In July 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued alerts on Medtronic’s 600-series MiniMed insulin pumps.

It appears that when air pressure changes quickly, such as during take-off or landing, the device’s keypad buttons could temporarily become “unresponsive”.

This means that users may not be able to program a bolus or suspend delivery, since the buttons won’t temporarily press down. However, the basal insulin continues to be delivered.

The good news is that in most cases, when atmospheric pressures normalizes, the buttons will work again in about thirty minutes. Also, pump users can resolve the issue by taking off the battery cap and putting it back on again.

Medtronic is actively working on a long-term hardware solution for this rare situation.

The alerts, classified as a class II recall by the FDA, apply to the MiniMed 620G, 630G, 640G and 670G models. A class II recall is considered medium severity and is used when the probability of a serious adverse consequence is considered remote. The FDA and Medtronic are not requesting any devices be returned, they are just making sure Medtronic pump wearers are aware of this issue.

Read the complete article here.

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New Technology Toolkit – Earn 3.0 CEs Premiers August 20 & 23

When it comes to insulin pumps, sensors and calculation, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about diabetes technology management. Plus, with the vast amount of information, it may seem impossible to figure out what to focus on for our clinical practice and to prepare for the diabetes certification exam.

If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formulas to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.

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The University of Auckland in New Zealand has released a new study showing a positive association between gratitude journaling and A1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

For full details of the study, visit Healio Endocrine Today.

Interested in learning more about adolescents and diabetes? Take our tots to teens course, where we cover special issues diabetes educators need to be aware of when working with children and their families.

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When it comes to insulin pumps, sensors and calculation, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about diabetes technology management. Plus, with the vast amount of information, it may seem impossible to figure out what to focus on for our clinical practice and to prepare for the diabetes certification exam.

Coach Beverly invites you to enroll in our NEW Technology Toolkit Online Course Bundle, to keep you abreast of the rapidly changing world of Insulin Pump Therapy, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and calculations while preparing for exam success. 

Technology Toolkit Airs August 20 and August 23

If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formulas to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.

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Ready to commit to studying?

Coach Beverly recommends our Live Seminar in San Diego or our 1 year subscription for those studying for the BC-ADM. Our Live seminar is a 3 day intensive, where four diabetes experts will help explain the complexities of diabetes in easy to understand terms.

Join us in San Diego and enjoy a long weekend in San Diego after studying hard! The live seminar includes 13 bonus courses and covers the following topics:

• Current State of Diabetes ADA Standards of Care
• Person-Centered Care for Type 1, Type 2, LADA, GDM
• Medical Evaluation, Risk Identification
• Diabetes Prevention
• Glycemic Targets Across the Lifespan
• Hypoglycemia
• Landmark Studies
• Medications for Type 2
• Pharmacology Algorithms – AACE and ADA
• Cardiovascular Monitoring and Management
• Getting Active
• Assessing and Supporting Coping Skills
• Insulin – The Ultimate Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Insulin Pattern Management and Dosing Strategies
• Sick Days, Monitoring Hospitalization and Lower Extremities
• Diabetes Tools for the Visually Impaired
• Microvascular Disease – Screening Guidelines and Risk Reduction
• Promoting Behavior Change – Flourishing with Diabetes
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Meal Planning – Hot to Eat by the Numbers
• Adjusting Meal Planning based on individual assessment
• Diabetes and Technology

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In a randomized phase 3a study published in Diabetes Care, those taking oral semaglutide monotherapy experienced superior and clinically significant improvements in A1c and weight loss compared to those taking a placebo.

Semaglutide (Ozempic) is currently only available as a once a week injectable, belonging to the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists classification. This class of medications is referred to as “Incretin Mimetics” since they imitate the action of gut hormones, causing satiation, post prandial glucose lowering and slowed gastric emptying. They have the added benefit of associated weight loss.

One drawback for people starting on semaglutide and all GLP-1 RAs, is that they currently can only be administered via injection.

Download FREE Diabetes Injectables PocketCard for more info on GLP-1 RAs.

The findings, based on the Peptide Innovation for Early Diabetes Treatment, or PIONEER, study, found that those who took either oral semaglutide 3 mg, 7 mg or 14 mg once a day for 26 weeks had significantly lower A1C and improved body weight, compared with those on placebo.

This phase 3a trial involving 703 people with type 2 diabetes provides hope that this medication class may be effective when administered orally.

The findings also showed that mild to moderate transient gastrointestinal incidents were the most common adverse events with the oral form of this GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Download FREE Diabetes Injectables PocketCard for more info on GLP-1 RAs. Join our Diabetes Educator Course for a 3 Day Review of Medications and More!

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August Newsletter Now Available!

In our August Newsletter, we highlight several exciting new releases! Nasal Glucagon has been approved, generic Dapagliflozin has been released, and Cleveland Clinic has synthesized a chart of supplements and their efficacy for people with diabetes!

Read this month’s newsletter before August 16 to see how you could get a $50 discount.

August Newsletter Topics Include:

• Nasal Glucagon Approved
• Nutritional Supplement Chart for People With Diabetes
• 5 Steps to Stop Sitting & Increase Longevity
• Diabetes Educator Conference “Making a Difference” Scholarship Awarded
• Generic SGLT-2 Inhibitor Approved
• New Technology Course & Networking Mixer at San Diego Live Seminar
• Women Leaders Conference Save the Date – December 6
• CDCES Coach App® Rated by DANA | $50 Discount for App Survey

Click here to read our newsletter

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The marketing application for a generic version of Farxiga, or dapagliflozin has received tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Alembic Pharmaceuticals received a nod for its abbreviated new drug application for Dapagliflozin Tablets in 5 mg and 10 mg strength.

The approved product is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product Farxiga Tablets.

No information on pricing has been posted yet, but the hope is that as patents expire, more affordable generic diabetes medications will be made available.

Dapagliflozin belongs to the SGLT-2 Inhibitor class of diabetes medications. To read more, download our FREE Diabetes Medication Pocket Cards.

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Medical News Today published an article on proper posture while sitting, showing just how difficult it is to maintain good postural health, with over ten variables to consider. Sitting and staying in one position for more than an hour increases the likelihood of poor posture, decreased metabolism, and inhibits blood flow, which can worsen circulation problems for people with diabetes.

Here are several strategies to lessen their sedentary time and get healthier:

1. Standing Desk/Treadmill Desk

Office Fitness Industry News encourages employers to spend their wellness funds on standing desks or treadmill desks, rather than spending money on a wellness program that offers employees under-utilized gym memberships.

Standing desks help improve posture by allowing people to stand, stretch, and interrupt their sitting time. Simply standing more can help tone muscle, increase metabolism, and prevent diabetes complications. However, some may have difficulty standing for long periods of time. A treadmill desk may feel more natural and compounds the benefits of standing desk: burning extra calories, increasing creativity in the workplace, and potentially even increasing mental acuity for kinesthetic learners or those with ADD.

Even if an employer won’t provide a standing or treadmill desk, just standing up every hour helps counteract a lot of the issues associated with sitting too much.

2. HIIT It!

Taking brief exercise breaks during the day can help tremendously. It doesn’t require going to the gym, or even using your full 10 – 15 minutes in the morning or afternoon. HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, only needs to be done in 30 second bursts to be effective. This can include 30 seconds of sprinting in place or doing quick push-ups against a counter (such as in a break room or bathroom). You can find more HIIT exercises that can be done in just 30 seconds, here.

3. Take More Breaks

Many people may only get two 10-15 minute breaks per day plus lunch, but that doesn’t mean they have to be chained to a desk at all other times. Refilling water bottles or glasses every hour can help interrupt sitting and also offer a refreshing mental break from staring at a screen or papers. If the job requires reviewing or reading documents, try doing this while standing or pacing to interrupt the monotony of sitting.

4. Treat the Feet

Suddenly switching from sitting to standing can be tough on lower extremities, and for those already standing most of the day because of their job, proper foot care is important to lessen fatigue and prevent ending the day on the couch until bed.

Wearing thicker socks and cushioned sole inserts can help during the day. Ending the day with an Epsom salt foot bath and lotion can help ease soreness, increase circulation, and help you get back on feet the next day.

5. Stay NEAT

NEAT means non-exercise activity thermogenesis. All it requires is simple stretches, twists, and bends to break up your sitting every hour. Practicing NEAT helps increase circulation, ease back pain and muscle aches, and increase daily range of motion, which will eventually make getting nore active easier too.

Staying mindful about sitting duration and taking any of these steps to move more can help lead to a longer and better quality of life. To see more on how to counteract or avoid sitting disease, see Just Stand’s Office, School, and Home resources.

See our Exercise Resource Page for a bunch of wonderful handouts and movement ideas.

While most know there are great benefits to getting out in nature, Medical News Today has released a study showing that simply viewing nature can reduce cravings such as smoking, excessive drinking, and unhealthy eating.

As health care professionals, we can recommend nature viewing as a stress-relieving intervention that can be incorporated daily for extra health benefits. Whether using public green spaces, looking through your bedroom or office window, or visiting a neighborhood garden, all of these have been associated with lessening the frequency and intensity of cravings.

This is great new for people trying to quit habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, and unhealthy eating. Read more from Medical News Today for full details.

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