Q: Can I Still Have Some Sugar in my Diet?
A: Yes. The diet for diabetes does not mean a ‘sugar free’ diet. Sugar can be eaten as part of a balanced, healthy diet without having a harmful effect on blood glucose control. However, you should still try to cut down on sugary foods and drinks since eating them has implications for tooth decay, weight control and the overall balance of your diet.
Blood glucose control depends on diabetes medication and lifestyle factors, such as how much activity you do as well as what you eat.
As we are all different in terms of our nutritional needs, the limits are different too. Lots of foods contain sugar – natural or added – and it is the overall food choices you make, rather than just one food, that will determine whether you are eating a healthy diet.
Q: When I was first diagnosed I was told I could only have two egg-sized potatoes at my main meal. Is this still true?
A: Starchy foods like potatoes, bread, cereals, rice and pasta should be the basis of all your meals. This is because these foods help you to keep your blood glucose levels steady. Try and choose wholemeal or wholewheat varieties where possible. Everyone with diabetes has individual dietary requirements, which is why it is important to get specific advice from a local dietitian. He or she will guide you on the amounts of different foods you should eat.
Q: Which fruits contain the most sugar?
A: People with diabetes can eat any kind of fruit, regardless of the sugar content. Everyone is encouraged to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Spreading the fruit you eat through the day will avoid a sudden rise in blood glucose levels. Although some fruits have a lower glycaemic index, which shows how foods affect blood glucose levels, the important thing is to increase the amount of fruit you eat, including a wide variety of different fruits.
Q: Is it true that I shouldn’t eat bananas or grapes?
A: No. All fruit and vegetables are extremely good for you. They are high in fibre, low in fat and packed with vitamins and minerals. Research has shown that eating more can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, some cancers and some gut problems. You should aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day: for example, three portions of fruit and two portions of vegetables or vice versa. Eating more fruit and vegetables also helps to improve the overall balance of the diet. Fruit is the perfect snack.
One Portion of Fruit/Vegetables =
• one medium- sized fresh fruit (apple, pear, banana, etc)
• two small fruits (apricots, plums, kiwi fruit, etc)
• a cupful of berries or very small fruit (grapes, raspberries, etc)
• a bowlful of salad
• a large slice of a large fruit (melon, pineapple, etc)
• three serving spoons of tinned or stewed fruit
• half a serving spoon of dried fruit
• a small glass of unsweetened fruit juice
• three serving spoons of a small vegetable (sweetcorn, peas, etc)
• two serving spoons of green or root vegetables or pulses (beans, carrots, etc)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Diabetes Diet - Frequently Asked Questions
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Natural Choices for Painful Neuropathy
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
Mainstream medical doctors often treat peripheral neuropathy with pharmaceutical drugs, but they all have serious side effects, including dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, nausea, headache and in serious cases, allergic reaction and confusion, among others.
People with diabetes must control blood sugar levels to help slow further peripheral neuropathy development. People who suspect vitamin deficiencies should see a holistic physician for blood level tests and to help them establish a healthy diet and vitamin protocol. They must also avoid or greatly reduce alcohol consumption. Those having chemotherapy should alert the supervising doctor immediately if numbness or tingling starts in their feet or hands. The doctor may be able to alter the drugs somewhat to keep the neuropathy from escalating. However, when chemo-related peripheral neuropathy begins weeks or even months after completion of chemotherapy -- as is often the case -- the next step is to seek treatment to alleviate the discomfort and possibly help reduce or even heal it. This advice holds true for other causes of peripheral neuropathy as well, although you should check with your doctor to be sure it is appropriate for you.
NATURAL APPROACHES
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
If You Have Diabetes, Your Risk for Glaucoma May Be Higher
In one of the American study they estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma, which can stealthily cause vision loss even before people realize they have the disease. People with diabetes face special risks from glaucoma. This January during Glaucoma Awareness Month, through its EyeSmart (TM) campaign, the American Academy of Ophthalmology in partnership with the American Glaucoma Society and the Glaucoma Research Foundation, remind Americans that knowing your glaucoma risks can save your sight and that people with diabetes need to be extra-vigilant.
Both diabetes and glaucoma are leading causes of blindness. In their early stages these diseases often have few symptoms, so damage may occur before people know they need treatment. Several large studies suggest that people with diabetes are more likely to develop glaucoma, and other data shows that glaucoma patients who are diabetic are more likely to suffer vision damage. If caught early, diabetes and glaucoma can usually be managed and vision can be saved.
About Glaucoma: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve that transmits images from the eye to the brain. As glaucoma worsens, cells also die in the retina -- a special, light-sensitive area of the eye -- which further reduces the optic nerve's function. In the most common form of the disease, primary open-angle glaucoma, often a patient first notices that her peripheral vision is reduced, then that other areas of her visual field are blank. But in many people glaucoma-related vision changes are so gradual that they go unnoticed, which is why regular eye exams are so important. Symptoms of the less common but more immediately dangerous closed-angle glaucoma include blurred vision, severe eye pain and headache, rainbow-colored halos around lights, and nausea and vomiting. Anyone with these symptoms needs to be seen by an Eye M.D. right away.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Reason why Diabetics Suffer Bluriness and Dizziness
When glucose levels are too high in the body, the result would be a chemical imbalance in the body. There would be deep emotional pain, depression or stress felt by the individual as the liver and pancreas lose control of the amount of glucose in the body. This can also result in dizziness and later on unconsciousness. When glucose levels are too low, because of an oversupply of insulin, the individual experiences fatigue, weakness, hunger, heavy perspiration and anger. Here dizziness also occurs, as the body is unable to provide the necessary energy for its normal processes. Diabetes also slowly causes degeneration of the eye function. This is called diabetic retinopathy. This is the result of the degeneration of the retinal nerves of the eyes. Also, the blood vessels towards the eyes burst because of the thickened character of the blood because of the oversupply of glucose. Diabetes affects the liver functions. With the oversupply of glucose in the bloodstream, the liver works double time to keep the balance. Thus a sudden increase or spike in the blood glucose levels affects the retina and this causes blurred vision. The repeated blurring of the vision is a portent of further damage to the eyes due to diabetes. Diabetes causes problems to the cardiovascular system. The veins towards the heart are clogged because of the thickened blood and the smaller veins because of the diabetes. This means the blood rich with oxygen cannot travel fast and properly throughout the body, leading to a form of dizziness for the individual.
Dizziness and Blurred Vision
Dizziness relates to the body’s equilibrium and this is highly dependent upon the body’s central nervous system. This together with the inner ears, eyes and sensory receptors in the skin, muscles and joints add up all the necessary information for the proper sense of balance of the body. Diabetes affects the nervous system of the body by cellular degeneration. The incomplete information makes the individual dizzy during bouts of high glucose levels. Blurred vision is one of the early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. The retinal nerve of the eyes degenerate slowly because of the inadequate supply of nutrients to the eyes and the cellular decay caused by the cell’s inability to process glucose. Also, the blood vessels of the eyes also degenerate because of the thickening of the walls of the veins and the overall increase in viscosity of the blood. These are the effects of the body’s inability to produce insulin for the proper management of glucose in the body. Dizziness and blurred vision are symptoms of both short term and long term blood glucose problems leading to diabetes. These two symptoms are a result of hyperglycemia, which is one of the general consequences of diabetes. This is a result of having too little or inadequate insulin in the body. Another cause is despite the presence of insulin, the body is unable to metabolize the hormone. If you experience blurriness in vision at any given time especially after a meal, it would mean that there is too much glucose in the bloodstream. Conversely, there is too little insulin present to regulate this problem as the liver goes on overdrive to process the extra glucose. This can be easily remedied by taking insulin intravenously or antidiabetes medication. On the other hand, if you experience dizziness when you stand up, difficulty in breathing or even sudden unconsciousness, you have been carrying a very high glucose level for quite sometime. This is a very dangerous situation because the liver and pancreas has been unable to regulate the amount of glucose in the body and the major organs are already feeling the crush of diabetes.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Diabetes and Foot Problems
Introduction:
For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause some serious complications, including foot problems.
How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet?
Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet.
Diabetic neuropathy
Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves. If you have damaged nerves in your legs and feet, you might not feel heat, cold, or pain. This lack of feeling is called "sensory diabetic neuropathy." If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected. The muscles of the foot may not function properly because the nerves that make the muscles work are damaged. This could cause the foot to not align properly and create too much pressure in one area of the foot. It is estimated that up to 10% of people will develop foot ulcers. Foot ulcers occur because of nerve damage and peripheral vascular disease.
Peripheral vascular disease
Diabetes also affects the flow of blood. Without good blood flow, it takes longer for a sore or cut to heal. Poor blood flow in the arms and legs is called "peripheral vascular disease." Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder that affects blood vessels away from the heart. If you have an infection that will not heal because of poor blood flow, you are at risk for developing ulcers or gangrene (the death of tissue due to a lack of blood).
What Are Some Common Foot Problems of People With Diabetes?
Anyone can get the foot problems listed below. For people with diabetes, however, these common foot problems can possibly lead to infection and serious complications, such as amputation.
Athlete's foot, Fungal infection of nails, Calluses, Fungal infection of nails, Foot ulcers, Hammertoes, Ingrown toenails, Plantar warts.
Can These Foot Problems Be Prevented?
Proper foot care can help prevent these common foot problems and/or treat them before they cause serious complications. Here are some tips for good foot care:
1. Take care of yourself and your diabetes. Follow your health care provider's advice regarding nutrition, exercise, and medication. Keep your blood glucose level within the range recommended by your doctor.
2. Wash your feet in warm water every day, using a mild soap. Do not soak your feet. Dry your feet well, especially between the toes.
3. Check your feet every day for sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any of the other problems listed above. If you have poor blood flow, it is especially important to do a daily foot check.
4. If the skin on your feet is dry, keep it moist by applying lotion after you wash and dry your feet. Do not put lotion between your toes. Your doctor can tell you which type of lotion is best to use.
5. Gently smooth corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone. Do this after your bath or shower, when your skin is soft. Move the emery board in only one direction.
6. Check your toenails once a week. Trim your toenails with a nail clipper straight across. Do not round off the corners of toenails or cut down on the sides of the nails. After clipping, smooth the toenails with an emery board.
7. Always wear closed-toed shoes or slippers. Do not wear sandals and do not walk barefoot, even around the house.
8. Always wear socks or stockings. Wear socks or stockings that fit your feet well and have soft elastic.
9. Wear shoes that fit well. Buy shoes made of canvas or leather and break them in slowly. Extra wide shoes are also available in specialty stores that will allow for more room for the foot for people with foot deformities.
10. Protect your feet from heat and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.
11. Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting, wiggle your toes and move your ankles several times a day, and don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
12. If you smoke, stop. Smoking can make blood flow problems worse.
13. If you have a foot problem that gets worse or won't heal, contact your doctor for advice and treatment.
14. Make sure your diabetes doctor examines your feet during each check-up. An annual foot exam should be performed which should include an inspection of the skin -- he or she may check for redness or warm of the skin. The exam will also be to check for pulses and temperature of your feet and an assessment of sensation to the foot with something called a monofilament.
15. See your podiatrist (foot doctor) every two to three months for check-ups, even if you don't have any foot problems.
When Should I Contact My Doctor?
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following problems:
Changes in skin color.
Changes in skin temperature.
Swelling in the foot or ankle.
Pain in the legs.
Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining.
Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.
Corns or calluses.
Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.
Unusual and/or persistent foot odor
Monday, November 16, 2009
World Diabetes Day 2009
World Diabetes Day, on the 14th November every year, has grown from humble beginnings to become a globally-celebrated event to increase awareness about diabetes. Comprising hundreds of campaigns, activities, screenings, lecture, meetings and more, World Diabetes Day is proving internationally effective in spreading the message about diabetes.
Who introduced World Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day was jointly introduced by the World Heal
th Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The global diabetes awareness campaign was introduced amidst concern over an escalating diabetes epidemic.
Why is November 14th World Diabetes Day?
November 14 th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best. Read more in the Diabetes.co.uk history of diabetes. World Diabetes Day is internationally recognised and is now an official United Nations Day.
Where is World Diabetes Day celebrated?
World Diabetes Day is celebrated throughout the world. A truly global event, World Diabetes Day occurs in over 200 diabetic member associations, in over 160 different countries. Further associations, medical professionals, and individuals all over the world join together to celebrate World Diabetes Day.
How do people celebrate World Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day is celebrated in a vast number of ways around the globe. These include a range of activities and events, including meetings and lectures to spread public information, sporting events for adults and children, television and radio programmes, leaflet and poster campaigning, exhibitions and conferences and much, much more.
Is World Diabetes Day the same every year?
World Diabetes Day is different every year, because each year a theme is decided upon to help those most in need. For instances, 2004 saw World Diabetes Day themed Diabetes and Obesity.
This year, World Diabetes Day is concerned with diabetes in children and adolescents.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Natural Solution for Lowering Blood Sugar
Some of the most promising alternative therapies for high blood sugar come from nature's pharmacy, which isn't surprising. Plants and herbs have long been part of traditional response to diabetes, and they may be the closest thing to "real" medicine in the entire alternative arsenal. In fact, some countries, such as Germany, require doctors to study herbal medicine as part of their medical training.
GYMNEMA: THE SUGAR BLASTER
In India and Africa, where Gymnema sylvestre can be found creeping in tropical forests, the woody plant has been used for centuries as a remedy for diabetes. In fact, its name in Hindi is gurmar, which means "sugar destroyer". It got its reputation in part because chewing its leaves is said to make you insensible to the taste of sweetness, but there's probably more to it than that. Lab analyses have found that gymnema boosts the activity of enzymes that help cells take up glucose, so there's less of it floating in the blood. More than a decade ago, animal studies found that it brings down blood sugar - but not in animals that had had their pancreases removed. These revelations have led researchers to theorize that gymnema may battle high blood sugar by:
• Boosting the realese of insulin by making cells in the pancreas more permeable
• Stimulating insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas
• Increasing the number of beta cells.
FENUGREEK: A POTENT SPICE
In Mediterranean and near Eastern countries, fenugreek has a long history as a spice and flavor enhancer, but that's not all it's been used for over the centuries. Early Greek and Latin catalogs of medicines list it as a therapy for high blood sugar. Animal research and a handful of small human studies suggest that ancients were on to something. In one study, for example, 60 people with type 2 diabetes who took a total of 25 grams of fenugreek powder in two equal doses at lunch and dinner for six months dropped their fasting blood sugar from an average 151 to 112.
Fenugreek seems to make the stomach empty more slowly, hinder the absorption of carbohydrates, and put the brakes on the movement of glucose through the body - all of which may be due to the fact that fenugreek is extremely high in fiber.
BITTER MELON: A STRONG VEGETABLE
Although it's a staple of Chinese and Indian cuisine, bitter melon lives up to its name - or names: It's also known as bitter gourd, bitter apple, and bitter cucumber. Cultivated in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and South America, it's been used as a contraceptive, a therapy for psoriasis, and a variety of other purposes. Mainly, though, it's been hailed for lowering blood sugar, and the fruit and seed are loaded with chemicals that appear to have an impact on glucose or insulin (one of the chemicals is similar to cow insulin).
Lab and animal studies suggest that bitter melon may work on several levels, such as boosting insulin secretion, improving the ability of cells to absorb glucose, and hindering the release of glucose from the liver. One of the largest studies of bitter melon in people with type 2 diabetes lasted only two days, but it caused significant drops in blood sugar.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
15 Point Healthy Lifestyle Checklist
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together a checklist so you can make lifestyle changes, which will help control or prevent diabetes and heart problems.
Remember, don’t try to change everything at once. Instead, choose a few things you think you can manage right now, then come back to the list at a later date and make some additional changes:
**Check off each bullet point as you make each change successfully**
- I will eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- I will eat less fat, especially saturated fat, trans fat, hydrogenated oils, lard, and shortening.
- I will regularly choose lean meats and healthy meat substitutes, such as dried beans and peas (kidney beans, soy bean, chickpeas), lentils, and tofu.
- I will get healthy fats from olive or canola oil, nuts, avocados, and oily fish (1-2 times each week) for example fresh tuna, salmon, or mackerel.
- I will use baking, roasting, or grilling, rather than frying foods most of the time.
- I will focus on getting lots of fiber into my diet, from healthy foods such as oatmeal, oat bran, fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas.
- I will make sure I am not eating too much salt—maximum of 6g per day.
- I will choose water and other low-calorie drinks, rather than sodas, juices, and other sugar-laden drinks. I will also try to control my alcohol consumption (no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day).
- I will watch my calorie and fat intake by cutting back on sugary, fatty junk food, such as potato chips, cookies, cakes, and full-fat ice cream.
- I will control my portion sizes—healthy plate proportions are ¼ meat or alternative, ¼ carbohydrate, ½ vegetables or salad.
- I will try to be more physically active—aiming for at least 30 minutes, 5 times each week.
- I will take my medications at directed by my doctor.
- I will quit smoking.
- I will try to maintain a healthy weight.
- I will continue to monitor my ABCs—A1C (try to maintain below 7), blood pressure (below 130/80 mmHg), and cholesterol (HDL men: above 40 mg/dl, HDL women: above 50 mg/dl; triglycerides: below 150 mg/dl; and LDL: below 100 mg/dl).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Natural Choices for Painful Neuropathy Alternatives for this Painful Nerve Condition
Peripheral neuropathy may be one of the most common conditions you've never heard of -- and it is indeed common. Estimates are that it affects as many as two-thirds of people with diabetes, 10% to 20% of people with cancer and 8% of all people over age 55. One reason may be that neuropathy is not an isolated medical condition. Rather, it results from other medical problems including vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders and heavy metal exposure, in addition to diabetes and cancer. Symptoms generally come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months, starting in the toes and sometimes the fingers. They include burning and tingling sensations, numbness, and occasional sharp, sudden pains similar to electrical shocks. Intensity of symptoms varies widely, from mild annoyance... to numbness severe enough to impair function... to debilitating pain.
all have serious side effects, including dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, nausea, headache and in serious cases, allergic reaction and confusion, among others. Given the problems with pharmaceuticals, I called Mark Stengler, ND, a regular contributor to Daily Health News, to find out about natural approaches to the problem. The first step is to find the root cause and correct it as much as possible. For example, people with diabetes must control blood sugar levels to help slow further peripheral neuropathy development. People who suspect vitamin deficiencies should see a holistic physician for blood level tests and to help them establish a healthy diet and vitamin protocol. They must also avoid or greatly reduce alcohol consumption. Those having chemotherapy should alert the supervising doctor immediately if numbness or tingling starts in their feet or hands. The doctor may be able to alter the drugs somewhat to keep the neuropathy from escalating. However, when chemo-related peripheral neuropathy begins weeks or even months after completion of chemotherapy -- as is often the case -- the next step is to seek treatment to alleviate the discomfort and possibly help reduce or even heal it. This advice holds true for other causes of peripheral neuropathy as well, although you should check with your doctor to be sure it is appropriate for you.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Does alcohol and tobacco use increase the risk of diabetes?
Answer
Yes, alcohol and tobacco use increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. While studies show that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) may actually lower the risk of diabetes, the opposite is true for people who drink greater amounts of alcohol. Heavy alcohol use can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can impair its ability to secrete insulin and ultimately lead to diabetes. Tobacco is equally harmful. Tobacco use can increase blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance. And the more you smoke, the greater your risk of diabetes. Heavy smokers — those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day — almost double their risk of developing diabetes, when compared with nonsmokers.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Diabetes and high blood sugar:
Complications from diabetes come on over time, and damage has often started before we realize something is wrong.
The heart actually has the largest blood vessels in the body so why is it damaged? First of all, it is the job of the heart to pump the thick, sticky blood through all the narrowed vessels in the body. The heart also has many small vessels that feed an
d nourish it. When blood sugars are high, they do not get the circulation they need. So not only are we asking the heart to work twice as hard, we are depriving it of nutrition to give it strength. Cardiovascular Disease is the most common cause of death in people with diabetes. But there are support and therapy strategies that have been proven effective.
Nerve Damage and Disease
Amputations and ulcers, especially in the feet, are more frequent in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Decreased circulation to feet and legs leads to damage and loss of nerve function. The nerves lose their ability to sense pain, pressure, touch, or temperature correctly, which results in tingling and numbess of the feet and toes (fingers, too). This condition is called peripheral neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy occurs when there is nerve damage affecting the automatic processes in your body such as heart rate or sweating, so they do not work as they should. The stomach may not process food correctly. The heart rate or blood pressure does not speed up or slow down in response to exercise, exertion, rest, standing, or sitting. Autonomic neuropathy also contributes to the absence of chest pain with heart attack, and can cause sweating at inappropriate times or in specific areas, leaky bladder, pupils that do not constrict or dilate as needed, sexual dysfunction, and decreased ability to sense an infection or hypoglycemia.
Vision Problems
Retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts are the more common eye disorders related to diabetes.
Eye disease is typically progressive, and there are usually no symptoms until damage has occurred. You may have 20/20 vision yet one day have complete vision loss due to a hemorrhage. This is the reason a yearly eye exam is so important. An eye doctor will be able to see the changes occurring before vision is at risk. Laser surgery can destroy the abnormal vessels in the eye and prevent their regrowth.
So What's The Good News?
Believe it or not, there is some good news. The whole process of long-term complications started with sticky red blood cells. The good news is that red blood cells only live two to three months. That means that in three months of keeping your blood sugar levels nearer to normal, you have a whole new set of unsticky red blood cells. This turnover eliminates the cops, slow cars, and semi-trucks from the freeway, and prevents further damage to the road. When blood sugar levels come down, the stickiness decreases on the walls of the arteries and veins, and triglycerides and cholesterol levels are reduced. So where lanes of traffic were closed, we now have open roads. Where damage has been done, we may not be able to repair it, but with improved control, we can prevent further complications and slow or stop the progress of any existing ones. Keeping blood sugars close to normal is the best way to prevent complications. Unlike genetics, age, or sex, it is the one component we have some control over.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease
While people with RA have long been known to be susceptible to cardiovascular disease, this is the first study to compare this risk with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In the study, researchers measured the frequency of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease in 335 RA patients followed for three years, as compared to 1,852 people in the general population.
The researchers observed that cardiovascular disease occurr
ed in nine percent of patients with RA and among 4.3 percent of the general population- i.e. the incidence of 3.30 people per 100 people per year for those with RA, and 1.51 people per 100 people per year for those in the general population.
Patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic patients with RA have similar risk ratios for developing cardiovascular disease (2.02 and 2.22, respectively), as compared the general population,
The researchers concluded that the risk of cardiovascular disease is not only high in people with RA as compared to the general population, but it equals that of people with type 2 diabetes
Friday, July 24, 2009
Diabetes and Hair loss
Diabetes is a disease which is directly linked with hair loss resulting from hormone imbalance. It is one of the early symptoms of diabetes. The disease requires proper treatment to avoid further complications and side effects.
For the loss of hair, stress is another factor that causes it. When the body cannot metabolize carbohydrates properly, it causes diabetes and leads to several skin ailments. Bruises and wounds take longer time to heal in the body. As a result, the recovery rate becomes slow and obstructs the further growth of hair. This causes visible hair reduction. Diabetics are unable to maintain a normal re growth cycle as they become prone to early infection. Bacterial and fungal infections on the scalp can also cause hair loss. The disease increases anxiety which ultimately promotes hair loss. That is why there is a direct relation between diabetes and hair loss.
Studies show that a healthy person loses around fifty to hundred strands per day. If hair loss increases more than the usual, then you must seek doctor’s help. He can check the problem thoroughly and make his conclusion accordingly. If the diabetes is not treated in time, it can further promote hair loss. Diabetic patients must take proper care of their health to avoid any complications. It is essential to exercise regularly to increase blood circulation in the body. A diabetic person also suffers from autoimmune problem. In such a situation, small bald patches are formed on the scalp. This ailment is known as alopecia area. Medical stress and side effects of different medicines may be another factor for hair loss. It normally depends on the individual’s health to respond to various medications and sometimes they have an adverse effect on his health and hair.
The diabetes may also affect a person’s health by dysfunctional thyroid gland, skin rash vitiligo and pernicious anemia. Type second diabetes is usually caused by hormonal imbalance which leads to polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition is related to insulin resistance which reduces the ability of cells to react on insulin. It is essential to detect diabetes at an early stage so that recovery from hair loss can be possible early. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are blurred vision, frequent urination, acute hunger, increased thirst, unusual weight loss, fatigue and unnecessary irritation.
To check the diabetes, monitoring the blood sugar level from time to time is essential, failing which the complications lead to damage of blood vessels and nerves, loss of functioning of the kidneys, loss of sensation, heart disease and strokes.
It is better to seek doctor’s advice in severe condition who can guide about the required precautions. The doctor prescribes different lotions and oils to provide relief to the patient. Balanced diet is also very important and the patient must include lots of green vegetables and fruits to make his diet balanced in every form. It is advisable to drink sugar free juices to detoxify the body. Drinking lots of water can also help to keep the system clean.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Lantus and Cancer Risk
Some news has come out in the last couple of days about a possible link between Lantus and an increased risk of some types of cancer.
Now, they are telling people not to panic and not to stop taking their Lantus!!!!
Like the last scare with Rosiglitazone, where there was initially some big concerns about increased cardiovascular risks as a result of trials that were not necessarily looking for CV risks, and which from later studies it was found that there was no significant difference in CV risk between Avandia and other common diabetic drugs - I myself stopped taking Avandia because of that scare and really did myself a disservice because the drug was actually really good at keeping my BG under control.
When I first heard the news about Lantus - which I take twice a day - my immediate reaction was, "better make an appointment with the endo and get off this evil stuff!"
But then I remembered my experience with Avandia. Lantus actually works very well for me and less hypos - a much smoother ride than protophane
. So this time I've decided I'm not going to panic, and sit back and wait for the outcome of further trials.
I guess there are always risks/benefits that have to be weighed up with any drugs.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Diabetes Screening
High risk individuals:
- Age >45 yrs with minimal physical activity
- obesity
- First degree relatives with diabetes
- Previous h/o diabetes during pregnancy or women who have delivered babies more than 4.5kgs weight
- Hypertensive
- Altered lipid profile ( HDL <35>250 )
- PCOS
- IGT/IGF on previous testing
OGTT to be done every year.
Normal – FBS<100mg/dl 2hrs <140mg/dl
IFG / IGT – 100-125 140-199
DM - >126 >200
If a person is confirmed to be a diabetic he/she should undergo annual checkup which should include screening for diabetes related complications like in eyes, kidney, nerves and heart. Patients should check their blood sugars (FBS /PPBS) regularly(Once in a week) and HbA1c once in 3 months.
Smoking Cessation
Tobacco use increases the risk of micro- and macro vascular complication of diabetes and is one of the most preventable causes of death worldwide. Each year, 430,000 deaths are attributable to tobacco use in U.S. alone, more than alcohol abuse, automobile accidents, AIDS, homicide, suicide, heroin and cocaine combined. compared to age – matched non smokers , persons who smoke 1 pack of cigarettes per day are 14 times more likely to die from cancer of the esophagus : twice as likely to suffer an MI or stroke : and twice as likely to die from heart diseases or cancer of the bladder. At any age, the risk of death is doubled in smokers compared with nonsmoking age-matched controls, and the risk associated with smoking is dose dependent. Despite these statistics, many physicians do not routinely ask patients about cigarette smoking or offer counseling about smoking cessation. The increased cardiovascular risk attributable to smoking returns to baseline soon after cessation of tobacco use, emphasizing the importance of intervention. By 12-18 months, most of the increased cardiovascular risk has disappeared, and by 3-5 years, the risk of vascular events is no different than that of a non smoker. As a physician, there is virtually nothing more effective at improving a patient’s long term prognosis than convincing and helping him or her to stop smoking .if a physician discusses this topic even briefly with the smoker and makes a strong statement about the medical necessity of discontinuing this habit, a person’s chances of permanent cessation of smoking is doubled.
Strategies to assist patients willing to quit smoking
Step 1: Strategies for implementation
Help the patient with a quit plan
1. Have patient set quit date, ideally within 2 weeks.
2. Have patient tell family, friends, and coworkers about quitting and request their understanding and support.
3. help patient anticipate withdrawal symptoms and discuss ways to resist urges and cravings (clean the house ;take 5 minutes walk ; do stretching exercise ; put a toothpick , cinnamon gum , or lemon drop in mouth ;take several slow deep breaths; brush teeth ; call a non smoking friend and talk).
4. Have patient remove tobacco products from their environment: throw out ashtrays; clean clothes, car, and carpets.
5. Encourage patients to learn as much about how to quit smoking as possible. Useful sources for reading materials include:
American heart association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231, (800) 242-8721; www.americanheart.org.
American cancer society ,1599 Clifton road, NE, Atlanta, A 30329,(800) 227-2345;www.cancer.org
National cancer institute ,Bethesda,MD 20894,(202) 4- cancer (422-6237);www.nci.nih.gov
For pregnant women : American college of obstetricians and gynecologists,409 12th street ,SW,Washington , DC 20024,(202) 638-5577; www.acog .org
Step 2:
Provided practical counseling
1. Total abstinence is essential.” not even a single puff after you quit.”
2. Identify what helped and hinders previous quit attempts.
3. Discuss challenges / triggers and how to overcome them.
4. Since alcohol can cause relapse, the patient should consider limiting /obtaining from alcohol while quitting.
5. Patients should encourage housemates to quit with them or not to smoke in there presence.
6. Provide a supportive clinical environment while encouraging the patient to quit:” My staff and I are available for you.
Step 3: Strategies for implementation
Recommend approved drug therapy
1. Recommend the use of first-line drug therapy (varenicline, bupropion,NRT) to all smokers trying to quit, except in special circumstances (e.g., medical contraindications, pregnant/breastfeeding women, adolescent smokers). If drug therapy is used with lighter smokers (10-15 cigarettes/day), consider reducing the dose of NRT; no dosage adjustment is necessary for sustained-release bupropion.
2. Some studies suggest that bupropion may be more effective than NRT for achieving permanent cessation of tobacco use, and that some synergism between the two approaches may exist. There are insufficient data to rank-order these medications, So initial therapy must be guided by factors such as clinician familiarity with the medications, contraindications foe selected patients, patients preference ,previous patient experience with a specific therapy (positive or negative), and patient characteristics (e.g., history of depression, concerns about weight gain). Sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride and NRT, in particular nicotine gum, have been shown to delay but not prevent weight gain. Sustained –release bupropion hydrochloride and nortriptyline hydrochloride are particularly well-suited for patients with a history of depression.
3. There is evidence that combining the nicotine patch with either nicotine gum or nicotine nasal spray increase long-term abstinence rates compared to a single form of NRT, based on a meta-analysis.
4. The nicotine patch in particular is safe in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the safety of these products has not been established for the immediate post-MI period or in patients with severe or unstable angina.
5. Long-term therapy may be helpful for smokers who report persistent withdrawal symptoms. A minority of individuals who successfully quit smoking use NRT medications (gum, nasal spray, and inhaler) long term. The long-term use of these medications does not present a known health risk, and the FDA has approved the use of sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride for long-term maintenance.
6. Clonidine and nortriptyline may be considered when first-line medications are contraindicated or not helpful.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. ED becomes more common as you get older. But male sexual dysfunction is not a natural part of aging.
Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.
Your doctor can offer several new treatments for ED. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight or stopping smoking may also help.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Under skin sensor to improve diabetes control
Staffs at
The devices are fitted to patients’ stomachs, who also wear watch-like armbands that check how active they are being.
The 12-month study will be the first in the
Thirty people aged 18 to 75 will take part in the trial; the aim of which is to provide further details on how to manage type one diabetes.
The sensors contain a tiny electrode, inserted under the skin that takes around 300 readings a day. This connects to a transmitter, which is attached to the skin with an adhesive patch.
Each participant can wear the devices for two weeks at a time with the sensors replaced every three days. Both electrode and transmitter are waterproof, light and durable. The armbands are worn for two periods of two weeks.
Study lead Professor Christopher Byrne, head of endocrinology and metabolism said: "At the moment, it is uncertain how day-to-day variation in physical activity influences blood glucose in people with Type 1 diabetes."
"But thanks to monitoring devices, such as the two we are trialling, we will gauge a better understanding of the link between physical activity and glucose control in diabetes."
It’s also hoped the study will help diabetics to understand the influence of exercise on glucose control and how it can help to reduce diabetic complications, he added.
Diabetes
Monday, June 1, 2009
Diabetes and Stem cell
Study: Stem Cells May Reverse Type 1 Diabetes – TIME
A stem cell treatment allows the regrowth of insulin-producing Beta cells in type 1 diabetes patients
Study: Stem Cells May Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
By Alice Park Monday, Apr. 13, 2009, Biophoto Associates / Photo Researchers
Researchers have used injections of patients’ own stem cells to reverse the course of type 1 diabetes, reports a research team from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and Northwestern University in Chicago.
The findings, published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, exemplify the remarkable gains made by diabetes researchers, who are battling a continuously spreading disease that now affects nearly 8% of adults and children. (See the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2008.)
The research team, led by Dr. Julio Voltarelli of the University of Sao Paulo, is the first to successfully treat type 1 diabetes patients with their own stem cells. The group first reported its initial achievement in 2007, with 15 type 1 diabetes patients who received their own stem cells and no longer needed insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
In the new study, a follow-up of their previous work, Voltarelli and his colleagues detailed the same success with an additional eight patients, and also confirmed that in the majority of them, the stem cell transplant led to an appreciable repopulation of functioning insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tip of the Week
Choose the right shoe and socks
