Rise in type 2 diabetes is an epidemic

The following is passed on to you courtesy of Home Care Together, a national supplier of diabetic supplies.

http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20110709/SPJ04/107090363/Rise-type-2-diabetes-an-epidemic?odyssey=modnewswelltextFRONTPAGEp

REPRINT: 11:00 PM, Jul. 8, 2011

Today, more than 26 million Americans (8 percent of the population) have diabetes. Estimates indicate that another 7 million Americans are not aware they have the disease.

In 2007, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterized the rise in type 2 diabetes as an epidemic. It is still characterized as such.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and new global research indicates that diabetes can shorten a person's life expectancy by six years. In comparison, smoking is estimated to shorten a person's life by 10 years.

For some time, researchers have been aware of the toll diabetes takes on one's heart. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to heart disease and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. But, according to the research published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2011, new studies that examined medical information from more than 820,000 people in Europe and North America indicate that diabetes can cause a range of other medical conditions. Over the 13 1/2 years the participants were followed, more than 123,000 participants died; most of the participants had type 2 diabetes.

According to the study, the participants with diabetes were two times as likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those without diabetes. They also had increased death rates from infections, pneumonia, lung and kidney disease, and falls. They were 25 percent more likely to die from breast cancer, and their risk was doubled for liver cancer. It also was noted that diabetics had a greater tendency to suffer from depression and commit suicide.

Researchers have not yet determined why diabetes has the above effects, but they do recommend cancer screenings for those with diabetes and emphasize the need to treat and prevent diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes can be rather nonspecific, and diagnosis can take a while.

Type 2 diabetics usually have a presentation that is slow and can be monitored over a few years. The usual type 2 diabetic symptoms can include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, poor-healing wounds and visual changes. Fasting blood glucose levels usually are higher than 110 mg/dl.

Many times, weight loss will cure the problem. With more severe cases, a variety of oral medications can be taken to address the problem. There are a few cases that require both oral medications and shots of insulin.

Dr. Randal F. Wojciehoski, also known as Dr. Wojo, is an emergency medicine physician at Ministry Saint Michael's Hospital.

Call us…Together we can make it happen!

gary

Why Many Men Need a Curved Catheter

The primary use of a Coude catheter is to facilitate navigation over the prostate curvature during catheterization to drain the urine from the bladder. A Coude catheter is curved or bent at the tip. This semi rigid catheter is usually made of red rubber and is normally used to catheterize males. The curved tip allows it to navigate over the curvature of the prostate or any other urethral obstruction it may encounter. A Coude catheter is specifically designed for this purpose. Coude catheters are available in size 8 French to size 26 French.

Why a Curved Catheter May Help
Urinary retention can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. The bladder is full and distended. The patient feels the urge to pass urine but is unable to do so. This is condition that needs immediate medical attention. Initially the doctor or urologist will use a regular appropriate size straight foley catheter to catheterize the patient. If there is difficulty navigating over the prostate curve, a Coude catheter of an appropriate size will be used.

Other Uses
A coude catheter is commonly used for men but they are also used for catheterization of males or females with urethral blockage or narrowing when a straight catheter is unable to accomplish the task.
Contact us now for your curved catheter: 800.433.7622 because Together...We Can Make It Happen!

Home Care Together
gary l. Fenn

www.catheternow...Fast & Easy!

Home Care Together, a National Supplier of Disposable Medical Supplies for home care, (catheters and catheter supplies) is pleased a new web-site: http://www.catheternow.com/ Clean and easy, it is just one page long and yet full of information! Catheter users will find our toll free number: 800.858.0968 and a friendly voice on the other end to talk to. A reminder is given that Medicare, the VA and the FDA allow up to 200 catheters/month to those who self-cath. In addition we clearly feel no other supplier will work harder than us to see to it that you receive your catheter supplies on time every month...when you want it...where you want it. Oh yes! We allow FREE SHIPPING with no minimums! Our goal is to help catheter users; what ever it takes because ...Together, we can make it happen! Home Care Together gary

Hey! Weight Matters!

I know; I know! It's the same old thing..."you have to lose weight!" So what happens? We go on a diet, work out at the gym, lose some weight; and PRESTO...just like that, it comes right back! "It's the yo-yo effect", says my doctor. THE METABOLISM FACTOR: When we were young (those were the days, right?), our fast food binging and lack of exercise never seemed to matter. But now...those very same habits are not so forgiving especially around the waist-line! We at Home Care Together, a supplier of home health care products including diabetic products, Therapeutic Shoes for the diabetic, as well as catheters and ostomy products truly wish we did not have such diseases as diabetes or heart disease; but we do and that is what it is imperative that each of us considers our weight. IT BEGINS WITH WHAT GOES PAST THE LIPS: Keep an eye on your mouth and what you allow to go through those beautiful lips of yours! "Weight management is a balance of how you consume versus how much you burn," says Carolyn Harrington, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. "If your activity changes, you should also change your food intake accordingly." To that we say "Amen"! This approach will allow you metabolism to change and catch up with your desire to lose weight and keep it off. Make up your mind; get some help; readjust your attitude toward food; turn off the TV and exercise. Under professional care you CAN lose weight...I did. Together... we can make it happen! Home Care Together gary

What's the 2 "Magic Words?"

2 "Magic Words" that have disappeared! Of course it's not easy to allow omeone else remove and replace a catheter! Even if it is someone you have lived with for the past 50 years! It's just not a "natural" thing for people to insert 6-22 inch tubes into our bodies. The alternative however is.... well.... not very viable either! It is so much easier to just say a "thank you" after the job is done! The staff at Home Care Together commends the caregivers of this world for the sensitive job that they do! So what is it that prevents many from saying: Thank You?

The Problem! OK, it may be simply bad manners; not being taught to be polite. However it usually runs deeper than that. It's the dreaded beast we all have deep inside....Pride! We are not used to letting others do our work for us. Senior citizens especially hate the feeling of losing their independence. It's easier to say nothing! However, a sincere "Thank You" can go along way in the attitude the care-giver has. Hey...if someone is going to do ANY insertions in me...I want them to be in a good mood!

The Solution! We live in a world that has become fast, cold, calculating (with the what's in it for me attitude) and at time people not feeling well can even be rude. This "me 1st" attitude can be avoided if we remember there are only 2 things you can do with pride:

Swallow it... or

Choke on it!

A caregiver, even if it's our life-long mate, deserve those 2 simple magic words. You will receive more respect and dignity as well as the help you require. "Thank you for changing my catheter"; "thank you for checking my glucose level"; "thank you for helping me with my ostomy". True, it's two little words to say but they are huge "magic words" to hear!

By the way... Thank you for reading this blog! Together... we can make it happen!

Home Care Together

gary

Three Ways to Take One Giant Leap Forward

Yes! Home Care Together announces 3 easy ways to take one GIANT LEAP to no more UTI’s {Urinary Tract Infections}.

1. CALL US! 800.851.4507 ~ A friendly voice will help!
2. CONTACT US! ~ On our website, fill in the Contact Us form.
3. FAX US! ~ Look for the easy to download Rx for your Physician to complete and fax: 888.299.5568.

Whether you are self-cathing up to 200 catheters/month; using a Foley; a Condom catheter or any other method; we can help you receive all you’re necessary supplies each month… on time…every time.

Home Care Together is a National Supplier of disposable medical supplies. With our 5-Star Service, no one (not even the Big Honcho’s) will work harder to help you receive your supplies with dignity and respect!

Just choose 1 of 3 easy steps and take that Giant Leap to no more infections or worries! While you are on the website, why not check out our TV Commercial? Together we can make it happen!

Home Care Together
gary

Let them SEE you coming!

There is a very fine article at http://www.nafc.org/. about being Clean & Odor Free. This is of special concern for those who use catheters and catheter supplies or ostomy supplies. With the “beautiful people” on TV and advertising commercials reminding us not to offend others with unpleasant odors; it only makes sense that we not only keep clean, that is wash and/or bath regularly, but also keep our clothes and surroundings clean. Keeping skin, appliances, and pads clean and frequently washed or changed is the best guarantee against odor. Additionally you might also try using Deodorizing Drops in combination with the above.

No, don’t worry, you won’t smell like a perfume factory! Home Care Together recommends using drops that simply take away the odor, not cover them up. Many doctors don’t think of ordering these when writing out the prescription for catheters or ostomy, so be sure to remind your doctor to include: “1 btl - Deodorizing Drops/month” on your prescription.

Yes, Medicare will pay for the drops and you will have peace of mind that when people see you coming…they won’t smell you coming…and that will be a good thing! Remember: Together we can make it happen!

Home Care Together
gary

Does Anyone Really Need 200 Catheters?

Does anyone really need 200 catheters/month? We say: “Absolutely”.

It’s true, there is no definitive study one way or the other; but Urologist and Nursing Associations have said: “No; just put it in, take it out, clean it and use it again!” In fact, if someone were to use the Clean Technique of sterilizing the catheter before and after each use, the catheter could be reused up to 50 times/week. Let you mind dwell on that….yuk!

Home Care Together, a Medicare accredited National Supplier of catheter products ask you to consider this scenario: A catheter user takes his/her grandchildren to Great America Theme Park. After morning coffee, it’s “Bathroom Time”! Ok; put it in, empty the bladder, take it out. Go to the public sink and wash it out… in front of the grandchildren?... the son or daughter?... some person behind you waiting?

If you can get past that visual, ask yourself: “now where do I put it…in my pocket? Do it again after lunch and the soda you enjoyed with the kids and then do it again before you get into the car to travel back home and again and again and…get the visual?

The other day one grandfather said bluntly: “It’s a pain in the butt!” After finding out that Medicare’s policy allows: “Up to 200/month”, he just rolled his eyes. I don’t want to be his urologist at the next office visit in a couple of weeks. What? Are we trying to save an extra dollar at the risk of expensive infections?

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association {NSCIA} reported on August 12, 2008 the following:

• “Sixty-five percent of intermittent catheter users get urinary tract infections at least once/year, compared to 14 percent in the general Medicare population”.
• Intermittent catheter users are approximately five times more likely to have at least one urinary tract infection/year.
• Medicare-covered per capita cost of treating urinary tract infections was 8-10 times higher for intermittent catheter users ($1,434/spinal cord injury capita and $1,154/spina bifida capita) than the average ($83/capita)
• About $3.5 billion is spent nationally in annual urinary tract infection evaluation and treatment.

Dr. Green, director of Urology at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga., and published author writes: “No longer does the patient have to clean his or her catheter after each use. The new policy offers greater patient convenience and reduces the incidence of improper catheterization techniques. It can potentially reduce the cross contamination of bacteria, thus reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections and mitigating significant health care costs associated with urinary tract infections.” http://www.spinalcord.org/news

So, does anyone need 200 catheters/month? Ask yourself: “If I went to the bathroom 5 times/day, WHAT WOULD I WANT?”

Home Care Together
gary

Home Care Together Won't Give Up!

In today’s economy, it is getting harder and harder for businesses to “make ends meet”! As a result, many Medical Suppliers are no longer providing supplies that have very little profit margins. If it is not profitable, they don’t want to stock the product! This trend will continue. Necessary items such as catheter and ostomy supplies have fallen into this “pit” of unpopular items that most suppliers don’t want to handle anymore.

On the other hand, Home Care Together, a National Supplier of Disposable Medical Supplies (DMS) is a Medicare Accredited Supplier of Catheters, Ostomy and Diabetic Supplies. And we are not going anywhere!

Home Care Together uses 12 strategic locations through-out the nation to “drop ship” supplies to our patients with dignity and respect. We are dedicated to helping those who need they're supplies delivered to where they want and when they want... every month! We have FREE SHIPPING in discreet packaging. Any brand; taking care of the paperwork and a friendly voice on the end of the phone makes Home Care Together a 5 Star Supplier that won't give up on our patients! Never!

Together we can make it happen!

gary