8
Mar
Types of Diabetes
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationMany people all over the world are getting prone to a disease called diabetes. Diabetes can be defined in many ways. It is a state in which our body is not able to refine food easily and properly. People living with diabetes have a very restricted life as they can eat a very restricted menu of food and dishes and almost all sweet dishes are prohibited to them. Diabetes information about the illness states that there are two types of diabetes.
Insulin dependent diabetes in which the person is not able to secret any insulin. It develops near the pancreas and highly restricts the secretion of insulin. It is the most severe type of diabetes known to us. Without the presence of the insulin in the bloodstream the body cells are not able to get the required amount of sugar which they should get. Instead the sugar remains in the bloodstream increasing the sugar content of the blood. Another type of diabetes called non insulin dependent diabetes also known as adult onset diabetes, which seldom develops before the age of 40 years. This type of diabetes can be easily stopped and revered with the help of suitable drugs.
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4
Mar
Steroid Glucose Tolerance Test
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationThe steroid glucose tolerance test is a variation of the glucose tolerance test. A steroid (cortisone) is administered that mimics stress in the body. Psychological stress, obesity, and illness are all factors that may precipitate diabetes. If this test produces result showing impaired glucose tolerance, it is an indication that you may develop diabetes, especially if other members of your family have had diabetes.
A combination of these tests will help your physician diagnosis and monitor your diabetes. Continued reevaluation is necessary because your blood sugar level changes in response to your diet, exercise, medication, and emotional stress. With the aid of testing procedures, your physician can help you control your diabetes.
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1
Mar
Early Form of Diabetes
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationOnce called chemical diabetes or prediabetes, early forms of carbohy-drate intolerance include impaired glucose tolerance (lGT) and impaired fasting glucose (lFG) . Cose tolerance is the diagnosis of a person with a normal fasting sugar (glucose) level who, after drinking a certain amount of a liquid that contains sugar (glucose), has a value at 2 hours above 200 mg/dl or 11 mmol. The measurement “mmol” is metric. To convert mg/dl to mmol for blood sugar, divide by 18. For example: 200 mg/dl 4-18 = 11 mmol.
Insulin values may be low, normal, or high or, in many cases, have a delay in release. The delayed release may then lead to an excess release of insulin. The result of the delayed insulin release is a late drop in blood sugar, called reactive hypoglycemia.
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16
Feb
Mixing Insulins for Injection
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationIf insulin is to be mixed in a syringe , the tops of both bottles are cleansed, and air equal to the insulin to be removed is injected into each of the bottles. Once the air is placed into the
short-acting insulin bottle (e.g., Regular), the desired amount of insulin is withdrawn. The needle is removed from that bottle and carefully placed into the other bottle. The insulin is very carefully withdrawn until the total amount of dosage is obtained in the syringe (for example, 10 units of Regular plus 20 units of NPH drawn up, in total, to the 30-unit mark on the syringe).
This insulin should be administered within 5 minutes from the time it was initially mixed. If the insulin is premixed in separate syringes or in a mixing bottle, it is necessary to wait 15 minutes before administering that insulin dosage from the syringe or bottle. Premixed insulin should not be kept in a syringe for longer than 2 weeks. Premixing of Lente with Regular insulin is not recommended unless it is administered immediately. Lente insulins cannot be premixed with NPH. Premixed NPH and Regular are usable up to the date (shelf life) on the box.
The least amount of discomfort is experienced during the injection when the insulin is at room or body temperature and is given without any “drag” on the needle (that is, the needle must either pierce tight skin or be rapidly placed through the skin layer). Insulin in use can be kept at room temperature for up to three months. However, if kept at a temperature greater than 90 degrees or below 32 degrees F, the insulin may be damaged.
To prevent infection, the skin should be as clean as possible. To be sure of this, give the injection after a bath or shower, or wash the injection area with soap and water or with a cleansing wipe. The skin should be made tight by pinching a large fold of skin or, in the case of loose skin (such as might be found on the abdomen), pinching and stretching the skin so that the injection will be given in the stretched area, not the pinched area.
The injection is given at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees, unless atrophy is to be treated, in which case a 20-degree angle is recommended. The angle depends on the thickness of the skin. In other words, a younger child or elderly person would most likely need a 45-degree angle injection, while a young or middle-aged adult would probably need a 90-degree angle. Once the insulin has been administered at an even rate of speed, the needle should be quickly with-drawn at the same angle at which it was inserted. Mild pressure on the injection site for a period of a minute or less will aid in keeping the insulin from leaking out onto the skin surface. (Some people use what is called Z-tracking: The needle is placed through the skin, the tip is moved to an angle, and the insulin is pushed in. On removal, the tip is moved back to its original location and is then pulled from the body. Such a technique is not usually necessary but can be helpful for those who experience a lot of “leaking.”)
B-D Plastipak and Monojet are syringes that have developed shorter and smoother needles. They are available in 1 cc, 1/2 cc, and 1/3 cc. Sure-dose TM is a new syringe manufactured by Terum Medical Corporation. These syringes are available in 28 gauge, 1 cc, and 1/2 cc sizes and Sure-dose Plus TM in 29 gauge, 1 cc, and 1/2 cc sizes.
This guest article is courtesy of Simon Slade. In his spare time, Simon is involved in sports and fitness.
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28
Nov
Diabetes Information
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationIt is a word that each and every soul on the earth knows about. It is the inability of the body to control the desired levels of blood sugar or say the desired levels of insulin. Once the amount of body insulin increases above a certain age, we say that the person is diabetic. Then the long race of getting the insulin level under control with lots of medicines, changing the food habits, reducing the sweet intake etc. starts.
Now what the hell is blood sugar level? The enhanced state of blood sugar level is known as hyperglycemia. The hormone insulin controls this level. Thus layman says that it is the insulin level that has increased but it is actually the blood sugar level. There are mainly three types of diabetes and all differ due to the secretion properties. The first one is type1 diabetes which is also known as insulin dependent diabetes. This kind of diabetes occurs at the age of 20-30. This is why sometimes people refer to it as juvenile diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes or diabetes II is something that happens in the later stage of life and hence is referred to as adult onset diabetes because it was considered to take place in the later half of the person’s life. Some people also refer to it as insulin resistance.
The third one is known as the Gestational diabetes that occurs during the pregnancy period due to certain hormonal changes in the body. This is not as common as the other two types.
Tagged under:blood sugar level Diabetes Information diabetes type 2 hyperglycemia insulin controls insulin dependent diabetes insulin level juvenile diabetes three types of diabetes type 2 diabetes
14
Nov
Keep a Control on Your Blood Sugar
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationThere are a number of people who are suffering from the problem of high blood sugar. The increased level of sugar in the blood can lead to a number of problems. This mainly happens due to the improper functioning of the pancreas. The problem of high blood sugar is also known as Diabetes. People who have a problem of diabetes and high blood pressure are required to take a regular dosage of insulin, so as to regulate the count of sugar in the blood. You can regulate the blood sugar with a regular dosage of insulin. However this is a tedious process and would consume a lot of effort and inconvenience. If you are looking for a simpler solution of the problem, then you can use the different medicines that are available in the market to keep a control on the sugar in the blood.
One of the common medicines that are prescribed by the doctors is Diamaxol. Diamaxol is a medicine that is used by the doctors to regulate the count of sugar level. You can consume the prescribed dosage of this medicine to regulate sugar levels, and get relief from the problem of diabetes. However this medicine is a little expensive and cannot be afforded by all. The alternative medicine to Diamaxol is a sugar level formula that is provided by Vitabase. This sugar control formula is actually a supplement that helps you control the increasing sugar level in the blood. There are different vitamins and minerals that are present in this formula with the help of which you can also regulate the functioning of diabetes.
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19
Sep
Self-Testing with a Blood Sample
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationYour physician and health care team will acquaint you with the various products available with which you can test your blood for glucose level. They will explain techniques that will be easy to follow. And they will make specific recommendations so that your testing routine will fit into your daily routine. Your self-testing procedure will involve pricking your finger to draw a drop of blood. Convenient pricking devices are available in purpose.
You will then transfer the drop of blood to a tiny strip with a chemically coated pad at one end, wait one minute, and watch the pad change color according to the amount of glucose present in your blood. With some strips you can compare the color with colors on a chart and estimate your blood sugar by matching colors visually. With other strips the end of the strip is inserted into a metering device, which displays a digital readout of your blood sugar level. Metering devices are small enough to tuck into a purse or briefcase. Physicians say there is little difference in accuracy between the two methods. However, people who have visual impairments often have more success using the digital readout device than with visual comparison method.
Tagged under:blood sample blood sugar level Diabetes Information digital readout drop of blood glucose level matching colors
11
Sep
Menopause and Diabetes
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationAround age 40-50 menstruation ceases. Some women stop having periods earlier than others. Some stop suddenly while others have only a few periods a year during a several year time span. Many think they have stopped menstruating because they have not had a period in several months or longer and then begin menstruating regularly again.
When menopause occurs, changes take place in the woman’s body. Along with a decrease in the amount of estrogen and progesterone some women experience symptoms of “hot flashes,” headache, and depression. A tendency toward brittle bones occurs because of the reduced amount of hormones in the body; many older women sustain fractures because of this change in their bodies. However, many women report no menopausal symptoms, and that time of life progresses as normally as other periods in their lives.
As an insulin-dependent diabetic woman, however, you may have some special concerns. For example, it may be difficult for you to distinguish menopausal hot flashes from low blood sugar reactions causing similar symptoms. If you think the hot flashes are from low blood sugar and take extra sugar or food, you may raise your blood sugar level too high. And if you think a hypoglycemic reaction is a hot flash, you may neglect to take sugar and make your low blood sugar reaction worse. To avoid this confusion, test your own blood sugar. Other symptoms of me no pause may also concern you as a diabetic if you are age 40 or over. Your blood sugar level responds to anti depressive medications as well as to mental stress. Proper relaxation and a healthy perspective on life will help you avoid undue stress and the need for antidepressant medications. Also, brittle bones are characteristic of diabetics, particularly in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Your physician may recommend that you supplement your diet with calcium rich foods.
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4
Aug
Travelling with Diabetes
Posted by john in Diabetes Information Travel is part of the spice of life. A little change of scene is as
good for diabetics as for non diabetics. Along with a change of scene, however, comes a change in personal care routines. As a diabetic you should plan for changes in your routine ahead of time by consulting your health care team. Plan as far ahead as possible. Learn the locations of local American Diabetes Association affiliates in the areas in which you will travel. Other suggestions your health care team may make include the following.
- Carry identification indicating that you have diabetes and information about your medication and dosages. Carry a prescription from your doctor for your insulin and syringes. Carry anti nausea medication as well as medication to relieve possible vomiting and diarrhea.
- Plan to alter your meal plan according to your travel plans. For example, when traveling by car, plan on having extra food supplies with you to avoid an insulin reaction. You can keep hard candy, raisins, graham crackers, or fruit handy.
- Store your insulin in a cool place such as inside the car with you rather than, in a trunk or glove compartment, where it might be extremely warm or exposed to heat or sun.
- If you are flying, be prepared to change your insulin injection procedure if you need to have an insulin injection while in the air. Plan on putting about half the usual amount of air into your insulin bottle to balance for pressure In the cabin in a high altitude flight.
- Be aware of changing time zones and administer your insulin injections and have your meals on your home time rather than according to the time zone you are in. Your health care team will assist you in planning ahead for time zone changes of two hours or more.
- Because traveling causes special stresses, it will be important to continue testing your glucose levels frequently to be sure that your diabetes is under control. If you notice high sugar readings, try to exercise more and reduce your intake of carbohydrates. Your health care team will give you instructions to follow regarding changes in insulin doses if your glucose level can’t be controlled with exercise and carbohydrates.
- Learn to say (or carry a card with you reading) “I have diabetes” in the languages spoken in the area in which you might travel.
- Tell your traveling companion(s) that you are diabetic and how the can assist you in case you need help. If you are on a tour, be sure that the tour guide or operator knows about your special needs, particularly about having meals at proper intervals and about what to do if medical emergency occurs.
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9
Jul
Glycosylated Hemoglobin - Diabetes Test
Posted by john in Diabetes InformationAnother blood test your physician may perform to learn more about the glucose concentration in your blood involves glycosylated hemoglobin. Glycosylated hemoglobin is created when glucose is attached to hemoglobin cells (red blood cells). The concentration of these glycosylated hemoglobin molecules is a good barometer of average glucose content, as it is higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics. It is also very high in patients who poorly control their diabetes. Glucose attaches to the hemoglobin slowly, depending on the concentration of glucose in the blood. Since the life span of a red blood cells is about four months, a high concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin in your blood indicates that the condition has been building over a period of time. A measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin is like peering back in time. Because this test indicates what happened previously, rather than what is taking place now, it does help your doctor in terms of establishing or making adjustments in your treatment. Also, the test at present is expensive. However, for long-term monitoring of diabetic control, glycosylated hemoglobin tests are useful, and your physician may make use of them in treating you.
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