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Diabetes and Your Feet
We diabetics have to take special care of our feet, or we can
find them troubled in two ways: reduced blood circulation and
nerve damage.
Here's what to look for and some prevention ideas.
Symptom:
If your feet are constantly...
Gastric Bypass Surgery - Knowing the Risks
Gastric Bypass Surgery, Lap Band , and other Weight loss Surgery have inherant risks. Here are few to consider.
Gastric Bypass Surgery - Knowing the Risks
Like any other type of elective surgery, gastric bypass surgery comes...
Healthy Living - 5 Steps to Get There
Life has many opportunities for enjoyment. The problem is for
many unhealthy people life is too short to take advantage of
these simple pleasures. Healthy living is the key to achieve
this.
Healthy living consists of everything we do that...
Kyolic clears constipation and strengthens your colon
Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all areas of your body and can help you eliminate constipation. You can find it in capsules in a brand call Kyolic.
Kyolic is a special garlic preparation, which is aged for 20 months in...
Medical Alert Bracelets for Children
Children aren't exempt from having medical conditions, so it is important for those who do have medical problems to wear a child medical alert bracelet.
Parents can't always be there in the event of a medical emergency; and with kids at school all...
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Dr Bob's Newsletter September 2004
Additional Treatment for Prostate Cancer May Enhance Improved Outcomes
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed improved survival in men who underwent a combination of androgen suppression and radiation therapies. In the study of 206 men who had localized prostate cancer. This study is significant because of the shortened time of male hormone sup- pression. There are numerous side effects with long term suppression. When compared with radiation alone the combination therapy improved survival from 78% to 88%. Dr Bob's Take: this was a well conducted study and may be a landmark study. It may be the basis of a new treatment method for men with prostate cancer which is localized. A larger study though is still needed to be sure these results can be duplicated.
MRI Screening for Breast Cancer
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that MRI screening for women who are at high risk for breast cancer was much better. High risk was defined as those women who had family history of breast cancer and those who are genetically predisposed with positive BRCA tests. In the study 1900 women the study picked up 51 women with breast cancer of which 20 were not detected by routine mammograms or breast examinations. The women were followed on average for 2.9 years. Dr Bobs Take: This is both good news and bad. The good news is that another diagnostic method is starting to be used for high risk women. The bad news is there are many false positive results. False positive is where there is an abnormality thought to be a tumor but turns out it wasn't. Routine mammograms have much less false positives. Also, the MRI techniques vary widely from center to center.
Drug + Therapy Combo Best for Teen Depression
A major study has proved that a combination of counseling therapy and anti depressants are much better than either alone. This was a study done through Duke University. There were 439 children age 12 -17 y.o. There was less suicide tendency with the combination. Dr Bobs Take: I would agree in my experience the combined counseling and medication work best for teens in the high risk for suicide.
Flu Vaccine Will Be Late
About half of the flu vaccine will be late reaching doctors offices. One of the two manufacturers, Chiron Corp, has had contamination problems and is destroying about one million doses. Guidelines for receiving Flu vaccine are: 1. People 65 years and older; 2. Those with chronic lung (including asthma), heart, diabetes, HIV/Aids or undergoing chemotherapy; 3. People in nursing homes; 4. Children 6 months or older who have chronic heart or lung conditions; 5. Children or adults who have been hospitalized during the previous year; 6. Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy; 7. Women who will be pregnant during flu season; 8. All children 6 month to 23 months of age; 9. People 54 ? 64 y.o.; 8. People living with those with the chronic diseases listed above.
Dr Bobs Take: those who are at high risk (# 1 to 4) should be vaccinated early (October). For those you should make an appointment with your physician NOW. By end of November or mid December everyone who needs it should be your vaccinnated.
Causes of Heart Attacks In a study presented by Dr Yusuf to the European Cardiology Conference showed that up to 90% of all heart attacks can be found to be caused by one or more of these factors. 1. Smoking 2. Abnormal cholesterol 3. Diabetes 4. High blood pressure 5.
Stress 6. Abdominal obesity 7. Sedentary lifestyle 8. Eating too few fruits and vegetables 9. Abstaining from alcohol Dr Bobs Take: we finally have a study that gives us the reasons for 90% of heart attacks. Until now it has been thought that these factors only accounted for about 54% of heart attacks. We can now take control of these factors and work on reducing them.
Full Body CT Scans
I am sure you have all heard the advertisements, get your full body CT scan and catch diseases early?. Well the American College of Radiology has stated that these not be done on healthy individuals because there is a significant risk of creating cancer from the radiation given during the test. Having one screening probably does little to add to this risk but multiple ones definitely do. Dr Bobs Take: It has been thought that one full body ct scan can be equivalent of getting between 1000 and 2000 chest x-rays. We need to know that each does of radiation is additive throughout our lifetime.
Stents for Arteries to the Brain
The FDA approved a stent for people who have had strokes or those with symptoms of pre-stroke (TIA?s). A stent is a wire mesh which goes inside blocked arteries to keep them open. You have heard of stents used for people with heart blockages. The new stents will be used right now for patients who cannot tolerate surgery on the carotid arteries (blood vessels leading to the brain). Within 30 days of undergoing the procedure, patients were less likely to die, or suffer a stroke or heart attack than patients who had undergone surgery, the studies indicated. Dr Bobs take: This is a brand new device and there needs to be more experience gained with the use of it. I would not advise rushing into this unless this is the only alternative. And be sure that your surgeon has had experience in using this first. You don?t want to be the first patient to be operated on.
Increased Death Rate With Antibiotic
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown an increased risk of death associated with the antibiotic Erythromycin when taken with certain cardiac and high blood pressure medications. A review by a team of researchers looked at more than 4,000 people which then was narrowed to 1,476 records. The associated medications included Verelan and Isoptin for verapamil, Cardizem and Tiazac for diltiazem. Dr Bobs Take: this is a preliminary study which needs more studies to verify it. The reason suspected for the deaths was that the concentration of erythromycin was elevated when these medications were used. Until studies prove out this study I would simply talk with your doctor if your are on any of the cardiac medications listed above.
Some Good News For Chocolate Lovers
Another report from the European Cardiology meeting has shown that eating dark chocolate creates more flexibility for the blood vessels. Hard or stiff blood vessels make us more prone to heart attacks. The study was done on a small group of 17 young adults but adds to growing literature on the benefits of chocolate. The bad effects of this are the potential for people to gain weight and lose the benefits of the chocolate. Dr Bobs Take: Although I am chocolate lover myself the studies to date are not well controlled or large enough to make any solid recommendations like we have for wine.
About the Author
A family physician by training with over 20 years of practice. The need to interpret how the latest news affectsr my readers is important. I have 2 websites physician-on-health.com and orchids-plus-more.com
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American Diabetes Association Home Page |
Their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. Available in English and Spanish. |
www.diabetes.org |
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Diabetes Information - American Diabetes Association |
The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, ... Take the first steps toward better diabetes care by visiting the Diabetes ... |
www.diabetes.org |
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Diabetes UK home page - Diabetes UK |
Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the ... |
www.diabetes.org.uk |
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Canadian Diabetes Association |
To promote the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service, and advocacy. |
www.diabetes.ca |
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Diabetes information including treating type 2 diabetes at ... |
Offers dietary recommendations, including recipes and tips on managing blood sugar levels. From GlaxoSmithKline. |
www.diabetes.com |
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Diabetes |
Web site for Diabetes. ... publishes Diabetes. Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press ® assists in the publication of Diabetes Online ... |
diabetes.diabetesjournals.org |
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CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource |
The diabetes information homepage of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided by the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. |
www.cdc.gov |
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CDC - Health Topic: Diabetes |
Diabetes · Diabetes and Research Diagnostics · Diabetes Surveillance Report · FAQ's on Diabetes · Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon ... |
www.cdc.gov |
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National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse |
Provides educational materials to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public. |
diabetes.niddk.nih.gov |
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Diabetes mellitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
For diabetes mellitus in pets, see diabetes in cats and dogs. ... Type 1 diabetes mellitus - formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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MedlinePlus: Diabetes |
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - Links to PDF ... Select services and providers for Diabetes in your area. ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diabetes |
Diabetes affects about 18 million Americans. There are many risk factors for ... These levels are considered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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Diabetes |
What to expect from your diabetes diagnosis? Get up-to-the-minute information about medications, insulin, blood sugar management, nutrition requirements, ... |
diabetes.about.com |
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WebMD Diabetes Health Center - Information on Type 1 and Type 2 ... |
Find in-depth information here about diabetes prevention, diet, ... Study Shows Burned-Out Staffers More Likely to Get Type 2 DiabetesGo To Article ... |
www.webmd.com |
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WebMD Health - 404 Error |
Allergies|Anxiety Disorders|Arthritis|Asthma|Back Pain|Bipolar Disorder|Cancer|Children's Health|Cholesterol|Depression| Diabetes|Diet & Nutrition|Erectile ... |
www.webmd.com |
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Diabetes Overview |
Defines diabetes, including the various types and treatments. Provides information on the impact and cost of the disease, its increasing prevalence, ... |
www.niddk.nih.gov |
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Diabetes News - The New York Times |
A free collection of articles about diabetes published in The New York Times. |
topics.nytimes.com |
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children with DIABETES Online Community |
An online community for kids, families, and adults with diabetes, featuring message boards, chat rooms, and questions/answers from medical professionals. |
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com |
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International Diabetes Institute - Diabetes Research, Education ... |
The International Diabetes Institute is the leading national and international centre for diabetes research, diabetes education and diabetes care. |
www.diabetes.com.au |
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Diabetes New Zealand |
Educates and informs people about diabetes, its treatment, prevention, and cure of diabetes. |
www.diabetes.org.nz |
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