American Diabetes Association ALERT! DAY

Americans are urged to “Join the Million Challenge” on American Diabetes Association Alert Day^SM by taking the Diabetes Risk Test and finding out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 is the 23^rd annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, a one-day, “wake-up” call  asking Americans to “Join the Million Challenge” by taking the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and if they are at high risk, to speak with their health care provider.

At the end of 2010, the American Diabetes Association surpassed their goal of inspiring one million Americans to join the American Diabetes Association’s movement to Stop Diabetes®.  To continue this momentum, the Association is asking the public to “Join the Million Challenge” by rallying one million people to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, beginning on Diabetes Alert Day on March 22, 2011 and ending April 22, 2011.

Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects nearly 26 million Americans including. A quarter of those affected by diabetes are not aware that they have the disease.  If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050. In addition, approximately 79 million, or one in three American adults have prediabetes, which means that their blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal but is not high enough to be classified as diabetes.  Without intervention, individuals with prediabetes are at a much higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  Seeking to change the future of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association is using Diabetes Alert Day to help identify the undiagnosed and those at risk for type 2 diabetes by educating people about diabetes risk factors and warning signs.

Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes can live for years without realizing that they have this serious disease. While some people with diabetes exhibit noticeable symptoms (such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst), most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not experience these overt warning signs at the time that they develop the disease.  Often, type 2 diabetes only becomes evident when people develop one or more of its serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage or nerve damage, which can lead to amputation.

2011 Diabetes Alert Day

“Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating,” said Gina Perales Hethcock, Director of Communications and Hispanic Initiatives for the North Texas office. “The American Diabetes Association hopes that this American Diabetes Association Alert Day will encourage people to ‘Join the Million Challenge.’ By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.”

To help people determine their risk for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association provides the Diabetes Risk Test, which entails answering simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. People at high risk are encouraged to speak with their health care providers.  You can “Join the Million Challenge” by getting your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) at www.stopdiabetes.com, 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or text JOIN to 69866 (Standard data and message rates apply).  Although Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year round.

The Association is also encouraging the public to help spread the word about Diabetes Alert Day by sending out messages on Facebook and Twitter.  You can download a Diabetes Alert Day application to post on your Facebook page or you can tweet about the importance of understanding one’s risk for type 2 diabetes and provide a link to the Diabetes Risk Test at stopdiabetes.com.

The primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes.  African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Laser is new tool in targeting toenail fungus

http://www.mlive.com/health/index.ssf/2011/03/laser_is_new_tool_in_targeting.html

'Diabetes belt' emerges in Southeast U.S.

Individuals who live in one of several Southern states are significantly more likely to receive a positive HbA1c test for diabetes, as a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified what officials are calling the "diabetes belt" of the U.S.

The belt stretches from Pennsylvania in the Northeast to Texas in the Southwest and includes all the states in between. The rate of diabetes in these states is 11 percent, compared to a national rate of 8 percent.

The researchers said that obesity and sedentary lifestyles were most likely the causes of this discrepancy. Nearly 33 percent of people from these states are obese, while the national average is 26 percent. More than 30 percent are largely sedentary, compared to a national rate of 24.8.

Identifying areas where prevalence of the disease is highest could allow public health officials to direct their resources more efficiently and hopefully contain diabetes, the researchers said.

"Identifying a diabetes belt by counties allows community leaders to identify regions most in need of efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes and to manage existing cases of the disease," said Lawrence E. Barker, who led the study. "Although many risk factors for type 2 diabetes can't be changed, others can."

Why Does My Big Toe Joint Hurt Part 3

Well folks, its official....I had my first pain free run in months!  I was about a mile into my run yesterday and I thought to myself, "Wow my toe doesnt hurt a bit!"  I ran 3 10 minute miles and my toe is not sore at all today.  Other parts of my body...well that is a different story.  Dr. Gordon is truly special and has helped me a lot.  I am a firm believer of orthotics now.  Also I have noticed that when I walk up stairs the cracking and popping in my knees has decreased dramatically!  Im only 30 so that is a GREAT thing.

Today I developed blisters on my heels from my stupid dress shoes.  I put my orthotics in them but I didnt take the shoe inserts out.  I think that may be the trick.  My shoes were rubbing too high on my heels.  But...my toe still doesnt hurt so that is a big plus.  Its all trial and error.  Who knows maybe I will get my husband to dish out some cash for better dress shoes that my orthotics fit nicely in.  Its a medical necessity right????!!!!

Paramedic took severed foot from car crash victim... to use it to train her dog

By Daily Mail Reporter


Last updated at 11:19 PM on 8th March 2011



A former paramedic who admitted to taking a man's severed foot from the scene of a crash is now being sued for going 'beyond the bounds of decency'.




Cynthia Economou, a former fire-fighter-paramedic from Florida, admitted to taking Karl Lambert's foot in September 2008 to use as a training aid for her body recovery dog.

But now Mr Lambert is seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit issued last week.

Enlarge Sued: Cynthia Economu is now being sued for taking a foot she found in a car wreck in 2008. She said the foot was used to train her cadaver dog



The lawsuit lists the taking of the foot as: 'Outrageous and went beyond the bounds of decency...was odious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society.'

Economou was originally sentenced to six months probation in 2009 for second-degree petty theft.

At the time, she told a court the foot was unusable when she found it at the crash scene an hour after Mr Lambert was airlifted to hospital.

She said: 'It was an unrecognisable mass of flesh.

'It wasn't a clean cut. You couldn't even recognise it as a foot....If I had thought it was somehow re attachable and usable, I would have gone to my commander.'

The lawsuit, however, contends that Economou: 'Removed the leg rather than delivering it to the hospital where it could have been reattached.'

At the time of her 2009 arrest, police records show the foot was valued at less than $100.



At the time it was alleged that Economu brought the amputated foot to a fire station before a family member brought it home to use for training her cadaver dog.

Body recovery or 'cadaver' rescue dogs help search teams find dead bodies in murder or disaster recovery situations.

They are trained to sniff out decaying of putrefied human remains in a range of climates, including freezing water.



Crash: This is the car crash where the foot was found by Miss Economu in 2008



Speaking to website TCpalm at the time she said: 'This is just so unbelievable, it’s like a dream I’m in.

'I can’t believe it’s happening.'Economou left her paramedic job after the incident came to light.

Mr Lambert had to have his leg amputated roughly five inches below the knee after the accident.

She was sentenced to six months probation, but was not formally convicted of the crime.

In 2007 Economou was named St Lucie County fire fighter of the year.

Yanks C Cervelli out indefinitely with broken foot

– Fri Mar 4, 4:16 pm ET

TAMPA, Fla. – New York Yankees backup catcher Francisco Cervelli will be in a protective boot for at least four weeks because of a broken left foot, and it's uncertain when he'll be able to play again.

Cervelli was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday against Houston, and the break is above the toes. Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced the extent of the injury before Friday night's game against Boston.

Test results will be reviewed by a foot specialist. It's not known how long it will take for Cervelli to complete a rehab program once the boot is removed.

"How long it would take after, if it was healed, you don't know," Girardi said.

Girardi said there are no current plans to use Jorge Posada, who is moving from catcher to designated hitter this season, behind the plate in spring training games.

"I can't tell you 100 percent, exactly, what's going to happen over the next four weeks," Girardi said. "I can't. Just like I wouldn't have predicted this, but right now I don't plan on having him really catch in a game. We'll see what the other guys can do."

Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Gustavo Molina are the top contenders to back up starter Russell Martin, who had offseason surgery to repair a minor tear in his right knee.

"We still have plenty of guys here that could earn that spot," Girardi said. "Basically what it does, it eliminates a catcher from the opening day competition."

Cervelli does not have much luck in spring training. Last season he was sidelined with a concussion and in 2008 he broke his wrist in a collision at the plate.

"He's had a rough go at spring training," Girardi said. "I feel for him. You could see the disappointment when we walked over to tell him."

Montero played at Triple-A last season and Romine was in Double-A. Molina has 23 games of major league experience, including four with the Red Sox last season.

"When you look at Montero and Romine, the one thing they're lacking was the big league experience," Girardi said. "But, they're not lacking in talent. We're not sure, if it's one of the kids, how they're going to handle it, but we might find out."

NOTES: RHP Rafael Soriano, the former Tampa Bay closer who be the primary eighth-inning setup man for closer Mariano Rivera, threw 20 pitches during his first batting practice session. Bradley Suttle and Daniel Brewer put the ball in play in just three of 11 swings. "Probably as many swings and misses in a batting practice session as I've ever seen," Girardi said. Soriano could be ready for his first game action after one more BP outing.