Reactive Hypoglycemia and Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome: Diagnosis and Getting Back to Normal

If you have recently been diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia, or Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome, you are probably like me when I was first diagnosed. I was confused, exhausted, and didn't have a clue as to what to do because the doctors virtually did nothing for me or to help me! However, don't worry, there is hope and you can get back to a good life!



When I was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome, only after hours of researching my symptoms and suggesting Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome to the doctors, I had been struggling with all kinds of symptoms for weeks! It was scary and miserable to say the least! I knew there was a connection with what I was eating and my symptoms!



I was making frequent trips to the emergency room only to be told, "You are fine." My symptoms included tachycardia (rapid resting heart rates), panic attacks, tremors, light-headedness, freezing cold hands and feet and total confusion! However, because I didn't have "low glucose" levels as defined by the medical community, I was not diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia.



Doctors checked everything on me! My heart, my brain, my pituitary, my thyroid... you name it, it was checked. I would literally go in to the ER one day, they would release me the next, and then admit me later the same day. Then, after being in and out of their hospital for six long days, they simply told me, "You are free to go." Huh?



Yea! I was free to go! Free to go back home, and to go through all of the hell I went through before? Don't think so! This time I was going to do things differently. I was going to dive in and find out just what foods I could and could not eat, when to eat and how to beat this thing! I already had a suspicion that my problem was Reactive Hypoglycemia or Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome based on research I had done online (The diagnosis finally given... well somewhat anyway.)



Since I didn't have the demonstrably low glucose levels, a few folks at the doc's office gave me the soft diagnosis of Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome. (I think they were embarrassed!) Basically, I have all the same symptoms of Reactive Hypoglycemia without actually having low glucose levels. So, knowing this, I would have thought that my endocrinologist would give me some help with my diet. Ha! Not hardly!



So, there I was, back on the net, reading studies and diets and trying to put it all together myself. Little did I know the journey was not nearly over! I had to completely redo my diet and practically run clinical trials on myself! Constantly trying to find the right amounts of foods to eat, what kinds of foods to eat and when to eat them. Personally I found that a diet high in fiber, protein, some fat and very little carbohydrates worked for me, but it was very precise. Since I worked out, I had to account for that in my diet and provide the proper nutrition needed to support my workout.



The diet consisted of eating every 2 to 2.5 hours. My daily diet would be something like this: Breakfast, a tiny quarter cup of oatmeal in the morning with butter and a tablespoon of coconut oil, 3 egg whites and a serving of cottage cheese. 2 hours later a whey protein shake with a scoop of peanut butter. 2 hours later for lunch, 6 ounces of steak, a quarter of a sweet potato with butter and a cheese stick. 2 hours from that for an afternoon snack, an Atkins bar. Then, if I was working out (1 hour weight lifting workout), I would take 2 glucose tablets right before my workout and 2 during my workout. After my workout I would immediately have a sugar free, whey protein shake, and 1 to 1.5 hours from my shake I would have a steak and spinach salad with a few blueberries and feta cheese. To top it all off for the day, I would usually have yet another whey protein shake.



Today I am pretty much back to normal, although I do have small episodes here and there and am constantly learning new things about my condition and how to treat it with diet. If you are looking to get better and get a handle on Reactive Hypoglycemia or Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome, it starts with diet! Make the choice to eat better! Be determined and have hope that you will be back to feeling better soon!

How to Treat Metabolic Syndrome and Hypoglycemia Symptoms

When you don't take care of your health, you are prone to having different illnesses. Metabolic syndrome and hypoglycemia are two of the most common disorders that occur in about 20 to 30% of the population particularly in industrialized countries. Here are some ways on how you can treat these two disorders.



Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions which include elevated blood pressure, increased level of insulin, having excessive fat at the waist area and cholesterol levels that are beyond normal that result in diabetes and heart diseases. When you are diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome, treatment should be done immediately so that your risk for developing other serious diseases will be avoided. There are medications that will be given to you depending on your current condition. You will need to take them as prescribed, never missing a dose and not going beyond what was instructed. Along with that, you will need to do some lifestyle changes to speed up your recovery.



Obesity is one of the primary causes of metabolic syndrome and to resolve that, you will need to have regular exercise at least 30 minutes to an hour daily. Along with that, you need to have a healthy diet by limiting your intake of unhealthy fats and increase the fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish on your diet. You also need to lose weight to decrease your blood pressure and insulin level. This will help decrease your chances of having diabetes. If you are smoking, you need to stop it when you are diagnosed of metabolic syndrome. The chemical contents of cigarettes increase the insulin resistance of your body which worsens your health state.



On the other hand, hypoglycemia is a health condition wherein the blood sugar is below normal. The normal glucose level in the body is 80 to 120 mg/dl and when it goes lower than that, it would result to hypoglycemia. Although this can happen to anyone, those who have higher risks are the ones who have diabetes, both type 1 and 2. Other causes of hypoglycemia are tumors that produce insulin and some medications that alter the blood sugar level of the body.



Knowing the different hypoglycemia symptoms is vital in the treatment so that it should be addressed immediately. Some of the common symptoms are nervousness, intense hunger, profuse sweating, weakness and trembling, palpitations and in some, trouble with speaking. Treating these hypoglycemia symptoms require the immediate intake of sugar that is easily absorbed such as soda, table sugar and juice. About 15 grams of glucose is needed and the hypoglycemia symptoms will begin to improve within the first five minutes. After that period and there is still no improvement, another 15 grams is needed. For those who cannot take anything by mouth, they should immediately be brought to the hospital or you can call the paramedics so that IV access will be established. Dextrose will then be given intravenously, the dose depending on the blood sugar level. Glucagon, a medication that is injected intramuscularly, can also be given by trained personnel.



Being extra careful with your health is all worth it, especially if you want to avoid having metabolic syndrome or hypoglycemia symptoms. But if you already have any of these disorders, you can still make some changes so that they can be treated.

Reye's Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Reye's Syndrome is a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain. RS is defined as a two-phase illness because it generally occurs in conjunction with a previous viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox. Children with Reye's syndrome get sick very suddenly. It predominantly affects children between 4 and 16 years of age, and occurs more frequently when viral diseases are epidemic, such as during the winter months or following an outbreak of chickenpox or influenza B. The disorder commonly occurs during recovery from a viral infection, although it can also develop 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral illness. The use of ASA (Acetylsalicylic Acid) has been strongly linked with the development of RS. Symptoms usually develop 1-14 days after a viral infection. In Reye's syndrome, the level of ammonia and acidity in the blood typically rises while the level of blood sugar drops. At the same time, the liver may swell and develop fat deposits. It affects mostly children and teenagers and appears soon after flu-like infection or chicken pox.



Reye's syndrome is a rare disorder. The symptoms of RS in infants do not follow a typical pattern; for example, vomiting does not always occur. The cause of RS remains a mystery. The use of salicylates like aspirin during viral disease appears to be statistically linked to the incidence of Reye syndrome, even though there is no conclusive proof. A person's life depends upon early diagnosis. Statistics indicate an excellent chance of recovery when Reye's Syndrome is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. Reye's Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or psychiatric illness. Better tests can diagnose metabolic conditions formerly thought to be Reye's syndrome. Because of it's rarity, it is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, or poisoning, and the true incidence may be higher than the number of reported cases indicates. Some of the clinical and laboratory features of the syndrome can mimic those disorders found in metabolic disorders, making it difficult to establish an exact diagnosis.



Causes of Reye's syndrome



The common causes and risk factor's of Reye's syndrome include the following:



The exect cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown.



Influenza (the Flu).



Use of aspirin and other salicylates during a viral illness.



Toxins - Insecticides, herbicides, aflatoxins.



Upper respiratory infection.



Drugs such as- Salicylates, paracetamol, outdated tetracycline



It can also develop after an ordinary upper respiratory infection such as a cold.



Symptoms of Reye's syndrome



Some sign and symptoms related to Reye's syndrome are as follows:



Indifference.



Vomiting.



Nausea.



Drowsiness.



Loss of consciousness.



Combative behavior.



Recent upper respiratory infection or chickenpox.



Unusual sleepiness or lethargy.



Disoriented behavior.



Treatment of Reye's syndrome



Here is list of the methods for treating Reye's syndrome:



Intravenous fluids: These may include glucose to increase low blood sugar; electrolyte solutions containing sodium, potassium and chloride to correct blood chemistry values; and basic solutions to treat acidity.



Mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine or respirator) may be necessary if breathing becomes too sluggish.



Steroids are given to reduce swelling in the brain.



Diuretics: A diuretic, such as mannitol, can increase fluid loss through urination and help reduce brain swelling.



Some evidence suggests that treatment in the end stages of Reyes Syndrome with hypertonic IV glucose solutions may prevent progression of the syndrome.



When this illness was more common, high-technology treatments such as charcoal hemoperfusion (to filter out blood toxins) were used with some success.

Canine Cushings Disease in Dogs Syndrome - Homeopathic Treatment

Cushings syndrome and cushings disease in dogs are very similar, but they're actually two different things. They both involve high amounts of cortisol in the dog's body. The difference is, though, that cushings disease is the name for the problem when it originates in the dog's pituitary gland. Cushings syndrome, on the other hand, is the name that is given to any increased cortisol problem in a dog, no matter how it occurs. Discover



As you are probably aware, dogs tend to develop a lot of health problems as they age. That could mean anything from arthritis to diabetes to cushings disease in any of its forms. Of course, pituitary-related cushings disease in dogs, as well as other forms of cushings can occur in a dog of any age. It's much better to catch it early or take measures to prevent it, though, since it can be harder to treat any form of cushings when it's complicated by other medical conditions.



Common Causes of Cushings Syndrome:



Some of the common causes of cushings syndrome are adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumors, as well as pituitary tumors. Since the pituitary gland controls the dog's adrenal glands, both gland types can be affected, not to mention other systems in your dog's body. For example, cushings can cause heart and liver problems for your dog, if it is left untreated.



Another common cause is drugs (iatrogenic causes). Essentially, if your dog is taking any steroid medications for unrelated medical problems, it can cause the hormonal balance in their body to be thrown off, creating a case of cushings. So, if your dog is showing signs of cushings, you may want to examine any medications that they are on, such as prednisone.



Homeopathic Treatment:



You may want to consider homeopathic treatment for cushings disease in dogs as an option for your pet. After all, a lot of traditional medications for cushings have harsh side-effects. Herbal remedies and supplements do not.



The practice of homeopathy is over two-hundred years old. One of the interesting things about it is that it often uses a diluted version of a substance to create a cure for that substance. Also, homeopathic remedies are always all natural. That means they're made of things that are commonly found in nature, like herbs, minerals and plants.



The thing that you need to remember about your dog is that, originally, dogs roamed wild and free. They fended for themselves and they ate whatever they found out in the wild. Now that they've been domesticated, though, they are often exposed to environmental toxins, processed foods and other things that are just not good for them at all.



As an owner, it's your responsibility to pick up the slack and compensate for the domestication of your dog. He or she can't fend for themselves like their wild ancestors. So, talk to your dog's vet about the best all natural ways to prevent or cure cushings disease in dogs, as well as other diseases and disorders that your dog may be prone to.

The Therapeutic Management of Insulin and an Overview of Cushing's Syndrome

The management program for any child with diabetes mellitus should involve flexibility and 24 hour insulin coverage and should be able to fit into the child's life-style. The insulin treatment should be determined by the recognition that the effective duration of action of insulin in children may be somewhat different from that in adults. The effective action of insulin is described as the effect of a certain amount of insulin in lowering the blood glucose level over a period of time. Ideally the blood glucose level is maintained at less than 140mg.dL and n lower than 60mg/dL during the time of specific action of the insulin, based on past information regarding the duration of action of the intermediate-acting insulin is 24 hours or more, but in insulin-dependent children it does not appear to be the case. The duration of effective action for intermediate-acting insulin has been found to be 12 to 14 hours. Lente insulin is the longest acting of the intermediate-acting insulin, but it even lasts only for 14 to 16 hours.



In working with these insulin, it is wise to remember that lente insulin is 30% semilente and 70% ultralente. Lente insulin that mix with no other insulin other than regular derive their action from the size and number of crystals-small and numerous crystals= ultralente insulin. Pretamine zinc insulin (PZI) is seldom used today because of its very long duration of action and its very low tissue insulin levels, which may not saturate receptor sites on the cell membrane sufficiently well to effectively help the body utilize the glucose that may be present. The potential overlap of insulin action is unsuited for children, who are active one minute and very inactive the next. The balance that needs to be achieved between insulin, diet, and activity is most difficult when using this type of insulin. The intermediate-acting insulin (other than lente insulin) derive their delayed action from a protein tag. The most commonly used insulin are the intermediate-acting insulin, principally isophane, which are usually given in a single early morning dose combined with a small amount of short- acting insulin (usually regular).



Other types
This category includes secondary diabetes such as steroid-induced diabetes as well as primary diabetes associated with genetic syndromes, drugs or chemical-induced diabetes, and diabetes resulting from pancreatoctomy for hypoglycemia. Syndromes with insulin receptor abnormality are classified in this group.



Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
Formely called "asymptomatic diabetes" "subclinical diabetes", "borderline diabetes", or "latent diabetes". Biochemically intermediate between normal and diabetic glucose intolerance, it probably represents a stage in the development of insulin-dependent of noninsulin dependent. Because few of these individuals develop the full-blown disease, this classification tends to remove the stigma attached to the previous designations which affected the child's self concept as well as insurance and vocational efforts.



Stastistical risk classes
Individuals who do not have demonstrable impairment of glucose tolerance but who:
1. Had previous abnormality of glucose tolerance (formerly labeled "latent chemical diabetes" or "prediabetes") or spontaneous hyper-glycemia but who have normal glucose tolerance at the time of classification.
2. Have potential abnormality of glucose tolerance (previously termed "prediabetes" or "potential diabetes") and includes individuals presumed to be at risk for diabetes on genetic grounds and individuals who have circulating islet cell antibodies.



The most common endocrine disturbance in childhood, diabetes mellitus, caused by defective pancreatic hormone (insulin) secretion.



CUSHING'S SYNDROME



Classic clinical manifestation in children include progressive central obesity, marked failure of longitudinal growth, hirsutism, weakness, a nuchal fat pad (buffalo hump), acne, striae, hypertension and often hyperpigmentation (if ACTH is elevated). The etiology can be exogenous glucocorticoid administration or endogenous causes including adrenal adenoma, carcinoma, nodular adrenal hyperplasia, an ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenoma, resulting in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, or a very rare ACTH-secreting tumor.



Spontaneous Cushing's Syndrome is rare in childhood. Latrogenic Cushing's syndrome is more common, produces similar clinical manifestations, and may be induced by the use of potent glucocorticoids for chronic inflammatory, neoplastic and collagen-vascular disorders and for suppression of the immune response.



Diabetes Insipidus
The cardiaral signs of this disease ate polyuria and polydipsia. Some patient may seek medical attention for nocturnal enuresis. Polyurea disturbs rest, sleep, play and even schooling, Appetite may be poor. Infants with diabetes insipidus may show hyperthermia, dehydration, electrolyte inbalance, asotemia, dehydration and potentially circulatory collapse. Other signs depend on the causative lesion and may include retardation, cachexia, obesity, sleep disturbance, precocious puberty, visual disturbances and emotional disorders.



Syndromes of endocrine system disorders
1. Syndrome of growth inhibition
2. syndrome of gigantism
3. syndrome of hyperfunction of endocrine gland
4. syndrome of hypofunction of endocrine gland
5. syndrome of hyperglycemia
6. syndrome of hypoglycemia
7. syndrome of mental retardation