Health Expert Kim Benjet shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. 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/profiles/c/117/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/117/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/117/index http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/63952/outcome-cgms-trial Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:04:00 -0400 Kim Benjet Here's what we found from the five day trial.  Josh only had one overnight low that we would have missed - in the high 60s. Night time lows were one thing CGMS seemed to find the most when people starting wearing them. Josh's low came, not surprisingly, on day when he had lots of exercise.   The most profound thing we learned was food related.  Seeing a graphical depiction of blood sugar after a high fat meal was shocking. We... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/63952/outcome-cgms-trial http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/62589/continuous-glucose Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:32:00 -0400 Kim Benjet Josh wore a version of the Medtronic CGMS Gold and we would not recommend this particular model. The sensor and monitor were attached by a wire and could not be detached. The monitor was big and cumbersome and the sensor was uncomfortable, but Josh stuck with it. I am not above bribery as a motivating tool and this definitely warranted some sort of a reward so Josh got an IPOD in exchange for the CGMS trial. He had to leave the CGMS on when he... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/62589/continuous-glucose http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/62003/data-learned-trial Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:19:00 -0500 Kim Benjet Why Try a CGMS & Preparation for CGMS   Our diabetes program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is developing a diabetes technology program that incorporates devices like continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS ) into the overall care of patients.  Nurse practitioners or endocrinologists can call in a member of the diabetes technology team during patient appointments, as needed.  In addition to patient... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/62003/data-learned-trial http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/61096/diabetes-inspire Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:13:00 -0500 Kim Benjet I had the privilege of attending a very special afternoon at Philadelphia’s Wexler Gallery  last week.   A dozen children ranging in age from 8 to 17 who live with type 1 diabetes and their families joined renowned glass artist, Nicole Chesney to create an original creation for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Philadelphia Promise Ball.    Chesney creates stunning glass paintings that often... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/61096/diabetes-inspire http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/60594/diabetes-supplies Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:37:00 -0500 Kim Benjet My son and husband were laughing out loud when they read this short piece in the February 16th Sports Illustrated. Peyton Manning and two other Pro-Bowlers tossed Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler into the pool during the days leading up to the NFL Pro-Bowl in Hawaii.  Rookie hazing you might say.  I loved Manning's comment, "bad audible on our part," when they realized they had saved the cell phone but failed to remove Cutler's... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/60594/diabetes-supplies http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/56058/recall-salmonella Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:34:00 -0500 Kim Benjet   Peanut butter crackers have just the right amount of carbohydrate and protein for a quick diabetes snack.  Not to mention they are Josh’s favorite snack.  A nice pre-wrapped six pack of peanut butter crackers provides anywhere from 16 to 20 grams of carbohydrate and the protein and fat slows the absorption making it a great snack.   But now our favorite packaged food may harbor salmonella.  There is a... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/56058/recall-salmonella http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/55465/bad-habits-diabetes Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:35:00 -0500 Kim Benjet We have developed some less than optimal habits in diabetes management.  I'm going to publicly confess, tell you why we do what we do, and then beseech Dr. Cogen to put these habits in perspective for us.-  How bad are they? - Which ones should we work to correct? - Do we need to make some diabetes care New Year's Resolutions?   Blood Sugar Testing   Our early training gave a very clear procedure for doing a finger stick.... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/55465/bad-habits-diabetes http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/52617/diabetes-fashion Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:39:00 -0500 Kim Benjet Diabetes "Bling"   Oh the fashion of diabetes! Don’t let the pump detract from your outfit – accessorize!  Don’t strip off your clothing to give an injection, customize your attire!   I know a stylish 7 year old with diabetes who bejeweled her glucometer and pricker (lancet) and uses all fabulously pink pump packs and cases.  She used cell phone “bling” to decorate.  Check out what she... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/52617/diabetes-fashion http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/50964/parental-depression Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:45:00 -0500 Kim Benjet I’ve talked to many, many parents of diabetic children and I’m always amazed at the parents’ laser like focus on the diabetes care and the subjugation of their own personal needs in their efforts to keep their child healthy.  Diabetes magnifies parental sacrifice by calling for less sleep, more intense relationships through the incredible task of “playing the pancreas” by monitoring blood sugar and delivering... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/50964/parental-depression http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/50062/holiday Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:36:00 -0500 Kim Benjet I’m thankful for a lot this holiday season, but I have some special thank yous to say to all the people who help my ten year old son manage his diabetes.  Of course I’m thankful to our incredible medical team: our endocrinologist who is always ready and willing to talk about the latest research and new technologies; our nurse practitioner/diabetes educator who listens as well as she teaches and never forgets that Josh is a kid... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/117/50062/holiday