diabetestalk.net

Does Aspirin Affect Blood Glucose Test

What Medicines Can Make Your Blood Sugar Spike?

What Medicines Can Make Your Blood Sugar Spike?

If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, you probably know some of the things that cause your glucose (another name for blood sugar) to go up. Like a meal with too many carbohydrates, or not enough exercise. But other medicines you might take to keep yourself healthy can cause a spike, too. Know Your Meds Medicines you get with a prescription and some that you buy over the counter (OTC) can be a problem for people who need to control their blood sugar. Prescription medicines that can raise your glucose include: Steroids (also called corticosteroids). They treat diseases caused by inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and allergies. Common steroids include hydrocortisone and prednisone. But steroid creams (for a rash) or inhalers (for asthma) aren’t a problem. Drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics High doses of asthma medicines, or drugs that you inject for asthma treatment OTC medicines that can raise your blood sugar include: Cough syrup. Ask your doctor if you should take regular or sugar-free. How Do You Decide What to Take? Even though these medicines can raise your blood sugar, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take them if you need them. The most important thing is to work with your doctor on the right way to use them. If you have diabetes or you’re watching your blood sugar, ask your doctor before you take new medicines or change any medicines, even if it’s just something for a cough or cold. (Remember, just being sick can raise your blood sugar.) Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you take -- for diabetes or any other reason. If one of them may affect your blood sugar, she may prescribe a lower dose or tell you to take the medicine for a shorter time. You may need to check your blood s Continue reading >>

The Health Tests That Could Save Your Life

The Health Tests That Could Save Your Life

The Health Tests That Could Save Your Life Are you so busy that youre ignoring your own health in the process? Dr. Oz reveals 3 simple lifesaving tests that will help you stay on top of your own well-being. Were sorry, the screening giveaway has ended. are you always juggling a million things to the point where youre neglecting your own health? while youre not alone, you must make time to take care of yourself. here are three simple tests that are not only easy to do, but could also help save your life. high blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as a silent killer. whats more, 1 out or 4 americans dont even realize that they have hypertension because there are no visible symptoms. high blood pressure (hbp) can damage not only your heart, but also your brain, kidneys and other organs. you need to get your blood pressure tested, either at your doctors office, or with an at-home blood pressure monitor. blood pressure readings are also available at most pharmacies. check with your local pharmacist to learn how you can get your reading. your blood pressure consists of 2 numbers: the top or higher number is called the systolic number (pressure in vessels when your heart is beating), and the bottom or lower number is your diastolic number (pressure in your vessels when your heart is at rest). here are the numbers you need to know: weight reduction is the most significant thing you can do to prevent high blood pressure. in addition, follow these tips: take baby aspirin:most people think baby aspirin is only used to prevent heart attacks by thinning the blood, but it can also reduce high blood pressure by slowing production of the hormones that control hbp while you sleep. take it at night to help lower your blood pressure when you wake up in the morning, the time when you Continue reading >>

Will Aspirin Affect My Blood Glucose Levels If I Have Diabetes?

Will Aspirin Affect My Blood Glucose Levels If I Have Diabetes?

Will aspirin affect my blood glucose levels if I have diabetes? Aspirin itself will not affect your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes. However, aspirin can have serious side effects -- it can damage the lining of your stomach, and this can lead to painful ulcers. This stress on your body could cause your blood glucose levels to rise. Therefore, if you are taking aspirin and have stomach pain that won't go away, ringing in your ears or higher than normal blood glucose levels, go see your doctor immediately. What is the difference between aspirin low-dose and regular aspirin? Aspirin low-dose is a reduced dosage version of regular strength aspirin. Regular strength aspirin is 325 mg. Aspirin low-dos... If you are taking aspirin low-dose regularly to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, you should take this medication ... Should I take an aspirin if I am having heart attack symptoms? If you believe you are having a heart attack, the first thing you should do is call 911, followed by taking an aspirin. Watch ... How can I avoid side effects if I take aspirin to prevent heart disease? If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, the most common side effect is stomach upset; the most serious is stomach ... Continue reading >>

Blood Glucose Test

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 >>

Does Aspirin Do Much Good?

Does Aspirin Do Much Good?

Should people who have diabetes but no signs of cardiovascular disease take aspirin to help reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke ? Studies have shown that aspirin helps prevent additional heart attacks and strokes in people who have already had one. And since having diabetes puts people at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, the American Heart Association recommends aspirin therapy. However, two studies published late last year have called this practice into question. The first study, published in the journal BMJ in October 2008, enrolled 1,276 people in Scotland aged 40 and up. These people had Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and no symptoms of cardiovascular disease. The participants were randomly assigned to take one of four combinations of pills: a low-dose (100 milligrams [mg]) tablet of aspirin plus an antioxidant capsule; the aspirin plus a placebo (inactive) capsule, a placebo tablet plus an antioxidant capsule; or a placebo tablet plus a placebo capsule. Neither the participants nor their doctors knew which treatment they were receiving. After about six years, the researchers found no significant difference in rates of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, in any of the groups. They concluded that neither aspirin nor antioxidants helped prevent cardiovascular events in the people with diabetes who were studied. The second study was published on November 12, 2008, in The Journal of the American Medical Assocation. It took place in Japan and enrolled 2,539 people with Type 2 diabetes and no history of cardiovascular disease. Participants in this study were randomly assigned to take low-dose aspirin (either 81 mg or 100 mg) or no aspirin. There was no placebo group, and participants knew what kind of treatment they were receiv Continue reading >>

Low Dose Aspirin Therapy Decreases Blood Glucose Levels But Does Not Prevent Type I Diabetes-induced Bone Loss

Low Dose Aspirin Therapy Decreases Blood Glucose Levels But Does Not Prevent Type I Diabetes-induced Bone Loss

Low Dose Aspirin Therapy Decreases Blood Glucose Levels but Does not Prevent Type I Diabetes-induced Bone Loss aDepartment of Physiology, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, East Lansing bDepartment of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing aDepartment of Physiology, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, East Lansing bDepartment of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing aDepartment of Physiology, Biomedical Imaging Research Center, East Lansing bDepartment of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing *Laura R. McCabe, Ph.D., Michigan State University, Departments of Physiology and Radiology, 2201 Biomedical and Physical Science Bldg. East Lansing, MI 48824 (USA), Tel. +1 (517) 884-5143, Fax +1 (517) 355-5125, E-Mail [email protected] This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Backgroud: Diabetes is strongly associated with increased fracture risk. During T1-diabetes onset, levels of blood glucose and pro-inflammatory cytokines (including TNF) are increased. At the same time, levels of osteoblast markers are rapidly decreased and stay decreased 40 days later at which point bone loss is clearly evident. Inflammation is known to suppress bone formation and induce bone loss. Previous co-culture studies indicate that diabetic bone is inflamed and diabetic bone marrow is capable of enhancing osteoblast death in vitro. Here we investigate a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin, to prevent T1-diabetic bone loss in vivo. Methods: We induced diabetes in 16-week-old male C57BL/6 mice and administered aspirin in the drinking water. Results: Our results demonstrate that aspirin therapy reduced diabetic mouse non-fasting blood glucose levels to less than 400 mg/dl, but did not prevent trabecular and cortical bone loss. I Continue reading >>

Things That Impact A Fasting Glucose Blood Test

Things That Impact A Fasting Glucose Blood Test

A fasting blood sugar level is usually ordered by a physician either to check for a new diagnosis of diabetes or to monitor a person who is known to have diabetes. Ideally fasting blood sugar is tested shortly after you get up in the morning, 8 to 12 hours after eating or drinking anything other than water. The normal range is from 70 to 99 mg/dL. Levels above 100 mg/dL may indicate impaired glucose metabolism. Various factors can affect fasting blood sugar levels. Any foods eaten within 8 hours of the test may cause glucose levels to be elevated. After food is digested, higher levels of glucose remain in the blood for some time. Alcoholic beverages consumed even the night before the test may cause a drop in blood sugar. Medications such as corticosteroids, estrogen -- present in birth control pills, some diuretics, certain antidepressants, anti-seizure medication and even plain aspirin can increase glucose levels. Glucose levels can be decreased by medications that include insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, anabolic steroids and even acetaminophen. Exercise can cause an increase or a decrease in blood sugar levels. During exercise, insulin becomes more efficient. This effect can persist, lowering blood sugar levels for hours afterward. An hour of afternoon exercise may lower glucose levels until the next morning, affecting the fasting blood sugar test. Exercise can also affect glucose levels by releasing adrenaline. This raises blood sugar temporarily. Physical exertion or other activities that cause excitement may increase fasting sugar levels if performed shortly before the test. Many medical conditions can affect blood sugar levels, such as liver disease, disorders of the pancreas and disorders of the thyroid gland. Acute and severe trauma -- such as major surgery, Continue reading >>

Acetaminophen Can Affect Meter And Cgm Readings

Acetaminophen Can Affect Meter And Cgm Readings

The common pain-relief drug does not affect actual glucose concentration in the bloodstream, however. There’s been evidence as far back as 2009 that acetaminophen can cause inaccurate blood sugar readings with meters. Now, a more recent study suggests that the common pain reliever also might interfere with continuous glucose monitor (CGM) readings, as well. In July 2009, The Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology published a paper discussing sources of meter errors in measurement of blood glucose levels, including patient use of acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a mild painkiller and fever reducer that people use as an alternative to aspirin; although it’s been hard for scientists to pin down exactly how acetaminophen works, the drug is believed to moderate the body’s production of prostaglandins, a hormone-like lipid which, among other things, helps regulate sensitivity to pain. Researchers in the 2009 study documented how acetaminophen use seemed to cause errors in blood glucose readings with meters. The paper has found no chemical or metabolic link between acetaminophen and the body’s production of, or sensitivity to, glucose or insulin. The researchers did say older meters were more prone to these erroneous readings than newer meters, but that such fluctuations can be possible with all meters they researched. Now, a similar inaccuracy has been documented in connection with CGM use. In 2015, clinical investigators published a paper in Diabetes Care describing meter and monitor variations for a group of acetaminophen-using patients who tested both with meters and CGMs. The study, led by Dr. David M. Maahs of the University of Colorado Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, was a stress test to predict the reliability of investigational closed-loop arti Continue reading >>

Diabetes And Aspirin

Diabetes And Aspirin

Tweet In the past, aspirin was often prescribed to people with diabetes, with the aim of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as a diabetes complication. However, concerns over an increased risk of bleeding associated with aspirin have led to recent new guidelines for aspirin for diabetics in the UK. Aspirin: revised recommendations In late 2009, Diabetes UK revised their recommendations regarding aspirin. They stated that people without known cardiovascular disease need to discuss their individual cases with their healthcare team, rather than taking aspirin as a preventative. Those people that are already taking aspirin were advised to continue until they have talked with their healthcare team. Diabetes UK recommends that people with diabetes who have a history of cardiovascular disease should take aspirin - including those with heart disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack and peripheral vascular disease. Effectively, the consensus is that aspirin should not be used routinely to prevent heart attacks amongst people with diabetes. Previous guidelines that suggested aspirin should be used by diabetics to counter the risk of heart attack and stroke are now invalid. That said, some high-risk groups should still use aspirin to lower their risk. Patients with diabetes should discuss their aspirin use with their healthcare professional. The fact remains that amongst people who have had a heart attack or stroke, aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events by a significant amount. The risk of stomach bleeding needs to be carefully considered and discussed with your healthcare team. What the community are saying about hypos? Foreman: I have stopped taking low dose aspirin following advice from a consultant. Now my GP wants to restart me o Continue reading >>

Medicines And Type 2 Diabetes

Medicines And Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes will often need to take prescription medicines to help control their blood glucose levels. They may also need medicines to help manage other health conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. People with type 2 diabetes, and their healthcare professionals, should also be aware that some medicines can cause blood glucose levels to increase or decrease and this can change the effect of any diabetes medicine. Continue reading >>

Diabetes...an Aspirin A Day

Diabetes...an Aspirin A Day

DOCTOR'S VIEW ARCHIVE Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, M.D. Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR A patient came into my office a few months ago with newly diagnosed diabetes. We had decided to manage her diabetes with a trial of diet and exercise. She was very compliant and was trying desperately to change her lifestyle to avoid being on medication. She started walking regularly and was reading every label on every item of food she bought. Her enthusiasm to control her disease was remarkable and very successful. At age 62, she had managed to change her lifestyle completely around. I saw this patient in follow-up last week and told her how very impressed I was with her progress. She had managed to control her diabetes with diet and exercise and did not need medication to control her blood sugar at this time. Her blood pressure was under control and her cholesterol levels were well within the normal range. She was thrilled. As we concluded our visit, I handed her a prescription. She took it with a frown and said: " I thought you said I didn't need any medication. You know how much I despise the thought of taking pills. What's this all about?" The prescription I wrote was for coated aspirin. It had nothing to do with her blood sugar control - well not directly. People with diabetes have a two to four fold increase in the risk for dying from heart disease. A major contributor to this risk is an increased production of thromboxane, a substance which causes vessels to constrict and also causes platelets (the cells that are responsible for clotting) to stick together and form clots inside of arteries. Aspirin blocks the production of thromboxane. Many large trials have shown a benefit of aspirin therapy in men and women after a heart attack (secondary prevention t Continue reading >>

Aspirin Shown To Lower Blood Sugar

Aspirin Shown To Lower Blood Sugar

One of the most commonly used over-the-counter drugs may lead to a new treatment for type 2 diabetes, say researchers. Aspirin, used for decades to treat headaches and minor aches and pains, has been shown to reverse high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity when taken in high doses, according a study published in the August 2001 issue of Science. Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center at the University of California at San Diego now think that aspirin offers potential for developing a new way to treat type 2 diabetes. Aspirin has never been used to treat diabetes to date because it can cause serious side effects when taken in high dosages, explained Joslin in its press release. A high-dosage of aspirin equates to six to eight grams per day. Taking one regular tablet of aspirin per dayequal to less than one gramis recommended. If a drug could be developed with this capacity to lower blood sugar, but without high-dose aspirins side effects, we could potentially have a potent new treatment for type 2 diabetes, says Steve Shoelson, MD, PhD, senior author of the study and a researcher at Joslin. In the Science study, researchers used salicylates (the main ingredient in aspirin) to reverse high blood sugar, insulin and blood fat levels in obese mice. The drug blocked the action of IKKb, an enzyme that apparently inhibits the absorption of insulin. As a result, the rodents experienced improved insulin sensitivity and lowered blood sugar levels. In addition, when researchers lowered the amount of IKKb in the mice, they did not get fat or become insulin resistant. We strongly recommend against anybody considering treating their diabetes with aspirin, Shoelson told the Associated Press. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Time limit Continue reading >>

How Pain Relievers Can Affect Blood Sugar Levels

How Pain Relievers Can Affect Blood Sugar Levels

Many of us don’t even think about our blood sugar levels when we’re scrabbling through the medicine cabinet, looking for a pain reliever. We just want to make the pain disappear—stat. But people with diabetes do need to take that matter into consideration when they’re taking any medication. If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor or diabetes educator has probably warned you to be vigilant about the effects that that your diet, your activity level, and any other medication you take on a regular basis can have on your blood sugar levels. You also need to be careful about any pain relieving medication that you take, even if it’s just on an occasional basis, because certain types of pain killers can lower or raise your blood sugar levels. NSAIDs There are times when you can easily treat pain with an over-the counter pain reliever. You may take a low dose of aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve the occasional headache or muscle pain. A regular dose is unlikely to affect your blood sugar levels, but a higher-than-usual dose may lower your blood sugar level. Talk to your doctor about what’s an appropriate dose for your occasional aches and pains so you don’t accidentally cause an episode of hypoglycemia. Another word of caution. You might have settled on an effective dose of a particular pain reliever that won’t drastically alter your blood sugar levels. But your diabetes puts you at elevated risk for certain other health conditions. So you may have other medical conditions you need to manage—and you will need to watch out for the effect any pain killers you take can have on those. For example, NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase your blood pressure. And they can affect your kidneys, too, Continue reading >>

How Many Factors Actually Affect Blood Glucose?

How Many Factors Actually Affect Blood Glucose?

A printable, colorful PDF version of this article can be found here. twitter summary: Adam identifies at least 22 things that affect blood glucose, including food, medication, activity, biological, & environmental factors. short summary: As patients, we tend to blame ourselves for out of range blood sugars – after all, the equation to “good diabetes management” is supposedly simple (eating, exercise, medication). But have you ever done everything right and still had a glucose that was too high or too low? In this article, I look into the wide variety of things that can actually affect blood glucose - at least 22! – including food, medication, activity, and both biological and environmental factors. The bottom line is that diabetes is very complicated, and for even the most educated and diligent patients, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything that affects blood glucose. So when you see an out-of-range glucose value, don’t judge yourself – use it as information to make better decisions. As a patient, I always fall into the trap of thinking I’m at fault for out of range blood sugars. By taking my medication, monitoring my blood glucose, watching what I eat, and exercising, I would like to have perfect in-range values all the time. But after 13 years of type 1 diabetes, I’ve learned it’s just not that simple. There are all kinds of factors that affect blood glucose, many of which are impossible to control, remember, or even account for. Based on personal experience, conversations with experts, and scientific research, here’s a non-exhaustive list of 22 factors that can affect blood glucose. They are separated into five areas – Food, Medication, Activity, Biological factors, and Environmental factors. I’ve provided arrows to show the ge Continue reading >>

390 Drugs That Can Affect Blood Glucose Levels

390 Drugs That Can Affect Blood Glucose Levels

Knowing the drugs that can affect blood glucose levels is essential in properly caring for your diabetes patients. Some medicines raise blood sugar in patients while others might lower their levels. However, not all drugs affect patients the same way. 390 Drugs that Can Affect Blood Glucose Levels is also available for purchase in ebook format. 390 Drugs that can affect blood glucose Level Table of Contents: Drugs that May Cause Hyper- or Hypoglycemia Drugs That May Cause Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) (GENERIC NAME | BRAND NAME) Abacavir | (Ziagen®) Abacavir + lamivudine,zidovudine | (Trizivir®) Abacavir + dolutegravir + lamivudine | (Triumeq®) Abiraterone | (Zytiga®) Acetazolamide | (Diamox®) Acitretin | (Soriatane®) Aletinib | (Alecensa®) Albuterol | (Ventolin®, Proventil®) Albuterol + ipratropium | (Combivent®) Aliskiren + amlodipine + hydrochlorothiazide | (Amturnide®) Aliskiren + amlodipine | (Tekamlo®) Ammonium chloride Amphotericin B | (Amphocin®, Fungizone®) Amphotericin B lipid formulations IV | (Abelcet®) Amprenavir | (Agenerase®) Anidulafungin | (Eraxis®) Aripiprazole | (Abilify®) Arsenic trioxide | (Trisenox®) Asparaginase | (Elspar®, Erwinaze®) Atazanavir | (Reyataz ®) Atazanavir + cobistat | (Evotaz®) Atenolol + chlorthalidone | (Tenoretic®) Atorvastatin | (Lipitor®) Atovaquone | (Mepron®) Baclofen | (Lioresal®) Belatacept | (Nulojix®) Benazepril + hydrochlorothiazide | (Lotension®) Drugs That May Cause Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) – Continued (GENERIC NAME | BRAND NAME) Betamethasone topical | (Alphatrex®, Betatrex®, Beta-Val®, Diprolene®, Diprolene® AF, Diprolene® Lotion, Luxiq®, Maxivate®) Betamethasone +clotrimazole | (Lotrisone® topical) Betaxolol Betoptic® eyedrops, | (Kerlone® oral) Bexarotene | (Targ Continue reading >>

More in diabetes