Ketoacidosis

Everyone knows the seriousness of Diabetes however if there is a slight chance that you don’t then you are about to find out how serious diabetes can be to both you and your health. Also you see how far treatment should go to ensure your body the greatest health possible.

Ketoacidosis: A Comprehensive Overview

What is Ketoacidosis?

Ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition that can occur in people with diabetes. It is caused by a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acids that are produced by the liver when the body does not have enough insulin to use glucose for energy.

Continue reading “Ketoacidosis”

Benfotiamine

If you have experienced complications as a result of your diabetes, your physician may recommend benfotiamine. This is a synthetic variation of Vitamin B-1, and is also known as thiamine.

If you have experienced complications as a result of your diabetes, your physician may recommend you taking benfotiamine. Benfotiamine is a synthetic variation of Vitamin B-1, and is also known as thiamine.
Continue reading “Benfotiamine”

An Instructional on Diabetes Diet Guidelines

Learn about diabetes diet guidelines. This article offers information on gestational, type 1, type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes diets. See if you’re on the right track.

When it comes to a diabetes diet, there are many important things to know. One of the most important things to know about a diabetes diet is that different diabetic diagnosis can change each diabetic diet.

Before we get into all that however, let’s talk about the way weight can increase diabetes.

People who are obese or overweight are 80 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who maintain a healthy weight.  In a study produced by the Medstar Research Institute in Washington, D.C., almost 2,000 non-diabetic, overweight adults that were between the ages of 25 and 74 were measured for their risk of developing diabetes, they were also measured to see if they reduce their risk by losing weight. They study proved that in just losing two pounds a year for ten years, their risk of developing diabetes reduced by a third.

Continue reading “An Instructional on Diabetes Diet Guidelines”

Soft Drinks and Diabetes

What effect do soft drinks have on the prevalence of diabetes? If recent reports are accurate there may be more to the potential link than you may have thought & for some interesting reasons.

Soft drinks and diabetes. What effect do soft drinks have on diabetes? If recent reports are accurate there may be more to the potential link than you may have thought – and for some interesting reasons. Continue reading “Soft Drinks and Diabetes”

Stress Can Greatly Influence Diabetes

Stress can significantly affect almost any part of life, however, when you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, it can play a part in how you manage and control your disease. Diabetics under stress are more likely to forget crucial aspects of diabetes therapy, like proper eating habits, and regular administration of medication. This reckless abandon can lead to a fluctuation in blood glucose levels, and could eventually result in diabetic complications.

Stress can significantly affect almost any part of life, however, when you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, it can play a part in how you manage and control your disease. Diabetics under stress are more likely to forget crucial aspects of diabetes therapy, like proper eating habits, and regular administration of medication. This reckless abandon can lead to a fluctuation in blood glucose levels, and could eventually result in diabetic complications.
Continue reading “Stress Can Greatly Influence Diabetes”

Caffeine And Diabetes

For most people regardless of if they have diabetes or not, part of their morning routine is to sit with a nice cup of coffee to start their day. Coffee as we all know contains caffeine which is a stimulant. This is why coffee wakes so many people up in the morning.

There have been conflicting reports on caffeine and diabetes so we’ll keep the topic live on this article.

For most people regardless of if they have diabetes or not, part of their morning routine is to sit with a nice cup of coffee to start their day. Coffee, as we all know, contains caffeine which is a stimulant. This is why coffee wakes so many people up in the morning.

Continue reading “Caffeine And Diabetes”

The Power Of The BD Ultra-Fine Short Needle

Becton Dickinson is once again making inroads in the diabetic world with a 31-gauge 8mm BD Ultra-Fine II Short Needle. This needle is to be used with the BD Ultra-Fine Short Needle Insulin Syringes. This needle is believed to be the thinnest needle used for insulin in today’s market.

Becton Dickinson is once again making inroads in the diabetic world with a 31-gauge 8mm BD Ultra-Fine Short Needle. This needle is to be used with the BD Ultra-Fine Short Needle Insulin Syringes. This needle is believed to be the thinnest needle used for insulin in today’s market.

The syringes and corresponding needles are made for single usage. The BD Ultra Fine Short Needle is shorter than other needles. When used with the syringe, you have three barrel sizes to choose from. There’s the 1cc size, which is equivalent to 100 units; the ½ cc size, which is equivalent to 50 units; and the 3/10 cc size, which is equivalent to 30 units.

If you’re using the 3/10 cc (30 units) size, you have a choice of using two different barrels. You can either use the one that has full-unit markings or the one half-unit markings. The half-unit markings may be more advantageous to use. This can be to your advantage is you have small insulin amounts to take. You won’t have to concern yourself about administering too much at one time.

Syringe Studies

Studies have shown that using thinner needles get rid of most if not all of the pain and discomfort when administering insulin. This is why BD came out with a new line of ultra-fine syringes.

When you’re injecting insulin, you should be conscious of what type of needle you use. Believe it or not, it can change your scope, especially if it provides comfort and less pain during the process.

BD always has the diabetic in mind when manufacturing syringe needles. There are several steps that are taken to ensure the quality and comfort of the BD Ultra-Fine Short Needles.

Process of Creating a Syringe

First, BD uses a method that removes any imperfections from the needle. This helps the needle to look smooth, making for a safe and comfortable injection. This also includes removing any rough patches that can wear down and tear your skin.

Next, there is what is called a micro-bonded lubrication. This helps the needle to have easy penetration in the skin while your administering your insulin. This lubrication prevents any rough feeling between the needle and your skin during this time. Also, when you remove the needle, it is not difficult to pull out of your skin after the procedure.

The third part of this deals with the needle’s fine point on the end. This part of the needle is shaped into three edges. The three edges help to part your skin while the needle is being inserted, allowing easy access for it. Each of the three edges are to align with each other.

In addition to the above, the syringe along with the needle is manufactured to provide the best quality for the diabetic. The needle is also made with a quality grade of stainless steel. Prior to distribution, the BD Ultra-Fine Syringe Needle goes through an inspection. This inspection must weight out to 100%.

Cautions

To prevent infection or injury, you should not use the BD Ultra-Fine Syringes more than once. Prior to making a needle change with your syringe, consult with your physician for further assistance.

Glucolet 2 Lancing Device

If you are in the market for a new blood-testing device, you may like to hear about the Glucolet. The more you know in advance about a product, the more likely you will be to choose the device that is the most appropriate for you and your own personal needs.

If you are in the market for a new blood-testing device, you may like to hear about the Glucolet 2 Lancing device made by Bayer. The more you know in advance about a product, the more likely you will be to choose the device that is the most appropriate for you and your own personal needs.

Each blood-testing product has both positive and negative aspects. If you know which qualities are the most important to you, this is the first step toward selecting the one specific device that you will consider to be the most appropriate for you.

Glucolet 2 Positives

One of the most beneficial characteristics of the Glucolet 2 is that it will provide a wonderful degree of ease in carrying it with you throughout the day. If you have a busy or an active lifestyle, you will probably find this feature to be very helpful. The Glucolet 2 is one of the smallest, most compact devices that you can buy. Its size, light weight, and handy clip all add up to the Glucolet 2 being portable and convenient.

  • Small size
  • Light weight
  • Handy clip
  • Portable
  • Convenient

Glucolet 2 Negatives

The Glucolet 2 does contain a number of more negative characteristics which you should bear in mind if you are thinking about buying this product. One such characteristic is that this device is designed to be used only with one specific size lancet. If this larger-sized lancet would be uncomfortable for you to use, this factor alone will mean this device will not be to your liking. The ultra-fine lancets, which many diabetics prefer, cannot be used with the Glucolet 2.

Another factor of the Glucolet 2 is that using it will require a great deal of effort. The amount of pressure required to both cock and release the trigger makes this device an undesirable choice for many diabetics. Children and elderly persons, especially, may find this product quite difficult to use.

  • Doesn’t use ultra-fine lancets
  • Amount of pressure needed

Glucolet 2 Safety Factors

For diabetics who consider the safety factor to be very important, the Glucolet 2 will probably not meet their standards. Removing and disposing of used lancets require the user to do this process by hand. When a child must handle his used needles in order to dispose of them, it significantly increases his risk of injury. While dealing with the prospect of getting poked, pricked, or scraped by a used needle would be unpleasant for anyone, it can be even more serious when the person who experiences it is a child– it may even effect his readiness to deal with his own blood-drawing process after such a bad experience.

Conclusion

When you are preparing to select a new blood-testing device, it is important to take all of your personal priorities into consideration. This will assist you in choosing the specific device which will meet your specifications. While the Glucolet 2 will give you a nice degree of convenience in portability, this factor appears to be the Glucolet’s only positive feature.

When you have all of these other points in mind, you can then decide whether the Glucolet 2 is compact, easy to carry size and design will be beneficial enough to you to outweigh all of this product’s less-than-desirable points.

Diabetic Retinopathy: An Overview

The effects of diabetes are widespread, and this chronic disease can wreak havoc on virtually every part of the body. Many diabetics are prone to eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. However, the most crippling eye disorder involves the retina, a phenomenon known as diabetic retinopathy.

The effects of diabetes are widespread, and this chronic disease can wreak havoc on virtually every part of the body. Many diabetics are prone to eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. However, the most crippling eye disorder involves the retina, a phenomenon known as diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy at a Glance

The retina is the tissue matter at the back of the eye which captures light sources and sends information to the brain. Retinopathy is used to define the damage inflicted upon the tiny capillaries that surround the retina. Individuals that have had diabetes for a significant amount of time are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy. It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of diagnosed diabetics have been affected to some extent by this retinal disorder. Both Type I and II diabetics are at risk for developing retinopathy.

Chances of diabetic retinopathy increase with the following:

  • If you are of African-American or Hispanic origin
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Are pregnant
  • Have diabetes with uncontrolled glucose levels

When first afflicted by retinopathy, diabetics usually only experience slight changes in vision. This debilitating disorder can even progress without any noted changes in vision. However, as the condition progresses, significant eye problems can occur.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty seeing at nighttime
  • Floating “spiders” that obstruct vision
  • Problems adjusting to changes in light

All diabetes patients should have a comprehensive eye exam with a retinopathy specialist every year to check for any precursors to the condition. Also, if you are pregnant, an eye exam should be administered immediately and then throughout your pregnancy.

Diabetic retinopathy generally occurs in two separate types: proliferative and nonproliferative.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)

The more advanced of the two forms, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) occurs when abnormal capillaries grow in the optic disc or the retina. The blood vessels can also project into the clear substance that composes the center of the eye, the vitreous. Proliferative retinopathy can result in loss of both central and peripheral vision.

Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) occurs in the early stages of the disease. The most common type of retinopathy, there are either no or extremely mild symptoms in NPDR. The process of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy begins when the retinal capillary walls weaken. “Outpouchings,” or small protrusions known as microaneurysms stick out from the walls of the retinal blood vessels. If the microaneurysms start to leak, blood and fluid seep into the retina. Severe NPDR can result in a disorder called diabetic macular edema, the swelling of the center portion of the retina, the macula. A dysfunction in the macula can cause an obstruction in your central vision.

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetics with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy usually do not require immediate treatment, but it is recommended that your physician keep a check on the progress of the retina. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, however, will require surgical treatment as soon as possible. The two treatments commonly used for diabetic retinopathy are photo coagulation and vitrectomy. It must be addressed that these treatments are in no way a cure for retinopathy; they only can slow down or assist in halting the progression of the condition. Laser treatment or photo coagulation stops the leakage of blood and fluid in the retina. This is turn slows the advancement of retinopathy, and likelihood of loss of vision. In this process, a laser will attempt to seal leakage by producing tiny burns in the sections with abnormal capillaries. Photo coagulation can be performed in either a physician’s office or an outpatient surgical unit. The goal of a vitrectomy is to remove the blood and fluid engorged vitreous. The procedure begins when sections of tissue are cut and extracted from the eye. A salt solution replaces the portions that were removed, so that the pressure and shape of the eye return to normal. Recovery from vitrectomy is significantly longer than with laser treatment, and can take several weeks.

Secret Link