Diabetes Treatment Weblog

Posts Tagged ‘blood glucose’

The skin of the patient with diabetes is susceptible to injury and infection, as the malfunction of the cells reduces their ability to defend against the attack of fungi or bacteria, abundant food they find themselves at high glucose levels. There are various classifications for skin problems in patients with diabetes, mostly very large, but those will be described most common skin lesions:

Yellow skin. It is quite common for the skin of patients with diabetes have yellowing, best seen in palms and soles of the feet, but is of no clinical importance. It is known that the problem arises when high blood sugar levels affect collagen, a protein that is found naturally in the human body and is responsible for providing strength to bones, skin, hair and nails.
Diabetic dermopathy. It is the most common problem and is due to the disruption of small blood vessels, characterized by the appearance of red spots on ½ to 2 inches in diameter, which will eventually become darker and are small scab. They have serious consequences, do not generate pain and are preferentially located in the knees, ankles, thighs and forearms are most common in men than in women. They do not require treatment and more or less strict control of diabetes prevents its evolution.
Necrobiosis lipoidica. Of unknown cause, characterized by papules (rash) small, reddish, which tend to harden, grow slowly converge with one another into plaques of variable size, with yellow edges, do not generate complaints, while sometimes itchy. It is more common in women and is usually found on hands, forearms, thighs, abdomen, face and scalp. No treatment is finished completely with the problem, although tests have been satisfactory with oral corticosteroids.

Bullosis diabeticorum. consists in the spontaneous appearance of blisters of variable size and contained clear, healthy skin on the forearms, legs, feet and toes. They usually do not cause discomfort and, unless they become infected, they heal within 1 to 4 weeks, sometimes leaving small scars. There is no specific treatment and only have to have rest and applying local antiseptics, control of blood sugar levels does not prevent or accelerate its relief. Read the rest of this entry »

In previous entries I have already introduced concepts such as glucose, glycemic index and insulin, to be discussed further in this post. We speak of glucose when it comes to blood glucose levels. Are measured in milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood, and normal values ??range from 75-110 mg / dl and below 200 mg / dl after meals. As we have mentioned on other occasions, glucose is the major energy fuel for almost all tissues, and the only central nervous system can be used in normal or physiological conditions. Hence the importance of maintaining adequate levels of blood glucose, and the reason why the body has very sensitive mechanisms to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which could have serious consequences for the nervous system, while that tolerate high (hyperglycemia) of some length, but can be harmful in the long term.

The body has a complex system of hormones that are responsible for maintaining blood glucose within appropriate levels. When sugar levels begin to decline, the glucagon , the adrenaline and glucocorticoid is responsible for stimulating the production of glucose through the use of muscle protein and fat stored in adipose tissue, so called hyperglycemic hormones . By contrast, when blood sugar levels begin to rise is the insulin which is responsible for keeping them “at bay”, through several mechanisms: it stimulates glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue (withdrawing the bloodstream), stimulates the formation of glycogen (using glucose) in the liver and muscles, stimulates fat formation (from glucose) in the liver and adipose tissue, stimulates amino acid uptake by the and promotes muscle protein synthesis in the same. Therefore we say that is a hormone hypoglycemic (low blood sugar levels) and anabolic (promotes the formation of muscle and adipose tissue). Read the rest of this entry »

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most frequent consequence of diseases in diabetics. The Diabetes draws an altered metabolic process by itself, which can lead to that narrow the coronary arteries as a result of deposits in the course of the disease. Because of the increased blood glucose levels, the risk of vasoconstriction in diabetic patients is generally four to six times higher than in non-diabetics. These side effects of the disease are responsible for many heart attacks.

Is particularly high among diabetics, the risk of coronary heart disease. This is due to the fact that here is a arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries colloquially called) is much faster and more intensively developed. The consequence of a poorly controlled metabolism is often an overactive clotting. This means that blood platelets sticky and tend to form clumps more quickly. Represent a serious hazard in addition to the damaged nervous system of diabetic patients. Because of nerve damage, the pain that induces a reduced perfusion of the heart, not perceived. It may be that a heart attack occurs without any warning pain, not being noticed and therefore goes untreated.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease
The symptoms of coronary heart disease are numerous technical. They are regarded as warning signs that something is wrong and a doctor should be consulted. Primary symptoms are pain in the chest and shortness of breath or palpitations or irregular heartbeats. This unusual referred pain in the arms should be, in the jaw or back, tiredness or nausea, heartburn, and excessive sweating will be given more consideration.

Other cardiac complications
But not only with coronary heart disease have to reckon with diabetes. Other complications around the heart are just as widespread. Heart failure occurs, for example also increasingly on people with diabetes. This is due to a thickening, in turn, a stiffening of the walls of the smallest blood vessels and capillaries causes. Because of this failure, the pumping of the heart is significantly reduced. For this reason, diabetics should avoid especially smoking.

Diabetic neuropathy in diabetic patients is often pioneer of a diabetic foot ulcers. Nerve damage can also occur in the nerves that control the heart rate. This is referred to as: cardiac autonomic neuropathy. For the limitation of our heartbeat is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible. If this fails, predominates in the conduct of our heartbeat of the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the performance. A consistent and not necessary, increased heart rate is the consequence, which in turn causes Frequenzstarre. The slowdown associated with the expiration of the pulse takes place here and not the heart is overwhelmed due to lack of recovery phases. Read the rest of this entry »

In Argentina, the two and a half million people suffer from this disease, there are about a million who ignores him. In order to maintain a stable level of “sugar” blood, today medical science has developed new tools and treatments less stringent than in the past. But to tackle the disease, one must first know it.

When we talk about blood sugar we refer to a particular carbohydrate, glucose. For proper use in the body, there is insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas as well withdraw from circulation the surplus glucose is responsible for facilitating their entry into cells of the liver and muscles where it is deposited in glycogen, and that penetrates the fat cells to be stored as fat. Thus, the body energy reserves.

But this regulatory mechanism can fail and increase the level of blood glucose, also called glucose, which is the most visible manifestation of the diabetic disease.

Much is said of diabetes and is described as a silent disease, with emphasis on family history and symptoms such as excessive thirst and urination abundant, but in reality, the high values ??of blood glucose are due to different causes . In other words, the symptom is one but two diabetes. Read the rest of this entry »

Surely you know someone with diabetes. Make a test: Ask him if he sleeps well at night. Perhaps the answer is negative.

Specialists are looking for if there is any relationship between both conditions, while many patients with diabetes wonder if the lack of sleep can affect their treatment or alter your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

While there is no completely accurate answer in this regard, some research shows that poor sleep itself could affect the treatment of people with diabetes.

Although sleep requirements vary from one person to another, it is recommended that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours per day. It is possible that this information will not be new, but it can also be a mission impossible with the current lifestyle you lead. However, it is worth trying.

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Recently, in our health blog, we told you that stress is the epidemic of XXI century. Well, on this occasion, we have seen that there is another important relationship, diabetes, epidemic, as it is a disease that is widespread in society.

The truth, we can say that diabetes is an epidemic, since according to IDF (International Diabetes Federation) have it about 246 million people worldwide, a tremendous figure.

But for those who wonder what diabetes is, we can say that it is a chronic disease that is characterized by blood sugar levels high. To counter this excess sugar, diabetics (some, we) have to take insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas and is necessary for life.

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The diabetes treatment, and with it the continuous monitoring of blood glucose is now no longer as expensive and complicated as it was some decades ago. Much is taken from diabetic patients with good medical care and support for small devices. On the self of his own blood sugar may not yet be dispensed with.

Thus the continuous blood sampling is not always the annoying and painful matter, should make diabetes a few things before and while they control themselves. With a gentle pricking of the blood collection is far more relaxed.

When do you measure
How often blood glucose should be monitored on a case generally depends on the diabetes therapy. Additional blood sugar provisions may be particularly important, however, in special situations. For example, if signs of hypoglycaemia or a disease that is associated with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Also in sports, travel, before a long car ride or a change in diet may be important that people know their blood glucose levels and responds appropriately to changes.

Fear of discomfort
The need for blood sugar measurements in diabetes therapy is controversial. Yet many fear affected pain during stinging, calluses or impairment of sensation in his fingers. Often triggers even from the sight of “naked” lancet fear. Modern lancing devices, in which the lancet is not visible, can contribute greatly to lose that fear. Read the rest of this entry »

“If patients with diabetes are more susceptible to cavities and more prone to periodontal disease or gum disease,” said Cecilia Campos voanoticias.com the dentist.

This high-risk diabetic patients develop mouth problems can be the cause of the variation in levels of blood glucose.

The relationship between diabetes and gum problems is reciprocal and bidirectional. This means that diabetes predisposes the sufferer to have tender gums, gums and the problem of making the control of diabetes more difficult. One way to avoid falling into this vicious circle is to visit a periodontist is a dentist specializing in gum.

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Self-monitoring of blood glucose control in people with diabetes is getting closer and Andalusia are moving in this direction. 75 people with diabetes have undergone the telematics control their blood glucose infusion therapies subject to subcutaneous insulin.

Glucose levels in these patients are constantly monitored by sensors and stored in a small receiver carried by the patient with diabetes and then transmit to your PC wirelessly and to send it to your endocrinologist.

The system tested in the Diabetes Unit of the Regional Hospital of Malaga is part of a study that attempts to regulate glucose levels steadily thanks to control levels and the daily recommendations of professionals who, after receiving the Patient results are sent via email or SMS to allow further steps to improve their diabetes significantly.

These tests is the second time you make and has been extended taking into account the success of the first test in which patients improved significantly their usual levels of blood glucose. Currently, the Regional Hospital of Malaga, there are 200 people with systems subcutaneous insulin infusion and over 35 also have monitoring systems such levels so that your diabetes is controlled alone.

Here are some tips for making your glucose monitoring sting does not hurt.

The only way you can know if you are controlling your diabetes is through self-monitoring, that means you have to sting your finger at least once a day. This procedure is uncomfortable for people with diabetes because it is painful, but here we offer a guide to hurt a little less:

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