Diabetes control via brain surgery?

Recently a group of surgeons from Pittsburg indicated that type 2 diabetes could be controlled by some type of brain surgery. Surgeons at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh conducted a small study of 10 patients with progressive type 2 diabetes. The surgeons compressed a part of the brain known as the medulla oblongata. It is believed that this part of the brain has some control over the pancreas. The patients were not permitted to make any alterations in their weight, diet, exercise for about 12 months after undergoing this brain surgery. This same type of procedure is often used to treat certain nerve compression symptoms.

Dr. Peter Jannetta, the neurosurgeon in charge of the study, reasons that decompression of the nerve in the medulla oblongata, which controls the pancreas, could ease function of type 2 diabetes.
 
The pancreas is the organ which makes the hormone insulin that burns the blood glucose. In type 2 diabetes, patients either can’t release the insulin from the pancreas, do not make enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin.

In Dr Jannetta’s study, 7/10 patients had better blood glucose control after surgery. These patients were able to decrease their anti diabetic medication dose and one patient was able to come of his anti diabetic medication completely.
Current estimates indicate that close to 24 million people live with diabetes in the USA alone and that the numbers are increasing each year. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack.

So what does this mean for the diabetic patient?

Put it mildly- do not believe all the BULL you read. This is an insane study. Just causing the pancreas to release more insulin is not the answer to treating type 2 diabetes. In the majority of type 2 diabetics, there is insulin in the body, it just does not work because of resistance. In addition, this study had only 10 patients and the study was not even randomized. 

Secondly, brain surgery is not very safe and complications can be devastating. You may lower your diabetic medications but the surgery may paralyze you, cause blindness and hearing loss and even your speech may become garbled- and these are permanent complications. For consumers who have common sense, avoid such cockamanny nonsensical procedures to treat type 2 diabetes. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, walk more, eat less sugar and do not smoke. Pharmaceutical drugs we have may not be the ideal answer, but they are a lot safer than some crazy brain surgery!

When should I check my blood sugar levels?

Most people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes need to check the blood sugars at least 4-6 times a day.

Once the diagnosis of diabetes has been established, the measurement of blood sugars does depend on the type of diabetes and treatment.

Individuals who have type 1 diabetes often need to measure blood sugar levels anywhere from 3-6 times a day, at least before and after each meal.

Individuals with diabetes who exercise also need to monitor their sugars before and after exercise and just before going to sleep.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes who are ill or have a change in their routine (like traveling), stress or have been diagnosed with other medical disorder may need more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally require less frequent glucose monitoring. Most of these individuals initially monitor the blood glucose 1-2 times day if they are on any type of diabetic medications. Individual who are managing their type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone need to monitor their sugars less often.

I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Is there any reason why I cannot eat honey?

Sure, you can eat Honey. There is no hard and fast rule why you cannot eat honey. Diabetics can eat anything they want, as long as it is in moderation. The bottom line is that you do should not eat too much sugar. Eat just enough honey that fulfils your daily calorie requirements. Perhaps one teaspoon with your coffee or tea. Make it a habit of monitoring your blood sugar afterwards. If your sugar stays high, then cut down the honey to half a teaspoon.

There are many reports on the medical benefits of honey, but rest assured, too much honey is not good.

 

Honey contains fructose, which can significantly raise your blood sugar levels. Almost all syrups and foods containing fructose can immediately raise blood sugars and should be consumed in limited amount by all people.

A tablespoon of honey roughly contains about 70 calories and contains 8 grs of fructose.  

Remember too much of any one particular food is not a good thing.

Can Diabetes cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

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.

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.

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.

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.