WPADE.org

Free Eye Care

wpadeorg — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:59:55 +0000

Free eye care is available for older adults who haven”t seen an eye doctor in at least three years through the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Senior Eye Care Program. Qualified adults, age 65 or older, can receive a full exam and up to one year of care. Call 1-800-222-eyes (3937) for details.

Filed under: 2010 Newsletters

Needles and Syringes

wpadeorg — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:28:45 +0000

The Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy recently enacted a law amending the need for a physician’s prescription to obtain hypodermic needles and syringes, with no age restriction nor limits o purchases. Their research concluded that increased access to needles and syringes does not increase injection drug use and it decreases infectious diseases. The needles will not be placed on retail shelves and must be stored behind the pharmacy counter, where a pharmacist would distribute them.
Annette Karnash

Filed under: 2010 Newsletters

Do you have T2 diabetes and are interested in reducing STRESS and improving diabetes control?

wpadeorg — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:24:41 +0000

Pitt researchers are looking at whether a stress reduction program called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction can help people with type 2 diabetes.
You may be eligible if you are:
Between 30-70 years of age
Take oral medications and/or diet treatment for
diabetes, but NOT INSULIN
Have had type 2 diabetes
Willing to attend 8 weekly two hour group
meditation classes in Shadyside and keep
three morning appts. in Oakland for testing
Agree to be randomized to EITHER the stress
reduction program OR to receive
informational material on stress and
diabetes

Eligible participants will receive up to $60.00 as reimbursement for participation.

For more information, please call the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Study Investigator at 412-624-9554.

Filed under: New Updates for Diabetes Educators, Upcoming Programs

Cataracts

wpadeorg — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:07:57 +0000

Cataracts, a common eye problem related to aging, is a loss of the transparency in the normally clear lens of the eye. At least 40% of those over the age of 75 develop an opacity of the lens causing diminishing vision. Cataracts are more common in individuals with diabetes, develop earlier, progress more rapidly and accelerate the development of diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms may be gradual, painless with increasingly blurred vision of double vision. Halo’s or blurriness around lights, increased sensitivity to light and glare, dulled color perception, milky or yellow appearance of the lens and difficulty driving at night are symptoms of cataract development. Because cataract developement may not be detected by the individual due to gradual changes, drops placed in both eyes and examined using acuity measurements may indicate a problem before symptoms occur. The best examination for cataract detection is with the use of a slit lamp, a high magnification and narrow light, while looking through a dilated pupil. This procedure should periodically monitor the progression of the disease. initially, a small hazy spot may appear in the field of vision and gradually, as the lens grows more opaque, vision becomes more blurry. A cumulative exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays over a lifetime, physical injury to or inflammation of the eye, the long term use of corticosteroid drugs, hereditary factors and birth defects may be contributing factors that lead ot cataracts.
Cataracts are extracted surgically with the implantation of intraocular lens, providing a normal post-operative visual correction for most individuals. With those who have diabetes, however, this may be contraindicated because their lens may cause diabetic retinopathy to become worse, possibly due to surgical trauma. Researchers feel cataracts are found more in diabetic individuals because the enzyme aldose reductase converts the sugars, such as glucose and galactose, into sugar alcohols. The alcohols cannot readily diffuse out of the lens, causing an imbalance in osmotic pressure, resulting in a swelling of the lens due ot fluid accumulation. This allows for the changes in the refractive power of the lens causing cloudy vision.
Surgery is determined based on the age, health and the presence of other ocular disease and the degree to which the patient feels handicapped. Extraction may become medically necessary if a person has a narrow angle glaucoma. It is primarily important to prevent cataract development. No diet has been proven to delay the formation of cataracts in healthy individuals, however the contribution of dietary control on blood glucose may help prevent cataracts and complications in those with diabetes. There has been research to support the idea that cataracts may be caused by ultra violet light. Therefore, it is recommended individuals wear sun glasses marked ‘general ro specific purposes’ or those that block at least 95% of UVB (Ultra violet B) rays to filter out much of the radiation.
To minimize outdoor glare, a wide brimmed hat should be worn. Indoors, use large print books and newspapers, floor or desk lamps with incandescent bulbs instead of ceiling or fluorescent lights. Dimmer controls are also advised. Pinpoint halogen lights should be avoided because they cause pupils to constrict.
The importance of blood glucose control with cataracts was evidenced in the Epidemiology of Diabetic Intervention and Complication Trial, a follow up of the original Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Study, the DCCT, completed in 1993. The trial showed a 1% difference between a tightly controlled glucose group and a group less intensely managed in terms of A1c and a very noticeable difference in nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. There was a reduced number of cardiovascular disease events in the intensely controlled group, but not statistically significant. It was found that if diabetes was controlled intensely early on, the best results were obtained in terms of reducing complications and decreasing the need for laser therapy, dialysis and renal transplantation.Definite benefits of blood glucose were recognized for the microvascular complications of nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy ans as patients continue to be followed, they are now seeing the benefits of microvascular complications, atherosclerosis the longer the patients are studied.
Annette Karnash, RN

Posted in 2009 Newsletters

Diabetes D Tour Diet

wpadeorg — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:09:38 +0000

Almost 24 million people in the United States have diabetes and 1/4 of those are unawaer that they have this condition. It is predicted that the future will see one out of every three Americans develop diabetes and will lose an average of 10-15 years of life. This is a major disease issue. Consequently, two leading diabetes experts realized that a diet that includes omega 3’s, fiber, Vitamin D and calcium can help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Research indicates that these nutrients can help fight fat, balance blood sugar and avoid the diabetes danger zone. The plan, ‘D Tour Diet’, is designed to include 3 meals and 2 snacks that include the ‘Fat Fighting Four’ plus calcium, Vitamin D, high fiber foods and the Omega 3’s. Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDC, one of the creators of the diet provides more informaiton on www.d tour.com
Annette Karnash

Posted in 2009 Newsletters