Today, March 26, 2013, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day, so we are doing our part at PatientsLikeMe by putting out our own alert.  Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?  Take the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Risk Test right now to find out now.

One in three adult Americans is estimated to have prediabetes – marked by high blood sugar levels – so don’t think it couldn’t happen to you.  Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and increased physical activity can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, or even prevent it altogether.

Not only will you find out your risk level by taking this free and fast test, but you’ll help raise money to fight the growing diabetes epidemic (26 million children and adults in the US).  Boar’s Head is donating $5 to the ADA for every person who takes the test between March 26th and April 9th – up to $50,000.

So take a moment and answer a few simple questions about your weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors.  You’ll be helping yourself potentially avoid a serious disease, and you’ll be helping others no matter what.  Take the test now.

November is American Diabetes Month, and this year, the American Diabetes Association is working to reshape the understanding of diabetes.  The goal is to raise awareness of the fact that diabetes is life-changing disease with a huge societal impact – and not a minor hindrance, as some people think.

As part of this mission, the ADA is asking patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes to send in a photo that captures what life with diabetes is like.  What are the everyday challenges and considerations?  Help the ADA build a mosaic of the “true picture of diabetes” and CVS will donate a $1 for every photo uploaded, up to $25,000.

Another way to get a clearer picture is to consider some of the alarming facts about diabetes, which is projected to affect as many as one in three Americans by 2050:

• 26 million Americans are currently living with the disease
• 79 million Americans have prediabetes, putting them at risk for type 2 diabetes
• Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart attack or stroke
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of adult blindness
• The cost of diabetes is $1 out of every $5 in total healthcare costs

If you are living with diabetes, or you’re at risk for developing it, connect with others like you at PatientsLikeMe.  There are more than 1,000 type 1 diabetes patients and more than 4,700 patients type 2 diabetes patients in our community who are sharing experiences with blood glucose control, symptoms, treatments and more.

How do they evaluate common medications such as Metformin and Insulin Glargine?  How many have undergone a kidney transplant?  Who’s taking part in a diabetes-related clinical trial?  Exchange knowledge and support with those facing many of the same struggles as you.

For an in-depth picture of a family affected by diabetes, check out our interview with kidney transplant recipient Michael Burke.

Today is World Diabetes Day, sponsored by the International Diabetes Federation.  An official United Nations Day since 2007, World Diabetes Day is held every year on November 14th to commemorate the birthday of Frederick Banning.  Along with Charles Best, Banning is credited with the life-saving discovery of insulin in 1922.

Why is there a need for a global diabetes day?  As the United Nations wrote in their 2007 resolution, diabetes is “a chronic, debilitating and costly disease associated with major complications that pose severe risks for families, countries and the entire world.”  Namely, it is the cause of four million deaths worldwide every year, with someone dying every eight seconds from the disease.

The global symbol for diabetes awareness is a blue circle, and supporters everywhere are encouraged to wear blue today to help spread the word about this pandemic.  You can also help get the message out about prevention.  While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, research shows that, in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.  Regular walking for at least 30 minutes per day, for example, has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 35-40%.

We recently highlighted type 1 diabetes (and how it differs from type 2) in our blog post, “American Diabetes Month Kicks Off with T1 Day,” as well as our two-part interview with type 1 patient Michael Burke.  Here’s a little more information about type 2 diabetes, which accounts for at least 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide.  At PatientsLikeMe, 1,773 patients report type 2 diabetes, with 68% of them female and 32% male.  One of the most commonly reported treatments is Metformin, an oral anti-diabetic medication prescribed when hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to diabetes cannot be controlled through exercise and diet alone.  What do patients say about this drug?  Check out the 125 treatment evaluations submitted by our members, who share their experiences with dosage, side effects, efficacy, cost and more.

With a staggering 366 million people diagnosed with diabetes worldwide – and another 300 million at risk – it’s imperative that diabetes awareness and knowledge grow faster than the disease itself.  The new “Calling All Types” diabetes awareness campaign – an initiative of PatientsLikeMe and our partner BBK Worldwide – helped mark World Diabetes Day this past weekend at the Diabetes University 2011 event in Atlanta, Georgia.  Now in its 18th year, this event works to educate both medical professionals and the public.  Given that the prevalence of diabetes in Atlanta is a full point higher than the national average, Calling All Types has made Atlanta the focal point of the campaign’s initial awareness-raising activities.

Are you a type 1 or type 2 diabetes patient?  Share your story at CallingAllTypes.com in honor of World Diabetes Day.  For everyone else, “act now” by wearing blue, talking about type 2 diabetes prevention or simply taking a walk around your neighborhood.

Janumet 50 1000 is the brand name (and dosage level) of sitagliptin-metformin, a combination prescription drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes.  (50 refers to 50 mg of sitagliptin while 1000 refers to 1000 mg of metformin.)  In addition to diet and exercise, Janumet 50 1000 is prescribed when the use of metformin or sitagliptin alone does not adequately control the condition.

At PatientsLikeMe, where more than 130,000 patients are sharing their experiences with conditions, symptoms, treatments and more, 21 patients report using Janumet 50 1000 or a lower daily dosage (50 mg sitagliptin / 500 mg metformin).  What can we learn from these patients’ experiences?  Quite a bit, actually, thanks to PatientsLikeMe’s unique data-sharing platform.

Looking at the three treatment evaluations submitted for Janumet, all three patients rate the effectiveness as “Moderate,” while side effects were marked as “Mild,” “Moderate” and “Severe,” respectively.  The chief complaint from the patient who reported “Severe” side effects was diarrhea.  However, she writes, “Blood sugars are going down.”

JOIN PATIENTSLIKEME TODAY

What about you?  Have you taken Janumet 50 1000 or a different dosage of this combination diabetes medication?  Join PatientsLikeMe and add your experiences to our growing body of knowledge.  Then, stay to exchange advice and support, research common treatments and learn from other patients like you.