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Pill of Choice for Diabetes
Sweet Deal
Hispanics are twice as likely as Anglos to develop diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The increased risk prompted the National Council of La Raza to launch a Hispanic diabetes-awareness campaign featuring Jose Feliciano and chef Douglas Rodriguez late last year.
Proper eating habits and exercise are essential to effective management of the disease — defined as a hormonal inability to metabolize sugar and whose complications can include stroke, blindness, amputations, kidney failure, heart disease, and premature death. However, medication also plays an important treatment role.
The most-prescribed pill to help control blood sugar for type 2 diabetes — previously known as adult-onset diabetes — is Glucophage. It can be used alone, with the most commonly prescribed oral diabetes medications (sulfonylureas), and with insulin, and it very rarely causes low blood sugar when used as directed.
Though introduced in France some 40 years ago, Glucophage was not available in the United States until April 1995. By the end of 1996, it had already captured more than 24 percent of the U.S. diabetes-medication market.
Glucophage is available through prescription only. Diabetics who have kidney disease or dysfunction, are taking medication for congestive heart failure, have a history of liver disease, or are heavy drinkers should not take it. The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach, which usually occur during the first few weeks.
More information is available at www.glucophage.com
Get a Grip
The ascendancy of the computer as a communications tool has undermined the tradition of elegant handwriting to the point where deciphering office scrawl has emerged as a prized professional specialty.
Nevertheless, fine writing instruments remain popular. Just ask the A.T. Cross Co., whose latest offering, the Morph, is the result of an extensive research and development effort aimed at improving the feel of the everyday pen.
Rhode Island-based Cross touts the Morph as the world's first pen with an adjustable grip that can be customized to suit any preference. Constructed of anodized aluminum, the rocket-shaped Morph also features a free-floating stainless steel ball clip for easy attachment to a shirt or pocket.
Available in electric blue, Mars red, jet black, quicksilver (brushed aluminum), Aztec orange, copper, Sherwood green, and sage gold, the Morph retails for about $50 and includes the newest refill from Cross, the ultra-smooth black broad point.
More information is available on the Web at www.cross.com.
Computer Eyes
The PC camera is among the computer industry's hottest accessories. And Intel, which helped give rise to the trend with the introduction of its first PC camera in September 1997, has added fuel to the fire with an intriguing new product entry.
Retailing for about $79, the Intel PC Camera Pack includes a PC camera, Video Phone and Email Postcard software, and PC camera games. For customers who require more advanced capabilities such as Web page-building, Intel continues to offer the Intel Create & Share Camera Pack priced at $129.
Intel's new Video Phone software enables users to make videophone calls over broadband Internet connections, dial-up Internet connections, or regular telephone lines. Its accompanying VGA camera supports high-resolution (640 x 480) images.
Using Email Postcard, you can personalize e-mail with video images, snapshots, or audio. Users also can interact with PC camera games developed by Reality Fusion.
Each Intel PC Camera Pack includes a free ready-to-mail CD with an extra copy of the videophone software for a family member or friend with whom you want to connect.
For more information, visit www.intel.com/PCcamera
