First Aid - Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a temporary condition caused by unusually low blood sugar levels. Blood sugar, which is also called blood glucose, helps provide the body with energy. Glucose comes from food and is stored by the body for use between meals. It is necessary for the body to function. Hypoglycemia is most common in people with diabetes, who cannot store and use glucose efficiently. As a result, it can drop to dangerously low levels between meals or due to medication use. The body begins to suffer from reduced functioning as an effect of the lack of glucose in the blood, and the person begins to feel ill.



Low blood sugar can happen for a few reasons. It is most common in people with diabetes who inject insulin as treatment. The glucose management of diabetics does not function normally, making them highly susceptible to this condition. Hypoglycemia is particularly common in diabetics who have been fasting, which is why doctors normally recommend that diabetics have small snacks throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels even.



The signs of hypoglycemia range from mild to severe and may include extreme hunger, headache, dilated pupils, sweating, shaking, coldness, clamminess, nausea, and dizziness. In very serious cases there may be vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, paralysis, seizures, and even coma. It is important to recognize the symptoms as early as possible because hypoglycemia is very easy to treat if caught early enough. The solution is to simply eat a food that is rich in sugar. Sugar that is combined with fat and protein, such as cake or cookies, is not advised because the protein and fat prevent the sugar from being absorbed quickly. If a friend or family member notices these symptoms, they should insist that the victim drink a cup of soda or juice. This helps restore the balance of blood glucose in the system and functioning returns to normal rather quickly. The victim needs to be alert and oriented enough to swallow. If the victim is unconscious or has a decreased level of consciousness, then it is better to call for an ambulance.



Although it is very easy to treat hypoglycemia, failure to do so can result in very serious consequences. That is why the symptoms of hypoglycemia should never be ignored. Severe hypoglycemia that is not treated can result in diabetic coma, particularly if the drop in blood sugar was fast and severe. Diabetic coma is a state of unconsciousness caused by low blood sugar. Up to 15% of diabetics will experience a diabetic coma at least once in their lifetime. A person in a diabetic coma is not able to reverse the symptoms by eating anything because they are unconscious. In these instances, they can be treated with glucagon shots. The family members and friends of diabetics at risk for hypoglycemia are often trained in how to treat a hypoglycemic reaction by administering these injections. Once treated, consciousness will return, although a follow-up visit to a doctor or emergency room is encouraged any time this happens. A diabetic coma is very serious and if not treated properly may result in brain damage or even death.

What Are Signs of Diabetes - First 8 Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious medical condition. If left untreated it is not only lifelong but also life threatening. It is estimated that more than 20 million individuals are suffering from symptoms of diabetes in United States of America alone. More alarming figure is that around 6 million of the above figures are not yet diagnosed with diabetes. These unlucky individuals are experiencing diabetic symptoms but are not ware of their medical condition.



What Are First 8 Symptoms Of Diabetes?



Diabetes is generally diagnosed when a person visits his family doctor for the treatment of other problems. There are some earliest signs of diabetes that people confuse and attribute them to other medical conditions.



Frequent Urination: The frequency of urination of the person increases because of the increased level of sugar in blood. This increases the amount of blood that is flowing through the kidneys. However some people also start to experience frequent urination as they get older. Mostly this condition is written off as they are getting older. If the underlying cause is diabetes it must be diagnosed. If this chronic medical condition is left untreated it may lead to kidney failure as well.



Extreme Thirst: As kidneys are extracting more water from the body; to restock the water supply the body experiences an unquenchable thirst.



Excessive Hunger: There is a deficiency of insulin in the body and the cells are unable to get adequate amount of energy for the processing of body functions. The cells get energy starved and give signals to the brain that they are hungry. Though the food is around but the cells are unable to extract glucose from the food because of lack f insulin.



Sudden or Unexplained Weight Loss: As mentioned earlier the lack of insulin causes the cells to stay away from energy. The body needs energy for its processing. It starts to break down the muscle and the fat mass of the body to get enough energy. The result is then sudden or unexplained weight loss.



Fatigue: Decrease level of energy cause the diabetic person to feel fatigued tired or even completely exhausted after the routine work.



Irritability, Mood Swings and Depression: The diabetic becomes irritable and depressed because of the drastic changes and the undiagnosed signs and symptoms of diabetes experienced by him.



Impaired Vision or Blurriness in Vision: More blood flows through the retina of eye which results in the swelling of eye lens. The blurriness in vision is experienced. If left untreated it may result in complete blindness as well.



Numbness or Tingling In Extremities: Numbness is experienced generally in leg, feet, hands or arms.



If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned warning signs of diabetes it is important to get tested.



Remember diabetes is not an illness that will go by itself. Further it only progresses if left untreated. It is the 6th leading cause of death in USA.



So do not be the next victim of this chronic ailment.

Feline diabetes-first steps to take

There are many warning signs for diabetes feline you see in your cat, and if, please go immediately to your veterinarian. The veterinarian may find the feline diabetes or might not, but it's always sure to regret. The veterinarian will work on tests to determine whether your cat has feline diabetes. If it is found that your cat suffer symptoms and are diagnosed with feline diabetes at that time your veterinarian may decide to assign the cat insulin shots and also will be placed on a special diet. The special diet cat may possibly, with a small amount of months, set diabetes into remission.



From time to time veterinarians are trying to approve for dry food diets of prescription, but, because of the contemporary review called, catkins diet, diet recommends a protein diet, low in carbohydrates. The catkins diet is something cats would normally Gorge in nature anyway. Having your cat on a qualified diet your cat will be closer to eating what nature has intended for lunch, then dry at least best cat food. Stay away from dry food for cats.



The veterinarian will first try to induce the feline diabetes in normal condition by atleast normal condition. Your veterinarian will try to precise rendering ketosis symbols that there is no immediate danger for your kitten.



In addition, there are other ominous symbols that the vet will keep an eye on your kitten as if your cat is acceptable drinking and drinking without vomiting. One of the things that much more important that determines your veterinarian is if your cat is getting enough water and alarm. All these symptoms will determine if the kitten will be placed in care or not. Remember to ask continually requests so you know what's going on.



If it is unshakable that your diabetic cat need not to be placed in care at the time your veterinarian will present you the directions on how to accurately produce insulin injections. There are many techniques that can be used on your diabetic cat, but there are many that propose giving shots sides of your cat. And not uncomfortable, after early insulin overheads, gets cheaper, generally under $ 100.



It also recommended that your cat's glucose levels should be monitored very carefully and must be checked before and after each injection. If you can't constantly monitor glucose levels of your cat using the meter memory then you must run the amount much smaller than your cat's urine test with test strips. If you observe yourself incapable of testing your diabetic cat in anyway, at that time should bring the kitten to the vet to get the test done. No discomfort, just a couple of times of testing glucose levels of your cat, will make it easier and less stressful for you.



Insulin injections are commonly made, twice a day and range from 1 to 2 units of insulin per injection. New insulin Glargine Lantus insulin Detemir and Levemire are qualified screening results. Research is the screening that there is a high rate of remission in diabetic cats. It was also found that insulin, Vetsulin works best in diabetic dogs then in diabetic cats.



A notification record, most recent research is suggesting that insulin NPH or N, which is used in humans and cats with diabetes suffer from serious problems with these. If your vet suggests these types of insulin, you must get a second judgment on the ground that the latest research.

Recognizing the First Signs of Diabetes

There are an estimated 17 million people who suffer from diabetes in the United States today. This is an estimate because it is believed that almost 5.9 million of those people have not been diagnosed as diabetic by a doctor. Part of the reason for this is the fact that many times the first signs of diabetes are not that severe.



In fact many of those people who do go to the doctor because of the cause of their unknown symptoms are quite surprised when they are diagnosed with diabetes. That's because during the early stages of this disease the symptoms are minor and are just kind of annoying. Many people who do get diagnosed are heard to remark "I don't feel sick".



Many people who are diagnosed as diabetic are done so after visiting their doctor because they think they are suffering from some other malady. Many of the early warning signs do mimic other diseases and conditions so it's easy to see why this occurs.



Unfortunately dismissing these signs and symptoms can lead to a multitude of life threatening complications that include cardiovascular and heart problems, blindness, nerve damage, and many others. The sooner the diabetic is diagnosed the sooner they can begin to manage this disease and mitigate the complications it causes. At the present diabetes is sixth on the list of diseases that result in death.



The classic first signs of diabetes as listed by the American Diabetes Association include:



1. Urination Frequency - High blood sugar levels increases the amount of blood that flows through the kidneys, resulting in an increase in urine levels.



2. Extreme Thirst - Dehydration caused by the increased urinary output results in the diabetic drinking large amounts of water.



3. Feeling of Being Hungry all the Time - Insulin is the primary hormone that transports glucose from the blood stream and into the cells. Glucose is the primary source of cellular energy. Because diabetes is an absence of insulin or the inability of insulin to do its job (insulin resistance) the cells do not receive the glucose they need which results in hunger pains.



4. Weight Loss - This happens despite the fact that the diabetic is eating more. Again this has to do with the perceived energy shortage. The human body will begin to cannibalize itself, breaking down lean muscle mass to provide the cellular energy it thinks needs.



5. Fatigue - Feelings of being tired all the time are caused by the decrease in cellular energy levels.



6. Depression and Irritability.



7. Eye Problems - High blood glucose levels cause in increase in blood volume which can cause the lens of the eye to swell.



As you can see these symptoms don't seem that bad and would give a person little reason to see a doctor. This is particularly true if you only have one or two of them, but eventually those with diabetes will begin to suffer from a majority of these symptoms that will get progressively worse.



The sooner you act on these first signs of diabetes the better your chances of being properly diagnosed. This is important because while diabetes does not have a cure it can be successfully managed with a healthy diet, exercise, and medication. Proper management is the key to minimizing the complication it causes and living a long and healthy life.

Hypoglycemia - First The Truck Hits You, Then You Pass Out

Most of us know that our bodies create insulin to handle the sugary treats we eat. And most of us know we get diabetes if our insulin can't get the job done.



What few of us know is what happens when insulin does its job too well. It's hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, and it's the pits. I've been there and done that, and there's nothing I can say to recommend it.



Here's what happens: You eat some kind of starch, which your body converts to sugar. Your pancreas says, "You want insulin, do ya? Well, take this!" and dumps out way more insulin than you need.



At first, you feel fine. Maybe even get a little energy boost from what you ate. An hour or so later, though, you feel like a truck hit you. Tired like you can't believe. Brain asleep for the duration. Feeling as energetic as a wet noodle. To top it all off, you may even pass out. And the wipe-out lasts for six to eight hours.



What causes hypoglycemia?
• A high-carb diet-lots of bread, pasta, bagels, desserts-a pretty standard diet nowadays
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Not giving our bodies the ammunition they need to fight the good fight takes us down a lot of dead ends, including hypoglycemia.
• Alcohol. Our bodies see alcohol as a poison-and a high-carb poison at that.
• Prescription drugs such as those given to treat infections.
• But most of all, endocrine problems. If your thyroid and/or adrenal glands get in a tizzy, you're kind of a sitting duck. That's how I ended up in hypoglycemic hell.



Testing for hypoglycemia:
Diagnosis comes via a fasting-blood-sugar test. First thing in the morning, after fasting for at least twelve hours, you give a blood sample, then chug down a big glass of what tasted to me like some vile kind of syrup. Then for the next four or six hours, depending on the test ordered, you give regular blood samples so they can track your body's reaction.



Normal blood fasting blood sugar ranges from 80 to 100, although they're monkeying around with the numbers of late. My blood sugar, at its lowest, was 46, so it's no wonder I slept through the whole thing. They roused me enough to stick my arm out for another blood taking as needed, but I don't think World War III could have awakened me.



Fixing hypoglycemia:
• Give up simple carbohydrates and limit all carbohydrates. My doctor put me on a diet of no more than 20 grams of carbohydrate a day-about half a peach, as I remember, if you want to blow the limit all at once.
• Start (or continue) treatment for your thyroid and adrenals.
• Start a good vitamin/mineral program for yourself. The endocrine system pretty much controls what happens in your body, and it's a nutrition hog. Most vitamins and minerals have specific functions in the endocrine system, and you need to help all of that happen.
• Don't fight yourself. Do what you can and get plenty of rest.



A warning:
Some doctors treat hypoglycemia with a recommendation that you eat and drink carbs to "give your body what it needs." Run-do not walk-away from advice like that. Simply put, it's wrong, and guaranteed to make things worse.



Every time your body reacts with too much insulin is a "hypoglycemic event." Research strongly suggests that each hypoglycemic event-which this misguided advice will cause-brings you closer to diabetes, aka hyperglycemia, and all its complications.

What Are Signs of Diabetes - First 8 Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious medical condition. If left untreated it is not only lifelong but also life threatening. It is estimated that more than 20 million individuals are suffering from symptoms of diabetes in United States of America alone. More alarming figure is that around 6 million of the above figures are not yet diagnosed with diabetes. These unlucky individuals are experiencing diabetic symptoms but are not ware of their medical condition.



What Are First 8 Symptoms Of Diabetes?



Diabetes is generally diagnosed when a person visits his family doctor for the treatment of other problems. There are some earliest signs of diabetes that people confuse and attribute them to other medical conditions.



Frequent Urination: The frequency of urination of the person increases because of the increased level of sugar in blood. This increases the amount of blood that is flowing through the kidneys. However some people also start to experience frequent urination as they get older. Mostly this condition is written off as they are getting older. If the underlying cause is diabetes it must be diagnosed. If this chronic medical condition is left untreated it may lead to kidney failure as well.



Extreme Thirst: As kidneys are extracting more water from the body; to restock the water supply the body experiences an unquenchable thirst.



Excessive Hunger: There is a deficiency of insulin in the body and the cells are unable to get adequate amount of energy for the processing of body functions. The cells get energy starved and give signals to the brain that they are hungry. Though the food is around but the cells are unable to extract glucose from the food because of lack f insulin.



Sudden or Unexplained Weight Loss: As mentioned earlier the lack of insulin causes the cells to stay away from energy. The body needs energy for its processing. It starts to break down the muscle and the fat mass of the body to get enough energy. The result is then sudden or unexplained weight loss.



Fatigue: Decrease level of energy cause the diabetic person to feel fatigued tired or even completely exhausted after the routine work.



Irritability, Mood Swings and Depression: The diabetic becomes irritable and depressed because of the drastic changes and the undiagnosed signs and symptoms of diabetes experienced by him.



Impaired Vision or Blurriness in Vision: More blood flows through the retina of eye which results in the swelling of eye lens. The blurriness in vision is experienced. If left untreated it may result in complete blindness as well.



Numbness or Tingling In Extremities: Numbness is experienced generally in leg, feet, hands or arms.



If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned warning signs of diabetes it is important to get tested.



Remember diabetes is not an illness that will go by itself. Further it only progresses if left untreated. It is the 6th leading cause of death in USA.



So do not be the next victim of this chronic ailment.