Talk and Book Signing with Author of "Breakthrough" on the Discovery of Insulin--12/9, 12pm FREE !

 

 

Lunchtime Talk and Book Signing with Author of  "Breakthrough” on the Discovery of Insulin
	Lunchtime Talk and Book Signing with Author Arthur Ainsberg of "Breakthrough: Elizabeth Hughes, the Discovery of Insulin, and the Making of a Medical Miracle"   When: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.   What: In "Breakthrough," authors Thea Cooper and Arthur Ainsberg tell the true story of the invention of insulin, one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century. Ainsberg will talk about this fascinating tale of Nobel prize-winning research, and the brave little girl who risked everything for the groundbreaking experiment that saved not only her life but the lives of countless others.   Where: Russell Auditorium, in the Museum, Bldg 54 on WRAMC campus   Note: Books will be on sale in the lobby before and after the program ($25 each, cash or check only).  Proceeds to benefit the AFIP MWR.   Cost: FREE!   Questions? Call (202) 782-2673 or e-mail nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil

 

Diabetes and hearing loss

As part of my once-in-a-while campaign to spread the word about the long-term effects of Agent Orange, let me pass along to you a report from the NIH about the connection between diabetes and hearing loss.

"The link between diabetes and hearing loss was evident across all frequencies, with a stronger association in the high frequency range. Mild or greater hearing impairment of low- or mid-frequency sounds in the worse ear was about 21 percent in 399 adults with diabetes compared to about 9 percent in 4,741 adults without diabetes. For high frequency sounds, mild or greater hearing impairment in the worse ear was 54 percent in those with diabetes compared to 32 percent in those who did not have the disease."

How does Agent Orange fit in? As I noted in a prior post, the Veterans' Administration has stipulated that Agent Orange causes diabetes. So, once again, all of you Vietnam vets out there - if you have health problems, contact the VA.

Agent Orange's lasting effects

I'm going to get on my soapbox for a minute and if I've written about this before, just skip this post.

About three years ago my husband went for a routine physical and got the bad, terrifying news that he was diabetic. Even though I have a sister who's diabetic and I thought I knew all there was to know, it turned out neither Bob nor I knew much of anything. He had no family history whatsoever. Overnight, it seemed, he lost quite a bit of weight because he was afraid to eat anything. The doctor told him no bread, potatoes, rice, or pasta and he gave it all up cold turkey. He manages pretty well now, thanks, but has a pretty good idea of what awaits him down the line.

Now here's the kicker. About a year after he was diagnosed, his brother was trolling the VA website and found information relating diabetes to Agent Orange. The bottom line is, if a soldier set foot in Vietnam and now has diabetes, the VA makes the presumption that Agent Orange is the cause. You don't have to prove anything other than show your DD214. Sure, they make you jump through hoops but if you have it, pass Go and collect your claim. And it's not just diabetes. If you know a Vietnam vet who's having health problems, please direct him or her to the VA website.

Gastric bypass surgery for diabetes?

An exciting new possibility for the treatment (and cure!) of diabetes was reported in today's Washington Post. Trials are being conducted around the world with surprisingly successful results in not just making the disease more manageable but an actual cure. The guess is that the surgery, which removes part of the small intestine, "alter[s] the elixir of hormones secreted by the digestive system to regulate hunger, store energy and influence other physiological functions, helping restore the body's system for controlling blood sugar with insulin." Keep your fingers crossed.