Greetings!

Hello, and a warm welcome to our September newsletter! First, before we get to the articles, we'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who put their hand up to volunteer for the Type 1 Diabetes Network. We really appreciate your generosity - without you things would certainly be a little tougher!

This month we have a couple of items of interest to people with pumps: why you might want to turn off your insulin pump when on a plane, and how 'pumpers' are being taken care of with new guidelines.  We also have some uplifting articles and stories where you'll meet Jack Edwards who hasn't let his type 1 stop him from being a successful athlete, and hear some fabulous news about diabetic neuropathy. An all-round, feel-good newsletter for you!

Insulin pumps deliver extra insulin 'in the air'

A recent study has found that insulin pumps can deliver extra (unintended) insulin during flight, resulting in hypoglycaemic episodes up to 2 hours later. It all has to do with the air pressure, which drops during a flight because of the high altitudes. The drop in pressure can cause air bubbles to form, and existing air bubbles to expand in the cartridge, which forces insulin out of the pump.

To tackle the problem, the authors of the study made the following suggestions:

1. Before take off, disconnect the pump and also make sure your cartridge doesn't contain more than 1.5ml of insulin.
2. At cruising altitude (when the plane has leveled after take-off), take the cartridge out of the pump and remove any air bubbles before putting it back.
3. When the plane lands, disconnect the pump and prime the line with 2 units. Then reconnect the pump.

The Australian Diabetes Educators Association have also adopted these recommendations.  To read more about the study go here and here. If you have ever had issues with your pump while flying, share your experience on the Reality Check forum.

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New insulin pump recommendations are being drafted

Photo by Erin O'Connor

The Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) is drafting new guidelines that will benefit us! The guidelines are about insulin pump therapy, and will outline a number of recommendations on pump education and training - for both pump users and trainers.

The guidelines are being developed with the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, and recommend that all diabetes educators should complete approved training for the pump (yay!). It also says that pump users should have access to 24-hour support for diabetes-related issues. Let's hope these guidelines get finalised soon.

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For more information visit www.abbottdiabetescare.com.au

Photo by Fabio

A recent study has found that the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in people with type 1 diabetes is decreasing. Woo hoo!

The study evaluated 3,781 people who were diagnosed with type 1 at different times. It found that the period of diagnosis heavily influenced the number of people who were diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy.

For example, 20 years after being diagnosed of type 1, the incidence of diabetic neuropathy was:

• 23% in those diagnosed in 1974 or earlier
• 33% in those diagnosed between 1975 and 1979
• 18 % in those diagnosed between 1980 and 1984
• 6.4% in those diagnosed in 1985 or later

As you can see, these findings show a significant decrease in the incidence of diabetic neuropathy over the years. If you're a science geek, read the study report here . Otherwise just celebrate the great news by treating your eyes to a pair of new sunnies, or a wonderfully soothing cucumber eye mask. :-)

A dose of inspiration - we all need it from time to time

"When Jack Edwards was just a 12-year-old boy he was diagnosed with an incurable illness, but the champion hurdler never let it hold him back, instead he used it as a motivation to catapult into success."

Yes, that 'incurable illness' is type 1 diabetes. Now, 4 years on, at the age of 16, Jack qualified to compete in the IV Commonwealth Youth Games, where he won a bronze medal! He earned this mighty feat after winning the under 18, 110 metre hurdles at the Australian Junior Track and Field Championships.

This young man's story is nothing short of inspirational. Read more about Jack's amazing achievement here, including how he manages his T1 while he's on and off the field.

• Cupcakes 
• Faling down the stairs 
• Sugar free ice blocks 
• Pumps? 

From everyone at  

The Type 1 Diabetes Network