According to a research study, increase in fructose intake will increase blood pressure. These added sugars will increase your risk of acquiring blood pressure by 50%. This research study conducted by University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center and was published in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology. Increase in consumption of sugar is the major causative factor for diabetes. If you take more than 74 grams of fructose, you are more prone to hypertension which is responsible for heart and kidney diseases. In South India, normal diet alone will have enough sugar content. When you take high sugar content foods like, cool drinks and junk food, your daily sugar intake even can reach 150 grams per day. So, you are almost 100% at risk of getting high blood pressure. India has the highest population of diabetics. In USA, more than 2 crore people are suffering from silent deadly diseases. Change in eating habits, sedentary lifestyle and lack of awareness are major reasons for increase in diabetic cases. Obesity is the most underestimated dangerous epidemic which responsible for many diseases like diabetes. After 30 years, it is better for adult to undergo annual medical checkups. Such tests help you to spot pre-diabetes and you can escape from diabetes by changing dietary habits with regular exercise. Precautions: 1. Always monitor your weight and keep a chart of height-weight. 2. Stay away from junk food. 3. 30 minutes of daily walk. … [Read more...]
Antidepressants raise Diabetes risk
People who are on antidepressants are at increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. People who have past history of depression have 30% of higher risk of developing diabetes. Researchers studied the medical records of 2,400 people to know the effects of antidepressants (Tricyclic antidepressants and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) on diabetes. Chances of developing diabetes are more when they take both types of drugs for depression instead of one type. American Diabetic Association research studies also stated that antidepressants use predisposes diabetes. Diabetes and Depression: Depression by reducing one’s physical activity causes obesity which raises diabetes risk. Preventive use of Metformin may reduce diabetes risk in these depressive patients. People who are on treatment for depression should regularly screen for chronic diseases like Diabetes and Heart diseases. Depressive patients generally do not follow doctor’s advice. Some may even attempt for suicide by taking higher doses of insulin. Diabetes may cause depression due to its chronic nature and associated complications. Rate of depression is very high in Diabetics than in normal people. Diagnosing with diabetes itself causes stress which may lead to psychiatric complications like depression. This research study was published in “Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice”. … [Read more...]
Diabetes patients need better advice about home blood sugar testing
According to research study published in British medical journal, type 2 (Non-insulin dependent) diabetic patients need better advice about home blood glucose monitoring. Patients generally monitor their blood glucose levels frequently in the initial days but they do less frequently over time due to complacency and frustration. Some patients have no idea about the meaning of the test results and how to act on them. No one is there to guide them on these results. Doctors generally do not believe in these results and show little interest in knowing about them. Patients then lose interest in monitoring their glucose levels at home. Type-2 (Non insulin dependent diabetes) patients are generally obese with more than 40 years age. If they fail to control their blood sugar levels, it may lead to insulin dependent diabetes. Diabetics can control their sugar levels with proper diet, adequate exercise and weight reduction. If they fail to control diabetes, it may lead to heart, kidney (nephropathy), eye (retinopathy) and neurological problems. Diabetics generally dye to heart diseases especially heart attack (Myocardial infarction). Most common symptoms of diabetes: 1. Hunger. 2. Increased thirst. 3. Excessive urination. 4. Weight loss. Diabetes Statistics: 7% of American population are suffering with Diabetes. 70% Americans have diagnosed with diabetes while 30% people unaware of this chronic disease. Role of Western diet: Western diet is another major reason for the rise in diabetic cases. Increase in fast food intake, sedentary lifestyle and decrease in vegetable content in diet are the major triggers for diabetes. Patients should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly at home and physicians should guide them according to these results. If physicians neglect these results, patients frustrate and may not monitor their blood sugar levels. Diabetic health education is a must for every patient. We can control blood sugar levels without depending much on insulin and other drugs by taking proper diet and adequate exercise. … [Read more...]
Blood pressure drugs protect diabetic hearts
According to new research reports, Diuretic and Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) combination protect diabetic patients from heart diseases. This combination drug therapy reduces heart disease risk by 18%. Researchers used ACE Inhibitor (Perindopril, 2mg) and Diuretic (Indapamide, 0.625 mg) in the research studies. This therapy reduces risk from both macro vascular and micro vascular complications. This study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007 in Vienna. Diabetes and heart failure: Over the course of the four years, the researchers found that people with the combined therapy had an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5-6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 2 mm Hg compared with the placebo group. People who got the combined therapy were 9 percent less likely to have a heart disease event, such as stroke or heart attack, over the treatment period. They were also 18 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 14 percent less likely to die from any cause. By 2030, an estimated 350 million people will be living with diabetes worldwide. Heart disease kills two out of three people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of stroke, heart attacks and related conditions such as degenerative eye disease. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death in diabetics followed by Kidney diseases. Diabetes is frequently associated with Blood pressure, Obesity and high serum cholesterol levels. According to recent surveys in Europe, 30-40% of heart failure patients have diabetes. Diabetes worsens the prognosis and complicates the management of heart failure. Mortality is more in heart failure patients with diabetes especially in women. Best Treatment: 1. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor antagonists are most preferred treatment in these patients. 2. Coronary artery bypass in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease is considered to be preferable to catheter interventions with regard to long term outcome. 3. Control of Diabetes with Insulin saves patient from cardio-vascular diseases. 4. Rosiglitazone has negative impact on heart even though it is a good diabetic drug. It increases the rate of occurrence of Myocardial Infarction and Heart failure by fluid retention. 5. Weight reduction, physical exercise and reduction of cholesterol level are best treatment to reduce future cardio vascular complications in diabetic patients. … [Read more...]
Avandia may cause Heart disease
According to the study published in New England Journal of Medicine, Avandia, drug used in Type2 diabetes, increases the risk of cardiac-related fatalities by 64 per cent % and heart attacks by 43%. Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is in use since 1999 to treat Type2 diabetes generally in combination with Metformin or Glimipride. The study was conducted over the extensive period of 2 years on 28,000 people. According to the study, 65% of deaths among diabetic patients using this drug is due to heart disease. This drug is in wide use worldwide with more than 6 million people are taking this drug solely or in combination to control blood sugar level. Diabetes affects 18 million people in America and 200 million people worldwide. Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is a Thiazolidinedione group of drug which was widely used in the treatment of type2 diabetes. Previously Troglitazone was removed from the market due to hepato-toxicity. The thiazolidinediones are agonists for peroxisome-proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR). GlaxoSmithKline questioned the authority of this research and released a report supporting its argument. Food and Drug administration issued an alert and appointed a panel to look into this issue. Previously, Merck drug pain killer “Vioxx” was removed from the market on the similar concerns (heart diseases). Please share your opinion on this controversy. … [Read more...]
