Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common lifestyle disease affecting millions of people all over the world. Luckily, mankind has got the wonder drug “Insulin” in their hands to protect themselves from that ailment. Now the diabetic patients can lead normal life safely and happily. But many patients have many misconceptions about insulin. So, detailed information about insulin is given below, to remove those wrong notions. The pancreatic gland in our body is constantly producing the hormone “insulin’, depending upon the demands of the body at various timings during the day. If the production of insulin is less or its efficacy of action is imperfect, the person develops diabetes. The Mechanism of Insulin production in the body: The food taken by us is digested and converts into glucose and enters the blood stream. Every cell in the body utilizes the glucose as energy for its normal function. But for the utilization of glucose by the cells, sufficient insulin should be present in the body. One way insulin acts as a “key’’. So first of all, Insulin should open the door of the cell and then glucose enters the cell. Otherwise glucose goes on accumulating in the blood and diabetes occurs in the body. So insulin plays a key role. Discovery of Insulin: Insulin was first discovered in the year 1920 by two scientists, Banting and Best, from the pancreatic gland of the dog. Later on insulin is prepared pig’s pancreatic gland and was used in the humans. But some persons raised objection to use insulin prepared from the pigs. Afterwards, insulin was prepared from the beef (buffaloes) and was in use up to 1980. But it was giving lot of troubles to the patients. Thereafter human insulin came into existence. It was prepared by keeping the human ‘DNA’ in the Ecolab bacteria. The insulin thus produced is almost like human insulin in all aspects. Later on human insulin has been produced by keeping the human DNA in the fungi, grown on the bread pieces. Presently this type of insulin is in use and is considered as the boon to the diabetic patients. Indications for Insuln use: Insulin is best being given to the following type of diabetic patients, through out their life. 1. Patients above the age of 70 years. 2. Patients suffering from diabetes for more tan 10 years. 3. If blood sugar level is more than250mg/100ml of blood on the empty stomach (without taking any thing), before breakfast. 4. If more than 500 mg level at any time during the day. 5. HbA1c (Glycosylated hemoglobin) is done once in 3months and if it is more than 10. (For these type of patients insulin has to given for 3months, afterwards oral medication is sufficient). 6. Triglyceride levels are more than 600 mg/1ooml of blood. (It is enough if insulin is given for 3months). 7. If micro albumin in urine is more than 20 mg. 8. Diabetic patients having heart problems, found in ECG testing. 9. Chest infections diagnosed on x-ray. 10. Finding retinal changes (retinopathy) in the eyes. 11. Any other serious diseases present in the body. Note: Type-1 Diabetic patients (juvenile variety) have to take insulin through out their life. If pregnant women develop diabetes, they have to take insulin until the completion of delivery. Insulin saved millions of lives in the past 80 years. Insulin is really a wonder drug. … [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...]
When to take Insulin?
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common lifestyle disease affecting millions of people all over the world. Luckily, mankind has got the wonder drug “Insulin” in their hands to protect themselves from that ailment. Now the diabetic patients can lead normal life safely and happily. But many patients have many misconceptions about insulin. So, detailed information about insulin is given below, to remove those wrong notions. The pancreatic gland in our body is constantly producing the hormone “insulin’, depending upon the demands of the body at various timings during the day. If the production of insulin is less or its efficacy of action is imperfect, the person develops diabetes. The Mechanism of Insulin production in the body: The food taken by us is digested and converts into glucose and enters the blood stream. Every cell in the body utilizes the glucose as energy for its normal function. But for the utilization of glucose by the cells, sufficient insulin should be present in the body. One way insulin acts as a “key’’. So first of all, Insulin should open the door of the cell and then glucose enters the cell. Otherwise glucose goes on accumulating in the blood and diabetes occurs in the body. So insulin plays a key role. Discovery of Insulin: Insulin was first discovered in the year 1920 by two scientists, Banting and Best, from the pancreatic gland of the dog. Later on insulin is prepared pig’s pancreatic gland and was used in the humans. But some persons raised objection to use insulin prepared from the pigs. Afterwards, insulin was prepared from the beef (buffaloes) and was in use up to 1980. But it was giving lot of troubles to the patients. Thereafter human insulin came into existence. It was prepared by keeping the human ‘DNA’ in the Ecolab bacteria. The insulin thus produced is almost like human insulin in all aspects. Later on human insulin has been produced by keeping the human DNA in the fungi, grown on the bread pieces. Presently this type of insulin is in use and is considered as the boon to the diabetic patients. Indications for Insuln use: Insulin is best being given to the following type of diabetic patients, through out their life. 1. Patients above the age of 70 years. 2. Patients suffering from diabetes for more tan 10 years. 3. If blood sugar level is more than250mg/100ml of blood on the empty stomach (without taking any thing), before breakfast. 4. If more than 500 mg level at any time during the day. 5. HbA1c (Glycosylated hemoglobin) is done once in 3months and if it is more than 10. (For these type of patients insulin has to given for 3months, afterwards oral medication is sufficient). 6. Triglyceride levels are more than 600 mg/1ooml of blood. (It is enough if insulin is given for 3months). 7. If micro albumin in urine is more than 20 mg. 8. Diabetic patients having heart problems, found in ECG testing. 9. Chest infections diagnosed on x-ray. 10. Finding retinal changes (retinopathy) in the eyes. 11. Any other serious diseases present in the body. Note: Type-1 Diabetic patients (juvenile variety) have to take insulin through out their life. If pregnant women develop diabetes, they have to take insulin until the completion of delivery. Insulin saved millions of lives in the past 80 years. Insulin is really a wonder drug. … [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...]
Diabetes advice: Exercise, Medication and Diet facts
These are some of the essentail facts about Diabetes. Advice on Diabetic diet, Diabetic medication and exercise. If proper care is taken with disciplined life style, Diabetics can live normal life. It is hereditary. Diabetes runs in families.. A gene is present in the family members. More thirst, more urination – more common mainly in diabetic Children. These symptoms may be less common in adults. If both parents are diabetics, more is the risk for children. Wounds take more time to heel in diabetics. So, proper care is better. After 30 years, it should be good to monitor glucose levels yearly. In Diabetes, sugar level in the blood is more important than in urine. If sugar is present in urine but not in blood, it is renal Glycosuria. There is no diabetes in that perso. Diabtes -Blood tests: Random blood sugar test is not perfect. Test on empty stomach early in the morning and after 2 hours food taken is essential. Borderline persons – Glucose tolerance should be done to decide diabetes in them. Diabetes Diet: Diet should be taken in small amounts 5-6 times daily at regular intervals. Diabetics should not indulge in fasting and feasts –as they imbalance the glucose regulatory mechanism. Exercise – Be regular and uniform. Brisk walking is the best exercise in diabetics. 30-45 minutes of daily walk is a must for every diabetic patient. Keep a candy to compensate decrease in the blood level if necessary. Diabetes Medication – Medicine should be taken at regular intervals. By mistake, if you forgot to to take the drug yesterday, you should not take it in excess dosage today. You might have taken sweets, for that you need not increase the dosage. Never stop taking insulin even in illness. Check your glucose levels at least monthly once or as per directions of physician. Taking medicine without consulting doctor is not good for your health. The time honored slogan in Diabetes: First preference: Regular exercise. Second preference: Diet control Third preference: Drugs All the three are important. For the sake of one, you should not neglect others. Please comment on this article. … [Read more...]
