TOP STORIES — Diabetes News and Research
Why Covid-19 Kills Those with Diabetes
Stay on Your Feet with Some Easy Balance Exercises
by Sheri Colberg, PhD
Letter from the Editor
We have a great article from our publisher on why diabetes patients do so poorly when diagnosed with Covid-19.
While many of our older patients have been relegated to their homes, many of them miss the programs and activities at local social centers and senior care locations.
The decrease of movement and exercise can affect their muscle tone and balance very quickly. This week Dr. Sheri Colberg shares her time tested balance exercise program. You will probably want to download and send by email to all your older patients.
Stay safe and stay 6 feet apart!
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We can make a difference!
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Dave Joffe
Editor-in-chief
TOP STORIES -- Diabetes News and Research
People with diabetes and Covid-19 have a greater chance of developing severe viral illness, and five times the risk of dying, vs those without diabetes.
Patients with type 1 diagnosed with depression said to be in danger of experiencing more severe episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
By Sheri Colberg, PhD
Keeping your balance is essential for staying on your feet and preventing falls as you age, even if you can’t leave the house much currently. In truth, many falls happen at home, so there’s no time like the present to start improving your balance with these easy balance exercises.
Did You Know? Metformin Before Surgery Reduces Mortality for Patients with T2D
Researchers analyzed data from electronic health records from January 2010 to January 2016 on 2,730 adults with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that preoperative metformin could reduce mortality and readmission risks for those with T2D. According to a retrospective cohort study published in JAMA Surgery, patients prescribed metformin before a major surgery had reduced risks for mortality and readmission in the 90 days following the procedure. In the study, patients exposed to metformin demonstrated a reduction in both hospital readmission, representing surgical complications, as well as death following a major surgical intervention. The results of the study showed how metformin has potential protective effects to not just the cumulative small stressors experienced throughout a lifetime of aging, but also the major stress of surgical intervention. Exposure to metformin appears to protect our bodies against a lifetime of small stressors, both delaying the onset of diseases associated with aging, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as potentially increasing our overall life expectancy. In another study, metformin was shown to reduce all-cause mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic liver disease.
George E, et al. JAMA Surg. 2020;doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2020.0417.
Reitz K, et al. JAMA Surg. 2020;doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2020.0416.
Diabetes in Control gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following pharmacy doctoral candidates in the preparation of this week’s newsletters:
Karlena Pope, PharmD Candidate, South College School of Pharmacy
Maya Rudolph, Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, PharmD Candidate
Your Friends in Diabetes Care
Steve and Dave
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