Insulin Archives - Healthhype

Insulinoma (Insulin Tumors)

Dr. Chris — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:12:47 +0000

What is an insulinoma? An insulinoma is a rare tumor of the pancreas leading to an excess of insulin. The pancreas makes several enzymes and hormones, including the hormone insulin. In case of an insulinoma, the pancreas makes too much of insulin which can upset the normal metabolism. Insulin controls blood sugar (glucose) levels by moving blood sugar into cells. Hormone-producing tumors of the pancreas are also known as pancreatic endocrine tumors. Under normal conditions, the pancreas stops making insulin once blood sugar becomes low. Blood sugar again rises slowly and comes to a normal level. However, in case of an insulinoma the pancreas keeps making insulin, which keeps moving sugar into the cells. Due to this, blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels. This can result in mild to severe symptoms ranging from anxiety and hunger to seizures, coma or death. Location and Pictures Insulinomas originate from insulin-producing cells of pancreas, called islet cells. The pancreas is an elongated gland located in the upper part of the abdomen. There is usually no local symptoms associated with the tumor, such as pain. Picture of a surgically removed insulinoma sourced from Wikimedia Commons Picture of the cells of an insulinoma [...]

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Insulin Information Injection Video, Types, Dosage, Side Effects

Dr. Chris — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:27:57 +0000

What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone secreted from beta cells of the pancreas. It helps to control the blood glucose levels preventing hyperglycemia (high glucose levels) which can damage the cells. In diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), there may be a lack of or deficiency of insulin thereby leading to abnormal fluctuations in blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia. Insulin exerts its effects by binding to insulin receptors present on the cell surface of organs sensitive to insulin like liver, muscles and fat tissue. The binding of insulin to its receptors results in activation of an enzyme known as tyrosine kinase which leads to reactions inside the cell that are responsible for various effects of insulin. Actions of Insulin Insulin influences growth and metabolism in a variety of tissues and therefore has a number of different effects in the human body. This occurs over seconds, minutes, hours and days. The effects of insulin are as follows: Reduces blood glucose levels by : Stimulating glucose transport from the blood into cells, particularly muscle and fat cells. Stimulating synthesis of glycogen (storage form of glucose). Inhibiting breakdown of glycogen into glucose. Inhibiting glucose synthesis from protein and fats (gluconeogenesis) in the liver. Enhances [...]

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Blood Sugar Diabetes & Impaired Glucose Tolerance Levels

Dr. Chris — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:26:29 +0000

Diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes), also known commonly as sugar diabetes, is the inability of the body to maintain the blood sugar levels within a normal range. Prior to the onset of sugar diabetes, a state known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or pre-diabetes, exists whereby the fluctuating blood glucose levels may not reach extreme levels as in diabetes mellitus. In pre-diabetes, the body’s mechanisms for maintaining normal blood glucose levels is still functioning, although impaired. What is Insulin Resistance & Pre-Diabetes? Upon consuming foods, particularly carbohydrates, the digestive system along with the liver, break down the food into simple sugars like glucose. Glucose then enters the blood stream where it is transported to cells throughout the body. Excess glucose is converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles. Any remaining glucose may be converted for fat storage. This blood glucose regulating mechanism is primarily controlled by the hormone, insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas (beta cells in the islets of Langerhan’s). Insulin triggers cells to take up glucose from the blood so that individual cells can burn this glucose for energy. Alternatively, excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver due to the [...]

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COVID-19 and Diabetes Link and Risks for Diabetics

Dr. Chris — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 20:00:52 +0000

As the global COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the medical community is learning new facets about the disease on an almost daily basis. One of these issues is the association between COVID-19 and diabetes. It is now known that diabetics, particularly those with uncontrolled diabetes, are at a greater risk of severe COVID-19 infection which may also culminate in death. This does not mean that non-diabetics are not at risk of severe COVID-19 or death from COVID-19. Diabetes is a COVID-19 Risk Factor Risk factors for diseases usually indicates which people have a higher chance of getting a disease. There are such risk factors for COVID-19. For example, any person who is in close proximity to others (cannot socially distance), do not wear a mask and do not wash hands frequently is at a higher risk. These are modifiable risk factors meaning that it can be changed by staying at home, keeping 6 feet away from others when possible, wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose, washing hands frequently with soap or using hand sanitizer. Health care workers, other first responders and supermarket workers are often higher risk individuals. There is another risk that needs to be considered with COVID-19. [...]

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