Diabetes Health Talk

There’s an AP news story about a new under the skin sensor being used by some diabetics.

Rather than sticking yourself several times a day, this sensor offers a way for diabetics to monitor their levels around the clock.

Health officials have now approved the device for children to be used for up to three days in a row - and for adults for up to six days in a row.

There are drawbacks, of course. Monitoring allows diabetics to make adjustments throughout the day if their sugar levels go too high or too low - but, without change it cannot help.

Some short-term studies show users greatly improve control of their blood sugar, while other studies have found little impact.

Why the discrepancy? Diabetics who do the worst job fighting their disease aren’t going to put in extra effort to improve just because of a sensor, says Dr. Irl Hirsch of the University of Washington.

It’s the same as with those of us who are fighting obesity. We KNOW that chocolate bar is NOT going to help our weight do anything but go up, but knowing it and doing something about it are two separate things.

The other major drawback is - you guessed it - the cost: $1000 for the sensor and $350/month for supplies - estimated. Insurance coverage for the expense is iffy - check with your carriers.

As with anything new . . . there are a lot of questions. But, as with anything new, there is hope. So, do your research and talk with your medical practitioner and make an informed decision.

take care, everyone.

diabetes, sensor, new

According to the American Diabetes Association website, Undiagnosed Diabetes in U.S. Men Falls Sharply.

I hope you will read the entire article which was posted on the 14th. You might wonder why I titled this entry as I did. Please, consider this quote from the article:

“Some disparities remain. For example, less-educated men are far more likely to have their diabetes remain undiagnosed than better-educated men, the study found.”

Now, I may be incorrect in my deductions here . . .

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I menationed in yesterday’s post that we had very little medical coverage when hubby was going through the problems with retinopathy.

About five years ago I was blessed with a job offer with a non-profit agency for which I had done a lot of volunteer work over the previous 15 or so years. Medical insurance is one of the perks of that job.

Sometimes it doesn’t seem like much of a perk - when the deductible fluctuates each year, for instance. But, overall it is such a wonderful gift to have it.

Not for me, mind you . . . although I do use it from time to time. (but I haven’t even hit my deductible over the past few years - even the year it was only $500). No, I am so thankful to have medical insurance for my husband.

His medications alone make the amount taken out of my paycheck monthly WORTH IT! Our co-pay for meds is so reasonable - to only have to pay $25/month instead of the hundreds it actually costs . . . well, you can only imagine.

And, I do imagine it - what would happen if we didn’t have the insurance - or I lost my job - or the other things that could happen.

That is when such programs as Wal-Mart’s $4 prescriptions or the many free/low cost drug company offers come in so handy. You might have to look for them, but they are out there. (and I am keeping tabs on them - just in case - because you just never know - right? right!)

I would love for there to be a way for EVERYONE to have insurance coverage - that NOBODY would be left trying to decide whether to eat or buy meds - that ALL would be treated equally and fairly.

Not sure if that day will ever come - or if the drug companies and the pharmacies and the medical professionals out there will ever be able to allow it to happen.

But one can always pray . . . one can always pray.

insurance, diabetes, medication, pharmacies, low cost prescriptions