Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, becomes difficult to regulate. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps your cells use the glucose that you eat. If you have diabetes or have a family history of diabetes, there are some symptoms you do not need to ignore.

Confusion, Dizziness, Anxiousness

Confusion, dizziness, and anxiousness can be symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. People describe it as feeling anxious or nervous. Blood sugar that falls below 70 is too low. If left untreated it could cause you to pass out and require emergency medical treatment. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, check your blood sugar. Is it less than 70? Eat 15 grams of carbs (4 oz of orange juice or 2 tablespoons of raisins). Wait for 15 minutes then check your blood sugar again. If you continue to experience symptoms, seek medical treatment.

Excessive Urination And Thirst

Excessive thirst and a consistent need to urinate could be signs that your blood sugar is too high. Over time, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to serious complications such as kidney damage, heart disease, and nerve damage.

If you continue to experience episodes of high blood sugar, you may need to make lifestyle changes. Your medical care provider may also need to make adjustments to your treatment plan.

You can help prevent and treat high blood sugar by:

• exercising regularly
• eating a healthy diet
• taking your diabetes medications as prescribed

You need to seek medical treatment if your blood sugar levels remain high for a prolonged period of time. If left untreated, high blood sugar could lead to severe complications that need emergency care, such as diabetic coma.

Blurry Vision Or Pressure In Your Eyes

Uncontrolled diabetes can increase your risk for several eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated these conditions can lead to vision loss and eventually blindness. It’s important to have regular eye exams and report any concerns to your eye doctor between visits. If you experience a sudden change in vision or blurry vision, floaters, or pressure in your eyes, you need to see a medical professional.

Wounds That Don’t Heal

Diabetes decreases blood flow, and uncontrolled diabetes can result in poor circulation. This can prevent wounds from healing because nourishing blood cells can’t get where they’re needed. Wounds can turn into ulcers and sores that could become infected. And if they get serious enough, infections may require amputation. Regularly inspect your body, especially your feet, for cuts or bruises and treat them immediately, before they have a chance to worsen. See a medical care provider if your wound becomes infected or doesn’t heal.

Numbness in Your Limbs

Lack of circulation can cause nerve damage (Neuropathy) especially in your limbs. Diabetes complications can prevent you from feeling hot, cold and injuries to your feet. Always wear good fitting shoes, inspect your limbs down to each toe and the soles of your feet every day, and seek medical attention for problems that won’t go away.

If you are borderline diabetic, diabetic, or just have questions about diabetes, give us a call at  662-282-4226. We’ll happily answer any questions you have and direct you to toresources to help you manage your diabetes.

It’s estimated that 86 million Americans have high blood sugar. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is high but not high enough to be Type 2 diabetes. It should be a wakeup call since without intervention, prediabetes is likely to become Type 2 diabetes. It’s important to understand long term damage associated with diabetes such as heart, blood vessel, and kidney damage may have already begun. But it’s not too late to reverse the damage!

The body creates the hormone insulin to help control blood sugar. For people who are prediabetic, insulin production isn’t as efficient as it should. They body might not produce enough insulin or it might not respond to insulin produced.

Often people who are prediabetic will have no outward symptoms at all. But if you have prediabetes, you need to watch for signs of diabetes, such as:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Urinating more often than usual
• Feeling very hungry
• Having blurred vision
• Losing weight without trying

Research indicates diabetes is often associated with heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage even if it hasn’t progressed to Type 2 yet. Prediabetes is also associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, low levels of good cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides (fat).

The Progression to Type 2 Diabetes Isn’t Inevitable

Eating healthy foods, incorporating physical activity into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight can bring your blood sugar back down to a normal level.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you are overweight, your prediabetes is more likely to turn into diabetes. Losing even as little as 5% to 10% of your body weight makes a difference. Reducing fat around your waist is particularly important.

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Routine

Studies show staying active helps prevent and manage diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday. Choose an activity you enjoy such as such as cycling, swimming, ect. Aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart rate up, is ideal. Walking is an easy way to get exercise.If you’re not active now, check with your doctor before starting an exercise plan.

Eat a Nutrient Rich Diet

Choose foods low in fat and calories and high in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber-rich foods help you feel full and avoid overeating. Limit calories, serving sizes, sugar, and starchy carbs. Strive for a variety of healthy foods to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition.

If you are prediabetic, diabetic, or just have questions about diabetes, give us a call at  662-282-4226. We’ll happily answer any questions you have and direct you to toward resources to help you manage your diabetes.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355278

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/what-is-prediabetes-or-borderline-diabetes

If you have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2,) now is the best time to talk to your health care provider about preventing and treating the flu. The flu can make chronic health problems like diabetes worse because diabetes can make the immune system less capable of fighting illness.

The Flu Can Affect Blood Sugar

Illness can also have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels. While the flu may raise your blood sugar, if you don’t feel like eating when you’re sick your blood sugar can drop.

If you have diabetes, you are three times more likely to be hospitalized from the flu and its complications. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. Since the flu is highly contagious it’s important to ensure everyone around you has had the flu shot.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself and prevent the flu. The first thing you should do is receive the influenza vaccine. The flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself against the flu.

If you start experiencing symptoms of the flu, you need to see your healthcare provider right away. Your healthcare provider may be able to prescribe antiviral medications to help you fight the flu or at least a decongestant to help fight the symptoms.

Call Your Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider or go to an emergency room if any of the following happen to you:

• You feel too sick to eat normally and are unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours.
• You’re having severe diarrhea.
• You lose 5 pounds or more.
• Your temperature is over 101 degrees F.
• Your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 250 mg/dL on 2 checks.
• You have moderate or large amounts of ketones in your urine.
• You’re having trouble breathing.
• You feel sleepy or can’t think clearly.

If you have diabetes and are diagnosed with the flu, you need to take extra steps to avoid complications. Follow these sick day guidelines developed by CDC.

Sick Day Guidelines for People with Diabetes

If you have diabetes, even if your blood sugar is in control, and are sick with a flu-like illness, you should follow these additional steps.

• Be sure to continue taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Don’t stop taking them even if you can’t eat. Your health care provider may even advise you to take more insulin during sickness.
• Test your blood glucose every four hours, and keep track of the results.
• Drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat as you normally would. If you can’t, try to have soft foods and liquids containing the equivalent amount of carbohydrates that you usually consume.
• Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose.
• Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a sign of infection.

MRHC is dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of compassionate, personal and trustworthy medical care in a warm and welcoming environment. If you’re experiencing flu like symptoms, call 662-282-4226 to schedule an appointment.

The flu has been spreading like wildfire through Northeast Mississippi! Please be considerate of others in the office and wear a surgical mask during your visit to prevent spreading germs.