Tag: diabetes

Diabetes affects women differently than men. It is riskier for them.

Diabetes can affect anyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. According to researchers, women are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other complications from this pernicious disease. Fertility, genitourinary health, and libido are all affected by high glucose levels.

Diabetes in women
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Diabetes in women affects the heart more often

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease (the most common complication of diabetes) by about four times in women but only about twice in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women with diabetes have poorer health outcomes following a heart attack. They are also more likely to develop other diabetes complications such as stroke, vision loss, kidney disease, and depression.

Diabetes may increase the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in women for a variety of reasons. One of them is the difference in biological characteristics between sexes in terms of adipose tissue distribution.

Diabetes is more likely to develop if you have a family history of the disease or are overweight or obese. Be aware of diabetes symptoms, which can be subtle, and check your blood sugar levels at least once a year.

Diabetes and women’s health

Diabetes is related to various aspects of women’s health, such as:

Menstrual cycle

Blood sugar levels can be affected by hormonal changes before and during menstruation. Glucose levels frequently rise about a week before the start of your period, requiring more insulin. Diabetes can cause periods to be longer or heavier. Major hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, can also cause blood sugar to rise.

Genitourinary health

Diabetes patients are more likely than men to develop urinary tract infections and recurring intimate infections (primarily vaginal yeast infections). Infections are aided by high blood glucose levels, as well as negative changes in the immune and circulatory systems caused by diabetes.

Getting pregnant

High blood sugar levels can make having children difficult. It is advised not to become pregnant until the glycemia has been stabilised. Diabetes can harm both the mother and the baby by causing pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), increasing the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, prematurity, higher baby weight, and more difficult delivery. Contraception should be used until the disease is under control.

Libido

Many women’s interest in sex is diminished due to high blood glucose levels. Furthermore, intimate infections and vaginal dryness exacerbate the sensations. Diabetes-related nerve damage reduces blood supply to the genitals, resulting in less satisfying sexual experience.

Pregnancy

Even if the disease has not previously been diagnosed, gestational diabetes can develop at this time. This risk exists in all women, but it is higher in overweight and obese pregnant women, women over the age of 25, and women with a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Menopause

The natural decline in oestrogen associated with menopause affects blood sugar fluctuations. It’s important to check your glucose. Additionally, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia can also affect glycemia.

It is worth remembering that the right actions—healthy habits, diet, and sometimes medication—can help mitigate the harmful effects of diabetes on various aspects of women’s health.

Diabetes: How important are metabolism and schedules?

According to a diabetes study, eating at night increases the blood sugar index. Doctors advise, which takes into account your age and metabolism, is as follows:

Eating after midnight is unhealthy. Several experts had already stated this, but a new study demonstrates how nighttime meals can hasten the development of diabetes because they encourage the rise in blood sugar levels. The passing of the years and metabolism are also things to consider.

Two groups of young people, without specific pathologies, followed an identical diet for two weeks, but the second group ate at night, resulting in a marked increase in blood sugar levels.

Why is eating at night bad for you?

The problem of nutrition and food intake timing is complex, but there are biorhythms that must be respected. People who don’t do this can have their metabolism change, which can lead to diabetes. This is due to the action of insulin, which allows the passage of sugars from the blood to the tissues, which use them as energy. If this step is not taken, blood sugar rises, leading to diabetes.

What can you do to avoid nocturnal glycemic peaks?

The most important details are that night workers and those with nocturnal bulimic crises should try to have a substantial breakfast in the morning and then let a suitable number of hours pass before eating again. The restriction should be between 30-50% of the calorie content, keeping macro-foods such as vitamins unchanged, and that the Mediterranean diet has been more effective than other “life-extending” diets.

“Fault” of the metabolism

The action of insulin in the onset of diabetes is linked to metabolism, which changes according to the hours of the day and night, but also to age. Insulin resistance in the morning is linked to the need to get up and go hunting, while in the evening and at night some “counter-regulatory” hormones are more active, increasing blood sugar.

How important is age?

The latest research found that after the age of 60/65 there is a progressive increase in blood sugar, especially in the morning. This is due to the decrease in muscle mass and the progressive “deterioration” of the cells responsible for the action of insulin. To maintain a muscular state, simple daily actions such as taking the dog out or taking a walk can help to keep weight under control.

The importance of meals at regular times

Regular and balanced meals are important for all ages, both in timing and quantity. It is important to respect the biorhythm, but also the quality of what you eat. Carbohydrates must be low glycemic index, proteins must be present, but not in excessive quantities, and fats should be monounsaturated. Small transgressions are allowed, as too rigid diets can lead to an excessive decrease in muscle mass.

Why do you get headaches when you sleep too much?

If sleeping at least eight hours a night is important for a good mental and physical balance and, by extension, good health, then sleeping too much can cause or be linked to a number of health problems.

headache and sleep
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For example, people who usually get headaches can get them when they sleep longer than usual. Scientists have tried to figure out why this happens and have found that too much sleep affects the activity of some neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin, which controls mood and makes people feel good, happy, and at peace.

For this reason, if you sleep excessively, you can find yourself dealing with a headache in the morning .

But that is not all. When you find yourself sleeping consistently for unusually long periods of time and still suffer from sleepiness even during the day , it is called hypersomnia, a condition that also manifests itself with other associated symptoms such as anxiety, low energy levels and problems with memory .

On the other hand, not everyone who sleeps a lot has a sleep disorder. In fact, hypersomnia can be caused by drinking alcohol, taking certain drugs, or just liking to sleep long.

But what can be the problems associated with hypersomnia? Scientific research has collected some of them.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Because of a blockage in the airway, this condition makes people stop breathing for a short time while they sleep. Because it messes up the normal sleep cycle, it can make you feel tired during the day, fall asleep, and make you need to sleep for longer.

Diabetes

Getting too little or too little sleep each night could increase your risk of developing diabetes.

Obesity

A recent study found that people who slept nine to ten hours a night were 21 percent more likely to become obese in the next six years than those who slept seven to eight hours a night.

Depression

Even though depression is more likely to cause insomnia, about 15% of people with the condition oversleep, according to estimates. This is something that could make the symptoms of depression worse.

Heart disease

One study showed that those who slept more than nine hours were 38% more likely to develop coronary heart disease . However, this result has not yet found an exhaustive correlation.

What should I eat for dinner to make sure my blood sugar is normal when I wake up?

Keeping blood sugar levels in check requires a balanced diet, an active lifestyle, and regular use of anti-diabetic drugs. There is no one diet that everyone with diabetes should follow, so it is best to talk to a dietitian or doctor.

What should I eat for dinner to prevent morning hyperglycemia?

Low glycemic index (GI) is used to predict the rate of change in blood sugar up to three hours after a meal, and whole grain items are a good source of complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre.

Food products are divided into three groups based on their glycemic index: low (IG 55), medium (IG 56–69), and high (IG 70). Heat treatment increases a food product’s glycemic index, while simple sugars (glucose, galactose and fructose) have a high index. Vegetables have a low glycemic index.

Add wholesome protein and healthy fats, vitamins, minerals to create a balanced meal.

Among dairy products, the most popular ones have the following glycemic index:

  • milk (2% fat) – GI=32
  • natural yoghurt (2% fat) – GI=36
  • low-fat cottage cheese – IG=30
  • cream (18% fat) – GI=0

Bread and other cereal products:

  • wholegrain rye bread – IG=58
  • buckwheat (cooked) – IG=54
  • pearl barley (cooked) – IG=25
  • pasta – GI=55
  • wholemeal rye bread – IG=50
  • white rice (cooked) – GI=64
  • cooked brown rice – IG=60

Sample vegetables and fruits:

  • onion – GI=15
  • beetroot – GI=30
  • cauliflower (raw) – GI=15
  • pumpkin – GI=75
  • white cabbage – GI=15
  • Chinese cabbage – IG=15
  • cucumber – GI=15
  • red pepper – GI=15
  • tomato – GI=15
  • potatoes (cooked) – GI=95
  • lettuce – GI=10
  • corn (canned) – GI=55
  • watermelon – GI=72
  • apple – GI=38
  • kiwi – GI=53
  • banana – GI=52
  • avocado – GI=10
  • orange – GI=42
  • strawberries – GI=40
  • melon – GI=65

Read more at Munaeem’s Blog

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of 57 other diseases

diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes also have a much higher risk of other 57 diseases, including cancer, kidney disease, and neurological disorders.

The discovery came in the most comprehensive medical research to date .

Millions of people worldwide suffer from diabetes, which is linked to overweight or distance from physical activity or a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of various complications and keeping this in mind, experts from the University of Cambridge in the UK conducted an in-depth examination.

The largest study of middle-aged people with or without diabetes found that the condition increased the risk of developing 57 other long-term illnesses.

On average, diabetics experience age-related medical problems 5 years earlier than healthy people.

Experts say the results are shocking and highlight the urgent need to protect people from developing type 2 diabetes.

The study examined data from 3 million people in the UK Biobank and doctors’ records examining 116 diseases that are common in middle-aged people.

The results found that 57 out of 116 diabetics had a higher risk of developing diabetes, with a 9% increased risk of cancer.

Similarly, patients with type 2 diabetes have a 5.2-fold increased risk of developing late-stage kidney disease, a 4.4-fold increased risk of liver cancer, and a 3.2-fold increased risk of muscle loss.

When it comes to blood circulation problems, 23 out of 31 patients with type 2 diabetes have a very high risk.

The study linked type 2 diabetes to the risk of poor health in all 11 health categories: 2.6 times the risk of mental and neurological problems, 2.3 times the risk of vision problems, 1.9 times the risk of digestive problems and mental health. The risk of disease is 1.8 times higher.

The study focused on people over the age of 30, and experts found that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50 may be at higher risk.

The researchers said that the results show that prevention or slowing down the spread of diabetes in middle age is essential for the prevention of life-threatening diseases.

The results of this study have not yet been published in any medical journal but were presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference.

The diabetes medication offers defense against other severe illnesses.

The medication used to treat type 2 diabetes patients also has other applications. Researchers have found that it might also aid in the prevention of dementia. That’s not all, though. The unexpected benefits of preparation are impressively numerous.

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic condition. In addition to regular medical examinations, it necessitates the administration of drugs to help control blood sugar levels.

A diabetes drug will protect against dementia

Dr. Eosu Kim’s research at Yonsei University in South Korea has demonstrated that dementia can be prevented from progressing over time with prompt intervention.

People with ischemic heart disease or those who had previously experienced a stroke benefited from the type 2 diabetes medication pioglitazone. These patients had a 43 and 54% lower chance of getting dementia, respectively.

In participants taking the medication for two years and for four years, the decline in dementia cases was 22% and 37%, respectively. Up to 91,218 South Koreans whose health was tracked for ten years provided data for the study. Of them, 3,467 were given pioglitazone.

Lower risk of stroke

Researchers found that pioglitazone-taking study participants had a lower risk of stroke. According to the study’s lead author, the information gathered could be a useful tool for creating dementia prevention in the future, which would be “a game changer.”

There is no connection between pioglitazone and preventing dementia, according to earlier studies in individuals with dementia or at risk for cognitive decline who did not have diabetes.

Fever, vomiting or diarrhea can mess up blood sugar levels

Your body overheats when you have a fever in an effort to combat viruses and bacteria. Stress hormones are also released. These cause blood sugar to rise. On the other hand, vomiting and diarrhea can cause the sugar level to fall too low.

Fever can mess up your sugar levels
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Diabetologists advise checking blood sugar every two to four hours in order to identify mistakes early. This includes people with type 2 diabetes who do not inject insulin. Your doctor won’t generally advise you to use blood sugar test strips. Serious illnesses are included here.

Discontinue or continue taking diabetes pills?

When an infection occurs, discuss with your doctor what rules apply to your medication. Metformin tablets are frequently taken by people with type 2 diabetes. In cases of pneumonia and other more serious infections, metformin can cause dangerous hyperacidity. The drug may then need to be temporarily stopped. This also holds true for SGLT-2 inhibitors (gliflozine). Sulfonylureas, which contain the active ingredients glibenclamide and glimepiride, increase the production of insulin.

Hypoglycemia is a possibility, for instance, if you are unable to eat or drink anything due to a digestive infection. The dosage may then need to be lowered or the tablets skipped. Fever, on the other hand, might also call for a dose increase.

Gliptines (such as sitagliptin and vildagliptin) can typically be taken as usual. Glutide, a GLP-1 analogue, is injected. It may make sense to temporarily stop using the injections if they exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms, according to Pillin. You might need temporary insulin if the values seem to be heading out of control. Consult your doctor about this as well.

What do I have to consider with insulin?

You frequently require more insulin if you are feverish. The amount also depends on how blood sugar levels change. Fast-acting insulin, also known as mealtime insulin, can be used to lower elevated values if you follow the guidelines discussed with your doctor. You only need to quickly inject insulin to lower elevated levels if you don’t eat. Ask the doctor to explain the procedure in the case of mixed insulin. The body requires basal insulin as a basic supply, so never skip it.

If you have type 1 diabetes and experience nausea or abdominal pain, you should consider ketoacidosis. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin, such as when B. a higher requirement was not adjusted, dangerous hyperacidity results. You should get a blood or urine ketone test if you experience any of the symptoms, such as extreme thirst and rotten fruit-smelling breath. If the outcome is abnormal, proceed according to your emergency ketoacidosis plan. Call an ambulance if you are unsure or if you are in severe pain.

What applies to children?

An infection can cause the blood sugar to crash, especially quickly in children. According to a children’s diabetologist from Herford, parents should check their children’s blood sugar at least every two hours, including once at night between two and three o’clock. He suggests tolerating slightly higher sugar levels during an infection, around 160 mg/dl (8.9 mmol/l), to prevent hypoglycemia.

Please modify the insulin dosage in accordance with the guidelines agreed upon with the doctor. Children should drink plenty of fluids because they quickly dehydrate. Drinks that are sweetened can help to prevent hypoglycemia when someone is vomiting or having diarrhea. If you are experiencing ketoacidosis symptoms, get a ketone test right away. Adjust abnormally high sugar levels in accordance with the ketoacidosis plan of the training. Consult the diabetes team for advice. Take the child to the doctor or dial 911 if the situation does not get better.

How do I prevent dehydration?

With fever, vomiting or diarrhea, the body loses fluid and minerals. High sugar levels increase dehydration. It is best to balance this out with mineral water (non-carbonated) or tea. In the case of diarrhea, electrolyte-glucose mixtures from the pharmacy can be useful.

If you don’t carry any food with you and a low blood sugar level is impending, sweet drinks, like tea with glucose, can help. ingest in small, deliberate sips. Try easily digestible carbohydrates, like white bread or rusks, if the vomiting stops. Foods that cause constipation, like bananas or applesauce, are appropriate for diarrhea.

What remedies help in recovery?

Different pharmaceutical products can aid in the treatment of colds, coughs, and sore throats. It is especially critical for those who have diabetes, hypertension, or heart issues to get advice on the best treatments. Some can raise blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decongestant nasal sprays or drops help you breathe more easily and fall asleep if you have a blocked nose. You should use these medications for no longer than one week due to the habituation effect and potential long-term harm to the nasal mucosa.

Ibuprofen or paracetamol-containing medications lower fevers and ease headaches and body aches. Expectoration is made simpler with a mucolytic preparation. A dry cough can be alleviated by a cough suppressant. However, it prevents expectoration and shouldn’t be taken concurrently with an expectorant. There are lozenges for sore throats; pick one without sugar.

Blood sugar level in the elderly: norms and pathologies

Normal blood sugar levels for the elderly may be slightly higher than those of middle-aged individuals. On an empty stomach, it should not exceed 140 mg/dl, while 180 mg/dl is acceptable after a meal. What does it have to do with anything? What is the normal blood glucose level for a 70-year-old or a slightly younger senior?

Blood sugar levels in the elderly – normal

After age 60, the blood sugar level in the elderly should be between 70 and 99 mg/dl on an empty stomach. The normal upper limit after a meal should not exceed 160–180 mg/dL. In older individuals, the range may be expanded. This indicates that the normal limits are slightly different for older patients (140 mg/dl after a meal) than for younger patients. Why?

Specialists estimate that up to 30% of individuals develop blood sugar disorders after the age of 65. This is due to the body’s natural aging processes, increased tissue resistance to insulin, and diminished insulin secretion. In addition, the elderly are frequently ill, suffer from heart attacks and strokes, and are frequently prescribed medication for chronic diseases. These can also impact glucose levels.

Too high blood sugar in the elderly

The optimal level of sugar in a 65-year-old, a slightly younger and older senior, as well as a child or a person of middle age, is associated with health. Extremely high blood sugar levels are associated with a variety of disturbing and unpleasant symptoms.

Diabetes in older people may present differently than in younger people, which often delays proper diagnosis. However, typical symptoms of hyperglycemia include:

  • drowsiness _
  • increased thirst
  • dry mouth ,
  • more frequent urination ,
  • sour-smelling breath
  • headache,
  • recurrent infections (mainly of the urinary tract), fungal infections,
  • nausea, vomiting ,
  • memory deterioration ,
  • deterioration of well-being ,
  • sight problems,
  • sleep disorders .

When is abnormal blood sugar in the elderly dangerous?

Long-term hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can result in a diabetic coma, which poses an immediate threat to life. What level of sugar is life-threatening? A rise above 400 mg/dL and a drop below 20 mg/dL for glucose.

Sustained too low or too high sugar levels for a long time can lead to a diabetic coma , which is a direct threat to life. What level of sugar is dangerous to life? A rise above 400 mg/dL (and a drop in glucose to below 20 mg/dL).

Too low blood sugar in the elderly

Too low blood sugar, i.e. hypoglycemia , is also unfavorable . Its symptoms are:

  • weariness,
  • feeling confused
  • difficulty concentrating ,
  • heavy sweating ,
  • dizziness ,
  • strong feeling of hunger,
  • headaches ,
  • pallor of the skin ,
  • limb tremors,
  • sudden mood swings.

How to treat abnormal blood sugar levels in the elderly?

Almost one in two seniors have abnormal glucose levels. Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the body’s natural blood sugar regulator.

There are two main types of diabetes:

  • type I diabetes (insulin-dependent) – diagnosed mainly in children and young people,
  • Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in the elderly. In her case, high blood sugar is not due to a lack of insulin, but to its improper action.

The prevalence of diabetes in people over the age of 65 reaches 40%, and the peak incidence of type 2 occurs around the age of 60. There are several risk factors that favor the development of diabetes. This:

  • overweight or obese ,
  • hypertension and other diseases of the cardiovascular system,
  • high cholesterol ,
  • lack of physical activity,
  • inadequate diet,
  • diabetes in the immediate family.

Controlling glucose levels and managing diabetes are crucial. Ischemic disease of the lower limbs, stroke, kidney damage, retinopathy, nerve damage, ketoacidosis, and even coma can result from a disease that is undertreated and untreated.

In the treatment of the disease, pharmacotherapy, but also a proper diet and daily physical activity are of great importance. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels with a glucometer is extremely important . Recommendations for seniors on how to manage diabetes are the same as for all diabetics.

When should diabetes patients over the age of 60 be concerned about their sugar levels? The norms, i.e. the range of normal sugar levels in a 60-year-old, as well as a slightly younger and older person, are set individually by a physician, and a sugar level greater than 180 or 200 mg/dl may indicate hyperglycemia.

A breakfast that lowers blood sugar

Eating porridge mixed with yogurt can be the best breakfast and prevent diabetes. Photo: File

International statistics show that diabetes, like the rest of the world, has gripped Pakistan’s vast population. But with this diet for breakfast in the morning, diabetes and pre-existing conditions can be controlled to a great extent.

Dr. Lorraine Harris, a diabetic dietitian, is the author of several books and says that having a balanced diet of fiber, protein and protein is very beneficial for breakfast.

She says that it is very beneficial to eat whole porridge (oatmeal) in protein-rich yogurt for breakfast. This is especially useful for diabetics. Its magical effect keeps blood sugar normal throughout the day. Oatmeal is high in fiber which can be up to 8 grams in a cup.

It is important for the majority of the world to eat 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. It helps in digestion of sugar and also increases the production of insulin in the body. Thus, fiber intake is very effective in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Eating porridge mixed with yogurt increases the need for protein, which provides energy for breakfast. Peanut butter can also be added, but sugar should be avoided altogether. In addition to beans, walnut butter is also very useful and contains omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition, eating peanuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts in porridge has good effects. All of these grains contain antioxidants that enhance the effectiveness of insulin.

Why do so many patients with high blood pressure suffer from diabetes?


Discover the reason for the first time

Many people with high blood pressure also suffer from diabetes and it was not yet known why this happens but now medical experts have come to know the secret.

This was revealed in a new medical study .

A joint study by the University of Bristol in the UK and Auckland University in New Zealand found that a protein cell GLP1 regulates both the body’s blood sugar and blood pressure.

“We have known for a long time that blood pressure and diabetes are linked, and now we know the cause, which could help in the development of new treatments,” the researchers said.

GLP1 secretes food into the stomach and acts as a stimulant for insulin to control blood sugar levels. The sensory organ stimulates the carotid artery.

The research used the genomic technique RNA sequencing to determine the effects of genes on mice.

These animals were protected from high blood sugar and it was discovered that the receptor GLP1 in the carotid is sensitized but this receptor is not very active in mice affected by high blood pressure.

“We never expected to see this role of GLP1, so it’s a great discovery,” the researchers said.

Carotid is the place where GLP1 controls blood sugar and blood pressure at the same time, he said.

Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes have an increased risk of fatal coronary heart disease complications, even after taking medication.

This is because most medicines treat only the symptoms and not the causes of blood pressure and blood sugar.

The researchers said that drugs have already been approved for the treatment of GLP1 receptors that are commonly used in diabetics, but they can also lower blood pressure by lowering blood sugar levels.

The results of this study were published in the medical journal Circulation Research