I was an avid watcher of Army Wives when it premiered. Then life got the better of me and I just couldn’t keep up.  Many of my co-workers were much more diligent than I.  So when it was mentioned to me that the topic of diabetes was worked into the latest several episodes, my interest was renewed and I made a concerted effort to tune in.

To summarize, Kim Delaney’s character, Claudia Joy goes in for tests after a bad car accident and is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  Her doctor discusses the seriousness of diabetes, all the risks involved and proper management through insulin, monitored blood glucose levels and diet. We see her go through a range of emotions until another person with diabetes helps her come to terms with her condition.   

It’s refreshing to see an honest, educational portrayal of the seriousness of diabetes.  In addition, the inclusion of the importance of wearing a medical ID is wonderfully portrayed in episode 14, (Air Date: 09/13/09 chapter 1) when Claudia Joy’s husband takes the initiative to protect her by giving her a beautiful medical ID bracelet. Although Claudia Joy rebuffs the bracelet initially, by the end of the episode (chapter 4) she reconsiders and puts the ID on.

It truly is important to know that besides treating diabetes effectively through proper medical care a successful treatment program should include wearing a medical ID. Great job Lifetime!  (Oh, in case you were wondering… yes, the medical ID is our very own Premier Bracelet.  Nice choice Michael!).

Andrea Rucker
American Medical ID

Going away to college and living on your own can be a scary, overwhelming experience.  Especially if you’ve always had parents and a support system to help you with your type 1 diabetes; leaving that behind can definitely make the trek to college that much more terrifying.

Each fall, 2.3 million freshmen enroll in institutes of higher education in the U.S. Of these, an estimated 7,700 will have type 1 diabetes.  New students affected by diabetes don’t have to be afraid of their health care and educational needs as they adjust to college life if they plan ahead and have a game plan once they arrive. 

Some tips before leaving for college:

§  Meet with your primary care provider or endocrinologist before heading to college. Such a meeting enables the clinician to review all aspects of your medical care and will help educate you about some issues that you may not have already considered

§  Contact the college’s health facility to set up an introductory appointment  once you arrive on campus

§  Transfer your prescriptions

§  Make a check list to ensure you have all of the supplies needed to manage you diabetes while at school

§  Get a medical ID

Once at school:

§  It is highly recommended to discuss your diabetes with people that can help you if an emergency arises;  your roommate(s), resident advisor, professors, close friends

§  Create a list of emergency contact information

§  Make an early trip to the cafeteria where you plan to eat most of you meals. Ask the food service to post or provide nutritional information if available

With preparation, a plan and support, you should be able to effectively make the transition.  Best of luck and have the best time of your life in college!

For more great tips and an inside look at one college graduates recommendations and experience, read blogger and advocate Allison Blass’ post http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/07/on-your-own-now-off-to-college-with-the-big-d.html.

Andrea Rucker

Marketing Manager

American Medical ID

Although we have numerous medical ID plates, charms, metals and designs, there is always someone who wishes to wear a unique or different medical ID.  We are proud of our “build your own medical ID” website, which allows customers to personalize and create their own medical ID by selecting a charm/pendant, chain style, emblem color, etc. of their choice.  However, I am a realist.  I understand that we may not have the perfect chain or metal for you.  But the key is that if you need to wear a medical ID, you should. And if you wish to create your own…by all means do so!

At the recent American Association of Diabetes Educators 2008 Conference in Washington, DC last month, I met one of our customers who used our Silver Medallion to create her own personalized medical ID.  The Medallion, engraved with her medical information, was attached to a claw type clasp which hooked to her own bead chain bracelet. I personally found the ID quite stylish. But most importantly, she was wearing a medical ID!

If you wish to create your own medical ID, feel free to do so.  We sell our charms, pendants and bracelet plates without the chain to allow customers the option of designing their own medical ID.  Keep in mind, the price for the charm/pendant/plate with the chain and without are the same.

Good luck, and have fun putting your own spin on your medical ID!

-Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

With tropical storm Eduard on my heels causing a very turbulent 30 minute ride after take off, I landed safely in Washington, DC to begin setting up our booth for the AADE 2008 conference.

This year we involved the attendees with a new marketing program.  We asked the diabetes educators, nurses and dieticians to vote on our next marketing education poster to help reinforce the importance of wearing a medical ID.  Since the healthcare community educations and/or prescribes patients to wear a medical ID, it is extremely valuable to ask what tools would help them best with their jobs.

Although I do not have a condition or allergy that would warrant wearing ID, I do anyways.  My medical ID has I.C.E (In Case of Emergency) information as well as “no known allergies” engraved on the underside.  So, if something happens while I am out and about, my medical ID alerts first responders to my health status based on the information engraved.  Also, they can quickly call my emergency contact person engraved on my ID to notify them of what is taking or just took place.

Although I was in Washington, DC for work, there was time for a little play.  With my medical ID in tow, I walked the grounds of the Smithsonian museums and visited the Washington Monument.

-Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

Whether it is worn for fashion, function or to convey a message, wearing jewelry has become a part of everyone’s daily dressing routine.  But are you aware that a small portion of our global population is allergic to the metal in our jewelry?

Between 10% to 12% of women and 6% of men experience Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), or simply, a localized rash or irritation of the skin due to the skin coming in contact with an irritant (in this case a metal).  The most common metals that cause ACD are gold and nickel.  Both metals are listed on the top 10 most common causes of ACD. 

Many of us are unaware if we are allergic to gold or nickel until we experience a reaction.  Nickel ACD can develop at any age and a reaction isn’t always immediate.  To my surprise, both white gold and 9Kt gold contain nickel. 

Signs of a gold or nickel ACD are as follows:

*  Red, swollen rash

*  Water blisters

*  Itchy or inflamed skin

Most of the time, an ACD reaction is a minor inconvenient rash that clears up with a few weeks.  However, if really want to know if you have a metal allergy contact your physician for nickel testing.  Unfortunately, a cure is not available yet for these metal allergies. 

So, on your next shopping trip, you must become a guru of reading jewelry labels.  Look for hypoallergenic, solid gold (12Kt or more), titanium and silver (raw) jewelry.

Danielle Coleman

Product Manager

American Medical ID

This is our first blog. Actually, this is my first blog as well. And I hate to admit that the first draft was actually written out on paper. So please forgive me if we break any rules regarding this format. But we have had a voice for a long time, and certainly been a part of the conversation in health care for quite some time. Unfortunately for many, medical IDs have long been “under the radar”…an afterthought…an admission to anyone living with diabetes or heart disease that they live with something that, at times can control them, no matter how in-control they may feel.

Many times patients discover how beneficial a medical ID can be from NOT wearing one. We get far too many calls from people, literally on their way home from the emergency room, asking us how fast we can make their first ID, because they realize how their experience would have been so much better had they been wearing one.

We believe a medical ID should be an extension of you; your personal style. Dare I say, something you are proud of. But more importantly, something that can give you a voice, when you otherwise may not be able to speak. That’s a very simple, yet powerful tool in this age of rising healthcare costs and medical errors. That’s the whole idea behind why this company was started by our founder and CEO, Rick Russell, who still runs the business with the same simplicity, passion and focus.

I’ll stop here…my hand is getting tired. But we look forward to hearing your feedback and contributing on a regular basis. Let us know what you think.

Dirk Van Slyke
Vice President Sales & Marketing
American Medical ID