Ozempic And Kidney Disease: What’s The Scoop?

The Morning Talk shows announced a new study shows Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic may delay the progression of kidney disease in diabetes patients.

By now, everyone knows that the injectable Ozempic can help manage blood sugars and reduce weight. Its growing popularity in Hollywood as a ‘miracle weight loss drug’ limited supplies and made it difficult for people with Type 2 diabetes to refill their prescriptions.
Keke Palmer, Amy Schumer, Stassi Schroeder, and more celebrities who’ve talked about their use — or hate — of semaglutide drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
Tracy Morgan, who is living with type 2 diabetes, said,” “I went and got a prescription, and I got Ozempic. And I ain’t letting it go … It cuts my appetite in half. Now I only eat half a bag of Doritos” on Today with Hoda and Jenna.
Novo Nordisk is asking health professionals not to prescribe Ozempic to new patients unless there are no suitable alternatives or there is a compelling clinical reason to do so to conserve supply for patients who are already stabilized on this medicine and who do not have suitable alternatives.
Sadly, one-third of people with type 2 diabetes develop chronic kidney disease because of damage to blood vessels and filtering cells in the organ, according to reports. So it makes sense that Ozempic can help reduce one of the health complications related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes: kidney disease progression. 
 
The once-weekly injection already has Food and Drug Administration approval as a preventive treatment for heart attacks and strokes, a major cause of death and hospitalization in people with Type 2 diabetes.
 
The trial, which began in 2019, enrolled 3,500 people with diabetes and kidney disease and assigned them to either Ozempic or a placebo for up to a planned five years. Researchers followed the enrollees to detect a drop in kidney filtering rates, end-stage kidney disease, or death from either kidney or cardiovascular disease.

 
The newscasters also mentioned that Ozempic may help with addiction issues. 

Join us for Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM. It’s FREE.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr. Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.

After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her famous Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe and shares baking tips using popular sugar substitutes in your favorite recipes.

The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

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Gospel Legend LaShun Pace Passes Away at 60

Award-winning gospel singer LaShun Pace has passed away from kidney failure. She was 60 years old.

What Is Kidney Failure?

When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in your body. That can cause swelling in your ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Without treatment, the damage can worsen, and your kidneys may eventually stop working. That’s serious, and it can be life-threatening.

Acute kidney failure — also called acute renal failure or acute kidney injury — develops rapidly, usually in less than a few days. Acute kidney failure is most common in people who are already hospitalized, particularly in critically ill people who need intensive care.

https://youtu.be/5QNfwXydT18

How Do You Get Kidney Failure?

You have a condition that slows blood flow to your kidneys. As a result, you experience direct damage to your kidneys. As a result, your kidneys’ urine drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked, and wastes can’t leave your body through your urine.

What Are The First Signs Of Kidney Problems?

  • You’re more tired, have less energy, or have trouble concentrating. 
  • You’re having trouble sleeping. 
  • You have dry and itchy skin. 
  • You feel the need to urinate more often. 
  • You see blood in your urine. 
  • Your urine is foamy. 
  • You’re experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes.

Kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is when your kidneys have stopped working well enough for you to survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant. Damage to your kidneys cannot be reversed.

LaShun Pace had been on dialysis for several years and was awaiting a kidney.

African Americans are almost four times as likely as Whites to develop kidney failure. While African Americans make up about 13 percent of the population, they account for 35 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States.

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.

LaShun Pace was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and in January 2015, she and the Anointed Pace Sisters were honored in their hometown of Atlanta at the 16th Trailblazers of Gospel Music AwardsThe evangelist and singer-songwriter was best known for her song “I Know I’ve Been Changed.”

 

Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!  Register now for Divabetic’s Baking Party on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

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Disordered Eating Warning Signs on Divabetic’s Podcast

Barbra Streisand‘s The Broadway Album inspires us to stage a scene between 2 friends, starring Asha Brown & Trisha Artman, to bring attention to the warning signs of a disordered eating behavior related to diabetes known as diabulimia on this podcast

The term “diabulimia” (ED-DMT1) refers to this life-threatening combination and the unhealthy practice of withholding insulin to manipulate or lose weight. People suffering from ED-DMT1 may exhibit eating disorder behaviors, or they may only manipulate their insulin and otherwise have normal eating patterns.

This risky practice can have catastrophic health consequences ranging from blindness and nerve disorders to kidney failure and diabetic ketoacidosis (an acidic buildup in the blood resulting from inadequate insulin levels).

Unfortunately, ED-DMT1  is vastly underdiagnosed. Therefore, the first step in treating this dangerous disorder is understanding the causes and symptoms.

In this scripted scene, two good friends are shopping for bridesmaid’s dresses. Their candid conversation highlights some common warning signs of disordered behaviors. A roundtable discussion immediately follows the scene to offer further insight and resources.

 

One of our actresses, Asha Brown, founded the fantastic nonprofit organization, We Are Diabetes (wearediabetes.org). We Are Diabetes is devoted to providing support, education, guidance, and hope to individuals living with type 1 diabetes who struggle with disordered eating behaviors. The other actress, Trisha Artman offers health coaching for people with type 1 diabetes through her company, Coach The Cure. With personal diabetes experience, compassion, and professionalism, Trisha nurtures trusting relationships—promoting healthy changes in an empowered environment.

Divabetic’s podcast guests are We Are Diabetes founder Asha Brown, Maximize Your Metabolism Co-Authors Dr. Noel Maclaren and Sunita Singh Maclaren, Coach The Cure owner Trisha Artman, Dana B. Roseman, MPH, CDCES, RDN, American Heart Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Advocate Karen Dawson and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

In 1985, Barbra Streisand returned to her roots with her twenty-fourth album, The Broadway Album. This return to her theater roots was a massive success, both critically and commercially.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Barbra Streisand’s The Broadway Album courtesy of SONY Music.

Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (‘Divabetic’). Also, get the latest in diva news, diabetes headlines, and inspiration by joining our Divabetic Facebook page.

Practice What You Preach: High Blood Pressure

Whether your doctor warned you about your high blood pressure at your last visit or you tested it yourself at a pharmacy, it should be taken seriously. According to the Mayo Clinic, “The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.”

Barry White battled chronic high blood pressure, which caused kidney failure.

When the blood vessels become damaged, the nephrons that filter your blood don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function well reports the American Heart Association. This is why high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is the second leading cause of kidney failure. Over time, mismanaged high blood pressure can cause arteries around the kidneys to narrow, weaken or harden. These damaged arteries are not able to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue.

Damaged kidney arteries do not filter blood well

When the arteries become damaged, the nephrons do not receive the essential oxygen and nutrients — and the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood and regulate the fluid, hormones, acids, and salts in the body.

Damaged kidneys fail to regulate blood pressure.

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called aldosterone to help the body regulate blood pressure. Kidney damage and mismanaged high blood pressure each contribute to a negative spiral. As more arteries become blocked and stop functioning, the kidneys eventually fail.

“Doctors confirmed that Barry White had a history of hypertension [high blood pressure], which led to a decline of kidney function,” a statement from Island Def Jam Music Group said.

In a career spanning 30 years, the 58-year-old Barry White has sold 100 million albums. He has twice been admitted to hospital in recent years suffering from hypertension – once in 1995 and again in 1998.

Divabetic Remembers Barry White

Let Barry White’s legacy inspire you to take your blood pressure seriously

Barry White battled chronic high-blood pressure for years. Unfortunately most people don’t even know they have high blood pressure because  high blood pressure (HBP, or hypertension) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong.

Barry White was twice admitted to the hospital after suffering from hypertension – once in 1995 and again in 1998.

Before his passing in 2003, Barry White announced that he was on dialysis and searching for a kidney donor.

“Doctors confirm that Barry White has a history of hypertension [high blood pressure], which has led to a decline of kidney function,” a statement from Island Def Jam Music Group said reports NME.

UnfortunatelyBarry White died at age 58 while waiting for kidney transplant.

How Is High Blood Pressure Related to Kidney Disease?

When the blood vessels become damaged, the nephrons that filter your blood don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function well. This is why high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is the second leading cause of kidney failure reports the American Heart Association. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause arteries around the kidneys to narrow, weaken or harden. These damaged arteries are not able to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue.

Damaged Kidneys Can’t Regulate Blood Pressure

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called aldosterone to help the body regulate blood pressure.but as more arteries become blocked and stop functioning, the kidneys eventually fail.

Learn how you can limit your risk by managing your blood pressure.

Over a four-decade career, White sold more than 100 million records, earned dozens of gold and platinum albums and won two Grammy Awards. His buttery baritone was musical Viagra and he reveled in his reputation as the Godfather of Love, never apologizing for his shamelessly romantic material.

The best ways to protect yourself are being aware of the risks and making changes that matter.

 

We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill. on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.

With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.

Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers .

Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support event with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes empowerment meeting features a Hat & Face Mask Fashion Show and a Diabetes Educational Group Activity and Discussion on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

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Divabetic Mystery Phrase #34

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #34?

Our phrase is one of the primary functions of your kidneys.

Kidneys have many jobs besides filtering blood. They also make urine to keep bones healthy and make a hormone that controls the production of red blood cells. The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, the level of salts in the blood, and the acid-base balance (the pH) of the blood.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% percent of new cases according to the National Kidney Foundation. Current research suggests that control of high blood pressure is a key factor in slowing this disease.

How Diabetes Is Linked To Kidney Failure

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Over time, poorly managed blood sugars can cause damage to blood vessel clusters in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure. If they are damaged, waste and fluids build up in your blood instead of leaving your body.

When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by: removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body. keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate. helping to control blood pressure.

Tips for Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

  • Check your blood pressure regularly and keep it below 140/90 mm/Hg, but check with your health care provider for your appropriate target. Talk to your doctor about medicines and other ways to lower your blood pressure.
  • Stay in your target cholesterol range.
  • Eat foods lower in sodium.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Stay physically active.
  • Take your medications as directed.

If you have diabetes:

  • Meet blood sugar targets as often as you can.
  • Have an A1c test at least twice a year, but ideally up to four times a year. An A1c test measures the average level of blood sugar over the past three months.

 

We’re talking about the link between hypertension and kidney function on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.

Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.