Hypoglycemia - Your Body, Sugary Foods and the Liver - Part 1

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for lower than normal blood glucose. Here's the vicious cycle: A sugary food is eaten. Blood sugar rises rapidly. The pancreas produces a large amount of insulin to dispense the sugar. If the adrenal glands do not produce the counter-balancing hormone to signal the end of insulin production, it is possible for blood sugar levels to fall below acceptable levels.



When this happens, the signs of hypoglycemia appear; fatigue, headaches, irritability, etc. The typical response is the consumption of either a sugary food or an adrenal stimulant like coffee, cola or nicotine. The cycle is repeated again and again, resulting in weakened organs and glands, and an accumulation of toxins.



Refined and processed foods, like acid-forming foods, are devoid of most minerals and upset the acid-alkaline ratio of the body. Vitamins and minerals are needed for the efficient use of foods. When refined carbohydrates are eaten, the nutrients needed are not available as nature intended. Therefore, the body must draw upon its reserves and then on the minerals in bones and teeth. This can lead to a myriad of health problems, from hypoglycemia and diabetes, to dental caries, osteoporosis, nervousness and depression.



Stress is another problem. One of our body's reactions to stress is to produce epinephrine (adrenaline), intended to give us short bursts of strength, by releasing a flood of glucose molecules from the liver into the bloodstream. One epinephrine molecule is thought to cause the release of about 30,000 molecules of glucose. Unfortunately, our days are filled with stressful situations that our bodies react to.



Stress can also cause us to retain belly fat. Cortisol (hydrocortisone), the stress hormone, and cortisone basically works against insulin. What people may not realize is that the fat itself causes hormonal imbalances, which only add to the problem.



Hypoglycemia can also be a symptom of liver dysfunction. A poorly functioning liver can cause digestive problems, cravings for sugar, unstable blood sugar levels, the onset of type 2 diabetes, immune disorders, abnormal absorption of fats, and other metabolic problems.



The liver can be damaged by many things, including alcohol, tobacco and smog but most often the cause is drugs (prescription and over the counter, including Tylenol). These same factors can also impair the function of other vital organs. Fortunately, the liver can regenerate itself and, once the culprits are eliminated, the liver will return to normal functionality.



So, hypoglycemia may not only be due to an inappropriate insulin response but possibly to a weak or sluggish liver. In addition to the toxins mentioned, the consumption of large amounts of protein can also burden the liver.

The Most Common Liver Disease Symptoms

It doesn't matter if it's a disease of the liver of a gall bladder affection, jaundice is the main symptom. If one notices that his skin color becomes jaundiced he can almost be sure he has an issue with his gall bladder or liver. The eyes also get an yellow color, instead of the characteristic white. The jaundice appears because the old blood isn't filtered out correctly. If the jaundice appears with flu like symptoms together then a medical control is required because it may be a result of hepatitis or serious damage taken by the gall bladder.



In the Asian medicine Jaundice is splitted in two types, the Yin Jaundice and the Yang Jaundice. The first one is mainly characterized by the whole body being colored in a vivid yellow, thirst, coloring of the tongue (yellow). The second, the Yin jaundice turns the face, the eyes, and the skin slightly grey. Yin jaundice produces low fever, nausea, no appetite and palpitations.



If you constantly have a bad appetite then you should consider having some medical test because this is one of the symptoms of liver disease. This will lead to decreasing of body weight and a not balanced metabolism that will lead to an unusual, unhealthy quantity of carbohydrates and fat in the blood. Another result of this symptom is anemia. This is the most severe consequence of a bad appetite. If a person developed anemia it is very possible that he will develop a disease in the liver cells (hepatocytes). Vomiting and nausea will appear, and in the vomit there are big chances that blood will be found. Ulcers have an increased risk rate if anemia is left untreated.



If you notice that your stool is too light colored then this may happen because the quantity of bile produced is too small. If this happens constantly then you can be sure that you have some liver or gall bladder issues. Bile isn't secreted in the right amounts or it won't reach the intestines because of the stones that may block the way.



Another common symptom is polyuria, also known as excessive urinating. This symptom appears at more than just this disease. A consequence of polyuria is polydypsia that is excessive thirst.



Other symptoms that may appear are strokes, depressions, spasms, allergies, seizures, colored yes (red, yellow) and mood swings (irritability.)

Cat Illness Symptoms For Liver Disease, Rabies and Tapeworms

What are liver diseases? The liver regulates the chemicals in the body, controls metabolism, processes fats and carbohydrates, and rids the body of toxins. It also manufactures proteins, bile, and blood clotting factors. Liver function slows as cats' age, and liver disease is common in older cats.



Liver failure is life threatening. With aging, the risk of developing liver problems increases. Causes of liver disease include parasitic infections, dietary deficiencies, tumors and hepatitis. Signs of liver disease or failure include lack of appetite, a distended abdomen, increased thirst, dark urine, vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea.



What are rabies symptoms? Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system, spinal cord, and brain. It is transmitted through saliva when the victim is bitten but can also enter the bloodstream through a scratch. Symptoms can appear one week to one year after the initial bite and include aggression, headaches, and trouble swallowing.



A rabid animal may attack anything or anyone who comes too close. Make sure that your cats are vaccinated against rabies, especially if they go outside and could have contact with other animals.



What are tapeworms' symptoms? Tapeworms are long, flatworms that release their eggs into feces of infected animals. These parasites live in the intestines if kittens and cats and rob the body of nutrients. If left untreated, a tapeworm infestation can be fatal to a small kitten. Tapeworms cause anemia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, an increased appetite, weight loss and lethargy.



A cat who has fleas also may have tapeworms, and he could swallow tapeworms eggs when he grooms himself. If you suspect that your cat has a tapeworm, lift the tail and check the area around the anus. If you spot white or yellow rice like worms moving under the base of his tail or anus, take him to the vet and ask for a deworming treatment.

Feline Liver Disease - Things You Need to Know

Feline liver disease usually occurs in cats that refuse to eat for 1 day or more. When a cat refused to eat, the body begins to collect fat or lipid cells in the liver, causing the liver to enlarge. This is why the disease is often referred to as feline fatty liver or the technical name, which is Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL).



In the majority of cats, there is usually some other type of underlying condition that exists. These conditions include diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidsim, urinary blockage and inflammatory bowel disease. Other causes of liver problems include neoplasia (abnormal cell growth such as a cancerous tumor) and bacterial infection.



Another type of liver disease occurs when there is inflammation of the bile ducts. Bile is a substance that is manufactured by the liver and then transported to the gallbladder. If this substance doesn't transport properly, then a type of liver disease called Cholangiohepatitis.



One type of liver disease is triggered by an inherited abnormality where blood bypasses the liver and goes directly into the heart (Portosystemic Shunt). Since the liver cleanses the blood before it goes elsewhere, this problem can lead to ammonia build up and symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, drooling, diarrhea and circling.



Symptoms that often accompany liver problems include drooling, bad mouth odor, vomiting and diarrhea. You may even see signs of mental confusion.



Treatment of Feline Liver Disease



Treatment of a portosystemic shunt is done via surgery. Once the blood flow is directed properly, your cat should fully recover.



If the problem is fatty liver disease or Cholangiohepatitis, then the immediate treatment is to feed your cat via a tube that is inserted directly into the stomach. Your cat needs to be immediately hydrated, electrolyte balance restored so that the body is getting the food that it needs. After several days, 7 - 10, your veterinarian will reintroduce a normal diet that is high in protein. Your veterinarian will also seek to supplement the feeding with certain vitamins such as vitamin K and B.



Homeopathic remedies also have a unique role in restoring and preventing feline liver disease. Milk Thistle in particular has a long history of helping to restore liver health in both humans and cats. Other natural remedies that can be of help include Arctium lappa (Burdock, used as a blood purifier and system cleanser), Greater Celandine (supports liver health), Kalium mriaticum (system cleanser) and Natrium phosphate (benefits the liver and gallbladder).

The Truth About Canine Liver Disease

When dealing with an unhealthy liver canine owners do have options. If your dog is exhibiting symptoms, a natural dog treatment program may be your answer. The liver is the largest organ in your dog's body, and it is also one of the most important to his health. Canine liver disease is the 5th leading cause of death in dogs. Because so many essential physiological functions happen in the liver, it is critical that the liver is in a healthy state. As with any pet health issue, prevention is always better than treating disease. However, many times we do not recognize that there is a problem until symptoms begin to appear.



Symptoms of a diseased liver in canines can vary widely and are hard to detect in the early stages of the problem. Some common symptoms are:



Loss of appetite



Weight loss - Obviously the loss of appetite will contribute to weight loss. If the liver is not functioning well, fats, proteins and carbohydrates will not be metabolized properly.



Low energy - also linked to appetite loss and metabolism problems



Light colored stools - indicating bile production is not normal



Excessive thirst and urination



Vomiting or diarrhea



Tender abdomen



Behavioral changes



Pale gums or orange colored urine - which can indicate jaundice



You know your dog's habits better than anyone, and this information will be invaluable to your veterinarian in making a diagnosis. A blood panel may be ordered to help your vet in the diagnostic process. Because the liver is intimately connected with other important organs, the symptoms it exhibits can mimic disease in those other organs. This can sometimes make the diagnosis challenging.



Causes of liver disease in canines include the following:



Exposure to toxins: Household chemicals (indoor & outdoor), medications found in your home (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), molds, medications your pet may be taking, pesticides. All of these can be extremely toxic to the liver.



Trauma: A past injury such as being hit by a car or other severe bruising to the liver.



Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can cause inflammation of the liver.



Secondary diseases: If other systems are not functioning well and are putting stress on the liver canine health is compromised.



Genetic predisposition: Some breeds are more prone to liver problems. Bedlington Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers and West Highland White Terriers sometimes have a condition in which they accumulate copper in their systems because it is not being excreted properly.



The importance of a properly functioning liver to canine health cannot be underestimated. The canine liver has great reserve power. This can be both good and bad. On the good side it means the liver is only using a small portion of its resources at one time, but on the negative side, it can take much longer to diagnose the problem. Unlike most other organs in your dog's body, the liver has the ability to regenerate itself.



This is where a [ natural dog treatment ] program can prove invaluable. Natural remedies for treating the liver canine owners may be searching for will help protect the liver from disease and also reverse and heal liver damage. Many times a diseased liver can be returned to normal function.

Canine Liver Disease - A Little Knowledge Could Save Your Dog's Life

Canine liver disease is the 5th leading cause of non-accidental death amongst man's best friend. Just having a little knowledge of this common, but little written about condition, could save the life of your family pet.



When my West Highland Terrier Joe was diagnosed with a liver condition, I found to my angst that much of his suffering could have been avoided had I known the signs to look for and steps that I could have taken early on to aid his full recovery. Fortunately Joe is now, thanks to a few simple changes in his lifestyle, back on track to being the bouncy little scamp he was prior to his diagnosis.



Simply put, liver disease is a general term used to describe any medical disorder of the liver. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from your dog's bloodstream and can amazingly still perform this function with up to 75-80% of it affected by disease. The downside of this incredible statistic is that damage is consequently well advanced by the time many diagnoses are made.



Common Causes of liver disease in dogs include:



ท Exposure to high levels of toxic chemicals such as insecticides, lead, phosphorus and iron



ท Infections such as chronic ear and skin infections and other infections elsewhere in the body.



ท Hepatitis



ท Common Dental infections



ท Inherent liver disease is commonly more genetically inherent in certain breeds such as American and English cocker spaniels and West Highland terriers



ท Inbreeding



ท Prolonged use of some drugs such as cortisone, steroids, anti-convulsants, parasite control drugs and some antibiotics.



Common symptoms of liver disease in dogs include:



ท Jaundice - Eyes, Gums and skin turn a yellowy color



ท Vomiting, this may or may not be accompanied by blood



ท Diarreah, again this may or may not be accompanied by blood



ท Urinary changes may occur such as frequent urination and increased thirst. Urine may turn orange



ท Stools may be pale grey, orange or even yellow in color



ท Depression or lethargy - your dog may seem withdrawn and apathetic



ท Other behavioural changes such as aimless pacing around and circling



ท Swollen belly



Diet plays a major part in allowing your dogs liver to regenerate itself, as it is the liver that processes your pet's food and drink intake.



Foods to be avoided to keep your dogs liver healthy include sugar, chocolate, fried or grilled meat and bones, onion, red and green peppers and tomatoes.



Fresh distilled water is preferable to tap water.



It is also a good tip to use stainless steel food and drinking bowls instead of plastic ones.



It is of course your local Veterinary expert that should carry out the necessary tests and diagnose liver disease in your dog, but by being aware of the common symptoms and actively checking your pet you can play a part in making sure that treatment can begin a soon as possible.