MedActiv International

Une nouvelle technologie pour le diabète en Afrique » Communiqué de Presse en Ligne – BuzZiBuzZ.com

2012-02-03T00:47:00.000-08:00

Une nouvelle technologie pour le diabète en Afrique » Communiqué de Presse en Ligne – BuzZiBuzZ.com

A new technology for diabetes in Africa

2012-01-31T04:01:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is growing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa due to urbanization and an aging population. Although once considered as rare in this region, it is estimated that diabetes will affect over 13 million people in sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 and that 350,000 of these people will die of associated diseases, but that so far only 15% of all diabetes cases in sub-Saharan Africa are diagnosed. By 2030, there will be an estimated 24 million adults with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Treatment, insulin and equipment for diabetes are often lacking in developing countries, and in countries that have them, the costs for these diabetes supplies generally prove unaffordable for patients because access to subsidized healthcare in Africa is often limited or nonexistent.

If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is easily damaged and loses its effectiveness. The perfect storage temperature for insulin is between 2 and 8°C and when opened, it can be stored for up to three weeks at a temperature not exceeding 25°C.

In a large majority of sub-Saharan countries, less than 20% of the rural population has access to electricity (16.1% in Kenya, 18.8% in Zambia). There is therefore a lack of continuous and accessible refrigeration methods and it is now customary in rural Africa to bury insulin in the ground to try to keep it at a cooler temperature. However, this inadequate method of conservation is very unstable and can quickly damage insulin.

In a study published in 2009^*, 131 patients with type-1 diabetes were tested. 59% of these patients were hyper glycemic, showing poor control of diabetes. Of these patients, 56% maintained their insulin at room temperature. Inadequate storage temperature of insulin is a major reason for poor management of diabetes in developing countries.

MedActiv, a company created by diabetics in France, has developed the EasyBag, an isothermal bag that keeps insulin cool without electricity using gel crystals that cool when soaked in water. This new technology is ideal for countries where electricity is not available for diabetics.

To enable the EasyBag, it must simply be immersed in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag turn into a gel that stays fresh for between five to seven days based on an evaporation process that will keep the insulin at a temperature between 16 and 25°C (up to an ambient temperature 42°C). To "reload" the EasyBag, it must simply be immersed again in water for 40 seconds.

Over 80% of diabetes deaths occur in countries with low and middle income. In the 34 poorest African countries, the cost for a person with diabetes to manage his disease is twice the average wage. An estimated 6% of all deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2010 were probably caused by diabetes.

One of the defining points of healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa is that they focus nearly exclusively on the management of acute infections and thus have difficulty in providing the management and long-term treatment needed by patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Having access to insulin, syringes and testing equipment is vital, but it is not enough for a diabetic in Africa. A healthcare system with trained staff and adequate facilities is also essential. At the moment, healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from a serious shortage of accessible health facilities for the rural population and patients often have to travel long distances, with prohibitive transport costs to get tested and seek treatment.

The MedActiv EasyBag solution will help these patients to have better management of their diabetes, because it allows them to keep their insulin at an acceptable temperature without any electricity. The EasyBag reflects the corporate values of MedActiv, which are to create products that give patients something that is often denied to them: the freedom to take responsibility for their own health.

About MedActiv: MedActiv develops solutions for the storage and transport of thermo sensitive medications. Millions of people worldwide suffer from diseases that make them virtual prisoners of their medications. MedActiv develops solutions that allow them to travel anywhere safe in the knowledge that their medication is kept at the right temperature.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.com

Press Contact:

Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

^* Effect of temperature on the potency and Pharmacological action of insulin, Indian J Med Res 130, August 2009, pp 166-169

The complete A to Z guide of traveling with diabetes

2012-01-09T04:45:00.000-08:00

Diabetes should not prevent you from taking a long hike or making a trip to an exotic country. If you have diabetes and want to travel, you simply have to carefully plan your trip. There can always be unexpected events (lost luggage, the marooning of your boat on an exotic island), but if you are well prepared, you should be able to overcome these difficulties without any problems.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. "

Marcel Proust

Before your trip

Talk to your travel agent

Tell your travel agent that you have diabetes and explain the specific requirements that the journey might entail. This way, your trip can be tailor-made to better meet your needs. A missed connection in an airport can ruin even the best-prepared holidays.

Talk to your doctor

Consult with your doctor before planning/confirming your holidays. Discuss your itinerary with him and develop plans for meals and medication, especially when traveling through different time zones. Ask your doctor what to do in the eventuality of you becoming sick while on holiday.

Talk to your pharmacy

Ask for a list of all your medications (including generic names and dosages) from your pharmacist (especially oral medications for diabetes and insulin). If you take insulin, be familiar with the different types of insulin and know if your insulin is fast acting, intermediate or slow. Carry a copy of this list with you at all times.

Travel Insurance

Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover your trip, and keep copies of your insurance documents with you in case of an emergency. Some insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, which may include diabetes. Make sure your diabetes is covered by your medical plan.

Diabetes in a foreign language

Learn how to say, "I have diabetes" and "orange juice or sugar, please" in the language or languages of the countries you visit. Try to find out what the important words for diabetes are (insulin, sugar, hypoglycemia, etc.) in the country where you travel in case you have a medical emergency or if you need to let people know that you suffer from diabetes.

Glucagon

If you use insulin to manage your diabetes, you should also ask your doctor if glucagon is suitable for you. Glucagon is given by injection and is used to treat severe hypoglycemia, a condition that can cause seizures or unconsciousness. If you are traveling in a remote area with no ambulance service, it is important that your traveling companion learn how to administer glucagon. Talk to your doctor if you are not familiar with its use.

Medications

Make sure you have enough medicine to cover the entire period of your trip. It may also be a good idea to double the amount of medication you need for your trip and to put one set in your hand luggage and the other in your checked baggage. That way you'll have a backup if you happen to lose one of your bags during the trip. Keep your medications in properly labeled containers, as issued by your pharmacist, and keep your insulin at the right temperature (between 2 and 8°C). To carry your insulin and glucagon at this temperature for 24 hours, use the iCool Prestige from MedActiv.

Boxes for used syringes/needles

In addition to your medication, you will need a secure box to dispose of your used needles. These boxes are usually available for free from your pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist or your doctor about how to get one.

Vaccinations

Be sure to get the necessary vaccinations at least four weeks before your departure to allow time to deal with possible side effects.

Prescriptions and Diabetic Cards

Ask your doctor to give you a prescription in English, because English is the most widely understood language by doctors worldwide. Download a Diabetic Card and always keep this card in your wallet when you travel. It may save you a lot of trouble. The Diabetic Card is also usually available from your local diabetes association.

Travel certificate

Download a Travel Certificate and ask your doctor to complete it. This travel certificate says that you have diabetes and that you should not be separated from your medicine, and that this medicine should be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8°C.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are European and traveling in Europe, this card will entitle you to free or low cost healthcare in most European countries. The EHIC card is free and is available on the French health insurance website https://assure.ameli.fr/.

Seasickness

If you suffer from seasickness, take some carbohydrates in liquid form (juice or soft drinks) with you.

Assistance

When booking, always inform your airline or your travel agent if you need assistance during the trip.

The journey itself

Copies of your prescriptions

Make copies of your prescriptions and keep them in your hand luggage in case customs or airport security ask you questions about the medications you are carrying.

Medication

Divide your medication and diabetes supplies in half and put one half in your carry-on bag and the other one in your main luggage. This way, even if you lose one of your bags, you will have emergency supplies. Above all, make sure that you have some of your medication in your carry-on. Take extra supplies and medicines in case of loss or theft. Include any other supplies you might need, including treatment for hypoglycemia, food, drinking water, walking shoes, sun cream and medication against nausea and diarrhea. Keep your insulin at the right temperature (between 2 and 8°C). To carry your insulin and glucagon at this temperature for 24 hours, use the iCool Prestige from MedActiv.

Customs

• Inform the security guards that you have diabetes and that you are carrying medical supplies. Your medication must have a prescription label with your name on it.
• All medications must be labeled with the manufacturer’s name.
• Syringes are only allowed through security if you are carrying insulin.

If you take insulin, do not forget to take it with you at all times. Security scanners used during check-in will not damage your insulin or blood glucose meter. However, if your luggage is under X-rays for a longer period than normal, or if the luggage is X-rayed several times, your insulin may lose some of its effectiveness. So if possible, it is always better to ask them to pass your insulin through manually. Again, if you warn the security guards BEFORE they ask any questions, they will normally bend themselves backwards to help you. You’ll probably end up jumping the line and getting through before everyone else. However, if you are a jerk about it, you could end up getting that dreaded full cavity body search.

Customs and insulin pumps

Notify a security officer in advance if you are using an insulin pump. The walk-through metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors can affect the operation of an insulin pump, so if you are using an insulin pump you should ask the security agent for a manual search in a private area. You must inform them that your insulin pump cannot be removed.

Where to put your insulin on the plane

Generally, the luggage zones on a plane are all pressurized and maintained at a constant temperature of about 5°C. This is a standard for the vast majority of airlines. So it's not a problem for you to put some insulin in the hold. However, if you are using an unusual flight (for example in the steppes of Russia with a Russian ex-military aircraft), please note that your luggage might be in an unpressurized environment and will be at a low temperature that is likely to freeze your insulin. Insulin is affected by extreme temperatures and should never be stored in a non-pressurized aircraft. It is important to inspect your insulin before each injection. If you notice anything unusual with the appearance of your insulin, immediately replace it with fresh insulin.

Generally, it is recommended never to leave your insulin and, if possible, to carry it as hand luggage, because if your insulin is in your main luggage in the hold and that your suitcase is lost, it may ruin your vacation. Wherever you go, always keep enough insulin for the duration of the trip and one day more. MedActiv manufactures a range of different isothermal for the safe transport of insulin by plane.

Tips for different types of travel

By plane

Be sure to give yourself extra time before your flight because when you arrive at the security check with insulin and syringes, the security control of the airport may take a few minutes more.

Airlines usually offer special meals for diabetics (however you must notify them at least 48 hours in advance), but with a little planning, the regular meals in an airplane can normally fit into your usual diet. Always have appropriate snacks with you in case your flight or the meal is delayed, or if the meal provided does not have enough carbohydrates. Be aware of time zone changes and of the timing of your meals and prepare your medication accordingly. If you sleep during your flight, use an alarm clock or ask the flight attendant to wake you up at meal times or when it is time to take your medication.

Try to stay active during your trip: walk through the terminal before boarding, do simple stretching exercises in your seat or make circles with your ankles. If possible, elevate your legs every now and then.

If you are using a prescription drug it is important to have it with you and to know how to use it and any side effects that you may have. This will help you in explaining to the flight attendant how to help you if you need it.

By car

Whether you are a driver or a passenger, it is very important to check your blood sugar regularly. Check it before you leave home, and again every four hours during your trip. Stop every few hours to stretch your legs and do some physical activity to improve circulation in your legs. At the first sign of hypoglycemia take a dose of simple sugars such as glucose tablets, 175 ml of fruit juice or even a soft drink. Follow this with longer acting carbohydrates and protein such as a sandwich. Do not start driving again until the symptoms have disappeared and your blood glucose values are greater than 6 mmol/l. If you take insulin, avoid driving between your injection and your next meal. Limit your driving to a maximum of 12 hours per day, or six hours between meals. Keep your medication, meals and snacks as regular as possible. If you are stuck in a traffic jam, car breakdown, or take wrong directions, it will not always be possible to find a restaurant, so always bring along enough stuff to treat low blood sugar (glucose tablets, fruit juice or soft drinks).

Boat

Cruise liners are known for their extravagant buffets. With such a wide variety of appetizers and dishes available, it is easy to overindulge. If possible, try to get a sample menu of the cruise and you'll then have an idea of the types of food served and will be able to plan your meals accordingly.

Stay active to compensate for any extra food you eat. Cruise ships offer a wide range of activities; try an aerobics course, swimming, or just have a romantic stroll on the deck at sunset.

It's always a good idea to make the cruise staff aware of your diabetes in case of problems.

Hiking

Hikes in the great outdoors are often the most fun but remember the cardinal rule: do not go camping or hiking alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return so that you can be found in the case of an emergency. Take a first aid kit and if you use insulin, take some glucagon (glucagon is administered when a person has severe hypoglycemia). Teach your traveling companion when and how to use glucagon. For more information on glucagon, talk to your doctor.

The key to enjoying a camping trip is to avoid things that will significantly change your glucose levels, such as significantly more intense physical activity than usual. Watch out for cuts, bruises, sunburns, blisters and insect bites. Make sure your food and water are not contaminated. Be sure to eat and drink enough to meet your needs - bring extra food, water, medication and sugar. If you are going to be very active, you may need to take less insulin, but talk to your doctor before doing so.

During the trip

Checking your blood sugar during the trip

Checking your blood sugar while traveling is as important (if not more) than when you are at home. Bring the instruction manual for your meter, as well as extra batteries and test strips. To facilitate the monitoring of injections and meals during time zones changes, keep your watch to the departure time zone until the morning after your arrival.

Check your blood sugar as soon as possible after landing. With the time differences, it can be hard to tell if you have a very low or very high glucose levels.

After a long flight, try to relax for a few days to get your system back in shape. Check your blood sugar regularly. If you take insulin, plan your activities so that you can integrate your insulin and meals in your workflow.

Insulin during the trip

Insulins sometimes have different brands and dosages in some countries. If you need to buy insulin during your trip, make sure that the brands and insulin dosages are the same as those you normally use. Try using your own drugs and syringes in the third world countries and avoid using local needles if they are not sterile.

In general, you should use the brand and formulation of insulin that was prescribed by your doctor. However, if you need more insulin when you're on the road and your usual brand is unavailable, you can replace your insulin by an equivalent formulation of another brand (ex. NovoLog for Humalog, Humulin R for Novolin R). However, any change in the formulation (ex. fast-acting for slow-release) requires medical supervision.

Time zone changes for insulin users

Long trips often cross several time zones, so a 24-hour day may be extended or shortened depending on your direction of travel. You should adjust your insulin schedule accordingly. Your glycemic control may be disturbed by a change in schedule, modified activity, or a disturbance in your sleep patterns.

• When traveling east, your travel days will be shorter. If you lose more than two hours, you will need to take less intermediate or slow insulin.

• When traveling west, your travel days will be longer. If you gain more than two hours, you will need to take extra units of insulin and more food.

• You can change the time of your meals and injections for up to two hours in a day without adjusting your insulin dose or your meal plan.

• Follow your usual meals whenever possible.

• If you cross more than two time zones, you should prepare a schedule of meals and insulin together with your doctor.

Time zone changes for users of oral medications

If the time difference is less than three hours, you can move the time of your medications by an hour and a half. If the time difference is more than three hours, you should ask your doctor for advice.

Emergency food

Always carry some snacks with you in case of a drop in blood sugar or in case you are unable to eat your planned meal on time. Cheese, biscuits, fresh or dried fruit, energy bars and sandwiches are all healthy choices that are easy to carry in a handbag. Also carry some fast-acting sugar with you, such as glucose tablets or juice.

Avoid tap water in developing countries. This includes ice cubes made from tap water.

Alcohol, diabetes and travel

Consumption of alcohol may increase your risk of hypoglycemia. However, travel is often equivalent to a holiday where alcohol consumption might be higher than usual. To reduce this risk, take the following steps:

Before drinking alcohol...

• Eat regular meals, take your medication and check your blood sugar frequently (keep your meter with you).

• Keep a treatment for hypoglycemia with you (glucose tablets or fruit juice).

• Wherever you are, make sure someone knows how to recognize signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat it so that they can help you.

• Be aware that glucagon, a treatment for blood glucose, does not work when alcohol is in the body. For this reason, make sure someone knows how to call an ambulance if you lose consciousness.

• Wear diabetes identification such as a Diabetic Card or a Medicaid bracelet.

While drinking alcohol...

• Eat foods that are rich in carbohydrates.

• Eat even more foods that are rich in carbohydrates if you dance, play sports or do other unusual physical activities.

• Always mix your own drinks. Use less alcohol and stretch your drinks with sugar-free mixers.

• Drink slowly. Between each glass, have a drink without alcohol.

After drinking...

• Tell a responsible person that you've been drinking. They should watch for symptoms of hypoglycemia.

• Check your blood sugar before going to bed.

• Take a carbohydrate snack if your blood sugar is lower than usual.

• Set an alarm or ask a responsible person to wake you up at night and early in the morning - hypoglycemia can occur at any time for 24 hours after alcohol consumption.

• Get up on time the next day for any food, medication or insulin that you normally take. Skipping medication or insulin may cause hyperglycemia, ketones and DKA.

Diabetes and foot care during travel

Diabetics need to pay attention to their feet.

• Take at least two pairs of shoes in order to change shoes as often as possible. Changing shoes helps prevent blisters and painful pressure points.

• Take comfortable shoes and socks and a first aid kit to treat minor injuries to the feet.

• Do not walk barefoot. If you are in the sea or walking on the beach, wear shoes made especially for the ocean. Protect your feet at all times when you're swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach or in a park.

• Do not wear open-toed shoes, including sandals, flip flops, or others (you increase your risk of injury and infection when your toes are exposed).

• Follow your normal daily care for your feet.

If you become ill while on holiday

When you are sick, your blood sugar levels can fluctuate and be unpredictable. During periods of illness, it is VERY IMPORTANT to:

• Test your blood glucose every two to four hours.

• Continue taking your diabetes medication.

• Drink plenty of water or fluids without sugar. Avoid coffee, tea and sodas as they contain caffeine that will make you lose more fluids.

• Replace solid foods with liquids that contain sugar if you cannot eat your usual meals.

• Take at least 15 grams of carbohydrate every hour.

• Call your doctor or go to an emergency room if you vomit and/or have diarrhea twice or more in less than four hours.

• If you take insulin, continue taking it while you are sick. Check with your doctor if you think that you need to adjust your insulin doses during your illness.

• Relax.

• If you have travel insurance, take your documents with you to hospital.

The storage and transport of insulin

Insulin must be stored properly, because it will quickly become less effective if it is exposed to extreme temperatures. At an ambient temperature of 25°C, insulin will retain its effectiveness for about three weeks. At a temperature of 28°C, insulin will lose about 14% of its efficiency over a period of one month, and at 32°C it will lose about 18% of its efficiency over the same period. If insulin is exposed to temperatures below 0°C or is frozen, it almost immediately develops crystals that make the injection dangerous and uncomfortable. The ideal storage temperature for insulin is between 2 and 8°C. At this temperature insulin can be maintained almost indefinitely.

Transporting your medicines

MedActiv (www.medactiv.com) has developed a range of cooler bags specially adapted to keep your insulin at the right temperature. These bags are divided in two main categories that are EasyBag and iCool.

EasyBag - the little miracle that keeps insulin cool for 7 days without electricity:
The EasyBags use gel crystals that cool insulin when they are placed in contact with water. To activate the EasyBag, simply immerse it in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag change into a gel that stays fresh for five to seven days using an evaporation process that will keep insulin at a temperature between 16 and 25°C (up to an ambient temperature of 38°C). Insulin can be stored for up to three weeks at this temperature.

iCool, the ultimate expression of innovation at the service of technology

The iCool bags use a new generation of chemical ice packs that do not sweat and that have a slower thawing period than traditional ice packs. This allows people with diabetes to carry their insulin safely when traveling, at work or on vacation. The iCool bags keep insulin for up to 24 hours at 2 to 8°C and also include separate compartments to carry all your diabetes accessories (blood glucose meter, needles, bandages, etc.).

Useful hints

• For environmental reasons, more and more hotels are using coded cards to open the doors of their rooms and these cards are also often used as a switch to turn on and off the electricity in the room. This means that when you leave your hotel room, you take your card with you and turn off all the electricity in your room (including the little bar fridge where you keep your medications cool). To work around this problem, just use any old plastic card (a gym membership card, business card, etc.) to switch on the power in your room. Leave it permanently in the room so that the electricity stays on.

• If you need to freeze the ice packs of your MedActiv travel bag before leaving the hotel, the refrigerators in the hotel rooms are generally not of a very good quality and will not completely freeze your ice packs. So instead of using the bar fridge in your room, go down to the hotel bar and ask the helpful staff to freeze them for you. After all, they always need ice in bars and therefore have high quality freezers.

Useful Sites

European Health Insurance Card: (https://assure.ameli.fr/ )

Google translate: (http://translate.google.com )

MedActiv (transport solutions for sensitive drugs) (www.medactiv.com)

About MedActiv

The MedActiv Company was founded by Dr. Olaf and Uwe DIEGEL, following an incident where Dr. Diegel’s insulin was damaged during a heat wave in France in 2003. For this reason the two brothers take diabetes personally and pay particular attention to the quality and finish of their products so that they are intuitive to use, practical and beautiful. MedActiv is now a global leader in the secure storage and transport of sensitive drugs.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France

Uwe DIEGEL

6 rue de Castellane

75008, Paris, France

Tel: 01 42 66 15 59

Mail: contact@medactiv.com )

www.medactiv.com)

Check the list of diabetic traveler

Before leaving, be sure to have:

☐ A medical check-up

☐ Travel insurance

☐ A Diabetic Card and/or a medical bracelet or necklace

☐ Information on local food

☐ A list of your medications

☐ A medical certificate from your doctor

☐ All necessary vaccinations

☐ Information on medical facilities or local diabetes organizations

Talk to your doctor:

☐ About managing your diabetes if you get sick while traveling

☐ About management of hypoglycemia (glucagon for insulin users)

☐ How to adjust meals, insulin and medication in different time zones

☐ How to avoid diseases caused by contaminated food and water

☐ How to adjust your medication if necessary

Stuff to take:

☐ Extra insulin or oral diabetes drugs

☐ Syringes, needles and an extra insulin pen *

☐ A glucose meter, enough strips and a diabetes book (passport)

☐ Fast-acting insulin for high blood sugar and ketones *

☐ Fast-acting sugar to treat hypoglycemia

☐ Extra food (biscuits, fruit juice) in case a meal is delayed

☐ Urinary test strips for ketones *

☐ Anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea pills

☐ Pain medication

☐ Sunscreen

☐ Insect protection

☐ Large amounts of bottled water, if necessary

☐ Comfortable walking shoes

☐ Glucagon *

☐ Phone numbers of your doctor

☐ Emergency supplies for your return in case you encounter problems

• for insulin users

The iCool isothermal bags – new freedom for polyarthritis patients

2011-12-15T00:22:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, MedActiv started developing solutions for the transport of fragile medications so that those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis or multiple sclerosis could travel with their medication. Two brothers in France started the business after one of their medications was frozen in a hotel by accident. Diseases that make them prisoners of their medication affect about 1.4 million people in the UK. MedActiv has become their partner with solutions that help them to travel while knowing that their medication is kept at exactly the right temperature.

The MedActiv solutions are numerous and varied and range from the simple isothermic bag to the world’s smallest fridge. For people that are using Anti-TNF medications for polyarthritis (Enbrel, Humira, Forsteo and Simponi), MedActiv has developed a new range of bags called iCool, that keep the medication cool (between 2 and 8°C) for 12 and 24 hours.

A simple innovation that radically changes the performance of a product

The iCool bags are padded with isolating materials in which are placed frozen gel packs. The MedActiv Gel Pack is made with a specially formulated polymer that stays frozen twice as long as a traditional pack and that does not “sweat” while unfreezing. These innovation, while appearing minor, allow MedActiv to keep the medication between 2 and 8 °C for up to 24 hours, which is a record for this kind of bag.

The iCool bags are discreet and elegant and allow the users to make long plane trips in complete security. For the new generations of iCool bags, a team of engineers worked with a team of polyarthritis patients to rethink traditional solutions for the transport of Humira, Enbrel, Forsteo and Simponi. “As a daily user of thermo sensitive medications, I was systematically disappointed by the many products I bought through the traditional networks. It was for me obvious that the people who designed the bags were not themselves users of medication and did not understand my constraints. So we went back to the drawing board and redesigned the bags so that they would be perfect for us. The iCool bags are designed by patients for patients,” says Dr Diegel, one of the two brothers who founded MedActiv.

The iCool bags are available in two versions, the iCool Weekender, which keeps medication between 2 and 8°C for 12 hours and holds 2 Anti-TNF pens, and the iCool Prestige, which keeps medications between 2 and 8°C for 24 hours and holds up to 5 injection pens or syringes.

About MedActiv: MedActiv, created by Uwe Diegel as the result of an incident where his brother’s insulin was frozen by accident in a hotel, is today a worldwide leader in the transport and storage of thermo sensitive medication.

MedActiv solutions are available on http://www.medactiv.co.uk

For more information please contact:
HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.co.uk

Press contact
Nom: Uwe DIEGEL
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

EasyBag - the little miracle that keeps insulin cool for 7 days without electricity

2011-05-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

For the summer of 2011, MedActiv has just launched the EasyBag that keeps insulin cool for 7 days without electricity. The EasyBag uses gel crystals specially developed for MedActiv, which cool the insulin when placed in contact with water.

To use the EasyBag, it must simply be immersed in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag then turn into a gel that stays cool for up to seven days based on a process of evaporation that will keep the insulin at a temperature between 16 and 25 ° C. Insulin can be stored for one month at this temperature. To "recharge" the EasyBag, simply submerge it again in water for 40 seconds.

The EasyBag is available in two sizes: EasyBag Single (for one pen) and EasyBag Classic for 5 pens and insulin vials.

Less stress for diabetics who want to travel

The EasyBag allows diabetics to carry their insulin safely when traveling, at work or on holiday. If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is quickly damaged and loses its effectiveness. This is a major concern for diabetics when they travel to countries with high ambient temperatures.

"At a temperature of 27 ° C, insulin loses 14% of its effectiveness over a period of a month. It is therefore crucial not to exceed the threshold of 25 ° C. Today, anyone who suffers from a chronic illness is defined by his daily lifestyle. The EasyBag gives users the freedom to travel knowing that their insulin is maintained at exactly the right temperature, anywhere, anytime, "said Uwe Diegel, president of MedActiv.

The EasyBag is available on the MedActiv website http://www.medactiv.fr

Diabetes in France: There are two million indentified diabetics in France and more than 500,000 diabetics who are unaware of their condition. Diabetes remains the largest cost to public health in France with an estimated cost of 17 billion Euros, of which 50% is concentrated on about 10% of patients with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

About MedActiv: MedActiv France develops solutions for the transport of fragile medication. In France, some 1.2 million people suffer of diseases that make them prisoners of their medications. MedActiv has become their indispensable partner with solutions that enable them to travel anywhere with the knowledge that their medication is kept at the right temperature.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France

6 rue de Castellane

75008, Paris, France

Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59

http://www.medactiv.fr

Press contact:

Name: Uwe DIEGEL

Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

iHealth voted Best Medical App for Patients 2011

2011-05-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Paris, France - 28 May 2011 – iHealth, the world's first blood pressure monitor compatible with iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, was voted Best Medical App for Patients at the First Annual 2011 Medical App Awards sponsored by Hello Health and Lenovo computers. The Medical Apps Awards were founded by Scrubdin, a medical apps shopping site, as a tribute to medical developers worldwide who focus on future technologies and honors manufacturers for products of particularly outstanding quality.

Other companies honored were Medibabble, a medical translation tool that won the prize of the Best Medical App for Healthcare Professionals, and Webicina, a comprehensive online medical resource.

Since its launch in January 2011, iHealth has reaped awards worldwide, wining the Red Dot Award for Industrial Design in Germany as well as the Gold Medal at the Concours Lepine in Paris. The innovative system allows patients to record, track and share their blood pressure using an iPhone, iPod or iPad.

Innovative edge

The crucial element in the jury's decision was rational innovation, which clearly improves the present-day state of the art and sets the prizewinners apart from their competitors. The jury recognized such an innovative edge in the iHealth blood pressure monitoring system.

Patients who self-monitor their vital signs are 50 percent more likely to have their blood pressure under control than those who do not care for them. "Giving people the chance to take responsibility for their health is a major issue," said Uwe DIEGEL, an expert in cardiovascular disease management. "The future of health management begins with the individual. By identifying how daily activities affect vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate, people become more proactive about their personal health."

A natural evolution in the world of blood pressure

For Uwe DIEGEL, head of research of Magnien, the French company behind iHealth, the creation of the iHealth blood pressure monitoring is the natural evolution of cardiovascular diagnostics. "Regularly monitoring blood pressure in a relaxed and coherent gives users more reliable information on the status of their cardiovascular health. What is more important is that iHealth - for the first time - reveals the trends and fluctuations in the data and allows the user to easily share this information with their doctor. This is what health management is all about. It's all about making information more comprehensible so that people can use it towards a better lifestyle."

About iHealth: iHealth manufactures consumer-friendly, digital personal healthcare products. The company focuses on delivering easy-to-use products that make it simple to regularly test, track, graph, and share health information. iHealth Lab has launched the first blood pressure monitoring system designed specifically for iOS devices, and is developing a suite of personal healthcare devices designed for use with Apple’s iOS mobile platform.

Availability and price

iHealth is available for € 99,99 on www.ihealth99.fr and is also found in all good pharmacies.

The iHealth App is available for free on the App Store or at www.iTunes.com/AppStore

CONTACTS

For more information, please contact:
HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
http://www.ihealth99.fr

Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Mail: udiegel@ihealth99.fr
Mob : +33 676 31 29 93

iHealth wins big at the Concours Lépine 2011

2011-05-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Paris, France - May 9, 2011 - iHealth, the dock that transforms your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a blood pressure monitor won four major awards last night at the Concours Lépine in Paris at a glittering ceremony under the patronage of Mr. Nicolas SARKOZY, President of the French Republic.

iHealth not only received the Gold Medal at the Concours Lépine 2011, but also the Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OSEO Innovation Award and the Medal of the French Society of Sports Medicine. For Uwe Diegel, inventor, the Concours Lépine prizes are the supreme acknowledgement of long years of research and development. "For the last 15 years, I have developed new technologies for the rapid diagnosis of arterial diseases, and I'm just really glad that iHealth meets public and medical expectations. By identifying how daily activities affect vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse, people become more proactive about their personal health. To be the winner of the Concours Lépine 2011 is an important event for us because it underscores the importance of hard work and long-term research and development ".
Since its launch in January 2011, iHealth has accumulated honors, receiving the award for best new Apple application in Las Vegas in January and the prestigious Red Dot industrial design award in Germany in April.

How does it work?

iHealth is a plug-and-play docking station allowing quick and easy installation of the App. The user can then simply place blood pressure cuff on his arm and place the iPhone/iPod/iPad on the dock to start a measurement. This intuitive system makes measuring blood pressure far easier for older people.

The iHealth application includes a user-friendly interface with data and graphics that allow the multiple users to view their blood pressure, to follow it over time, and to make reports. Users can easily access previously recorded data, rearrange it by date or time of day and create custom graphics and reports of the evolution of their arterial health. Users can also instantly share their results with their doctors or relatives.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure in a relaxed environment gives users more reliable information on the status of their cardiovascular health. What is more important is that iHealth - for the first time - reveals trends and fluctuations in blood pressure and allows users to easily share this information with their doctor.

Availability and Pricing

iHealth is available on http://www.ihealth99.fr for € 99.99.

The iHealth application is available for free on the App Store or on http://www.iTunes.com/AppStore

About the Concours Lépine

The Concours Lépine, established in 1901, is now recognized worldwide as a leading force in the development of new technologies. The Concours Lépine allows inventors to promote their inventions and to establish links between inventors and official bodies.

CONTACTS

Press Contact:
Name: Uwe Diegel
Direct Line: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
Mobile: +33 (0) 6 76 31 29 93
Mail: contact@ihealth99.fr

Voyager avec le diabète, toutes les solutions

2011-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

MedActiv receives the 2010 Leading Innovation Award from the IIPNF for its diabetes technology

2010-10-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

A few hours after it was announced that the French company MedActiv was a double winner at the Taipei Invention Fair, the progressive company received a Leading Innovation Award from the IIPNF (International Intellectual Property Network Forum).

The coveted prize was awarded to MedActiv for the development of the iFridge and iTube, its innovative solutions for the safe transport of medications. Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv, was informed of the award only two hours after collecting two top awards for the same products at the Taipei Invention Fair on Saturday October 2^nd 2010.

The iFridge is a portable refrigerator designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. The iTube is a brushed steel insulated vacuum flask designed to carry an insulin pen.

Uwe and Olaf DIEGEL developed the iFridge and iTube after spotting a gap in the market for new transport solutions for thermo-sensitive medications. “The awarding of the 2010 Leading Innovation Award to MedActiv confirms that we are going in the right direction. In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over a million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and the freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The IIPNF is an international organization that aims to unite invention societies around the world by sharing ideas, brainstorming and appreciating the inventors for their creativity and hard work. Every year, the IIPNF honors selected inventors for their drive for excellence and the uniqueness of their vision.

About MedActiv

MedActiv is a HealthWorks brand. HealthWorks is the company created by brothers Olaf and Uwe Diegel to develop and distribute their inventions. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat. MedActiv is today a global leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of medication.

Contact information:
HealthWorks France
6, rue de Castellane
75008 PARIS, France
Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
Press Contact:
Name: Uwe Diegel
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

MedActiv wins big at the Taipei International Invention Show in Taiwan

2010-10-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Two MedActiv products won top awards at the Taiwan 2010 Technomart Design Contest last night in Taiwan. The iFridge and the iTube herald a new era for the transport and storage of sensitive medications.

For Olaf and Uwe Diegel, inventors and developers of the iFridge and the full range of MedActiv products, the TechnoMart prizes are the ultimate reward after long years of research and development.

« There are about 1.2 million people in France who are affected by diseases that hamper their travels because the medication they use is sensitive and must be kept at a temperature between 2 and 8°C. These people are effectively prisoners of their diseases. These medications include growth hormones, medications for polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis, vaccines and anti venoms. The MedActiv range of products gives these people the liberty to travel and to take responsibility for their health”, says Uwe DIEGEL.

iFridge: Innovation as the ultimate expression of technology

Winner Silver Medal at TechnoMart 2010

The “smallest refrigerator in the world” is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. Winner of the Concours Lepine in Paris and of the “2010 Handicap Prize” by the City of Paris, it allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and at play.

“In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over a million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and the freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The iFridge is recommended for the transport of insulin, vaccines, adrenaline, interferons, procreation agents, coagulation agents, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies (TNF/Anti-TNF), covering diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth deficiencies.

Technomart: an important milestone for MedActiv

Winning a Technomart Award 2010 for the iFridge is very important for MedActiv. "We presented the first prototype of the Medifridge in France in 2005 and were winners of the Prime Minister’s Prize at the Concours Lépine. The same year we were winners of a NASA award in the USA. In 2010 we won the 2010 City of Paris Handicap Prize with the second generation of this product. The iFridge is the natural evolution of these first two products and is more suited to international demands for the transportation of medications. Despite the great commercial success and the obvious importance of this product for people who suffer from chronic diseases, we had great difficulty in finding development aid for this product in France and had to do everything ourselves, which made it a much harder and longer process because of our limited resources. Winning at such a prestigious international design competition in Taiwan will help us in finding international investors. We already last week signed a new manufacturing agreement with a local company in Taiwan for the Asian market. It is amazing to me that such a unique technology as the iFridge, which meets the demands of millions of people around the world, must go abroad to find aid" said Uwe Diegel.

A blue sky for those who suffer from chronic diseases

Another MedActiv product, the iTube (an isothermal tube that keeps insulin cool for 24 hours) also received a silver medal in the Technomart competition.

iTube: A state-of-the-art technology that answers the daily needs of patients

The iTube is a brushed steel insulated vacuum flask designed to carry an insulin pen. It's small, lightweight, stylish and was designed by HealthWorks to keep insulin cool for 24 hours.

“Because the iTube looks a bit like a cigar tube, it might at first be seen as a gadget. However, I think that the iTube will be the single most used item by a diabetic on an everyday basis. Since I’ve started using it, I keep it with me at all times, so that when I go out to dinner with friends, I can keep my insulin with me safely in my jacket pocket without it being affected by my body heat”, says Dr Olaf DIEGEL, head of research at HealthWorks and himself a diabetic.

“The iFridge and iTube technologies make it possible to simplify the management of all chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks. “Any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by his or her daily lifestyle, so it is important that we give them the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The iFridge and the iTube do just that and give them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The iFridge and iTube will be available to the public on the site http://www.medactiv.com from December 24, 2010.

About MedActiv

MedActiv presents new technologies for the transport of sensitive medications

2010-09-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

The iFridge, a portable refrigerator allowing a better conservation of heat-sensitive medications, and the iTube, a cooling container for medication, will be presented for the first time at the Taiwan Technomart Show in 2010.

MedActiv represents France at the International Technomart Competition in Taipei between the 30th of September and the 3rd of October 2010, and will present its new solutions for the storage and transport of sensitive drugs. Amongst these solutions will be the iFridge, a revolutionary portable fridge with a battery pack giving the user complete mobility for 28 hours, as well as the iTube, a new technology invented by Uwe and Olaf DIEGEL, well known experts in the field of health management, for the safe transport of insulin.

iFridge: Innovation as the ultimate expression of technology

The “smallest refrigerator in the world” is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and at play.

“In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over one million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The iFridge is recommended for the transport of insulin, vaccines, adrenaline, interferons, procreation agents, coagulation agents, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies (TNF/Anti-TNF), covering diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth deficiencies.

iTube: A state-of-the-art technology that answers the daily needs of patients

The iTube is a brushed steel vacuum thermos tube designed for transporting a single heat sensitive medication pen. It is small, light, elegant and uses a thermos vacuum as a cooling element.

The novelty of the iTube lies in its portability, its uniquely compact size, and in its application of vacuum technology.

“Because the iTube looks a bit like a cigar tube, it might at first be seen as a gadget. However, I think that the iTube will be the single most used item by a diabetic on an everyday basis. Since I’ve started using it, I keep it with me at all times, so that when I go out to dinner with friends, I can simply pull it out of my jacket pocket without anyone noticing it, discretely inject myself and then stick it back in my pocket”, says Dr Olaf DIEGEL, head of research at MedActiv and himself a diabetic.

“The iFridge and iTube technologies make it possible to simplify the management of all chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv. “Any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by his or her daily lifestyle, so it is important that we give them the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The iFridge and the iTube do just that and give them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The iFridge and iTube will be available to the public on the site http://www.medactiv.com from December 24, 2010.

About MedActiv

MedActiv is a HealthWorks brand. HealthWorks is the company created by brothers Olaf and Uwe Diegel to develop and distribute their inventions. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat. MedActiv is today a global leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of medication.  

Contact information: 
HealthWorks France 
6, rue de Castellane
 75008 PARIS, France
 Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
 Press Contact: 
Name: Uwe Diegel 
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com
 
Images: 
iFridge:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iFridge.jpg
iTube:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iTube.jpg
 
More info:
 iFridge:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iFridgeinfoFR.pdf
iTube:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iTubespecsFR.pdf
  

HealthWorks Body Management Software now compatible with Windows 7

2010-06-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

HealthWorks BMS (Body Management Software), the immensely popular health management software is now compatible with Windows 7, making it more accessible for users worldwide.

The innovative healthcare management software tracks hypertension, diabetes and weight over time and then predicts cardiovascular risk. Because of the high demand for the software (over 30000 downloads since its creation in 2009), the new software is available as a free download as part of an international effort aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

With the HealthWorks BMS, up to three separate users can easily enter data manually or download it from selected monitoring devices. The data then interacts to predict cardiovascular risk. This allows users to see in real time what effect an increase in their weight, for example, will have on their blood pressure and may act as an incentive for them to change their lifestyle.
The HealthWorks BMS also contains comprehensive frequently asked questions files covering blood pressure, diabetes, temperature and asthma and presents the users with meaningful information that allows them to take responsibility for their health by using an instantly understandable interface and a simple system of green/yellow/red lights to translate complex medical information into an intuitive system. It also uses large fonts and a simple design to make it easier for elderly users to use.

The software is completely free and can be downloaded from http://www.medactiv.com

The philosophy behind HealthWorks and their products is to promote wellbeing through preventive healthcare by helping users to stay healthy, rather than curing them after they get sick.

A real tool for health management

Health management often fails to address basic issues such as disease education, which is the axis on which healthcare should be balanced. “In health management, we really should try and manage patients, not diseases. It is only through information that we will truly empower patients to take responsibility for their health. By basing the core of its business not only on sales but also on service, HealthWorks is helping people worldwide by empowering them to manage their diseases and to take responsibility for their health” says Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks Global.

HealthWorks is a group of several companies, each of which has unique know-how in the field of healthcare. The HealthWorks Group is establishing itself as one of the most progressive medical companies providing managed healthcare worldwide. The companies in the group include HealthWorks CardioVascular, which does fundamental research on peripheral arterial diseases and MedActiv, which develops solutions for the storage and transport of thermo-sensitive medication, such as the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge.

For more information, contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: 01 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.fr
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

HealthWorks, winner at the Concours Lépine 2010

2010-05-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Three HealthWorks products won important awards at the 2010 Concours Lépine in Paris at a glittering ceremony under the patronage of Nicolas SARCOZY, President of the Republic of France.

The Concours Lépine is one of the world’s most important platforms for inventors. Held yearly in Paris, it attracts thousands of inventors from all over the world who present their inventions that are then judged by panels of experts in each profession.

For Uwe DIEGEL, inventor and president of HealthWorks France (the company responsible for the development of the Medifridge and of the entire MedActiv range) the three awards are the supreme accolade after many years of research and development.

« There are in France about 1.7 million people who are affected by diseases that hamper their travels because the medication they use is sensitive and must be kept at a temperature between 2 and 8°C. These people are effectively prisoners of their diseases. These medications include growth hormones, medications for poly arthritis, multiple sclerosis, vaccines and anti venoms. The MedActiv range of products gives these people the liberty to travel and to take responsibility for their health”, says Uwe DIEGEL.

The Medifridge was developed in France by two well-known brothers in the medical industry, Dr. Olaf and Uwe DIEGEL, following an incident where Dr. Diegel’s insulin was compromised during the heat wave of 2003. If heat-sensitive medication is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is damaged and very quickly loses its effectiveness. The perfect temperature of storage for these medications is between 2°C and 8°C. They should never be frozen. These factors handicap patients in their travels and daily lifestyle.

The Concours Lépine: an important milestone for HealthWorks

The “Handicap 2010” prize given by the Mayor of Paris for the Medifridge is very important for Dr Olaf DIEGEL and Uwe DIEGEL, the two brothers who invented the Medifridge. The Medifridge is a portable fridge that allows people to travel with their medication. The Medifridge is recommended for insulin, vaccines, adrenalin, interferons, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies, covering pathologies as diverse as diabetes, poly arthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth problems.

“We presented the first prototype of the Medifridge at the Concours Lépine in 2005 and were rewarded with the “Prix du Premier Ministre”. In 2005 the product was not yet ready, it was just a concept. The Concours Lépine helped us to crystallize our ideas and to really understand what the public was looking for. This is why we went back to our drawing boards to develop during the following 5 years the new Medifridge that answers not only the needs of diabetics, but also of those suffering from poly arthritis and a host of other diseases. Being winners at the Concours Lépine 2010 is directly in line with our company vision which includes a future where patients are not hampered by the intrinsic limitations dictated by their health condition and where doctors are not limited by the intrinsic limitations of their diagnostics material” says Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks.

A blue sky for those who suffer from chronic diseases

Another HealthWorks product, the Poucho (a new generation of isothermic bags that keeps insulin cool for 4 days without electricity) received a Special Award from the Ministry of Defense and the entire MedActiv range to transport thermo sensitive medication received the Gold Medal of the Minister of Health and Sports.

A state-of-the-art technology that follows international recommendations

Applications for the technologies of the MedActiv are numerous and HealthWorks is already developing new uses of these technologies for other drugs such as anti venoms and the transport of blood samples; “The MedActiv range makes it possible to simplify the management of all the chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL. “Today’s health management is more about managing patients than diseases because any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by her daily lifestyle.”

The MedActiv range is available on the site http://www.medactiv.com.

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks is the company created by the two Diegel brothers to develop and distribute their inventions. The HealthWorks products are sold under the brand MedActiv. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat

About the Concours Lépine

The Concours Lépine, created in 1901, is today one of the world’s foremost platforms for inventors to launch their new technologies. It has seen the birth of the Bic pen and of the electric oven. It facilitates the link between inventors and investors and allows inventors to find all the resources necessary for the manufacturing of their inventions.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.fr
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail : udiegel@medactiv.com

Traveling with growth hormones, new solutions

2010-04-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

HealthWorks France has created a special kit so that the users of growth hormones can travel with their medication, knowing that it is kept at the right temperature at all times. Growth hormones are highly sensitive to heat and cold and must at all times be kept at temperatures between 2 and 8°C. If growth hormones are exposed to extreme temperatures, they very quickly loose their efficiency. These constraints make it very difficult for users to travel overseas, a fact exacerbated by the fact that most users of growth children are children, who often have difficulty in following medical regimens.

The MedActiv Hormone Kit is composed of the revolutionary Medifridge (the world’s smallest fridge) and of the PenPlus isothermic travel bag. With this kit, growth hormone users can travel anytime, any place and still keep their medication at a safe temperature between 2 and 8°C. The MedActiv Kit gives users the freedom to take responsibility for their health during their travels.

Winner of the Concours Lépine in Paris, the Medifridge can contain two growth hormones pens. It is compatible with the growth hormones of Novo Nordisk (Nordipen/Norditropine), of Ipsen (Nutropinaq), of Sandoz (Omnitrope), of Merck-Serono (Saizen) and of a number of other brands. It is also delivered with a car adaptor that allows it to be plugged in the cigarette lighter of a car for long trips across country. A pre-setting of the temperature stops the temperature of the fridge from going below 2°C to avoid accidental freezing of the medication.

HealthWorks has also developed a new isothermic bag that is particularly well suited for growth hormones. The PenPlus keeps the medications between 2 and 8°C for up to 11 hours. It is discreet and elegant and allows the users to make short trips in complete security.

HealthWorks will present its new solutions for the transport and storage of sensitive medications at the Concours Lépine at the Paris Fair, between the 29 April and the 9th of May.

The MedActiv Hormone Kit is for sale on http://www.medactiv.com

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks, a company created by Uwe DIEGEL following a medical incident in his family, is today a world leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of heat-sensitive medication.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.com

Press contact:
Nom: Uwe DIEGEL
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

The story of the Medifridge, a product that changed the lives of thousands of diabetics worldwide

2010-03-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Everything begins in France in 2003, summer of the infamous heat wave. Mr. Uwe DIEGEL, managing director of a medical business in Paris is expecting the visit from New Zealand of his diabetic brother, Dr Olaf Diegel. The two men have already built strong international reputations in the field of industrial design for cardiology and quite often work together on new research projects. Olaf, diabetic since the age of 17, is professor of industrial design at the Auckland Technology University. His job forces him to travel a lot to take part in international congresses. He is a well-versed traveler and is used to travelling with his insulin and keeping it cool using ice-boxes and cooler bags (insulin, like many other medications, is sensitive to heat and should be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8°C.

In August 2003, Olaf books himself into a small hotel near Auxerres in France. When he arrives at the hotel, he notices that there is no fridge in his hotel room (even though he had particularly insisted on this when making his booking). He needs a fridge to store his insulin. So he arranges with the clerk at the entrance desk to keep his insulin in the fridge in the kitchen.

Olaf does not speak French, coming from New Zealand. A few hours later, Olaf needs his insulin and goes down to reception to ask for it, only to discover that it was placed in the freezer by accident by someone in the kitchen. He is thus obliged to have the night pharmacy opened just to get some fresh insulin. Luckily, the problem is resolved easily enough.

A technology driven by a personal need

Back in Paris, Olaf meets is brother and they discuss the events. They decide, just for fun, to design the idea of a portable fridge, about the size of a mobile phone that would use a Peltier Effect to create cold without gas or moving parts. On paper, the idea should in theory work, so they decide to make a rough prototype using whatever they had available at the time (the battery was stolen from Uwe’s Video Cam.

The prototype actually works quite well, so the two brothers send the prototype to an industrial design contest run by NASA in the USA. The product becomes a winner at the contest, receives unexpected publicity and becomes the subject of an international story on the CNBC TV network. It then also receives an award at the Concours Lepine in Paris in 2005. All these events convince the two brothers to launch a first run of the Medifridge in 2005.

Today, the MedActiv products (MedActiv is the brand created by the two brothers to commercialize their products) encompass a full range of solutions for the transport and storage of all thermo-sensitive medications.

MedActiv has just launched the MF-MXIIa in Europe. This new version of the Medifridge is perfectly adapted for most heat-sensitive medications, such as insulin, growth hormones and medication for poly arthritis.

To order products or get more information, visit http://www.medactiv.com

KJ Public Relations - The Medifridge story, a product that changes the lives of people with diabetes

2010-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

KJ Public Relations - The Medifridge story, a product that changes the lives of people with diabetes

The Blood Pressure Oracle - About Blood Pressure

2010-03-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

Just a few thoughts about blood pressure

At the beginning of the last century, the measurement of arterial pressure is not yet current. On this cliché taken at the Hôpital de la Charité in Paris in 1918, Emile Spengler measures the systolic blood pressure of Charles Laubry, the man who invented the first upper arm blood pressure monitor, used in this picture. Carried out by the manufacturer himself, the gesture is delicate and photogenic.

The moment is not yet banal.

The measurement of blood pressure has now become commonplace. Anyone can now buy or borrow a home blood pressure monitor that is more accurate than anything that was produced in the last 100 years. However, it is important to use the device in the correct manner to get accurate and reliable results.

A few basics about blood pressure
There are a few undeniable facts and rules about digital blood pressure monitors. These rules are very important but are often forgotten. They are worth repeating here.

Your digital blood pressure monitor does not magically transform you into a doctor.
Your blood pressure monitor is probably really easy to use. It probably inflates automatically, makes cool sounds and then incredibly gives you a clinically accurate result. Isn’t that great? It’s child’s play to measure your blood pressure… Well it certainly feels like it… However, your blood pressure monitor is not intended to replace regular medical examinations. It is there to be used together with your doctor as a tool to better manage your blood pressure. Only a physician is qualified to interpret changes in your blood pressure.

When in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.
The first commercially usable blood pressure monitor was manufactured at the turn of the century. In the 70ies digital devices made their appearance and by the 90ies they were commonly available to the untrained public. According to the statistics from our various service departments worldwide, an incredible 94% of all “faulty” devices sent back to manufacturers show absolutely no problem at all and are simply badly used. Faults can range from silly mistakes such as batteries being put in upside down to using the wrong size cuffs. We have even received devices where the batteries were still wrapped up in plastic. Your doctor has been working and studying blood pressure for most of his life and is an expert on the subject. Please ask him to show you how to correctly use your monitor.

Never make adjustments to your medication unless you are advised to do so by your physician.
As mentioned earlier, your blood pressure monitor does not replace a regular medical examination. Your doctor has prescribed medication for you after a careful examination and it can be very dangerous to make your blood pressure fluctuate by changing your medication or by reducing the dosage on your own. If you suspect that your blood pressure medication is wrong because you regularly get low or high blood pressure readings on your device at home, please keep a regular record of your blood pressure for at least three days in a row and then contact your doctor. He will appreciate the fact that you present all the evidence to him in a clear format. To do so, use a blood pressure passport. There is a multitude of blood pressure passports available out there. You can also download one that I have designed to fit in your wallet on my diabetes company website.

You should know that when the doctor at his office measures blood pressure, there is a multitude of reasons why the blood pressure measured by the doctor can be higher or lower than the one measured at home. One of the most common reasons is what is called “White Coat Hypertension” and occurs when the patient is subconsciously nervous at the medical examination and this makes his blood pressure go up. On average, the systolic pressure will vary by about 30 points during the day, so it is normal for you to have a different blood pressure at home than at the doctor.

This is one of the main advantages of home monitoring, in that it gives you a much better overall picture of your blood pressure over time than the single blood pressure reading that is taken at the doctor’s office.

Do not believe in urban legends or marketing hype when it comes to your health.
When making decisions about your health, question what is commonly believed. There are many “urban legends” about blood pressure, such as salt intake, anti-oxidants in grape seeds and drinking alcohol every day is good for the heart. Although there might be a grain a truth to these kinds of stories, they are not necessarily completely true and are certainly misunderstood. In some of my blogs, I try to demystify these stories.

Digital blood pressure monitors are for adults.
There are 2 main obvious reasons why children should not use digital blood pressure monitors. The most important one is that it is sometimes very difficult to find a cuff that is of the correct size for a child. The second reason is much more subjective, but as important as the first. When you measure a blood pressure the cuff has to be inflated to 30 or 40 points higher than the systolic pressure and this can prove to be quite uncomfortable for children, especially infants who cannot express themselves. Often, as a result of this, they move their arm or cry or get stressed, and this negates any diagnostic value of the reading. Children should not use a digital blood pressure monitor unless it is under the strict supervision of an adult.

Another reason why children should not use automatic blood pressure monitors is that the amplitude of the pulse waves generated by a child is very small (an infant has less than 1/2 liter of blood in his body so by definition his blood pressure is quite low) and more often than not an oscillometric (digital) blood pressure monitor will not “hear” the first “Korotkov” sound on which the blood pressure is calculated and will thus give an artificially low result for the blood pressure.

So what is blood pressure really ?
Blood pressure is the measure of the force that the blood exerts on the inside walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio (e.g. 120/80). The first number is called the systolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is beating. The second number is the diastolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is resting (between beats). Blood pressure is historically expressed in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury, even though there is no longer any mercury used in electronic devices. It is interesting to note that in most French speaking countries, blood pressure is expressed cm/Hg, or centimeters of mercury, which means that the doctor would express your blood pressure as 12/8 (twelve over eight) instead of 120/80.

It is also interesting to note that most doctors use rounded figures for blood pressure and will use the number 120/80 for any value considered as being in the normal range, so instead of telling you that your blood pressure is 134 over 76, he will quite often just tell you that you are 120 over 80. One could almost say that 120/80 is a generic number for normal blood pressure. We have noticed over the years that this is often a cause of complaints from patients who do not understand that the doctor is using this number (120/80) as a reference only. Over the past 15 years, we have received hundreds of letters from patients telling us that they think that their device is inaccurate. An example is Patient X who states that she would like a refund on her blood pressure monitor because “it is giving me a result of 133 over 84 and my doctor told me that I was 120 over 80”. In fact the result of 133/84 of Patient X is much more accurate than the doctor’s estimation, but it is of no medical consequence because both results are perfectly normal. In this case, the doctor of Patient X just gave her the “generic” figure for a normal blood pressure, which is 120/80.

When the blood pressure is measured, it should ideally fall within a specific range. Knowledge of this range and of your blood pressure should allow you to better manage your health. This is the blood pressure classification chart for adults set by the World Health Organization:

*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re concerned your child has high blood pressure.

**Note: These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or certain other conditions, you’ll need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.

In general, it is better to have a lower blood pressure than a high one. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries get damaged and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems are greater.

Your blood pressure fluctuates greatly in the course of a day. Many factors, such as exercise, conversation, alcohol, stress, movement, food or smoking can cause your blood pressure to rise and fall temporarily. This is why it is important to always measure and record your blood pressure at the same time and under the same conditions every day and to be completely relaxed when you measure your blood pressure.

Uwe DIEGEL
www.medactiv.com

Is red wine a better anti-occident than Ben-Laden?

2010-03-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

The French Paradox: wine and hypertension

I was in Taiwan a couple of weeks ago and I saw my mother-in-law religiously taking a spoonful of "powdered wine" (all the benefits of wine without the after-effects, according to the label).

Hmmm, makes you think how far marketing can be stretched.  I asked her about it and it turns out that she believes hard as iron that 'red wine is good for you', because she saw it on TV, but she doesn't like the taste of wine, so the powdered stuff seemed like a good alternative to her.

mmmmmhhh, I want some of THAT...

The power of television: the “French Paradox”
In November 1991, Americans were told on “60 Minutes” that even if French people ate fatty foods and smoked more than Americans they were three times less likely to die of a heart attack. The reason: “Red wine reduces the risk of heart disease”. This quickly became branded as “the French Paradox”.  Within four weeks, U.S. sales of red wine rocketed by 44 percent. By February 1992, a Gallup poll showed that 58 percent of Americans were aware of research linking drinking red wine to lower rates of heart disease.

Five months later, "60 Minutes" re-broadcast the "French Paradox" segment. Sales of red wine shot up 49 percent over the previous year. During the next few years, wine manufacturers marketed wine as a health elixir. Full-page newspaper ads announcing that drinking red wine counteracted French consumption of fatty food were placed in American newspapers.

There is a collective misunderstanding of the dangers of alcohol worldwide. The fact is that according to data from the world's largest study of heart disease, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the past decade in 21 countries with 10 million men and women, French heart disease statistics appear to have been underestimated and the "French Paradox" overestimated. France's rate of heart disease is actually similar to that of neighboring Italy, Spain, and southern Germany. The lower coronary mortality in France compared with other countries is a consequence of different ways of coding coronary mortality.

The healthy lifestyles of wine drinkers, and not wine itself, is the main reason for their lower risk of heart disease compared with imbibers who prefer beer or vodka. Statistically, wine drinkers are more likely to be light drinkers, nonsmokers, of normal weights, physically active, and to work in "white collar" jobs.

According to WHO, France has the sixth highest adult per capita alcohol consumption in the world. And while coronary heart disease may be less pervasive in France than in many others, it is still the number one cause of death.   It is myth that the French are healthier because they drink.

There is no scientific consensus today over the protective effect of alcohol. The link between the quantity of alcohol consumed and increase of risk of diseases, particularly cancer, is, on the other hand, scientifically validated.  Alcohol creates strain on the liver and kidneys and creates excess acidity in the body. It worsens diabetes in several ways, such as by interfering with the action of insulin, dropping blood sugar to dangerously low levels, and by worsening diabetic neuropathy.

Alcohol has several effects on the heart. These can be separated into effects on the electrical system and effects on the muscle itself. In many patients, alcohol will produce irregular beats and can lead to tachyarrthymias. Other individuals will have irregular beats while imbibing, but only seen on monitors not with symptoms. In regards to the muscle, some patients experience what is called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This weakening of the heart muscle will often lead to heart failure with repeated exposure to alcohol.   One of the harmful effects of long-term alcohol intake is its association with hypertension. Consuming three or more drinks of alcohol per day approximately doubles the risk of having hypertension. Alcohol has been estimated to account for about 5%-20% of hypertension in populations. Alcohol is also associated with resistance to anti-hypertensive therapy. It sometimes interferes with the BP-lowering effects of some medications.

Studies exist demonstrating that one glass of alcohol or less a day can boost the level of artery-cleaning "good" cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots for men over 50 years of age and post-menopausal women. But these studies often fail to point out that taking a daily dose of baby aspirin, quitting smoking, cutting down on saturated fat, exercising regularly, and losing weight can increase the "good" cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables contain even greater amounts of antioxidants than a glass of red wine.

So even if a glass of red isn't bad every now and then because it has a certain amount of anti occidents (and I'm pretty sure they don't mean Ben Laden when they refer to anti-occidents), people should know that a handful of grapes or a couple of red tomatoes contain more anti-occident than a glass of wine. Another thing to consider is that most people don't just drink a single glass of red wine in an evening.

I know I don't...

Uwe Diegel
http://www.medactiv.com

Poucho, a new bag that keeps insulin cool for 4 days without electricity

2010-03-12T01:10:00.000-08:00

HealthWorks France has announced a new generation of isothermal bags that will keep insulin cool for up to 4 days without electricity. The Poucho bags use specially formulated gel crystals that start cooling the insulin when they are put in contact with water. The traditional method for transporting insulin is to use isothermal bags with ice packs that last a maximum of 16 hours. To activate the Poucho, it must be immersed in water for about 90 seconds. The crystals contained in the panels of the wallet then expand into a gel, which remains cool for up to four days - relying on the process of evaporation for cooling. The evaporation process will cool the insulin about 10°C from the ambient temperature.

Although activated by water, the Poucho is dry to the touch, because it is then inserted in a protective waterproof pouch. This allows the user to carry it around in his pocket or a handbag. The Poucho is re-usable and can be used either continuously or intermittently. To "recharge" the Poucho, it must simply be immersed in water again for 90 seconds. Available now only in two sizes (single pen and large (for multiple pens and vials)), the Poucho will be developed in multiple new sizes in the near future.

Less travel constraints for people with diabetes

The Poucho is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and on holiday. If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is damaged and very quickly loses its effectiveness. This is a major concern for diabetics when they travel to countries where the ambient temperature is high.

A state-of-the-art technology that follows international recommendations

Applications for this technology are numerous and HealthWorks is already developing new versions for other medications such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. “The Poucho technology makes it possible to simplify the management of all the chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president de HealthWorks. “Today’s health management is more about managing patients than diseases because any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by her daily lifestyle. But for this, we must provide patients with the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The Poucho does just that and gives them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The Poucho is on sale through the site http://www.medactiv.com.

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks is a group of companies that work together to develop medical solutions based on the concept of HCD (Human Centered Development). The HealthWorks products are sold under the MedActiv brand. One of the most popular products in the MedActiv portfolio is the Medifridge, the world's smallest fridge, for the safe transport and storage of insulin and other medication sensitive to heat.

About diabetes

Diabetes is a widespread chronic disease characterized by the insufficient production of insulin, a hormone necessary to transform glucose (sugar) into energy. More than 230 million people suffer from diabetes in the world, a figure that should cross the worldwide threshold of 350 million sufferers in 20 years.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.com
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: contact@medactiv.com

Medifridge perfect instrument for people to travel with their growth hormones

2010-03-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

HealthWorks has just tested the new Medifridge to use it to transport growth hormones and the results are absolutely perfect, keeping the hormones at a steady temperature between 3 to 4°C (tested by TÜV in Germany). The Medifridge is a portable fridge that is perfectly adapted for the transport of sensitive medications, keeping them at a steady temperature between 3 and 7°C. The “smallest fridge in the world” is designed for any medication that is sensitive to heat and is designed to fit most injector pens or medications in 10ml vials. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases with sensitive medications to transport them in perfect safety during their travels, at the office or on holiday. Winner of a number of design awards, including the Concours Lepine in Paris, the Medifridge is also delivered with an adaptor that allows it to be powered by the cigarette lighter of a car.

The Medifridge uses thermoelectric technology to manage the temperature of the medication. This technology is based on a principle called the “Peltier Effect”, which uses no gas or moving parts, making the Medifridge virtually indestructible. A presetting of the temperature stops the Medifridge from cooling below 2°C and thus protects the medication from accidental freezing.

When growth hormones are exposed to extreme temperatures, they are damaged and very quickly loose their potency. The perfect storage temperature for growth hormones is between 2 and 8°C. They must never be frozen. All these facts place limitations on the users of growth hormones, these limitations being exacerbated by the fact that most users of growth hormones are children who need to lead an active life. The Medifridge gives these children the liberty of movement and allows them a greater choice of travel destinations. The pleasure of traveling is now within reach for them.

The Medifridge is for sale on the site http://www.medactiv.com.

For mor information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: udiegel@diegelhealthworks.com

New Health Management Software available

2010-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

HealthWorks releases free health management software to help people with diabetes and hypertension to better manage their health.

Paris, France 03 March 2010

HealthWorks Global has announced the release of the new HealthWorks BMS (Body Management Software), an innovative healthcare management software that tracks hypertension, diabetes and weight over time and then predicts cardiovascular risk. Because of the high demand for the software (32800 downloads of the Beta version in 2009), they have also announced that they would make the new software available as a free download as part of an international effort aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

With the HealthWorks BMS, up to three separate users can easily enter data manually or download it from selected monitoring devices. The data then interacts to predict cardiovascular risk. This allows users to see in real time what effect an increase in their weight, for example, will have on their blood pressure and may act as an incentive for them to change their lifestyle.
The HealthWorks BMS also contains comprehensive frequently asked questions covering blood pressure, diabetes, temperature and asthma and presents the users with meaningful information that allows them to take responsibility for their health by using an instantly understandable interface and a simple system of green/yellow/red lights to translate complex medical information into an intuitive system. It also uses large fonts and a simple design to make it easier for elderly users to use.

The software is completely free and can be downloaded from http://www.medactiv.com or from the HealthWorks website. The philosophy behind HealthWorks and their products is to promote wellbeing through preventive healthcare by helping users to stay healthy, rather than curing them after they get sick.

A real tool for health management

Health management often fails to address basic issues such as disease education, which is the axis on which healthcare should be balanced. “In health management, we really should try and manage patients, not diseases. It is only through information that we will truly empower patients to take responsibility for their health. By basing the core of its business not only on sales but also on service, HealthWorks is helping people worldwide by empowering them to manage their diseases and to take responsibility for their health” says Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks Global.

HealthWorks is a group of several companies, each of which has unique know-how in the field of healthcare. The HealthWorks Group is establishing itself as one of the most progressive medical companies providing managed healthcare worldwide.

Ends, March 2010…
For release 00:00 GMT, 03 March 2010

For more information, contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
President, HealthWorks Global
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: udiegel@diegelhealthworks.com
http://www.healthworksglobal.net

The Blood Pressure Oracle - Salt and hypertension

2010-02-24T07:59:00.001-08:00

Salt is pure, white, immaculate and incorruptible

For thousands of years, salt has been used as a commodity in trade and other industries and has been considered as a thing of particular value. Indeed the word “salary” is derived from the Latin word for salt. However, medically speaking, it has been touted as one of the biggest threats to cardiovascular health for many years. Is this true?

In many health controversies, a great deal of heat is often generated by spurious arguments that tend to obscure the strictly science-based position. However, the evidence is overwhelming about the fact that high salt intake has a detrimental effect on cardiovascular health and that people in developed countries have a salt intake that is much too high.

Salt = Na

Salt is a commonly occurring mineral, the technical name of which is sodium chloride. The human body needs about 500 milligrams of sodium (1000 mg sodium = 2.5 g salt) a day to survive. There is more than enough salt found naturally in fresh foods to provide this amount, so discretionary salt is not really necessary to a healthy eating plan. It is recommended that we use no more than 2400 mg of sodium (about 6 grams of salt) a day. Salt intakes across Europe are known to vary widely, ranging from 8.6 g of salt per day in the UK, to around 12 g salt in Croatia. This is causing a long-term glut of cardiovascular problems.

This high salt intake is partly due to poor understanding by the patient of the fact that sodium and salt are one and the same thing. Many doctors and much of the literature available simply tell hypertensive patients to avoid salt, which the patient dutifully does, not realizing that over 75% of his salt intake comes in the form of sodium found in processed foods. Sodium is present in additives such as monosodium glutamate and sodium bicarbonate. As part of a successful cardiovascular management program, it is imperative that doctors inform their patients of this crucial difference. About 10% of dietary sodium is naturally present in foods; 15% is added during cooking or at the table (so-called discretionary salt); and 75% is incorporated during manufacture and processing. It is evident, therefore that manufactured foods provide the greatest scope for significant reduction of salt intake. Examples of high salt processed foods include soy sauce, processed meats, canned soups, peanuts, chips and stock cubes.

The best example is found in a can of soup. Canned soup contains on average about 0.4 g of sodium per 100 ml. This means that in a plate of soup (about 250 ml) contains about 1 g of sodium (2.5 g of salt), i.e. over 40% of the recommended daily maximum.

Crystal death…

Salt plays an enormous role in blood pressure regulation. It helps to maintain the concentration of body fluids at correct levels. However, the more salt we eat, the more water is drawn into the bloodstream. This raises total blood volume, which leads to increased blood pressure. With high levels of fluid circulating through the brain there is a greater chance that weaknesses in the brain's blood vessels are exposed, and that they may burst, causing a stroke. Salt also plays a central role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the nerves, and helps cells to take up nutrients. Sodium is the major ion that accepts electrons. Sodium helps maintain the balance of electrolytes and the electrical conductivity of tissues.

In addition, salt also increases the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in women. High sodium intake can often lead to calcium loss (excreted out in urine). This loss in calcium is exacerbated if intake of calcium is low. Continued urinary calcium loss will translate to decreased bone density and increased risk for fractures in the later years.

Reductions in a minor key

A recent study in the US showed that if we reduced dietary salt intake in the USA by 3 g per day (1200mg less sodium per day), it could result in 60,000 to 120,000 fewer cases of heart disease, 32,000 to 66,000 fewer strokes and 54,000 to 100,000 fewer heart attacks.

A reduction in dietary salt of 3g per day would have approximately the same effect on reducing cardiac events as a 50% reduction in tobacco use, a 5% reduction in body mass index among obese adults or the use of statins to treat people at low or intermediate risk for CHD events.

And here’s the kicker, reducing dietary salt intakes by 3g per day would save $10 billion to $ 24 billion in annual health care costs.

In the healthcare industry, “management” is a magic word that blankets all manner of excuses and that often fails to address basic issues such as “disease education”, which is the axis on which healthcare should be balanced. There are as many definitions of disease management as there are disease management programs. The confusion is perhaps rooted in a fundamental paradox: In disease management, we really should try and manage patients, not diseases. It is as important for a doctor to educate his patients about the differences between salt and sodium as it is for him to prescribe the correct cocktail of medication. It is only through information that a doctor will truly empower his patients to take responsibility for his disease.

Uwe Diegel

http://www.medactiv.com
http://www.healthworksglobal.net

Why does your blood pressure change?

2010-02-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, when you go to the doctor, your blood pressure is surprisingly high, compared to the readings that you get on your blood pressure monitor at home. Most people simply assume that their monitor at home is innacurate, but this is not the case.

What it probably is is a phenomenon called “white coat hypertension”. This happens when a patient is subconsciously made nervous by the doctor’s presence (hence the name "white coat") and as a result his blood pressure rises. Even if you think that you are perfectly relaxed, your blood pressure can shoot up by as much as 15 points just like that.

Another possibility is that it is just a normal variation in daily blood pressure. Changes of up to 30 mmHg within a short time are perfectly normal, depending on what you are doing, especially if you are doing a physical activity such as sport or are under stress.

It might also be that your doctor is not measuring your blood pressure correctly. He might be using antiquated equipment that is not calibrated or suitable for a modern day examination. More often than not, if two doctors measure the blood pressure of a same patient using their own equipment, they will get different results. More often than not, doctors have a "digit preference", where they round up the result of the blood pressure test to the nearest five, so 138/92 becomes 140/90. This is one of the undeniable advantages of digital blood pressure monitors, in that they are much less dependent on user skill than the traditional devices.

Have a great day
Uwe DIEGEL

http://www.medactiv.com
http://www.healthworksglobal.net

An artificial pancreas in a couple of years?

2010-02-05T01:30:00.000-08:00

I just read in the Lancet magazine that scientists in Cambridge have made a significant step towards developing a so-called "artificial pancreas" system for managing type 1 diabetes in children and has for the first time conducted clinical tests on children with type 1 diabetes with successful results.

According to the study, using an artificial pancreas system overnight can significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, when blood glucose levels drop dangerously low, while sleeping. These so-called "hypos" are a major concern for people with type 1 diabetes.

The artificial pancreas system combines a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump, both already on the market, and uses a sophisticated algorithm to calculate the appropriate amount of insulin to deliver based on the real-time glucose readings.

Practically, it means that people with Type 1 diabetes won't have to prick their fingers several times a day to check their sugar levels and that they will get more regular blood glucose levels overnight.

I was told that the technology should be commercially available within four years.

In the meantime, insulin management still remains a major stumbling block in the successful management of diabetes. I believe that there is a major shift happening in the diabetes industry. Since 1921 when Banding discovered insulin, we have been using it to manage the disease of diabetes. However, today the management of diabetes is becoming axed more on the management of patients than on the management of the disease itself. Today's patient should be given more responsibility for the management of his condition, and this means giving him more information. That is the basic principle of health management.

Much information about insulin is not readily available or is not transparent. Insulin should be stored away from direct light at a temperature between 2 and 8°C. It should be brought to room temperature before being injected. It should never be directly exposed to ice or be frozen as it will then form crystals and will no longer be usable. Those are simple rules, yet they are hardly ever followed.

As a person whose family is affected by diabetes, it is crucially important that this information be disseminated. A few years ago, one of my brothers nearly died because his insulin was frozen by accident in a hotel. That is why we developed the Medifridge, our own solution for the safe transport of insulin. Since then, the Medifridge is used by thousands of people worldwide to safely transport their medications, including my brother.

Have a great day

Uwe Diegel
http://www.medactiv.com

The Blood Pressure Oracle - How accurate is the result of an electronic blood pressure monitor?

2010-02-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Quite often I have received letters with statements like "My doctor says that all digital machines are inaccurate and that only a doctor or an experienced nurse can take blood pressure accurately". It is difficult to give an answer to such a statement without offending someone. There are still some people who believe that the earth is flat and that the moon is made out of blue cheese.

The fact is that the first digital blood pressure monitors (from 30 years ago) were very difficult to use accurately and because it was a new technology, it was not well accepted by the medical sector. However, in the last 30 years, tremendous progress has been made and most blood pressure monitors that are sold today (from reputable brands) are as accurate as a traditional mercury or aneroid device.

There are in fact international validation standards that compare digital blood pressure monitors to “gold standard” mercury devices and then grade the devices according to the results. So when you need to buy a device for home use, you should look for a validation standard that has been applied to the device that you are planning on buying, such as the BHS (British Hypertension Society), the GüteZiegel (German validation standard), or the AAMI (American Association of Medical Instruments). If you find such a logo on the packaging or the advertising, it is probably a very accurate device.

Today, most blood pressure monitors measure blood pressure by applying the so called 'oscillometric method'. In an oscillometric measurement, the blood pressure is accurately detected by analyzing the pressure oscillations that happen during the deflation or inflation of the cuff. This method has been well accepted worldwide for more than thirty years and incidentally, it is applied in hospitals every day, whenever the patient's blood pressure needs intensive and highly accurate control. Many doctors do not realize that home use digital blood pressure monitors use exactly the same technology as the 20 000 dollar machines that they use in intensive care. If they did, they would probably change their opinion of home devices.

One of the main factors for different readings at the doctor’s office and at home using a home monitor is that the conditions for measuring blood pressure at the doctor’s office are not ideal. To accurately measure your blood pressure, you should consciously relax for at least 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure. You should also take it at the same time of day as your last reading if you want to compare them. At the doctor’s office, you might also suffer from what is called “white coat hypertension”, where you are nervous and this causes the blood pressure to rise temporarily. It is now a given fact that measurement of blood pressure at home, also called HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Measurement) IS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PATIENTS REAL BLOOD PRESSURE than the casual blood pressure taken at the doctor’s office. This is provided of course that the patient uses the device correctly.

Many doctors and nurses prefer the stethoscope method because they can listen to the signals and get a deeper impression of the patient’s condition. A digital blood pressure monitor only measures blood pressure and pulse, whereas an experienced doctor using a stethoscope can listen to many other sounds to get a better overall view of the patient’s health.

The technique of mercury or aneroid devices (also called auscultatory blood pressure) requires careful training and application of specific methods. A slow deflation rate of 2 to 3 mmHg per second is essential to obtain accurate results with the doctor's measurement. However, more often than not, doctors or nurses use a much higher deflation rate and obtain wrong results. This is because quite often, the doctor does not have the necessary time to really measure blood pressure. In fact, for a blood pressure measurement to be representative at the doctor’s office, he should measure the blood pressure at least three times in a row. It is important to realize that your blood pressure is fluctuating constantly and that the results are never exactly the same. When you use an electronic blood pressure monitor at home, you tend to do several measurements because it is so easy to do and you have more time than at the doctor’s office. It is quite normal for the measurement results not to be identical to each other. If your doctor were to measure the pressure three or four times (which he never does!) he would also get different values.

The most convincing fact is that the world’s leading experts on blood pressure monitoring prefer frequent home measurements by electronic devices against the casual measurements taken in their office! So if your doctor continues telling you that all digital devices are crap, it might be time for you to change your doctor.

Uwe Diegel

http://www.medactiv.com

http://www.healthworksglobal.net

Have Diabetes, Will Travel

2010-02-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

The Definite Guide to Traveling with Diabetes

It is Marcel Proust who said that " the real voyage of discovery does not consist in seeking new landscapes, but in looking at things with new eyes". Recently, new technologies, ideas and innovations have appeared which make it possible for people with diabetes to better travel with their insulin and to take more responsibility for their health. Diabetes is no longer today a condemnation to a sedentary lifestyle.

The secret of an enjoyable travel experience for a person with diabetes is in the way in which it is prepared, and taking just a couple of precautions before departure can make all the difference. Insulin is sensitive to heat and should ideally be kept in a refrigerator with a temperature between 2 and 8°C. People with diabetes are much more sensitive to certain events or changes of routine which might affect their metabolism or their lifestyle.

Today, the diabetic who is in control of his disease can travel almost anywhere. This being said, it is necessary before leaving:

- To ensure that his diabetes is well controlled.

- To get information about the availability of local diabetic care. The best way to do this is to get in touch with the local diabetes association. Almost without exception, every country in the world has an association dedicated to diabetes information. Simply go on the net, and type the name of the country, together with "diabetes association", and you will quickly get all the info you need. Alternatively, phone your local association and they will most certainly give you the contacts you need.

- Try not to travel alone in countries with extreme temperatures where you do not speak the local language.

THE HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Being autonomous is the first priority for the diabetic on a journey.

- Check with your doctor that you have a sufficient stock of insulin (always take enough insulin for 10 days more). It is important to realize that in several countries, insulin is sold mainly in 10 ml bottles and not in prefilled pens, like in Europe. You must thus ensure that you have enough of your own insulin and must never assume that the country that you are visiting will have exactly the same form of insulin as you use.

- Check that you have all the necessary hardware for your daily controls. If you travel in a country with a different time zone, unusual temperatures or where you might eat some strange food that your body is not used to, you will probably have to control your glycemia more often than normal. So ensure that you have all the necessary supplies (control strips, injector pens, needles, syringes, etc).

- If it is a long trip (more than a couple of days), check the battery in your glucometer.

- Ensure that your insulin is always sheltered from heat and/or cold. Insulin should ideally be stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8°C. Ensure that the hotel of your choice has a refrigerator available for you to store your insulin. If this is not possible, think of taking a portable fridge (such as Medifridge, available here). For the day trips use an isothermal case (available here).

- Pack some sugar bags (in case of hypoglycemia) and some quick-release insulin (in case of hyperglycemia) in your travel case.

ALL THAT IRRITATING PAPERWORKS

- Download a diabetes travel certificate and ask your doctor to sign it. This will make it a lot easier for you at the airport as you get ready for that full body-cavity search.

- It is also a REALLY GOOD IDEA to have a diabetic passport (you can download a cool one here) in your wallet in case you faint or have an accident, so that the paramedic who "looks" in your wallet can immediately find out that you are diabetic and that it is necessary to give you sugar.

- Always ask your doctor to give you a prescription for your insulin, in case your insulin gets lost. Make sure that it is legible by international standards (English normally works best).

YOUR CHECKLIST

Made a checklist the day before leaving and put a notch next to each item:

- USUAL INSULIN (+ 10 DAYS)

- FAST INSULIN

- SUGAR

- SYRINGES WITH NEEDLES AND/OR PREFILLED PENS

- TEST STRIPS

- LANCETS

- GLUCOMETER WITH GRESHLY TESTED BATTERY

- DOCTOR'S CERTIFICATES

- DIABETIC PASSPORT

- PRESCRIPTION FOR SPARE INSULIN

THE TRIP ITSELF

- Check your sugar levels before departure; if possible, leave after a normal breakfast taken at the usual hour. As a precaution, reduce by 2 to 4 units the amount of insulin you take in the morning in order to maintain a safety level.

- If you are in the car, make regular pauses (a 10 minutes stop every 2 hours is a good rule) and take a collation sufficiently rich in slow glucids.

- Check your capillary glycemias more frequently; if it is under 0,8 g/l, keep some sugar nearby and keep some fast glucids (fruits, biscuits) within range.

- Drink water regularly if the weather is hot.

- In the event of a car breakdown, eat some food if you must change a wheel or if you have to walk to a rescue station.

- Always keep your insulin with you in the plane and in the airport. As a habitual traveler, I have sometimes been stuck in airports for over 24 hours.

- NEVER put your insulin in the baggage compartment of the plane. The temperatures in the compartment are often under freezing point and your insulin will be damaged. And if your luggage is lost, so will your insulin. Another reason is that the flight might be delayed by several hours while you are stuck in the airport.

- Warn the staff on the plane that you are diabetic and that you need your meals on time (this is also a great excuse to be served before everyone, like a VIP).

TIME ZONES AND REMOTE DESTINATIONS

- Beyond 3 hours of jet lag, insulin intake must be managed systematically. An essential rule consists in NOT CHANGING YOUR WATCH TIME before your arrival and your first meal in the country of destination; this will help you to follow the action of your insulin and to distribute the food intakes.

- Take about 1/4 of your usual daily insulin needs with every meal (to be taken every 6 hours). Because the meals are very regular on planes, they are a good safety to avoid hypoglycemias.

- If your plane is delayed, check your sugar levels every 6 hours, and correct if need be with an addition of ordinary insulin.

FOOD, FOOD, OH GLORIOUS FOOD...

Even if you are on holiday, try not to upset too your usual dietary habits:

- Locate the equivalents of your traditional starchy foods and use them in the composition of your meals.

- Be careful with excesses of sweet fruits or those delicious Italian ice creams that are likely to disturb your glycemia! Avoid sodas...

- Digestive embarrassments are very frequent in tropical countries. Rather than resorting to anti diarrheal or antiemetic medication, drink lots of water and eat white rice that will bring you the necessary glucids.

- Take care to drink water regularly.

GENERAL ADVICE

For people with diabetes, it is super important to watch your feet. For a diabetic, the risks of amputations are much higher following banal infections or an unnoticed wound. Always use very comfortable shoes and change them several times per day in order to vary the points of frictions. Never walk barefoot, especially on a beach or on other surfaces exposed to the sun. Do not forget to examine your feet several times per day.

If you follow the above simple rules, you will be able, like Marcel Proust, to look at the world with new eyes.

Uwe DIEGEL

http://www.medactiv.fr

http://www.healthworksglobal.net

HYPERTENTION, DIABETES AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

2010-01-28T05:47:00.001-08:00

Ensure it doesn't happen to you...

The most common cause for erectile dysfunction (ED) is impaired blood flow into the penis, which is a common result of arteriosclerosis and diabetes. In fact, in about forty percent of all people over the age of 50, erectile dysfunction is caused directly by arteriosclerosis. About 50% of all people suffering from diabetes (insulin dependent) suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfying intercourse. Erectile dysfunction impacts more than a man's sexual activity. The emotions that coincide with this condition often have a significant effect on a man's self-esteem, as well as on his relationship with his partner. Although the incidence of ED increases with age, it is not an inevitable result of ageing. For the elderly and for others, ED may occur as a consequence of specific illnesses or of medical treatment for certain illnesses.

The most frequent physical causes of ED are vascular diseases including arteriosclerosis, hypertension, hypercholestremia and other conditions that interfere with the blood flow to the penis. Because adequate arterial supply is critical for erection, any disorder that impairs blood flow may be implicated in the etiology of erectile failure. Some diseases associated with ED can affect both the vascular and the nervous systems. Diabetes is an example.

Hypertension in patients with diabetes frequently manifests certain unique and challenging properties. For example, persons with type 2 diabetes often lose their normal circadian rhythm of blood pressure and heart rate. Loss of normal nocturnal drops in blood pressure and heart rate may reflect both autonomic dysfunction and/or decreased sensitivity of renal-neural sensing of volume-pressure relationships. Disproportionate elevations of nocturnal blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure, increase the 24-hour integrated cardiovascular and renal load, are more clearly associated with albuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy, and thus greatly increase CVD risk as well as progression of renal disease in these patients.

Diabetes results in poor circulation and/or peripheral neuropathy. When the nerves are involved sexual stimuli are not transmitted appropriately to or from the brain and ED develops.

Research has resulted in significant advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. Physicians now understand that approximately eighty-five percent of erectile dysfunction is attributable to physical conditions while only fifteen percent is due to psychological conditions.

Prescription medications often cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. Many medications fall into this category including antidepressants, antipsychotics, treatments for cancer of the prostate, chemotherapy and some antihypertensives notably beta-blockers, diuretics and ace Inhibitors/ calcium channel blockers, However, as many cases of ED are caused by personal reactions to specific medications, a change of prescription to another class of medication is often all that is needed to correct the condition.

Correct What Can Be Corrected

Keeping diseases such as diabetes and hypertension under control will go far in preventing sexual dysfunction.

About one person out of three has high blood pressure (hypertension), which requires regular monitoring either by medical personnel in the office or at home by the patient or a family member. Home blood pressure monitoring is recommended both for the initial diagnosis of hypertension as well as for the evaluation of the response to treatment. Home monitoring also has potential value in assessing resistant hypertension, hypotensive symptoms associated with medication, and autonomic neuropathy. It also empowers the patient to take responsibility for his or her health.

Further, the beneficial effects of improved blood pressure control extend to cardiovascular and stroke events, which occur with much greater frequency (and with greater morbidity and mortality) than microvascular complications in elderly diabetic patients. Aggressive control of blood pressure should be a high priority in the management of hypertensive diabetic patients. It should also be a high priority in the treatment of people suffering from erectile dysfunction.

The first consideration in a man with diabetes and ED is optimal control of blood glucose with avoidance of hypoglycaemia. This measure will often also improve neuropathy. Diagnosis and treatment of concurrent hypertension, which is common in men with diabetes, are additionally important. At times, changing medications, especially cardiovascular drugs, may reverse erectile dysfunction.

Many people have high blood pressure or glucose for years without knowing it. Hypertension and diabetes are the leading cause for penile dysfunction. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure or high glucose levels is to perform a quick test. These tests can now be performed in the comfort of your own home using a digital blood pressure monitor or glucometer. These glucometers and blood pressure monitors are available at most pharmacies.

Another alternative interesting test is to take an ABI (Ankle Brachial Index) measurement. Ankle brachial index offers a simple and effective method of objectively documenting the functional state of the circulation in the lower limbs and thus for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. You can do this test with your doctor using a Doppler (which is quite a complicated test) or using a Screening CardioVascular Lab (click here to find out more).

Anyway, that's all I have to say on this subject, hope it helped.

Have a great day

Uwe DIEGEL

www.medactiv.fr
www.healthworksglobal.net

Travel safely with your medication

2010-01-28T00:36:00.000-08:00

At the demand of its readers, MedActiv has decided to put together two of its products in a special pack for travelers. With these two products, the diabetic is basically completely covered any where, anytime. The two products are the Medifridge and the Poucho.

The Medifridge is the smallest fridge in the world and is design as a movable storage solution for insulin and other medications that are sensitive to heat. It is particularly well suited to long car trips as it is delivered with a cigarette-lighter adapter for the car.

The Poucho is a gell-filled pouch that is activated simply by placing it under water. It then starts an evaporation process that keeps the insulin cool for up to 4 days. It is perfect for hikers, day travelers and people who simply want to leave for a couple of days and will not have access to electricity to keep their medication cool.

The price of the special pack is 99 Euro and it is at the moment only available to customers in France.

It is available directly on www.medactiv.fr

Have a great evening

Uwe

The Blood Pressure Oracle

2010-01-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

What really is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force that the blood exerts on the inside walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio (eg 120/80). The first number is called the systolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is beating. The second number is the diastolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is resting (between beats). Blood pressure is historically expressed in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury, even though there is no longer any mercury used in electronic devices. It is interesting to note that in most french speaking countries, blood pressure is expressed cmHg, or centimeters of mercury, which means that the doctor would express your blood pressure as 12/8 (twelve over eight) instead of 120/80.

It is also interesting to note that most doctors use rounded figures for blood pressure and will use the number 120/80 for any value considered as being in the normal range, so instead of telling you that your blood pressure is 134 over 76, he will quite often just tell you that you are 120 over 80. One could almost say that 120/80 is a generic number for normal blood pressure. We have noticed over the years that this is often a cause of complaints from patients who do not understand that the doctor is using this number (120/80) as a reference only. Over the past 15 years, we have received hundreds of letters from patients telling us that they think that their device is inaccurate. An example is Patient X who states that she would like a refund on her blood pressure monitor because “it is giving me a result of 133 over 84 and my doctor told me that I was 120 over 80”. In fact the result of 133/84 of Patient X is much more accurate than the doctor’s estimation, but it is of no medical consequence because both results are perfectly normal. In this case, the doctor of Patient X just gave her the “generic” figure for a normal blood pressure, which is 120/80.

When the blood pressure is measured, it should ideally fall within a specific range. Knowledge of this range and of your blood pressure should allow you to better manage your health. This is the blood pressure classification chart for adults set by the World Health Organization:

*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child's doctor if you're concerned your child has high blood pressure.

**Note: These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or certain other conditions, you'll need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.

In general, it is better to have a lower blood pressure than a high one. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries get damaged and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems are greater.

Your blood pressure fluctuates greatly in the course of a day. Many factors, such as exercise, conversation, alcohol, stress, movement, food or smoking can cause your blood pressure to rise and fall temporarily. This is why it is important to always measure and record your blood pressure at the same time and under the same conditions every day and to be completely relaxed when you measure your blood pressure.

Next time I'll start answering questions about the fluctuations in the measurements of blood pressure.

Have a great evening

Uwe Diegel
www.medactiv.fr
www.healthworksglobal.net

Traveling in perfect safety when you have diabetes

2010-01-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

Following public demand, MedActiv has re-introduced it's special promotion for diabetics who travel. This promotion joins two different solutions together to cover all eventualities for the diabetic. The two combined products are the Medifridge and the Poucho wallet.

The Medifridge is the world's smallest fridge and is perfect as a storage solution for when you travel, go to the office or take long car trips (it plugs into the car's cigarette lighter). It keeps the insulin between 2 and 8 °C.

However, for people who need to get out of the hotel, to take long rambles in the countryside with no electricity, to go hiking, etc, MedActiv has developed the Poucho wallet which activates with water and keeps your insulin cool for up to 4 days.

With these 2 products combined, the diabetic can go anywhere, any time. Price for the special combination pack of two products is 99 Euro, all taxes included.

Available directly on the French site www.medactiv.fr

Good evening

Uwe

The Blood Pressure Oracle

2010-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

I figured I'd start answering peoples questions about blood pressure, diabetes and home health in general. Over the next few months I'll be writing down various thoughts and answers to questions about these subjects. If you have any questions or comments at all about the subject, please don't hesitate to contact me either directly on this blog or by sending me an email at udiegel@diegeldesign.com.

Just a few thoughts about blood pressure.

At the beginning of the last century, the measurement of arterial pressure is not yet current. On this cliché taken at the Hôpital de la Charité in Paris in 1918, Emile Spengler measures the systolic blood pressure of Charles Laubry, the man who invented the first upper arm blood pressure monitor, used in this picture. Carried out by the manufacturer himself, the gesture is delicate and photogenic.

The moment is not yet banal...

The measurement of blood pressure has now become common place. Anyone can now buy or borrow a home blood pressure monitor that is more accurate than anything that was produced in the last 100 years.

However, it is important to use the device in the correct manner to get accurate and reliable results.

A few basics about blood pressure

We will start by giving you a few undeniable facts and rules about digital blood pressure monitors. These rules are very important but are often forgotten. They will be mentioned again further in my blog, but are worth repeating here.

Your digital blood pressure monitor does not magically transform you into a doctor.

Your blood pressure monitor is probably really easy to use. It probably inflates automatically, makes cool sounds and then incredibly gives you a clinically accurate result. Isn’t that great? It’s child’s play to measure your blood pressure... Well it certainly feels like it... However, your blood pressure monitor is not intended to replace regular medical examinations. It is there to be used together with your doctor as a tool to better manage your blood pressure. Only a physician is qualified to interpret changes in your blood pressure.

When in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.
The first commercially usable blood pressure monitor was manufactured at the turn of the century. In the 70ies digital devices made their appearance and by the 90ies they were commonly available to the untrained public. According to the statistics from our various service departments worldwide, an incredible 94% of all “faulty” devices sent back to manufacturers show absolutely no problem at all and are simply badly used. Faults can range from silly mistakes such as batteries being put in upside down to using the wrong size cuffs. We have even received devices where the batteries were still wrapped up in plastic. Your doctor has been working and studying blood pressure for most of his life and is an expert on the subject. Please ask him to show you how to correctly use your monitor.

Never make adjustments to your medication unless you are advised to do so by your physician.
As mentioned earlier, your blood pressure monitor does not replace a regular medical examination. Your doctor has prescribed medication for you after a careful examination and it can be very dangerous to make your blood pressure fluctuate by changing your medication or by reducing the dosage on your own. If you suspect that your blood pressure medication is wrong because you regularly get low or high blood pressure readings on your device at home, please keep a regular record of your blood pressure for at least three days in a row and then contact your doctor. He will appreciate the fact that you present all the evidence to him in a clear format.

To do so, use a Blood Pressure Passport. There is a multitude of Blood Pressure Passports available out there. You can also download one that I have designed to fit in your wallet on my cardiology company website, www.healthworksglobal.net.

You should know that when the blood pressure is measured by the doctor at his office, there is a multitude of reasons why the blood pressure measured by the doctor can be higher or lower than the one measured at home. One of the most common reasons is what is called “White Coat Hypertension” and occurs when the patient is subconsciously nervous at the medical examination and this makes his blood pressure go up. On average, the systolic pressure will vary by about 30 points during the day, so it is normal for you to have a different blood pressure at home than at the doctor.

This is one of the main advantages of home monitoring, in that it gives you a much better overall picture of your blood pressure over time than the single blood pressure reading that is taken at the doctor’s office.

Do not believe in urban legends or marketing hype when it comes to your health.
When making decisions about your health, question what is commonly believed. There are many “urban legends” about blood pressure, such as salt intake, anti-oxidants in grape seeds and drinking alcohol every day is good for the heart. Although there might be a grain a truth to these kinds of stories, they are not necessarily completely true and are certainly misunderstood. Later in my blog I will set out to demystify some of these stories.

Digital blood pressure monitors are for adults.

There are 2 main obvious reasons why children should not use digital blood pressure monitors. The most important one is that it is sometimes very difficult to find a cuff that is of the correct size for a child. The second reason is much more subjective, but as important as the first. When you measure a blood pressure the cuff has to be inflated to 30 or 40 points higher than the systolic pressure and this can prove to be quite uncomfortable for children, especially infants who cannot express themselves. Often, as a result of this, they move their arm or cry or get stressed, and this negates any diagnostic value of the reading. Children should not use a digital blood pressure monitor unless it is under the strict supervision of an adult.

Another reason why children should not use automatic blood pressure monitors is that the amplitude of the pulse waves generated by a child is very small (an infant has less than 1/2 litre of blood in his body so by definition his blood pressure is quite low) and more often than not an oscillometric (digital) blood pressure monitor will not “hear” the first “Korotkov” sound on which the blood pressure is calculated and will thus give an artificially low result for the blood pressure.

OK, so that's the end of my introduction and basic rules about blood pressure. In the next few episodes, I'll start answering specific questions about blood pressure.

CU soon, and don't hesitate to send me questions about the subject.

Uwe DIEGEL
www.medactiv.com

New product release

2010-01-15T03:02:00.001-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
For release at 00:00 GMT, 14 January 2010

For more information, contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
President, HealthWorks France
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: contact@medifridge.net

HealthWorks announces a new technology diabetes and rheumatoid poly arthritis. Medifridge – a portable refrigerator for insulin and heat-sensitive drugs - is available in Europe.

Paris, France January 14, 2010

HealthWorks announced today that the European version of Medifridge, a new portable refrigerator allowing a better conservation of heat-sensitive medications, is now available in Europe.

Less travel constraints for people with diabetes or poly arthritis

The “smallest refrigerator in the world” is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and on holiday. Winner of the Concours Lepine in France, the original Medifridge is sold in the United States since 2005.

The Medifridge was developed in France by two well-known brothers in the medical industry, Dr. Olaf and Uwe DIEGEL, following an incident where Dr. Diegel’s insulin was compromised during the heat wave of 2003. If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is damaged and very quickly loses its effectiveness. The perfect temperature of storage for insulin is between 2°C and 8°C. Insulin should never be frozen. These factors handicap diabetics in their travels and daily lifestyle.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Medifridge for sale in the USA in 2005. The Medifridge was modified for the European market because a large majority of users of heat-sensitive drugs in Europe use pre-filled pens, while users in the United States tend to use bottles of 10 ml. The Medifridge is recommended for insulin, vaccines, adrenalin, interferons, procreation agents, coagulation agents, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies (TNF/Anti-TNF).

The new European version of Medifridge fits the majority of the pre-filled pens available in Europe for these medications. The refrigerator is light and portable. It is also delivered with an adapter allowing its permanent use in the car.

The Medifridge uses thermoelectric technology to manage the temperature in the fridge. This technology is based on a principle called the Peltier Effect, which draws heat electronically. A presetting of the temperature prevents the unit from cooling below 2°C and thus avoids freezing the drugs.

A state-of-the-art technology that follows international recommendations

Applications for the Medifridge technology are numerous and HealthWorks is already developing new versions for other drugs such as anti venoms and the transport of blood samples; “The Medifridge technology makes it possible to simplify the management of all the chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president de HealthWorks. “Today’s health management is more about managing patients than diseases because any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by her daily lifestyle. But for this, we must provide patients with the correct tools that will gives them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The Medifridge does just that and gives them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The Medifridge will be on sale on the site http://www.medactiv.com from January 15, 2010.

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks is a group of companies that work together to develop medical solutions based on the concept of HCD (Human Centered Development), where a product is developed with the end-user in mind so that he can intuitively use the product. HealthWorks products are developed as much by members of the public as by engineers and doctors. For more information, visit http://www.healthworksglobal.com.

About diabetes

Diabetes is a widespread chronic disease characterized by the insufficient production of insulin, a hormone necessary to transform glucose (sugar) into energy. More than 230 million people suffer from diabetes in the world, a figure that should cross the worldwide threshold of 350 million sufferers in 20 years.

Global contact:
Uwe DIEGEL, +33 6 76 31 29 93
contact@medifridge.net

New product development

2009-12-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

We're recently started working with a large pharmaceutical company to develop a new version of the Medifridge to use with medication for rhumatoid arthritis. This new version will include a battery pack that will allow the user to travel with his medication for up to 4 days.

Medication for rhumatoid arthritis is an injectable medication that must imperatively be maintained at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C.

The Novofridge (as we call it now, but it's probably not the final name) will be recharged like a mobile phone, either through the mains power or with a USB cable that will plug into any computer.

This is what we expect the Novofridge to look like.

This project is in line with the MedActiv vision, where all our products are developed using the concept of HCD (Human Centered Development). HCD means that every aspect of the product development is considered BEFORE we even put pen to paper. This means that we discuss the project with patients, doctors, engineers and many other people before we start work so that we can exactly understand what the needs of the final user are. In fact, in an HCD product, the patient is as much responsible for the design as is the engineer.

We expect the new Novofridge to be available worldwide from September 2010.

Welcome to MedActiv

2009-12-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago, I received the visit of my diabetic brother during a heatwave in France. As many will now, insulin should be kept under cool and temperate conditions, which means that it is often difficult for people with diabetes to travel.

It turns out my brother had a problem with his insulin because he asked the inn-keeper to store it for him in the fridge, and because of the language barrier, the insulin was put in the freezer and accidentally frozen.

So the following weekend, my brother and I discussed this and we came up with an idea for a portable miniature refrigerator. We made a prototype out of bits and pieces lying around the house and this original product later eveolved into the prize-winning Medifridge, which is a small refrigerator a bit bigger than a mobile phone that allowed the user to safely travel with his medication, anywhere, any time.

The Medifridge has won a number of awards, has been featured on TV, has won the Concours Lepine for Innovation, and tons of other stuff. We originally launched the Medifridge in the USA because the market in the USA for insulin was principally a market where insulin was sold in 10 ml vials, and they were basically all the same, irrespective of the manufacturer.

We have nos modified the product so that it can also hold pre-filled insulin pens for the market in Europe and we are proud to say that this is probably the single most important object for diabetes control for many people worldwide. The product is also used for adrenaline, monoclonal antibodies, Anti-TBF, diabetes, arthritis, and even in some cases for make-up.

We are constantly looking for new uses for the technology of the Medifridge, so if you have any bright ideas out there, please let us know, or even better, just discuss it with us on the blog.

We look forward to helping you manage your diabetes better and to develop further tools that can help you to lead a life that is not hindered by your affliction.

Let us know how we can help.

Uwe DIEGEL