Doctor visits: It is very important to see a physician regularly because of the multitude of complications that can occur. It is essential that the health care worker regularly examine your feet and eyes. Blood work to ensure that the kidneys are working should also be routinely done.
Immunizations: All diabetics should be updated on immunizations because high sugars can weaken the immune system. High sugars also makes one more prone to numerous infections.
Oral hygiene: High sugars can destroy your gums and teeth from recurrent infections. Brush your teeth frequently and get regular dental exams.
Foot care: There is no other more devastating complication than the diabetic foot. When diabetes is not controlled, the majority of individuals will eventually end up with amputations of their toes or their legs. One should avoid all trauma to the feet and wear proper protective shoes. All injury or infection of the feet must be immediately seen by a physician.
Blood pressure: Most diabetics develop a high blood pressure because of stiffening of their blood vessels. The blood pressure must be maintained within normal limits and routine checks up are a must.
Smoking; This social habit worsens and increases risk of every type of diabetic complication. In simple, diabetics should not smoke. The majority who do smoke will have their feet/legs amputated or die from a heart attack.
Stress: Stress is bad for all disorders and diabetes is no exception. Stress can worsen blood sugar and make it difficult to control. Relax, sleep well and live an active life.
While diabetics can live a normal life, they have to make an extra effort to ensure that their blood sugars are kept under control. Exercise in any form should be a part of everyday life for all diabetics.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Monday, June 29, 2009
Can Life style changes improve my diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease and if neglected can cause numerous irreversible complications. While we do not have a cure for the disease, there are many changes in lifestyle one can adopt to delay onset of complications. By adopting a positive lifestyle one can live a fruitful life with minimal complications.
Physical activity: Like everyone, all diabetics should exercise on a regular basis. Regular exercise will prevent weight gain and help control blood sugar. For those diabetics who start to exercise, glucose levels should be measured more frequently to ensure that low sugar levels do not occur. A lot of evidence has accumulated in the past decade indicating that exercise leads to better control of not only blood sugar, but also blood cholesterol.
Learn about diabetes: Being knowledgeable about the disease can help one appreciate the disorder and adjust accordingly. All diabetics should regularly see an endocrinologist and a nutritionist. The more one is educated about the disorder, the better treatment they can receive.
Wear a medical bracelet: This important tag will ensure that all health care workers know your condition, will immediately identify and treat any serious complications that may arise.
Glucagon: All diabetics should keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of low blood sugar emergency. Make sure those around you know how to use the kit. Low blood glucose problems are more common in type 1 diabetics.
Physical activity: Like everyone, all diabetics should exercise on a regular basis. Regular exercise will prevent weight gain and help control blood sugar. For those diabetics who start to exercise, glucose levels should be measured more frequently to ensure that low sugar levels do not occur. A lot of evidence has accumulated in the past decade indicating that exercise leads to better control of not only blood sugar, but also blood cholesterol.
Learn about diabetes: Being knowledgeable about the disease can help one appreciate the disorder and adjust accordingly. All diabetics should regularly see an endocrinologist and a nutritionist. The more one is educated about the disorder, the better treatment they can receive.
Wear a medical bracelet: This important tag will ensure that all health care workers know your condition, will immediately identify and treat any serious complications that may arise.
Glucagon: All diabetics should keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of low blood sugar emergency. Make sure those around you know how to use the kit. Low blood glucose problems are more common in type 1 diabetics.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
As a diabetic, what foods should i eat?- part 2
One should try and eat a healthy diet which derives at least 20-20% daily calories from protein, 30% of less from fat and the rest from carbohydrates. One should become a label based shopper and check which foods are sugar and fat free. Some labels even mention which foods are good for the diabetic.
When it comes to alcohol, there is no rule on how much on should drink. Alcohol is known to lower sugar and so drink it with your meals. And do not go overboard. One should not treat the diabetes and at the same time require treatment for alcoholism. Do be aware that brandy and some liqueurs have very high sugar content.
Because diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, one should make every attempt to control the cholesterol levels. Combination of cholesterol and diabetes is bad news. There are drugs to decrease cholesterol levels, but the first choice of therapy is exercise and this is highly recommended.
For those who can afford it, a consult with a decent nutritionist or a dietician may help. These professionals can help you with develop a well balanced diet and monitor your progress. However, there is a lot of free literature on how diabetics can manage their diet on cyberspace and there is absolutely no need to pay a dietician for some common sense advice. The best website for good information on diabetes is the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes does not mean that one can not enjoy food. In moderation, almost all types of food can be eaten by the diabetic.
for more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
When it comes to alcohol, there is no rule on how much on should drink. Alcohol is known to lower sugar and so drink it with your meals. And do not go overboard. One should not treat the diabetes and at the same time require treatment for alcoholism. Do be aware that brandy and some liqueurs have very high sugar content.
Because diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, one should make every attempt to control the cholesterol levels. Combination of cholesterol and diabetes is bad news. There are drugs to decrease cholesterol levels, but the first choice of therapy is exercise and this is highly recommended.
For those who can afford it, a consult with a decent nutritionist or a dietician may help. These professionals can help you with develop a well balanced diet and monitor your progress. However, there is a lot of free literature on how diabetics can manage their diet on cyberspace and there is absolutely no need to pay a dietician for some common sense advice. The best website for good information on diabetes is the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes does not mean that one can not enjoy food. In moderation, almost all types of food can be eaten by the diabetic.
for more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
As a diabetic, what foods should I eat?
Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes can not be prevented nor can it be cured. It is a serious chronic disease and the individual has to adapt to it. Diabetes is relatively easy to control but when the sugars are allowed to run high, devastating complications can occur. To avoid diabetic complications, one needs to make changes in lifestyle and eating habits- this will make one’s life a lot bearable and hassle free. These changes include:
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is an integral component of diabetes management and of diabetes self-management education. Yet many misconceptions exist concerning nutrition and diabetes. Despite what everyone thinks there is no such thing as a diabetic diet. One should reduce the intake of total fat, mainly saturated fat, which is known to worsen diabetes and make control of blood glucose difficult. Except for omega 3 fatty acids, most fats have an adverse effect on insulin action. Some dieticians recommend that intake of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial in the long term management of diabetes.
Recent studies also indicate that there is a decreased risk of diabetes with increased intake of whole grains and dietary fiber. Although few micronutrients may affect glucose and insulin metabolism, data to document their role in the development of diabetes are scant. In fact moderate amount of alcohol intake has recently been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose control. However, recommending alcohol consumption as therapy may lead to worsening of the social problems related to alcoholism, not to mention its damaging effects on the liver.
The best way to control diabetes is being smart and selecting foods which will keep not only the sugar down, but will also help to control weight gain and decrease cholesterol. This can be approached by changing to a diet with fewer calories and less fat- this can be accomplished by eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, sea food and legumes instead of daily steak and hamburgers.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is an integral component of diabetes management and of diabetes self-management education. Yet many misconceptions exist concerning nutrition and diabetes. Despite what everyone thinks there is no such thing as a diabetic diet. One should reduce the intake of total fat, mainly saturated fat, which is known to worsen diabetes and make control of blood glucose difficult. Except for omega 3 fatty acids, most fats have an adverse effect on insulin action. Some dieticians recommend that intake of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial in the long term management of diabetes.
Recent studies also indicate that there is a decreased risk of diabetes with increased intake of whole grains and dietary fiber. Although few micronutrients may affect glucose and insulin metabolism, data to document their role in the development of diabetes are scant. In fact moderate amount of alcohol intake has recently been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose control. However, recommending alcohol consumption as therapy may lead to worsening of the social problems related to alcoholism, not to mention its damaging effects on the liver.
The best way to control diabetes is being smart and selecting foods which will keep not only the sugar down, but will also help to control weight gain and decrease cholesterol. This can be approached by changing to a diet with fewer calories and less fat- this can be accomplished by eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, sea food and legumes instead of daily steak and hamburgers.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Victoza: part 2
How does Victoza work?
Victoza is actually a glucagon like peptide that works by stimulating release of insulin from pancreas when blood sugar levels become too high. The drug can also reduce appetite and lead to weight loss.
How often does Victoza have to be administered?
Victoza can be taken any time as long as you take it the same time each day.
What are benefits of Victoza?
Victoza is recommend as good treatment choice for initial therapy, Experts indicate that besides causing weight loss, it is virtually free of low-blood-sugar reactions, something no patient likes to see. Finally, it does have positive benefits with regard to blood pressure, particularly systolic blood pressure
Does the drug have side effects?
There are reports that the drug can cause thyroid enlargement or cancer in rats.
The final decision now rests with the FDA and investors fear the agency will err on the side of caution, delaying -- and possibly blocking -- the drug's U.S. launch.
If Victoza wins FDA approval, it will the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients. That is because the drug stimulates insulin production by beta cells of the pancreas.
for more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Victoza is actually a glucagon like peptide that works by stimulating release of insulin from pancreas when blood sugar levels become too high. The drug can also reduce appetite and lead to weight loss.
How often does Victoza have to be administered?
Victoza can be taken any time as long as you take it the same time each day.
What are benefits of Victoza?
Victoza is recommend as good treatment choice for initial therapy, Experts indicate that besides causing weight loss, it is virtually free of low-blood-sugar reactions, something no patient likes to see. Finally, it does have positive benefits with regard to blood pressure, particularly systolic blood pressure
Does the drug have side effects?
There are reports that the drug can cause thyroid enlargement or cancer in rats.
The final decision now rests with the FDA and investors fear the agency will err on the side of caution, delaying -- and possibly blocking -- the drug's U.S. launch.
If Victoza wins FDA approval, it will the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients. That is because the drug stimulates insulin production by beta cells of the pancreas.
for more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Victoza- once a day drug for diabetes?
One of the latest novel medications developed to treat type 2 diabetes is Victoza. Made by the pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk of Denmark, Victoza has gained a lot of favorable reports. Victoza® is the brand name for Liraglutide and is the first once a day drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Unlike previous oral hypoglycemic drugs, Victoza is actually human glucagon like peptide and is only administered via an injection. Experts in diabetes claim that Victoza has several advantages for diabetics.
These include:
Can be combined with metformin or other oral hypoglycemic agent in patients with poor sugar control despite maximal tolerated dose of metformin or other oral hypoglycemics.
The drug can help diabetics lose weight.
It does not cause profound drop in blood sugars.
The drug is undergoing final evaluation by the FDA and news of its release in the North American market is expected soon. Clinical Studies from Europe involving thousands of diabetic patients have shown that Victoza can lower blood glucose and help reduce weight. Further, unlike other oral hypoglycemics, it does not cause a profound drop in blood sugars.
These include:
Can be combined with metformin or other oral hypoglycemic agent in patients with poor sugar control despite maximal tolerated dose of metformin or other oral hypoglycemics.
The drug can help diabetics lose weight.
It does not cause profound drop in blood sugars.
The drug is undergoing final evaluation by the FDA and news of its release in the North American market is expected soon. Clinical Studies from Europe involving thousands of diabetic patients have shown that Victoza can lower blood glucose and help reduce weight. Further, unlike other oral hypoglycemics, it does not cause a profound drop in blood sugars.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
External Shock Wave Therapy: Part 2
So what does all this mean?
Diabetes is a complex disease and there is no single ideal treatment for a diabetic ulcer. In the present study, only 30 patients were studied and the blood supply to the foot was not fully documented. If there is no blood supply to the leg, there is no therapy today that can heal an ulcer. Further, ESWT requires treatment for 1-2 minutes every 72 hours and only 50% of diabetic wounds close after 2 months. By the way, one should note that conventional treatment in the same study resulted in 33% of wound closure. Therefore, the difference was not that great.
Further, ESWT is only experimental and not the panacea for a diabetic foot ulcer. Individuals who have diabetes should take great care of their feet, control their blood sugars, wear protective shoes, and not smoke. For those who already have an ulcer, remember hundreds of such exotic therapies have come and gone. Continue with the present therapy, select a good wound care physician. Finally, never ever let a podiatrist touch your feet without first talking to your vascular surgeon.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704114
Diabetes is a complex disease and there is no single ideal treatment for a diabetic ulcer. In the present study, only 30 patients were studied and the blood supply to the foot was not fully documented. If there is no blood supply to the leg, there is no therapy today that can heal an ulcer. Further, ESWT requires treatment for 1-2 minutes every 72 hours and only 50% of diabetic wounds close after 2 months. By the way, one should note that conventional treatment in the same study resulted in 33% of wound closure. Therefore, the difference was not that great.
Further, ESWT is only experimental and not the panacea for a diabetic foot ulcer. Individuals who have diabetes should take great care of their feet, control their blood sugars, wear protective shoes, and not smoke. For those who already have an ulcer, remember hundreds of such exotic therapies have come and gone. Continue with the present therapy, select a good wound care physician. Finally, never ever let a podiatrist touch your feet without first talking to your vascular surgeon.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704114
External Shock therapy for Diabetic foot
Individuals with diabetes who have an ulcer or an open wound on the leg or foot often go through numerous procedures to help the wound heal. The primary problem in many diabetics is poor blood supply but a number of diabetics also develop neuropathic ulcers from pressure or trauma and have good blood supply. At present, the conventional treatments to heal diabetic foot ulcer include treatment of infection, debridement, relief from any pressure and restoring blood supply to the leg or foot. Despite the wide variety of present treatments, the majority of wounds in diabetic never heal with these therapies. In the end, many diabetics end up having amputations of a toe(s), foot, or leg.
Over the last few years, Italian scientists have been studying the role of external shock wave therapy (ESWT) and promotion of healing of certain diabetic foot ulcers. The Italian scientists started to experiment with shock wave therapy in combination with the current standard treatment. Their research work revealed that shock waves could help tissues heal.
In a small study of 30 patients with diabetic foot ulcers, patients were administered shock wave therapy administered every 1-2 minutes for 72 hours at a time. After 20 weeks, only 50% of diabetics had wound closure in 60 days. Of the Diabetics who were treated with conventional therapy, 33% had wound closure in a slightly longer time interval.
With these results, the Italians are now promoting external shock wave therapy to heal all types of ulcers.
Over the last few years, Italian scientists have been studying the role of external shock wave therapy (ESWT) and promotion of healing of certain diabetic foot ulcers. The Italian scientists started to experiment with shock wave therapy in combination with the current standard treatment. Their research work revealed that shock waves could help tissues heal.
In a small study of 30 patients with diabetic foot ulcers, patients were administered shock wave therapy administered every 1-2 minutes for 72 hours at a time. After 20 weeks, only 50% of diabetics had wound closure in 60 days. Of the Diabetics who were treated with conventional therapy, 33% had wound closure in a slightly longer time interval.
With these results, the Italians are now promoting external shock wave therapy to heal all types of ulcers.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
New Insulin Pump: Part 2
Paradigm Veo is made by Medtronic and is only available in the UK for diabetics who already are using the older insulin pumps. The great advantage of this latest machine is that it comes with a dynamic continuous blood sugar monitoring capability.
In the UK, the pump currently sells for $5 000 but the price is expected to drop slightly in the near future. The Paradigm Veo is only suitable for type 1 diabetics and will be of great benefit for children.
Until a cure for type 1 diabetes is obtained, the paradigm Veo will make a major difference in the quality of lives of type 1 diabetics. Achieving normal blood glucose levels, avoiding diabetic complications, not having to frequently prick the fingers and checking blood sugars will hopefully be a thing of the past for a few diabetic patients.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
In the UK, the pump currently sells for $5 000 but the price is expected to drop slightly in the near future. The Paradigm Veo is only suitable for type 1 diabetics and will be of great benefit for children.
Until a cure for type 1 diabetes is obtained, the paradigm Veo will make a major difference in the quality of lives of type 1 diabetics. Achieving normal blood glucose levels, avoiding diabetic complications, not having to frequently prick the fingers and checking blood sugars will hopefully be a thing of the past for a few diabetic patients.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
A New Insulin Pump- Paradigm Veo
There are many types of insulin pumps and generally, they work well. The only problem with the currently available insulin pumps is that they are not able to simultaneously sense blood sugar levels and change the insulin release accordingly. People who use insulin pumps have to prick themselves frequently in order to check blood glucose levels. Now, Medtronic has designed an insulin pump that mimics the human pancreas. The pump - called the Paradigm Veo - automatically stops the flow of insulin to the body if blood sugar levels fall too low.
This is fantastic news. The major problem with current insulin pumps is that many people frequently develop too low sugar levels and never know about it. Now this new pump is designed to help prevent hypoglycemic attacks - commonly known as "hypos" - which can leave diabetics in a coma and can be lethal.
Studies in England reveals that Paradigm Veo alerts the patient if their glucose levels drop too low, and stops them from getting more insulin if they do not respond to the alert.
The pump has all the latest technology and will have a great impact on diabetics and quality of life. The pump is designed to give the diabetic more flexibility and reduce anxiety about frequent blood glucose monitoring. Further, studies show that the pump can maintain normal levels of glucose without too much hassle.
This is fantastic news. The major problem with current insulin pumps is that many people frequently develop too low sugar levels and never know about it. Now this new pump is designed to help prevent hypoglycemic attacks - commonly known as "hypos" - which can leave diabetics in a coma and can be lethal.
Studies in England reveals that Paradigm Veo alerts the patient if their glucose levels drop too low, and stops them from getting more insulin if they do not respond to the alert.
The pump has all the latest technology and will have a great impact on diabetics and quality of life. The pump is designed to give the diabetic more flexibility and reduce anxiety about frequent blood glucose monitoring. Further, studies show that the pump can maintain normal levels of glucose without too much hassle.
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