hiking with type 2 diabetes

[Vi+]

I was chatting with a guy who is a Biological Statistician helping an Endocrinologist develop a new technique to monitor diabetes, and help physicians determine what diabetes medications to prescribe and regimens regarding diet and exercise.

Stanford University is using a device - similar to the heart monitor - to assess the blood levels of diabetics. The device can record blood-glucose levels as frequently as every three seconds. One thousand test subjects rigorously recorded what they ate, how much they ate, and when they ate, as well as the amount of exercise - as little as walking about the house on up - they received.

The statistician is working on discerning what all the data mean. He and the endocrinologist are consulting with similar others to develop the medical responses which would be appropriate by private endocrinologists. The goal is to develop formulae, based upon the extensive data which can be collected from each diabetic, which will advise each patient’s endocrinologist fairly specific medications and dosages for that patient. He advised, the theoretical concern which blocks advancement at this time is, diabetics may begin to self medicate and stop further consults with endocrinologists.

Some interesting asides, which you may already know.

The profit margin on Blood-Glucose Test Strips is enormous. Blood-Glucose Test Meters are relatively simple devices - one chip and an LED screen - which is why they are so readily given away. If the patient receives a free meter, why shouldn’t he buy the strips?

My blood-glucose sores after I eat a flour tortilla yet remains fairly stable after eating a corn tortilla. (I intuitively thought this should be the reverse, since corn is “sweeter” than wheat). The difference in blood-glucose response may have a great deal to do with particulate size. Most corn is stone ground, and most wheat is steel ground. Stone grinding makes small particles of the corn. Steel grinding virtually pulverizes wheat. Saliva in your mouth begins to convert organic matter to sugar upon contact. The effect upon powdered wheat flour is virtually an immediate conversion to sugar. The effect upon corn flour isn’t as immediate; the outer portion of the much larger particle is converted, about as quickly as is flour, but a larger portion of the corn flour is not immediately affected. The larger particles of corn flour require more time to convert. The body uses more energy in the conversion process. Less glucose enters the system, and at a slower rate yielding a lower blood-glucose number.

The youngest Type 2 Diabetic recently identified is a nine year old boy.

[Nate]

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT BROTHER- THE LESSER THE BETTER. I, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL NEVER AND CAN NEVER STRAY AWAY FROM MY INSULIN NOR MY PUMP. ONE OF YOU GUYS ONCE TOLD ME ONE TIME- AND IT MIGHT EVEN HAVE BEEN YOU- THAT LIFE IS 10 PERCENT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU AND 90 PERCENT WHAT YOU DO WITH IT- ALWAYS LOOK AT IT THAT WAY.
NATE

[betic4lyf]

freestyle flash meters are really small, moreso than one touch ultras, and get by with less blood. they are very accurate. next time you visit you doctor see if you can get a free meter. they make a killing on the test strips so often they give them to doctors to give to patients. thats how i do it,. also, if you go with pens, i would suggest going with the eli lilly version of whatever insulin ie(humalogv. novolog) because their pens are so much better designed and easier to use, and just more quality. last of all, neo, do use that pen with lantus, cuz that would be awesome.

[Jim Adams]

I was chatting with a guy who is a Biological Statistician helping an Endocrinologist develop a new technique to monitor diabetes, and help physicians determine what diabetes medications to prescribe and regimens regarding diet and exercise.

Stanford University is using a device - similar to the heart monitor - to assess the blood levels of diabetics. The device can record blood-glucose levels as frequently as every three seconds. One thousand test subjects rigorously recorded what they ate, how much they ate, and when they ate, as well as the amount of exercise - as little as walking about the house on up - they received.

The statistician is working on discerning what all the data mean. He and the endocrinologist are consulting with similar others to develop the medical responses which would be appropriate by private endocrinologists. The goal is to develop formulae, based upon the extensive data which can be collected from each diabetic, which will advise each patient’s endocrinologist fairly specific medications and dosages for that patient. He advised, the theoretical concern which blocks advancement at this time is, diabetics may begin to self medicate and stop further consults with endocrinologists.

Some interesting asides, which you may already know.

The profit margin on Blood-Glucose Test Strips is enormous. Blood-Glucose Test Meters are relatively simple devices - one chip and an LED screen - which is why they are so readily given away. If the patient receives a free meter, why shouldn’t he buy the strips?

My blood-glucose sores after I eat a flour tortilla yet remains fairly stable after eating a corn tortilla. (I intuitively thought this should be the reverse, since corn is “sweeter” than wheat). The difference in blood-glucose response may have a great deal to do with particulate size. Most corn is stone ground, and most wheat is steel ground. Stone grinding makes small particles of the corn. Steel grinding virtually pulverizes wheat. Saliva in your mouth begins to convert organic matter to sugar upon contact. The effect upon powdered wheat flour is virtually an immediate conversion to sugar. The effect upon corn flour isn’t as immediate; the outer portion of the much larger particle is converted, about as quickly as is flour, but a larger portion of the corn flour is not immediately affected. The larger particles of corn flour require more time to convert. The body uses more energy in the conversion process. Less glucose enters the system, and at a slower rate yielding a lower blood-glucose number.

The youngest Type 2 Diabetic recently identified is a nine year old boy.

sugar content has an impact but more importantly is time and effort for digestion ie: amount of insulin used for a given food.
although i am not a diabetic, i have been a paramedic for 30 years and admire diabetic hikers greatly. it is amazing what you have to deal with and tolerate just to enjoy the same things that us non-diabetics enjoy.
i know that you get highly tuned into what your body is telling you 24/7 but i couldn't imagine hiking w/o a gluecometer.
good luck to you all, you are an impressive group.
geek