Conventional Medical Treatment for Hypoglycemia

Description



Hypoglycemia is condition that results when blood sugar levels are low. The body's cells, especially those in the brain, must receive a steady, consistent supply of sugar from the blood in order to function correctly. After eating, blood sugar levels normally rise as food is digested. The pancreas releases insulin, which transports the sugar from the bloodstream to the body's cells. As blood sugar levels drop, insulin levels subside, and stored sugar is released from the liver into the bloodstream.



Even when they do not eat, most people maintain a relatively constant blood sugar level, somewhere between 60 to 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood. In a small number of people, however, this mechanism of transporting blood sugar does not work properly and blood sugar levels fall too low. To compensate, the body releases adrenaline, which in turn releases sugar from the liver, but also causes rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling and other symptoms.



Hypoglycemia is a very rare conditionless than 1 percent of the general population experiences it. While hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in pregnant women who skip a meal, it is most common among people with diabetes. In people with diabetes, hypoglycemia often occurs if they take a large dose of insulin, miss a meal, or engage in vigorous physical activity. In people without diabetes, hypoglycemia can occur when a large amount of alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach or after eating a meal full of carbohydrates.



Signs and Symptoms



Headaches



Nervousness



Weakness



Sweating



Dizziness



Blurred vision



Tingling sensation in hands and feet



Heart palpitations



Severe hunger



Nausea



Pale skin



Trembling



Conventional Medical Treatment



If you suspect you have hypoglycemia, visit your physician. To diagnose hypoglycemia, your doctor needs to test your blood sugar levels.



Treatment for hypoglycemia is simple: for people with and without diabetes, eating a simple carbohydrate-such as a glass of fruit juice, or a piece of candy will correct the situation within 10 to 15 minutes. You may need to consume more carbohydrates if you see little or no improvement after 15 minutes. After the symptoms have resided, you may want to consume a bit more of the carbohydrate to prevent recurrence. Immediate treatment for a bout of hypoglycemia is essential for anyone with diabetes, who can slip into unconsciousness or experience convulsions, and require emergency medical assistance.



Yoga and Meditation



At least four yoga positions help strengthen the pancreas and maintain even blood sugar levels: the Peacock, Camel, Locust, and Elevated Lotus.

Diabetes - Conventional Treatment

Controlling your blood sugar is the most important goal of any type of diabetic on any kind of treatment. It is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of Type 2 Diabetes. Some people are able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone. Others may need to take medications, in addition to making lifestyle changes. In either case, monitoring your blood sugar is a key part of your treatment program.



You may need to test your blood sugar levels only once a day or as little as twice a week. Remember that the amount of sugar in your blood is constantly changing. Self-monitoring keeps you on top of the problem and should be done regularly.



Factors that affect your blood sugar include:



--Food. Food raises your blood sugar level; what and how much you eat, and the time of day, also affect your blood sugar level.



--Exercise and physical activity. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar. Physical activity causes sugar to be transported to your cells, where it's used for energy.



--Medications. The purpose of oral diabetes medications is to lower your blood sugar. But medications you take for other conditions may affect glucose levels as well so consult your pharmacist or physician.



--Illness. The physical stress of a cold or other illness causes your body to produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently when ill.



--Alcohol. Alcohol drives blood sugar levels sky high. If you drink make sure you know how your body reacts to it.



Diet



You already know the foods you like. You need to learn the foods that are good for you and that your body will tolerate. The easiest way is to consult with a dietitian at a local hospital or get a book at the library and follow the guidelines. Your dietitian may recommend developing your meal plan based on the dietary exchange system, carbohydrate counting or the glycemic index.



Being consistent and being true to the principles of the diet are key. It doesn't have to be boring.



Exercise



As with any exercise program always talk to your doctor before you begin. Walking, hiking, jogging, biking, tennis, cross-country skiing and swimming are all good choices for anyone especially diabetics. Combine your aerobic activity with stretching and strength training exercises and remember to start slowly and build up time and intensity.



Healthy weight



Fat makes your cells more resistant to insulin. But when you lose weight, the process reverses and your cells become more receptive to insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss is all that's needed to restore blood sugar to normal. A modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds is often enough.



Medications



If diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight aren't enough, you may need medication. Various drugs may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.



Glucose monitoring



Keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Eat healthy, exercise and monitor your blood sugars. Once you learn to measure your blood sugar and understand how important it is, you'll feel more comfortable with the procedure and more in control of your disease.



Testing is crucial because it tells you whether you're keeping your glucose levels in the range you and your doctor have agreed on. The ideal target range before meals is 90 to 130 mg/dL, and below 180 mg/dL two hours after meals.



Follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way to getting and keeping control of diabetes.



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Conventional Medical Treatment for Diabetes

Description



Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels. The condition can be caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin or by the body's resistance to the action of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which enables the body to regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in a person's blood.



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million Americans have diabetes-and approximately half of them suffer from the disease unknowingly. Many people are unaware that they have the condition because mild diabetes can continue for years with virtually no symptoms.



There are two types of diabetes. Insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1) most often strikes children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. In noninsulin dependent diabetes (Type 2), the pancreas does produce insulin, but the person's body is unable to process it. Most people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes are over the age of 40; many are overweight or even obese.



There is no one definitive factor known to cause diabetes. Heredity does playa part: Approximately two-thirds of all people with diabetes have one or more family members with the disease. Environmental toxins, autoimmune disorders, and viruses (such as mumps or hepatitis) are believed to cause Type 1 diabetes. Obesity significantly raises your risk for Type 2 diabetes.



If not treated, both types of diabetes can result in serious complications. Vision problems, caused by a weakening of the capillaries that supply blood to the eye, are common among people with diabetes and can result in blindness. Kidney disease, also caused by a deterioration of the small blood vessels is another common malady. In addition, people with diabetes are at high risk for developing coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, skin infections, and gangrene (because of poor circulation in the legs).



Signs and Symptoms



Increased thirst and urination



Fatigue



Weight loss despite an increased appetite



Recurrent skin infections



Frequent vaginitis (in women)



Nausea and vomiting



Blurred and/or weakened vision



Loss of consciousness or confusion



Numbness in hands or feet



Conventional Medical Treatment



To diagnose diabetes, your physician takes urine and blood samples and tests both samples for high blood sugar levels. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to adjust your insulin levels. Since insulin cannot be taken orally, people with Type 1 have to receive daily insulin injections. Your doctor will teach you how to give yourself the necessary insulin injections. At first, this might sound unpleasant, but it quickly becomes part of your daily routine. Some people with Type 2 diabetes are able to control the condition through diet and exercise. Others may require an oral hypoglycemic medication to stimulate the production of insulin.



For either type of diabetes, a diet of complex carbohydrates (brown rice and whole grains), fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and dairy products is also prescribed. Moderate exercise is also a necessity for people with diabetes. Because obesity exacerbates diabetes, overweight individuals are advised to regulate their weight through a sound regimen of low-fat foods and moderate physical activity.