Metformin

Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumteza, Glucophage XR, Riomet brand names) is an oral drug used alone or with other drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. It is also available as a combination drug rosiglitazone/metformin (Avandamet). Metformin allows sugar lower blood in three ways: it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food. It reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It increases the response of the body to insulin.Metformin does not directly reduce sugar in the blood such as insulin. Therefore, it is not appropriate for patients with diabetes type 1 do not produce any insulin. Metformin has been FDA approved in 1994 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Sufferers of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, a kidney disease or kidney disease should not use it. Or should children under the age of 10. Children aged less than 17 years should not use metformin extended-release preparation. Metformin often causes diarrhea if taken without food. Other side effects include stomach headaches, gas and bloating, pain metallic taste, headache, cough, and muscle.

If metformin is insufficient for glycemic control, patients taking metformin can also meet with hyperglycemia, with symptoms of confusion, seizures, dryness of mouth, vomiting, sweet smell breath or loss of consciousness. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms - pain in the chest, a rash or other worrisome symptoms - a need for immediate medical care.

Rarely, metformin may cause lactic acidosis, a serious condition characterized by an accumulation of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acidosis, if not treated, can lead to the failure of an organ and even cardiac arrest. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Although it is rare when there is no other medical problems, overdose or drug interactions, metformin may cause hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia), which is characterized by dizziness, tremors, sweating, confusion, or numbness or tingling around the mouth.

Metformin can be used on the label to help the loss of weight, polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes and HIV lipodystrophy syndrome. Metformin is usually taken twice a day, preferably with food. If a dose is missed, forgotten pill should be taken as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. "Doubling" on drugs to make up a missed dose should be done.

People with diabetes should follow the healthy eating and exercise programs, such as recommended by their health care providers. Meals should not be ignored and alcohol should be avoided. New prescription and over-the-counter medications is not without the approval of a professional health care. In addition, diabetic patients should have regular monitoring to monitor their diabetes, including blood testing to verify their status in long-term blood sugar (A1C rates).

Metformin should be postponed for 48 hours before any dental or surgical and prior to the receipt of iodinated contrast procedures (i.e., with CT scanning). It is important for people on metformin to tell their health care providers that they take it.

Dealing with large Portions

Food grows. The Americans are grows, too, according to recent statistics. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes explodes. Is there a correlation? As it seems to me.

When I was a child in the 1960s, a muffin is a small case, usually home baked in the oven. A muffin House blueberry, a step size regular muffins, is about 100 calories and 6 grams of fat, according to the recipe. It's the size of a tennis ball.

In 1990, I was catering home and cooking for farmer's markets. I remember when the "Texas" size muffins are out. To compete in the bakery sector, I had to upgrade my muffins from regular to the size of Texas. " Suddenly, my recipes for 12 muffins were only six. But I felt the pressure to make larger muffins, because other bakers have had great success selling it. And, other bakers were trying to compete with grocery stores and cafés-restaurants, which were also larger muffins. Therefore, my 100 calories, 6 grams of fat muffins becomes 200 calories, 12 gram fat muffins virtually overnight.

Shortly after, I left the catering business to pursue a career in nursing. But I still noticed the tendency to the largest and the biggest bakery products. Bagels grow twice their size. Cookies have been literally become Frisbees. Individual portions of brownies and cakes were expanding the size of the bricks.

Why is this happening? Maybe it's a way to capture consumers. If the muffin is a good value for price, people will buy. More bang for the buck. The danger is that oversized portions begin to be normal for us. And we feel compelled to finish what we buy, so us don't waste money. We feel that we should be able to complete a huge muffin because it is marketed as a single serving.

Take a look at the calories and fat in the portions of food we buy can be a reality and help us to assess whether this huge muffin or brownie slab is half the number of calories and fat we are supposed to eat for a whole day.

A muffin blueberry in a café of the famous bakery café can be as much as 510 calories and 19 grams of fat. I saw giant muffins in grocery stores that have 28 grams of fat. For people watching their weight, which can affect their diet.

What can we do to help our health? How to combat the giant muffin? The easiest way to stay on track in good health is to know the number of calories and fat are the portions we buy and eat. Keeping track each day can help us to eat does not so much. Divide this muffin with a friend... or perhaps two.

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a complication for long-term Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It affects the nerves of the body. There is no cure for neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that control the bladder, digestive and reproductive organs.

Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves of the extremities, especially the feet and legs. Numbness and tingling, sensitivity to touch or the weakness of the muscles are signs of neuropathy.

Symptoms include chronic pain, numbness and muscle atrophy. Wounds and ulcers are also a serious threat.

Neuropathy, or of damage to the nervous system, can have many causes.

An injury or exposure to toxins can affect the nerves. Several chronic diseases may also affect the integrity of the nerves over a long period of time. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other disorders such as autoimmune diseases can cause damage to the nerves. But diabetes today is the greatest risk factor for neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes, which means generally several years for neuropathy develop long term. Nerve damage occurs over time, due to prolonged exposure to the harmful effects of high blood glucose levels. More a person has diabetes, the risk of developing neuropathy, especially if their disease is not well controlled.

Control of blood glucose good, a balanced diet and exercise plan to help repel the neuropathy. But sometimes, as in Type 1, does any how tight control, how balanced what year a person gets or diet, neuropathy can attack - simply because of the pure duration of the person has had diabetes. In addition, several times, the people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes don't even know that they have the disease for many years. Much damage can occur during this period.

Mild to moderate pain, Tylenol or NSAIDs, such as Motrin or Aleve can be prescribed. Some of the most common drugs for neuropathic pain include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAS) such as Elavil and Amitril. When TCAs are used to treat chronic pain, the dosage is much lower than for the treatment of depression. Cymbalta (Duloxetine hydrochloride) is an SSRI, another type of antidepressant drug that shows success for the treatment of neuropathic pain and any underlying depression may also exist.

Sometimes neuropathy responds well to treatment of pain, or it may get worse. For some people, it can lead to a severe disability. If it is hard to walk, or if the muscles are weak, it is difficult to perform activities of daily life. Try to pace. Plan activities in advance, so that you know what to expect. Do not try to do everything in a single day. Request assistance or support of family and friends. Talk to a counsellor or a therapist can help with feelings of depression or anxiety.