metabolic diseases | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

What Causes Low Blood Sugar?

What causes low blood sugar is a question that is becoming more and more important to an ever growing number of people as the incidence of diabetes and other endocrine dysfunctions continues to rise even as other types of diseases seem to be on a bit of a downswing.

Diabetes is what causes low blood sugar most often, and can be any one of several metabolic diseases that affect the way the body metabolizes glucose, this means that for many people staying above the low blood sugar range can be a real concern. While diabetes isn’t the only culprit, it is usually to blame whenever a person suffers a bout of low blood sugar, and low blood sugar can lead to feeling weak, the inability to think clearly, and even coma and death. Usually the blood sugar should be somewhere between 60 and 100 mg/dl, though in some cases those with blood sugar abnormalities may have unknowingly functioned outside the normal range for so long that their blood sugar may be as high as 300 without their feeling it and a low blood sugar range could go as low as 30-40 mg/dl. At 30 mg/dl a normal person would at least be unable to think clearly and would probably be comatose. Once a person has learned what causes low blood sugar for them the key to overall health is keeping that blood sugar as normal as possible.
Low blood sugar hits many each and every year and more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes and low blood sugar because we aren’t taking care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves with proper nutrition, diet and exercise is key and essential to living a long and healthy lifestyle! If you stop and think about it, ask yourself…”Do you take care of yourself like you should?”

Cat Food for Diabetic Cats

Many people are familiar with diabetes in people, but diabetes in pets can also be quite common, and for this reason cat food for diabetic cats has been designed to make treatment easier for the concerned pet owner. But before any discussion of cat food for diabetic cats can be undertaken it may be best to first understand a few things about diabetes in cats and other pets.

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases in cats, dogs, and practically any other mammalian pet. Just like in humans diabetes has an effect on the way the body metabolizes glucose. Glucose is important due to the fact that it is the primary fuel for the body, whether in humans of in pets.

In spite of the fact that glucose is absolutely necessary for life, in high levels it can cause damage to almost every organ in the body if the levels remain high enough for long periods of time. The glucose in the bloodstream can only enter the cell and be used in the presence of a hormone called insulin. Diabetes results when either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells have become resistant to the insulin that is produced. This can allow the glucose in the blood to build up to dangerous levels.

There are types of cat food for diabetic cats that are designed by veterinarians and are available to the consumer by prescription only. These types of food are generally very expensive and can be quite a drain on the resources of the pet owner. The best way to take care of your diabetic pet and have the proper type of cat food for diabetic cats is to remember one chief thing that applies to pets and humans. That is that foods should be high protein but low in sugars and starches, this is the best way to help control the glucose levels in your diabetic cat.

The Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor

The continuous blood glucose monitor is a bit of new technology that may someday revolutionize the treatment and monitoring of those with blood glucose abnormalities brought about by the metabolic diseases known as diabetes. For anyone with diabetes the key to keeping the disease under control and the effects and symptoms in check is to maintain a blood glucose level that is as close to normal as possible, for as much of the time as possible. In some diabetics maintaining proper blood glucose levels may be no trouble at all, and in others blood glucose levels can fluctuate very rapidly. It is in those with rapid swings in blood glucose levels, or particularly hard to maintain blood glucose levels that the continuous blood glucose monitor really comes into its own.

The continuous blood glucose monitor of today, such as the glucowatch, is usually worn on the wrist like a wristwatch. The monitor checks blood glucose levels by administering a painless electric shock which draws interstitial fluid from the pores and this is read by the monitor to obtain a blood glucose level. This testing can be done with no pain or other side effects as often as every 20 minutes and the readings are recorded by the monitor, which can also be set to alarm if readings are too high or too low. With this kind of continuous sampling tracking and trending changes in blood glucose levels throughout the day is relatively easy.

While the present generation continuous blood glucose monitor cannot replace the finger stick blood glucose reading for spot on accuracy and dependability and should not be relied on as the only source of blood glucose level data, companies such as Abbott and Medtronic are diligently working on improving the technology. One day soon, the diabetic will be able to simply strap on their continuous blood glucose monitor and never have to suffer through another irritating finger stick to keep track of their blood glucose level.

Low Blood Sugar Range

Diabetes can be any one of several metabolic diseases that affect the way the body metabolizes glucose, this means that for many people staying above the low blood sugar range can be a real concern. While diabetes isn’t the only culprit, it is usually to blame whenever a person suffers a bout of low blood sugar, and low blood sugar can lead to feeling weak, the inability to think clearly, and even coma and death. Usually the blood sugar should be somewhere between 60 and 100 mg/dl, though in some cases those with blood sugar abnormalities may have unknowingly functioned outside the normal range for so long that their blood sugar may be as high as 300 without their feeling it and a low blood sugar range could go as low as 30-40 mg/dl. At 30 mg/dl a normal person would at least be unable to think clearly and would probably be comatose.

When a diabetic or someone suffering from a similar metabolic disease begins to suffer from low blood sugar it is important that they get some type of simple sugar into their body while they are still conscious and able to swallow correctly. Fruit juices, sugar, non-diet colas, and candy are great sources of fast acting sugars that can quickly raise the blood sugar level. It should be remembered, however, that these types of sugars are a quick-fix, and will rapidly raise the blood sugar level and just as rapidly be depleted and allow it to fall. In order for blood sugar to be maintained for the long term, the person suffering from a low blood sugar range needs complex carbohydrates like peanut butter and crackers, or better yet a full meal.

If the sugar continues to fall into the low blood sugar range unconsciousness will quickly result. Never attempt to give any type of food or drink to an unconscious or nearly unconscious person as this can lead to the material being sucked into the lungs which will result in a severe infection or death. If the person has lost consciousness due to low blood sugar the only way to take care of the problem is by rapid emergency medical treatment which will consist of a glucose solution being given directly into the bloodstream via IV.

Blood Glucose Level Normal Range

The blood glucose level normal range generally runs somewhere between 60 and 110. This is seen as the case in normal patients, with no other medical conditions, but the blood glucose level normal range can be affected by metabolic diseases like diabetes, as well as it may be affected by other factors such as the age or weight of the patient.

For a growing number of people knowing and maintaining their blood glucose level normal range is the difference between a long and happy life and a short life filled with health problems. By the numbers, diabetes cases are growing faster than any other disease, and as numbers increase the importance of the correct blood glucose normal range increases.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body, due to insufficient production of insulin or resistance to insulin, is not able to correctly process glucose and move it out of the bloodstream. While glucose is essentially the fuel that powers every cell in the body, when glucose levels are too high it becomes toxic and begins to damage organs and other body systems. If blood glucose levels are not maintained as close to the normal range as possible the diabetic runs a very high risk of developing heart disease, kidney problems, stroke, glaucoma, and even coma and death.

In order to maintain the blood glucose in the normal range the diabetic should check their blood sugar frequently, often many times daily, and keep a log of the findings. If this is done the diabetic can begin to see patterns in their blood sugar in relation to their diet and lifestyle and can make have medication and dietary changes in order to keep their glucose levels as close to normal as possible. When it come to living a long and happy life knowing the blood glucose level normal range is of absolute importance.