete's foot and a fungal toenail infection.
[SOURCE: "Diabetic Feet: Fungal Infection," Family Practice News, December 15, 1999] Special Shoes Covered by Medicare
If you're over 65 or disabled, you may be eligible to get Medicare reimbursement for special shoes or orthotics prescribed by your doctor for diabetic foot problems. Medicare will pay 80 percent of the costs provided you are under the care of a doctor for diabetes and have poor circulation, peripheral neuropathy, a history of foot ulcers or pre-ulcerative calluses, a foot deformity or a previous amputation.
[SOURCE: Bridget Doherty, "Secret Benefit for Diabetic Feet," Prevention, December, 2001] Stiff Feet May Cause Problems
One-third of foot ulcers suffered by diabetics are on the big toe, and stiffness in the forefoot is frequently the culprit. A study published in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery found that diabetes patients with stiff big toe and ankle joints are more vulnerable to foot sores and ulcers, increasing the risk of infection and, in some cases, amputation. Stiff joints put increased pressure on the forefoot. The pressure can be reduced by use of custom shoes or orthotic inserts.
[SOURCE: "Stiff Feet Need Cushy Shoes," Prevention, June, 2003] Neuropathy: Know the Signs
Peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disease that is frequently a complication of diabetes, often develops gradually with symptoms that are barely noticeable. Earliest signs may be numbness or tingling in the toes or balls of the feet. Some describe it as a sensation similar to wearing an invisible sock. More severe symptoms may include: - burning or freezing sensations,
- sharp, jabbing or electric pain,
- extreme sensitivity to touch,
- muscle weakness,
- loss of balance or coordination,
- frequent sores or skin injuries.
If you have diabetes, be sure to report these symptoms to your doctor, keep your blood sugar under control and monitor closely any foot sores that develop.
[SOURCE: "Peripheral Neuropathy: Damaged Nerves," Mayo Clinic Health Letter, September, 2004] Don't Even Think about Smoking
For a young person diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first recommendations a doctor is likely to make is: don't smoke. Smoking is bad for a healthy person; for a diabetic, it is double trouble. - Diabetics who smoke are more likely than other diabetics to die of heart disease.
- Smoking is believed to make cells less responsive to insulin, thus making it more difficult to control blood sugar.
- Smokers have a higher risk of diabetic nerve disorders, kidney disease and diabetic eye problems.
[SOURCE: Shauna S. Roberts, "Smoking & Diabetes: Helping Smokers Quit," Diabetes Forecast, June, 2004] Diseases of Affluence Kill
Travelers have good reason to get required immunizations before traveling to third world countries, but the World Health Organization points out that diseases more commonly associated with affluence such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and lung cancer kill three times more people worldwide than all infectious and parasitic diseases combined.
[SOURCE: "Another Reason To Stop Smoking-Point of View-Diseases of Affluence Cause More Deaths than SARS-Brief Article," Freedom Magazines, Inc. 2003] 50 Million Americans Addicted
More than 50 million Americans-about 25 percent of the population-are addicted to cigarette smoking, documented to be the greatest single cause of preventable deaths in this country, taking more than 430,000 lives every year and incurring health care and lost productivity costs of more than $100 billion. Surveys indicate that at least 70 percent of smokers would like to quit, and many of these individuals have made several unsuccessful efforts.
[SOURCE: Jim Ramsay and Anne Hoffman, "Smoking Cessation and Relapse Prevention among Undergraduate Students: A Pilot Demonstration Project," Journal of American College Health, July-August, 2004] Many Unaware of Need for Flu Shot
According to a recent Dutch study of 4,037 elderly and chronically ill patients, a large number who should be getting flu shots do not do so because of mistaken beliefs that the shots are not needed or are not recommended for them.
[SOURCE: "Elderly Confused over Flu Vaccination," Pulse, May 31, 2004] New Test Identifies Type A or B Flu
Doctors can now make rapid diagnosis of flu type A or B through use of a nasal swab or aspirate sample. With the QuickVue Influenza A+B test, results can be delivered within 10 minutes.
[SOURCE: "Rapid Influenza Test," Internal Medicine News, June 1, 2004] Pregnant Women Need Flu Shots
Influenza vaccination is recommended for all women who will be pregnant during the flu season, according to new guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control. In the recent past, only about 12 percent of women with uncomplicated pregnancies have gotten flu shots. A pregnant woman with the flu can experience a rapid heart beat (tachycardia) and premature contractions. In the past, guidelines recommended against vaccination in the first trimester, but doctors have found no evidence to support this practice.
[SOURCE: Kate Johnson, "First-Trimester Vaccination OK: Obstetricians Urged To Recommend Flu Shot," OB GYN News, June 15, 2004] Preventing the Flu: What To Do
In addition to vaccination, you can help prevent the spread of the flu this winter by: - washing your hands frequently
- covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough,
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick and
- staying home when you're sick yourself so you don't infect others.
[SOURCE: Michelle Meadows, "A Look at the 2003-2004 Flu Season," FDA Consumer, March-April, 2004] | 
