FAT BITCH

Weight loss may reduce arthritis disability 

Overweight adults with osteoarthritis who lose just five percent of their body weight can reduce the amount of physical disability associated with this most common form of inflammatory joint disease, results of several studies suggest.

Recently, Medtronic MiniMed (now called Medtronic Diabetes) made their new line of pumps available to the public, called the MiniMed Paradigm Real Time System. This new system includes an insulin pump in addition to MiniMed’s first widely available continuous blood glucose monitor. The monitor checks the user’s blood sugar every five minutes and stores the data so that the user knows his or her blood sugar almost continuously throughout the day. Most important, the user can set an alarm to go off at a certain high blood sugar limit and a certain low blood sugar limit. If the user’s blood sugar ever goes beyond the limits, the alarm lets the user know to take action. This is especially important at night when you are sleeping.

Unfortunately, the continuous blood glucose monitoring is not yet covered by insurance. Therefore, the user has to pay for the device – which is about $1000 – and must pay for new supplies which could cost over $100 each month. Until the technology is covered by insurance, it is a pretty expensive investment. Ultimately, though, it may be worth the cost for some. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) during the night can be life threatening.

How effective is the new Medtronic Paradigm RT Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System? Jarek tested this new device for 4 days and gave some thoughts:

When I learned few days ago about its existence and availability in Poland I was really extremely thrilled. What was great is that Polish distributor allows for 3-4 days of testing before buying – and this is what I immediately did. Unfortunately my feeling now is that it is still not good enough product for everyday use. It is certainly a great step forward but I will wait for 2nd or 3rd generation of this product. At the moment I would recommend this only for special needs – small kids, people who can’t detect their hypos, or for situations when you can’t check your fingers often enough (like winter mountain climbing).

Jarek notes that there are many benefits of using the Medtronic Paradigm RT system but says that MiniMed can explain them much better. Jarek notes several disadvantages, which I summarized below:
1. High Cost

2. Usability and Size
Wearing this technology is like wearing a second pump. This can be a major concern for a user who does not want to have two large devices hanging from his or her waste. If a woman is wearing a dress, for example, there may be no good place to attach the devices.

3. Connection Problems
The monitor and transmitter can lose connection a few times a day. Sometimes, they reconnect automatically. Other times, though, you must use the manual procedure to search for the transmitter. This process can take a few minutes each time.

4. Sensor and Transmitter Becoming Detached
This is a problem that is similar to the insulin pump. If the infusion site is pulled out of the skin, the user must reinsert a new infusion set. Likewise, if the sensor comes out, a new one must be inserted. Without insurance, replacing the sensor can be exorbitantly expensive.

5. Inaccurate Readings
When a person’s blood sugar is changing rapidly, the MiniMed RT monitor can sometimes give blood sugar readings that lag the actual blood sugar level. This can give readings that can be alarming to the user when the user’s blood sugar is actually stable. If you are treating a low or high blood sugar, the device may lead you to believe that the treatment is not working (ie blood sugar is still low 20 minutes after treatment when it should have been coming up to normal).

Although I have not tested it, I agree with Jarek’s conclusion – in a few years, the newer versions of this technology will improve quite dramatically. Until insurance pays for continuous glucose monitoring, it may be worth the wait.

Aging, obesity contribute to increase in osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis cases will virtually explode during the next 25 years as boomers start to develop the age-related disease. The CDC estimates that the number of arthritis cases will rise by nearly 40% by 2030. The number of boomers who are still very active and America’s obesity problem are two factors that might well push the number beyond that prediction, one arthritis expert says.

Metagenics Responds to Childhood Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Crises with Therapeutic Lifestyle Program 

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—-June 5, 2006–Metagenics Inc., a privately held company focused on developing and manufacturing science-based nutraceuticals, announced today a new therapeutic lifestyle changes program, the Ultracare First Start Medical Food Program, created in response to the growing childhood metabolic syndrome and obesity epidemics.