Category Archives: Diabetes

As the number of UK cases of coronavirus continues to rise, what has become clear is how many of the patients to die from the virus have underlying health conditions that make them susceptible to catching it.

The death toll in Britain has exceeded 8,000. Most of thosewho have diedhave suffered fromunderlying health conditions.

Its a new infection, but from our experience with dealing with flu epidemics, we know that people with various conditions will fare worse, says Fan Chung, a professor of respiratory medicine at Imperial College. A paper has just published in the New England Journal of Medicine, that looked at the first 1,001 cases in Wuhan. The figures showed those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, COPD, cancer and renal disease, fared worse. And I suspect the people who very unfortunately died in the UK had one or any of those conditions."

A Chinese study hasfound people with heart disease, diabetes and cancer had a 79 per cent chance of being admitted to intensive care or dying from the virus, due to their weakened immune systems.

Here are the underlying health conditions that put you at higher risk of getting the coronavirus, anda reminder of how it might initially spread.

People with diabetes face a higher risk of complications if they get the coronavirus, due to the fact their fluctuating or elevated glucose levels leave them with lowered immunity. This also means they have less protection against getting the virus. Coronavirus or COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms and complications in people with diabetes, says Dan Howarth from Diabetes UK. If you have diabetes and you have symptoms such as a cough, high temperature and feeling short of breath you need to monitor your blood sugar closely and call the NHS 111 phone service.

People with diabetes who dont experience symptoms and have recently travelled to any of the affected areas need to follow information on the NHS and theGOV.UKwebsites, adds Howarth. "These are updated regularly and are the most up-to-date source of information available.

Somebody with a heart condition is more likely to have a compromised immune system, so their immune response wont be as strong if exposed to a virus. COVID-19 also targets the lungs, which could cause problems for a diseased heart that has to work harder to get oxygenated blood around the body.

Asthma is a respiratory condition that leads to inflammation of the breathing tubes that transport air to and from the lungs.Coronavirus can cause respiratory problems for anyone, but for the 5.4million people in the UK with asthma, the risk is greater, says Jessica Kirby, Head of Health Advice at Asthma UK. Respiratory viruses like thiscan triggerasthma symptoms and couldlead to anasthma attack.

Kirby says if youre a sufferer, itsessential to takeyour preventer, daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any virus, including coronavirus, she says. Keeping a reliever inhaler to handis vital, soyoucan use it ifyou get asthmasymptoms.

Ifyourasthma symptomsgetworse, and you havent travelled to an at-risk area or been in contact with someone who has, make an appointment to see your GP as soon as you can. If you think you might have coronavirus, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service."

COPD is the name for certain lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, including emphysema, which is characterised by damage to the air sacs in the lungs,and chronic bronchitis, which is a long-term condition involving inflammation of the lungs airways. People with COPD are more likely to get coronavirus if exposed to the virus because they have damage to their epithelial lining, which makes it easier for viruses to enter the body.

Cancer patients are more susceptible due to their compromised immune system. Various cancer drugs and treatments, like chemotherapy, mean your immune system may be suppressed, says Prof Chung, and this would increase your chances of catching it. And if you do get it while you havecancer, you would probably fare worse than somebody with the virus who didnt have cancer.

Not a health condition as such, but many of the thousands of deaths so far have involved elderly people with underlying health conditions. The elderly are at greater risk, and government advice for the elderly to avoid crowded areas is sound advice, says Prof Chung. The figures we have so far seem to imply the risk increases above the age of 70. However its even worse for those over 80. The chances of getting it and faring worse increase two or three times above the age the 70, but even more so above 80.

In terms of children, who appear to be less prone to getting the coronavirus and, if they do, getting a more benign version of the illness, Prof Chung says that a young person with an underlying health condition isn't at a greater risk: A young person with asthma, or heart disease, wouldnt be predisposed to get the coronavirusor suffer from it, in the same way an adult with the condition would, he says. Maybe its their immune system, and how its different from older people, but in terms of their susceptibility of getting the coronavirus, health conditions in young people dont seem to increase their chances of catching it.

More:
Coronavirus: how diabetes, asthma and other underlying health conditions affect how you cope - The Telegraph

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Gian Paolo Fadini, MD PhDAssociate Professor of EndocrinologyDepartment of Medicine, University of PadovaVenetian Institute of Molecular Medicine

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Since the very beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was suggested thatIt has been initially suggested that diabetes mellitus is one of the most common comorbidities in infected people, but its exact prevalence is unclear.

However, exact numbers were uncertain. We have addressed this issue in a study published as a letter in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: According to 12 studies reporting data from 2108 Chinese patients and preliminary data from Italian patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, diabetes does not increase the risk of new coronavirus infection.

However, diabetes could worsen the outcome of this new coronavirus disease, increasing the risk of intensive care unit admission and death.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Diabetic patients should be reassured that they are not at increased risk of getting infected by new coronavirus. Yet, they still need to follow strictly the health recommendations, including wearing personal protection devices and maintain social distancing. Particular attention should be payed to alarm symptoms in diabetic patients, because diabetes could accelerate disease course.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Our data are only preliminary and need to be confirmed in more studies from more countries in the world. We are actively collecting data to evaluate the prevalence and impact of diabetes on COVID-19 and were are exploring is some diabetes therapies can be more effective than others in preventing the infection and / or disease progression.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Close monitoring of these data are important for a correct communication to patients and healthcare providers. However, caution should be payed when interpreting data on COVID-19 because the situation is highly dynamic and solid data will be available most likely when the pandemic has finished.

Citation:

Fadini GP, Morieri ML, Longato E, Avogaro A. Prevalence and impact of diabetes among people infected with SARS-CoV-2 [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 28].J Endocrinol Invest. 2020;10.1007/s40618-020-01236-2. doi:10.1007/s40618-020-01236-2

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32222956/

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Apr 10, 2020 @ 7:11 pm

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Diabetes Could Increase Severity of COVID-19, Including Risk of ICU Admission and Death - MedicalResearch.com

Hygieia has introduced its d-Nav insulin management program that determines how much insulin a patient needs at the time of injection. // Stock photo

Hygieia, a medical technology company in Livonia, on Thursday introduced its FDA cleared d-Nav insulin management program that automatically determines how much insulin a patient needs at the time of injection.

Using artificial intelligence and patented technology, Hygieias d-Nav system allows patients to get the recommended dose of insulin when they need it, which helps them better manage their glucose levels. The new offering upends the standard of insulin management for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Its a dramatic change from todays standard of care in which a patients insulin dose is modified only when he or she can see a physician for evaluation every few months, the company says. That creates a barrier to care, because peoples insulin needs are dynamic and often require much more frequent titration.

Nearly 70 percent of people using insulin to manage their blood sugar levels fail to achieve recommended A1c levels, says Eran Bashan, CEO of Hygieia. We developed a way to make insulin therapy safe and effective through a technology that doesnt add burden to an already resource-challenged health system.

The d-Nav program uses a handheld device and patented technology to measure glucose, identify glucose patterns, and automatically calculate the next individualized insulin dose. Users simply insert their test strip into a handheld device and d-Nav analyzes the information and provides a recommended insulin dose. For many users, the dose changes every few days.

Through titration, the company says d-Nav offers a safe and effective therapy for managing blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that within three months of starting d-Nav, 90 percent of users lowered their HbA1c levels.

Additionally, when insulin is working more effectively, there is an opportunity to move people to less expensive insulin and to reconsider the need for additional, more costly medications. In fact, a health economic study showed*that people using d-Nav translated into cost savings of approximately $500 per patient, per month.

When physicians first started prescribing insulin some 100 years ago, it was a medical breakthrough and a life-saving medication for insulin-requiring patients, says Bashan. Decades later, the growing number of patients makes it hard to sustain that standard. Hygieias d-Nav program serves as a collaborative insulin specialist helping patients safely and effectively manage their blood sugar levels.

The system is designed to enable physicians, both primary care and endocrinologists, the ability to extend their continuous, personalized care to insulin treated patients with Type 2 diabetes without overtaxing office time and resources.

Patients on the d-Nav program receive test strips, lancets, a glucose monitor pre-loaded with the d-Nav app, and unlimited remote monitoring and clinical support. Physicians who prescribe d-Nav receive data and reports on their patients status, helping them with ongoing blood sugar management.

For more information, contactHygieia.com.

* Impact of a Novel Insulin Management Service on Non-insulin Pharmaceutical Expenses,Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, JHEOR 2018;6(1):53-62

Continued here:
Hygieia Releases System That Determines How Much Insulin Type 2 Diabetes Patients Need at Time of Injection - dbusiness.com

Blood glucose meters and testing strips are an important part of treating diabetes.Photograph: vitapix/Getty

Together with cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes has become one of the worlds four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and one of the only chronic diseases that continues to increase in prevalence.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people with diabetes increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, and in 2016 it caused 1.6 million deaths, making it the seventh leading cause of death. The WHO estimates deaths from diabetes will increase to 2.4 million in 2030 and 3.7 million in 2045.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar. Patients with type 1 diabetes cant produce insulin in the pancreas due to an auto-immune disease, while those with type 2, once called adult-onset as it often develops in later life no longer produce insulin because of issues such as excessive body weight and insufficient exercise. Its estimated that type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of cases worldwide.

The pharmaceutical industry is ramping up efforts to tackle diabetes through Global Health Progress, with more than 40 partnerships now researching new medicines, as well as new ways in which to diagnose and raise awareness of the disease.

But whats important, says Vanessa Peberdy, head of NCD advocacy and policy at the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), is that the dialogue around diabetes treatment and care is not just confined to discussions on affordability and access to insulin. While this is clearly a critical issue, improving treatment and care requires a holistic approach that recognises the complexity of the condition. It needs to take in issues such as a lack of trained health practitioners, inadequate supply chains and weak health systems in developing countries.

Access is a complex issue, says Helen McGuire, programme leader, noncommunicable diseases at global health organisation Path. Failures of access in low-resource settings are rarely due to a single cause.

Barriers must be addressed by leveraging multi-sectoral partnerships, which bring the unique expertise and resources of governments, non-profits, and industry to the table. Solutions require a long-term approach addressing issues of quality, affordability, availability, acceptability, and sustainability.

Emma Klatman is a health systems specialist at the international diabetes charity Life for a Child, which is tackling type 1 diabetes in low and middle income countries, where mortality rates among young people are especially high.

Living without treatment can have horrific consequences, she says, and young people are faced with blindness, losing limbs, developing kidney problems, and they just remain chronically unwell. They can struggle to complete their education, and find employment and marriage partners, and really do face a lot of social stigma.

The charity supplies local health centres with insulin, as well as blood glucose meters and testing strips, which Klatman says are an equally important part of effectively treating diabetes.

Its a point echoed by McGuire. Self-care is essential to meet the daily demands of managing diabetes therefore it is critical to take a people-centered approach to designing solutions, she says. Co-packaging of insulin, syringes, and glucose monitoring devices and strips together at an affordable price would go a long way to support people living with diabetes to safely administer insulin and monitor their glucose levels in low- and middle-income countries.

Next year is the centenary of insulins discovery, and ever since its first use the pharmaceutical industry has been developing new ways in which it can be delivered to patients.

The first insulin pen was introduced in 1985 and immediately improved the accuracy of treatment. Now researchers are exploring an oral treatment for type 2 diabetes that will mean patients no longer need to inject at all. A smart insulin patch is also being developed that delivers tailored amounts of insulin into the bloodstream, and a new generation of insulin pumps can now be connected wirelessly to a blood glucose meter or under-the-skin sensor to monitor and regulate insulin.

Research into the development of an artificial pancreas at the University of Cambridge is on-going, as is R&D into cell therapy, when living cells are injected into patients to take over the function of the faulty ones.

Sanofi, which along with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly make up the big three insulin manufacturers, has recently changed its approach to diabetes, shifting emphasis from new treatments to helping people to use existing medicines more effectively.

Working with Biocorp, for instance, Sanofi is developing a new connected pen that automatically records dosage information through a mobile app. Its MyStar DoseCoach blood glucose meter uses a dose adjustment (titration) scheme to recommend daily doses of long-acting insulin, based on daily blood sugar measurements linked to any incidents of low blood sugar through the day.

Looking at the economics of diabetes, Novo Nordisks Base of the Pyramid programme in Kenya addresses the many barriers to diabetes care faced by people on low incomes. It takes on board issues such as poverty, geography and gender, as well as the limitations of national health systems. Cost of transport, having to miss a days work and the need to buy equipment such as syringes are also flagged up.

Through working in partnerships across the supply chain, one of its successes has been a 75% reduction in the price of insulin. But, explains Soraya Ramoul, Novo Nordisks director of global access to care, the programme also showed that the price reduction in itself does not provide people with access to good care. Diabetes is a complex condition, which requires a systemic approach to ensure basic quality care and management, she says.

Affordability of insulin is just one of the necessary components, along with creating awareness in the communities, building capacity for care and medicine supply, educating patients, improving demand forecasting and reducing transportation costs for the patients.

Klatman sees the growth of partnerships like this as crucial to providing the level of diabetes care that is needed in developing countries, and looks forward to the day when families are able to access insulin and other supplies without being exposed to financial risk, and having to make really tough decisions to keep their kids alive.

Link:
Global health policy: can we manage the ever-increasing rise of diabetes? - The Guardian

Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 MarketLatest Research Report 2020:

The Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 report provides an independent information about the Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 industry supported by extensive research on factors such as industry segments size & trends, inhibitors, dynamics, drivers, opportunities & challenges, environment & policy, cost overview, porters five force analysis, and key companies

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In this report, our team offers a thorough investigation of Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market, SWOT examination of the most prominent players right now. Alongside an industrial chain, market measurements regarding revenue, sales, value, capacity, regional market examination, section insightful information, and market forecast are offered in the full investigation, and so forth.

Scope of Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market: Products in the Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 classification furnish clients with assets to get ready for tests, tests, and evaluations.

Major Company Profiles Covered in This Report

Company I, Company II, Company III, Company IV and more

Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market Report Covers the Following Segments:

Segment by Type:Type I, Type II, Type III

Segment by Application:Application I, Application II, Application III

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

Center East and Africa

United States, Canada and Mexico

Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy

China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa

Market Overview:The report begins with this section where product overview and highlights of product and application segments of the global Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market are provided. Highlights of the segmentation study include price, revenue, sales, sales growth rate, and market share by product.

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Market Status and Outlook by Region:In this section, the report discusses about gross margin, sales, revenue, production, market share, CAGR, and market size by region. Here, the global Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market is deeply analyzed on the basis of regions and countries such as North America, Europe, China, India, Japan, and the MEA.

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Market Forecast:Here, the report offers a complete forecast of the global Type 2 Diabetes- Pipeline Intelligence, 2019 Market by product, application, and region. It also offers global sales and revenue forecast for all years of the forecast period.

Research Findings and Conclusion:This is one of the last sections of the report where the findings of the analysts and the conclusion of the research study are provided.

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Original post:
Coronavirus Outbreak: Type 2 Diabetes Market Size : Industry Growth, Competitive Analysis, Future Prospects and Forecast 2025 - Curious Desk

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNDM), a leading insulin delivery and diabetes technology company, plans to release its first quarter 2020 results after the financial markets close on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The Company will hold a conference call and simultaneous webcast on the same day at 4:30 pm Eastern Time (1:30 pm Pacific Time), to discuss its first quarter 2020 financial and operating results.

Conference Call/Webcast Details:Date: April 30, 2020Time: 4:30 pm Eastern Time (1:30 pm Pacific Time)Toll Free Dial-In Number: (855) 427-4396International Dial-In Number: (484) 756-4261Conference ID: 2116108Webcast Link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/a3oa6ode

An archive of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the event on Tandem Diabetes Cares Investor Center website located at http://investor.tandemdiabetes.com in the Events & Presentations section.

About Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (www.tandemdiabetes.com) is a medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes through relentless innovation and revolutionary customer experience. The Company takes an innovative, user-centric approach to the design, development and commercialization of products for people with diabetes who use insulin. Tandems flagship product, the t:slim X2 insulin pump, is capable of remote software updates using a personal computer and features integrated continuous glucose monitoring, and optional automated insulin delivery technology. Tandem is based in San Diego, California.

Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on Twitter @tandemdiabetes, use #tslimX2 and $TNDM.Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TandemDiabetes.Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/TandemDiabetes.

Tandem Diabetes Care is a registered trademark and t:slim X2 is a trademark of Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

Link:
Tandem Diabetes Care to Announce First Quarter 2020 Financial Results on April 30, 2020 - Business Wire

Those with pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes ought to be more concerned about the coronavirus outbreak here, metabolic disease expert Yusuf Ali told The Straits Times on Thursday.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Amrin Amin had said in Parliament in February that each year, an estimated 19,000 people in Singapore are diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Assistant Professor Yusuf, from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University, said people with such conditions have a weakened ability to protect themselves from the virus.

"The long-elevated blood glucose in diabetes weakens the immune response. This will affect the natural ability of the body to fight against the virus, making the management of the condition harder," he said.

Citing a recent study on cases of Covid-19 infection in China, he noted that among those who were infected with the disease, the death rate for diabetics was 7.3 per cent, compared with 2.3 per cent overall.

In Singapore, at least two of those who died from the virus had a history of diabetes.

Prof Yusuf said that as there is currently no treatment or vaccine for Covid-19, the disease is managed by alleviating symptoms and ensuring that one's body has the right nourishment to mount a good defence against it.

For the time being, he said, diabetics should spend time doing simple exercises at home, and maintain a high standard of hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water regularly, not touching their faces, and staying away from people who are coughing.

Those on medication should ensure that they have enough to last them for two to four weeks.

Finally, they need to manage their blood glucose levels well.

"Poor glycaemic control not only makes management of viral infections harder, but also lowers your immune bar, thus increasing the risk of such infections," he said.

Timothy Goh

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Diabetes weakens body's ability to fight coronavirus, Health News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

The coronavirus pandemic has caused toilet paper shortages and long lines, but panic buying is not a new phenomenon and it certainly isnt helping. USA TODAY

While the masses hunt for toilet paper, Caroline Gregory and other people with diabetes are on a different mission: scouring stores for the rubbing alcohol or alcohol swabs needed to manage their disease.

Gregory stopped in Carlie Cs, Dollar General and Harris Teeter in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in pursuit of this vital component of her medical routine.

Were all supposed to be staying at home, and Im out going to 10 different stores, said Gregory, 33, whose diabetes could heighten her risk for COVID-19 complications. Thats also not safe.

Rubbing alcohol and alcohol swabs or wipes are the latest products swept up by the nations demand for anything and everything seen as a disinfectant against the novel coronavirus by hospitals and average consumers alike.

This is what China did to beat coronavirus: Experts say America couldn't handle it

Andy Lerman, vice president of operations for Hydrox Laboratories, a manufacturer based outside Chicago, said the majority of the low-profit-margin medical product his company makes is headed to hospitals, which are going through it faster than they have in the past. He has seen distributors order more than five times the amount they typically do.

Hospitals are wiping down everything all the time with every type of virucide that they have at their disposal, he said. Im making it as fast as I can, but I have more orders than I have capacity to manufacture.

Isopropyl alcohol a primary ingredient in some types of rubbing alcohol has been touted as a cleaner that neutralizes the coronavirus on everything from kitchen countertops to phones. After the depletion of supplies of hand sanitizer, also seen as a defense against COVID-19, demand exploded to make homemade versions. The Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization list isopropyl alcohol as a critical ingredient in their recommended recipes.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about coronavirus. We sort the facts from falsehoods. Wochit

For those with diabetes or other chronic medical conditions, the general publics resulting panic-buying spree has threatened their medical routines, such as when patients use an alcohol swab or a rubbing-alcohol-soaked cotton ball to disinfect their skin before they inject insulin.

Alternatives such as witch hazel may not have the same antiviral properties, and the proof of most brands of vodka isnt high enough to be effective. Other compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide and liquid iodine, can be unwieldy for diabetes patients to manage while changing insulin pump sites on the go, Gregory said.

Coronavirus coloring book from St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital: Helping kids understand COVID-19

Despite the inability to obtain their usual products, people with diabetes need to maintain their blood sugar levels, said Kelly Mueller, vice president of community impact at the American Diabetes Association. She encouraged patients to wash their hands and pump sites carefully and let them air-dry.

In the midst of the coronavirus panic, the problem is compounded by a dearth of antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer to replace the disinfecting swabs or rubbing alcohol needed to keep prick sites clean, said Alison Dvorchik. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her 17-year-old son, Matthew, who has Type 1 diabetes.

Im worried for the entire Type 1 diabetic community, she said. Thats a cesspool of infection waiting to happen.

Any potential infection is a strain on an overburdened health care system, Dvorchik said. Shes trying to ward off that fate for Matthew with a stash of 100 alcohol wipes from a friend they use about three a day with Matthews insulin pump.

The madness began about three weeks ago, according to New Jersey-based AvaCare Medical CEO Steven Zeldes, who runs one of the nations larger online medical supply companies.

Overnight, his site was swamped with thousands and thousands of orders around the country for rubbing alcohol and rubbing alcohol swabs medical supply items that had not been a primary focus for the company.

At first, he suspected some sort of pricing mishap. Thenhe realized rubbing alcohol was a primary ingredient in making homemade hand sanitizer.

The tsunami of orders cleared out the warehouses of AvaCare Medicals distributors in less than two days. Zeldes said the company was out of stock so fast that it received thousands of orders before being able to take down the listings.

Our company was always a medical supply company for seniors or nursing homes or hospitals, Zeldes said. Now were a company for every single citizen of America.

Cathi Carothers, an operations assistant at Lab Alley, a chemical supplier in Austin, Texas, said her company saw a similar explosion of interest in alcohol products from fire departments and post offices as well as Tesla, the Department of Homeland Security and Johns Hopkins University.

No one could have anticipated this much demand in a month, Carothers said.

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When Lab Alley called Dow and ExxonMobil two of the largest raw-component manufacturers of isopropyl alcohol in the USA to procure more, she said, the companies told Lab Alley they prioritize hospitals.

Dow confirmed to Kaiser Health News it worked with the FDA and state officials to maximize production of all its high-demand products. ExxonMobil directed Kaiser Health News to a news release stating it workedwith hard-hit New York and Louisiana to send isopropyl alcohol from its Baton Rouge Chemical Plant, which it said is home to the worlds largest isopropyl alcohol production site.

Medline, a major supplier in Chicago, and New Jersey-based Becton, Dickinson, a health care product manufacturer and supplier, felt the crush of demand. Medline spokesperson Stacy Rubenstein cited a 100% increase in March this year over last. Accordingly, both companies said they have ramped up production and enforced fair distribution measures.

Down the supply chain, Gregory, the Fayetteville woman with diabetes, said she lost it in line at Walgreens when she saw a sign saying the store limited customers to four bottles, which is more than she would go through in a year. (She uses it several times weekly to disinfect the sites of her insulin pump and every 10 days for her glucose monitor.)

How much hand sanitizer are you making? Gregory asked. You certainly dont need to be cleaning your kitchen with it its not necessary. I think people are just panicking.

Many forms of rubbing alcohol were sold out on Walgreens online site as of Sunday. Target and Rite Aidalso sold out of some rubbing alcohol and related products online.

Finally, Gregory was able to snag one of the last orders for 100 wipes available through Healthcare Supply Pros, an online medical supply company. It should last her for about five months. She fears for older, poorer people with diabetes who may not have internet access or the money to do the same.

Similar listings show the product is sold out.

Dont hoard something that you dont really need, said Dvorchik, the mother of the teenager with diabetes. Because the people who really need it cant get it.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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Panic-buying for coronavirus affects diabetes patients: They can't find rubbing alcohol - USA TODAY

From Women's Health

My name is Samara McKellar (@samara.fit.wlj), and I am 21 years old. I live in Kansas City, Missouri, and I am in college working towards my degree in early childhood education. After having to go on blood sugar medication and struggling to find clothes I felt comfortable going out in, I realized my weight was holding me back. I decided to change my eating habits and lifestyle, and I've lost 125 pounds.

My weight issues have always been apparent in my life. When I was younger, I was slightly overweight, and it made me uncomfortable at times. When I was around 12 years old, I went to an endocrinologist for a check-up, since both of my parents are diabetic. They never officially diagnosed me as pre-diabetic, but my hemoglobin A1C levels (used to screen for diabetes) were high enough to put me on medication to try and lower them and keep me out of the diabetes range.

As I got older, I went from being overweight to medically obeseto then being identified by doctors as morbidly obese. I would try out unhealthy fad diets in high school that would only last a week at most, then I would overeat after giving up. I had many supportive friends and peers in high school, but there were definitely people who also made rude comments that made me feel less-than due to my weight and looks. I saw food as a comforting way to deal with my emotions.

I was 18 years old and 294 poundsand I was trying to find an outfit to wear to a get together with friends. I was getting so upset about how I looked in everything, and how I felt about myself. I couldnt confidently go out and wear the clothes that I found most girls my age wore. I decided in that moment that I had to stop feeling this way and living out that scenario.

On the first day of January 2018, I told myself that I would work on boosting my self-esteem and my health. I would really try to eat healthier, and just start with one habit at a time.

There are *so many* low-calorie foods that are still very dense. This helped me a lot in the beginning because it was hard for my body to adjust from over-eating a ton of food to eating a healthy amount for my weight. However, eating lots of foods like fruits, vegetables, and eggs helped me to feel full for longer, even though they were low calorie.

I chose an eating plan that recommended using a calorie calculator and determined how many calories I could have a day if I wanted to lose one to two pounds a week. I followed that range of calories and used apps like Carb Manager to help me track my foods. I liked the Carb Manager app because it easily displayed calories as well as macronutrients. I also followed a low-carb diet that allowed for about 50 net carbs a day.

I also cut out almost all beverages with added sugar. Before I started trying to change my habits, there were days Id have two sweet teas or lots of soda. Now, I stick to water, green tea, and Crystal Light beverages. I realized the empty calories in sugary drinks never actually filled me up.

I believe that weight loss is 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise. Going to the gym helped motivate me to keep my eating on track. I wanted to keep my word to myself to eat healthy and make sure all the hard work I put in at the gym wouldnt go to waste by cheating too much on my diet. The gym also helped lift my mood and put me in a positive mindset when thinking about my weight-loss journey.

Usually my workouts consist of walking one-and-a-half or two miles on the treadmill, then doing 5 to 10 minutes on the StairMaster. After that, I will do some arms, abs, or legs.

I knew nothing about fitness and health before I had decided to seriously change my habits, but I became informed and dedicated. I went from a size 22 to a size 8. I am also happy to say, I no longer need that diabetes A1C medication. My blood work has come back at normal levels since losing so much weight.

I feel like a truly happy person on the inside, and so much healthier and free. I still enjoy my treats and my cheat meals in moderation, but I have found a new passion in my life. This journey made me realize how important self-love is regardless of size or weight. My weight and health were holding me back, and getting healthy was the best decision Ive ever made.

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'I Lost 125 Lbs. With This Low-Carb Diet And Finally Got Off Diabetes Medication I Was On Since My Teens' - Yahoo Lifestyle

As many as 85% of those who died in the State due to COVID-19 had diabetes or hypertension or both, making their recovery difficult. Medical experts said these two conditions form an ideal background for pathogens like the SARS-CoV-2 to cause lethal damage.

According to data provided by State health officials till April 5, and analysed by The Hindu, of the 45 people who died, 38 had diabetes, hypertension or both. At least six victims also had heart disease.

Mumbai-based endocrinologist and diabetologist Dr. Shashank Joshi said, Our body has humoral mediated immunity, which helps in the formation of antibodies, and cellular mediated immunity, which is the bodys own defence mechanism. In patients with diabetes, these immune systems are weak.

This means they are immunocompromised, Dr. Joshi explained. He added, When a virus like the SARS-CoV-2 infects them, it causes a cytokine storm (an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds known as cytokines). This often leads to tremendous leaks into the lungs, which is why the patients require ventilators. Blood sugar and blood pressure parameters should be kept in control, he emphasised.

The International Diabetes Federation states that when people with diabetes develop a viral infection, it can be harder to treat due to fluctuations in blood glucose levels and, possibly, the presence of diabetes complications. There appear to be two reasons for this. Firstly, the immune system is compromised, making it harder to fight the virus and likely leading to a longer recovery period. Secondly, the virus may thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose, the IDF states.

State officials also observed that the mortality rate was high among senior citizens. It was 19% in the 60-80 age group, and nearly 22% in the 80-90 age group. High blood pressure is common among the elderly. Age and other underlying ailments make them more vulnerable, said senior physician Dr Altaf Patel.

Physician and intensivist Dr. Pravin Amin said data from China and Italy also show a similar trend. Diabetes and hypertension alter the defence system and when a patient is affected by COVID-19, a network of reactions take place which become difficult to manage, said Dr. Amin adding that 80% of COVID-19 patients have very mild disease and with proper management, those with co-morbid conditions also show recovery. I have discharged a woman with diabetes on Sunday. The key is to have these diseases under control, said Dr. Amin who practices at Bombay Hosptal and Breach Candy Hospital.

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Diabetes, hypertension top co-morbidities among COVID-19 fatalities - The Hindu