Fight It! Friday Campaign Offers Unique Way to Donate for Diabetes
The Fight It! Campaign, founded by Christopher Thomas and his website, Diabetic Rockstar, are holding a unique kind of fundraiser. This Friday, November 27th, traditionally known as "Black Friday" will be a day when those who would like to help people who can't afford their diabetes supplies, can donate one dollar to the Fight It! Friday cause.
All the money collected goes to people who need it. The average person with diabetes spends $14,000 a year on medical expenses. Fight It! helps people who can't afford their diabetes supplies.
Diabetic Rockstar's Fight It! campaign raises money to help financially struggling people with diabetes using many fund-raising events.
The Diabetic Rockstar website was created by Christopher Thomas, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007. The Fight It! Campaign was born out of his desire to help people with diabetes.
What is the philosophy of the Fight It! Campaign? In the words of Christopher Thomas, "Fight It! is an unique non-profit campaign that aims to help financially struggling, uninsured and newly diagnosed diabetics. While larger non-profits and organizations raise money for a cure, we are fighting for those waiting for a cure. The goal is simple: To ensure that no diabetic must struggle, whether it is physically, emotionally or financially, anymore."
Diabetic Rockstar, Inc. is incorporated as a non-profit charity in the state of New York as of October 31, 2008.
Visit Diabetic Rockstar and see what the Fight It! Friday Campaign is all about.
The Signs of Diabetes... Do You Know What to Look For?
24 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, but it's estimated that an additional 5.7 million people have the disease and don't know it.
How is that possible? Type 2 diabetes doesn't always have clear symptoms, and many times people aren't even aware that they have it. Sometimes the first time it's diagnosed is after a check-up or physical.
Diabetes does have symptoms. Read here to find out what they are...
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Tis the Season to Focus on Your Health
Diabetes management is all about diet, exercise and medications. But is that all there is to life? Sometimes it can seem like it when you're trying to deal with type 2 diabetes, especially during the holidays.
Managing your diabetes is important, and celebrating the holidays can present challenges in the form of party foods, excess calories, and sugary or alcoholic beverages. Does the season have to derail your healthy plans? Not if you put more focus on the other parts of the holiday, and focus less on food.
- Don't let holiday cookies and treats take over your life
- Use holiday gatherings to get to know other people
- Volunteer at church or in the community
- Learn to make healthy holiday foods
- Make time to exercise throughout the season
Shift the focus to fun and family and away from high calorie goodies. You'll have an enjoyable and healthy holiday season.
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Have a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday
The holidays are a great time to reconnect with family and friends, and food is an enormous part of the festivities, especially at Thanksgiving time. When you have type 2 diabetes, it can be hard to stick to an eating plan especially when everyone around you is enjoying all of the holiday food.
Sometimes it takes a little planning to keep holiday meals in line with your healthy eating plan, but it can be done. Read here for some healthy ideas...
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How Do You Cope With Type 2 Diabetes?
When you've had type 2 diabetes for a while, you know what to do. But sometimes the stress of dealing with diabetes management everyday can cause a person to become "burned out".
How can you avoid burn out? Here's what you need to know...
It helps to have some coping mechanisms in place to help you over the rough spots. How do you cope with your diabetes over the long haul?
Join the discussion at...
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Change Your Lifestyle and Delay or Even Prevent Diabetes
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a large study spanning several years. The study looked at 3,234 people who were at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and compared healthy lifestyle changes and weight loss, with taking diabetes medication, to see which preventative method was more effective at lowering the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes.
Participants who lost a modest amount of weight and kept it off, while increasing their physical activity, lowered their chances of getting type 2 diabetes by 34%. Participants who took the diabetes drug, metformin, lowered their risk by 18%.
Interestingly, people over 60 years old, who lost weight and exercised, lowered their risk by 50%.
Losing weight and increasing your physical activity are positive changes you can make that can give you some control over your health, even if your risk for type 2 diabetes is high.
More from your diabetes guide...
- Diet and Exercise Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in People with Prediabetes
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November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. It is also the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. today.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
The retina is full of tiny little blood vessels. Retinopathy is the damage to the blood vessels of the retina, caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels. The blood vessels can become enlarged or clogged when blood sugar is high. They can also become weak and rupture. The retina can even become detached from the back of the eye.
What might you experience if you have diabetic retinopathy?
- Blurry or double vision
- Floaters or dark patches in your vision
- If you have a detached retina, you may see flashes, dark spots or a "dark curtain" over part of your vision. A detached retina needs immediate medical attention.
Retinopathy is not always noticeable in the early stages. It can progress silently for years without noticeable symptoms. Yearly eye exams are essential when you have diabetes. It's also important to keep blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible to prevent retina damage. If you notice any changes in your vision, call your eye doctor immediately.
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Laughter Can Lower Your Blood Sugar
Did you know that laughter can lower your blood sugar? When you have type 2 diabetes, it's important to keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. There are many ways to lower blood sugar, but scientists in Japan have discovered that laughing can also help keep blood sugar levels closer to normal.
In a recent study from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, it was reported that laughter lowered blood sugar in both people with diabetes, and those who didn't have the disease.
Nineteen people with type 2 diabetes, and 5 without, were monitored for blood glucose levels while they watched a serious lecture program. Their blood glucose levels did not change. The next day they were monitored as they watched a humorous program. Every participant's blood glucose levels dropped, whether they had diabetes or not.
So enjoy a good laugh as often as you can. It's one more way to help you manage your blood sugar.
More on managing blood sugar levels from your Diabetes Guide...
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Recall of Defective Insulin Needles Now Nationwide
In August, 2009, the FDA announced that Qualitest Pharmaceuticals had recalled two lots of Accusure Insulin Syringes due to defective needles. Now the recall has been expanded nationwide.
According to a new press release from the FDA, all Accusure insulin needles, regardless of lot number, are being recalled.
The syringes are defective because the needles may detach from the syringe during use. They can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into to the syringe, or remain in the skin after injection.
In the press release it states, "Consumers who have any AccusureŽ Insulin Syringes should stop using them and contact Qualitest at 1-800-444-4011 for reimbursement. You can find the lot number on the white paper backing of each individual syringe. Qualitest is notifying all customers who received these syringes and arranging for the return of any affected product."
Descriptions and lot numbers: 28G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-6995-21;28G 1cc, NDC 0603-6996-21; 29G 1/2cc NDC 0603-6997-21, 29G 1cc, NDC 0603-6998-21, 30G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-999-21, 30G 1cc, NDC 0603-7000-21, 31G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-7001-21; and 31G 1cc, NDC 0603-7002-21.
Think You Might Have Type 2 Diabetes? Here's What to Look For...
Although 24 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, it's estimated that another 57 million people don't even know that they have it. Although there are definite symptoms to look for, many people either don't experience them, or they are so mild that they go unnoticed.
Be aware of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision are five of the signs. Read here for more information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatments of type 2 diabetes...
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