Diabetes patients grapple with the demands of self-management (home blood sugar testing, diet and exercise requirements, medicine intake, and so forth) over and above their other concerns (work, finances, family and other relations). Living with diabetes day in and day out can really shoot one’s stress levels through the roof. If one is unable to cope, then a “nervous breakdown” may ensue. (more…)
Many research studies have demonstrated that not getting enough sleep affects the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels and appetite, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. (more…)
An herb native in the regions of India and Sri Lanka was found to have properties that can control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The traditional Indian herb Salacia oblonga was found to lower blood sugars by 23 percent and insulin responses by 29 percent. The herb was found to reduce post-meal blood sugar levels in this study involving 66 men and women with type 2 diabetes.
“The extract of Salacia oblonga lowers acute glycemia and insulinemia in persons with type 2 diabetes after a high-carbohydrate meal,” according to the researchers. They add that the herb works similar to alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and therefore suggest that Salacia may be beneficial to the diabetic population for postmeal glucose control.
The study, which evaluated the effect of two doses (240 and 480 mg) of Salacia oblonga on blood glucose and insulin levels, showed that both doses of the herb significantly lowered the postprandial glucose response by 14 and 22 percent for the 240 mg and 480 mg, respectively. It was also found that the 240 mg dose lowered the participants’ postmeal insulin response by 14 percent, while the 480 mg dose lowered it by 19 percent.
Results of the study support previous similar findings from a study conducted by researchers from the Ohio State University.
For people with diabetes, a bout with cough, cold or low-grade fever is no simple matter. It could increase their blood glucose levels making them more susceptible to graver conditions. When we are sick, our body produces certain hormones which help fight off the illness. However, these hormones can raise blood sugar levels, thus disabling the effects of insulin.
On the other hand, illnesses that cause vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration need more attention, as they may trigger diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). These conditions may warrant hospitalization if not treated properly and promptly. Being alert and armed with knowledge can help you go a long way in planning for your sick days. Here are some helpful do-it-yourself tips on effective sick day management.
DOs:
Know when to call your doctor. When you are sick, it is best to know when to call your doctor. Some signs that should warn you to seek medical attention are: blood sugar level that has been higher than 240 mg/dL for over 24 hours or lower than 70 mg/ dL; urine ketone level that is moderate to high; diarrhea or vomiting; sleepiness or inability to think clearly; dry, cracked lips or tongue, and fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius.
Regularly check blood sugar and urine ketone levels. For those with type 1 diabetes, it is suggested that you check your blood sugar level and urine ketone levels every four hours. While for those with type 2 diabetes, it is best that you check four times a day.
Know what to eat. Try to stick to your diabetes meal plan to maintain blood sugar stability. However, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, it may be tough to eat your usual fare. You may need to take 45 to 50 grams of carbohydrates every four hours to prevent ketone development and low blood sugar attacks. Here’s a list of more tummy-friendly foods that contain about 15 grams of carbohydrates: 1 cup clear soup, 1/2 cup regular gelatin, 1/2 cup non-caffeinated regular soft drink (like 7-up or Sprite), 1 double-stick frozen fruit popsicle, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/3 cup apple juice, 1 cup sports drink (like Gatorade or Pocari Sweat), 6 saltine crackers, 3 graham crackers, 1 slice dry toast, 1/2 banana.
Let a friend know you’re sick. If you have diabetes, wear a medical tag to let people know of your condition when an emergency arises. When you are sick, it is also very important to let others know, especially those who can give immediate help like neighbors, friends and relatives.
Be prepared. Keep medication, insulin, blood glucose and ketone test strips, emergency phone numbers, a thermometer, sugar-free cough or cold preparations handy. Talk to your doctor about your sick day management plan and agree on how to manage your blood sugar and other medical conditions during sick days.
DON’Ts:
Stop your medications. Take your medications as usual if you are eating normally. Missing your insulin or other medications can lead to ketosis. If you are unable to keep food or liquids down, you will need to adjust medicine doses, so call your physician.
Self-medicate unwisely. Over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies may contain sugar and alcohol and thus may wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels, so read the labels carefully. Medications like ibuprofen and paracetamol may be harmful for people with kidney and liver problems respectively. Decongestants may also raise blood pressure. When in doubt, get your physician’s okay.
Avoid fluids. To prevent dehydration especially when you have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, drink at least 240 mL of water or non-caffeinated calorie-free liquid such as broth every hour while you’re awake.
In this time and age, more and more people are becoming aware and dependent on the latest technology or gadgets. They look forward to the latest when it comes to entertainment and communication needs. Nowadays, a fast growing number of people are becoming more interested in the latest technology that is related to their medical needs. An example is the glucometer. It is one gadget that has truly evolved in function and sophistication.
GLUCOMETER: It is a glucose meter (home blood sugar monitoring device), which is programmed to determine the approximate blood glucose level. A drop of blood obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet is placed on a disposable test strip, which provides you with an instant feedback of what your blood sugar is. This valuable information tells you whether your blood sugar is too low, too high or within acceptable range. Keeping a documentation of your results gives your doctor a precise picture of how your treatment is working. The glucometer is small and portable—that’s why you can test your blood sugar virtually anywhere and anytime.
Why Check Blood Sugars?
I always tell my diabetic patients that to conquer diabetes, one has to be well-informed and be familiar with the disease. Therefore, I encourage my patients to monitor their blood sugars at home so that they will know their blood sugars in real-time. I have listed four good reasons why you must supply yourself with a home blood sugar monitoring device.
1) PREVENTS EMERGENCIES:
Testing your blood sugar informs you whether your sugar levels are too low or too high. You will be able to immediately react to the results and prevent catastrophic events. For example, symptoms of hypoglycemia (low sugar) can easily be double checked by getting the blood sugar level with a glucometer. If the reading shows < 70 mg/dL this can easily be resolved by taking in sugar in the form of juice or sugar tablets. Recheck again the blood sugar levels every 30 to 60 mins until it reaches the safe level (>80 mg/dL). However, if the blood sugar reveals a reading that is dangerously low or high then it is important to go to the ER or to your doctor immediately.
2) BALANCE: The holistic approach in the treatment of diabetes includes interplay of different factors such as exercise, the amount and kind of food taken, and the types of medications used. Accurate blood sugar monitoring informs you how each of them affects your blood sugar. It can inform you what type of exercise and how long the regimen should safely be executed without going to hypoglycemia. It tells you whether you have overeaten or have starved yourself. Therefore, by monitoring your sugar level, you will be able to balance these three important factors.
3) CONFIDENCE: To me, the most important reason why you need to monitor your blood sugar level is to give you control of the disease. Everyday you are aware of your medical status. It gives you reassurance that you are in a good (sugar level) condition as you go through your daily activities. You become proactive and master of the disease instead of being a passive patient.
4) ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS:
Recording your blood sugar levels informs you and your doctor how effective your medications are in controlling your diabetes. It will also give your doctor a summary of the daily blood sugar fluctuations you might be encountering. As a result, your doctor will be able to tailor the treatment regimen to bring down the HbA1c levels to 6.5 percent. In effect, this will prevent you from having the dreaded complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney problems or amputation. In summary, tight control of blood glucose levels using frequent blood sugar monitoring will prevent, delay or lessen the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Devices For Checking Blood Sugar Levels
a) Traditional Glucometer. The traditional method of testing your blood glucose involves pricking your finger with a lancet and putting a drop of blood on a test strip. The test strip is usually attached to the glucometer and it displays the glucose level after a few seconds. There are a few glucometers that can be connected to a computer, which retrieves all the blood sugar readings and displays them in a graph. The important features of a glucometer is its portability, availability and reliability. Different models of glucometers are now available in the market. Different companies have offered lifetime warranties and promotional discounts.
Choosing the right glucometer for you will depend on the following factors:
1) Size: Most meters are as big as your palm, however some are smaller or bigger.
2) Volume of blood sample: The amount of blood (usually 0.3 to 10µl) required will differ from model to model.
3) Speed: Some meters display glucose readings within 10 to 60 seconds after dropping blood on the strip.
4) Glucose strip or test: These are the consumable parts of the equipment. Some models have strips, which are individually wrapped to prevent environmental exposure to the unused strips. The cost of these strips and availability are important factors in choosing a glucometer.
5) Display: Glucose values are reported in mg/dL or mmol/L. The preferred measurement unit in the USA and in the Philippines is: mg/dL. To convert mmol/L to mg/dL of glucose, simply multiply by 18.
6) Additional Features: Some glucometers have added features such as a clock display and data transfer to a computer.
B) Meters That Test Alternative Sites. The latest glucometers allow you to test sites other than your fingertip. The other testing sites which are less painful include the upper arm, forearm, base of the thumb and thigh. Blood
drawn from alternative sites may give you results that are slightly different from the blood glucose levels obtained from the fingertip. However, if you are experiencing hypoglycemia, it is advisable to do the fingertip method rather than testing from alternative sites.
C.) Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. This equipment involves a small plastic tube inserted just under the skin (abdomen) and measures blood sugar at regular intervals. It collects small amounts of fluid even while you are sleeping which gives the doctor a good idea of what is happening to your blood sugar throughout the day for three days. This is now available in the local market at a cost of P220,000 or you can rent it for three days for a fraction of the cost.
D) GlucoWatch. It is an innovation in glucose testing. The main highlight is that it is a non¬invasive continuous glucose monitoring device. It draws small amounts of fluid from the skin using a low electric current and measures blood glucose levels three times per hour for 12 hours. Another important feature is that it is small enough to be worn like a wristwatch. It has a built-in alarm to alert you when your glucose level is dangerously low or high. It is available in the USA for $5,753.
E) Latest Research: New concepts/ gadgets are now being developed that are non-invasive and less painful when determining your blood sugar.
i. Laser
ii. Infrared radiation
iii. Ultrasound
iv. Radio waves
Whatever method you are using, testing your blood sugar regularly is recommended practice to optimize control of your blood sugar. New gadgets are in the horizon that are less painful and may make glucose testing more enjoyable.
Are you a diabetic who is injecting insulin who would like some relief from daily shots? Or do you have family members who inject insulin but would rather not? This article might interest you. (more…)
“Does using insulin mean that your diabetes is at its worst?”
Not necessarily. This just means that your doctor feels that insulin is the better treatment for you at this time. If you are a type 1 diabetic, you will need insulin from the very start of your treatment to bring down the blood sugar. Because you don’t make your own natural insulin hormone, you will still need to continue injecting insulin even when the blood sugars are already in the normal range. (more…)
Having diabetes alone can sometimes amp one’s stress and anxiety meter due to insulin shots here and there, often striking at any given time and place. Adding to the anxiety is the instance when one has to undergo a surgical procedure. To clear your blurry head of questions like “How long will it take for my wound to heal?” and “Will I be able to balance my blood sugar during operation?”, here are some pointers: (more…)
If diabetes were a gender issue, then women should fight for gender equality. Why? Because women are at a losing end when it comes to diabetes and its many complications compared to men. For one, diabetes causes more complications in women than in men, some of which are unique to women. Being diabetic makes a woman prone to complications in pregnancy, reproduction, and the heart. Uncontrolled blood sugars in diabetic women may also cause increased yeast infections, bladder infections, vaginal dryness, and inability to reach orgasm during sexual intercourse. (more…)
