Fitness Expert Kim Lyons and Leading Diabetes Organization Motivate Patients to 'Take the Next Step' to Treat Diabetic Nerve Pain This Summer

SAN DIEGO, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is coming, and it's the perfect time to take advantage of all the outdoor activities this season has to offer. From baseball games and pool parties to barbeques and bike rides, the summer months are an ideal time to get outdoors and participate in the activities you love. Unfortunately, for people living with diabetes, common disease complications such as painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) may keep them from doing many of the things they enjoy this summer. pDPN may cause burning, throbbing or painful tingling in the feet or hands—and it can have a debilitating impact on quality of life, affecting patients' everyday activities including interference with sleep and the ability to stay active. Improved blood sugar control, healthy eating and exercise have all been shown to delay nerve damage, but it is also important that in order to manage the pain people are diagnosed early and receive appropriate treatment.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100610/SF18590/LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100610/SF18590/LOGO)

That's why Pfizer Inc has teamed up with leading diabetes education organization, Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), and Kim Lyons, personal trainer and nutritionist featured on NBC's hit show, The Biggest Loser, on an educational program called "Take the Next Step." The campaign is designed to help people with diabetes recognize the symptoms of pDPN, proactively speak to their doctor about treatment options to help them manage the pain and start incorporating physical activity into their lives again in an appropriate way. Treatment guidelines point to the unique nature of pDPN and the need for specialized treatment, which can include prescription treatment specifically for this type of pain.

"Difficulty maintaining an active lifestyle because of the pain associated with pDPN can hamper patients' ability to control their weight, an important key to diabetes management," said Steven Edelman, MD, Founder and Director of the not-for-profit Taking Control of Your Diabetes and Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Diego. "Treating the pain can really make a difference for these patients and help them conduct normal daily activities which in turn can help them better manage their diabetes."

The "Take the Next Step" campaign features a tailored activity and exercise program, developed by Lyons, which helps people with pDPN understand how to raise their activity level and better manage daily activities.  

"I know that for people with this kind of pain, engaging in physical activity might seem daunting at first, but people will be amazed to see that taking small steps towards increasing activity level can make a big difference," said Kim Lyons. "There are many activities that you may not consider exercise but that will get you moving this summer, such as gardening, miniature golf and nature walks. Once you get moving, you will likely find that you'll be able to slowly increase your level of activity and participate in the activities that matter most to you."

Ms. Lyons will be traveling to a series of TCOYD health conferences this fall to share her activity program with conference attendees. For more information on the "Take the Next Step" campaign, including Kim Lyons' activity program and tips and tools to help people with diabetes discuss pDPN with their physician, visit www.diabetespainhelp.com.

About TCOYD

TCOYD is a not for profit organization dedicated to informing and empowering people with diabetes to become actively involved in their own health care. We do this through live national conferences, local events, publications, online resources and our educational television series. Participation in a TCOYD program is a turning point in so many lives - a day when people with diabetes are encouraged to confront their disease, their fears of it, fears of complications and of the treatments themselves. Each year at TCOYD we have the opportunity to spark a new understanding and a new energy in thousands of people living with this disease. Steven V. Edelman, MD, founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. Dr. Edelman is an internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment, research and education.

SOURCE Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD)