Can Diabetic Ketoacidosis Be Prevented Or Avoided
If you have diabetes, there are some things you can do to watch for diabetic ketoacidosis. When youre sick, watch your blood sugar level very closely so it doesnt get too high or too low. Ask your doctor what your critical blood sugar level is. Most patients should watch their glucose levels closely when they are more than 250 mg per dL.
When youre sick or stressed, you should check your blood sugar level more often than normal . If your blood sugar reaches a critical level, check it every 1 to 2 hours. Ask your doctor if you should test your blood sugar level during the night.
You should also test your urine for ketones every few hours if youre sick, stressed, or if your blood sugar level is more than 250 mg per dL.
You should talk to your doctor to develop a plan if your blood sugar level gets too high. Make sure that you know how to reach your doctor in an emergency.
What Are The Symptoms Of Constipation
Children who have chronic constipation gradually develop a stretched rectum. The stretched rectum then becomes filled with a stool plug. Over time the stretched muscles of the rectum cannot push all of the stool out of the rectum. Liquid stool seeps down around this stool plug and can seep out onto the underwear without the child being aware that there is stool in the rectum or that they are about to soil. This is frustrating and embarrassing for both the child and the family. While treatment can help the child solve the problem, it is a chronic condition that has taken time to develop and will take time to correct. Relapse often occurs if treatment is stopped too soon or withdrawn too quickly.
Chronic constipation is not usually caused by medical problems. A blockage in the colon does not cause it either.
Toddlers often try to hold in their stool after having a painful bowel movement. They often cross their legs and become rigid. They are determined not to have another painful experience and can often hold their bowel movements for days. This, of course, leads to large, hard bowel movements. This experience convinces them that having a bowel movement is something to be avoided. They may sometimes seem to be trying to have a bowel movement when they are actually trying not to go. Fissures and other painful conditions of the anus can also lead to this problem.
PediaCast: A Pediatric Podcast for Parents
Dont Miss: Can Soy Milk Cause Diarrhea
Natural Treatment For Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath can be triggered by illness and fatigue, but it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying condition. Serious heart conditions such as heart attack, heart disease, and heart failure can all cause shortness of breath.
Medical treatment will be required for serious conditions, as treatment will prevent serious damage and death. There are also natural treatments you can use to support heart health and reduce risks.
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is proven to support heart health in several ways. This essential vitamin naturally lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for heart attack and heart failure. High cholesterol increases the risk of clogged and damaged arteries, and niacin prevents this. By also lowering blood pressure, niacin protects the heart and blood vessels from stress and damage that can trigger heart failure.
Another beneficial and natural ingredient is red yeast rice. This fermented rice contains compounds that lower cholesterol and work as effectively as the top prescription medications. Red yeast rice also lowers blood pressure and blood glucose levels naturally.
Blood glucose levels are important to heart health, as those with diabetes have a significant risk of heart failure. High blood glucose levels damage heart tissues, and red yeast rice can prevent this by naturally controlling these levels.
Don’t Miss: Genes Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
How To Tell If Shortness Of Breath Is Caused By Anxiety Not Another Medical Condition
Anxiety is not something to be taken lightly. Though it is a natural bodily response, disproportionate anxious feelings can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. One of the most common symptoms that you could experience if you have this condition is shortness of breath. When you get too overwhelmed by a stressor, this could be a physical manifestation.
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a symptom that people with all kinds of medical conditions experience, though. It could be related to asthma, heart problems, or even obesity. Ruling these out should be the first step in deciding if what you are feeling really is anxiety. Lets take a look at how we can do this to properly address your situation.
How Could It Be Silent
One of the common effects of diabetes is a type of nerve damage called neuropathy. Usually it causes problems like numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands and feet. But it doesn’t always stop there.
You can also have damage in nerves that lead to your heart, bladder, and blood vessels. When that happens, you might not get important warning signs like pain or discomfort.
So during a heart attack that might normally cause big-time pain in your chest, arm, or jaw, you might not notice a thing. It’s like someone presses a big mute button on what you’re able to feel. But the damage does happen, and the dangerous consequences of a silent heart attack are real.
You May Like: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
What Is Diaphragmatic Breathing For Gi Patients
Diaphragmatic Breathing, also called deep breathing or belly breathing, is a simple technique taught to GI patients to help them manage stress caused by GI conditions.
Focusing ones breath is an effective way to encourage the body to relax. When practicing diaphragmatic breathing, the stomach, rather than the chest, moves with each breath, expanding while inhaling and contracting while exhaling. Deliberately paying attention to each breath serves to distract and quiet the mind.
Recommended Reading: Does Cottage Cheese Have Probiotics
When To See Your Doctor
For people living with diabetes, high and low levels of blood glucose can cause serious, even life-threatening, medical conditions. New or worsening shortness of breath may be one of the initial symptoms. It is important for people living with diabetes who are experiencing new or worsening shortness of breath to see a healthcare professional immediately for evaluation and treatment.
In general, people living with diabetes who seek immediate treatment for new or worsening shortness of breath should expect to have a healthcare professional perform a thorough physical exam and obtain a medical history. Often, lab tests are done to assess blood glucose levels, the presence and severity of ketoacidosis, and kidney function. Depending on the conditions you have, your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram to assess for any heart damage or computed tomography scans to assess for any signs of stroke.
Read Also: When To Start Metformin For Prediabetes
Breathlessness In Diabetes Could Be A Sign Of Restrictive Lung Disease
Restrictive lung disease is a lung problem that causes breathing issues. This condition is highly prevalent in diabetics. Know more in this article.
Diabetes is a dangerous disease, affecting millions of people today. Due to the lack of enough insulin in the body due to diabetes, the sugar taken by the patient dissolves in the blood instead of releasing energy. Due to the sudden increase in the amount of sugar in the blood, the functioning of various body parts gets affected. Amongst type-1 and type-2 diabetes, most patients are of the latter. Type-2 diabetes condition affects the arteries and nervous system of the patient which poses a greater risk of restrictive lung disease. Breathlessness is a common sign of RLD and therefore, diabetics must not ignore this sign.
Ketoacidosis And Kussmaul Breathing
Rapid or laboured breathing, known as Kussmaul breathing, can be a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis . Ketoacidosis is a short term complication of diabetes caused by very high blood glucose levels accompanied by a high level of ketones in the blood. Ketoacidosis will only usually affect people with diabetes if they havent taken sufficient insulin.
Ketoacidosis is a very dangerous condition and should be treated as an emergency.
- Read more about diabetic ketoacidosis
Don’t Miss: Does Type 2 Diabetes Need Insulin
Restrictive Lung Disease And Diabetes
Patients with type-2 diabetes are at a higher risk of RLD or restive lung disease. Pulmonary fibrosis is also a type of RLD disease. Diabetes patients often suffer from problems like shortness of breath and lack of oxygen in the body. If you have diabetes for a long time, the risk of this disease is very high. Thus, a diabetic patient must not ignore the symptoms of RLD.
Also Read: 5 Most Healthy Nuts For Patients Of Type 2 Diabetes
Where Do You Feel Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath is felt in your chest and can manifest as:
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Feeling a need to breathe more quickly or deeply
- Not feeling able to take a full, deep breath
- Feeling huffy and puffy
You may first notice shortness of breath during physical activity. For instance, maybe you can no longer keep pace with someone youre walking with or you cant climb a flight of stairs. Previously, you could stop and take a deep breath and carry on, but thats harder now, says Dr. Safdar. And shortness of breath can progress over time, to the point where you experience it even while at rest.
But not all shortness of breath develops slowly over time. Sometimes, shortness of breath hits suddenly, and maybe even severely.
When shortness of breath is acute, its typically accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Fever and cough
- Pain in the chest, blurry vision and lightheadedness
- Chest pain and leg swelling, especially after long travel
Also Check: Insulin Side Effects In Humans
Diagnosis Of Shortness Of Breath
To treat your shortness of breath, the doctor must determine what is causing it first. You need to let them know how long you have been experiencing the problem, and what makes it worse or better. They need to know if there are any other symptoms and if they are mild or severe.
Doctors will review your medical history and perform an examination of your heart and lungs. They may also conduct blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests to uncover the underlying cause.
What Does Bad Breath Have To Do With Diabetes
Bad breath and diabetes
Your breath has an interesting ability to provide clues to your overall health. A sweet, fruity odor can be a sign of ketoacidosis, an acute complication of diabetes. An odor of ammonia is associated with kidney disease. Similarly, a very foul, fruity odor may be a sign of anorexia nervosa. Other diseases, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and liver disease, also can cause distinct odors on the breath.
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be so telling that doctors may even be able to use it to identify diabetes. Recently, researchers have found that infrared breath analyzers can be effective in identifying prediabetes or early-stage diabetes.
Diabetes-related halitosis has two main causes: periodontal disease and high levels of ketones in the blood.
Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Lower Glucose Levels
What Are The Causes Of Diabetic Coma
Diabetic coma is mainly caused by an extremely high or low blood sugar level. One of these conditions is diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. It happens in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you develop this condition:
- Your blood sugar could be as high as 600 mg/dL.
- Your urine wont contain ketones usually.
- Your blood will be much thicker than normal.
Another condition is diabetic ketoacidosis, which is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes. Things to know about this condition include:
- It could happen with a blood sugar as low as 250 mg/dL or even lower in some cases.
- Your body uses fatty acids instead of glucose for fuel.
- Ketones develop in your urine and bloodstream.
What Is Shortness Of Breath
Imagine inhaling deeply, but not having enough air to breathe in. The result of this is an uncomfortable feeling characterized by laborious breathing or a choking sensation. Your chest might become tight, and your breaths might go faster than usual. Because your body needs more air, you start to gasp or hyperventilate. This is what shortness of breath looks like.
This experience is never pleasant. Seeing a doctor should be a priority when this occurs. As we have said, although anxiety is a likely culprit, you have to rule out other health problems first. Whatever the cause, this is concerning so intentionally taking the right steps towards healing is essential.
Don’t Miss: How Long Can You Stay On Metformin
Why Diabetes Hurts Your Lung Function
Scientists arent sure exactly why diabetes and lung function are related. Some experts say inflammation is to blame. Diabetes may cause inflammation in your body. If you have diabetes, you have higher levels of inflammatory compounds, such as C-reactive protein. A study in Diabetes Care found that high markers of inflammation were linked to low lung function.
Obesity also may be part of the explanation. In the same Diabetes Care study, obese people had lower lung function and higher rates of diabetes versus healthy-weight people. Obesity-related inflammation may be the cause, says a study in the journal Lung.
Narrowing Of The Aortic Valve
Narrowing of the aortic valve is also called aortic valve stenosis, aortic stenosis, or AS. The aortic valve controls the flow of blood from the heart into the aorta, the body’s main artery. If the aortic valve is abnormally narrow, the blood being pushed through it is blocked. Pressure may build up within the heart, causing damage.
AS may be caused by a congenital malformation of the valve, or by calcium deposits and/or the scarring that occurs as a person ages.
Symptoms may not appear right away. There will be chest pain with the feeling of pounding heartbeat, as well as shortness of breath with fatigue, lightheadedness, or even fainting.
It is important to see a medical provider for these symptoms, since AS can lead to stroke, blood clots, and heart failure.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination, echocardiogram, CT scan, and sometimes a stress test.
Treatment may simply involve monitoring and medication, while making lifestyle improvements in diet, exercise, weight, and smoking. Surgery to repair or replace the faulty aortic valve may be recommended.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, decreased exercise tolerance
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Read Also: Glucagon Pathway
How To Recognize A Pituitary Tumor
Pituitary tumorsabnormal growths that develop in your pituitary glandhave several symptoms. These symptoms usually develop gradually but can eventually lead to other endocrine disorders, such as Cushings disease and acromegaly.
Some of the symptoms of pituitary tumors are subtle, such as fatigue and weakness, so many people overlook their symptoms and may attribute them to something else .
But sometimes when you have a pituitary tumor, your body produces excessive amounts of certain hormones .
Most pituitary tumors are small. Those are called microadenomas. But larger tumors, called macroadenomas, can put pressure on your pituitary gland and surrounding tissues and cause changes in your vision, such as double vision and loss of peripheral vision.
Other possible symptoms related to the pressure caused by a pituitary tumor:
- Cold intolerance
Dont Miss: Can Probiotics Help With Bv
Pulmonary Edema Due To Elevated Pulmonary Venous Pressure
Also known as hydrostatic pulmonary edema, it is usually existent at presentation of DKA, is corrected during the treatment of DKA and is more common in patients with concomitant renal failure. The occurrence of circulatory overload and pulmonary edema with elevated pulmonary venous pressure is a result of the acute shift of an abundant volume of fluid into the extracellular compartment. This fluid shift happens as a consequence of solute accumulation in the extracellular compartment secondary to hyperglycemia. Therefore, correction of hyperglycemia shifts fluid back into cells, also correcting hydrostatic pulmonary edema. However, some patients might require hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation.
The degree of fluid shift and, consequently, the likelihood of developing hydrostatic pulmonary edema during a DKA episode are determined by the severity of hyperglycemia and by the volume status prior to the development of DKA. The amount of fluid transferred from the cells into the extracellular space is directly proportional to the changes in serum glucose concentration. The patients volume status at the time of hyperglycemia onset is also a determinant of the volume that will shift into the extracellular space. Patients with baseline low extremity edema and/or anasarca have been shown to shift larger amounts of fluid and have a higher incidence of pulmonary edema, than those patients who are euvolemic when becoming hyperglycemic.
Don’t Miss: Why Is Pasta Bad For Diabetics
What Should You Do In An Emergency
If mild or moderate hypoglycemia isn’t treated right away, it can turn into severe hypoglycemia. People with severe hypoglycemia usually pass out. If you pass out, someone should 911 right away.
If you have a health problem that tends to cause low blood sugar, it’s a good idea to teach your family, friends, and co-workers about what symptoms to watch for and what to do. You may also want to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.
How Diabetes Affects Your Lungs
Your feet. Your heart. Your kidneys. When you think of the body parts affected by diabetes, these are the ones that likely come to mind. But diabetes also affects another part of your body. And its one you use every second of your life: your lungs. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have certain lung conditions. Diabetes also has an impact on lung function, or how well you breathe.
You May Like: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon