Diabetes And Eye Health
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Although glucose is an important source of energy for the body’s cells, too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause damage in many parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and the small blood vessels in the eyes. When the blood vessels in the eye’s retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye) swell, leak or close off completely — or if abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina — it is called diabetic retinopathy. People who are at greater risk of developing diabetic retinopathy are those who have diabetes or poor blood sugar control, women who are pregnant, and people with high blood pressure, high blood lipids or both. Risk also increases with duration of diabetes. For example, one woman developed diabetic retinopathy after living with diabetes for 25 years. Also, people who are from certain ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy. In fact, a new study confirms that diabetes is a top risk factor for vision loss among Hispanics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 90 percent of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented, but early detection is key. People with diabetes should get critical, annual eye exams even before they have signs of vision loss. However, studies show that sixty percent of diabetics are not getting the exams their doctors recommend. Something to remember: diabetes can cause vision in your eyes to change even if you do not have retinopathy. If your blood sugar levels change quickly, it can affect the shape of your eye’s Continue reading >>
High Blood Sugar In Dogs
A healthy dog has a blood glucose level ranging from 75 mg to 120 mg. A dog is diagnosed with high blood sugar, or as hyperglycemic, when it exhibits high blood glucose, or sugar above the normal range. Elevated blood sugar may be temporary, stress-induced, or a sign of a serious underlying disease such as pancreatitis or diabetes mellitus. High blood sugar is more common in female than male dogs, and is more likely to occur in older dogs. Elevated blood glucose can occur transiently fairly often for various reasons (diet, stress, exertion, medications). Moderately elevated glucose can indicate infections (dental, kidneys, bladder), inflammatory conditions (pancreatitis) and hormonal imbalances (Hyperadrenocorticism). However persistent high glucose levels in the blood is diagnostic of Diabetes Mellitus. High blood Sugar causes increased thirst and urination. See a veterinarian promptly if your dogs shows these symptoms. The warning signs for high blood sugar are varied. If your dog’s high blood sugar is temporary or the result of stress or medication, you may not see any symptoms. However, if it is the result of a serious disease, you will likely see some of the following: Wounds not healing; infections worsening Depression Enlarged liver Urinary tract or kidney infection Bloodshot eyes Cataracts Extreme fluctuation in weight, gaining or losing Obesity Hyperactivity Excessive thirst or hunger Increased frequency of urination High blood sugar can indicate one of the following issues: Diabetes mellitus, caused by a loss of pancreatic beta cells, which leads to decreased production of insulin, rending the dog unable to process sugar sufficiently. Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, which can damage insulin-producing cells, inhibiting the dog’s ability to proce Continue reading >>
Surgery Doesn’t Have To Be An Ordeal For People With Diabetes
North Carolina-based Marc S. Stevens, MD, FACS, is one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country. Previously, while practicing in Little Rock, he was named Arkansas Physician of the Year. In addition to his orthopedic expertise, Dr. Stevens has developed a reputation as an expert in nutrition, especially as it relates to wound healing, bone and joint health, and healthy weight. To learn more about Dr. Marc S. Stevens go to www.DRSHealthInc.com When Dr. Stevens spoke recently with Diabetes Health Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Nadia Al-Samarrie, he provided a surgeon’s point of view about surgery for people with diabetes. Nadia: Your focus on nutrition is wonderful-and unusual. Why are you so interested in nutrition? Dr. Stevens: You have to go back to the 1980s, when proponents started to claim that good nutrition could do anything: “It will grow your hair back, it will make you taller, it will make you stronger, it will make you 18 again.” Instead of getting involved and trying to redirect those outlandish claims in a more scientific direction, medicine kind of stepped back and said, “Well, we’re not going to have anything to do with nutrition anymore. We’re just going to go what’s called the allopathic route and focus on what we do best.” As a result, we lost a chance to connect with an important aspect of health. Most doctors still grasp that nutrition is vital. The reason we call certain things “vitamins” is because they are vital minerals, essential to good health. We all check for them, and we treat deficiencies when we find them lacking. But when it comes to prevention and how nutrition can support wound recovery or preparation for surgery, we just don’t typically think that way. Because I have paid close attention to nutrition, I’ve be Continue reading >>
What You Need To Know About Surgery And Diabetes
Surgery is sometimes unavoidable, and if you're one of the nearly 30 million Americans suffering from diabetes, getting your body ready for surgery is critical to ensuring a healthy recovery. Taking care of your body in the weeks and months leading up to your surgery can have a huge impact on how well your body is able to recover. How does Diabetes Affect My Body's Recovery from Surgery? Poor Circulation People who suffer from diabetes have difficultly processing sugar which leads to elevated blood sugar levels. As a result of elevated blood glucose levels, arteries tighten up, becoming more narrow and less blood is able to circulate through your blood vessels. Decreased blood flow also means less oxygen reaching your wound. Immune System Deficiency Elevated blood sugar levels reduce the ability of red blood cells to bring nutrients to the tissue which results in healing taking considerably longer. This makes things even worse, because your wounds are slower to heal there is increased risk of infection, and when infection does occur less white blood cells are available to fight off the infection due to the reduced blood flow. Diabetic Neuropathy Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. It causes a loss of sensation in nerve endings, making it less likely for patients recovering from surgery to be able feel a developing infection or other surgical issue. Delayed detection of these issues means they may become more severe before action is taken. Domino Effect While diabetes itself is dangerous enough, it's the cascading complications that can occur as a result of diabetes that pose the true danger. In addition to wounds taking longer to heal, infections being more likely to occur, and those resulting infections taking longer to overcome, people who suff Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Test
What is a blood glucose test? A blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose, a type of simple sugar, is your body’s main source of energy. Your body converts the carbohydrates you eat into glucose. Glucose testing is primarily done to check for type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose level to rise. The amount of sugar in your blood is usually controlled by a hormone called insulin. However, if you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the insulin produced doesn’t work properly. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Increased levels of blood sugar can lead to severe organ damage if left untreated. In some cases, blood glucose testing may also be used to test for hypoglycemia. This condition occurs when the levels of glucose in your blood are too low. Watch a great review of the iHealth blood glucose meter » Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and teenagers whose bodies aren’t able to produce enough insulin. It’s a chronic, or long-term, condition that requires continuous treatment. Late-onset type 1 diabetes has been shown to affect people between the ages of 30 and 40. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in overweight and obese adults, but it can develop in younger people as well. This condition occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or when the insulin you produce doesn’t work properly. The impact of type 2 diabetes may be reduced through weight loss and healthy eating. Gestational diabetes occurs if you develop diabetes while you’re pregnant. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after you give birth. After receiving a diagnosis of diabetes, you may have to get blood glucose tests to determin Continue reading >>
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Diabetes-related High And Low Blood Sugar Levels - Topic Overview
When you have diabetes, you may have high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) from time to time. A cold, the flu, or other sudden illness can cause high blood sugar levels. You will learn to recognize the symptoms and distinguish between high and low blood sugar levels. Insulin and some types of diabetes medicines can cause low blood sugar levels. Learn how to recognize and manage high and low blood sugar levels to help you avoid levels that can lead to medical emergencies, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or dehydration from high blood sugar levels or loss of consciousness from severe low blood sugar levels. Most high or low blood sugar problems can be managed at home by following your doctor's instructions. You can help avoid blood sugar problems by following your doctor's instructions on the use of insulin or diabetes medicines, diet, and exercise. Home blood sugar testing will help you determine whether your blood sugar is within your target range. If you have had very low blood sugar, you may be tempted to let your sugar level run high so that you do not have another low blood sugar problem. But it is most important that you keep your blood sugar in your target range. You can do this by following your treatment plan and checking your blood sugar regularly. Sometimes a pregnant woman can get diabetes during her pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes. Blood sugar levels are checked regularly during the pregnancy to keep levels within a target range. Children who have diabetes need their parents' help to keep their blood sugar levels in a target range and to exercise safely. Be sure that children learn the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar so they can tell others when they need help. There are many support groups an Continue reading >>
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How Stress Affects Blood Sugar Levels
Two types of stress can change blood sugar levels: Physical stress Mental or emotional stress Each type of stress affects blood sugar levels differently. Physical stress generally causes blood sugar levels to increase. Physical stress includes: Illness Surgery Injury Mental or emotional stress has mixed effects, depending on the type of diabetes you have: Type 1 diabetes: Mental stress can increase or decrease blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes: Mental stress generally increases blood sugar levels. Stress also can affect your blood sugar levels indirectly by causing you to forget about your regular diabetes care routine. When you're stressed out, you might: Exercise more or less Eat more or less Eat less healthy foods Not test your blood sugar level as often Forget or delay a dose of medication and/or insulin mental stress can affect your blood sugar levels Use your diabetes logbook to discover if mental stress affects your blood sugar levels, especially if you have type 2 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes are very sensitive to stress. It causes the body to produce especially high levels of stress hormones, which drive blood sugar levels up. follow these steps to find out if your blood sugar levels are affected by mental stress: Rate your stress level on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 indicates the lowest stress level and 10 the highest; record your stress level in your logbook. Test your glucose using your home monitor and enter the result. After a week or two, study your results to see if there is a pattern or relationship between your stress level and your blood sugar levels. 3 ways to reduce mental stress Teach yourself to relax when under stress using deep-breathing exercises or techniques you learn in a stress-management class. Evaluate your schedule and de Continue reading >>
Drugs That Can Raise Bg
By the dLife Editors Some medicines that are used for treating other medical conditions can cause elevated blood sugar in people with diabetes. You may need to monitor your blood glucose more closely if you take one of the medicines listed below. It’s important to note that just because a medicine has the possibility of raising blood sugar, it does not mean the medicine is unsafe for a person with diabetes. For instance, many people with type 2 diabetes need to take a diuretic and a statin to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In these and many other cases, the pros will almost always outweigh the cons. Don’t ever take matters of medication into your own hands. Discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider. Certain Antibiotics Of all the different antibiotics, the ones known as quinolones are the only ones that may affect blood glucose. They are prescribed for certain types of infection. Levofloxacin (Levaquin) Ofloxacin (Floxin) Moxifloxacin (Avelox) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, Proquin XR) Gemifloxacin (Factive) Second Generation Antipsychotics These medicines are used for a variety of mental health conditions. There is a strong association between these medicines and elevated blood sugar, and frequent monitoring is recommended. Clozapine (Clozaril) Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Paliperidone (Invega) Quietiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) Risperidone (Risperdal) Aripiprazole (Abilify) Ziprasidone (Geodon) Iloperidone (Fanapt) Lurasidone (Latuda) Pemavanserin (Nuplazid) Asenapine (Saphris) Beta Blockers Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. Not all available beta blockers have been shown to cause high blood sugar. Atenolol Metoprolol Propranolol Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are used to treat conditions where th Continue reading >>
Change In Temperature Can Affect Blood Sugar Levels
Back to Living Better Many diabetics are aware stress and illness can cause blood sugar fluctuations, but did you know changes in temperatures can affect blood sugar levels and lead to false readings? Sabrina Rene, M.D., an endocrinologist at Piedmont, explains how temperature can produce blood sugar highs and lows, and how they can affect diabetes testing supplies. Effects of warm weather on diabetics During warmer months, it is especially important for diabetics to stay properly hydrated. Dehydration can cause blood sugar to rise as the glucose in your blood becomes more concentrated. High temperatures can also cause blood vessels to dilate, which can enhance insulin absorption, potentially leading to low blood sugar. It is best for diabetics to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and monitor blood sugar closely for changes when temperatures start to rise. Ideal storage temperature for diabetic testing supplies Extreme heat and cold can affect insulin, test strips and glucose monitors. Never leave these supplies in a car, no matter what time of year. The meter should also be stored and used in a room that remains between 50 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Dr. Rene says it is important to store test strips in a dry, cool place. “You never want to store test strips in your bathroom. The warm, humid atmosphere can damage the strips, causing them to produce false readings,” she says. Vascular problems and temperature changes Patients with vascular problems often do not have proper blood flow, especially to their extremities, and cold weather may exacerbate slow blood flow. Diabetes test strips need a certain level of oxygen and blood flow to accurately calculate the glucose level. The lower these are, the less accurate the reading, says Dr. Rene. Raynaud’s p Continue reading >>
Post Surgery Hyperglycemia Associated To Operative Procedures
Infections at point of surgery account for 14-17% of all hospital infections in patients and ranks third in causes for all post surgical infection. According to a report in the September issue of Archives of Surgery, a JAMA journal, increased blood sugar levels after surgery are linked to procedures in the operating room. Ashar Ata, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., and colleagues at Albany Medical College, Albany state: Studies have shown that these infections prolong the hospital length of stay after surgery, increase rehospitalization rates and dramatically increase the use of emergency services and health care costs. Post surgery glucose levels were reviewed in 1,561 patients. Of these, vascular surgery took place in 559 (36%) persons, 226 (14%) had colon related surgery and 776 (50%) were a part of general surgery procedure. Almost seven and a half percent of the patients developed surgical site infections. Vascular patients at 10%, colorectal at 14% and 4% of the total having general surgeries. Making adjustments for age, emergency status, physical status as classified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, time in surgery, diabetes , it was concluded that almost all of these factors were not significant predictors of infections. A further analysis of colorectal surgery patients found that a postoperative serum glucose level higher than 140 milligrams per deciliter was a sign of surgical site infection, and in vascular patients, time of operation and existing diabetic conditions influenced signs of surgical site infection, although not associated with hyperglycemia. Why are these infections dangerous? Hyperglycemia may impair the immune system, and insulin may have anti-inflammatory and other anti-infective activities. Much further investigation is necessary, as is the cas Continue reading >>
High Blood Sugar Levels After Surgery
If you're diabetic, you may be concerned about your blood sugar levels during surgery and later during your recovery. It's reasonable to be concerned, and it's appropriate to take steps to prepare to control glucose levels before, during, and after surgery. Non-Diabetics Are at Risk Too Even non-diabetics can experience issues with blood sugar levels after a procedure. The physical and emotional stress of a surgical procedure, along with what can be significant changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise before and after surgery, can dramatically change an individual's glucose levels. Though all patients are at risk for high blood sugar levels after surgery due to stress, diabetics face even greater risks of complications after a procedure. Blood Sugar and Surgical Complications Uncontrolled blood glucose can create complications for surgery patients, diabetic or not. Blood sugar that's even slightly elevated can lead to delayed healing and can increase your chances of getting a wound infection from less than 2 percent to over 10 percent. In general, the higher the blood sugar, the higher these risks. Do More Frequent Glucose Level Checking Make sure your doctor has your blood sugar checked before meals and at bedtime while you're in the hospital if you're diabetic. Checking your glucose during surgery is reasonable if the surgery is a lengthy one or if your glucose levels have been unpredictable. Even diabetics who are normally well controlled with diet and exercise can experience high levels of blood glucose during the hours and days following surgery. If your glucose is fluctuating widely between checks, you may even need to have it checked during the night if you're having symptoms of low or high blood glucose. If you're having a same-day surgery, have your blood gluco Continue reading >>
Controlling Blood Sugar In Diabetes: How Low Should You Go?
Diabetes is an ancient disease, but the first effective drug therapy was not available until 1922, when insulin revolutionized the management of the disorder. Insulin is administered by injection, but treatment took another great leap forward in 1956, when the first oral diabetic drug was introduced. Since then, dozens of new medications have been developed, but scientists are still learning how best to use them. And new studies are prompting doctors to re-examine a fundamental therapeutic question: what level of blood sugar is best? Normal metabolism To understand diabetes, you should first understand how your body handles glucose, the sugar that fuels your metabolism. After you eat, your digestive tract breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars that are small enough to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Glucose is far and away the most important of these sugars, and it's an indispensable source of energy for your body's cells. But to provide that energy, it must travel from your blood into your cells. Insulin is the hormone that unlocks the door to your cells. When your blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the beta cells of your pancreas spring into action, pouring insulin into your blood. If you produce enough insulin and your cells respond normally, your blood sugar level drops as glucose enters the cells, where it is burned for energy or stored for future use in your liver as glycogen. Insulin also helps your body turn amino acids into proteins and fatty acids into body fat. The net effect is to allow your body to turn food into energy and to store excess energy to keep your engine running if fuel becomes scarce in the future. A diabetes primer Diabetes is a single name for a group of disorders. All forms of the disease develop when the pancreas is unable to Continue reading >>
Post Surgery Blood Sugar: High But Not Worried
“If you have all that inflammation, your blood sugar will be high. And if you still have pain then you probably still have inflammation,” Jessica told me after I told her that my morning blood sugar was 225. This morning wasn’t exceptional in any way. My blood sugar has been out of control since my surgery last Wednesday. Most mornings begin somewhere between 200-250 and the rest of the day is spent chasing my blood sugar down, but it seems as if the glucose meter is broken and won’t go south of 150. I expected this to happen, but thought I would be able to control it better and that it wouldn’t last this long. I’ve tried different things. On Thursday afternoon I gave in and took Tylenol for the pain. The Tylenol did make me feel better, but still, my blood sugar remained high despite the fact that I was feeling less pain. Friday morning I decided to set my basal rate to 150%, but that, too, had little effect on my blood sugar levels. It may have allowed me to bolus less, but my blood sugar levels stayed high. Since my surgery I have cut down even more on the carbs while using way more insulin than I usually do. Normally, I use 17-18 units of insulin a day and now have been using around 25 units. The first few days the high numbers drove me nuts. I actually told Jessica one day that I would love to have a low. You know you’ve been a diabetic for a long time when you catch yourself saying, “Something in the 40’s would be nice.” On Monday, feeling a little better physically, I went out on my first walk outdoors since my surgery (a quarter of a mile). While walking, slowly, carefully and a little hunched over I thought about my blood sugar. I wasn’t thinking about my health in that moment, but I was actually worried that these numbers would ruin my ne Continue reading >>
Can Surgery Cause Increased Blood Sugar In Non-diabetics?
Yes. As was noted in the prior answer, the stress that your body endures during surgery causes a stress response which increases blood sugar. In addition, (depending on what kind of surgery you needed), if you are getting steroids to reduce inflammation, your blood sugar would also increase. Steroids can increase circulating blood sugar and make it more difficult for your body to transport the glucose into cells, further increasing circulating glucose levels. Studies have shown that patients with normal blood sugars have better outcomes and fewer complications than those with high blood sugar. For that reason, we constantly check people’s blood sugar in the ICU that I work at, and often have to give insulin to patients who are not diabetic for this reason. Many patients are concerned that they will need to take insulin forever, but its generally only temporary. Yes, because of the stress it causes will induce higher levels of stress hormones mainly cortisol, which will raise you blood glucose levels. Know that many middle aged diabetics aren’t aware of the fact that they’ve diabetes at all, having a raised threshold for urinary loss of glucose it won’t cause peeing a lot = polyuria, which most lay people associate with having diabetes, in the US that would be one in every 4 persons having diabetes: Yes. Surgery can lead to high blood sugars even in non-diabetics. As part of evolution, a surgery is identified as a physical stress for the body. The body gears up for a speedy recovery and during this period, our body mobilizes energy i.e. glucose to overcome this stress. Certain hormones too are released to overcome this stress. Amongst many others like cortisol, these hormones include insulin and glucagon, both of which work in combination to maintain our blood su Continue reading >>
High Blood Glucose: What It Means And How To Treat It
What is high blood glucose? People who do not have diabetes typically have fasting plasma blood glucose levels that run under 100 mg/dl. Your physician will define for you what your target blood glucose should be — identifying a blood glucose target that is as close to normal as possible that you can safely achieve given your overall medical health. In general, high blood glucose, also called 'hyperglycemia', is considered "high" when it is 160 mg/dl or above your individual blood glucose target. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider what he or she thinks is a safe target for you for blood glucose before and after meals. If your blood glucose runs high for long periods of time, this can pose significant problems for you long-term — increased risk of complications, such as eye disease, kidney disease, heart attacks and strokes and more. High blood glucose can pose health problems in the short-term as well. Your treatment plan may need adjustment if the blood glucose stays over 180 mg/dl for 3 days in a row. It is important to aim to keep your blood glucose under control, and treat hyperglycemia when it occurs. What are the symptoms of high blood glucose? Increased thirst Increased urination Dry mouth or skin Tiredness or fatigue Blurred vision More frequent infections Slow healing cuts and sores Unexplained weight loss What causes high blood glucose? Too much food Too little exercise or physical activity Skipped or not enough diabetes pills or insulin Insulin that has spoiled after being exposed to extreme heat or freezing cold Stress, illness, infection, injury or surgery A blood glucose meter that is not reading accurately What should you do for high blood glucose? Be sure to drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink a minimum of 8 glasses each day. If yo Continue reading >>
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