Type 1 diabetes Archive

In the journals

Low-dose aspirin therapy is standard treatment for people who have suffered a heart attack or stroke to protect them from a second one. But what about people who don't have cardiovascular disease, but do have specific risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes? A study published in the Feb. 14, 2017, Circulation found that low-dose aspirin therapy in fact did not lower this group's risk for heart attack or stroke.

The researchers recruited more than 2,500 people, ages 30 to 85, with type 2 diabetes and randomly assigned them to take either 81 mg or 100 mg of aspirin daily, or no aspirin, for three years. At the 10-year follow-up, they found that the aspirin therapy did not lower risk of either heart attack or stroke compared with taking no aspirin at all. The reason is not clear, but the researchers speculated that people with diabetes might not experience the expected anti-clotting action of aspirin.

Vaccinating babies and toddlers prevents many illnesses, but it also helps the avoid high costs associated with treating those illnesses, helps reduce sick time taken by parents, and contributes to greater immunity in a population.

For people with diabetes, eating out — whether at a restaurant, a social function, or a friend's home — can be a challenge. Portions can be hefty and packed with calories and saturated fat. When you eat out, it may help to follow these simple guidelines:

• Ask how entrées are prepared, and avoid fried foods or dishes served in heavy sauces or gravies.
• Choose skinless chicken, fish, or lean meat that's broiled, poached, baked, or grilled.
• Get the server's advice to help you select healthy, low-fat dishes. Restaurants are used to dealing with special diets.
• Don't feel obliged to clean your plate. Eat a reasonable portion, and take the remainder home.
• Choose steamed vegetables and salads to accompany your meals. Request low-calorie dressings and toppings, and if they're not available, ask for all dressings, butter, and sauces to be served on the side so you can use them sparingly.
• If you take insulin and you know your meal will be delayed, time your injection appropriately. You may need to eat a roll or piece of fruit to tide you over.
• If you're craving dessert, have some — but split it with someone else.

For more information on the essentials for a healthy diet and managing type 2 diabetes, buy Healthy Eating for Type 2 Diabetes, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

A stomach infection of H. pylori bacteria can cause ulcers, but not everyone with the infection shows symptoms and the treatment process can be challenging, so only people with certain conditions need to be tested for it.

Even though this year’s flu season is just about over, parents should be thinking about protecting their children next winter. Despite short-term reactions in some people, the flu shot is safe for nearly everyone.

Outdoor activities can be spoiled by getting Lyme disease from a tick bite. Know what to do to protect yourself (and your pets) from this infection and its unpleasant symptoms, as well as what to do if you have already been bitten. If you do end up with a tick “on board” it is important to remove it correctly and know when to call your doctor.

An insect known as the kissing bug has the ability to pass along Chagas’ disease to unsuspecting people. While it affects more people in Latin America than in this country, this parasitic disease can still be a problem in the southwestern United States. Most cases of Chagas’ disease pass without much incidence, but it can cause lasting problems. The rates of Chagas’ disease could go up with climate change, and more research is definitely needed. Charles Darwin may be one of the first “researchers” on the subject, but he’s not to be the last.

The CDC and the AAP update their vaccine recommendations every year, and here are the latest changes. These updates show just how important it is to stay on top of research and help increase the effectiveness of each vaccine. The schedule for routine immunizations and catching up kids who get behind can be found on the CDC and AAP websites if you’d like more information.

In preliminary research, sucralose and acesulfame potassium increased insulin levels, although more studies are necessary to determine whether they—or other artificial sweeteners—increase the risk of insulin resistance.