Showing posts with label Hypoglycemia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hypoglycemia. Show all posts
Does Stress Lead to Increased Diabetes Risk?
It is believed that improperly unmanaged stress is a major determinant in almost all illness conditions. Does stress also leads to diabetes? Let us investigate.
There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also known as juvenile diabetes because it starts in children and young adults. It is due to insufficient amount of insulin being produced (known as insulin deficiency). Since it does not start later in life, we can safely conclude that type 1 diabetes mellitus is unlikely to be caused by stress.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because
1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.
Discussion on what insulin is and what the roles it plays is in order.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism (and to some extent fat metabolism as well). Insulin helps the body to use sugar. Sugar is the basic source of energy for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When we say blood sugar, we refer to glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood. Our body needs to have glucose level controlled to within a narrow range (0.7-1.1 mg per ml). Below 0.7 mg per ml is termed "hypoglycemia", and above 1.8 mg per ml is termed "hyperglycemia". Both can result in problems as we shall see later.
When there is more glucose in the blood, more insulin is secreted into the blood, resulting in cells (muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells) absorbing the glucose out of the blood, thus reducing the blood glucose level.
When there is less glucose in the blood, more glucagon (counter part of insulin) is secreted into the blood, stimulating liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing blood glucose. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to produce glucose out of protein.
If the glucose does not go into cells, instead it builds up in the blood, two problems arise. Firstly, if the cells do not get the glucose they need, they die. Secondly, prolong period of high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Insulin is used to treat this "hyperglycemia" aspect of diabetes.
"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach to be acted on. This often happens when a patient injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.
Now that we understand the mechanics of diabetes, is there anything to suggest that stress can cause diabetes (type 2)?
The usual reason explaining where stress lead to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, diabetes is not caused by weak immunity system.
Psychological stress caused by the death of a spouse, a financial crisis or other life-altering event has been associated with higher risk of developing diabetes in middle age. Many studies have shown that the abovementioned types of major life events were associated with type 2 diabetes regardless of family history of the disease, exercise or alcohol use. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.
There is a theory that says that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of sex steroids such as testosterone, which have been shown to influence the action of insulin.
Some researchers have tried to determine whether stress, which can be measured using the ratio cortisol:testosterone, affects insulin resistance. In the prospective study by George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, cortisol:testoterone ratio was positively associated with IHD (ischemic heart disease) mortality and incidence. Adjustment for potential socioeconomic and behavioral confounding variables had little influence on these associations, but they appeared to be mediated by components of the insulin resistance syndrome (elevated blood pressure, triglyceride levels, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and impaired glucose tolerance). This suggests that methods of reducing the cortisol:testoterone ratio may improve insulin resistance and reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). But, it does not suggest that reducing stress can reduce the risk of diabetes.
More conclusive research findings will be needed before we can conclude that stress does indeed lead to diabetes.
There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also known as juvenile diabetes because it starts in children and young adults. It is due to insufficient amount of insulin being produced (known as insulin deficiency). Since it does not start later in life, we can safely conclude that type 1 diabetes mellitus is unlikely to be caused by stress.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because
1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.
Discussion on what insulin is and what the roles it plays is in order.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism (and to some extent fat metabolism as well). Insulin helps the body to use sugar. Sugar is the basic source of energy for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When we say blood sugar, we refer to glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood. Our body needs to have glucose level controlled to within a narrow range (0.7-1.1 mg per ml). Below 0.7 mg per ml is termed "hypoglycemia", and above 1.8 mg per ml is termed "hyperglycemia". Both can result in problems as we shall see later.
When there is more glucose in the blood, more insulin is secreted into the blood, resulting in cells (muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells) absorbing the glucose out of the blood, thus reducing the blood glucose level.
When there is less glucose in the blood, more glucagon (counter part of insulin) is secreted into the blood, stimulating liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing blood glucose. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to produce glucose out of protein.
If the glucose does not go into cells, instead it builds up in the blood, two problems arise. Firstly, if the cells do not get the glucose they need, they die. Secondly, prolong period of high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Insulin is used to treat this "hyperglycemia" aspect of diabetes.
"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach to be acted on. This often happens when a patient injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.
Now that we understand the mechanics of diabetes, is there anything to suggest that stress can cause diabetes (type 2)?
The usual reason explaining where stress lead to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, diabetes is not caused by weak immunity system.
Psychological stress caused by the death of a spouse, a financial crisis or other life-altering event has been associated with higher risk of developing diabetes in middle age. Many studies have shown that the abovementioned types of major life events were associated with type 2 diabetes regardless of family history of the disease, exercise or alcohol use. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.
There is a theory that says that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of sex steroids such as testosterone, which have been shown to influence the action of insulin.
Some researchers have tried to determine whether stress, which can be measured using the ratio cortisol:testosterone, affects insulin resistance. In the prospective study by George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, cortisol:testoterone ratio was positively associated with IHD (ischemic heart disease) mortality and incidence. Adjustment for potential socioeconomic and behavioral confounding variables had little influence on these associations, but they appeared to be mediated by components of the insulin resistance syndrome (elevated blood pressure, triglyceride levels, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and impaired glucose tolerance). This suggests that methods of reducing the cortisol:testoterone ratio may improve insulin resistance and reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). But, it does not suggest that reducing stress can reduce the risk of diabetes.
More conclusive research findings will be needed before we can conclude that stress does indeed lead to diabetes.
About The Author Jacob Gan PhD (Michigan) has more than 20 years of teaching experience in a university and 8 years of business/industrial experience. He writes forhttp://succezz.com, http://JacobGan.com, http://JacobEducation.com andhttp://jacobLearning.com. |
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An Overview On The Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
Manifestations of the Disease
Diabetic Neuropathy can lead to numbness, weakness and pain in the following area:
Hands
Arms
Feet
Legs
Diabetic Neuropathy: An Overview
It can also occur in any organ system of the body including the cardiovascular system, specifically the heart, the gastrointestinal system and reproductive system. It also appears to be widespread in people who have a hard time controlling their blood sugar levels, people with high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol, overweight and people over the age of 40.
The Common Types
The types of diabetic neuropathy are as follows:
Peripheral
Autonomic
Proximal
Focal
The most widespread type of diabetic neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. It is also called as distal symmetric neuropathy; it involves the arms and legs and causes pain or loss of feeling in the toes, feet, legs, hands and arms.
Autonomic Neuropathy is a diabetic neuropathy that is responsible for the changes in digestion, sexual response, bowel and bladder function and perspiration. It also affects the nerves in the heart and control in blood pressure. This can also cause hypoglycemia unawareness wherein the person involved will not experience any warning signs of low blood sugar. With this predicament, a diabetic patient should always see to it that his or her diet is a balanced diet. Not too much or too little sugar is advisable .You can choose dish up a good meal from the thousands of diabetic recipes in the internet.
Proximal Neuropathy can also cause pain in the thighs, hips and buttocks. Usually the pain occurs on one side only. It can also lead to leg weakness and the common treatment for this physical therapy and some medications. The recovery period varies from person to person and the type and degree of the nerve damage.
Focal neuropathy can result in sudden weakness of a specific nerve or a bundle of nerves that causes muscles pain or weakness. Oftentimes it occurs in the head, leg and torso .It can cause eye pain, double vision, Bell’s palsy or paralysis of one side of the face. This type of diabetic neuropathy is oftentimes unpredictable but it is self-limiting and will not cause long-term damage.
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Much Needed Diabetic Supplies
Vacation Trips and Tips
Airline Travel, Vacations, Cruises and Road trips are all possible. You just need to do some planning and work. You need to plan the things that you need especially your diabetic supplies in case an emergency occurs, this will allow a safe and fun vacation for you and your family or friends. However, before everything else you need to inform your doctor about your plans. He will give you a list of diabetic supplies that you need. Most probably, it will include these items:
Insulin doses – these are indispensable diabetic supplies. Whenever you travel never, forget to bring this because this is the only thing that can save your life when you blood sugar shoots up to the highest level. Ask your doctor for any changes in the dose and an extra prescription in case you run out of supply.
Diabetic food - you should carry snacks, juices and plenty of water. This will help you raise your blood sugar level during hypoglycemic episodes (low blood glucose level).
Medical alert bracelet – this is also an important since it will inform everybody during an emergency situation as to who to call and what to do.
Insulin Pump – if you are insulin dependent diabetic and you need to fly, insulin pumps are the most important diabetic supplies that you can use. Before you take them, do not forget to do some inspection. Definitely, it will set the alarm on metal detectors, if they want you to take it off, just remind them politely that you cannot do so because the needle is inserted under your skin.
Once you are cleared at the metal detector and all your supplies are screened, here are a handful of diabetic supplies that you can also carry on board:
Urine Ketone Test Strips
Glucagon emergency kit
Disposal container for used syringes and test strips
Insulin dispensing products such as vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers and any insulin preloaded syringes.
A vial of insulin
Syringes
Cotton swabs
Glucometer
Lancets
Testing Strips
Remember when traveling always double check what you have prepared, specially your diabetic supplies. This will save you from any problems during your travel.
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