healthanswers

Dangers of Diabetes Medications

2012-08-22T07:30:00.000+01:00

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, effecting millions of Americans. Patients have a variety of medications to choose from, with varying degrees of dangers associated with each. It is important to know what to expect before you take a new medication, to make managing diabetes easier.

Lack of exercise and diet control

As some patients begin to take medication, they may grow negligent in their eating and exercise habits, relying only on the medication to control their blood sugar.

Unfortunately, taking medication only lowers blood sugar 1 A1C, which may not be enough. Type 2 diabetes requires lifestyle changes, as well as medication. Whether it is running, jogging, or even picking up a hobby like gardening, staying active will help patients alleviate symptoms of diabetes.

Digestive problems

Gas, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain are common when taking biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, sulfonylureas and meglitinides. Usually these symptoms lessen and decrease altogether after the body adjusts to the medication.

Foods That Maximize Nutrition for the Calories

2012-02-15T10:53:00.000+01:00

Designing a healthful diet is definitely a balancing act that must take several important things into consideration. The three main concerns are the amount of energy in calories foods will provide, the amount of nutrients the body will receive from those foods, and how appetizing and tasty those foods will be. Nutrition is important when exercising, and a little knowledge of the food you put into your body will make a big difference.

The first two categories consider the cost/benefit relationship to health of the all-too-familiar calorie counting system that we must examine on foods. The final category is a matter of lifestyle, deciding how much of a benefit taste will be. No matter how well a meal stacks up in the first two categories, if it doesn’t make a certain grade on taste, no one will eat it.

Nutrient Density

Adding nutrient dense foods to the diet ensures that the body will receive the maximum load of vitamins, minerals, proteins and healthful fats relative to the number of calories they provide. One of the ways nutrient density is measured is by the ANDI scale or Aggregate Nutrient Density Index.
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Diabetes - A deadly Foe

2010-12-15T11:44:00.000+01:00

Diabetes mellitus is one those deadly health conditions that have either been ignored or taken for granted by the sufferers. The implication of this neglect is that some of the people affected end up dying prematurely, while others have ended up with severe complications which they have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Dangerous as this condition is, some people have lived with it for years without being aware of its presence until it gradually destroys some of their body’s vital organs. Diabetes is a silent killer which needs to be discovered on time and the necessary steps taken to combat it and minimize its effects on the individual’s health.

How deadly is diabetes?
It is a disease that has the ability to completely destroy your life and reduce your life span by at least 20 years. Some of the effects it has on the body that actually overwhelms the body include:
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The Relationship Between Diabetes and Thirst

2010-11-30T17:16:00.000+01:00

The relationship between diabetes and thirst can only be best understood if one has a proper knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease. The desire to drink water most of the times is one of the indications that one could have the disease.

Water is needed for the body’s metabolic activities; it also provides a soothing environment for the body cells. It is maintained in the interstitial and intercellular spaces, and also assists the body to eliminate some products of metabolism. As a result of this activity of helping to eliminate waste products, it needs to produce urine which is the vehicle for the bye products to be transported out of the kidneys.

However, when there is diabetes mellitus, glucose (with high molecular weight) is excreted out of the body through the urinary system. As the blood glucose level rises, it leads to impairment in the renal tubular re-absorption mechanism for glucose. This leads to some sugar being excreted in the urine.

This excretion of glucose in urine, known as glucosuria, occurs when its level exceeds 180mg/100ml of blood. Water is excreted as glucose is eliminated from the body. Its high molecular weight leads to the formation and excretion of high quantity of urine, a condition known in medical parlance as polyuria.

Since water is vital for the maintenance of the body’s metabolic activities, the body tries to compensate for this loss by sending a message to the brain which in turn stimulates the desire to drink water. So the individual feels thirsty most of the times (Polydipsia) as a way of replacing the fluid lost through frequent, excessive urination.

More often, the quantity of fluid the individual takes is not enough to compensate for this frequent loss. This brings about increased thirst; and when the fluid intake eventually becomes inadequate, the individual becomes dehydrated.

Since the renal tubular re-absorption mechanism is overwhelmed, the individual is unable to control the frequency with which urine is produced; he/she passes urine several times during the day and at night this also leads to a disturbance in his sleep as he has to get up several times to ease himself.

Just as the individual loses fluid through frequent urination, he also feels thirsty involuntarily as a way of creating a balance between intake and output. This explains the reason why the there is uncontrollable thirst in diabetes.
It is therefore advisable for you to check your blood sugar level the moment you begin to feel you are having an unusual thirst, especially if it is also accompanied by frequent or excessive urination.

I am Diabetic - How can I Lower My Blood Sugar?

2010-10-20T20:47:00.001+01:00

Lowering of blood sugar in a diabetic can be achieved with a combination of two or more factors, and not necessarily a change in diet alone. When other factors are combined with diet, they help the patient to maintain a fairly stable blood glucose level and prevent the incidence of hyperglycaemia.

What should be done?
1.Change lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle is known to contribute to obesity and increase blood sugar level as the individual hardly carries out any form of physical exercise to utilize/burn the glucose in his/her blood stream. You have to get involved in an activity that encourages you to walk about or spend some energy in order to keep your glucose level down. Leave your computer or desk and take a walk from time to time.

2.Reduce soft drinks: Some sugary soft drinks are known to have as much as 7 cubes of sugar per bottle. So when a diabetic takes up to 2 bottles a day, he has succeeded in consuming 14 cubes of sugar. This is easily absorbed into the blood stream. By the time he takes other carbohydrate diets, the level is sure to increase tremendously. So avoiding soft drinks or minimizing their intake is a good way of lowering your blood sugar.

3.Avoid late food: Eating late in the night could lead to the food being digested and stored as it is poorly utilized by the body. Eating breakfast the following morning gives rise to an upsurge in glucose level as the one stored over the night combines with the new intake. Avoiding late night food could help you avoid systemic build up of sugar.

4.Lower stress: Stress leads to the release of stress hormones which provoke the release of extra glucose into the blood. A good way to lower your blood sugar therefore, is to lower your stress. Learn to relax and handle all emotional and psychological stresses with care; reduce all sorts of panic.

5.Spices: Certain spices which are used as food addictives are suggested to have the ability to lower blood sugar level. Some of those spices include Cinnamon, ginseng, licorice, yarrow, etc. Their efficacy has not been duly proved; there is no harm in giving them a try as they are not harmful to the body.

6.High fibre diets: Diets that have high fibre content also help to lower blood sugar as the glucose is gradually released into the blood stream. With the gradual release, there is hardly an upsurge in glucose level in the blood.

7.Drugs: The use of your prescribed drugs such as insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents also plays a role in lowering your sugar level. You have to follow the prescription and adhere to the time you are expected to take your drugs each day.

Combining two or more of the above-listed steps would ensure that your blood sugar is effectively checked and reduced to the level that is only necessary for your metabolism to be maintained. Employing the steps would help you prevent the nasty incidence of hyperglycaemia.

Best Fruits for Diabetics - Eat these Fruits to Control Your Blood Sugar

2010-10-18T17:42:00.000+01:00

The diabetic is not allowed to eat all kinds of fruits even though fruits are highly recommended: this is because some of them are potentially harmful, since they have a high glycemic index. He should therefore put the glycemic index into consideration when deciding what to eat for his health and safety.

To understand why certain fruits are forbidden, one needs to understand what glycemic index is. Glycemic index is simply a way of ranking foods according to the way they affect the blood glucose level. So those foods that are high on the glycemic index are generally dangerous for the diabetic.

So foods below 50 in the glycemic index are considered generally safer for the person with diabetes. Some of the fruits are considered best for the diabetic are:
1.Pears: Pears are generally recommended because they contain copper and vitamin c, and they contain a very low level of glucose. Avocado pears contain antioxidants and are rich in Vitamins A, B and E. they may look fatty, but only a little percentage of its fat is actually saturated. They are safe for the diabetic.
2.Apple: Apple is low on the glycemic index and has high antioxidant content. It is also a good source of high fibre, vitamin c and mineral.
3.Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits and lemon are good sources of vitamin C and soluble fibre. The fibre content helps to lower blood sugar by ensuring that glucose is not released in high quantity at a time into the blood.
4.Cherries: Cherries have a glycemic index of 22, which is the lowest amongst all fruits. This makes them generally safe for the diabetic as their sugar content is very low.
5.Apricots: Apricots also contain vitamin C and vitamin A. they have a glycemic index of 31, making them also very safe foe consumption and for the control of blood glucose level in diabetes.
6.Figs: Figs are a good source of potassium, Iron, calcium and other essential minerals. The fresh fig is particularly recommended; the dried ones contain concentrated sugar, and as such they are not good for the diabetic.
7.Berries: Berries are very good for the patient as well. Examples of berries that could be eaten include Blackberries, Elderberries, blueberries, strawberries, loganberries, and Acai berry which is one the most sought after fruits right now because of its health benefits.

You must not eat any fruit simply because it appeals to the eyes or because it is palatable. When deciding the kind of fruit to eat, the following must be put into consideration – the glycemic index, the fibre content and the nutritional value.

How To Prevent Late Development Of Type 1 Diabetes

2010-06-26T14:59:00.000+01:00

Type 1 diabetes is preventable, since we can understand the factors contributing to its development. With adequate knowledge of these factors, all you need to do is to prevent them. To be able to effectively check the problem from surfacing later in life, you have to first equip yourself with the knowledge of those factors that trigger it off.

Some of the things you could do to prevent the late development of type 1 diabetes therefore include:

1.Prevent Obesity: Obesity happens to be one of the worst culprits that help to trigger off type 1 diabetes later in life. Most people add more weight from the age of 40years; if this is not controlled it could lead to inability of insulin produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels, since the insulin receptors on tissue cells are reduced. Obesity is not only promoted by diet, sedimentary lifestyle also permits it.

2.Avoid drug abuse: Don’t use drugs which are not prescribed for you by a medical doctor, because certain drugs .e.g. corticosteroids and thiazide diuretics have the ability to trigger off diabetes.

3.Don’t over eat: Over eating loads the system with glucose molecules and calories that would require the pancreas to over work itself to convert them into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles. This could lead to eventual failure of the pancreas, or the insulin produced may not adequately take care of the excess sugar. When this continues for a long time, the individual could become diabetic. Stop over eating and you might be able to effectively prevent this problem.

4.Avoid eating late: Eating late in the night leads to situation where many calories are absorbed into the system and never utilized – this eventually add up to cause an increase in weight, which eventually triggers off this problem. If you must eat in the evening, it shouldn’t be after 7:00Pm; and you have to stay for at least one hour after dinner before going to bed.

5.Visit your doctor: You should cultivate the habit of seeing your doctor whether you are sick or not, in order to have your system examined. Medical test would detect early enough if there are risks of developing diabetes mellitus. When such risks are detected, they are easily handled before they become a major health challenge.

In order to prevent obesity you need to check what you eat, in addition to controlling the quantity of food intake. You need to reduce the consumption of carbohydrates and fats (especially saturated fats).

Stopping alcohol and smoking could also help to prevent liver diseases such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, which are known to be contributory factors to the development of type 1 diabetes.

The Dangers Of Early-Onset Diabetes

2010-06-26T03:40:00.000+01:00

Early – onset diabetes starts quite early in life, affecting children, teenagers or young adults. It could pose a great danger to the sufferer, especially because its devastating effects on the individual’s health continue for life time.

Some of the dangers of early-onset diabetes include the following:

1. Damage to blood vessels: The individual could suffer from damage to his blood vessels as a result of high blood glucose levels.

2. Cardiovascular disease: The likelihood of the individual suffering from a cardiovascular disease associated with early onset diabetes is quite high. The two major diseases associated with early-onset diabetes include coronary heart disease (CHD), as a result of fatty deposits in the arteries; and hypertension.

3. Nephropathy: A degenerative disease condition of the kidneys known as diabetic kidney disease could occur with time and could lead to renal failure in its end stage (End stage renal disease). When the end stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs the kidney fails. When the kidney fails, the individual is as good as dead because the cost of dialysis is quite expensive.

4. Retinopathy: Deposits of sugar in the tiny vessels of the eyes and on the retina leads to progressive loss of sight or vision. This usually becomes noticeable after about 20years of suffering from diabetes. Gradually proliferative retinopathy sets in and this eventually leads to blindness.

5. Neuropathy: A degeneration of the nerves also occurs, leading to loss of feelings or pains on the extremities – hands, feet etc. This could also bring about disease of the extremities leading to gangrene, and eventually to amputation.

6. Risk of infection: Living on daily insulin injection for life could be cumbersome, and at the same time expose the patient to the risk of infection at the injection sites; which could result in injection abscesses or cellulites.

7. Poor physical and mental development: The individual is likely to suffer from poor physical and mental development as a result of poor energy supply to the organs. Since energy is needed for metabolism and growth, deprivation of the vital organs like the brain, kidneys and heart of the required daily energy, could lead to poor development.

8. Activity intolerance: The patient may also not be able to fully participate in normal activities; he may not be able to carry out tedious jobs, exercises, etc. There may also be the problem of hyperglycaemia alternating with hypoglycaemia when there is inability to strictly adhere to the food and drug regimens. This could be a source of both mental and psychological stress to the patient. These two extreme health challenges could put the patient in danger from time to time.

Diabetic Diets - Foods To Avoid

2010-06-25T17:03:00.001+01:00

The diabetic patient is not permitted to eat just any type of foods because not all of them are good for his health. Certain diets are restricted because they add up to the patient’s problem by making his condition worse.

No particular food is tagged “diabetic diet”; since other persons can eat what the diabetic person eats. The only thing is that the person with diabetes needs to abstain from certain kinds of foods in order to avoid the problems associated with them, usually because they are not compatible with his health condition.

The patient is free to eat a balanced diet (with the nutrients in the right proportions) but with the carbohydrates carefully controlled, but not completely eliminated because he requires it as a source of energy supply. The individual should therefore avoid the following:

1.Sugar: He has to avoid white sugar, jaggery, jelly jam, honey, pastries, ice cream, cake, canned juice, chocolates, pie, doughnuts, syrup, cookies and carbonated soft drinks. They increase the blood sugar level and could make the patient suffer hyperglycaemia.

2.Cholesterol-rich food: He should avoid sources of high cholesterol such as egg yolks, red meat, poultry, high fat dairy foods and products. Cheese should be limited (Light cream cheese, cottage cheese and margarine), because they help to add more fatty deposits to the wall of the blood vessels, thereby worsening the diabetic condition.

3.Starchy vegetables: Starchy vegetables such as squash and potatoes should also be avoided.

4.Junk foods: Junk foods such as meat pie, fish roll, egg roll, sausage roll, etc, should be limited. They are made of white flour, and also have the tendency to add more calories to the system, which in the long run lead to weight increase and subsequently worsen the condition of the patient. They should not be eaten regularly or in large quantity.

5.Soy Sauce: They should be avoided because of the fact that they contain a lot of sodium chloride, which usually retains fluid, increase oedema and lead to hypertension or worsen an already existing hypertension (usually a complication of diabetes).

6.Avoid alcohol: Alcohol has the tendency to increase weight (especially beer), and as such they should be avoided. Besides, whisky and spirits are toxic to the liver and could lead to hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, which in turn worsen diabetes. Smoking should also be avoided.

If the patient sticks to this advice and abstains from those foods which are not compatible with his condition, he would be free from some of the complications associated with diabetes; and he would also enjoy relative health and live longer.

A True Story About A Kid With Diabetes

2010-06-25T16:42:00.001+01:00

She wept profusely as the doctors announced to her that her kid had diabetes. They came out with the diagnosis after series of tests were conducted on the child; the results only confirmed the medical team’s fears. They had listened to the mother’s complaints, and the signs and symptoms the child was said to have presented for months.

Kelvin was born a normal child, just like his siblings and like any other child in the neighborhood; there was nothing to warn the parents that he would one day become a diabetic, especially in his childhood. He had adapted well; he also ate what other children in the house ate. He looked very healthy: he was a little fatter than his siblings at his age. He was okay, until about the age of eight, when suddenly he started experiencing some funny symptoms which his not-two-educated parents took for granted.

It all started with frequent urination, which they took for immature urinary bladder syndrome and felt it would improve with time. Kelvin started to wet his bed more frequently (a thing that was quite unusual); and would urinate several times a day. He also started to feel thirstier. His parents attributed this to his hyperactive nature as a kid and didn’t have to bother much about it. But the symptoms worsened over the months.

Little Kelvin began to feel more hungry than usual, and complained of weakness. The parents tried to satisfy him and make him happy by giving him more food. Though he ate more foods, he was beginning to loose weight (which they could not explain). This continued until their cousin who happened to be a professional nurse, visited them. After listening to their story, she advised them to see the doctor immediately, explaining that it was possible the child had diabetes.

The parents were tempted to argue with her initially, noting that the young boy had been healthy and eating very well. On a second thought, they decided to hearken to her professional advice to see a medical doctor. Then the doctors had listened to their story and decided to conduct some special tests, to be sure what the problem was (though they suspected diabetes too). The result confirmed their fears that the kid after all had diabetes mellitus. He was commenced on diabetes treatment and has been on daily insulin ever since.

Just like Kelvin, a lot of children, teenagers and young adults are passing through this experience, without receiving the desired attention because to parents, diabetes is not a problem of kids and young adults. They hardly ever suspect their little ones could be suffering from this problem. Parents should always make it a duty to see the doctor the moment their children present with any signs and symptoms they are not familiar with, and get help immediately.

How To Live Alone And With Diabetes

2010-06-20T18:34:00.000+01:00

Living alone with diabetes could be very challenging, especially considering the fact that the individual’s health could fluctuate from time to time. Usually there is the possibility of the individual suffering from either hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, if his condition is not properly monitored and controlled.

These two problems that the patient is likely to face, makes it particularly challenging if he lives alone, with no one to help should there be any emergency. The person needs therefore, to be extremely careful how he goes about his activities of daily living, so as not to be caught napping by these problems.

In order to successfully live alone with this problem, the individual needs to equip himself with the following guidelines:

1.Must be able to take and interpret readings: Ability to test urine samples and interpret the results helps the individual to understand when there is a change in his blood glucose level. This knowledge is needed to enable him understand when to seek medical assistance before a complication sets in. It also helps him to know if the drugs he is taking are actually controlling the disease or not.

2.Be familiar with signs and symptoms: The individual also needs to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of his condition, and the warning signs of an impending danger. The warnings would always remind him of what needs to be done in order to prevent a major problem. For instance, he has to understand that tremor, nervousness, headache and hunger, are some of the warning signs of hypoglycaemia; and that he needs to take his meals or some cubes of sugar to prevent it immediately.

3.Have his drugs/glucose available: He also needs to have his drugs readily available in case he needs to take them. There are times when he needs to take his insulin for example, to prevent hypoglycemia. It could be very dangerous if he suddenly realizes he has run out of drugs when there is an impending crisis. Besides, he should have some glucose available, which he might need should he over work himself or mistakenly take an overdose of insulin, or when he discovers he has some of the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.

4.Eat prescribed diet: The individual needs to faithfully adhere to the prescribed food regimen, since they help to put his condition under control.

5.Exercise/work in moderation: He should understand that he lives alone, and that over working or over-exercising himself could pose a danger to his health. He should therefore watch his level of work or exercise, knowing full well that help may not readily come should he become exhausted or go into hypoglycaemic coma.

6.Protect his extremities: He must prevent injuries to his extremities by protecting them. He should always wear good fitting shoes to prevent cuts to his toes or feet, which could become infected and gangrenous if not properly handled. He may find it difficult to cope with such problem since he lives alone.

7.Have his doctor’s phone number: He must have his doctor’s phone number in case he needs to call him if there is any problem.

When these rules or guidelines are followed, it becomes easier for one to live alone with diabetes, without necessarily endangering his life.

The Parallel Between Diabetes And Impotence

2010-06-20T17:59:00.000+01:00

There exists a parallel between diabetes and impotence; and a proper understanding of the pathophysiology of both conditions would give you a clearer picture of their relationship.

Potency or erection is plainly a product of arterial blood supply to the sexual organs, and enough energy supply to carry out the act of sex or coitus. With diabetes, considerable occlusion occurs in the lumen of the blood vessels (including that of the penile vessels), thereby making the blood supplied for erection to take place to be very poor. Poor blood supply means poor stimulation of the erectile tissues, and so hardness is hardly achieved; and when it is achieved, it is not sustained for a long time.

Besides, in diabetes, the individual is starved of a considerable amount of energy needed for the act of sex to be successful (following poor glucose metabolism). The individual now has two major problems to contend with – poor arterial blood supply and low energy output. Impotence therefore results from these two diabetes-related problems.

Take away diabetes; and the problems of poor tissue perfusion, and inadequate energy supply are eliminated. When these are eliminated, impotence is taken care of. It must be noted that these two major problems affect both the diabetic and the impotent, even though one (impotence) is a direct side effect of the other (diabetes). The patient’s body organs continue to suffer from these starvations, and his sexual ability gets progressively waned with time.

The only way to clear away the impotence (if it is diabetes-related), is to improve the patient’s condition; ensure that the arteries and veins become more patent, and that the tissues receive enough blood and oxygen supply. By so doing, enough blood, oxygen and nutrients are also delivered to the sex organs.

The patient should consult the doctor as a matter of urgency, to see how he could be helped, before his condition gets out of control. Once his condition is taken care of, he would be able again to enjoy coitus without necessarily needing sex enhancement drugs. The doctor knows the parallel between these two health conditions, and how to bring them under control in order to reduce the possibility of complications. Besides, it is wise to consult a doctor who is knowledgeable in the field of endocrinology; he is the right person to handle his condition and give him best treatment and medical advice. Your condition is not totally helpless; it can be well managed if you consult the right source of help.

The Best Foods To Eat When You're Diabetic

2010-06-20T17:18:00.001+01:00

The issue as to what kinds of foods diabetic patients should eat has become worrisome, especially considering the fact that some of the arguments are without scientific backing. While some are superstitious, others are simply a product of ignorance.

However, diabetic diets should be chosen based on our understanding of the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Experts and nutritionists agree there is no special diet for diabetics. There are no rigid rules to be followed while choosing or preparing foods for patients with diabetes; you only need to understand how the various nutrients work, the quantity needed by the individual, and what should be avoided in order to prevent complications.

The American Diabetic Association advises that you eat more starch, such as bread, cereal and starchy vegetables. One is required to take up to 6 or more servings daily. It is also advisable to eat the same quantity of food at about the same time daily to maintain a stable blood glucose level.

Nevertheless, in preparing a diabetic diet, the following formula should be applied: Carbohydrates = 50%, Proteins = 12% to 20% and fats = 30% to 35% (with no more than 10% saturated fats).

It is advisable to eat foods that contain complex high-fibre carbohydrates, because they help to slow down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and increase sensitivity of tissues to insulin; as such prevent rises in blood glucose levels. Such foods include oats, cereals, peas, whole grain food, dried beans, vegetables, legumes etc. kidney beans and carrots also contain soluble fibres which are very useful.

Generally speaking, the following groups of foods are okay for the diabetic person – salad, desserts, poultry and egg dishes, pork, beef, breads, beverages, etc. Therefore the under-listed foods are safe for the person with diabetes: Red and green cabbage slaw, wilted spinach salad, oriental garden toss, sweet potato casserole, lemon squares, chewy coconut bars, sweet and sour stir-fry, pulled pork barbecue, Noodle kugel, penne salad primavera, sweet potato pie, rich chocolate cheese cake, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheese cake, tapioca pudding, strawberry short cakes, strawberry cream pie, lemon meringue pie, apple pie, orange yoghurt, coconut custard pie, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cream pie, blueberry pie, apple dessert pizza, apple pancake, instant cocoa mix, lemonade shake-up, coffee latte, fitness shake etc.

The person must avoid sucrose, fructose, honey, white rice, corn-syrup, white bread, sweets, salty foods, alcohol, etc. If the diabetic adheres to the recommended foods, complications are easily prevented and the patient is bound to live healthier and longer.

Diabetes: Who Is At Risk Of Developing It?

2010-05-21T05:11:00.001+01:00

Certain persons are at risk of developing diabetes mellitus either because they are naturally susceptible or because other artificial factors exist that precipitate the condition. These people require help that would enable them know whether they are likely to have the disease, and what they must do in order to prevent it.

What puts one at risk?
1. Drugs abuse: The use of certain drugs without the doctor’s prescription could put an individual at the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Doctors are trained to properly examine individuals before making prescriptions for them. They also are acquainted with the side effect of drugs and the special risk they pose to users. But when individuals take some of these drugs without taking into consideration the dangers they pose to their health they may actually precipitate the disease in their lives. Examples of such potentially dangerous drugs include corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, etc.
2. Children of sufferers: Diabetes is one of those diseases classified as hereditary diseases because of the likelihood of the children whose parents have had it to also have it themselves. This is because the problem is transmitted through the genes. The chances of such children having the disease are at least 50%. This knowledge enables the children to know that they are at risk and to do all they can to avoid precipitating the condition.
3. High carbohydrate consumption: Consuming high quantities of carbohydrate could put those who are genetically susceptible at the risk of having diabetes. High carbohydrate diets have the ability to make the individual gain more weight and eventually become obese, thereby putting them at risk of having the disease.
4. Obesity: Click Here!">Obesity in most cases reduces the number of insulin receptors on the cells thereby making the insulin secreted to the ineffective or insufficient.

What Then Should You Do?

There are ways you could help yourself prevent this disease from setting into your life. Preventing this condition means adding more years to your life. Some of the things you could do include.
1. Stop abusing drugs: Don’t take any drug without the doctor’s advice. This ensures you do not accidentally take those drugs that would endanger your life.
2. Know you family’s medical history: Adequate knowledge of your family’s medical history would enable you have an idea whether any member of your family has suffered from diabetes in the past or if any is suffering it in the present. Such knowledge would determine what you do to prevent it in your own life.
3. Prevent obesity: Since obesity is one of the known precipitating factors, you must do everything to prevent it. You have to consume less carbohydrates and fats. You should do exercise to burn the excess calories in your system.

Diabetes Control With Diet and Hypoglycaemic Agents

2010-01-23T15:54:00.001+01:00

Diabetes control can be achieved by employing a combination of diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents. Some forms of diabetes can be managed by changing diet and lifestyle, especially by improving exercise and shedding weight. Oral hypoglycaemic agents are drugs which are employed to help lower the elevated blood glucose level. These kinds of drugs may be employed in conjunction with diet to effectively control some forms of diabetes. A patient who has had diabetes for less than 5 years, who is older than 40 years and is not obese would benefit immensely from this type of treatment.
There are 2 types of oral hypoglycaemic agents: Sulphonylureas and the Biguanides. Examples of Sulphonylureas include Chlorpropamide (diabinese), Tolazamide (tolinase), Tolbutamide (orinase), etc. And an example of Biguanide is Phenformin. While the Sulphonylureas stimulate the pancreas to release insulin from its beta cells thereby helping to lower the blood sugar level, phenformin on the other hand inhibits glucose absorption from the intestine, increase peripheral utilization of glucose and decrease gluconeogenesis thereby promoting a reduction in blood glucose level. The level of sugar in the blood could remain abnormally high if nothing is done to utilize the peripheral glucose or to prevent its further production from the non-nitrogen portion of amino acids after deamination. This process is checked by oral hypoglycaemic agents which send a message to the liver and kidneys to reduce gluconeogenesis.
However, insulin is not contemplated for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus since their pancreas is still producing insulin; all you need is something to make the insulin effective. Insulin can only be recommended for patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and it is administered subcutaneously or intravenously to control the blood sugar. It is not given orally because it is destroyed by the enzyme proteinase. There are 3 classes of insulin which could be used by the patient and they include: The short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin.
Have it at the back of your mind that once you are diagnosed with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus you have two options – either to manage yourself by getting some facts about the kind of diet suitable for you and apply them, or add the oral drugs if the diet alone refuses to put it under proper control.

Diabetes Mellitus: 6 Steps to Accurate Diagnosis

2010-01-22T12:51:00.000+01:00

Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus requires that certain tests be carried out on the patient before you can conclude whether or not he/she has the problem. The steps to take to get an accurate diagnosis include:
History: The personal history from the patient coupled with physical examination and the classical signs of diabetes – polyuria (glucose in urine), polydipsia (abnormal thirst) and polyphalgia (excessive hunger) are often diagnostic. However, for the purpose of confirming the diagnosis, some laboratory tests have to be conducted, and they include:
Fasting Blood Glucose: The normal fasting blood glucose level in an adult without diabetes is 70-110mg/dl (4.5-5.6mmol/l). With diabetes mellitus this value becomes higher. Before the test is carried out the individual abstains from food for at least 8 hours. The individual is only allowed to take water, but other things capable of stimulating metabolism e.g. cigarette, tea, coffee, etc. should be avoided. Value above 110mg/dl is indicative of diabetes.
Post-Prandial Blood Glucose: An oral glucose load is administered to the patient and the serum glucose level is checked after 2 hours. In normal adult, serum glucose is expected to be less than 140mg/dl 2hours after ingesting the meal. But in diabetes mellitus the level returns to normal very slowly. If the value is above 180mg/dl after 2hours, this signifies that the individual is diabetic.
Glucose Tolerance Test: Prior to the test the patient is given a high carbohydrate meal of 150g for 3 days. Specimen of blood and urine are then collected at intervals of 1, 2, and 3hours and their sugar levels evaluated. A high level usually indicates the presence of diabetes. The nurse or the lab technician should however be sure that the patient is not having any physical illness, emotional stress or physical stress as these may interfere with the result since hormones secreted under these conditions influence blood sugar levels. All drugs that can influence blood glucose tolerance (oestrogen, steroids, salicylates, diuretics, etc.) should be stopped at least 3 days prior to the test. The test should be carried out in the morning because glucose tolerance decreases later in the noon. Specimen should as well be collected to serve as control.
Intravenous and Oral Tolbutamide Response Test: Tolbutamide stimulates endogenous secretion of insulin and indicates the pancreatic function; hence it is used as a confirmatory test for suspected diabetes mellitus. The patient abstains from food the night before the test. In the morning following the fast, a baseline fasting blood sugar is then taken. Tolbutamide is thereafter given to him and the blood specimens are taken 20 and 30 minutes after. The result shows a slower rate of decrease of blood glucose in the diabetic.
Urinalysis: Urinalysis may also be done to have an idea of the sugar level in the urine. Though this test is not diagnostic, it serves as a guide. The urine should be tested for the presence of glucose, albumin, white blood cells, casts and organisms to rule out glomerulosclerosis and urinary tract infection.

Diabetes Mellitus: The difference between Hypoglycaemia and Hyperglycaemia

2010-01-22T12:46:00.000+01:00

Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are two different phenomena in diabetes mellitus which the patient needs to be conversant with In order to be able to identify the signs and symptoms each presents and then know what to do to be on a safe side.
While hypoglycaemia refers to an abnormally low blood glucose level, hyperglycaemia refers to an abnormally high blood glucose level- they are simply two extremes. I will list some of the differences between the two of them:

What Hypoglycaemia is
The onset of this condition is usually rapid; and the history always shows that the patient has had no food, too much insulin, or too much exercise. The accompanying signs include moist skin and tongue, full pulse, normal or raised blood pressure, shallow or normal breathing and brisk reflexes. The symptoms are headache, hunger, tremor, slurred speech and nervousness. Urine test reveals there is no glucosuria (fglucose in urine) and no ketonuria (ketone bodies in urine). Blood test shows a remarkable drop in blood sugar level; there is normal plasma bicarbonate.

What hyperglycaemia is
Hyperglycaemia is the exact opposite of the above phenomenon. It is recognizable by the following presentations: the onset is usually gradual, and the history from the patient or relatives reveals patient has taken too little or no insulin at all, there has been an infection or digestive disturbance. The accompanying signs are dry skin and tongue, weak pulse, low blood pressure, diminished reflexes and air hunger. Symptoms include glucosuria (presence of glucose in the urine), abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydration. Urine test shows ketonuria (presence of ketone bodies in urine), and glucosuria (presence of sugar in urine). The blood when examined would reveal hyperglycaemia (abnormally high blood sugar level), and reduced plasma bicarbonate.
Once the patient or his relations are equipped with these facts it is relatively easier to intervene when any of the phenomena is suspected. All diabetics are therefore advised to seek adequate information about their condition because sometimes there may not be anybody around to help them in an emergency; in that case they would know exactly to do in the interim before help comes from somewhere.

Insulin Reaction and how it can be Managed

2010-01-12T08:50:00.001+01:00

Insulin reaction otherwise known as hypoglycaemia is a condition whereby the blood glucose level becomes abnormally low; to as low as 50-60mg/dl (2.75-3.3mmol per litre). Statistics have it that a great percentage of occurrences take place before meal. However, the phenomenon could occur at any time- day or night.
Insulin reaction is caused by too much insulin or overdosage, too little food, omission of food or delay to take food after the administration of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drug; excessive physical activity, or as a result of gastrectomy.
This phenomenon usually occurs as a result of deprivation of the brain cells of glucose supply for upward of more than 6 minutes. The fall in blood sugar level causes the sympathetic nerves to become stimulated thereby leading to an increased production of adrenalin. The adrenalin produced in turn causes sweating, palpitation, nervousness, tremor and tachycardia. A gradual and continual fall in the blood glucose results in depression of the central nervous system which in turn manifests in headache, light-headedness, confusion, memory lapses, emotional changes, slurred speech, numbness of the tongue, double vision, drowsiness, staggering gait, convulsion and eventually coma.
How is it managed?
This condition can be managed by quickly administering rapidly absorbable concentrated sugar e.g. Orange juice, glucose drink, lumps of sugar, or honey. If there is no improvement after 15 minutes of administering the drink the same treatment can be repeated. In a patient that cannot swallow however, 30-50ml of 50% glucose in water should be administered intravenously. 1-2mg of Glucagon may also be administered subcutaneously to help increase glycogenolysis (the release of stored glycogen for the body’s use) and so bring about an increase in blood sugar level.
The patient should however be told of the need to always prevent this from occurring since it is easier to prevent than to manage hypoglycaemia. The few things the patient can do to prevent this occurrence include performing urine glucose test to determine the insulin requirement, having a regular timetable and pattern for eating and administration of drugs as well as that for exercise, taking his meal at least 30 minutes before taking insulin, and taking additional food after engaging in strenuous physical activity.When the patient adhere to all these advice and also understands the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia, it becomes relatively easier to prevent this nasty occurrence as well as help keep the patient in good shape at all times.

Diabetes Mellitus: 10 Things you must do to avert crises

2010-01-05T16:06:00.000+01:00

Diabetic crises are horrible experiences which no one wants to pass through because they are pretty difficult to manage. In order to avert diabetic crises from coming up regularly there are things the patient must do at all times; they include:
1. Regular medical check-ups: You are advised to visit the clinic or hospital regularly for your medical check-ups. Your blood sugar level should be monitored to ensure that the drugs/food regime is achieving the desired objectives. The fasting blood sugar random blood glucose should be monitored. Your eyes should also be checked for signs of retinopathy.
2. Take your drugs: It is advisable that you take your drugs regularly. This helps to put your blood sugar under control, and your compliance could add about 20 years to your life span. If on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs they should be taken as and when due. You should see a doctor before adjusting the dosage of your drugs.
3. Take your food regularly: You must take your food regularly as mapped out by your dietician. At least you should take frequent small meals to maintain normal blood level of glucose supply. The right proportion of the various nutrients should as well be maintained; approximately carbohydrate 50%, protein 15% and fats 35%.
4. Take some sugar with you: When you are outdoors you must take some cubes of sugar or fruit juice with you. Should you over work yourself and notice some signs of hypoglycaemia you should quickly dissolve a few cubes in your mouth or drink the fruit juice.
5. Have your diabetic card: You should own a diabetic card which should carry information concerning your condition, address, next of kin and address, your doctor and his address or phone number, etc. should there be an emergency they would easily be reached.
6. Inform your doctor: If you must take any drug for other conditions your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has to be informed that you are on diabetic drugs. The reason is that some drugs are incompatible with your drugs: they may either reduce the potency of your drugs or increase their effects thereby putting you in danger.
7. Treat every illness: Every illness must be treated on time. You should see your doctor when you are ill because illnesses can reduce your immunity or give you more stress that could worsen your health condition.
8. Personal hygiene: Proper attention should be paid to your personal hygiene. You should particularly keep your feet clean and tidy with mild soap and antiseptic at all times to prevent infection. Your feet should be kept away from cuts and scratches so they don’t get infected.
9. Know your signs and symptoms: You must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of impending crisis. When there is reduced blood sugar, some of the signs you experience are tremor, hunger, headache, nervousness, sweating, confusion, etc. Then for excess blood glucose some of the signs are abdominal pain, vomiting, dry tongue, air hunger, reduced reflexes, etc.
10. Know about diabetes mellitus: You should seek information concerning your condition and what you must do to help yourself. You are also encouraged to join diabetic association where you can get adequate information and help.

Diabetes Mellitus: The Pathophysiology

2010-01-05T15:57:00.000+01:00

Deficiency in the production of insulin by the beta cells, delayed or insufficient release of insulin, excessive inactivation of insulin by chemical inhibitors or insensitivity of insulin secretory mechanism of the beta cells lead to a disproportion between blood glucose levels and insulin secretion.
The absence of insulin action leads to impairment in the ability to maintain normal fasting blood glucose bringing about accumulation of glucose in the blood since it cannot enter into muscles and fat cells. The accumulation of glucose raises the blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia)
Excess sugar in the blood suppresses the renal tubular re-absorption mechanism for glucose; the level may rise above 180mg/100ml of blood. This gives way for some of it to be excreted in the urine (glucosuria).
The high molecular weight of glucose ensures that water is pulled along with it as it is excreted, leading to excessive output of urine (polyuria). Uncontrollable loss of excess quantity of water from the body results in excessive thirst and high water intake (polydipsia). Dehydration occurs if the quantity of water the patient takes is not commensurate with the quantity lost through the urine.
The body is starved of energy following the impairment in glucose uptake. The patient feels hungry and eats more in order to meet up the energy requirement of the body. As the cells continue to be deprived of vital energy the body begins to break down its own protein and fat stores leading to loss of weight, and weakness. Continual breakdown of protein and fat leads to an increase in ketone bodies in the blood. If unchecked, this leads to ketoacidosis, hyperventilation, and loss of sodium, chloride, potassium and water.
Large and small vessels in the kidneys, eyes, extremities, heart and brain may be damaged in the long run. The nerves may also be damaged leading to impaired sensitivity in the extremities.
The female diabetic may experience pruritus vulvae (itching of the vulva) as a result of fungal infection which takes advantage of the environment provided by excess glucose deposit from the urine to thrive.
The patient can become prone to injuries on the extremities as a result of impaired sensitivity and eventually develop diabetic ulcers since the wound usually takes a long time to heal because of excess glucose and infection. This may eventually lead to gangrene and amputation. The male patient may also suffer impotence.This is due to changes in the arterial vessels supplying the penile region which makes it difficult to sustain erection.

Diabetes Mellitus: 10 things you must avoid in order to live longer

2010-01-05T15:52:00.000+01:00

Every diabetic patient has a potential danger lurking around the corner. What you allow into your system may finally set off the danger and cause harms to your health. Sometimes some practices could also be a source of harm to you as a diabetic.
Certain foods and habits must be avoided if you must stay healthy all the time and enjoy longevity of life. When certain rules are not obeyed the patient reduces his/her life span unknowingly. Some of the things you should avoid include:
1. Excessive consumption of sugar: The diabetic already has a problem with the metabolism of carbohydrates (remember sugar is carbohydrate), therefore to avoid overwhelming his system with excess load of free glucose he must avoid consuming excess sugar. Normally sugar is converted by insulin into glycogen to be stored in the liver while the remaining ones are utilized by the body. Since this process is impaired, the diabetic must minimize the quantity he takes in to prevent overloading his system. Don’t take too much soft drinks/chocolates.
2. Excess physical exercise: physical exercise is very good for our health, but if it has to be done it should be moderate. This is to prevent pushing the individual to an extreme state of burn out where the glucose level in the blood is no longer adequate to carry the person. When the diabetic over exerts himself he goes into a state known as hypoglycaemia (a condition in which the blood sugar level is less than normal). Don’t forget that the problem of the patient is not only with the enzyme, insulin, but also with glucagon which helps to break down glycogen from the liver for the body’s use.
3. Too much weight: Weight gain is also a problem that should be carefully avoided. This is because the more your weight increases the more energy your body would require. Obesity also leads to resistance to insulin even if it is released in its right quantity by the pancreas.
4. Over-the-counter drugs: Some drugs are not compatible with the diabetic. Some either worsen the condition or even push an individual into the state if he is already predisposed. Before taking any drug make sure it is prescribed by a medical doctor. Don’t patronize quacks and don’t also prescribe drugs for yourself. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your condition before taking any drug.
5. Starvation: You must never starve yourself for any reason. You should not fast and if you must do it for religious reasons it shouldn’t be for a prolonged period of time. This helps to prevent hypoglycaemia.
6. Drug without food: Before taking your insulin ensure there is food. Don’t ever take it when your food is yet to be ready or when there is no food at all. This can make you suffer hypoglycaemia and it is usually not easy to regain consciousness when you lose it because you did not eat before taking your drugs. Don’t also take more than the prescribed dose of your drugs.
7. Overeating without taking your drugs: Eating heavy meals without taking your drugs can lead to free flow of excess glucose in your blood stream and this could make you experience a state of unconsciousness (hyperglycaemia). Ensure there is a state of equilibrium between your food and your drugs.
8. Stress: Stress is known to reduce one’s immunity. Stress can also lead to increase in insulin resistance. When this occurs the normal insulin would not be able to perform its usual work of sugar regulation in the blood.
9. Exposure to injuries: The diabetic must do everything humanly possible to prevent injuries to his extremities – the hands and feet as these could become easily infected. Infection could bring about several complications such as ulcer, gangrene or death of the affected part, and amputation.
10. Dehydration: You must avoid dehydration that may come from too much physical exercise or sports, vomiting or lack of intake of fluids or water. Reducing too much physical exertion helps to minimize the loss of electrolytes and fluids necessary for body metabolism.

8 Known Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

2009-12-17T15:05:00.000+01:00

Diabetes mellitus is linkable to several causes. Some types of diabetes (Juvenile onset of type 1) start quite earlier while the adult onset or type 2 diabetes mellitus starts later in life. The cause of some forms of diabetes is quite unclear.
However, several factors have been suggested or known to cause diabetes. Some of the factors are:
1. Viral factor: Some forms of viruses known as diabetogenic viruses which attack the pancreas and cause autoimmune destruction of the beta cells are responsible for insulin-dependent diabetes.
2. Liver disease: Liver disease is known to trigger off diabetes mellitus. Liver diseases such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis lead to impaired glucose tolerance. The way this happens is not very clear, but they have been linked with the onset of diabetes mellitus.
3. Insulin antagonists: High concentration of certain hormones in the blood stream has been known to cause diabetes mellitus. These hormones include thyroid hormones, growth hormones, gestational hormones, adrenaline and adrenocortical hormones. They are antagonistic to the action of insulin in circulation hence their presence in high concentration in the blood reduces the effectiveness of the insulin in the blood.
4. Genetic factor: Some forms of diabetes are inherited in different families. The way genetics play a role in the inheritance of diabetes is not particularly clear. Diabetes is also known to be passed on from the parents to offspring, or along the family line.
5. Pregnancy: Diabetes mellitus is also known to start during their pregnancy or after pregnancy in some women who had been normal before their pregnancy. The reason may be linkable to the high concentration of gestational hormone which is antagonistic to insulin, or it may be as a result of pregnancy-induced stress.
6. Obesity: Quite a number of persons with adult onset diabetes mellitus are those with obesity. Obesity brings about a decrease in the number of insulin receptor cells in the blood, but increases serum level of insulin. This brings about difficulty in the metabolism of glucose.
7. Drugs: Certain drugs such as thiazide diuretics and corticosteroids are also able to trigger off diabetes mellitus in people who are genetically predisposed.
8. Interference or impairment of glucose metabolism: This impairment can be due to any of the following: Destruction of the beta cells; retarded release of insulin; altered insulin receptors, decrease number of receptors on peripheral cells, or as a result of inactivation of insulin in the blood stream by antibodies or other agents.

10 Warning Signs of Diadetes Mellitus

2009-12-16T12:13:00.000+01:00

There are some warning signs and symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus which the sufferer must be familiar with, or as an individual you must be aware of these signs so you should know what to do in case you have them. So many people end up with the complications of diabetes either because they neglected the warning signs and symptoms or because they never knew the implication of such negligence.
Knowing some of these warning signs and symptoms would enable you act promptly to find out if what you have is diabetes, or to prevent complications from setting in. These warning signs and symptoms include:
1. Excess urine: A high amount of water is needed to eliminate free-flowing glucose from the blood stream or the kidneys as a result of the high molecular weight of glucose. The individual has the frequent urge to pass urine and in most cases the quantity passed is high. This condition is termed ‘polyuria’.
2. Glucose in urine: The renal tubular re-absorption of glucose is impaired as a result of excess glucose in the blood. This leads to the excretion of some quantities of glucose in the urine. This condition is referred to as glucosuria.The patient may suspect that he has glucose in his urine if he sees ants gathering round his urine each time he urinates.
3. Dehydration: As the patient continues to excrete high amount of water he becomes dehydrated. Dehydration presents with sunken eyes, dry lips, loss of skin turgidity, etc.
4. Excess thirst: Patient feels thirsty most of the time as a result of the quantity of water he loses through frequent urination. The body tries to create a balance; there is therefore the urge by the patient to drink more water to compensate the one the body is loosing. This in medical terms is referred to as polydipsia.
5. Hunger: The body is deprived of the glucose needed for its normal metabolic activities. Since glucose is not made available the body is deprived of energy. The body,s energy demand has to be met. Therefore, the patient feels hungry frequently and tries to eat in order to meet this energy demand.
6. Blurred vision: Excess sugar in the blood impairs capillary blood supply to the eyes. This in turn leads to visual impairment. Excessive sugar in the blood stream can also be deposited on the retina which obscures the patient’s vision.
7. Itching in the vulva: Itching of the vulva (pruritus vulvae) is very common in female diabetics. In most cases, it is due to the heavy growth of fungi such as candida albicans around the vulva which now thrive on the excess glucose deposit on the vulva. The itching can be troublesome leading to minor injuries resulting from scratching and these minor injuries could become infected if not properly cared for.
8. Loss of weight: The breaks down its fat and protein stores in order to meet the body’s energy requirement which can no longer be met by the body’s glucose. This makes the patient become weak and lose weight. Continual breakdown of fats and proteins lead to a rise in the level of ketone bodies in the blood which in turn leads to keto acidosis, resulting in hyperventilation, loss of water, sodium and potassium from the body.
9. Weakness: Weakness usually comes as a result of starvation of the body, breakdown of fats and proteins, as well as loss of fluids and electrolytes.
10. Numbness of the extremities: The individual experiences numbness and tingling sensation of the limbs as a result of peripheral neuritis (inflammation of a nerve of the extremities with pain, tenderness, and loss of function)