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Kathleen Doheny

Freelance Health Writer
Los Angeles, CA

About Kathleen Doheny

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles journalist specializing in health, behavior and fitness topics. She writes for a variety of health websites and publications, including WebMD, EverydayHealth, HealthDay and Health

Articles Written by Kathleen Doheny

Metformin Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia

Benefit strongest in African-American veterans. Metformin's mechanism for reducing inflammation throughout the body may explain the link.
Researchers found that metformin could protect against dementia in some populations. Further research is needed to confirm this new use for an old drug.

FDA OK's Nasal Powder Remedy for Severe Hypoglycemia

Studies find the new product works in under 15 minutes.
The FDA approves a nasal powder product to treat severe hypoglycemia. Expected in pharmacies mid-August. Studies say it works in 15 minutes.

Do Statins "Invite" Diabetes?

Lipitor, Crestor, and other statins are typically prescribed to help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risks, but new research again finds they may boost diabetes risk.
Lipitor, Crestor, and other statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed for their ability to reduce heart disease risks, but new research again finds they may boost diabetes risk. OnTrack Diabetes spoke to two experts.

Victoza: New Treatment Option for Youth with Type 2 Diabetes

FDA OK's liraglutide (Victoza) injections for pediatric patients 10 years and older.
The FDA recently approved Victoza (liraglutide), an injectable drug that helps improve blood sugar for children with type 2 diabetes providing an option beyond metformin.

Lorcaserin: Can This New Weight Loss Drug Delay or Reverse Diabetes?

A prescription weight loss drug, lorcaserin (Belviq), helps not only with weight loss but also in reversing diabetes or delaying its onset, according to new research involving 12,000 people.
Lorcaserin, a prescription weight-loss drug, helps with weight loss but also in reversing or delaying the onset of diabetes, according to new research involving 12,000 people.

23andMe: New Genetic Test Option Predicts Diabetes Risk

The simple-to-use, at home genetic test, can provide insight into how your genes might impact your health but should you mail in your saliva?
Learn more about the new type 2 diabetes prediction report available through 23andMe, a genetic testing company. Is this a good use of your saliva?

Glucose Testing News: T2Ds May Be Overdoing It

Study finds that many people with type 2 diabetes may be overusing self-testing supplies. Learn why this matters.
Are you testing too much? A new study finds that many people with type 2 diabetes may be overusing self-testing supplies. Could you be one of them?

Do You Have Trypanophobia (Fear of Needles)? 7 Tips to Help You Conquer It

Cringing at the thought of doing a finger prick or injection isn't good, especially when you have diabetes. Experts suggest how to conquer that fear once and for all.
Having a phobia about needles could compromise your care when you live with diabetes. Here, expert tips to conquer trypanophobia.

Hate Finger Pricks? New FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System May Be Right for You

New glucose monitoring device, just approved by the FDA, may mean the end of routine finger sticks.
Do you hate pricking your finger to check your blood sugar levels? This new no-prick glucose monitoring system could be right for you.

Mindfulness Meditation: How to Get Started

Research suggests mindfulness meditation is good for many diabetes-related issues. Here's how to start learning, stick with it and appreciate its benefits.

CDC Reports New Cases of Diabetes Declining in the U.S.

Diabetes is on the decline in the U.S., after many years of steady increases, according to a new report issued Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bring on the Full-Fat Dairy? Not So Fast

Full-fat dairy was linked with reduced risk of diabetes, but experts say it's not a green light to load up on milk, cheese and butter.
Adults who consumed more full-fat dairy products (as reflected by higher levels of certain fatty acids in their blood samples) had a lower risk of getting type 2 diabetes over a long-term follow-up, according to a new study from Circulation.

Diet Soda and Diabetes: Why It's So Hard On the Eyes

Drinking more than 4 diet sodas weekly may more than double your risk of getting diabetic retinopathy, new research suggests.
New research reveals that drinking more than 4 diet sodas weekly may more than double your risk of getting diabetic retinopathy.

Is Your Attitude Boosting Your Diabetes Risk?

Being pessimistic, negative and hostile is linked with a higher risk of developing diabetes, a new study finds. So, can you change?
A new study reveals that being pessimistic, negative and hostile is linked with a higher risk of developing diabetes. But is it possible to change?

Diabetes Support: Can A Coaching App Help You Manage Your Blood Sugar?

Having a virtual coach may be just what the in-real-life doctor ordered to improve your diabetes control and your life.
Having a virtual coach available 24/7 via a smartphone app may just improve your diabetes control and your life.

Jardiance Can Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease and Death

The FDA has granted empagliflozin (Jardiance) double duty status—it can lower blood sugar and, if you have cardiovascular disease, reduce your risk of heart-related death.

Anthony Anderson Finally Gets Real About His Diabetes

The comedian and star of "Black-ish" talks about what it took for him to get serious about his type 2 diabetes diagnosis and what he's doing today to stay healthy.

FDA Toughens Kidney Warnings on Invokana and Farxgia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told two drug makers to toughen the existing warnings about the risk of kidney injury for their diabetes drugs. The two drugs are canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga, Xigduo XR).

New Clues About How Anxiety Boosts Diabetes Risk

If you have an inability to deal well with stress, your immune system may malfunction, increasing the risk of getting type 2 diabetes, experts say.

Are You Storing Your Insulin Properly?

Domestic refrigerators may pose a risk to the quality of your insulin, experts warn
A new study found that when tested for proper temperature range, insulin is not stored in the home or during transit properly. This can result in a loss of effectiveness.

Coming Soon: A Faster, Simpler Way to Treat Severe Hypoglycemia

Nasal glucagon treatment is under review by the FDA; if approved, doctors say it will be a simpler way to treat a dangerous condition.
Nasal glucagon treatment is under review by the FDA. If approved, doctors say it will be a faster, simpler way to treat hypoglycemia—a dangers condition caused by low blood sugar. Learn more.

Diabetes? A New Diagnosis Improves Your Spouse's Health, Study Finds

When one partner is diagnosed with diabetes and gets advice on how to improve health, the other partner makes healthy changes, too, experts find.
When one partner is diagnosed with diabetes and receives advice on how to improve health, the other partner makes healthy changes, too, experts find.

Food Order Matters: Eat Carbs Last For Better Blood Glucose, Study Says

Prediabetes? Eating protein or protein and veggies before carbs may even out your blood sugar levels, researchers find.
If you have prediabetes, the order in which you consume your food may reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Small study finds that eating protein first may even out blood sugar levels.

Babies Born to Mothers with Diabetes May Be at Higher Risk of Developing Autism

Women with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy had a somewhat higher risk of having children who developed autism. Experts emphasize the risk is still low.
In a new study, women with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy had a somewhat higher risk of having children who developed autism. Experts emphasize the risk is still low.

Prediabetes? These 10 Foods Could Help You Ditch the Diagnosis

If you want to avoid getting type 2 diabetes, learn to incorporate more of these 10 foods into your diet and you just may ditch the diagnosis!
Got prediabetes? Incorporating more of these 10 foods into your diet can reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Is Diabetes Messing with Your Bladder and Sex Life?

Learn more about why people with diabetes are more prone to urologic and sexual problems than those without the diagnosis plus, how to threat the problems.

Fasting Blood Glucose Test or A1C? Which Predicts Risk of T2D Better?

In a study of more than 21,000 healthy people with normal blood glucose results, researchers found the A1C test results better predicted who would get diabetes over the next four years.
In a new study of healthy people with normal blood glucose results, researchers found the A1C test results better predicted who would get diabetes over the next four years.

Diabetes and Mental Health: How to Find a Therapist Who Really Gets You

A new training program—and accompanying directory—will help people living with diabetes locate mental health clinicians who understand the complexities of this chronic condition.
A new training program and directory will help people with diabetes find mental health professionals who understand their condition.

Type 2 Diabetes: Could Using Technology Lower Your Blood Sugar?

Technology to help self-manage diabetes is no longer the domain of those with type 1. More and more, those with type 2 are discovering how technology can help them manage and control their health.
If have type 2 diabetes and aren't taking advantage of technology designed to assist with blood sugar management you may be missing out. Learn more about systems designed to lessen your daily burden.

Diabetes Technology in 2018: Where to Start, What to Know

Advances in technology aimed at making diabetes management simpler and better are plentiful, so where to start?
Today's technological advances—aimed at making diabetes management simpler and better—are plentiful. Our experts select 3 of the most promising on the horizon.

4 Signs That You're In Prediabetes Denial

The results of your blood tests are in, and your doctor explains that your blood glucose levels are abnormal, high enough to put you in a high-risk category for developing type 2 diabetes. The diagnosis: You have pre-diabetes.

Got Prediabetes? Large Study Predicts Those at Greatest Risk of Getting Type 2

To find out which people with prediabetes are at immediate high risk of getting type 2 diabetes, researchers followed 77,000 people with the diagnosis.
Researchers evaluated 77,000 people diagnosed with prediabetes to determine which factors put them at highest risk of developing type 2. Learn more.

Diabetes & Hearing Loss Linked

Those with type 2 diabetes may be 40 to 80% more likely to have hearing problems, experts find.
Growing research suggests that people with diabetes need to be on the lookout for hearing loss.

FDA Approves Shock Wave Device for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Shock-wave system closes wounds better after 1 to 7 sessions that not using it, experts found.
Learn more about the first ever shock wave device for treating diabetic foot ulcers that was recently approved by the FDA.

Foot Ulcers? Here's What May Be in Store

Without prompt attention, amputation may follow.
If you have diabetes, it's important to inspect your feet every day. Putting off proper treatment can result in amputation.

Diabetes & Your Feet: 5 Things You Need to Do Right Now to Prevent Ulcers, Infection, Amputation

Diabetes & Your Feet: 5 Things you need to do right now to prevent ulcers, infection, and amputation.

Would You Workout for a Better Memory?

In a new study, researchers found short, intense workouts can improve memory quickly. Might this finding be a better motivator than weight loss?
Canadian researchers found that short, intense workouts can improve memory quickly. Could more brain power be a better motivator than weight loss?

New Diabetes Drug Delivers Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Benefits and More

FDA approves semaglutide (Ozempic), which improved A1C and weight loss in clinical trials.

Overweight? Consider More Frequent Mammograms, Experts Say

Swedish study finds that cancers identified within two years of a normal mammogram were larger in overweight, obese women.
Swedish study finds that cancers identified within two years of a normal mammogram were larger in overweight, obese women.

Could Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Lower Your A1C Long-Term?

CGM, regardless of insulin delivery method, lowered A1C best, two-year study finds.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), regardless of insulin delivery method, lowered A1C best, finds a new two-year study.

Could Insomnia Cause Diabetes?

Researchers from Taiwan found that chronic insomnia raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.
What does lack of sleep have to do with diabetes? New research reveals chronic insomnia is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Learn more.

The Diabetes and Depression Cycle: Managing It Can Improve Blood Sugars

New study shows that treating depression is linked to improving blood sugar.

Study: 60% of Americans with Diabetes Skip Yearly Eye Exams

Results of a new study find that annual eyes exams are avoided by a large percentage of people with diabetes. Regular vision checks are the best way to detect problems in the early stages and prevent vision loss.
Annual eye exams are crucial for detecting diabetes-related vision problems which is the best way to prevent loss of eye sight.

A Text a Day Keeps Excess Weight at Bay?

Texting, in tandem with other programs and care, is an ideal way to help patients achieve weight loss and numerous other health goals, according to several recent studies. It's especially helpful, experts say, for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Want To Lower Diabetes Risk? Get Nutrition Counseling

If you're at risk for prediabetes, nutrition education can help you lose weight, lower blood sugar levels and head off type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes, Your Bladder and Your Sex Life: It's Complicated

Recent research indicates that having diabetes may make you more prone to developing sexual problems and urologic conditions. Learn more about the risks and treatments.
Research increasingly shows that blood sugar is related to both urologic conditions and sexual problems. Learn more about the role diabetes plays,

Sugar Guidelines: Who to Believe? What to Believe?

A controversial report on sugar guidelines finds advice varies widely, is based on limited evidence.

For Some Overweight Teen Girls, Oral Glucose Tolerance Best Test: Study

Researcher finds that fasting blood sugar test misses teens at risk for diabetes, prediabetes
For teen girls who are overweight or obese with irregular menstrual cycles, the choice of a test to determine if they have prediabetes and heart disease risk factors is key, according to a Polish researcher.

Online Diabetes Support Improved Healthy Behaviors

Diabetes HealthSense, an online government-reviewed resource, helps you better manage diabetes.
HealthSense is a program of the National Institutes of Health's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) started in 2004.

Flu Shots: Health Insurance for People with Type 2 Diabetes

Adults with Type 2 who got the ''flu jab'' less likely to have stroke, heart failure, flu, pneumonia, experts find
The flu vaccine does more than help those with type 2 diabetes avoid coming down with influenza. Getting vaccinated also appears to reduce their risk of death, stroke, pneumonia and heart failure, according to a new British study that tracked more than 124,000 adults with type 2 diabetes for seven years.

Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Can Lower Heart Disease Risk with Exercise

Is Reversing Diabetes Possible with Diet Alone?

A physician in the U.K. says a very low-calorie diet regimen and the resulting weight loss can reverse type 2 diabetes; U.S. expert says studies are short-term and concept is not new.

Mindfulness Meditation and Your Health

A round-up of supportive research
If you've been struggling with losing weight, reducing stress, keeping your blood sugar levels under control or minimizing your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, and success has eluded you, researchers say learning how to practice more mindfulness may help.

Do Diabetes and Depression Up Your Risk for Foot Ulcers?

Researchers explore the link between diabetic foot ulcers and depression.

Strong Social Connections Linked to Better Health

Being socially connected to supportive people during your entire life bodes well for your health, new research finds, and may actually counteract some of the risks that accompany health problems such as diabetes.

Too Much Standing: Why Your Foot Wound Won't Heal

A new study finds that in people with diabetes, walking and standing may delay foot wound healing.

Cravings: Can You Blame Them? Can You Tame Them?

Learning how the cravings affect your weight and how to tame them—yes, it's possible—may help keep your weight healthy—and, by extension, your blood sugar under control.

Bye, Bye Butter Guilt?

Experts found no link between butter and heart disease or overall death, slightly protective link between butter and diabetes. But butter still doesn't get a green light.

Sugar Guidelines: Who to Believe? What to Believe?

A controversial report on sugar guidelines finds advice varies widely, is based on limited evidence.
Advice about how much sugar to include in your diet is offered by many public health organizations, but a new report, just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, finds that the guidelines on sugar limits vary greatly and that many are not based on rock-solid evidence.

Avoiding Diabetes Stigma and Guilt

How your health care team talks to you can make a big difference in diabetes management, experts say
The words your health care team uses when they talk to you about your diabetes or pre-diabetes treatment plan can make a big difference in how well you do, experts say.

Substitute Healthy Fats for Saturated Fats, Refined Carbs to Reduce Diabetes Risk

Review of 100 studies finds replacing saturated fats and carbs with unsaturated fats may reduce risk of getting type 2 diabetes or help manage it.
Study results reveal that eating healthy fats, and fewer refined carbs, is tied to better A1c levels.

Group Program Helps Those with Prediabetes Boost Physical Activity

A new study finds that enrolling in a lifestyle intervention program that encourages both weight loss and increased activity really does help people boost their workout time. The researchers followed 223 people enrolled in such programs, tracking the effect on physical activity.

Pharmacist-Led Program Helps Manage Blood Sugar After Surgery

When patients with diabetes undergo surgery, keeping an eye on their blood sugar during and after the procedure is crucial to keep them healthy, experts know. Better blood sugar control is linked with better results from the surgery, lower readmission rates to the hospital and fewer complications.

Can Food Talk Affect Our Eating Habits?

Mentions of high-calorie foods tempt everyone when under stress, but experts find only obese people more likely then to overeat.

Financial Disclosures for Kathleen Doheny

OnTrack Diabetes, a Remedy Health Media, LLC website, is committed to ensuring that the medical information it presents is accurate, balanced, objective, and trustworthy.

To help achieve this goal, OnTrack Diabetes requires all authors, editors, and reviewers to disclose any financial relationships or affiliations they have with companies whose products or services may be mentioned in the content they author, edit, or review.

The intent of this policy is to identify any perceived, potential, or real conflicts of interest so that readers can make their own judgments about the value of information being presented.

This author has not disclosed any realtionships
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