9 Common Drugs That Every Diabetic Should Avoid Mixing With Their Medication

Are you a diabetic,taking multiple types of drugs at the same time? Recent studies have shown that diabetics on average take up to six types of different medications at once and this does not include their diabetic medications. Unfortunately, when these drugs are mixed together many people have extremely bad reactions to them and are often hospitalized.

A large number of common medications that diabetics use, especially high blood pressure medications, can sometimes cause a diabetic condition that would not have existed had the drugs not been taken in the first place.

Below is a list of common drugs and the risks they may have if you are a diabetic:

Beta Blockers: Beta-blockers, such as Lopressor (metoprolol), Tenormin (Atenolol), and Inderal (propanolol), have been known to reduce the release of insulin.

Minoxidil: Minoxidil, a direct vasodilator, has a tendency to raise blood glucose levels.

Thiazide Diuretics: Thiazide diuretics include such drugs as Diuril(Chlorothiazide), Zaroxolyn (Metolazone), and Oretic(Hydrochlorothiazide), and is known to raise glucose levels due to its effect it has on causing the loss of potassium.

Calcium channel blockers: Calcium channel blockers, which are prescribed for Hypertension,management of Angina include such drugs as Calan (Verapamil), Adalat(Nifedipine),and Norvasc(Amlodipine), and is known to reduce the secretion of insulin.

Oral contraceptives: Although current oral contraceptives seem to be safe, the older versions were known to have caused hypoglycemia when estrogen doses were taken at higher than normal doses.

Corticosteroids: Even though corticosteroids can be used as a topical solution, it has a tendency to raise blood glucose levels.

Niacin: Niacin, which is a very common B vitamin and is suggested to lower cholesterol, it has been known to result in a hyperglycemic tendency within a person that has diabetes.

Thyroid hormone: When levels of thyroid hormones are elevated, blood glucose levels are raised because of the reduction of insulin coming from the pancreas.

Diphenylhydantoin: The common name for this drug is called Dilantin which is recommended to people to help control seizures. However, it also blocks the release of insulin.

Importance of urine microalbumin test for diabetics!!!!

A urine microalbumin test reveals important information about your kidneys.

Healthy kidneys filter waste products from your blood. If your kidneys become damaged, some of these waste products may remain in your blood. At the same time, a type of protein called albumin — which should stay in your blood — leaks into your urine. The microalbumin test detects this protein. Often, an elevated microalbumin level is the first sign of kidney damage.

Regular urine microalbumin tests are often recommended for people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Urine microalbumin tests are also recommended for people who have high blood pressure (hypertension). Both diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys.

12 Tips to combat Diabetes!!!!

Diabetes, if left untreated, leads to many complications - heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage.There are no magical pills or secret formulas to cure diabetes.Fortunately,the diabetics have the power to manage and control their diabetes and this can be done with proper knowledge and education about diabetes.

A diabetic, either type 1 or type 2, can change their life and start living normally by just following the 12 simple and easy to follow steps below:



1. Limit the intake of carbohydrates in each meal.

2. Do not consume more than 45 grams of total carbohydrates per meal.

3. Consume around 25 grams of total carbohydrate in each snack and mix it with an unsaturated fat or a lean protein, such as fruit with low fat cheese or yogurt with nuts.

4. Distribute the intake of carbs evenly throughout the day to prevent swings in blood sugar.

5. Consume foods that are slowly digested. Examples are oatmeal, brown rice whole grain bread, etc.

6. Test the blood sugar levels before a meal and two hours after to evaluate whether your body can handle the level of carbohydrate intake.

7. When testing sugar levels, aim for 90-127mg/dl before a meal, and under 180mg/dl after.

8. Eat after every 3-4 hours to keep your metabolism working well.

9. The gap between two meals should not be less than two hours.

10. Go regularly for the HbA1C test .Target for below 6%. This test tells the average blood sugar level of the previous three months.

11. Exercise at least five days a week for 30 minutes daily.Exercising assists insulin in its efficient working.

12. Regularly visit your doctor so that he may adjust your medication, exercising pattern, and diet plan according to your body's needs.

Diabetes and Sexual Dysfunction !!!!

Sexual Dysfunction due to Diabetes can be prevalent in woman as well as men. In woman NERVE DAMAGE to the cells that line the vagina can result in dryness, making sexual intercourse very uncomfortable. Discomfort is likely to decrease sexual response or desire.

As many as 40 percent of women with diabetes may experience decreased or absent interest in sexual relations. Decreased desire for sex, inability to become or remain aroused, lack of sensation or no sensation
in the genital area as well as the inability to reach orgasm can result.

Now for MEN with diabetes, normal sexual function may be disrupted for a number of reasons related to nerve and blood vessel damage.

Diabetes can cause neuropathy or damage to nerves throughout yourbody, including the penis. Damaged nerves can't communicate properly. Even though you might be emotionally stimulated to have intercourse, nerve damage means that information isn't relayed to the penis, and a erection is not successful.

In addition, poor blood sugar control can inhibit nitric oxide production. Lack of nitric oxide can prevent the pressure of blood in the corpora cavernosa from rising enough to close off penile veins. This allows blood to flow out of the penis instead of remaining trapped for an erection.
Blood vessels can also become narrowed or hardened (atherosclerosis) by conditions that often accompany diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease. When atherosclerosis occurs in arteries that supply the penis or pelvic area, sexual function may be disrupted.

What Diabetics should know about their Eyes!!!!!

Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. These usually involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina.The most severe condition that can occur is diabetic retinopathy.Below mentioned are some of the problems that can develop in the eyes of those suffering from diabetes.

Temporary blurring:
The vision may become blurred for a few days or weeks while the diabetes is first being controlled. This is due to the swelling of the lens of the eye.

Cataract:
Young people with diabetes can develop a special type of cataract.Although their vision gets worse, it can be restored by surgery.
older people with diabetes can be especially prone to developing cataracts. Cataracts can be successfully removed by surgery and usually it is possible to insert a lens implant.

Diabetic retinopathy:
The most serious diabetic eye condition involves the retina and is called diabetic retinopathy. This condition is very common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Your doctor may be able to see abnormalities in your eyes, but there is no threat to your sight.

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy which can damage your sight. Both involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina.
They are :
Type 1 - Maculopathy:This happens when the blood vessels in the retina start to leak. If the macula is affected, you will find that your central vision
gradually gets worse. You may find it difficult to recognize people's faces in the distance or to see details like small print.The amount of central vision that is lost varies from person to person.
Type 2 - Proliferative diabetic retinopathy:Sometimes diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the retina to become blocked. If this happens then new blood vessels form in the eye. This is nature's way of trying to repair the damage so that the retina has a new blood supply.
Unfortunately these new blood vessels are weak. They are also in the wrong place - growing on the surface of the retina and into the vitreous jelly. As a result these blood vessels can bleed very easily and cause scar tissue to form in the eye. The scarring pulls and distorts the retina. When the retina is pulled out of position this is called retinal detachment. This condition is more rare than background retinopathy and is more often found in people who have been insulin dependent for many years. The new blood vessels will rarely affect your vision, but their consequences, such as bleeding or retinal detachment can cause your vision to get worse suddenly. Your eyesight may become blurred and patchy as the bleeding obscures part of your vision. Without treatment, total loss of vision can occur in proliferative retinopathy.
So the best way to protect your eyes is to keep your blood sugar in check.Those who have been suffering from diabetes for long time should get their eyes examined at the earliest for early detection of any damage.

Biotin and Diabetes!!!

It is essential for diabetics to avoid to many foods that disrupt blood sugar.However, in addition to eating a low Glycemic Index diet, it is also important to supplement with certain nutrients that help the body keep blood sugar levels in check. An important supplement known to participate in the body processes that control blood sugar levels is Biotin (one of the B-group vitamins).

In several studies, Biotin supplementation has been shown to enhance the performance of insulin, the hormone that plays a critical role in helping your body incorporate blood sugar. The supplements can also increase the activity of an enzyme, glucokinase, which the liver uses early in the process of utilizing blood sugar.

Here are a few more benefits of Biotin:

* It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Biotin acts as a coenzyme and carries carbon dioxide. It also plays a role in fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism and glycogen synthesis.

* Benefits people with diabetes by helping to break down carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels.

* Weight loss may be another Biotin benefit, as the vitamin is essential in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to energy.

* Helps the body use protein, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12.

* Biotin is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats. It is also essential in the formation of fatty acids and glucose.