Tara Dairman

HbA1c Test to be Used for Diagnosis

When you were diagnosed with diabetes (or prediabetes), did your doctor do a fingerstick blood test in his office, or give you a fasting plasma glucose test? Or did he make the diagnosis based on your HbA1c level? Although some doctors are already using HbA1c test results as a diagnostic tool, you may be surprised to know that there are currently no official guidelines for doing so. However, that may be about to change. Read More “HbA1c Test to be Used for Diagnosis”

Salsalate Study Now Recruiting

Last week, in his blog entry "Stress, Inflammation, Diabetes," David Spero wrote about the anti-inflammatory drug salsalate — an older, cheaper medicine that has been shown to lower blood glucose levels in preliminary studies. Several readers commented that they were interested in learning more about salsalate and possibly trying it. Now, thanks to a new clinical trial that is recruiting participants, they may have a chance. Read More “Salsalate Study Now Recruiting”

Higher HbA1c = Lower Brain Function?

Following on the heels of last week’s blog entry ("Diabetes, Exercise, Outlook, and Your Brain"), which summarized some recent research about things that may affect brain function, comes another study looking at the effects of high blood glucose on the brain. Published online this week in the journal Diabetes Care, the new study has found a link between higher HbA1c levels and lower cognitive functioning in people with Type 2 diabetes. Read More “Higher HbA1c = Lower Brain Function?”

Diabetes, Exercise, Outlook, and Your Brain

A few new studies about cognitive function — the ability to think, reason, and remember — have made the news this month. One has linked Type 2 diabetes with an early decline in certain types of cognitive function; another has shown that a positive attitude may help ward off dementia; and a third has shown that exercise may help boost cognitive functioning in older people. Read More “Diabetes, Exercise, Outlook, and Your Brain”

Does Aspirin Do Much Good?

Should people who have diabetes — but no signs of cardiovascular disease — take aspirin to help reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke? Studies have shown that aspirin helps prevent additional heart attacks and strokes in people who have already had one. And since having diabetes puts people at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, the American Heart Association recommends aspirin therapy. However, two studies published late last year have called this practice into question. Read More “Does Aspirin Do Much Good?”

Diets Do Work?

Does eating fewer calories help people keep extra weight off? Or does it just make people feel deprived, leading to a "boomerang" effect of more binge eating and weight gain down the road? A new study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion has examined these questions and found that cutting calories may actually be a good way for middle-aged women to keep the extra pounds at bay. Read More “Diets Do Work?”

2008: The Year in Diabetes

As the year draws to a close, we thought that we’d take a look back at the news stories, blog entries, recipes, and articles that were the most popular on DiabetesSelfManagement.com in 2008. Leave us a comment and let us know which ones were your favorites and why! Read More “2008: The Year in Diabetes”

Zetia May Help Protect Arteries in Type 2’s

A new analysis of data from a recent study has found that the cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe (brand name Zetia) may have a role in protecting some people with Type 2 diabetes from developing cardiovascular disease. Read More “Zetia May Help Protect Arteries in Type 2’s”

Fibrate Drug Alone Doesn’t Cut Heart Risks for Type 2’s

A new study of the lipid-lowering drug fenofibrate (brand names TriCor, Lofibra, and others) has shown that taking it alone may not cut the risk of heart disease in people with Type 2 diabetes. Read More “Fibrate Drug Alone Doesn’t Cut Heart Risks for Type 2’s”

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