16 JULY 6, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
HEALTH
Taking a Family Approach to
Type 2 Diabetes Management
For many, Father's Day is a time
for us to refl ect on how much
our dads mean to us, how much
we've learned from them, and how
they've helped us become who we are
today. Former professional football
player and national sports talk show
host Mike Golic is no diff erent - he
learned from his dad's experience
with type 2 diabetes and is using it
to shape his own management of this
condition.
Growing up, Mike observed his
father's private journey with type 2
diabetes. "He had support from my
mother," Mike recalls, "but he didn't
like to talk about it - that just wasn't
his way, and I respect that." Years
later, when Mike was diagnosed with
the condition at age 42, he decided he
needed a diff erent approach.
"I knew I needed my whole family
involved to stay on track. They help me
make sure we have healthy groceries
at home and even take time to exercise
with me," Mike says.
"I also learned to lean on my doctor
and asked him about treatment with
INVOKANA® (canagliflozin). Since
I started taking the once-daily pill, I
have been able to lower my blood sugar,
and even lost some weight."
INVOKANA® is a once-daily pill
used along with diet and exercise to
lower blood sugar in adults with type
2 diabetes. In most clinical trials, the
majority of people taking INVOKANA®
reached an A1C goal of less than 7.0
percent, which is recommended by
the American Diabetes Association.
INVOKANA® is not for weight loss,
but may help people lose weight - on
average 2-3 percent. INVOKANA® was
also shown in clinical trials to reduce
systolic blood pressure (on average 3-5
mmHg), though it is not indicated for
antihypertensive treatment. Results
may vary by dose and when used alone
or with certain other diabetes medications.
The most common side eff ects
of INVOKANA® include genital yeast
infections, urinary tract infection, and
changes in urination. These specifi c
adverse events were generally mild
to moderate in intensity in clinical
studies.
Along with factors like age and
ethnicity, having a family history
of type 2 diabetes can increase your
risk of developing the condition, so it's
important to have open conversations
with your loved ones. It's also crucial
to discuss your progress with your
doctor so that together, you can make
the best decisions regarding your care.
Having these talks can be challenging
at times - consider creating a personalized
discussion guide at ICanImagine.
com to help you stay vocal during your
next appointment.
Mike notes watching his father's
experiences with type 2 diabetes
inspired him to lead by example. "As
a dad, I want my kids to have all of the
information and support they need
to stay healthy. I talk openly about
my condition and try to make smart
choices about my health," he says. "For
my family, managing type 2 diabetes is
really a team eff ort."
Learn more about Mike's health
journey and get useful tips at ICan-
Imagine.com.
Courtesy BPT
Finding a Path to Your Medicines
America's healthcare environment
is constantly evolving,
and the path to affordable
medicines is not always easy to fi nd.
But you don't have to feel lost. There
are programs available to help.
At the core of Pfi zer's commitment to
patients is the belief that everyone deserves
access to quality care, including
when it comes to their medicines. That's
why for more than 30 years, Pfi zer has
empowered patients in need with assistance
and information, so they can get
access to the medicines prescribed by
their doctor. Today, that help is provided
through Pfi zer RxPathways®, which
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of Pfi zer assistance programs that off er
insurance support, co-pay assistance,
and medicines for free or at a savings.
Patients can talk to trained Medicine
Access Counselors who work with each
person to understand their unique
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programs or resources that can best
meet their needs.
Among those receiving assistance
from Pfi zer is caregiver Suzanne. "I
called Pfi zer and said our daughter
is on medication and I'm really afraid
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Suzanne is one of millions helped
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programs. Through state-of-theart
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Pfi zer helped more than 1.6 million
patients receive over 19 million Pfi zer
prescriptions for free or at a savings
over the last fi ve years (2012-2016).*
Healthcare can be diffi cult to navigate
- especially during stressful times
- and Pfi zer RxPathways could help.
If you or someone you know needs
assistance getting access to or paying
for Pfi zer medicines, dial the toll-free
phone number 1-844-989-PATH (7284)
or visit www.Pfi zerRxPathways.com
to learn more about available options.
Courtesy BPT
