Posts Tagged ‘Diabetes’

Diabetes: Diagnostic Studies and Medical Treatments

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Diabetic people are all around, do you know or have a relative or parent suffering from diabetes? then this article is intended to analyze some diagnostic studies recently released and some advise on medical treatments, hopefully those suffering from diabetes, maybe you included will get a better understanding of the points listed above.
If you are a person dealing with diabetes, then you know that testing your blood glucose levels is very important, while some diabetics need to test them 3 times per day, another ones need to test their blood glucose levels even up to 10 times per day. While, high blood sugar levels does not mean necessarily that a person suffer from diabetes, researches has pointed out that there is a close relation, meaning that it is certainly a call for further testing.
There is no reason for diabetics avoid controlling their glucose levels, even if you do not have any kind of social security you can get a free glucose meter, by using internet you can research and get the glucometer that best suit your needs.
Firstly, diagnostic studies are all about testing the levels of glucose in your blood, for instance, if two different blood glucose tests show glucose levels over 140 mg/dI – both tests done after eight hours of fasting – then, additional tests are required, one after drinking sugar water, other after fasting. However, if after these 2 new tests you get similar results, then a diabetes diagnosis is established.
Secondly, if you are a diabetic you should know that there is no cure for diabetes type 1 neither type 2. Consequently, there is no medical treatment in order to cure diabetes, but there are medical procedures in order to control high blood sugar levels and get them lowered.
While people that suffer diabetes type I can control it by regular insulin injections and a special diet and exercise regimen, those suffering type II diabetes could control their glucose levels with just diet and exercise.
Last but not least, there are several alternative medicine treatments that might deserve diabetic people giving one of them a try. For instance, yoga, reiki and special massages.
To sum up, the main point for diabetics is how to lower high blood sugar levels, some patients might need the use of drugs in order to increase insulin production, some drugs could be chlorpropamide, glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide, and tolazamide. Ask your doctor for specialized advise.

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Diabetes Medicines – Oral Medications for Effective Control

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

An alarming increase in number of people getting diabetes and more awareness have resulted in that researchers and medical experts come up with more solutions for medications. Read more...

Diabetes: a Simple Guide to Medical Treatment

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Type 1 diabetes
Treatment almost always involves the daily injection of insulin, usually a combination of short-acting insulin such as regular or Lispro or Aspart insulin and a longer-acting insulin such as NPH, lente, glargine, detemir, or ultralente insulins.
* Insulin must be given as an injection. If taken by mouth, insulin would be destroyed in the stomach before it could get into the blood where it is needed.
* Most people with type 1 diabetes give these injections to themselves. Even if someone else usually gives you your injections, it is important that you know how to do it in case the other person is not available.
* A trained professional will show you how to store and inject the insulin. Usually this is a nurse who works with the health care provider or a diabetes educator.
* Insulin is usually given in 2 or 3 injections per day, generally around mealtimes. Dosage is individual and is tailored to suit the person. Longer acting insulins are typically administered 1 or 2 times per day.
* It is very important to eat if you have taken insulin, as the insulin will lower your blood sugar regardless of whether you have eaten. If you take insulin without eating, you could have hypoglycemia. This is called an insulin reaction.
* There is an adjustment period while you learn how insulin affects you and how to time your mealtimes and exercise times with your insulin injections to keep your blood sugar level as even as possible.
* Keeping accurate records of your blood sugar levels and insulin dosages is crucial in helping your health care provider take care of your diabetes.
* Eating a consistent, healthy diet appropriate for your size and weight is essential in controlling your blood sugar level.
Type 2 diabetes
Depending on how elevated your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin are at the time of your diagnosis, you may be given a chance to lower your blood sugar level without medication.
* The best way to do this is to lose weight if you are obese and begin an exercise program.
* This will generally be tried for 3-6 months, and then your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin will be rechecked. If they remain high, you will be started on an oral medication, usually a sulfonylurea or biguanide (Metformin), to help control your blood sugar level.
* Even if you are on medication, it is still important to eat a healthy diet, lose weight if you are overweight, and engage in moderate physical activity as often as possible.
* Your health care provider will monitor your progress on medication very carefully at first. It is important to get just the right dose of the right medication to get your blood sugar level in the recommended range with the fewest side effects.
* Your doctor may decide to combine two types of medications to get your blood sugar level under control.
* Gradually, even people with type 2 diabetes may require insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.
* It is becoming more common for people with type 2 diabetes to take a combination of oral medication and insulin injections to control blood sugar levels.

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How Do You Get The Diabetes Supplies That You Need?

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Diabetes is a common problem that can be come very serious if not taken care of properly. The levels in the blood will need to be monitored closely to ensure that proper steps are taken to keep you healthy. This is something that, once started, will most likely continue for the rest of the life of the patient. It’s not pretty, it’s not fun, but it may save your life.

With that in mind, it bears mentioning that it is absolutely essential that diabetes patients get the correct diabetes supply. One of the problems that is encountered with finding the right diabetes supply is that it can be quite expensive to get what you want. Sometimes, people will settle for what works, or worse, do without.

There are common types of diabetes supplies that will be needed including syringes, insulin, glucose meter and testing strips, along with lancets.

You can also get other accessories for your diabetes supply such as a case in which to carry everything so you can have some privacy and carry the necessary items discreetly.

But if money is tight, how do you get the diabetes supply that you need? When dealing with diabetes, you can not just let it go. It will not get better and your health will deteriorate. If you are not independently wealthy, there are a few things for you to check out when looking for your essentials.

Of course, if you work for an employer who offers health insurance, that is going to be the best place to start. This is called an Employer-provided group insurance plan.

Another option is an offering from COBRA and HIPPA plans that are guaranteed to be issued. The down side to this is that, even though you will not be turned down, the cost to participate is very high.

Also, you can get short term insurance for your medical needs. This is going to be major medical insurance, is available for one to thirty six months and will cover preexisting conditions. Keep in mind, this will be for diabetic who are not dependant on insulin.

If all else fails, you can go thru sate and federally funded programs such as Medicade and welfare if you have diabetes and do not have another source of insurance.

After you have the diabetes supply you need to monitor your blood sugar, it is very important for you to take care of it. For example, the blood glucose monitor will need to be cleaned regularly and many may call to be rubbed down with rubbing alcohol before and after each reading. It may get tiresome doing this, especially if you test several times a day.

However, keep in mind that if you don’t take care of your equipment properly, it may not give you accurate readings, which would be a waste of time, money and blood. Not to mention that it could cause you to take extra steps or none at all regarding your body’s given insulin levels.

Technology is emerging all the time and diabetes supply is not immune to this. There are meters that work on less blood than ever before while giving you faster results and will even tell you in a voice what your reading is. This last feature is good for people who may not be able to read to see the numbers clearly.

Summary:

Diabetes is a common problem that can be come very serious if not taken care of properly by the right diabetes supply. The levels in the blood will need to be monitored closely to ensure that proper steps are taken to keep you healthy. This is something that, once started, will most likely continue for the rest of the life of the patient. It’s not pretty, it’s not fun, but it may save your life.

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Diabetes Supply – Where Can You Get Them?

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Nearly 20 million people suffer from diabetes in the United States alone. After the initial diagnoses, the condition is usually monitored by the patient themselves. There are a wide range of products on the market today listed under diabetes supply. This includes ways to test, treat and control the side effects of this disease. It may be a little overwhelming at first with all the diabetes products out there. But after you become more familiar with the items, management of the ailment will become much easier.

A wide range of health problems will develop if diabetes is not treated quickly and correctly. In recent years, diabetes is becoming greater of a concern because of heredity and lifestyle changes. Over the last generation or so, diabetes has started to affect larger numbers of people and is becoming more evident at younger ages.

Medical tools and accessories that are part of your diabetes supply will be needed for care and regulation of the disease. Sugar levels rise in the blood when not enough if being produced naturally in the body. This is very dangerous because as the sugar levels rise, so do the toxins in the blood. What happens then is the waste builds up in the blood stream, resulting in a variety of health issues ranging from mild to severe.

Some of the signs that would be on the minor side include excessive thirst, dehydration, being more tired than usually and possibly stomach pains. The other side is when too much insulin is produced in the body and not enough food is going in. Signs of this side of the disease include headaches, dizziness, trembling and clumsiness.

Diabetics will use the medication and diabetes supply equipment on a daily basis to be sure they are keeping it under control. The blood will need to be checked several times a day to be sure that levels are where they should be. Insulin may be required to treat any imbalance. To test sugar levels, you will need to analyze a drop of your blood in a glucose meter.

Common Diabetes Supply Items

When you check you blood sugar levels, you have to have a way to get the blood out of your body. You will be able to find lancets and lancing devices at any diabetic supply store. These are use to make a small puncture in the skin, allowing the blood to be analyzed. Usually, the tip of the finger is where blood is taken from.

After you have obtained the blood, it needs to be placed on a test strip. Then, the strip is placed either in or on the meter, follow the manufactures instructions to be sure you get accurate results. When you get the results stating what your blood sugar is, you can decide what the next step is in evening out the levels.

Humulin and Novolin are two types of insulin you may have to use through out the day to keep your sugar levels where they need to be. In order to get the insulin into your body, you must inject it with a syringe.

Where to Find Diabetes Supplies

There are plenty of places to keep in mind when you are buying your diabetes supply items. A wide range of supplies will be found at hospitals, drug stores, and even some supermarkets and grocery stores will have them if they have a pharmacy. One of the more personal choices you will have to make when purchasing your diabetes supply arsenal is the glucose meter.

There are many types of glucose meters on the market; MediSense, TheraSense, Liberty and LifeScan are just a few of them. This is one of those items to you have to get because it suits you, not necessarily because it came recommended by the doctor, or because the print ad looks better than the other guys. You have to decide what size you want the meter to be. The ones with larger displays are easier to read, but generally are bigger but may not be the right piece of diabetes equipment if you are looking to be discrete. Other things to consider are the glucose monitor. They are also available in varying styles with specialties such as colors, speeds and how the blood is tested.

Summary:

Nearly 20 million people suffer from diabetes in the United States alone. After the initial diagnoses, the condition is usually monitored by the patient themselves. There are a wide range of products on the market today listed under diabetes supply. This includes ways to test, treat and control the side effects of this disease.

Read more...