Yes, diabetes can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. When diabetes is long standing it can impair nerve function and lead to development of the carpal tunnel syndrome. High glucose levels can alter conduction and induce structural changes in nerves. It is estimated that at least 33% of diabetics have some degree of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Other causes of carpal tunnel include obesity, hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis. Individuals who use their wrist for certain types of repetitive work are also prone to carpal tunnel syndrome. The pinched nerve causes numbness, tingling and pain in the finger, wrist and forearm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetes develops gradually and can occur even when blood sugars are in good control.
Once carpal tunnel syndrome has been diagnosed, treatment includes protecting the wrists, injecting steroids in the wrist, wearing a splint and altering the job. Surgery should be a last resort for diabetics with carpal tunnel syndrome. In simple, the results of surgery suck. Many individuals who have carpal tunnel surgery develop recurrence and are in usually in a worse shape than before.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Avandia and Type 2 Diabetes- is it Safe? Part 2
So is Avandia Safe?
Although Avandia does have some risks, the drug is generally safe. Individuals who are already taking Avandia should not abruptly discontinue the drug until they have discussed the issue with their health care provider.
Individuals who already have heart failure or a have suffered a prior heart attack need to be more cautious and speak to their physician. The decision whether to continue or discontinue Avandia rests primarily between you, your physician and your cardiologist
Individuals who do not want to take Avandia do have alternatives and can take other drugs like:
- Metformin
- Glipizide
- Sitagliptin
- Insulin
- Actos
One should always be aware that there is no drug which is completely safe. Like Avandia, all the above diabetic drugs also have certain side effects
At present, research is undergoing to determine what the real side effects of Avandia are and the true incidence. Remember, the FDA has real concerns about Avandia and so should the consumer.
For those are already on Avandia and have had no problems, they should continue with the drug. For those who have heart failure, a discussion with their physician is highly recommended. All diabetics should take other measures to control their blood glucose including exercise, maintaining a decent weight and eating healthy. Controlling blood cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure will also go a long way in reducing your risk of a heart attack.
Although Avandia does have some risks, the drug is generally safe. Individuals who are already taking Avandia should not abruptly discontinue the drug until they have discussed the issue with their health care provider.
Individuals who already have heart failure or a have suffered a prior heart attack need to be more cautious and speak to their physician. The decision whether to continue or discontinue Avandia rests primarily between you, your physician and your cardiologist
Individuals who do not want to take Avandia do have alternatives and can take other drugs like:
- Metformin
- Glipizide
- Sitagliptin
- Insulin
- Actos
One should always be aware that there is no drug which is completely safe. Like Avandia, all the above diabetic drugs also have certain side effects
At present, research is undergoing to determine what the real side effects of Avandia are and the true incidence. Remember, the FDA has real concerns about Avandia and so should the consumer.
For those are already on Avandia and have had no problems, they should continue with the drug. For those who have heart failure, a discussion with their physician is highly recommended. All diabetics should take other measures to control their blood glucose including exercise, maintaining a decent weight and eating healthy. Controlling blood cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure will also go a long way in reducing your risk of a heart attack.
Avandia and Type 2 Diabetes- is it Safe? Part 1
Over the years there have been a number of newer oral anti diabetic drugs introduced in the North American market. One of these drugs is Avandia (rosiglitazone). It is used primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. One problem which has surfaced with newer drugs is that the data from the clinical trials are not always completely released or often the real complications are missed or never mentioned. And Avandia falls into that category. The company that makes Avandia is Glaxo and it insists that that the drug is safe. However, after having made billions from sale of this drug it can hardly claim otherwise.
Avandia is a type of drug that is classified as a thiazolidinediones. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes and taken as an oral pill. Avandia lowers blood sugars by making it much easier for the blood glucose to enter the body.
What's the concern about Avandia?
Avandia has been widely used in North America but recently there have been reports that the drug has the ability to cause serious side effects. The following complications appear to have been reported with the drug:
- excessive weight gain
- Swelling of the body with fluids which may aggravate heart failure. There have been a fair number of cases reported with Avandia precipitating heart failure.
- liver damage
- reports of heart attacks
There are also recent reports that Avandia use can lead to premature bone loss leading to osteoporosis. This often results in fractures of the hip and wrist.
The manufacturer does mention the potential of increased incidence or worsening of heart failure when taking the drug.
Avandia is a type of drug that is classified as a thiazolidinediones. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes and taken as an oral pill. Avandia lowers blood sugars by making it much easier for the blood glucose to enter the body.
What's the concern about Avandia?
Avandia has been widely used in North America but recently there have been reports that the drug has the ability to cause serious side effects. The following complications appear to have been reported with the drug:
- excessive weight gain
- Swelling of the body with fluids which may aggravate heart failure. There have been a fair number of cases reported with Avandia precipitating heart failure.
- liver damage
- reports of heart attacks
There are also recent reports that Avandia use can lead to premature bone loss leading to osteoporosis. This often results in fractures of the hip and wrist.
The manufacturer does mention the potential of increased incidence or worsening of heart failure when taking the drug.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Victoza: A new drug for type 2 diabetes
The FDA has just approved a new drug for type 2 diabetes. Called Victoza (liraglutide), this drug is administered as an injection once a day. Victoza can help lower blood sugars in combination with changes in duet, and exercise.
Victoza is not the drug of first choice for diabetics and is only approved for use in individuals who have fail to lower blood sugars with diet and exercise.
The drug belong to call of drugs known as glucagon-like peptides receptor agonists and helps the pancreas manufacture more insulin following a meal.
Five large trials have shown that Victoza works quite well in diabetics. However, one major side effect of Victoza is that a number of individuals did develop pancreatitis (painful inflammatory disorder of the pancreas).
The recommendations are that Victoza should be stopped when patients experience abdominal pain and should not be restarted if blood tests confirm the presence of pancreatitis. Moreover, Victoza should be used with great caution in individuals who have had previous episodes of pancreatitis.
Unlike other diabetic drugs, Victoza does not have any damaging effects on the heart.
Other points of note is that there is also concern that Victoza may increase the risk of thyroid cancer and induce allergic skin reactions.
At the moment, Victoza is not as a first line treatment for type 2 diabetes until more is known about the drug. Because of its potential complications, Victoza should only be taken by individuals whose risk of diabetes outweighs concern for pancreatitis or cancer of the thyroid.
The drug is made by Novo Nordisk and does not come cheap. A single (1.2 mg) dose costs $8 a day. Considering its potential for harm and cost, diabetic patients are best advised to start altering their diet and enter an exercise program. Lifestyle alterations to reduce blood sugar do work, can be done safely and are devoid of complications.
Victoza is not the drug of first choice for diabetics and is only approved for use in individuals who have fail to lower blood sugars with diet and exercise.
The drug belong to call of drugs known as glucagon-like peptides receptor agonists and helps the pancreas manufacture more insulin following a meal.
Five large trials have shown that Victoza works quite well in diabetics. However, one major side effect of Victoza is that a number of individuals did develop pancreatitis (painful inflammatory disorder of the pancreas).
The recommendations are that Victoza should be stopped when patients experience abdominal pain and should not be restarted if blood tests confirm the presence of pancreatitis. Moreover, Victoza should be used with great caution in individuals who have had previous episodes of pancreatitis.
Unlike other diabetic drugs, Victoza does not have any damaging effects on the heart.
Other points of note is that there is also concern that Victoza may increase the risk of thyroid cancer and induce allergic skin reactions.
At the moment, Victoza is not as a first line treatment for type 2 diabetes until more is known about the drug. Because of its potential complications, Victoza should only be taken by individuals whose risk of diabetes outweighs concern for pancreatitis or cancer of the thyroid.
The drug is made by Novo Nordisk and does not come cheap. A single (1.2 mg) dose costs $8 a day. Considering its potential for harm and cost, diabetic patients are best advised to start altering their diet and enter an exercise program. Lifestyle alterations to reduce blood sugar do work, can be done safely and are devoid of complications.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)