Comprehensive Diabetes Information and Lifestyle Guide
Oral Insulin, sometimes called inhaled insulin, has been the holy grail of diabetes management since insulin was first developed for human use in the 1920’s. While much pursued, it has been difficult, if not impossible to capture. However, this may have changed. But first, let’s take a look at why scientists are working so hard … Read more
Rapid acting insulin is 1 of 5 categories of insulin. The other types of insulin are short acting, intermediate acting, long acting and pre-mix solutions. The rapid acting typical use is to help process increased glucose levels during meal times. The three main characteristics of the insulin are as follows. The onset is very quick, … Read more
The term Sliding Scale Insulin refers to a method that insulin can be delivered to diabetic patients. This treatment is almost universally done in a hospital setting. The term “sliding scale” means that the patient is given more or less insulin on a predetermined scale, depending upon his or her blood sugar levels. Only short … Read more
Unfortunately, the list of diabetes complications is long and far reaching. Elevated blood sugar contributes to and often accelerates a wide variety of chronic illnesses and health conditions. High blood sugar cause great damage to blood vessels, organs, nerves and other bodily systems. The most common complications include cardiovascular disease, eye problems, diabetic neuropathy (nerve … Read more
While not fully understood, there is a clear link between osteoporosis and diabetes. Osteoporosis occurs when your bone density lessens making them more likely to fracture. Approximately 44 million Americans have osteoporosis, 68% are women. The good news is that osteoporosis is preventable. The bad news is that, if undetected, it can progress for years … Read more
Why does diabetes and itching seem to go hand in hand? Very few things are more annoying than feeling itching and burning sensations on your body. While any number of diabetic complications could be the cause of these sensations, the typical causes center on four distinct areas. Itching and burning in diabetics is usually caused … Read more
The link between the liver and blood sugar management actually has a lot to do with your mother. Did your mother ever tell you: “Don’t drink (alcohol) on an empty stomach.” While there may be a variety of reasons for this advice, your liver and how it processes glucose is a key part of it. … Read more
The treatment for hyperinsulinism will vary based on the severity of the condition. Hyperinsulinism is when there is a large amount of insulin in the blood typically caused by excessive insulin secretion by the pancreas. It can also be caused by an excessive insulin dose. Hyperinsulinism usually results in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, extreme … Read more
Everyone knows insulin is critical for diabetics, but how many people know how insulin transfers glucose into our cells. At first blush, this process may seem unimportant. After all, who cares? Nonetheless, I would argue that this process is extremely relevant to understanding a lot about diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. It is also important … Read more
Insulin syringes or needles are one thing people would rather not think about. After all, I am not aware of anyone who actually likes to be injected with anything, least of all insulin on a daily basis. This distaste raises a number of important issues, however. What needles most commonly used? Is there any other … Read more