Author - Kevin Angileri

What is Diabetes?

July 10, 2015
Kevin Angileri
health tips
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What is diabetes

Diabetes has become one of the most common diseases that have raised an alarm all over the world next to obesity. It is a problem related to sugar level of the blood. It can strike anyone at anytime. Doctors often refer to Diabetes as Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes has been described by doctors as a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose or blood sugar. It is one of the life-long health conditions that affect total health of the patient. It has been found that about 4 million people in the UK have diabetes among which many individuals are not aware of the condition. Diabetes is that condition when the amount of glucose that is present in the blood is not properly used by the body and it becomes too high.

Reasons Why Body Cannot Use Glucose Properly

When we eat, the body turns food into glucose or sugars and that point the pancreas are supposed to release insulin. If this insulin is not produced in adequate amount or the cells of the body do not respond to insulin properly, glucose level becomes very high and you become a patient of diabetes.  Today diabetes has become so common that it seems like an epidemic that is taking lives of many too. The key factor that causes diabetes is lack of insulin that is naturally produced by the pancreas. Insulin opens the cells of the body and allows the glucose to enter that is used for energy.

Types Of Diabetes

Diabetes is of three types namely:

  1. Type 1 Diabetes:

    In this type of diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. This type 1 diabetes develops around 40 years of age and sometimes in teenage or early adulthood period also. Type 1 diabetes is not very common and is also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes or early-onset of diabetes.

  2. Type 2 Diabetes:

    In this case, the body does not produce enough insulin for proper functioning or it may happen that the cells do not react to insulin properly or they are insulin resistant. Approximately 90% people around the world suffer from Type 2 diabetes.

  3. Gestational Diabetes:

    This type of diabetes affects women during pregnancy. Some females experience an increase in blood-sugar levels during pregnancy and then their bodies are unable to produce sufficient amount of insulin to transport all the glucose into the cells. This results in progressive rise in the levels of glucose.

It is therefore important to take care of the proper working of the pancreas that produces insulin to maintain balance of sugar levels in the body. Glucose is obtained when carbohydrate is digested and it also comes from the liver. But if there is insufficient or no insulin at all, the body cannot properly use the glucose as fuel for energy that is required for work, play and live an active life.

Symptoms Of Diabetes

When there is not enough of insulin in the body, or the body cannot use the insulin available, it cannot convert glucose or sugar into energy. As soon as you feel lethargic and lack energy to do your regular activities you can understand that something is not right with your health. It may be weakness though due to overwork, exhaustion or otherwise, yet it is important to see the doctor at once. Other symptoms that are associated with diabetes mellitus are:

  • Feeling of excess hunger and thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Blurry vision
  • Feeling of tiredness and weakness.

Visit your physician before these symptoms become too severe and treatment becomes difficult. It has been found that insulin therapy is often an important method of treating diabetes. If you know the part played by insulin in your body you can prevent complications arising out of diabetes. There are specific roles of insulin in the body which are:

  • Regulate sugar or glucose level in bloodstream.
  • Storage of excess sugar for energy.

How Is Diabetes Treated?

On examination of the blood sugar level of an individual when it is found that it is higher than what is considered as normal, doctors take steps to reduce the level of glucose at the initial stages by medications. Those who are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections almost for their entire life. They must also follow a restricted diet and carry out regular tests to monitor blood glucose levels.

Different types of insulin meet different needs. When you are diagnosed with high blood sugar and diabetes, the first protection that the doctor prescribes for you is the man-made insulin. It helps to control the sugar level during the times of the day when you need it the most. Each type of insulin takes care to control diabetes but it must be remembered that no one type of insulin is good for everyone. Every individual has specific insulin requirement and so it is wise not to try out any one’s medicine without consulting your own physician.

It has been found that excess stress or mental tension, grief or loneliness stops the production of insulin and leads to diabetes. Another reason when you need less of insulin is when you maintain a proper diet and healthy lifestyle. Hence only your diabetic advisor can tell you exactly how much to take.

Gestational Diabetes is harmful if not treated early. Such patients are not given medicines when treatment starts. She is advised to maintain a well balanced diet, exercises and control certain bad habits like smoking and drinking.

How Insulin Is Administered In Cases Of Diabetes

Since diabetes varies from person to person the administration of insulin also differs according to the patient. In case of severe diabetes, insulin injections are given at specific intervals. Monitoring the changes in sugar levels is also very important. Hence doctors prescribe according to the body’s needs. Insulin varies in how fast they can control the blood sugar level and for how long that level is maintained. Insulin is injected underneath the skin. Those who require more doses take these injections several times a day mostly before meals. There are different ways to take the injection like syringes where you need to use a new needle for the every dose. Injection pens or an insulin pump that provides a continuous infusion of insulin through a catheter underneath the skin is also used. Tablets are also available.

Harmful Effects Of Diabetes

The spread of diabetes has created a kind of threat to mankind as there are increasing cases of diabetes these days and the problems related to it are also quite severe. Some of the most dreadful effects of diabetes are:

  1. Blindness
  2. Kidney failure
  3. Heart failure and stroke
  4. Damages the nerves

To be safe and healthy it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. Other ways to keep diabetes at bay are to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce weight for often obesity has been the cause of diabetes, avoid being lazy, look after what you eat, do not overeat and specially during gestation checking sugar levels is extremely important as unidentified diabetic problems can raise the risk of complications during childbirth and can even pass on to the newborn baby.

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How Insulin Works In The Body

July 9, 2015
Kevin Angileri
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Insulin

Today, we often hear about Diabetes and individuals taking Insulin for its treatment. So it has become very important for all to know what Insulin is and what it does for the body.

Insulin – What is it?

Insulin is a protein chain or a peptide hormone. It is produced in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The name Insulin comes from the Latin word “insula” meaning “island” from the cells that produce this particular hormone in the pancreas. It helps the cells of the body to absorb glucose from the blood. The glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen and stops the body from using fat as energy sources. Insulin works in two ways namely excitatory like stimulating glucose uptake and lipid synthesis and the second class is inhibitory such as inhibiting lipolysis, proteolysis, gluconeogenesis etc.

How Insulin is produced

Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Let us see how it takes place. The pancreas has two main functions. Firstly it produces pancreatic digestive juices and secondly it produces insulin and other digestive hormones. The endocrine pancreas is the part of the pancreas that produces insulin and other hormones. When protein is ingested insulin is released. Insulin is also released when glucose is present in the blood. After eating carbohydrates the level of glucose present in blood rises and when it crosses the limit, an individual is diagnosed with Diabetes.

How Insulin Works In The Body

Insulin has few broad actions that include:

  1. It enables the cells in the liver, muscle and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood and convert it into glycogen that can be stored in the muscles and liver.
  2. Insulin controls other body systems and regulates the amino acids absorption by the cells of the body.
  3. Absence of Insulin in the body causes various problems like using fat as energy source. Insulin prevents the utilization of fat as energy source.
  4. It has other anabolic effects throughout the body.

Hence the presence of insulin in the blood is necessary for maintaining health.

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Symptoms Of Diabetes

July 7, 2015
Kevin Angileri
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Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

The early symptoms of diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, can come on harmlessly. Over time, you might even develop certain diabetes complications, though you may not display any typical diabetes symptoms.

According to centers for disease control & prevention 2014 report, more then 8 million people in the United States suffer from undiagnosed diabetes. However, to avoid being part of this statistic, you can understand the symptoms of diabetes and call for early diagnosis and treatment and lead a better life. If you experience any of the typical symptoms of diabetes explained below, speak to your doctor immediately:

Increased urination and excessive thirst:

If you suffer from diabetes, you will have an excessive build up of sugar or glucose in your blood. Your kidneys will be forced to work harder to filter and absorb the extra sugar. If they cannot keep up with the pace, the extra sugar will pass into your urine along with fluids taken from your tissues. This leads to urinating frequently, causing tiredness and dehydration. To get over your thirst, you will drink more fluids and this will cause you to urinate more.

Increased hunger:

Insufficient insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger.

Blurred vision:

Diabetes affects your vision when high blood sugar levels pull out fluid from your tissues and lenses, thus affecting your capacity to focus. If left untreated, diabetes can bring about the formation of new blood vessels in your retina, while simultaneously damaging those already established there. At this stage, this development does not cause problems with vision but if these changes progress without treatment, it could cause loss of vision and blindness.

Mood swings:

This is a commonly felt symptom of diabetes where the patient undergoes mood changes due to a variety of factors, such as quick changes in blood sugars, depression and the stress of managing this condition every day.

Dark skin patches:

If you suffer from diabetes, you will notice dark skin patches in soft and velvety folds, usually in the neck and armpits. This is due to insulin resistance.

Weight gain:

Diabetics experience an unusual weight gain due to the intense hunger they go through.

Fatigue:

Fatigue is a big factor for diabetes patients. This happens due to dehydration due to the many times one urinates and the body’s inability to function optimally since it is less capable of converting sugar into energy.

Weight loss:

When the body loses sugar through frequent urination, you lose essential calories too. Simultaneously, diabetes can prevent the sugar in your food from reaching the cells, making you feel hungry constantly. This entire process causes a rapid weight loss, particularly if you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Tingling in the hands and feet:

An excess of sugar in the blood can cause nerve damage. Diabetics experience a loss of sensation or frequent tingling in the hands and feet and a burning sensation in the arms, legs and hands are also experienced.

Slow-to-heal sores or recurrent infections:

Diabetics suffer with frequent infections because high blood sugar levels damage the natural healing process of your body and its ability to fight infections. This is manifest as vaginal and bladder problems among women.

Nausea and vomiting:

As there is a rise and fall in blood glucose levels, the body metabolism can be interrupted and confused, causing nausea. The patient might suffer from low blood pressure or hypotension, causing dizzy spells.

Irritability

This is due to the lack of energy experienced by diabetic patients.

Red, inflamed and tender gums:

Diabetes may lower your immunity to disease, thereby increasing your risk for being infected, particularly in the gums and bones in the mouth that hold the teeth together. This results in your gums pulling away from your teeth, your teeth loosening, or pus pockets or sores developing in the gums. This happens when you suffer from gum infection as a precursor to diabetes.

Advanced Symptoms of Diabetes:

Sometimes diabetics do not have typical symptoms or have only very mild ones. However, untreated diabetes can be dangerous as it can lead to very high blood sugar levels or ketoacidosis. This condition is less common among Type 2 diabetes patients as insulin continues to be produced in this condition. However, it can lead to:

  • rapid and deep breathing
  • facial flushes
  • bad breath
  • coma
  • mental confusion
  • nausea or vomiting
  • stomach pain

Hypoglycemia or abnormally low blood sugar levels can cause:

  • rapid heartbeat
  • anxiety
  • fainting
  • drowsiness
  • cramps
  • sweating
  • dizziness and trembling
  • confusion

Diabetes symptoms unique to men:

Among men, diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) and other urological problems.

Diabetes symptoms unique to women:

Women experience many of the same symptoms of diabetes as men, barring a few. They are:

  • oral and vaginal yeast infections and thrush
  • female sexual dysfunction
  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • urinary infections
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Dealing With Diabetes To Live Normal Life

July 6, 2015
Kevin Angileri
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Dealing with diabetes

Life With Diabetes

To be diagnosed with diabetes can be startling and can take some time to adjust to. However, it’s not the end of the world. By adopting a few measures listed below, you can lead a normal life. They will help you lead a healthy, active and full life.

What To Do Immediately After Diabetes Diagnosis:

Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will be put on to a diabetes care team, who will explain how you should manage your condition. They will teach you how to monitor your glucose levels and to understand how these levels are affected by exercise and food. To stabilize your blood glucose levels, you would probably have been given medicines or insulin injections and taught how to self-inject.

Learning to manage your condition takes not just time, but effort and patience. Perhaps, it has made you short-tempered, confused or angry, but with a little time, you’ll be able to overcome these niggling problems.

Live A Healthy Life With Diabetes:

In order to live healthy, You need to reduce the risk Dealing With Diabetes, do the following:

Lifestyle Changes:

  • Take your insulin shots and medicines regularly.
  • If you are overweight, lose the extra weight so that your blood glucose level, cholesterol and blood pressure are under control.
  • Switch to eating a nutritious and balanced diet that’s low in sugar and fat.
  • Quit smoking as it increases your chances of heart disease and brain stroke.
  • Exercise or play a sport for about 30 minutes every day, five times a week. You can also do a spot of gardening, play with your kids or pets or go boating or cycling.
  • Examine your feet every day as any nerve damage affects the feet first.
  • Seek medical advice, no matter how small the problem may be.

Eat A Balanced And Nutritious Diet:

  • Find out from your doctor or dietician what you should eat. Typically, your diet should include the following:
  • Eat whole grains, starchy veggies, beans and noodles. Limit bread and cereals and avoid white flour.
  • Eat three servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Do not exceed two or three servings per day of meat, milk and yogurt.
  • Limit your intake of sweets, alcohol, fats and sodium.
  • Be prepared for changes in your diet as you hear from your doctor.
  • Avoid drinking sugary drinks.
  • Begin reading food labels.
  • Drink about seven glasses of liquids per day. This included coffee, tea, diet drinks, low calorie drinks, etc. Avoid drinking flavored milk and water, fruit juice, sweetened soda drinks, sports drinks, etc.

How Diabetes Affects Your Life & Medical Health Safeguards:

  • Maintain a food diary. The more information it contains, the better your doctor can advise you on managing diabetes.
  • Be watchful for diabetic complications. If you can catch them early, treating them is that much faster and better for you. Some complications that could arise after diabetes diagnosis are:

  • Heart Disease And Brain Stroke:

    Once you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you should be careful about cardiac and brain stroke since diabetes comes with an increased risk for these disease and any complications relating to poor blood circulation.

  • Kidney Disease:

    Diabetes can cause kidney damage and failure and lead them to lose the power of filtering out waste products.

  • Depression:

    It’s normal to feel depressed sometimes, but often people live with their sadness for too long. They feel a hopelessness in life. If you too feel this way for more than two weeks, it is a sign of depression which needs treatment.

  • Eye Problems:

    Also called Diabetic Retinopathy, diabetes can lead to eye problems and possible blindness. If you suffer from diabetes, you have a higher risk for blindness than non-diabetics. By detecting eye problems early and treating them, you can save your vision.

  • Oral Health:

    It helps to visit your dentist periodically to avoid gum disease due to diabetes.

  • Diabetic Neuropathy And Nerve Damage:

    Damage to the nerves of the body that connect the spinal cord with the skin, muscles, blood vessels and organs is called neuropathy. This is one of the commonest diabetic complications that can be avoided if you act in time.

  • Foot Problems:

    If you suffer from diabetes, it’s highly likely that you will suffer from a variety of foot problems. These problems occur when your feet are nerve-damaged or when blood circulation is poor.

  • Skin Complications: About a third of diabetes patients have a skin disorder due to diabetes which can be treated or prevented if caught in time.

  • Gastroparesis And Diabetes:

    Whether You Suffer From Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, You Will Be Affected By

Do you think it’s difficult to do any of the tips offered above? Certainly not. If you want to lead as normal a life as possible, try and follow as many of these tips as you can and you’ll find that life isn’t all that difficult to lead.

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PillPack: A Revolutionary Pharmacy For Diabetic Care

July 3, 2015
Kevin Angileri
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pillpack for diabetic care

In the United States, 30 million people suffer from diabetes.  A lot goes into the treatment of a diabetes patient. To maintain good health, they must monitor their glucose levels, eat the right foods and get the proper amount of exercise each and every day. And to make matters more complicated, most diabetics take five or more medications each day. While many people think using an old-fashioned pillbox is the only way to keep track of what medication need to be taken on specific days, the online pharmacy PillPack offers a much better option.

Why PillPack Is Different From Other Traditional Pharmacies:

A full-service pharmacy that specializes in diabetic care, PillPack is a revolution when it comes to pharmacies and how patients keep track of their medications. Delivering pre-sorted medications free to a person’s home, PillPack pre-sorts medication, vitamins and supplements into packets that are easy to tear and labeled with the day and time they should be taken. PillPack not only can deliver pills but also items like insulin pens in a separate refrigerated container.  Not only is the service a much more convenient method that a pillbox, but it also eliminates the guesswork of trying to remember what medicines need to be taken when.  This not only helps to keep their diabetes in check but also saves them from other life threatening complications and illnesses.

What makes this online pharmacy stand out from so many other traditional pharmacies is the convenience and attention to detail they use with each patient’s order. In addition to having everything delivered right to their door, patients using PillPack now have a staff of pharmacists available 24/7 to answer any questions they may have. Add to that no extra cost beyond the standard copay and an easy-to-use online dashboard where they can track shipments, review billing information, manage their medications and more, and you have a pharmacy that is clearly head and shoulders above the competition.

Patients as well as those who act as caregivers to those with diabetes, such as a younger child’s parent, can have tremendous peace of mind when using PillPack. For many patients, one of the most stressful aspects of their medications is keeping up with refills. With PillPack, that task is taken care of for them. Acting in a proactive manner, PillPack pharmacists contact a patient’s doctor four weeks before their last scheduled refill, making sure that any prior authorizations are obtained and that doctors and insurance companies are working together to make sure all prescriptions needed go through in a timely manner.

Managing diabetes is hard enough on its own, and the goal of PillPack is to eliminate as much stress as possible from patients and their caregivers. By using this revolutionary pharmacy, peace of mind is indeed theirs.

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