Here’s a teaser of three major take-aways at AADE13 this year. If you like what you’ve read, if you want to hear more, or if you have questions about any of the following, please let me know, and I will provide a follow-up!
- Artificial pancreas studies have demonstrated good glycemic control with lower incidences of hypoglycemia with the combined use of both insulin and glucagon. For the same reason we have yet to see glucagon made as a ready to use pen, there are hurdles to overcome in bi-hormonal pumps so that glucagon will not degrade. The goal of researchers is to have glucagon stable for 3-7 days.
- For those of you, like me, with patients that have prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) such as Nexium, generic omeprazole, or Prevacid, they can easily become magnesium deficient. Their levels should be assessed and if low, magnesium glysonate or magnesium aspartate 200-600 mg is recommended over mag oxide, which is absorbed less when compared to glysonate or aspartate. As an aside, did you know that low magnesium can interfere with sleep?
- Dr. Arya Sharma, who is an obesity counselor helping those with this chronic disease, wants us to recognize that obesity is now categorized as a chronic disease, and just as we tell our patients with diabetes that there is no cure, and we help them find ways to live well with it and prevent complications, so we must utilize the same approach with those that are obese. Two of the best means to support our obese patients is to ask permission to talk with them about their weight and to acknowledge to them that you recognize weight management is very difficult. Keep patients focused on behavior changes that are directed toward not gaining further weight. Here’s the link for more info about his 5A’s of Obesity Management: http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/register4/CON-5As-PPT.pdf