The clear winner: metformin, sold as Glucophage and generically for about $100 a year. It works as well as other diabetes pills but does not cause weight gain or too-low blood sugar, the analysis found. It also lowers LDL or bad cholesterol. Consumer Reports also published a guide of the results. Besides metformin, it rates glipizide and glimepiride, sold as Amaryl and Glucotrol, as best bets.

This is clearly great news for the many diabetic sufferers that struggle at the pharmacy counter. A much cheaper alternative that still has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes is both welcomed and coveted!

via Delaware Online

Post from: Blisstree

The Older, Cheaper Diabetic Drugs Are Just As Effective As New

I have written previously about common sexual issues and dysfunctions among both diabetic women and men, but wanted to touch on another aspect of the horizontal hokie pokie? How does sexual relations specifically affect your blood sugars and emotions during the act?

“Some women put out an adrenaline response when they are having sexual intercourse. This is similar to low blood sugar-a loss of control, sweating and an erratic heartbeat,” says Walko. Some women question if they are experiencing a hypoglycemic episode or an orgasm. She suggests women check their blood sugar levels before having sex to clear up any misinterpretations.

Does this mean you have to put the brakes on in the throws of passion and prick your finger? Heck no! But you need to be in tune to what changes could be occurring in your body. So go ahead and enjoy yourself! But know that you need to be cognitive of your bodies reaction. Another consideration to help combat low blood sugars after nookie time…

“…should adjust her insulin downward in anticipation of the evening, or if the evening happens to be on the spur of the moment, she should compensate by eating something afterward,”

Now, I don’t know about you but I certainly don’t plan for sex throughout the day. It is usually something spontaneous. Well as spontaneous as it can be with having to shut and lock the doors and barricade them so little feet don’t come charging in during the ol’ “together time”. That is another story though. But I do know on a personal level that my blood sugars drop after sex and I make sure a little kitchen run is part of our “basking in the glow” routine.

What is the most important aspect of sex and diabetes? Communication. Sex is something that we share with that special someone. How can we enjoy it if we can’t let our bodies go? We all know that sex is both physical and emotional. It is so important to allow your partner to have their concerns and worries, and no matter how trivial they are to you, remember they are very real to them!

via Diabetes Health

Post from: Blisstree

Diabetes Affects The Emotional And Physical Aspects Of Sex

Did you know high blood sugars can directly effect your sex life? That’s right Mr. Macho, I’m talking to you. It is something I have personally never put more than 2 minutes of thought into. But because of being diabetic, my va va va voom can be, well let’s just say, not too voom. Oh heavens!

So come on men, if I can talk about this openly, being a young women and all, you can stand to read on. I was pleased to find more than ample research and articles on this otherwise taboo topic. Not so much taboo for my generation, but for the ones before me.

Let’s get the sexual problems out in the open and learn how to keep the “pep in our step”!! Wink,wink.

Long-term diabetes can cause damage to the nervous system, which is involved in the complete process of erection.

The most common sexual disorder linked to diabetes among men is erectile dysfunction (ED). Blood vessel’s are damaged by high blood sugars not allowing the blood flow to be optimal at the essential areas, catch my drift. Also, impotence can be a problem for some men due to nerve damage or neuropathies. Doctors are more than happy to offer solutions to these embarrassing, but very real complications associated with diabetes. But you can’t get help if you don’t bring it up! Don’t try to be Mr. Macho, let yourself live life to the best.

While sex seems to be everywhere –television, billboards and advertising–Americans are still reluctant to go to the doctor to talk about a sexual problem or issue. However, many people, whether they have diabetes or not, have sexual problems. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in February of 1999 about a survey conducted of 1,749 women and 1,410 men aged 18 to 59.

You men also have to be careful while basking in the afterglow of your “together” time.

If you use insulin, be aware that sometimes sex can cause low blood sugar levels. Test your blood sugar before having sex or consider eating just before or right afterwards as you would for exercise. Also you may want to have a snack before going to sleep at night.

Like I mentioned above, not many are excited or comfortable talking about their sexual problems with their doctors, but it is the only way to get help. Consider visiting the doctor with your partner or spouse if it would relieve some anxiety and angst. After all, it does take two to tango!

via Net Doctor.co.UK and Life Clinic

Post from: Blisstree

Sexual Dysfunction Among Diabetic Men

My Mom is a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed 2 years ago. She controls her diabetes by diet and exercise and has dropped 50 pounds in the last year and a half. Her original surgery time was for 1 PM. This was concerning.

Try to get the first morning time slot in the operating room. There will be less of a chance for high or low blood sugar reactions while you are waiting for your operation and are unable to eat.

After she contacted her doctors office to ever so gently, hahaha, remind them of being a diabetic, they changed her surgery time to 8 AM. Much better. My next concern was how her blood sugar would be affected both during and immediately following surgery. Surgery is very stressful on the body, which can cause either a quick rise in blood sugar, or a sharp drop if the diabetic is dependent on insulin. Fortunately, my mom has me. A loud mouthed, opinionated nurse for a daughter. Others who are not so lucky, haha, need to take matters into their own hands and be their own patient advocate before surgery. You are not being pushy, just safe!

Talk to your anesthesiologist- This is the doctor who is responsible for monitoring your diabetes while your surgeon is performing the operation. Tell the anesthesiologist about your medical history, including details about your diabetes. Be sure to include your current medication regimen and any diabetes-related complications you have.

Following surgery, one of the biggest complications among diabetics is wound healing and infection. As a nurse, I am always concerned with keeping a post surgical, diabetic patient’s blood sugar between normal limits. Promoting good blood flow and proper dietary habits to allow for optimal incisional healing is also important.

Underlying systemic disease in a patient with a wound can dramatically diminish the probability that the wound will heal in a timely fashion. Diabetes mellitus is a classic example. Wound healing is often delayed because of interruption of the inflammatory and proliferative phases. Infection thus prolongs the inflammatory phase. When erythrocytes are affected by glycosylation (as measured by hemoglobin A1c levels), they become less pliable, leading to microvascular sludging and ischemia. Low tissue oxygen tension impairs cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis as previously described.

Does that sound like blah, blah, blah? In plain English, a diabetics vascular system is compromised due to narrowing of blood vessels. Poor blood flow leads to infection. See, that wasn’t so hard.

My last piece of advice is be willing to make changes. Like mentioned above, surgery is very taxing on a diabetics body. Medications, diet and insulin regimens may have to be adjusted to promote the best healing possible.

After surgery, you may need to adjust your medication or insulin doses based on your blood sugar level. Ask your doctor how you should manage your diabetes so that you can prepare in advance.

Surgery is scary. Diabetes is a disease that you live with everyday. Be loud. Be obnoxious. Be whatever you have to in order to get all the questions you have answered. If you have specific concerns related to your diabetes, ask away. And if the doctor dismisses any of them, find a new doctor!

via The Diabetes Monitor

Clinical Diabetes

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eMedicine from WebMD

Post from: Blisstree

Diabetic Considerations Before, During And After Surgery