magazine

Diabetes information & support

TAKE A PEEKEyecare insights for perfect peepers

DESANG

ISSUE 10

PLUSNew products•

Groovy giveaways• News (for T1 and T2)•

USB DS 05/11*Not available in conjunction with any other offer. 1. Data on File, Bayer HealthCare.Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), CONTOUR, GLUCOFACTS and simplewins are trademarks of Bayer.

Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB is available at £24.99 RRP plus P&P. Buy online at www.bayercontourusb.co.uk and, if you do so before 30 June 2011 you can claim £5 off by typing USBDS135 in the promotional code box.*

Introducing Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB meter. The first blood glucose meter with plug & play diabetes management software.

Plug into a whole new diabetes management experience. Gain the knowledge that can help you lower your HbA1c. Now that’s a simple win.

+ Plug & play technology for instant access to patterns and trends

+ Bayer’s GLUCOFACTS™ DELUXE software can help you discover valuable insight

+ Knowledge you can share with your healthcare professional

+ Utilises Bayer’s CONTOUR® test strips, available on prescription

TEST

Over 97% of patients rated

Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB as ‘good’, ‘very good’, or

‘excellent’1

Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), CONTOUR, GLUCOFACTS and simplewins are trademarks of Bayer.

TEST

USB MH 06/10

Bayer's CONTOUR USB is available at £24.99 RRP. Buy online at www.bayercontourusb.co.uk and, as an introductory offer, if you do so before 30 June 2010 you can claim £5 off by typing USBMH5 in the promotional code box.

For Diabetes

Introducing Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB meter. The �rst blood glucose meter with plug & play diabetes management software. Plug into a whole new diabetes management experience. Gain the knowledge that can help you lower your HbA1c. Now that’s a simple win.

+ Plug & play technology for instant access to patterns and trends + Bayer’s new GLUCOFACTS™ DELUXE software can help you discover valuable insight+ Knowledge you can share with your healthcare professional + Utilises Bayer’s CONTOUR® test strips, available on prescription

4 DIABETES KIT... Eye help with eyeSlices. The new touch-screen Insulinx blood test meter from Abbott. The Mio insulin pump infusion set from Medtronic.

6 NEWS… A walking holiday in May. What makes us cry? It’s not the dry eye relief from Rohto. Insights into mindful living and eating. Masterchef cookbook giveway.

8 LIVING... From dry eyes to diabetic retinopathy, we look at eye health for the best long-term outlook.

CONTENTS

W e all know that the best way to prevent diabetic eye damage

is to gain and maintain the best blood glucose control possible. Blood testing is important, as is keeping track of your glucose trends, but taking the time to get your eyes checked is also vital. Diet also has its role in eye health, and there are products available to help with other conditions, such as dry-eye, which is common in people with diabetes. So keep your eyes and your mind open to new ideas and developments, but more importantly look into getting your eyes seen by a specialist (if you donÕ t already), thatÕ s another way of staying in control.

Published by Desang Ltd the aim of this newsletter is to bring news and information to people living with diabetes. Please check all matters concerning how you handle your health with your healthcare team. We welcome any feedback on the magazine or ideas for future articles.

EDITOR: Sue Marshall • sue.marshall@desang.net • DESIGN: b-creative designwww.b-creativedesign.co.uk

EditorÕ s comment...

Sue Marshall8INSIGHTS FOR THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY.

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EYE EYEBlood test machines get funkier with this little number – it has a touch screen! Aimed at those who’re on insulin, you can add your own image into the phone as well as add various other personalized settings. The Insulinx meter is PC and Mac-compatible and comes with FreeStyle Auto-Assist software which you can use in either colour or black-and-white, as you prefer. From Abbott Diabetes Care, it uses the company’s FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips so no change in prescription if you already have a FreeStyle meter (no coding required).

The touch screen is icon-driven, so you press the relevant icon to get into that part of the set up. There is an onboard bolus calculator. There is only one button, which acts as the home button, just like many a mobile phone these days.

As well as testing your blood, if you input the insulin that you’ve given yourself, then the meter can do a host of other things to help you keep good all-round conrol. The InsuLinx name reflects that the meter is about linking blood tests to insulin. For example, the little figure of a man on the screen shows if you have any active insulin still in your system and it will warn you if you’re ‘insulin stacking’ (where you keep popping in a bit more insulin if your numbers are high – which tends to lead to a big drop later on and a hypo).

Due to the nature of this meter requiring input of certain personalised settings such as insulin-to-carb ratios, it is only available from your healthcare professional.www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk

KIT

This neat little bundle is the Mio, the newest infusion set to be added to the Medtronic range. An all-in-one set, the Mio has an integrated insertion device, so there’s no other kit to handle. Likewise, it has a 90º insertion angle, which is a little less complex to aim for than 45º or 60º. Each Mio set comes packaged in a rigid box that can be carried anywhere, which adds to the convenience, and comes in a choice of three colours – pink, blue or clear, with either a 6 or 9 mm soft cannula. http://bit.ly/Medtronic_MIO

MAMMA MIO!

FAB FEET WITH FOOTKISS

LINKED IN

We can all, at times, suffer with dark circles under the eyes; redness; puffiness from sinus problems or allergies; tiredness from too much close-up computer work and struggling with any of these symptoms is not conducive to feeling at your best.

Traditional solutions have included cucumber slices and cold, used tea bags…well, things have moved on. EyeSlices are hydrogel pads that release moisture and active ingredients around the eye area to significantly reduce dark circles, puffiness or tired eyes. They are natural and are manufactured using a non-toxic process and combine the finest organically certified plant extracts from South Africa, France and the Swiss Alps.

Available in four varieties, each pack of eyeSlices can be used for up to five times for ten minutes each session and last for two weeks after opening. Each pack costs £12.95 for one pair of treatment pads. www.peak-nutrition.co.uk

Click here to find out more!Click here to find out more!

INSULIN USER?For a FREE† trial visit OneTouchMeters.co.uk/Dsg

OR CALL 0800 279 4142 (UK) 1800 930 120 (ROI)QUOTING CODE AE105 LINES OPEN 8.30AM-6PM MON-FRI, 9AM-1PM SAT.

* Study performed by an independent research agency in March 2009 on behalf of LifeScan. Sample consisted of a randomised sample of 591 OneTouch® UltraEasy® users. Type 1 patients aged between 18 and 45, registered in LifeScan database in the UK (200 patients), in France (190 patients) and in Spain (201 patients). Data on file.

LifeScan, LifeScan Logo, OneTouch® and OneTouch® UltraEasy® are trademarks of LifeScan Inc. © LifeScan UK and Ireland 2010. 11-075

† TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Offer open to insulin users resident in the UK/ROI aged 16 or over only, excluding existing users of OneTouch® UltraEasy®, OneTouch® Ultra2®, OneTouch® Vita® and OneTouch® UltraSmart® Blood Glucose Meters. Only one free OneTouch® UltraEasy® meter trial per person. Meters, including choice of colour for the OneTouch® UltraEasy® meter, are subject to availability. This offer is limited to 5,000 free OneTouch® meter trials. Allow 28 days for delivery. Offer closing date 31st July 2011. For full terms and conditions please visit www.OneTouchMeters.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.php or call our Customer Care Team on 0800 279 4142 (UK) or 1800 930 120 (ROI).

This book looks at how we can improve our eating habits just by thinking about them a little more. Pickung u on the ‘living in the moment’ concept, and generally taking some time to enjoy what you have and app rec i a t e

what you’ve got, you can get a grip on bad eating habits by just slowing down… this book can help you do it.

Savour; Mindful eating, Mindful life is by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Lillian Cheung. Thich

Nhat Hanh is part of the “engaged Buddhism” movement. His life has been dedicated to the work of inner transformation for the benefit of individuals and society. Exiled from Vietnam, he founded Plum Village, a Buddhist community in exile, in France in 1982. From here he continues his work to alleviate suffering of Vietnamese refugees but also teaches Buddhism and meditation.

Dr. Cheung is a Lecturer, Director of Health Promotion & Communication, and Editorial Director of The Nutrition Source website (www.thenutritionsource.org) at the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition. Her work focuses on translating nutrition science into multimedia resources and community programs that help children, adults, and families lead healthier liveswww.savorthebook.com/savor-the-book

MINDFULLY YOURS

In March 2010 more than 7.8 million viewers tuned in for the final MasterChef, the phenomenally popular BBC programme. In the privacy of your own home you can

have a crack at creating your favourite dishes from the show with MasterChef At Home, which features over 200 of the best recipes from the amateur, professional and celebrity competitions of 2010 such as Dhruv Baker’s Spiced Fish and Chips and Lisa Faulkner’s Almond Panna Cotta.

MASTER CLASS AT HOME

NEWS

GIVEAWAY!FWe have one copy of this £20

book to giveway. Send your name and address to

info@desang.net with subject line ‘masterchef

DRWF WALKING HOLIDAYS DRWF Walking Holidays are specifically aimed at people living with diabetes and are an excellent introduction to exercise as part of good overall diabetes self-management. This year the DRWF ‘Active with Diabetes Walking Holiday’ will take place in the North Wiltshire Cotswolds from Monday 9th to Saturday 14th May 2011. All of the walks through the week will be led by a trained guide from Ramblers Countrywide Holidays.

Angela Sealeaf, Diabetes Nurse Specialist, from Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax, will also be present for the duration of the holiday. Accommodation will be at the three-star Lansdowne Strand Hotel in the attractive town of Calne, on a half board basis. The week will include three full days of group walking with a day off in between for rest and relaxation. During the week there will be a visit to the rural village of Lacock, owned by the National Trust and to Castle Combe, which was voted England’s most beautiful village in the 1960s. Other highlights will include Silbury Hill, the largest man-made Neolithic hill fort in Europe and the magical stone circle at Avebury. There will also be a trip to the historic city of Bath.

For more information or to book contact Lee Calladine, Events Co-ordinator events@drwf.org.uk

SPONSORED BY

When it comes to crying, your partner is the person most likely to cause you to burst into tears, new research has found. A survey found that more than three quarters (77.5%) of women in the UK said that their husband or boyfriend had made them cry, and nearly

two thirds (63.4%) of men said their wives or girlfriends had made them weep. For both sexes, the second biggest tear trigger was their mother, with more than half (51%) admitting something their mum had said or done had made them cry.

For men, the threat of job redundancy was the biggest crying trigger (38.8 %) but spiteful or malicious comments from colleagues was the factor that made women cry at work most (39.5%). Men were more likely to cry over heavy workloads, tight deadlines, unrealistic work demands and even missing out on a promotion than women. Male workers were also twice as likely to cry than women – 11.1% compared to 4.7% - if they were not invited to after-work drinks by colleagues.

The survey is by Rohto Dry Eye Relief -- the contraceptive pill, some underlying illnesses

and health conditions such as diabetes, as well as some medication, can trigger dry eyes. Rohto’s makers wanted to find out just when and why people cry – and what the real differences were between the sexes. More than 2,000 people took part in the study from across the UK.

More than half of those who took part – 52.8% – felt that working at a computer screen made their eyes worse, with a third saying working in an air-conditioned office had a similar effect.

Leading UK optician and dry eye expert, Nick Atkins says: “Dry eyes are a growing problem in the UK causing untold misery for more severe sufferers. Rohto Dry Eye Relief’s clever, easy to use re-sealable daily-dose vial means that patients can keep with them at all times, making reapplication two or three times a day conveniently simple. Rohto Dry Eye Relief is a significant development for anyone who suffers from dry eyes”.

Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire is hosting a golf tournament to raise money for Diabetes UK. It is being held at Moor Allerton Golf Club,

Leeds on Friday 13th May. Further details are available from Ewen MacKinnon aewen. mackinnon9@gmail.com

MASTER CLASS AT HOME

GOLF EVENT IN LEEDS

NEWS

GIVEAWAY!For a chance to win a pack

of Rohto Dry Eye Relief email info@desang.net with your name, address and subject

line ‘dry eyes’.

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! IRON WILL

Symptoms of iron deficiency include: Tiredness and lethargy, difficulty concentrating and a shortened attention span. The Food Standards Authority recommends that women consume 14.8mg of iron a day (for men it is is 8.7mg per day). A can of Fish4Ever sardines, whole or fillets, with two slices of wholemeal bread will give you around 8mg of iron - just over 50% of the recommended daily iron intake (RDI). The sardines are available from Asda, Ocado, selected Waitrose and all good food shops and delis.

SPONSORED BY

THE EYES HAVE IT!

LIVING

Focus on eyecare

Spring has sprung, which comes as a relief for many bored of cold, wet winter. Yet sunshine alone

can make eyes sore and tired and apparently now more and more of us than ever before have hayfever. While some react to tree pollen in springtime, others to the grasses that can be throwing their pollen into the air until July. It’s even possible to get hayfever reactions in autumn due to late flowering plants, nettles, docks and mould spores. And, unless you live in deep countryside or at the coast, pollution is no friend to our peep-holes either.

Most of us know the irritation of sore, tired, itchy or dry eyes, and the lovely red-eye they can create. Some products just soothe, others add in some extra assistance. For best results, you’re likely to have to apply drops on a regular basis, so keep the bottle with you. For lotions, a morning and night application is probably recommended. As these are your eyes, no matter what you do remember that the delicate eye area should be treated gently at all times – you’ll be reminded to do so if they’re sore already.

If you suffer from dry-eyes associated with diabetes, you might want to give Optrex Actimist Eye

Spray a go. If you don’t like using drops this light spray is used on closed eyes. The spray is made from the same ingredient as your natural tear film but contains vitamins A and E. It acts by reducing the loss of moisture from the eye and helps restore the natural moisture balance for relieve from dry, irritated eyes. A shelf life of 3 years means you can use it until the bottle is finished, with no need to throw the bottle away after the 28 days, like many drop treatments. Other eye care products to consider to relief dry eyes include Viscotears and Lacrilube. All of these are available at most chemists.

Diabetic retinopathy is a relatively common complication of diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness in adults under the age of 65. It is estimated that 25% of people with type 1 diabetes will have some degree of diabetic retinopathy five years after their symptoms first develop. But don’t be downhearted, it’s not inevitable. Also, if diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the outlook for the condition is good. Research has found that treatment can prevent severe vision loss in 90% of cases of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy can be treated by laser surgery to prevent further damage to the eyes. In 2005

the NHS launched a screening programme so that everyone with diabetes who is 12 years of age or over should receive a retinal examination once a year. If you qualify and have not had one within the last year, pick up the phone and call your diabetes care team and book one. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy is the most effective way to prevent vision loss.Further information http://bit.ly/Moorfields_retinopathy

LIVING

In this feature we look at general care, ascertain how you can keep an eye on dealing with diabetic retinopathy and take a peek at some eye diseases and how diet can play a role in their prevention.

diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the outlook for the condition is good

Marc Grossman, Doctor of Optometry, has authored five books on natural eye care and is co-founder of www.NaturalEyeCare.com. His view is that they key to good eye care starts with diet, something many diabetics are more than familiar with.

“The main point is to focus on eating vegetables (especially leafy greens), whole grains, eggs, and lean meats,” says Grossman. “Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine, sugar, dairy, and toxic fats. Get a regular dose of exercise (at least 20 minutes of aerobic activity four times per week) and find a positive outlet for stress through practices like yoga or meditation.”

This is his overview of how proper nutrition can help you prevent and treat three common eye conditions (mostly associated with aging), glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief” because most people do not know they have the disease until it has progressed significantly and vision is severely compromised. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in tunnel vision, and, in the worst case, leave you completely blind. Because of the insidious nature of this disease it is essential that you make your annual visit to the doctor for a complete eye exam; the tests for glaucoma are simple and painless.Those who are obese or suffer from arthritis or high blood pressure are likely candidates.

Eat a diet high in vitamin C (citrus fruits, red peppers and tomatoes); omega-3 fatty acids (flax seed oil and cold water fish like salmon, mackerel);

and magnesium (nuts, seeds, vegetables, seafood and soy products). It can be helpful to take any of the above as well as ginkgo biloba in the form of nutritional supplements.

Macular Degeneration is the heavy hitter, causing more cases of irreversible blindness than any other disease. Central vision – essential to nearly all aspects of life as you know it – is affected when certain cells in the retina’s macula begin to break down. There is no cure at this time, but natural remedies can be instrumental in slowing this disease’s progress.

Women, smokers (the risk is elevated by 200-300%), those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, and people with digestive issues who cannot properly absorb nutrients from their food are most susceptible to macular degeneration.

The antioxidant power of the cartenoids lutein and zeaxanthin is key to the prevention and even the improvement of this debilitating disease. Load up on your leafy greens, including spinach, kale and collards. Also helpful to those concerned about

macular degeneration: the antioxidants in bilberry (also available in blueberries and huckleberries); taurine (eggs, fish, and meats); and zinc (meats, oysters, and whole grains).

Cataracts are caused by free radicals, which are the natural and unavoidable byproduct of metabolism. They cause a phenomenon called oxidation – a process you are more likely to call “aging.” Arteries harden, joints get creaky, and the eyes begin to cloud with cataracts as these free radicals accumulate over time.

Smokers, people with food allergies (especially wheat, dairy, and soy), diabetes patients, and those who drink more than seven drinks per week all run a higher risk of developing cataracts.

Help to prevent by eating glutathione is a compound found in the body that is composed of several amino acids. You can boost your levels with eggs, broccoli, avocados, garlic, onions, and cauliflower. Vitamin C is helpful in this case too, so all the more reason to add citrus fruits, tomatoes, and red peppers to your grocery cart.

LIVING

VIEWPOINT: EYECARE AND DIET

Interactive pump therapy that fits into your lifestyle

Diabetes Management System

ACCU-CHEK, ACCU-CHEK AVIVA COMBO and ACCU-CHEK SPIRIT COMBO, are trademarks of Roche. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Roche is under license. © 2011 Roche Diagnostics Limited.

Roche Diagnostics Limited, Charles Avenue, Burgess Hill, RH15 9RY.Company registration number: 571546Accu-Chek Pump Careline: 0800 731 22 91

To request your insulin pump information pack please visit accu-chek.co.uk/combo

EasyEasy to use bolus advisor & one stop electronic diary

SafeMultiple safety reminders & alarms

DiscreetHand held remote control & blood glucose meter

Check out our Desang Diabetes Directory, a comprehensive online directory of diabetes management equipment – from lancets to pumps and all manner of products in between.

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CARRY ON KITBAGS!

Our kitbag range now caters for pump users, pen users and those on syringes. Use code NL15 to get 15% off any purchase.

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