KNOW ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST FOR DIABETES CONTROL

Diabetes Mellitus, a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia of the eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other organ systems. The disease is accompanied by carbohydrate, lipid & protein metabolism disturbances.

Traditional methods of assessing glycemic control in diabetes such as taking a medical history, performing a physical examination and measuring blood and urine glucose, while extremely important for routine care have only limited value as indices of long term glycemic status.

It is only with the development of glycated Hb (GHb) testing that accurate, objective measure of long term glycemic status is possible.

The terms “glycated hemoglobin” also called glycohemoglobin or glycosylated Hb – refers to a series of stable minor Hb components that are formed slowly and non- enzymatic ally from Hb and glucose.

Of the fast moving Hb’s identified in the 1950’s, HbA1C is present in greatest quantity in both normal and diabetic individuals. HbA1C is formed by the non-enzymatic glycation of free amino groups at the ‘N’ terminal of the amino acid valine of the Hb “B” chain. The glucose remains bound during the erythrocyte life cycle. It is related to the degree of blood glucose level elevation and the time interval over which this occurs as well as the erythrocyte life span.

The HbA1C level correlates with the mean glucose concentration prevailing in the course of the patient’s recent history (approximately 6-8 weeks). Therefore provides much more reliable information for glycemic monitoring than do determination of blood glucose or urinary glucose.

Normal reference range is 4.3 to 6.0 %. However, good control for a diabetic patient is considered as, an HbA1C value below 7.0 %.

Glycohemoglobin is a valuable tool for assessing glycemic control and is routinely used in the care of persons with diabetes. Measurement of GHb has also shown useful research applications facilitating studies requiring objective assessment of long term glucose control. Reports have shown that regular monitoring of GHb among diabetic patients can facilitate changes in treatment schedule resulting in improved glycemic control.

Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website

Goal of treatment for Diabetes

The main goal of treating diabetes is to lower blood sugar to a normal level. Lowering and controlling blood sugar may help prevent or delay complications of diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
High blood sugar can be lowered by diet and exercise and by certain medicines.

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes with Sitagliptin (Januvia)
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which body does not make enough insulin, and the insulin that body produces does not work as well as it should. Body can also make too much sugar. When this happens, sugar [glucose] builds up in the blood. This can lead to serious medical problems.

RECENT APPROACH FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES – SITAGLIPTIN (JANUVIA)
*Sitagliptin (Januvia) helps to improve the level of insulin after a meal
*It decreases the amount of sugar made by the body
*It works when blood sugar is high, especially after a meal. This is when the body needs the greatest amount of help in lowering blood sugar. It also lowers blood sugar between meals. *It is unlikely to cause low sugar [Hypoglycemia] because it does not work when blood sugar is low
*It can be used alone or in combination with certain other medicine that lowers blood
sugar along with recommended diet and exercise program

CANNOT BE USED FOR PEOPLE WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
*Type I Diabetes [who needs only insulin]
*Diabetic Ketoacidosis [increased ketones in blood and urine]
*Any kidney problems or any post or present medical problems *Allergy to Sitagliptin
* Children below 18 years of age
* Pregnancy and breast feeding woman

DOSAGES
*100 mg tablet is available in the market
*Once a day by mouth with or without food
*Diet and exercise can help our body use its blood sugar better. We should follow the
recommended diet, exercise and weight loss program while taking Sitagliptin

SIDE EFFECTS
Like other medicines, may cause side effects. But it was usually mild and did not cause patient to stop taking Sitagliptin. The side effects reported in patient treated with Sitagliptin were similar to side effects in patient treated with a tablet containing no medication [a placebo].
When used with sulfonylurea like Daonil, low blood sugar [Hypoglycemia] due to sulfonylurea can occur. Lower doses of sulfonylurea medicine may be required.
When Januvia [Sitagliptin] and Metformin [like Glyciphage] were started together the following side effects were reported.
*Diarrhea
*Indigestion
*Flatulence
*Vomiting
*Headache

OTHER EFFECTS OF THE MEDICINE
*Allergic reaction
*Upper respiratory infection
*Stuffy nose and sore throat

Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website

Garlic-based Drug can treat Diabetes Types I and II

A tablet-form garlic-based drug can treat diabetes types I and II, according to a new study.The drug is based on vanadium and allaxin, a compound found in garlic. The study has been published in the new Royal Society of Chemistry journal Metallomics. When Hiromu Sakurai and colleagues from the Suzuka University of Medical Science, Japan, gave the drug orally to type I diabetic mice, they found it reduced blood glucose levels .

In previous work they had discovered the vanadium-allaxin compound treated both diabetes types when injected, but this new study shows the drug has promise as an oral treatment for the disease. Type I diabetes (insulin dependent) is currently treated with daily injections of insulin, while type II (non-insulin dependent) is treated with drugs bearing undesirable side-effects - however - the researchers believe neither treatment is ideal. The researchers aim to test the drug in humans in future work.

Source- Medindia.com

Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website

In many developing countries, children with diabetes suffer because insulin and other diabetes supplies are not affordable or sometimes not even available.
The International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program supports the care of close to 1000 children in the following countries: Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Bolivia, Mali, Ecuador, Sudan and Cameroon.

Participants in the Life for a Child Program partially-sponsor the neediest children at diabetes centers in these countries. This sponsorship enables the children to receive the clinical care and diabetes education they need to stay alive. The centers provide thorough clinical and financial feedback.

The goals of the Program are to provide:
* Sufficient insulin and syringes
* Blood glucose monitoring facilities
* Appropriate clinical care
* HbA1c testing
* Diabetes education
* Technical support for health professionals (if requested)

Some centers need support for all these areas; others need support for some components.
Many children with diabetes in developing countries die soon after diagnosis. Many others face the burden of complications while still young. Life for a Child encourages governments to establish appropriate care to safeguard the future of children with diabetes.

Funds are donated by the International Diabetes Federation through sale of World Diabetes Day merchandizing, individuals, associations, Rotary International, and companies working in diabetes. Most individual donors contribute a dollar a day. Support is provided to recognized diabetes centers to purchase insulin and syringes, and provide monitoring and education. Financial trails and the health outcomes of the children are carefully monitored.
Our goal is to double the number of children supported by the end of 2008. Help us save children with diabetes. Donate online at http://www.lifeforachild.org/ or through the purchase of World Diabetes Day merchandize.
Source: www.lifeforachild.org
Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website