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Related terms: Hyperglycemia, High Blood Sugar
FDA Warns Diabetics Against Use of Secondhand Test Strips
Posted 2 days 17 hours ago by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 – Millions of Americans with diabetes use glucose meters and test strips to monitor their blood sugar, but affording those supplies can be a challenge. And that leads some people to use secondhand test strips to save money. It's legal for people to sell unused secondhand test strips. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises against buying or selling pre-owned test strips because they may give incorrect results and may not be safe to use with a glucose meter. "Test strips should be properly stored to give accurate results," according to the FDA. "If you buy pre-owned strips, it is hard to know whether the strips were stored properly. Test strips also could be expired. A lack of proper storage or using expired strips could put you at risk for getting incorrect results from your glucose meter. And incorrect results can put you at risk for serious health ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Insulin, Lantus, Diabetes, Type 1, Novolog, Humalog, Insulin Resistance, Lantus Solostar, Levemir, Pre-Diabetes, Novolin R, Novolin N, Diabetes Mellitus, Humulin N, Lantus Solostar Pen, Humulin R, NovoLog FlexPen, Toujeo, Humalog KwikPen, Apidra
Key Diabetes Test Gives Higher Blood Sugar Readings in Black Patients
Posted 10 days ago by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 13, 2017 – A commonly used blood test that measures average long-term blood sugar levels – called hemoglobin A1C – is known to give higher readings for black people with diabetes, and now new research may indicate why. "There has been a long debate about why African Americans have a higher hemoglobin A1C than whites [with diabetes]. Is it a biological difference or do African Americans have higher blood glucose because they don't have the same access to care or insurance?" said the study's lead author, Dr. Richard Bergenstal. "There would be rather profound implications if it was all of one or all of the other," said Bergenstal, who's the executive director of the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis. Instead, the study found that both biological and socioeconomic factors appear to play a role in the difference. "It turned out to be a little bit of each. There's ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Insulin Resistance, Hypoglycemia, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Diagnosis and Investigation, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
For Diabetics, Nasal Powder Fixed Severe Low Blood Sugar
Posted 10 days ago by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 13, 2017 – For many people with diabetes, low blood sugar levels are a serious health risk, but researchers report that a new nasal powder quickly reverses the effects of this dangerous condition. Better yet, it can be administered even when someone is unconscious, the researchers added. The nasal powder contains the hormone glucagon. This hormone tells the body to release stored sugar, which will generally reverse a low blood sugar episode. Glucagon is currently only available in an injectable form that has to be mixed before it is injected. "Family members can be terrified to use the injectable form. But 95 percent of caregivers found nasal glucagon very easy to use," said study leader Dr. Elizabeth Seaquist. She's directs the University of Minnesota's division of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. Seaquist is also a consultant for Eli Lilly and Co., which plans to ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Diabetes, Type 1, Insulin Resistance, Hypoglycemia, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Glucagon, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, GlucaGen, Diabetic Coma, Diabetic Coma (in DM Type I), Diabetic Coma (in DM Type II)
Study Confirms Link Between SGLT2 inhibitors and Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Posted 16 days ago by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 – A new class of type 2 diabetes drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors could increase the risk of a rare, life-threatening complication of the disease called ketoacidosis, a new study warns. SGLT2 inhibitors include prescription medications such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin. Brand names are Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance and Glyxambi. These drugs first became available in 2013, but in 2015 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about an increased risk for diabetic ketoacidosis when SGLT2 inhibitors are used. The condition typically occurs in people with type 1 diabetes. And while it is uncommon in people with type 2 diabetes, case reports have shown it can occur with type 2 disease, according to the study authors. Ketoacidosis can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and swelling in the brain. Left ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Diabetes, Type 1, Insulin Resistance, Invokana, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Farxiga, Jardiance, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Glyxambi, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Canagliflozin, Xigduo XR, Dapagliflozin, Synjardy, Invokamet, Empagliflozin/linagliptin, Empagliflozin, Synjardy XR, Dapagliflozin/metformin
Health Tip: What's My Target Blood Glucose?
Posted 17 days ago by Drugs.com
-- Monitoring your blood glucose helps keep diabetes in check and complications at bay. But what's your target range? The American Diabetes Association mentions these factors that affect your target: How long you have had diabetes. Your age and life expectancy. Any other chronic health conditions, including cardivascular disease. Being unaware of when you have low blood glucose. Read more
Related support groups: Obesity, Diabetes, Type 2, Diabetes, Type 1, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
Sleep Apnea May Boost Odds of Irregular Heartbeat
Posted 23 May 2017 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 – People with sleep apnea may be more likely to develop the abnormal heart rhythm atrial fibrillation, especially if the oxygen level in their blood drops below normal, Canadian researchers report. Sleep apnea, which obstructs breathing, causes people to wake many times during the night to start breathing again. It's possible, researchers said, that disrupted sleep along with a drop in the level of oxygen in the blood might lead to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation causes a rapid and irregular heartbeat. This can lead to stroke and heart problems. "Patients who are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea should undergo testing, particularly if they have other cardiac risk factors," said study senior researcher Dr. Richard Leung, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. "Therapy should be strongly considered for patients who have ... Read more
Related support groups: High Blood Pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Type 2, Hypertension, Atrial Fibrillation, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Sleep Apnea, Insulin Resistance, Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation, Pre-Diabetes, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Hypertensive Heart Disease
3 Key Lifestyle Factors Can Lower Breast Cancer Odds
Posted 23 May 2017 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 – Things that keep you healthy overall, also appear to help lower a woman's risk of breast cancer, a new review says. The review found that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol could all reduce breast cancer odds. The report, from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, is based on a review of over 100 studies. On balance, researchers found, regular exercise was tied to small reductions in the risk of breast cancer. On the other hand, the risk was elevated among women who drank regularly – even at a "moderate" one-drink-a-day level. Meanwhile, women who were overweight throughout adulthood faced a heightened risk of breast cancer after menopause. The bottom line is that women can take steps to cut their odds of developing the disease, according to Dr. Anne McTiernan, one of the report ... Read more
Related support groups: Obesity, Diabetes, Type 2, Cancer, Heart Disease, Weight Loss, Breast Cancer, Alcohol Dependence, Alcoholism, Pre-Diabetes, Hangover, Diabetes Mellitus, Breast Cancer, Prevention, Ischemic Heart Disease, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Acute Alcohol Intoxication
Obamacare a Win-Win for Poorer Adults: Study
Posted 18 May 2017 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 – Low-income Americans have gained access to medical care and improved their health under the Affordable Care Act's coverage expansions, a new study says. "With Congress debating major changes to the Affordable Care Act, especially for people on Medicaid and with pre-existing conditions, it's critical for policymakers to understand what's at risk. Our study shows that the ACA continues to improve medical care and health among low-income patients and those with chronic illnesses," said study author Benjamin Sommers. He's an associate professor of health policy and economics at Harvard University's School of Public Health. The researchers found that people who obtained health coverage under Medicaid or through the federal insurance marketplace had reduced out-of-pocket spending, better access to primary care and preventive services, and improved self-reported ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Asthma, Asthma - Acute, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, Intravenous Insulin Drip
'Healthy Obese' May Be a Myth
Posted 17 May 2017 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 – The so-called "healthy obese" don't get off scot-free. They still have a higher risk of heart disease than normal-weight people, a new British study finds. Folks dubbed healthy obese don't have metabolic problems typically associated with obesity – such as high cholesterol, poor blood sugar control, diabetes or high blood pressure. But, it's been unclear if they are at increased risk for problems such as heart failure or stroke. In this study, researchers analyzed 1995-2015 electronic health records of 3.5 million people aged 18 and older in the United Kingdom who were initially free of heart disease. Compared to normal-weight people with no metabolic problems, healthy obese people had a 50 percent higher risk of heart disease, a 7 percent higher risk of stroke, twice the risk of heart failure, and a greater risk of peripheral artery disease (or PAD, which is ... Read more
Related support groups: High Blood Pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Type 2, Hypertension, Weight Loss, Ischemic Stroke, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Ischemic Stroke - Prophylaxis, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Hypertensive Heart Disease
As Temps Rise, Risk of Pregnancy Complications May Too
Posted 15 May 2017 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 – Outdoor air temperature may influence a pregnant woman's risk of developing gestational diabetes, a new study suggests. Mothers-to-be in very cold climes are less likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy than women exposed to hotter temperatures, researchers say. If borne out in other studies, these findings could have important implications for the prevention and management of gestational diabetes, said study lead author Dr. Gillian Booth. Changes in temperature may only lead to a small increase in the risk of gestational diabetes, but the number of women affected may be substantial, said Booth. She is a scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Also, areas that are getting hotter because of climate change could see more cases of gestational diabetes, the study authors theorized. Others are less certain of this ... Read more
Related support groups: Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation, Gestational Diabetes, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Labor and Delivery including Augmentation
People With Pre-Existing Health Issues Fear Repeal-and-Replace Bill
Posted 12 May 2017 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, May 11, 2017 – Maureen Murphy believes she has much to lose if Republicans in Congress pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. One of millions of Americans with a pre-existing condition, Murphy was a healthy nonsmoker with normal blood pressure when her medical saga began. What one hospital wrongly diagnosed as Bell's palsy turned out to be "antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with anticardiolipin antibodies." In short, her own body was attacking normal blood proteins and forming multiple blood clots. An MRI revealed that she had suffered a series of small strokes. Murphy, a television and video production specialist, had tried to buy coverage ahead of her diagnosis in October 2010. But she got stung by a proposed rate hike because of a pre-existing condition. Turns out she had been tagged with "depression" because she attended ... Read more
Related support groups: Cancer, Heart Disease, Dementia, HIV Infection, Alzheimer's Disease, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Ischemic Heart Disease
Health Tip: Managing Meals With Gastroparesis
Posted 11 May 2017 by Drugs.com
-- Gastroparesis occurs when food in the stomach empties more slowly than it's supposed to. It's more common in people with diabetes. If you have the condition, the American Diabetes Association recommends: Eat small amounts of food throughout the day, rather than larger meals. Eat your meals slowly. Sit upright after you eat. Take a walk after eating. Avoid food that's high in fat or fiber. Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Insulin Resistance, Gastroparesis, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
Health Tip: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices
Posted 26 Apr 2017 by Drugs.com
-- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices constantly track your blood sugar levels to help you manage diabetes. The Cleveland Clinic says potential benefits of a CGM device include: Real-time updates of your blood glucose (sugar) level. An alarm that alerts you when your blood glucose is too high or too low. The ability to export blood glucose readings to a computer, providing a record for your doctor. Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
The Top 5 Conditions That Shorten Americans' Lives -- And Are Preventable
Posted 24 Apr 2017 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, April 24, 2017 – More bad news for plus-sized Americans: Obesity is the leading cause of preventable life-years lost in the nation, a new study finds. Obesity steals more years than diabetes, tobacco, high blood pressure and high cholesterol – the other top preventable health problems that cut Americans' lives short, according to researchers who analyzed 2014 data. "Modifiable behavioral risk factors pose a substantial mortality burden in the U.S.," said study lead author Glen Taksler, an internal medicine researcher at the Cleveland Clinic. "These preliminary results continue to highlight the importance of weight loss, diabetes management and healthy eating in the U.S. population," Taksler said in a clinic news release. Obesity was linked with as much as 47 percent more life-years lost than tobacco, his team said. Tobacco, meanwhile, had the same effect on life span as high ... Read more
Related support groups: High Blood Pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Type 2, Hypertension, Smoking, High Cholesterol, Smoking Cessation, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Hypertensive Heart Disease
Diabetes Continues Its Relentless Rise
Posted 13 Apr 2017 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, April 12, 2017 – Two new studies on diabetes deliver good and bad news, but the overall message is that the blood sugar disease remains a formidable public health burden. The first study looked at the incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in U.S. children, and uncovered this troubling trend: From 2002 to 2012, the rates for both types of diabetes increased, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. But a bit of hope was offered up in the second study: Swedish researchers reported a drop in the incidence of heart disease and stroke in adults with both types of diabetes. "These studies highlight our concerns about the increasing prevalence of diabetes. Every 23 seconds, another person is diagnosed with diabetes [in the United States]," said Dr. William Cefalu, chief scientific, medical and mission officer for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Cefalu added that ... Read more
Related support groups: Diabetes, Type 2, Diabetes, Type 1, Diabetic Neuropathy, Insulin Resistance, Diabetic Nerve Damage, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance, Intravenous Insulin Drip
