Recognizing the Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

A complication that all people with diabetes need to be aware of and on the lookout for is diabetic neuropathy. This is a disorder of the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves in the outermost portions of the body (feet, hands, etc.). Recognizing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are of major importance because to miss them can have life altering or even threatening affects.



Diabetic neuropathy is caused by the walls of the blood vessels that supply the nerves becoming thicker. The end result of this is less nutrients are unable to get to the nerves as well as a demyelinization (destruction of the myelin sheath that protects nerves) of the Schwann cells that surround and insulate the nerves. This slows the ability of the nerves to conduct impulses back to the brain. Sorbitol also forms and accumulates in the Schwann cells causing further nerve conduction impairment.



There are two forms of neuropathies that can form with diabetes; polynueropathies and mononeuropathies. Polynueropathies are the most common in those with diabetes and is a bilateral sensory disorder. The symptoms for this form of diabetic neuropathy are most common in the toes and feet and normally appear there first. The finger and hands can also be affected but this usually occurs during the later stages of the disease. Where the symptoms appear will depend on what nerves fibers are affected.



The symptoms can differ among individuals and is dependent on the amount of damage done to the nerves. It is a disorder that will get progressively worse if the diabetes is not properly managed. The first signs will normally be a subjective change in sensation in the extremities that can include numbness and tingling.



Other symptoms can include an aching pain, a burning or shooting sensation, or feeling like you have cold feet. As the neuropathy progresses the symptoms can include impaired sensations of pain, touch, temperature, vibration, and two-point discrimination. The only way to treat polyneuropathy is through management of the diabetes itself.



Mononeuropathies are isolated events that affect single nerves. The symptoms of this form of neuropathy are entirely dependent on which nerve is affected. They can affect the oculomotor nerve which can lead to headache, eye pains and an inability to move the eye in any direction.



Another symptom of mononeuropathies is Radiculopathy which is characterized by pain that seems to radiate from the spine to extend outward to cause symptoms away from the source of the spinal nerve root irritation. It is thought to be caused by an inadequate blood supply to the spinal nerve roots.



All diabetics, whether type 1 or type 2, need to be aware of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The sooner it is brought to the attention of the diabetics health care providers the sooner it can be managed through proper lifestyle choices that are centered on diet, exercise, and proper medical management.

5 Sneaky Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, also known as Juvenile diabetes, has many symptoms that, unfortunately, mimic many common childhood milestones. Learn how to discern the difference between diabetes symptoms and run of the mill healthy childhood behaviors.



1. Increased thirst. As active as children are, it isn't unreasonable for your child to be demanding more drinks one day from the next. But if your child is thirsty all hours of the day and night and seems to crave ice cold water with the frequency of an addict, their kidneys may be trying to flush glucose from the body. Without insulin to move the glucose along through the blood stream to process it, the sugar builds up triggering a natural desire for more liquids. This is one of the most well-known and recognizable of the Type 1 diabetes symptoms.



2. Increased urination. The body tries to flush out the build-up of glucose through the urine. This need to flush the system can even lead to a sudden onset of night time bed wetting. Unfortunately, because your child is urinating so frequently, they become dehydrated because everything they drink is almost immediately lost. It would be easy to assume that they are merely suffering from a urinary tract infection or that they have bladders the size of chick peas and to attempt to limit their liquid intake.



3. Breath that smells sweet and like fruit. This symptom is also sneaky in that it could be explained away by the fruity flavored toothpastes that children use these days or by the healthy fruit snacks that they are fed. The sweet smell of their breath is a result of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is the body's attempt to get rid of acetone through the respiratory system. Sweet smelling breath is a signal that poisonous ketones (acid by-products of fats being broken down for energy) are building up in the body. This symptom is a sign that they urgently require diabetes medication.



4. Constant hunger. Children are always growing and always hungry. However, a child with undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes will be ravenous. The food they are eating isn't being transformed into energy, because the body requires insulin to do that. The sugars that the body breaks the food down into begin to build up in the system causing the cycle of extreme thirst, urination and hunger.



5. Sizable sudden weight loss. Children seem to grow over night and a child that was on the stocky pudgy side last month may appear taller and skinny this month. The difference is that a natural growth spurt will look like a weight loss, but is actually growth and does not usually involve a true loss of weight. However, the weight loss of a child with undiagnosed diabetes will be extreme and sudden. It will occur when they seem to be eating all the time and will seem very different from their usual behavior.



Individually, each of the symptoms listed above, could be seen as natural phases in your child's development, however, when they occur at the same time, you should see an enormous red flag and book a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. Type 1 diabetes is an entirely manageable disease, but early detection and treatment are essential for your child's health and their ability to avoid long term diabetes complications.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stressed Out Cat

If you are a cat owner, you know that cats are emotional and sensitive creatures. Just like us, they can be lonely, stressed or depressed, but they do not express themselves the way we would.



When your cat sharpens her claws by attacking your sofa that may not seem like normal behavior to you but rest assured, it is perfectly normal. Cats have an innate need to sharpen their claws, even if they have been removed. A cat scratching post is a great way to deter kitty from your furniture. Scratching is also how cats mark their territory or anything they consider their property. If kitty kneads at your leg, consider it a compliment, she is marking you as hers.



Some signs that your cat may be in actual distress are; overeating, loss of appetite, excessive fearfulness or urinating outside of the cat liter box.



If any of these things are happening, take a look at your environment. Even a recent move can upset your feline friend. I had an incident last winter where my ten-year-old cat urinated outside of the litter box. In fact, he urinated right next to the box. In ten years, he had never urinated outside of the box! My first concern was that he had some sort of a bladder infection.



If a cat is having pain while urinating, he may associate that pain with the litter box and therefore go outside of the box. In order to rule this out, I took him to my vet immediately. (Actually, he went outside of the box one more time before I took him in). Thankfully, the vet found nothing wrong with him. She asked me if I had made any changes around my home or had any over-night visitors. I had not had any visitors, nor could I think of any recent changes. Then, it dawned on me...I made a cute Christmas bandana for him and placed it around his neck. Could he be so neurotic that this bandana upset him enough to urinate outside of his litter box?? Only one way to find out, I removed the bandana. Sure enough, after I removed the bandana he never went outside of the box again.



Other common stressors to cats are; any new addition to your family-furry or otherwise, a change in your work schedule, even loud noises such as fireworks. (My cats hate the 4th of July). If your cat is grooming more than usual, hiding more than usual, or attacking for no reason it may be stressed out. Pay attention to your cat, she will often let you know what is bothering her.



Ask your vet for additional advice on keeping your cat stress free.

Cats Sickness - How to Spot Symptoms Early

Cats sickness can be any one of many. Spotting the sickness is just as important as treating it. If you spot the sickness early on then you will be able to treat it more effectively. This will save your pet's health and spare you from worse situations later on. Here are some ways of spotting cats sickness.



If your cat is littering all over the place then this may be a sign of the sickness. If it stops using the litter box then this may be a sign that there is something wrong with your pet. If your cat is urinating outside the litter box then this may be a sign of urinary tract infection, kidney failure, or diabetes mellitus. If you notice that your cat is littering inappropriately then you should bring them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.



If you notice that its appetite is decreasing then there may be some cats sickness. This may be caused by anaemia, dehydration, trauma, intestinal obstruction, or dental pain. If the appetite of your cat has decreased dramatically then you should take them to the veterinarian before it gets worse. It may be caused by the aforementioned symptoms and must be treated right away.



If you notice that the thirst of your cat is increasing then this may be a sign of cats sickness as well. This increase in thirst can be caused by diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or pyometra. If your cat is drinking unusually frequently and unusually a lot then you should bring them to the veterinarian already.



If your cat has been meowing a lot lately then this may be a sign of cats sickness as well. Too much meowing can be a result of too much stress or fear. They may be uncomfortable with their environment or may be afraid of an attacker. Too much meowing can also be a sign of pain, sickness, or the loss of mental capacity. If your cat is meowing a lot then this is certainly a sign that there is something wrong. You should bring your cat to the veterinarian if this is happening to your cat. If your cat has been hiding a lot then this may be a sign of cat anxiety. This can be caused by a fear of attackers. If your cat is being paranoid then you should certainly bring them to the veterinarian for a check up or examination. It is not healthy for a cat to always be hiding.

Diabetes Symptoms and Possible Complications

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinal condition which is associated with abnormalities in blood sugar and insulin. It has two types. Type I is referred to as insulin dependent diabetes caused by insufficient amounts of insulin needed to efficiently regulate blood sugar. Type II is referred to as insulin resistant diabetes because the body has developed resistance to the insulin resulting into inefficient thereof.



Common diabetes symptoms for both types include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive and unusual thirst, excessive and frequent urination, increased appetite leading to excessive eating, poor healing of wounds, manifestation of inflammations and infections, blurred vision, and altered mental status in some cases.



Fatigue, one of the diabetes symptoms, causes the body to be inactive and as such the stored glucose is not used properly. It results into fat metabolism which causes the body to feel tired and exhausted. Unexplained weight loss results from the inability of the body to process the food taken. An apparent weight loss may occur even though the person is either eating appropriately or excessively.



Excessive thirst and frequent urination are two interconnected symptoms. Due to the high level of sugar in the blood stream, the kidney is pressured to excrete excess sugar through urine, which makes a diabetic person to have increased urination frequency. Because high amount of water is flushed out of the body every time urine is excreted, there is a need to replenish it and the brain counteracts this and interprets it as thirst.



Poor healing of wounds is one of the more serious diabetes symptoms. The high level of blood sugar interferes with the white blood cells which defend the body against viruses and bacteria, and with the cleaning and regeneration of dead cells and tissue. This results into longer periods of time for wounds to heal. The wounds also become more prone to infections. The manifestations of infections like yeast infections in the genitals, skin infections, as well as urinary tract infection, are also symptoms of diabetes.



Due to the presence of high level of sugar in the blood, it becomes a catalyst for bacteria to grow, causing these infections. Although the connection of blurred vision is still unclear, the symptom is commonly present in persons with high level of blood sugar. Altered mental status evident with attention, memory and cognitive deficits is also a symptom of diabetes. It is of high significance to seek professional help if any of these diabetes symptoms, especially alteration of mental state shows.



Ignoring the diabetes symptoms, even the simplest of them can lead to more serious medical conditions, such as complications. Some of the known complications are nausea and vomiting, high degrees of fever, ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome, large sores on feet and legs, skin lacerations, chest pains, and abdominal pain.



These complications particularly chest pain and abdominal pain can also lead to heart attacks, abdominal aortic aneurysm, appendicitis, perforated ulcer, bowel obstructions, as well as kidney and gall bladder problems. Therefore, at the first time you notice that you or someone in your family possess the previously mentioned symptoms, it is apt to immediately seek medical advice. In this way, you can prevent diabetes and its complications from ruining your life.

Diet For a Diabetic Cat - Tips That Can Help Your Cat Right Now

A diet for a diabetic cat can have a positive and immediate impact on the health of your cat. There are two dietary options, with one have considerable better results than the other, although both can be effective.



For a time, researchers have been testing a diet that is high in fiber against one that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Recent studies have given the edge to the low carbohydrate diet.



Diet for a Diabetic Cat - Why a Low Carbohydrate Option?



Low carbohydrate diets best resemble a diet that a cat would find in the wild. If you think about a cat eating a mouse, it is all protein and fat. Because of this your cat''s body does a good job of breaking down the "meat" and fat of the mouse into component parts. Your cat naturally doesn't know how to handle large amounts of carbohydrates.



Selecting a Low Carbohydrate Cat Food for a Feline Diabetes Diet



Canned foods have fewer carbohydrates than canned foods. Determining the carbohydrate content is tricky, since you need to deduct from 100% the % of water, protein, fats and fiber. Even then you are probably underestimating the carbohydrate impact. Canned foods to consider are prescription diets such as Purina DM or consider Fancy Feast.



Diet for a Diabetic Cat - Homeopathic Supplements



If you are a believer in homeopathic or natural medicine, there are several ingredients and minerals that have human clinical support for helping with problems such as maintaining the correct level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. These ingredients include Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry) and Chromium picolinate.



Switching Your Cat's Diet



When switching to a diet for diabetic cat, you should do so gradually. If you cat prefers dry food, gradually mix in canned food over a 7 to 10 day period. If you cat will tolerate a faster switch, then by all means do so. Canned food also has more moisture, so your cat will be in effect "drinking more". This in and of itself is a good thing and will help to avoid other dietary problems.



Will a Diet for a Diabetic Cat Help?



When switching to a low carbohydrate diet, over 50% of cats have shown some improvement in the amount of insulin needed. A large number will be able to stop taking insulin all together.



Note that it is very important to monitor your cat's blood glucose level during the dietary transition. Since the diet will reduce the amount of insulin needed, your cat's dosage will need to be decreased to avoid complications from too much insulin. Discuss the impact of change with your veterinarian and be sure to monitor the blood glucose level daily to avoid problems.

Three Common Feline Skin Diseases

Feline skin diseases are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your cat's skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat's overall health, so it's important to be aware of it. Let's take a look at a few common feline skin diseases.



Acne



One of the most common feline skin diseases is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat's chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough.



If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat's skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your cat is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids.



Ringworm



Ringworm is also one of the most common feline skin diseases. This skin fungus frequently affects young, old, and long-haired cats although any cat can be affected. Symptoms include crusting, redness on the skin, and scaling. Some cats react to the fungus by over-grooming themselves which can cause hair loss. Treatment methods of ringworm include oral medication, shampoo, or clipping the cat's coat. You may also need to get rid of the fungus in the surrounding environment.



Cheyletiella Dermatitis



One of the last common feline skin diseases is Cheyletiella Dermatitis. This condition is caused by parasitic mites that can also be transmitted to humans. Your cat will likely experience various symptoms such as redness of the skin, small swelling spots, and dandruff. You may also notice large numbers of the white mites moving around on the surface of your cat's skin. Treatment for Cheyletiella Dermatitis includes dips in pyrethrin, lime sulfur, or selenium sulphide based shampoos. You will also need to get rid of the mites in the environment through spraying and vacuuming.



These are some of the most common feline skin diseases that can affect your cat. You should always pay attention to your cat's hair and skin as they can indicate how healthy your cat is.