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2450 days ago

Another Unfortunate Experiment - Diabetes in Situ?

John Veitch from Open Future Health

At NZ's National Women's Hospital, 30 years ago women diagnosed with carcinoma in situ (CIS), were not all treated with the best available care. This became known as "The Unfortunate Experiment."

In NZ today, because insulin testing is only available in main hospitals and can only be ordered by a few specialists, a pre-diabetic condition Dr Joseph Craft calls "diabetes in situ" is not diagnosed.

Diabetes in situ is something most people over 40 have developed, even though your doctor says, "You are healthy." This is about where you draw the line between sickness and health. It's also about when you first understand that if you don't make some changes to your lifestyle, you are headed for major problems.

In the diagram below, we're showing the insulin response to a glucose drink over four hours. (You usually see the glucose response on a similar graph.) The people on the red line using the common HbA1c test , or a fasting glucose test would be diagnosed as diabetic. The people on the blue line are healthy. Those on the yellow or orange line, according to Joseph Kraft, have diabetes in situ, but in NZ, they would not be identified as being at risk.

So are you at risk? If you are over 40, and you live in NZ, probably, even when your doctor says you are "healthy."

Here are some clues. Do you weigh more than you did at 25? Do you have problems controlling your weight? Do you eat snack foods a lot? In your blood tests, are any of the following high: blood pressure, triglycerides, or fasting glucose. Is your HDL cholesterol low? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you retain water easily? Family history of diabetes, stroke or heart disease?

Does that include most of us? I guess so. What can we do? There's lots you can do. Read the link attached to this post. Read the two previous posts. That will keep you busy for a while. Become aware, and take an active interest in your own future.

More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?

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5 days ago

Poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?

Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.

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How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?
  • 26.8% I love it!
    26.8% Complete
  • 31.2% Only in designated areas
    31.2% Complete
  • 42.1% No, it should be outdoors only.
    42.1% Complete
3289 votes
1 day ago

Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).

Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.

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Should employees be able to work from home?
  • 69.7% Yes
    69.7% Complete
  • 27.1% No
    27.1% Complete
  • 3.2% Other - I'll share below
    3.2% Complete
1135 votes