Hollyoaks Medical Centre - Library - Behind The Headlines - Powered By Nhs Choices
Do artificial sweeteners raise diabetes risk? "Artificial sweeteners may promote diabetes, claim scientists," reports The Guardian. But before you go clearing your fridge of diet colas, the research in question extensive as it was was mainly in mice "Artificial sweeteners may promote diabetes, claim scientists," reports The Guardian. But before you go clearing your fridge of diet colas, the research in question extensive as it was was mainly in mice. The researchers' experiments suggest artificial sweeteners, particularly saccharin, change the bacteria thatnormally live in the gut and help to digest nutrients. These changes could reduce the body's ability to deal with sugar, leading to glucose intolerance, which can be an early warning sign of type 2 diabetes . Assessments in human volunteers suggested the findings might also apply to people. But human studiesso far arelimited. The researchers only directly tested the effect of saccharin in an uncontrolled study onjust seven healthy adults overthe course of aweek. It is far too early to claim with any confidence that artificial sweeteners could be contributing to the diabetes "epidemic". In the interim, if you are trying to reduce yoursugar intake to control your weight or diabetes, you can always try to do so without using artificial sweeteners. For example, drinking tap water is a far cheaper alternative to diet drinks. This study was carried out by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science and other research centres in Israel. It was funded by the Weizmann Institute and the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, as well as grants from various research funders globally. The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Nature. The Guardian covered this study well, Continue reading >>
Hollyoaks Medical Centre - Library - Behind The Headlines - Powered By Nhs Choices
Scientists may have uncovered a key reason why obese people have a raised risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes, BBC News has said. According to... Scientists may have uncovered a key reason why obese people have a raised risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes, BBC News has said. According to the news service, the link is due to pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a protein released from fat cells. The results of the study suggest that insulin resistance in obesity, and hence the increased likelihood of diabetes, may be partly caused by PEDF. Obese mice, which were resistant to insulin and had elevated blood glucose levels, also had elevated levels of PEDF. When PEDF was injected into lean mice, it also reduced their sensitivity to the effects of insulin, as might be seen in type 2 diabetes. This is worthy research, which has attempted to understand the possible biological mechanisms that link obesity and the increased risk of diabetes. However, as this is only an animal study, the situation may differ in humans. More research is needed to clarify whether this might have future treatment implications, such as techniques to block the action of PEDF and increase insulin sensitivity. For the general population, a healthy diet and lifestyle with regular exercise remains the best way to avoid obesity and the risk of complications such as type 2 diabetes. The research was carried out by Seamus Crowe and colleagues of Monash University, Australia and other institutions in Australia and the US. The studies were supported by research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Diabetes Australia Research Trust. Individual researchers also received scholarships and fellowship support. The study was publishe Continue reading >>
Gluten Sensitivity - Coeliac Uk
Some people have gut symptoms when eating foods with ingredients containing gluten , ie wheat, barley and rye, even if they dont have coeliac disease. This is sometimes called non coeliac gluten sensitivity. The symptoms of non coeliac gluten sensitivity may be similar to those experienced by many people with coeliac disease, but it is not clear how the immune system might be involved and there does not appear to be damage to the lining of the gut. What is the difference between the conditions? Coeliac disease is a well defined, serious illness where the bodys immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or intolerance , it is an autoimmune disease . Wheat allergy is a reaction to proteins found in wheat, triggered by the immune system and usually occurs within seconds or minutes of eating. Non coeliac gluten sensitivity is when symptoms similar to coeliac disease are experienced, but there are no associated antibodies and no damage to the lining of the gut. Research into non coeliac gluten sensitivity Non coeliac gluten sensitivity is something that is being recognised as a problem in many countries across the world. This is a new area and there is a need for more research to understand the condition and who is at risk. The exact role of the immune system in non coeliac gluten sensitivity is unclear and further research is needed. There are no specific diagnostic tests for non coeliac gluten sensitivity. Some researchers define non coeliac gluten sensitivity as an improvement in symptoms when following a gluten-free diet . However, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of a placebo effect . There is also some Continue reading >>
Diagnosis Of Diabetes Mellitus
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Investigation of suspected glucose intolerance Diagnosis should be based on two independent glucose measurements, unless the patient has symptoms of diabetes. All samples should be collected into fluoride oxalate blood tubes, as glucose deteriorates rapidly in inappropriate samples leading to potential errors in diagnosis. The recommended initial test is either a two hour post-prandial or a random blood sample: Anon-fasting, venous plasma glucose concentration less than 6.1 mmol/L is normal; 11.1 mmol/L or greater is diagnostic for diabetes mellitus. Anon-fasting, venous plasma glucose concentration between 6.1 mmol/L and 11.1 mmol/L should be followed up by a fasting level. Afastingvenous plasma glucose concentration less than 6.1 mmol/L is normal and one of 7.0 mmol/L or greater, is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. Between these levels an OGTT can confirm the degree of glucose intolerance. By measuringvenous plasma glucoseconcentration, four possible states of glucose metabolism may be defined: IFG and IGT are intermediate states of carbohydrate intolerance and are risk factors not only for subsequent development of diabetes mellitus but also cardiovascular disease and should form part of a cardiovascular risk assessment. These conditions are defined as follows in terms of plasma glucose concentration: 1. Normal: fasting venous plasma glucose of less than 6.1 mmol/L 2. IFG: fasting venous plasma glucose of 6.1 to less than 7.0 mmol/L and (if measured) 2 hr post 75g glucose load less than 7.8 mmol/L 3. IGT: fasting venous plasma glucose less than 7.0 mmol/L and 2 hr post glucose load of 7.8 to less than 11.1 mmol/L. Venous plasma glucose of 11.1 mmol/L or greater, at any time Fasting venous plasma glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or gre Continue reading >>
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Glucose Tolerance Test (gtt)
What is a glucose tolerance test? A glucose tolerance test (GTT) diagnoses diabetes in pregnancy by checking how well your body regulates your blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes, or GD, is a common pregnancy complication. It's thought to affect one pregnant woman in six. Although GD is common, testing for it is not routine. Your midwife will offer you the test only if she thinks there's a chance you could develop GD. Usually, you'll have the test when you’re between 24 weeks and 28 weeks pregnant. You could have the test earlier than this, usually at 16 weeks, depending on your medical history and where you live in the UK. For example, your midwife will offer the GTT sooner if you’ve had GD before. Why do I need a GTT? GD doesn’t often cause obvious symptoms, which is why testing is important. If GD isn’t recognised and treated it may put your health and your baby's health at risk. GD happens when your body fails to make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that keeps your blood sugar levels stable. It also helps your body to store sugar for when you need it later. During pregnancy, your body has to produce extra insulin to meet your baby’s needs, especially when he's growing rapidly. If your body can't make enough insulin, you may end up with too much sugar in your blood, resulting in GD. Having too much sugar in your blood may mean that your baby grows large. This increases your chances of having an induced labour, and a caesarean birth. GD, especially if it's not controlled, even raises the risk of a baby being stillborn. That's why it's so important to follow the advice of your midwife or doctor if you're diagnosed with GD. Am I at risk of developing GD? You’re more likely to develop GD if: Your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or above. You have previo Continue reading >>
Your Glucose Tolerance Test
Search the Birmingham Women's and Children's website A glucose tolerance test is a screening test to diagnose gestational diabetesthat will be explained to you at your appointment by either your community midwife or when you attend antenatal clinic, if you are booked under consultant-led care. Please make sure you have a good evening meal the night before your test, including rice, pasta, potato or bread. The test is usually done in the morning and you must not eat anything from 9.00pm the night before your test. You may drink water freely. Smoking can also change the result so please do not smoke after 9.00pmuntil afterthe test isfinished. The first blood sample will be taken from your arm and you will then be asked to drink a glucose (sugary) drink within the next five minutes. Following this, you will be asked to sit for two hours in our waiting room and you will be asked not to eat, drink or smoke during this time. You may wish to bring a book or a magazine to keep you entertained and pass the time. After the two hours are completed, well take a second blood sample and you can then go home. If you test positive for gestational diabetes, you will receive a telephone call from one of our diabetes specialist midwives, ideally on the same day that you had your test. Please ensure you leave a current contact telephone number with the maternity assistant and if we cannot contact you by telephone we will leave you a message asking you to get in touch. Please contact us as soon as you receive the message so that we can talk to you about your result, discuss any concerns you may have and arrange an appointment in one of the Diabetes Clinics. What happens if you arediagnosed with gestational diabetes? If youre diagnosed with gestational diabetes youll be offered your first a Continue reading >>
Glucose Tolerance Test (gtt)
To diagnose diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. If there are other clinical reasons for investigating glucose loading e.g. reactive hypoglycaemia or excessive growth hormone secretion then please contact the duty biochemist for alternative tests and protocols. Precautions & Contraindications for the Test: The test can be performed at the patient's surgery. It is important that the patient should have had normal meals during the last 3 days prior to the test and should not have been dieting. The test should be performed in the morning after an overnight fast [8 - 14 hours]. The patient should be sitting quietly and must not smoke during the test procedure. False results may occur if the patient has recently been ill or has had prolonged bed rest. Water drinking is permitted during the period of fasting and during the test procedure. For very young children: 2 x 0.25mL minicollect fluoride-oxalate tubes 1x bottle of POLYCAL [manufactured by Nutricia Clinical Care] - 113 mL of Polycal is equivalent to 75g of anhydrous glucose. Prepare the drink for the patient in advance as described below and keep in the fridge. Make 113 mL of Polycal up to 200 mL with drinking water and mix. Weigh the patient (children over 43 kg will require the full adult dose) 2.6 mL of Polycal is required for each kilogram body weight up to a maximum volume of 113 mL of Polycal For example: a 30 kg child would require 30 x 2.6 = 78 mL of Polycal Dilute the volume of Polycal required for body weight with an equal volume of water and mix. Take blood into a grey top fluoride-oxalate tube and label with specimen time and as "FASTING" as well as the usual patient identification requirements. Give the patient the prepared Polycal drink. Note the clock time. The drink sho Continue reading >>
Basildon And Thurrock Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust - Blood Tests
All of our blood test centres are listed below, along with special arrangements for children's blood tests. There are 3 main centres and 13 outreach centres. Each centre has full details of opening times and booking requirements.All blood test centres are closed on Bank Holidays. St. Andrews Centre, Billericay 16-17 years old. Please book an appointment. Basildon Hospital and Orsett Hospital 11-17 years old. Please book Basildon Hospitalchildrens outpatient department (near the maternity unit). IMPORTANT: For all under 11 years childrens tests please call 01268 524900 ext 8167 to book an appointment. 9.20am-4.30pm Urgent and routine blood tests 11am-4.30 pm Urgent and routine blood tests Basildon University Hospital, Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5NL Basildon Hospital offers blood tests by pre-bookedappointment only - there is no walk-in facility. You can book a blood test appointment by clicking on the book online button below. You will be asked to specify your blood test requirements (such as glucose tolerance test, INR/Warfarin), and will then be shown the dates and times available. On your first booking you will be asked to register, and will receive an automatic email confirmation of your appointment. If you are unable to access the online booking system, you can book a blood test appointment by calling01702 746 065. Orsett Hospital, Rowley Road, Orsett, Essex, RM16 3EU Orsett Hospital offers blood test appointments. You can book a blood test appointment by clicking on the book online button below. You will be asked to specify your blood test requirements (such as glucose tolerance test, INR/Warfarin), and will then be shown the dates and times available. On your first booking you will be asked to register, and will receive an automatic email confirmation of Continue reading >>
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Can You Be Allergic To Sugar?
Sugar is found in many parts of our diets, both in natural and manufactured foods. Cells in the body use sugar for energy, so an adverse reaction to sugar can cause serious complications. There are steps that people can take to avoid sugar and the complications of intolerance, and seeing a doctor is always recommended. Here are some key points about allergies. More detail and supporting information is in the main article. The symptoms of an allergy may vary from person to person. A severe allergy to something mixed in with sugar-containing foods can be cause for concern due to anaphylaxis . Sugar intolerance to certain sugars is not a true allergy. A person with a food allergy or intolerance will often manage it by keeping a food journal. An allergy can be confused with intolerance, but there are some distinct signs and symptoms. Symptoms of a food allergy vary from person to person and can even change depending on the type of food consumed. Symptoms such as clogged sinuses, headaches, and hives may indicate an allergic reaction. People who are allergic to certain components within food tend to experience symptoms after consuming them. Severe allergies can cause a serious reaction known as anaphylaxis. These reactions can come on quickly and may be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms of a severe anaphylactic response to an allergen can include: swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat shortness of breath or being unable to breathe properly People with severe allergies should carry antihistamine medications or epinephrine pens on them at all times. Anyone who experiences new signs of an allergic reaction should contact their doctor or allergist. Symptoms of anaphylaxis require medical attention immediately, even if the person has already taken antihistamine medicati Continue reading >>
Understanding Borderline Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, And More
Borderline diabetes, also called prediabetes, is a condition that develops before someone gets type 2 diabetes. It’s also known as impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance. It basically means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but they’re not quite high enough to be considered diabetes. During the prediabetes phase, your pancreas usually still produces enough insulin in response to ingested carbohydrates. The insulin is less effective at removing the sugar from the bloodstream, though, so your blood sugar remains high. This condition is called insulin resistance. If you have prediabetes, you should know you’re not alone. In 2015, it was estimated that 84.1 million people age 18 and older had the condition. That’s 1 in 3 Americans. Having prediabetes doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop diabetes. It is a warning of what could lie ahead, however. People with prediabetes have a 5 to 15-fold higher risk for type 2 diabetes than someone with normal blood sugar levels. Those chances increase if you don’t make any healthy changes to your diet or activity habits. “Prediabetes is not pre-problem,” says Jill Weisenberger, MS, RD, CDE, and author of “Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week.” Someone with insulin resistance in its early stages can develop type 2 diabetes if it continues long enough. Only 10 percent of people with prediabetes even know they have it because they don’t display any symptoms. “Often, people consider these symptoms part of their normal day, so they’re ignored,” says Toby Smithson, RDN, CDE, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and co-author of “Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies.” Any of these risk factors can increase your chances of developing prediabetes: being inacti Continue reading >>
Sugar Intolerance
Gastrointestinal discomfort can result from a number of issues including types foods ingested, volume of food, functional issues and speed at which food goes through the intestinal tract. Sugar intolerance and malabsorption has been found to be an issue for some individuals causing gastrointestinal distress, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue and anemia. There are many different types of sugars and it is important to pin point which one is the culprit if you suspect intolerance or malabsorption. The different types of sugars found in the diet are found in single form as galactose, glucose and fructose which in different combinations form disaccharides called: sucrose, lactose and maltose. Glucose is usually present as starch and cellulose and is responsible for maintaining our blood sugar which the brain highly depends on. Fructose is also known as fruit sugar and is the sweetest of the sugars. Galactose is mostly found in milk products. Sugar Malabsorption (not to be confused with intolerance) is the inability in some people to break down sugars in the small intestine. It results in sugars being broken down into gases by bacteria in the large intestine, causing bloating, pain, diarrhea and flatulence. The inability to absorb sugars properly can lead to other nutrients being malabsorbed such as calcium and iron. Some studies have even associated fructose malabsorption with early stages of depression and mood disorders. It has also been found to be a trigger for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms (such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pain, gas). Fructose Malabsorption: Malabsorption of fructose is caused by the inability of the small intestine to absorb fructose appropriately due to a deficiency of the fructose carrier in the enterocytes. This causes the Continue reading >>
Prevalence Of Glucose Intolerance In Primary Hyperparathyroidism And The Benefit Of Parathyroidectomy.
Prevalence of glucose intolerance in primary hyperparathyroidism and the benefit of parathyroidectomy. Khaleeli AA, et al. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2007. Department of Medicine and Surgery, Halton General Hospital, Runcorn, Cheshire, UK. [email protected] Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2007 Jan;23(1):43-8. BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is established, but not glucose intolerance (GI), nor benefit from parathyroidectomy on GI. We determined these during management of a continuous series of patients with PHPT routinely followed after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WHO criteria classified 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in 51/54 consecutively proven PHPT patients, into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), DM, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG); GI was derived by adding those with DM and IGT/IFG. OGTT were repeated after parathyroidectomy (mean follow up 2.4 +/- SD 1.6 years). Paired student t tests were used to compare fasting and 2-h plasma glucose (PG). RESULTS: At presentation 32/54 patients (59%) had NGT, 10 IGT/IFG (19%) and 12 type 2 DM (22%), nine newly diagnosed. Before parathyroidectomy 17/35 patients had NGT (49%), 18 GI (51%), 12 DM (34%) and 6 IGT/IFG (17%). Five out of six patients with IGT/IFG had NGT, one with NGT developed IGT. At completion 23 patients (66%) had NGT, 12 GI (34%), 4 IGT/IFG (11%) and 8 DM (23%). After parathyroidectomy fasting and 2-h. PG fell in 30/34 normocalcaemic patients not on hypoglycaemic agents, 5.6 +/- 1.0 to 5.4 +/- 0.8 mmol/l, 7.2 +/- 3.0 to 6.3 +/- 3.1 mmol/l (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 1. At presentation with PHPT, OGTT commonly identifies Type 2 DM and GI.2. After successful parathyroidectomy fasting and 2-h. PG fal Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes - Getting Diagnosed - Nhs.uk
Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else. However, you should see your GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes . To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, you usually have to go through the following steps: Your GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back. If you have diabetes, your GP will ask you to come in again so they can explain the test results and what will happen next. What your GP will discuss with you during your appointment depends on the diagnosis and the treatment they recommend. what high blood sugar means for your health your lifestyle for example, alcohol and smoking Your GP will do their best to discuss the diagnosis with you, but this first appointment might only be 10 to 15 minutes. If you have questions about your diagnosis It's usually difficult to take in everything the GP tells you during the appointment. Talk to family and friends about what the GP told you, and write down any questions you have. Then make another GP appointment and take your list of questions with you. There's also a lot of information on diabetes available. Usually, the following things happen after your diagnosis: Your GP will prescribe medication . It might take time for you to get used to the medication and to find the right doses for you. Continue reading >>
Pre-diabetes | Impaired Glucose Tolerance | Patient
You are also at increased risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke (cardiovascular diseases). If pre-diabetes is treated, it can help to prevent the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The most effective treatment is lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy balanced diet, losing weight if you are overweight, and doing regular physical activity. If you have pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance), your blood sugar (glucose) is raised beyond the normal range but it is not so high that you have diabetes. However, if you have pre-diabetes you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes . Between 1 and 3 out of every 4 people with pre-diabetes will develop diabetes within ten years. It is also thought that having pre-diabetes increases your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke (cardiovascular diseases). Also, people who have pre-diabetes are more likely also to have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, being overweight, etc. See separate leaflets called Cardiovascular Disease (Atheroma) and Cardiovascular Health Risk Assessment for more details. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines someone as having pre-diabetes if they have: A fasting blood glucose of less than 7 mmol/L; and A blood glucose of 7.8 mmol/L or more but less than 11.1 mmol/L after a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test. However, the glucose tolerance test is rarely used now. The most commonly used test to identify pre-diabetes is now the HbA1c blood test. The WHO has recommended that an HbA1c blood test level of 4247 mmol/mol (6.0-6.5%) indicates a high risk of diabetes. Our quiz will help you discover whether y Continue reading >>
4 Signs You Might Be Allergic To Sugar
You've heard it before: Sugar is bad for you. But Trevor Noah is taking it one step further—he says he has a sugar allergy. “I’m addicted to sugar, and allergic to it,” The Daily Show host says in a new interview with Us Weekly. “My skin turns red and puffy.” It sounds extreme but experts say you can actually be allergic or, more commonly, intolerant to sugar. “Sugar as a substance has a real impact on people, psychologically and physically,” New York City registered dietitian Jessica Cording tells SELF. However, people are usually intolerant to certain types of sugars, like fructose, sucrose, or lactose, rather than all sugars, certified dietitian-nutritionist Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., CEO of NY Nutrition Group, tells SELF. People with an actual sugar allergy may have immediate reactions like cramping, diarrhea, skin rash, or an itchy mouth, Moskovitz says, while those with an intolerance may just have gastrointestinal symptoms or fatigue. But it’s not always just sugar that’s the issue. “If someone describes a sugar intolerance, it's most likely an underlying issue that is being exacerbated by consuming foods with sugar,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Beth Warren, founder of Beth Warren Nutrition and author of Living a Real Life With Real Food. Instead, the problem may be a microbial imbalance in the gut with an overgrowth of yeast. Since yeast feeds on sugars, it could exacerbate the problem, causing symptoms like skin rashes and puffiness, she says. Unfortunately, it’s not just a matter of avoiding sweets: Natural sugars, like those found in fruits, can also cause problems for people with a sugar intolerance, provided they’re allergic to all sugars. “Any sugar, whether natural or added, will prompt the same issue,” Warren says. I Continue reading >>
