Diabetes Expert Dr. Fran Cogen shares Diabetes management news and commentary at MyDiabetesCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280 http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280 http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/93315/responsibilities Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:54:00 -0500 Dr. Fran Cogen I routinely review the comments associated with my blogs as well as those of my fellow bloggers on this site. I have noted a persistent theme in regard to the lack of satisfaction with diabetes healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry. Many of the comments are truly appropriate given the current state of health care and insurance companies, hence the need for reform. However, until reform is actually underway, a call to action must... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/93315/responsibilities http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/92427/redux-legends Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:28:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen About 1 out of 3 calls to Children's National Medical Center diabetes nurse educators are about H1N1 flu vaccine. The following are the most common queries: Does my child with diabetes need to get the flu vaccine? Do I get the flumist or the shot? Why do I need the flu shot? Is my child with diabetes immunocompromised? Isn't the shot really dangerous? Is it experimental? Will I get the flu if I get the... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/92427/redux-legends http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/91496/halloween-tricks Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:42:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen The leaves are changing color and have begun to populate sidewalks and grassy areas heralding one of the most exciting holidays of the year for both adults and children: HALLOWEEN! I must admit that the Halloween holiday has murky memories for me: trick-or-treating in bizarre costumes (I never had any of the cool ones), and being scared of masks and strangers at my door. To some extent, I am still a bit anxious about the holiday for the same... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/91496/halloween-tricks http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/90556/diagnosing Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen Upon perusal of the diabetes sections of the MyDiabetesCentral.com, it appears that many people still have questions on just how diabetes is diagnosed. I just answered an inquiry asking if a blood sugar of 80 mg/dl is normal in a 7-year-old child. I thought it might be helpful to discuss diabetes in terms of diagnosis and typical presentations in children.   In terms of chronic illnesses of childhood, diabetes ranks second to asthma.... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/90556/diagnosing http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/89756/perspective Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:02:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen Not only do I have the opportunity to participate and write blogs for this site; but I also peruse the diabetes site and learn from my co-bloggers.  Today I read a blog written by one of our colleagues discussing "non-compliance" in terms of the doctor-patient relationship. I am aware that this blog related primarily to adult patient-doctor relationships; but I think there was enough discussion to merit "noncompliance" from the pediatric... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/89756/perspective http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/88670/guidelines-tips Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:57:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen As always, intriguing blog topics are generated by my patients and families. Last week, one of parents expressed a wish to have a handout developed to give to surrogates that may be temporarily responsible for their child or teen with diabetes. Typically this scenario relates to overnighters in which the child is visiting a friend or an invited guest to a party in someone's home. In this case, the parent is often close by in case of an emergency... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/88670/guidelines-tips http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/87803/encourage-skills Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:47:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen As we have no cure for diabetes yet, we are left with the following treatment modalities: diet, exercise, medication, self monitoring of blood glucose, and support from a multidisciplinary diabetes team. Diet and exercise are behavioral interventions that are perhaps the most difficult to achieve. Another behavioral requirement is self-monitoring of blood glucose. My patient age group includes infants through young adults. As I have mentioned in... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/87803/encourage-skills http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/87016/diabetes-h1n1 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:27:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen Everyone should be back in school now. In one of my recent blogs, I discussed a "teacher cheat sheet" that is helpful for teachers on the front lines. One of my patient families suggested that I discuss the potential H1N1 influenza epidemic. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene continually updates Maryland healthcare professionals on influenza and infectious diseases. My latest update is as follows.   H1N1 Influenza... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/87016/diabetes-h1n1 http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/85933/insurance Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:12:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen   Over the last few weeks, many blogs have focused on healthcare policy and insurance concerns. Appropriate care for chronic illnesses depends on the ability to obtain medical consultation, supplies, and medications. Indeed, "going bare" with an illness such as diabetes is a prescription for potential bankruptcy.   A piece on National Public Radio discussed the insurance woes of two individuals with chronic illness: a young man with... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/85933/insurance http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/85068/guide-management Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:07:00 -0400 Dr. Fran Cogen As school begins shortly, school forms for diabetes management are piling up in the nurse's office. This is "must" information for the nurse or medical assistant, but what about the staff member that is in the "trenches" with the student?" In this blog, I will highlight the essentials for knowing how to care for your pupil in the classroom and on the field.   ATTENTION School Nurses and Medical Assistants: make sure that the form is... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/651280/85068/guide-management