Posted on July 29, 2009 by Joel Shpigel R.Ph.

Drugs for Allergies May Help People with Diabetes

 

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital as well as from Harvard Medical School are reporting that two medications that treat allergies, Cromolyn and Zaditor, helped mice lose weight and controlled their blood sugar. Test results showed that a group of diabetic and obese mice that  only used these drugs saw almost a complete reversal of their health problems. Monkeys will be tested next to see if, in fact, obesity and diabetes may be connected to immune system changes.

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted on July 23, 2009 by Joel Shpigel R.Ph.

Diabetes Pharmacist is one of "The 100 Best Blogs for Pharmacy Students"

We are honored to announce that Diabetes Pharmacist has been named one of the 100 Best Blogs for Pharmacy Students by Jill Gordon on Nursing Schools.Net., a nursing school network and directory.

Listed under the category "See What the Future Holds", it says that "This blogger offers specific advice for dealing with common questions about diabetes, an increasingly common condition as obesity rates increase" .

It also mentions that some of the blogs on the list are written by pharmacists who are passionate about their work. I hope they know that I am one of them!

Tags:
Posted on July 16, 2009 by Joel Shpigel R.Ph.

Corneal Arcus Eye Condition Linked to Diabetes

A recent study by the Columbus Research Foundation in Columbus, Ga. found that 98% of the 2000 participants who had a grayish-white ring around the cornea — a condition called corneal arcus — also had metabolic problems related to conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol,

Until now, health professionals have assumed arcus is related to high cholesterol. Now, the relationship between arcus and high blood sugar needs to be studied further, researchers said.

“This study demonstrates ... how comprehensive eye exams should be used as a screening for prevalent metabolic conditions,” Dr. Steven Leichter, medical director at the research foundation, said in a press release. “

 

Tags: , , , ,