Diabetic

 Diabetic

Diabetic hyperosmolar (hi-pur-oz-MOE-lur) syndrome is a serious condition that develops when your blood sugar reaches a very high level. When your blood sugar gets to this level, your blood becomes thick and syrupy, causing diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. Excess sugar passes from your blood into your urine, triggering a filtering process that draws tremendous amounts of fluid from your body.

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome usually affects people with type 2 diabetes, and may develop in people who haven't yet been diagnosed with diabetes.

Left untreated, diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can lead to life-threatening dehydration. Prompt medical care is essential.

Symptoms

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome may take days or even weeks to develop.  Pay attention to
possible signs and symptoms, which include:

    High blood sugar level
    Excessive thirst
    Dry mouth
    Increased urination
    Warm, dry skin with no sweating
    Fever
    Sleepiness
    Confusion
    Hallucinations
    Vision loss
    Weakness on one side of the body
    Convulsions
    Coma

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if your blood sugar is persistently higher than the target range your doctor has
recommended, or if you experience any signs or symptoms of diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome,
such as:

    Excessive thirst
    Increased urination
    Warm, dry skin without sweating
    Dry mouth
    Fever

Seek emergency care if:

    Your blood sugar level is 600 milligrams per decileter (mg/dL), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or higher
    You experience confusion, vision changes or weakness on one side of the body

Causes Diabetic

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome may be triggered by:

    Illness
    An underlying infection, such as pneumonia, dental or a urinary tract infection
    Not following your diabetes treatment plan
    Certain medications, such as water pills (diuretics)

Sometimes undiagnosed diabetes results in diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

Diabetic Risk factors

Certain factors raise your risk of developing diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, such as:

    Having type 2 diabetes. Although people with type 1 diabetes can be affected, hyperosmolar

syndrome is much more common in people with type 2 diabetes.  If you have type 2 diabetes, and

you don't monitor your blood sugar or you don't yet know you have type 2 diabetes, you have an even

higher risk.
    Being middle-aged or older. If you're in these age groups, you're more likely to develop diabetic

hyperosmolar syndrome.
    Having another chronic health condition. Your risk of hyperosmolar syndrome is increased if you

have another chronic illness, such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease.
    Having an infection. Having an illness, such as pneumonia or a virus, causes your blood sugar

levels to rise and can increase your risk of diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.
    Taking certain medications. Some drugs — such as corticosteroids (prednisone), diuretics

(hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone) and the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin) — can

increase your risk of developing hyperosmolar syndrome.

Diabetic Complications

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can lead to:

    Convulsions
    Heart attack
    Stroke
    Coma

Without prompt treatment, diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can be fatal.

Preparing for your appointment

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is a medical emergency that you won't have time to prepare for.
If you've been feeling the symptoms of high blood sugar, such as extreme thirst and excessive
urination, for a few days, check your blood sugar level and call your doctor for advice. If you feel the
symptoms of extreme high blood sugar (more than 600 mg/dL, or 33.3 mmol/L), call 911 or your local
emergency number. Don't try to drive yourself to the hospital.

If you're with someone who has diabetes and is acting confused, has one-sided weakness or has
passed out, call for immediate medical help.

After you've received treatment and are feeling better, some questions you might want to ask your
doctor include:

    How can I better control my diabetes?
    What range does my blood sugar need to be in?
    Do I need to see a specialist?
    What dietary changes do I need to follow?
    Can I get help from a dietitian?
    Does eating a meal with a lot of sugar bring on this syndrome?
    Do I need to consume fluids more regularly?
    Can diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome happen again?

Diabetic Tests and diagnosis

If you experience diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, prompt diagnosis is critical. The emergency
medical team will do a physical exam and may ask those who are with you about your medical
history.
Lab tests
You may need various lab tests to measure:
    Your current blood sugar level
    Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) — a blood test that indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months
    Whether or not ketones are present in your urine — ketones are byproducts made when fat is used as fuel instead of glucose
    Your kidney function, by testing the amount of blood urea nitrogen or creatinine in your blood
    The amount of potassium, phosphate and sodium in your blood

You'll be diagnosed with diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome if your blood sugar level is 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L) or higher.

Diabetic Treatments and drugs

Emergency treatment can correct diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome within hours. Treatment typically

includes:

    Intravenous fluids
    Insulin to lower your blood sugar levels
    Possibly, potassium, sodium or phosphate replacement to help your cells function correctly

If you have an infection, or an underlying health condition, such as congestive heart failure or kidney

disease, these conditions will be treated as well.

Diabetic Prevention

Good day-to-day control of your diabetes can help you prevent diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. Keep these tips in mind:

    Know the symptoms of high blood sugar. Be alert for the warning symptoms of high blood sugar, as well as the situations that put you at risk of developing hyperosmolar syndrome, such as illness.
    Follow your meal plan. Consistent snacks and meals can help keep your blood sugar level steady.
    Keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Blood sugar monitoring can tell you whether you're keeping your blood sugar level in your target range — and alert you to dangerous highs, especially if you have an infection. Ask your doctor how often you should test your blood sugar.
    Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of high blood sugar, let your doctor know. He or she may need to adjust the dosage or timing of your medication.
    Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity can help keep your blood sugar levels from going too high. Talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise plan, but for most people, experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week — about 30 minutes a day.
    Educate your loved ones, friends and co-workers. Teach loved ones and other close contacts how to recognize early signs and symptoms of blood sugar extremes — and how to summon emergency help should you pass out.
    Wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace. If you're unconscious, the ID can provide valuable information to your loved ones, co-workers and others — including emergency personnel.
    Stay up to date on your vaccinations. Be sure to get an annual flu shot, and ask your doctor if you need the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against some forms of pneumonia.

10 Tips On How To Reverse Diabetes Naturally

While diabetes medications, insulin injections and various other tools and resources which can help control blood sugar levels and are big business and can cost a diabetic at least $10,000.00, there are many natural ways that can be even more effective at managing blood sugar levels in addition to being inexpensive. Do keep in mind that type 1 diabetes is irreversible and is not preventable but  making healthy changes can help reduce symptoms and complication. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand can not only be prevented but can also be reversed. Here are 10 tips on how to reverse diabetes naturally.

How to Reverse Diabetes Naturally

1. The first step of course is prevention. One important way to reduce your risk of developing diabetes is to keep your weight under control. At least 80 percent of those with type 2 diabetes are obese. Obesity is believed to lead to insulin resistance which increases the chance of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

2. Once you have this disease, one very important step on how to reverse diabetes naturally is withyour diet. Diet is at the heart of any diabetes treatment plan. The elements of the diet that directly impact your blood sugar levels are carbohydrates and sugar which are turned into glucose (simple sugars) by the body which is then released into the blood.

The hormone insulin is then produced by the beta cells in the pancreas and charged with removingthis glucose from the blood and transferring it to the various cells of the body. Glucose is needed by

the cells in the body because it provides the fuel or energy necessary for day to day activities. This is why many diabetics suffer from fatigue and weakness. Due to malfunctioning insulin resulting from insulin resistance or the body not producing enough or any insulin, glucose remains in the blood has the effect of starving the cells of the fuel they need.

Since carbohydrates and sugar affect blood sugar levels, you will need to make changes with these.

Important changes you will need to make include eliminating refined carbohydrates. These include all the "white" foods made from refined grains such as white rice, white pasta, white bread, etc. These are devoid of nutrients including fiber and raise blood sugar levels the fastest as they travel through

the digestive system very fast because they contain nothing for the body to grab hold on to in order to slow the digestion process which leads to blood sugar spikes.

Instead of refined carbs, switch to complex carbs which are digested slower by the body which can help to control blood sugar levels and prevent blood glucose spikes.

Sugar is another factor that you have to consider if you are considering steps on how to reversediabetes naturally. Since sugar directly affects blood sugar levels you will have to consider reducing the amount of sugar you consume.

You may need to eliminate white sugar and foods that contain high amounts of processed sugar.

Keep in mind that you may not need to eliminate sugar entirely but do be aware of how it can affect

your blood sugar levels and make adjustments accordingly on how much to eat and when. Instead of eating sweet desserts every day, you may want to have a small piece of dessert once a week or once a month and so forth.

Fruits contain natural sugars (fructose) but since fruits contain many other beneficial vitamins and minerals, they should be okay to include on a diabetic diet which will tend to vary from one diabetic to another.

3. If your sugar levels are very high, one of the best ways to lower the levels very quickly is with exercise. Exercise is a crucial step as well as diet in order to reverse diabetes naturally. Exercise has many benefits for the general health and well being of the mind, body and spirit. For those with diabetes, exercise has the added benefit of being able to improve the sensitivity of the cells in the body to insulin which helps promote the movement of glucose from the blood to the cells where it is needed.

Before starting any exercise program, do check with your doctor because some exercises may not be suitable for a diabetic especially if you have developed certain diabetes related complications such as foot problems, vision problems, etc.

4. Fiber is an important aspect of how to reverse diabetes naturally as it helps to slow down the digestive process which helps to prevent blood sugar spikes. In addition to the fiber you get from complex carbohydrates discussed above, other excellent sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables,legumes, etc.

Soluble fiber which is abundant is foods like beans is especially important because it becomes gel like when combined with water which slows down digestion as it travels through the digestive tract while helps to control blood sugar levels.

Fiber is also important for any weight loss program because it will help you feel fuller sooner which will prevent overeating. Since many diabetics are overweight, incorporating more fiber in the diet can not only help control blood sugar levels but can also help with weight loss.

5. Significantly reduce or eliminate foods that contain saturated fats and trans fats. Trans fats (found

in margarine for instance) should be eliminated entirely and this goes for everyone and not just

diabetics. Saturated fats increase the risk of heart disease in the general population. For people with

diabetes who are already at an increased risk of heart disease, saturated fats can make an already

bad situation worse.

In addition to increasing the risk of heart disease, saturated fats can lead to insulin resistance which

can lead to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Saturated fats are commonly found in red meats, high

fat dairy products, etc. Replace saturated fats with healthy fats (monounsaturated and

polyunsaturated fatty acids) commonly found in olives, olive oil, flaxseed oil, various nuts and seeds,

cold water fish, etc. Making small changes gradually can have a huge impact in your fight against

diabetes.

6. Consider adding cinnamon as certain compounds found in cinnamon have been shown to be

capable of lowering blood sugar levels by helping the cells in the body absorb glucose like insulin

and also help the body utilize blood sugar better.

7. Learn to effectively manage the stress in your life. Stress can raise blood sugar levels because it

causes the release of stress hormones. Stress can also affect your blood sugar levels indirectly

because it can cause overeating, not exercising, etc. A study showed that diabetics who were able to

lower their stress levels were able to lower their blood sugar levels so stress management is very

important for diabetics.

8. Another of the important tips on how to reverse diabetes naturally is to consider adding nutritional

supplements containing vitamins C, D and E and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and calcium.

These vitamins and minerals can help reduce the risk of diabetes related complications such as

heart disease, eye disease and nerve damage. They can also help cells be more sensitive to insulin

and significantly lower blood sugar levels.

9. In order to prevent blood sugar level spikes, you may want to consider eating several small meals

a day instead of two or three large meals which can lead to more glucose levels than insulin will be

able to handle.

10. Change your mind and you will change your life. Take control of your health. While doctors and

many other health practitioners will be a source of helpful tips and resources, you should always be in

the driver's seat. You will have to be proactive to discover various alternative therapies and

information that will help you overcome diabetes or manage diabetes better. A lot of it will require trial

and error. You have to be confident in your ability to find the answers and solutions to help you

manage this chronic disease.

Even if you learn how to manage your blood sugar levels, there may be instances when you may

experience rapid swings in blood glucose levels due to stress, certain medications, certain foods

you eat, etc. Anticipating and accepting these instances will help you move forward quicker by

viewing these as a small bump in the road and not a major catastrophe that derails all your efforts to

manage your blood sugar levels.

You are more than capable of conquering diabetes. You have to believe that in order to make the

necessary changes you need to make and either reverse this condition or comfortably manage

diabetes while keeping symptoms and complications to a minimum.