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high blood glucose level

It can affect our blood sugar levels, as well as our blood glucose control, can t affect our sleep.

What Is The Link Between Sleep And Diabetes?

by tanja September 22, 2019

People who have diabetes always wonder what is the connection between diabetes and sleep. Yes, there is a connection between them. It can affect our blood sugar levels, as well as our blood glucose control, can t affect our sleep. Difficulty getting a good night’s rest could be a result of a number of reasons, from hypos at night, to high blood sugars or maybe signs of neuropathy.

Trouble sleeping from high sugar levels

On one hand, high blood sugar levels, hyperglycemia can have a negative impact on your sleep. The high levels make it less comfortable for you during the night. Sometimes you may feel too warm or irritable and unsettled.

Another factor when your blood sugar levels are high, you need to go to the toilet during the night. People who face with regularly high blood sugar levels at night feel frustrated because they can’t rest and feel tired the next day.

Trouble sleeping from low sugar levels

On the other hand, low blood glucose levels, hypoglycemia, can have a negative impact on your sleep as well. If you are taking insulin or other blood sugar medication, you may be at risk of low blood glucose levels during the night.

Low blood sugar levels overnight can disrupt your sleep pattern. Moreover, it can lead to difficulty waking in the morning and tiredness through the day.

Nighttime hypoglycemia can be noticeable. For example, when I face with hypoglycemia, I always wake up sweating. If you are experiencing night time hypos, it is important to talk with your doctor.

Getting a good night’s sleep

If you want to have a good night’s sleep, it is very important to do the following things:

Keep your blood glucose under control
Ensure your room is cool (around 18 degrees Celcius) and well ventilated
Incorporating a period of exercise into each day
Stick to a regular bedtime.

Last, but not least, I would recommend it to check the website of SleepHere.Org. They have created a list of additional resources about diabetes and sleep that you might find useful.

September 22, 2019 0 comment

The symptoms and causes of diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetes treatment

Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Symptoms And Causes

by tanja July 9, 2019

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.

This condition develops when the body can’t produce enough insulin. As we know, glucose is the major source of energy for our muscles and other tissues. Insulin helps the glucose enter in the cells. Without enough insulin, our body begins to break down fat as fuel. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones. High levels of ketones can poison the body. When levels get too high, you can develop DKA. DKA may happen to anyone with diabetes, though it is rare in people with type 2.

As a result, we have to learn the warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis and know when to seek emergency care.

Symptoms

The signs may develop within 24 hours. The following symptoms may be the first indication of having diabetes:

Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Weakness or fatigue
Shortness of breath
Fruity-scented breath
Confusion

However, more-specific signs can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits as well. They are :

High blood sugar level (hyperglycemia)
High ketone levels in your urine.

What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?

Here are three basic reasons for moderate or large amounts of ketones:

Not enough insulin
If you have an inadequate insulin therapy or if you miss your insulin treatment, it can leave you with too little insulin in your system. Hence, it can trigger an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Not enough food
High levels may also occur when you miss a meal.

Insulin reaction (low blood glucose)
If testing shows high ketone levels in the morning, you may have had an insulin reaction while asleep.

Last but not least, ketoacidosis is dangerous and serious. Furthermore, it can be fatal as well. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY, or go to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital.

July 9, 2019 0 comment

Diabetes tips Diabetes treatment

Diabetic Retinopathy: Prevention

by tanja November 4, 2018

Facts about diabetic prevention: Diabetic retinopathy can not always be prevented. But, we can reduce the risk of developing it or stop it getting worse. We can do that by keeping our blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.

Vision loss to diabetic retinopathy is sometimes irreversible. However, early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness by 95 percent. Because diabetic retinopathy often lacks early symptoms, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. People with diabetic retinopathy may need eye exams more frequently. Women with diabetes who become pregnant should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible.

The prevention

If you have diabetes, reduce your risk of getting diabetic retinopathy by doing the following:

Manage your diabetes

Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and try to cut down on salt, fat, and sugar. Also, exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity.

Monitor your blood sugar level regularly

Check and record your blood sugar level several times a day. If you are ill or under stress, you have to check your blood sugar level more frequently during the day.

Take a glycosylated hemoglobin test every 3 or 4 months

Diabetic retinopathy: Prevention

Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control

Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly and lose excess weight. All these things can help you keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit

Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy. So, it’s preferable to stop smoking.

Pay attention to vision changes

Anytime you experience sudden vision changes (blurry, hazy), contact your eye doctor.

Last, but not least, remember, diabetes doesn’t always lead to vision loss. If you take an active role in diabetes management, it can go a long way toward preventing complications.

November 4, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes Diabetes Facts

Diabetic Retinopathy – Symptoms and Causes

by tanja October 22, 2018

One of the diabetes complications that may affect our eyes is diabetic retinopathy. This happens when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. The retina detects light and converts it to signals sent through the optic nerve to the brain. Furthermore, it can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak fluid or hemorrhage (bleed), distorting vision.

The description about what diabetic retinopathy means.

In fact, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms. As the condition progresses, the symptoms may include:

Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
Blurred vision
Fluctuating vision
Impaired color vision
Dark or empty areas in your vision
Vision loss.

Consequently, diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes. However, it may progress through four stages:

Mild nonproliferative retinopathy

To start with, this is the earliest stage of the disease when small areas (microaneurysms) in the retina’s tiny blood vessels occur. Likewise, they may leak fluid into the retina

Moderate nonproliferative retinopathy

As the disease progresses, blood vessels that nourish the retina may swell and distort. Moreover, they may also lose their ability to transport blood.

Severe nonproliferative retinopathy

In this stage, not only many more blood vessels are blocked, but also the blood can’t be supplied to the areas of the retina. These areas secrete growth factors that signal the retina to grow new blood vessels.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)

At this advanced stage, the new blood vessels are fragile and they are more likely to leak and bleed as well. Accompanying scar tissue can contract and cause retinal detachment—the pulling away of the retina from underlying tissue and this can lead to permanent vision loss.

Source: https://nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy

October 22, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes tips Diabetes treatment

What Do I Do When My Blood Glucose Level Is High?

by tanja April 14, 2018

Hyperglycemia is high blood glucose (blood sugar) level. High blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly. If we don’t control regularly the hyperglycemia, the complications may be severe or even life-threatening. During my 20 years of experience with type 1 diabetes, I have had high blood sugar levels oftentimes. When my blood glucose level is high, I know how to react in those situations.

The things I do when my blood glucose level is high

When I measure high levels of blood glucose, I do the following:

I don’t panic

When I measure high levels of blood glucose, I NEVER panic. The panic is one of the factors that increase blood glucose levels. I always take a deep breath to stay calm.

As for the next two tips, I always practice only ONE of them.

I inject a certain dose of fast-acting insulin

When my blood glucose level is high, I inject the fast-acting insulin Apidra.

For me, this is a painful way for decreasing the blood glucose levels. The dose of fast-acting insulin I have to inject depends on the high blood glucose levels, as well as the consultation with my doctor endocrinologist.

I am physical active

It is interesting to note that being physically active for me is a more interesting way to decrease blood glucose levels. When I choose to be physically active, I usually climb the stairs in the building or run.

One hour after I inject insulin or being physically active, I check once again the blood glucose levels. If it is still high, I continue with the physical activity until the blood sugar is back to normal.

Summarize

To sum, it is important to maintain your blood glucose levels in the normal range and avoid hyperglycemia. Only in that way you can reduce the risk of the complications that may occur.

April 14, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes tips Diabetes treatment

Everyday Things That Increase The Blood Sugar Level

by tanja March 31, 2018

If you have diabetes, it is important to know that the food you eat can have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels. Whether you have diabetes or just concerned about maintaining steady blood sugar levels, it is important to pay attention to what you eat. Moreover, it’s important to be aware of some unexpected factors that can increase the blood sugar level.

The things that increase the blood sugar level

White bread

White bread is made from refined-flour which the body turns quickly into sugar and causes rapid blood sugar fluctuations.

Sweetened beverages

Carbohydrates in energy drinks, soft drinks, fruit juices, and sweetened coffees are rapidly processed by your body and can quickly make your blood sugar levels shoot up. Avoid sweetened beverages at all times to optimize blood sugar control, especially if your blood sugar levels are already high.

Coffee

Your blood sugar may rise after a cup of coffee due to the presence of caffeine. The same goes for black tea or green tea. Although caffeine affects different people differently, if you are diabetic you must limit your caffeine intake.

Red meat

Red meat and processed meat like bacon and ham are all high in saturated fats that may raise your blood sugar levels. Moreover, too much protein can also raise your insulin levels.

Illness

When you’re sick or you have an infection, there’s a drawback for people with diabetes and the blood sugar levels can soar. It’s important to stay well hydrated and to be even more careful than usual about what you eat. It’s sometimes necessary to call a doctor in order to increase diabetes medication. Be sure to get your health care provider’s advice on how often to measure your blood sugar and which medications to take.

Smoking cigarettes

Obviously, a smoking habit isn’t healthy for anyone, but cigarettes are particularly dangerous for people with diabetes. It increases blood sugar levels. These high blood sugar levels increase the risk of serious diabetes complications, such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

Lack of sleep

Poor sleep can lead to increased blood sugar levels and the risk of diabetic issues. If you sleep less, blood sugar increases, escalating the issue. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that people who slept less than 6 hours a night had more blood sugar complications compared to those who received 8 hours of sleep.

Stress

Stress, which can be physical or mental, definitely raises blood sugar levels. It increases cortisol. When cortisol goes up, it makes us less sensitive either to our body’s own insulin or to insulin injections. Even positive changes to your daily routine can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.

March 31, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes tips Diabetes treatment

How To Prevent Hyperglycemia?

by tanja March 22, 2018

The easiest way to prevent hyperglycemia is to control your diabetes. Тhere are many aspects of your diabetes care you can control:

Control your diabetes is one of the best ways to prevent hyperglycemia.

Taking your insulin (or glucose-lowering medication) as prescribed

Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of hyperglycemia, your doctor may adjust the dosage or timing of your medication.

Take your insulin as directed if you want to prevent hyperglycemia

Avoiding consuming too many calories (i.e., sugary beverages)

Carbohydrate-containing foods directly affect your blood glucose level after eating, so reviewing the amount of carbohydrate in your meals and snacks may be helpful in determining the cause of hyperglycemia.

Controlling stress

During periods of stress, the body releases so-called stress hormones, which cause a rise in blood glucose level. Stress hormones may be released during physical, mental, and emotional stresses. In the short term, this gives the body the extra energy it needs to cope with the stress. But if a person doesn’t have adequate insulin circulating in his bloodstream to enable his cells to use the extra energy, the result will be hyperglycemia.

Staying active (exercising)

Exercise usually lowers blood glucose levels because it improves your cells’ sensitivity to insulin and helps cells burn glucose for energy.

Exercise if you want to prevent hyperglycemia.

Going to your regularly scheduled doctor’s appointments

If you have trouble keeping your blood sugar within the desired range, schedule an appointment to see your doctor. He or she can help you make changes to better manage your diabetes.

Hyperglycemia is a common complication of diabetes, but through medication, exercise, and careful meal planning, you can keep your blood glucose level from going too high—and that can help you in the long-run.

Keeping your blood glucose levels in the recommended ranges throughout the day will help you avoid long-term complications of diabetes, such as:

Eye damage
Heart attack—or other cardiovascular complications
Kidney damage
Nerve damage
Stroke
Problems with healing wounds

By maintaining your blood glucose levels and prevent hyperglycemia, you can reduce your risk of all these complications.

March 22, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes Diabetes Facts

What Is Hyperglycemia?

by tanja March 18, 2018

Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (blood sugar). It describes an abnormally high blood glucose (blood sugar) level.

However, normal ranges for blood glucose measurements can vary slightly: For example:

The blood glucose levels are greater than 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dl) when fasting;
The blood glucose levels are greater than 11.0 mmol/L (200 mg/dl) 2 hours after meals.

What causes hyperglycemia?

In fact, high blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly.

Furthermore, more reasons for hyperglycemia include:

Missing a dose of diabetic medication, tablets or insulin;
Eating more carbohydrates than your body and/or medication can manage;
Being mentally or emotionally stressed (injury, surgery or anxiety);
Contracting an infection.

What are the early signs and symptoms?

Some of the early signs and symptoms are the following:

Frequent urination;
Increased thirst;
Blurred vision;
Fatigue;
Headache;
Regular/above-average urination;
Weakness or feeling tired;
Loss of weight.

Finally, if you recognize the early signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, it can help you treat the condition promptly.

Later signs and symptoms

If we don’t treat hyperglycemia, it can cause toxic acids (ketones) to build up in your blood and urine (ketoacidosis) as well. Consequently, later signs and symptoms are:

Fruity-smelling breath;
Nausea and vomiting;
Shortness of breath;
Dry mouth;
Weakness;
Confusion;
Coma;
Abdominal pain.

What are the complications?

Long-term complications of prolonged hyperglycemia can be severe. When the condition is poorly controlled, they can not only worse, but also they may develop slowly over time.

Finally, if you control your blood sugar regularly, you can prevent many complications. Some of them are:

Cardiovascular disease;
Nerve damage (neuropathy);
Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) or kidney failure;
Damage to the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness;
Clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye (cataract);
Feet problems caused by damaged nerves or poor blood flow that can lead to serious skin infections, ulcerations, as well as amputation;
Bone and joint problems;
Teeth and gum infections.

How to treat it?

Important, checking your blood glucose often is part of diabetes management. Likewise, ask your doctor how often you should check it. Last, but not least, check your blood and treat your blood glucose. Besides, it will help you avoid many problems.

March 18, 2018 0 comment

Diabetes Diabetes Facts

What Is Diabetes?

by tanja February 25, 2018

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food we eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin. Likewise, it doesn’t use insulin well. As a result, glucose stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

There are different types of diabetes. All types are complex and serious. The three main types are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. I will explain each type in my next post.

Moreover, it can cause serious health complications. For instance, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, lower-extremity amputations, and many others. Unfortunately, diabetes has no cure. But, people can take steps to manage it and have a healthy life as well.

Symptoms

Consequently, type 1, symptoms are often sudden and can be life-threatening; therefore it is usually diagnosed quite quickly. In comparison to this, in type 2, many people have no symptoms at all. However, other signs can go unnoticed being seen as part of “getting older”.

Common symptoms include:

Being more thirsty than usual
Passing more urine
Tiredness
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss (type 1)
Gradually putting on weight (type 2)
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps

The beginning of your education about diabetes

Millions of people around the world live with diabetes or know someone living with it. In fact, there is no cure for it. No matter how frightening, and frustrating diabetes can be, people with diabetes can live long, healthy, and happy lives.

My goal with this blog is to provide you with the information to help make that happen. Last, but not least, my blog is one of the million places where your education about diabetes can begin.

February 25, 2018 0 comment