A similar diabetes drug, Actos, doesn't seem to carry same dangers, study finds. The widely used diabetes drug Avandia -- already controversial because of cardiovascular side effects -- may be riskier than Actos, another drug in the same class, researchers reported Monday. The risk of heart failure and death for older diabetics appears greater with Avandia (rosiglitazone) than with Actos (pioglitazone), both of which are part of a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones, Harvard University researchers said.

Proper storage helps maintain effectiveness Diabetics must not only take their insulin correctly, they also need to make sure that it's stored properly.

Traditional risk factors, such as obesity, are just as useful, studies find. Testing for 18 different gene variations associated with type 2 diabetes was no better at predicting a person's risk for the blood sugar disease than a doctor's assessment, researchers report.

Experiments in mice show Gleevec and Sutent reverse, prevent autoimmune disease.  Gleevec, a wonder drug that effectively treats leukemia and other cancers, may also reverse type 1 diabetes, University of California San Francisco, researchers report.

Weight-loss procedure may change fertility, nutritional needs, study suggests. Women who get pregnant after having weight-loss surgery have a lower risk of maternal and newborn complications than pregnant women who are obese, according to U.S. researchers who analyzed 75 studies.

Trees, parks get inner city kids moving, study finds. Greener neighborhoods, with lots of trees, help inner city kids keep excess pounds at bay, according to a U.S. study.

Close monitoring means type 1 patients can avoid retinopathy, study suggests. Maintaining good control over one's blood sugar levels can help people with type 1 diabetes better avoid retinopathy, a serious disorder that damages the eye's retina, researchers say.

Keeping physically active may help to tackle health threats, study says. Despite their large body size, former professional football players aren't at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study that looked at 201 retired NFL players.

Were safer, more effective than bare metal ones, study shows. Drug-coated stents appear to be superior to bare metal stents in both efficacy and safety in patients with diabetes, new research shows.

Epidemic linked to hypertension, obesity, diabetes, study shows Hospitalization rates for heart failure among older Americans have increased dramatically in the past three decades, an epidemic that represents a mounting burden on the health-care system, a new study has found.

Second study found vitamins E, C did little to protect healthy men, either. Two large studies released Sunday cast doubt on the cardiac benefits of either low-dose aspirin or vitamin supplements.

Even though they have risk factors that could lead to coronary problems, study finds. Despite certain risk factors, Hispanic patients were 57 percent less likely than Caucasians to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) one year after successful angioplasty to open blocked coronary arteries, a new study found.

It's when blood sugar levels are rising, but disease can still be prevented, CDC says. Too many American adults are unaware of "pre-diabetes" and not enough take action to reduce their risk, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday.

Injections of apelin appear to be similar to insulin, study says.  A hormone produced by fat tissues holds promise for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, a new report suggests.

They're more than twice as likely to die sooner, study finds. Having diabetes or high blood pressure may hasten the death of people with Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.

Dietary change enhances blood glucose control, improves plasma lipid profiles, study finds. Eating fish twice a week may help reduce the risk of kidney disease in people with diabetes, according to a British study of more than 22,000 adults, including 517 with diabetes.

Obesity and its complications driving the trend, researchers say. Medication use among children across the United States is dramatically increasing as more kids are being treated for diabetes, asthma and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), researchers report.

BPA widely used in baby bottles, food containers; has been linked to diabetes, heart disease. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel agreed Friday that the agency had erred in August when it said that a chemical widely used in baby bottles and other plastic packaging for foods and beverages posed no health risks.

It doubles the chances of having a heavy baby, study finds. The more weight a woman gains during pregnancy, the more likely she is to have a large baby, posing health risks to both mother and child, a new study finds.

Suggestions to help you adjust An insulin pump offers many benefits for diabetics, including better blood glucose control and greater convenience.

Public Citizen cites liver failure deaths, other risks of adverse events for diabetes drug. The diabetes drug Avandia should be banned in the United States because it can cause death from liver failure and poses many other life-threatening risks that greatly outweigh its benefits, the advocacy group Public Citizen said Thursday.

The obesity epidemic is fueling the type 2 disease epidemic, officials say.  The rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled in the United States in the last decade, with most new cases appearing in southern states, federal officials reported Thursday.

These include lung diseases, heart disease, pneumonia and gastrointestinal woes. In 2007, six major illnesses among Americans age 65 and older resulted in medical and lost productivity costs of more than $196 billion, according to researchers who analyzed Medicare and National Health Interview Survey data.

Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease can all cloud symptoms, study says The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be delayed in people if they have other medical conditions, a new Canadian study suggests.

Americans more fearful of shark bites than this common, potentially lethal disease, survey shows. While millions of Americans are at risk for developing diabetes, too few perceive the threat it can pose to their health, according to a new survey.

Lifestyle changes, the drug metformin remain recommended initial therapy. A stepped-up care approach is outlined in updated treatment recommendations for type 2 diabetes released Wednesday by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

A quarter haven't seen vision specialist in 2 years, survey finds. Even though 81 percent of Americans use some form of vision correction, 26 percent have not visited an eye doctor or eye care specialist within the past two years, according to an American Optometric Association-commissioned survey.

Experts offer guidance during hypertension meeting. To protect long-term heart health, children as young as 3 and diabetics should have their blood pressure checked regularly, experts say.

Study finds antioxidants lower inflammation caused by high blood sugar. Spices may do more than flavor your food: New research suggests a shake of this and a pinch of that could also boost the health of diabetics.

Study contradicts current recommendations; expert suggests change is needed. Contradicting current recommendations, a new trial finds that aspirin does not reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke for people with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.

Women who smoke are eight times more likely to suffer a potentially fatal rupture of the body's largest artery, or require surgery to repair the weakening that can cause such a rupture, than nonsmokers.

Finding suggests need for more careful screening for these patients, researcher says.  Patients coping with metabolic syndrome have a 75 percent higher risk for developing colorectal cancer sometime in their lives, a new study suggests.

Study suggests poor self-care partly to blame. In a group of Medicare beneficiaries who have diabetes, being depressed was associated with a higher death rate, according to a new study.

Early study finds it appears to sustain insulin production in the newly diagnosed. Swedish researchers have developed a vaccine that may change the way the immune system responds in people who are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Snacks, drinks sold not helping fight against childhood obesity, researcher notes. Three-quarters of middle schools have vending machines where snacks and sugared drinks are sold, a new study finds.

Heavy men with high output of the hormone had quadruple the death risk, study found. Men who are overweight and who have high insulin levels when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to die from the disease, research shows.

Pelvic size may also play role in further chance of Caesarean delivery, study finds. Couples made up of one Asian and one white partner may face an increased risk of gestational diabetes and a higher risk of Caesarean delivery, say researchers at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication, but Atacand may help  New studies published this week in the The Lancet provide further evidence that candesartan, a blood pressure medicine, can cut the risk and severity of retinopathy in people who have diabetes.

Study cites benefits for type 2 patients seeking to avoid cardiovascular problems. In people with type 2 diabetes, regular aerobic exercise and weightlifting may reduce levels of fat in the liver by as much as 40 percent, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.

Could be approved for U.S. market by next year, researcher says, One of a new class of diabetes drugs has done well in a trial conducted to help bring it to market, researchers report.

Help keep blood glucose under control Exercise is a challenge for many people, but there are even more potential pitfalls for diabetics. The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions to help diabetics who exercise

Pentazocine's effects on eye health called 'phenomenal,' study concludes. The painkiller pentazocine may help prevent diabetes-related retinal damage that leads to vision loss, according to Medical College of Georgia researchers.

The treatment had no effect in keeping the disease at bay, researchers say. Nasally administered insulin won't protect children at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes from getting the illness, Finnish researchers say.

More smoking, hypertension, diabetes may explain statistics, study says. American Indians have a higher incidence of stroke than blacks or whites, and their first strokes may be more deadly, a new study suggests.

Rats fed herbal extract showed significant decrease in blood sugar levels, study finds. Daily drinks of chamomile tea with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes, report researchers in Japan and the United Kingdom.

Mouse study uncovers new class of hormones that could reverse obesity-related disease. Scientists believe they have discovered a new class of hormones in mice, one of which may help stop or reverse obesity-related conditions such as insulin resistance and fatty liver, a new study says.

Study compared these formulations to long-acting insulin and other medications. Premixed insulin, which combines short- and long-acting versions of the hormone, results in better blood-sugar control as compared with long-acting insulin alone or oral medications, a new study finds.

Intestinal liner leads to significant drops in blood sugar levels, researcher says, Early trials of a new implantable, and removable, intestinal liner have shown promise as a noninvasive means to promote blood sugar control and weight loss.

Help prevent problems Skin problems are common in people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions to help diabetics keep their skin in good health

Study finds change in med use, improper stomach pouch size are likely causes. People with diabetes and those with larger stomach pouches are less likely than others to have good weight loss after gastric bypass surgery, according to University of California, San Francisco, researchers.

Studies show it works but cost, long-term effectiveness unclear. International health experts will convene in New York City next week to discuss an unconventional and arguably radical approach to treating people with type 2 diabetes: weight-loss surgery.

When you should call a doctor Controlling illness is important for anyone, but prudent medical care is even more vital for diabetics. Hormones released during illness and other times of stress can affect blood sugar levels.

A period of strict management with drugs has effects that last long after therapy ends, study finds. Type 2 diabetics who tightly control their blood sugar levels early, even if only for the first 10 years after diagnosis, have reduced risk of heart attack, death and other complications a decade or more later, British researchers report.

Device sends out readings every 5 minutes round the clock, researchers say. A device worn under the skin that measures blood sugar 24/7 can benefit people with type 1 diabetes, a new study shows.

But Byetta has also been linked recently to patient deaths. A new once-a-week formulation of the injectable diabetes drug Byetta controls blood sugar even better than the older twice-a-day formulation, researchers report.

Age a key factor, but group cites other risks during August disease awareness month. Cataracts -- the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States and the world -- affect more than 22 million Americans aged 40 and older, says Prevent Blindness America.

More likely to make insulin-resistant proteins, study says. Fat cells in obese people are "sick" compared to those in lean people, a new study shows.

Researchers say feat could lead to treatment for diabetes. Scientists have succeeded in transforming pancreatic cells from adult mice into insulin-producing beta cells, a feat they call an "extreme makeover."

Brings death toll to 6 associated with diabetes drug; exact cause unknown. The makers of the type 2 diabetes drug Byetta reported Tuesday the deaths of four more people who'd been taking the medication.

Using these levels as markers could help clinicians better treat patients, Chinese study finds. Low or high levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a Chinese study that noted the increasing evidence of an association between type 2 diabetes and cancer risk.

Possible reasons for excessive thirst. An occasional glass of water should satisfy most cases of thirst. But if it seems like you're excessively thirsty all the time, it may be a sign of a serious health problem.

How to prepare, Having diabetes shouldn't cause your child to miss out on the fun of sleepovers and school field trips. Prepare your diabetic child for time away from home with these recommendations from the American Diabetes Association

Even low levels, like those found in U.S., could boost the odds, study finds. High levels of arsenic in urine may be linked with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, researchers report.

Clumsiness at age 7, below-par motor skills at 11 linked to weight gain later, study says. A lack of physical control and coordination in childhood may be tied to an increased risk of obesity in later life, a new study says.

Disease may contribute to neuronal damage, brain atrophy, study suggests. Earlier onset, longer duration and greater severity of diabetes may increase the risk for mild cognitive impairment, according to Mayo Clinic researchers.

And the improvements in blood sugar and blood pressure last, even if weight comes back. Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics who lose weight soon after their diagnosis gain better control of their blood pressure and blood sugar, a benefit that lasts even if they regain that weight.

Take good care of yourself during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy, and it requires careful attention to keep mother and baby safe and healthy.

HbA1c analysis doesn't require fasting, could ID millions who don't know they have disease. A widely used test to monitor blood sugar levels in people with diabetes could help identify millions of people with undetected diabetes, according to a consensus statement released by a team of experts.

Rats fed junk food had higher cholesterol, blood fats into adulthood, British study finds. Eating an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may raise your child's lifetime risk of obesity and elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels, British researchers report.

Number tripled, and they find a link to other conditions such as asthma, diabetes. Researchers have identified 21 new genetic regions implicated in Crohn's disease, bringing to 32 the total number of genes and loci -- regions of the genome typically including one or more genes that are known to increase susceptibility to the disease.

Out-of-control enzymes do damage in both conditions, study finds, A newly discovered molecular malfunction may explain the development of high blood pressure, diabetes and immune problems, researchers report.

Fasting blood glucose test less reliable than glucose stress test in detecting prediabetes. The current standard screening test for prediabetes in children often fails to detect the condition, Canadian researchers contend.

Restricting insulin doses to lose weight increases chances of complications, study finds. Women with type 1 diabetes who take less insulin than they should to try to lose weight triple their risk of dying compared to women who do not skip insulin doses, a new study finds.