Tag Archives: type 2

Reading the Alphabet Soup

August 7, 2018 – 10:11 am

It seems like the more I move along this advocacy trail, the more I’m reminded that I still have an awful lot to learn.

The work I do as part of my state’s Advisory Council on Health and Wellness is a prime example. For the record, I live with Type 1 Diabetes. But the majority of People With Diabetes in my state are living with Type 2. So I’ve had to learn a lot about these subjects lately:
 
 
Diabetes Prevention Programs – The title pretty much says it all about these programs geared toward the booming population with prediabetes. The point is, where possible, to keep prediabetes from becoming Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Prevention Programs follow the National Diabetes Prevention Program curriculum developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The DPP requires a full year commitment. You’re encouraged to develop a diet, exercise, and overall diabetes management routine that becomes a habit over that time.

In a DPP, you’re concentrating your efforts on changing diet and exercise to achieve a 5% to 7% weight loss in the first six months. Yes, you will be weighed at each session. But there’s also a good ingredient of a DPP, in that participants are encouraged to “discuss strategies for self-monitoring of diet and physical activity, building participant self-efficacy and social support to maintain lifestyle changes, and problem-solving to overcome common weight loss, physical activity, and healthy eating challenges”.

The good part about DPPs is that they seem to work: According to an NIDDK study, people with prediabetes who lost 5% to 7% of their body weight had a 58% lower chance of being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs – Again, geared toward Type 2s, DSMEs aim to provide a Person With Diabetes with information that will potentially help them manage their diabetes better than before.

The DSMEs can be ongoing, allowing the Person With Diabetes a chance to make their progress permanent. The program focuses on three fundamental elements: Nutrition, Education, and Emotional Support. These can be delivered at various points in someone’s life with diabetes, including diagnosis, annually, after experiencing complications, and during transitions like aging and moving to a care facility, or changing insurances or health care professionals.

DSMEs are typically run by diabetes educators, and the fact is that there are too few diabetes educators out there. So it’s hard to get new DSMEs started. The good news is that many medical plans will cover some or all of the costs of a DSME.

Diabetes Self-Management Programs – The difference between DSMEs and DSMPs (besides that one word) is that the DSMP is typically six weeks, while a DSME program can be ongoing.

DSMPs can also be taught by non-health professionals, including those living with diabetes. They have to follow a strict set of materials developed by the diabetes team at Stanford University, and be trained to run the program. DSMPs have a pretty good track record of success too.
 
 
Now, the part that we haven’t discussed yet is that the cost to implement these programs vary. The cost is usually per participant. When you have limited resources, you want to make sure people have a choice; but you also have to get the most bang for your public service buck, so to speak. So while each of these programs have their own merits, they also have their own costs.

If you’d have asked my opinion before I looked into these programs, I would have told you that there’s no way these programs could do any good. But they do. All the more reason why none of us should make decisions without knowing as many of the facts as possible.

I’m learning a whole new alphabet soup of acronyms this year, but I’m glad I am. People deserve to get the assistance they need in living the best life they can. And if I can, I’d like to help them do that.

By StephenS | Posted in Type 2 | Also tagged , , , | Comments (4)

Diabetes Prevention Programs.

August 9, 2017 – 9:18 am

In my daily commute, I saw this on the subway train the other day:

I found out that this poster is part of a diabetes prevention and awareness campaign undertaken by the Maryland Department of Health. They’ve developed a nice website, with videos and reference links, that show people the importance of identifying diabetes and prediabetes as quickly as possible.

This mirrors an effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has its own website devoted to identifying those at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, and giving them the knowledge and resources to help them deter diagnosis for as long as possible.

Why are we seeing efforts like these at the state and national level? In my state, over 1.5 million people are said to be living with prediabetes, and only a little more than 10 percent of them know they are at risk. Multiply that by 50, plus the District of Columbia, plus U.S. territories and outlying islands. That’s a lot of people, folks.

Both the state and national programs focus on doing three things:
 
 
1. Take a simple quiz to find out if you’re at risk for developing diabetes (or ignore the quiz because, take it from me: you’re at risk)

2. Talk to your doctor. Your doctor should (emphasis on the word should) have advice for you on how to manage your life going forward, should you be at risk

3. Take a diabetes prevention class. More knowledge is always better than less knowledge, and that’s especially true when it comes to diabetes
 
 
Honestly, I don’t know much about prediabetes. And I really feel that if you’re going to get a diabetes diagnosis, you’re going to get the diagnosis. But why not hold it off as long as possible? I think that’s what these programs are really trying to accomplish.

And just in case you’re wondering: You are worth every effort it takes to feel better and be healthier. Why not take advantage of the many tools at your disposal?
 
 
To find out more about Maryland’s Diabetes Prevention Program, go to:
powertopreventdiabetes.org

More on the National Diabetes Prevention Program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at:
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , | Comments (3)

T2 Series: Mark your calendar.

October 2, 2015 – 11:50 am

Hey, did you know that TuDiabetes has a super live interview series? Every week, they’re interviewing someone new, talking about subjects that we all care deeply about.

During the month of October, TuDiabetes’ live events will focus on Type 2 Diabetes, featuring guests who really know what they’re talking about.
type2-live-series
Yesterday’s guest was journalist and author Gary Taubes, whose books Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, and Good Calories, Bad Calories (also known as The Diet Delusion in the UK) are widely read. He’s also co-founder of the not-for-profit Nutrition Science Initiative. In addition, he’s recipient of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Investigator Award in Health Policy Research, and he’s won a boatload of awards for his journalism.

Did you miss this interview? It’s okay. TuDiabetes will be posting a copy of the interview shortly, so you can watch it whenever you want. Isn’t technology great?
 
 
On October 7, TuDiabetes welcomes Susan Guzman, co-founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute. It’s the first non-profit organization devoted to the emotional and behavioral aspects of living with diabetes. By trade, she’s a clinical psychologist specializing in diabetes. Her main focus is on overcoming emotional challenges that interfere with managing your diabetes on a daily basis.

They’re going to be talking about dealing with and overcoming the stigma that people try to lay on Type 2s on a regular basis. This should be a really interesting talk, and I, for one, cannot wait to hear it.
 
 
On October 13, Ansley Dalbo will be welcomed to TuDiabetes to talk about DiabetesWhatToKnow, a great resource for Type 2s who are just getting started in their life with diabetes, or are looking for a little more information to help them manage their Type 2 lives better from here on out.
 
 
On October 15, noted Type 2 and major advocate Bennet Dunlap will appear, talking about the recent launch of Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, and how each of us can take a hand in carving out a better life for everyone living with diabetes.
 
 
And Mike Durbin will be on! The author of My Diabetic Heart will stop by on October 22 to talk about living with Type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure. Shame isn’t a part of his repertoire, and I’m thinking he might have some great advice for you and me too. This one has been already marked on my calendar.
 
 
Pretty good lineup, no? Want to be in on the happenings? Good. Here’s what you do:

CLICK HERE for a quick look at the calendar of events. Want to find out more about a topic? Click on the event. Can’t be more simple than that.
 
 
Hey, I’m not a Type 2, but I could stand to learn an awful lot about my brothers and sisters who are living with a type that’s not my own. Join TuDiabetes for the innovative T2 Series, and for heaven’s sake, be part of the discussion, learning, and empowerment that comes from being a member at TuDiabetes.
 

By StephenS | Posted in Events, Type 2 | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

How to react? How not to react?

July 22, 2015 – 10:42 am

For the benefit of anyone reading this months down the road:

CrossFit, the fitness company, posted a tweet that was particularly offensive to People With Diabetes. It was wrong, both in its tone and its wording, and because its statement had absolutely nothing to do with actual, you know, facts.

After this tweet went out, members of the diabetes community did their best to show their outrage at such a gutless attempt to guilt people into working out using their program, and shame People With Diabetes. Which brought out more ridiculous responses from the CrossFit CEO. Stupid is as stupid does, I guess.

The biggest diabetes organizations in this country got involved too, posting their own social media messages in response. For the most part, I was happy to see this. It’s good to know that when someone tries to hurt you via social media, JDRF, ADA, and others have your back.

But… and you knew there would be a but… some of the reactions were less than stellar from an inclusiveness point of view.

Is that too vague? I’m not sure I know how to put it into words. I think what I’m saying is, when I see a popular singing star, who lives with diabetes, tweet “Know the difference between types of diabetes”, I wonder what in the hell the different types of diabetes have to do with this issue in the first place. I’ve gotta admit… when I saw that one, I cringed a little bit. Why?

Because when we point out that my type of diabetes isn’t to blame for [fill in the blank], or we say this type of diabetes isn’t caused by [fill in the blank], we’re also implying that some other type of diabetes is to blame, or some other type of diabetes is caused by something that our type isn’t. Don’t believe me? Ask a Type 2 how they felt about some of the most vocal responses to the CrossFit issue.

And if you say, “Hey, well, that’s not what I meant”, I will tell you that it is not what you say, but rather how what you say is perceived that is important. Just ask my wife. And, Type 1s, when we make Type 2s feel this way, we are alienating 25 million People With Diabetes just in this country. 25 Million potential allies in the fight for better care, better access to medication, better acceptance by society. And, Type 2s, if you ever alienate Type 1s, you are alienating one of the most resourceful and vocal groups of diabetes advocates on the planet.

To varying degrees, we are all getting screwed in the media. To varying degrees, we are all getting more attention in the media. I don’t have the exact textbook way to respond to situations like these.

I just know that, like I’ve said before, it’s not always important to get there first with the most anger. It is extremely important that we respond to shaming and stigma-inducing ridiculousness by starting with what is in our heart… considering everyone affected by (and potentially viewing) the initial issue, and potential responses… and holding up a light to our shared humanity, and giving a voice to that shared humanity, in a way that protects us all, lifts our common cause to the highest plain, and encourages thoughtful discussion and meaningful change for the better.

I think that’s the longest sentence I’ve ever written.

There will be more discussion on this topic, coming on the next episode of Diabetes By The Numbers, here in a few days. As always, your opinion matters here too.
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Social Media | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (5)

October DSMA Blog Carnival: What’s easy about living with your type?

October 24, 2014 – 10:38 am

The October DSMA Blog Carnival topic is easy to answer, but as you can probably guess, the premise of the question goes a lot deeper:
 
 
Type 1, Type 2, LADA, Gestational, diabetes brought on by surgery . . . . the list of types of diabetes goes on. Each type may have differences, but ultimately they are all diabetes. When we think about it, there is a whole lot that all types have in common. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t give credit for some differences too. So let’s look back to our “Breaking down the barriers between types” chat on September 10th and discuss . . . . .

Anything easy about living with your type of diabetes that isn’t easy for another type?
 
 
I remember this question (I moderated this chat, and I still have my notes). The idea behind asking the question was that I wanted to ask people to acknowledge that there may be something that helps them manage their diabetes, that maybe another Person With Diabetes doesn’t have at their disposal.

The easy answer for this Type 1 is that I can take insulin for anything I may eat, at any time of day. That flexibility is something the vast majority of Type 2s, especially, do not have. I’m not going to get into whether Type 1 is easier than Type 2, or easier than any other type of diabetes. The fact is, all diabetes requires a lot of work. But if I acknowledge that some part of diabetes may be slightly easier for my type, I’m recognizing that that’s a part of diabetes that is more difficult for another type. In making this admission, I’m saying to my fellow Type 2s, LADAs, Gestationals, etc… I wish you had it as easy as me.

As I recall, there were one or two Type 2s who mentioned how taking insulin was something that seemed more difficult to them compared to how they manage their day-to-day life with diabetes. Isn’t it interesting how we can think about the same things in different ways?

I also remember asking this question from an educational perspective. I’m intensely curious about nearly everything, and I wanted to see how other people viewed their diabetes versus another type. I wondered how they might consider having to manage their diabetes a different way. Most of the Type 1s participating in the chat that evening answered the same as I did. I found it fascinating that people considered insulin an easy thing for them, even though it meant taking injections or having an insulin pump attached to them 24 hours per day. It’s all in how you look at it, I guess.

In the final analysis, when the word “diabetes” is part of your diagnosis, it doesn’t matter what word (or words) preclude it. You’re dealing with something serious and challenging on a daily basis. The best part was the outpouring of support and understanding for all types during the chat that night. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: A diabetes diagnosis automatically makes you eligible for as much encouragement and support as the Diabetes Community can muster. As a community, we are stronger and capable of much more when we welcome and support all people, of all types, living with diabetes.
 
 
This post is my October entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival. If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetescaf.org/2014/10/october-dsma-blog-carnival-4
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in DSMA Blog Carnival | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (0)
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