Sep 17, 2020 | News
MY STORY WITH RAYS OF HOPE SUPPORT INITIATIVE-ROHSI
BY: Benjamin Olorunfemi
In July 2016, after being away for weeks I came home to observe some off-duty days with my family. I knew I was having symptoms of not being in good health but I cannot say precisely what was wrong with me. My wife and I was a bit worry because I hardly fell sick.
I took some medication (just as we like to do in this part of the world without consulting a doctor; or any medical personnel). I was a bit ok as I went back to my place of work after observing the few days off. But by the time I resumed back, it became an issue as I couldn’t comprehend or coordinate myself. I was advised to visit a hospital to see a doctor. I went as advise, and the doctor that attended to me raised an eyebrow about my blood pressure numbers (to me it was nothing because I did not know the health implications of the numbers).
I was given medication for few days with advice to come back in a matter of days but within two days my blood pressure numbers rose from 140/100 mmHg to 198/125mmHg (at this stage, all was happening to me as I could not see, the headache, the heartbeats among others). I was rushed back to the hospital by my colleagues, where I was admitted and put under observation for over 12 hours (Their actions saved my life from some health complications I got to know later).
I got advised of my life through the medical doctor that attended to me on what was happening to me, the prevalence in Nigeria and the health implications it could cause me if I did not get to manage it on time. He made me understand that it has led to many dying at their prime but; I wondered why with all my education and exposure I did not get to know this
With that, consultations were made within the circle of friends, family, and community members among others. Books and Journals were read researching on what is high blood pressure, diabetes among other non-communicable diseases and what I found out (that millions of Nigerians are battling with these diseases without in knowing of what it is) led to the desire to raise awareness, provide health education, get people screened for hypertension and diabetes with the vision of reducing the untimely death resulting from complications caused by these ailments
We found out that if people had access to information and medical services early, deaths and other health complications arising from these ailments could be prevented. Then we decided to fight against these diseases with one on one talk Initiative, which was later extended to our communities but because of the increasing number of people who need information and treatment, Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI) was born in March 2017
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension and diabetes are responsible for an estimated 45% of adults’ death due to heart diseases and 51% of deaths due to stroke globally with studies blaming the increasing prevalence of the condition on lifestyle and dietary factors such as physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco use, and a diet high in sodium usually from processed and fatty foods. Unfortunately, the control of hypertension and diabetes has become a priority in many countries of the world, but remain a crisis in Nigeria in terms of awareness and management as the condition continues unabated.
Studies continue to show from experts that more Nigerians are daily battling with these ailments without laid down measures why? The economic downturn and the astronomical increase in managing these ailments are forcing many of our people to go on compulsory ‘’ drug holiday’’ as they found it hard to get funds in getting medical screening and medication on real-time.
Today people are seeking an alternative to orthodox drugs and treatment as the economic situation has not allowed the majority of them to be able to cope with continuing medication.
Our government that was supposed to help in terms of awareness, providing relief and subsidies to pharmaceutical companies and the people with hypertension and diabetes to ameliorates their health conditions are not doing much even; our primary healthcare centres that supposed to be the first point of call for screening, detecting and help in alleviating these ailments are not functioning to their name. Today, many of these patients are going back to alternative medicine or ‘’ drug holiday’’ as I have said earlier which often worsens the condition resulting in more health complications.
Today we are coming in as an organization to provide means by which more of our people with these ailments can be reached through programmes like our community outreaches where we have provided free screening and medication to over 3000 Nigerians.
We all know there are significant health and economic gains attached to early detection, adequate treatment and good control of hypertension and diabetes than treating the complications of these ailments.
Through my organization, we have the vision of supporting the health and well being of our people through health education and enlightenment but it’s not what we can do alone as an organization we need like minded people like you to help us with your time, network, resources among others in achieving the following:
- To create awareness on the effect and management of hypertension and diabetes among our people with special interest among the low income/ less privileged members of our society
- To help increase the understanding among the communities especially the less privileged member of the communities battling with these ailments about its impact on their health

- To reduce the percentage of people with this disease significantly through our awareness, health education and community outreaches respectively with follow up on a great percentage of the people
- To provide people living with hypertension or diabetes with comprehensive information on the causes and management
- To provide our targeted audience with ongoing follow up information on hypertension and diabetes
- To reach a larger number of the communities with pamphlets, handbill, lecture in local dialect for clear and better understanding of what hypertension and diabetes are all about and how deadly it can become if not discovered and Managed on time.
- Discouraging people restoring to self –medication instead of seeking proper medical attention.
All of the above cannot be achieved without your efforts and contributions and that is why we are asking you to join us with all that you have in achieving these.
I am asking for whatever assistance you are ready to give as an individual and organization. Be your brother’s keeper; let us put an end to curtail the effects of these ailments among our people
Sep 4, 2020 | News
Four years ago, we started this journey of impacting life-based on the fearful life experience and research done by one of our founders who almost loses it all to high blood pressure(Hypertension). It was not a palatable story based on our finding that hypertension and diabetes; two non-communicable diseases that kill without sign or symptoms and in which millions of Nigerians are battling with it; more than half of the numbers are not aware how deadly these ailments are. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension and diabetes are responsible for an estimated 45% of adults’ death due to heart diseases; and 51% of deaths due to stroke globally. To end this surge it has to start with you and me, and that is what we are doing at Rays of Hope Support Initiative, raising awareness, providing medical screening, health tips, medication and follow-up. We are asking you to join us and let us join hand in putting a stop to this silent killers. Benjamin Olorunfemi www.rohsi.org www.facebook.com/rohsi3 www.twitter.com/rohsi3 www.instagram.com/rohsinigeria/
Jun 28, 2019 | News
DIABETES
By: Michelle Llamas
Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels are too high because the body can no longer make or use insulin properly. The condition could lead to serious complications and even death. An estimated 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diabetes in the U.S.
There are several types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2 and gestational — a type that occurs in pregnant women. All forms of diabetes involve high blood sugar levels. Type 1, an autoimmune disorder, is rare compared to Type 2. Type 2 is the most common, and about 95 percent of all people with diabetes in the U.S. have this type. An additional 86 million adults in the United States have prediabetes, a condition where your blood sugar is high but not elevated enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
Cases of diabetes increase each year, and every 19 seconds doctors diagnose someone in the U.S. with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 adults may be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050.
It’s important to keep blood sugar levels controlled because it can cause serious health problems — including kidney disease, heart problems, skin problems and limb amputations.
FACT
Even if Type 2 diabetes has no cure, it can be prevented and managed. People with the disease can control blood sugar with lifestyle changes and medication.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when the body simply does not make insulin. This type makes up about 5 percent of individuals living with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is generally the result of a person’s body not producing or using insulin as efficiently as it once did (known as insulin resistance). Type 1 was previously known as “juvenile” diabetes. This is because Type 1 is most often diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy tissue. An illness, such as an infection or virus like mumps, measles, rubella or the flu, or another trigger, can cause the body to turn on itself, mistakenly attacking cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
Type 1 is a life-long disease with no cure and no chance of remission. Treatment involves daily insulin injections. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body loses its ability to produce and use insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that the body uses to convert glucose into energy. Without the right amount of insulin, excess sugar builds up in the body and causes a number of health problems.
EXPAND
Where Type 1 typically occurs in younger people and is an immune disorder, Type 2 most often occurs later in life. In fact, the medical community used to call Type 2 diabetes “adult-onset” diabetes. Most people with Type 2 are 60 and older, but doctors are diagnosing younger people with the disease. About 3.7 percent of adults aged 20 to 40 have the disease.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. This means that it may worsen over time and require higher doses of medication or multiple medications to control blood sugar. The pancreas may stop producing insulin altogether, and this means a person with Type 2 will need to inject insulin along with other medications.
An Estimated 29.1 million Americans have diabetes
About 95% Of all people with Diabetes have Type 2
An Additional 86 million Adults have prediabetes
History of Diabetes
Dr. Elliot Joslin publishes The Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Drs. Frederick Banting, Charles Best, then Banting’s assistant, and Professor J.J.R. Macleod extract insulin from dogs and discover it lowers blood sugar in dogs without a pancreas.
James Collip purifies insulin for use in humans. Banting and Macleod win the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery.
Elli Lilly and Company is the first company to commercially produce insulin.
The American Diabetes Association funds its first research grants.
Urine glucose testing tablets become widely available.
Oral medications called sulfonylureas that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin hit the market.
Drs. Solomon Berson and Rosalyn Yalow discover a way to measure insulin in the blood and identify “insulin-dependent” (Type 1) and “non-insulin-dependent” (Type 2) diabetes.
The first color-coded glucose test strips hit the market.
The first glucose meter becomes available.
Researchers discover insulin receptors, and defective receptors are linked to possible insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes.
Link between hyperglycaemia and blood vessel disease discovered.
First insulin pumps invented.
Researchers use E. coli to produce insulin identical to human insulin.
Diabetes is classified into Type 1, Type 2, gestational and diabetes associated with other conditions.
FDA approved human insulin made by genetically altered bacteria.
Metformin becomes available in the U.S.
The drug Precose hit the market. Eli Lilly introduces the fast-acting insulin, Lispro.
Rezulin (troglitazone), the first of the thiazolidinedione class of diabetes drugs, hit the market. It was later removed from the market because of liver toxicity. Actos (pioglitazone), a drug in the same class, is available on the U.S. market, and some studies link it to bladder cancer.
Prandin (repaglinide) a drug in the meglitinide class, hits the market.
The American Diabetes Association defines prediabetes.
Byetta (exenatide) is the first incretin mimetic GLP-1 drug on the market.
FDA approves Januvia (sitagliptin), the first DPP-4 inhibitor.
Invokana (canagliflozin), the first SGLT2 inhibitor is available in the U.S.
FDA approves first automated insulin-delivery device (artificial or bionic pancreas) for patients 14 and older with Type 1 diabetes – Medtronic’s MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-looped system.
Diabetes Symptoms
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes share similar symptoms. But Type 1 patients tend to experience symptoms sooner than Type 2 patients. This is largely due to that fact that the pancreas of a Type 1 patient does not produce insulin at all. Therefore, individuals with this form of the disease are affected much sooner and more intensely than those with Type 2. Type 2 patients actually make greater amounts of insulin for some time as insulin resistance builds. Eventually the body cannot keep up with the increased demand, insulin production begins to decline and Type 2 diabetes results.
Typically, in patients with Type 1 diabetes, their symptoms result in a diagnosis, whereas those with Type 2 may not even have symptoms or be aware of a problem until they are diagnosed.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes Include:
- Frequent Urination
- Feeling very hungry or thirsty
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry Vision
- Bruises or wounds that are slow to heal
- Tingling, pain or numbness in feet or hands
- Dry itchy skin
LOW BLOOD SUGAR AND TYPE 1 DIABETES
Patients with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, than people with Type 2. This dangerous drop in blood sugar levels is usually due to patients with Type 1 taking more insulin than needed. Exercise, although still considered a lifestyle choice, can cause low blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 diabetes.
A drop in blood sugar can happen quickly in patients with Type 1 using insulin. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia usually appear when a person’s blood-sugar level falls below 70 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). These symptoms include headaches, hunger, nervousness, irritability, rapid heartbeat (palpitations), shaking, sweating, weakness, tiredness and nausea.
Risk Factors of Type 1 Diabetes
Although the cause of Type 1 is unknown, there may be a hereditary component. The tendency to develop autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes, is typically passed down from one family member to the next, meaning some people may simply be more genetically prone to acquiring the disease. This seems to especially be the case for children born to fathers with Type 1 diabetes, according to one large family study of diabetes.
A certain genetic marker that has been shown to make a person more susceptible to Type 1 is located on a specific chromosome known as chromosome 6. A chromosome is a threadlike structure contained in the nucleus – the central part of a cell – where genetic information is held in the form of genes. The genetic connection for Type 1 is situated on chromosome 6 in the form of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA), which is a gene complex that encodes (produces) certain proteins responsible for the regulation of a person’s immune system.
However, having one or more of these HLA complexes does not always lead to the development of Type 1 diabetes. A genetic predisposition to Type 1 is just one factor among other possible risk factors making it more likely a person will develop the disease.
Other risk factors include:
Certain viral infections
Specifically, measles and mumps, among others
Race/ethnicity
In the U.S., Caucasians seem to be more susceptible to Type 1 than African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans, while people of Chinese and South American descent seem to have a lower risk of developing Type 1 overall.
Where a person lives
Northern climates seem to be at a higher risk for developing Type 1, especially in the winter months compared with a declining rate of diagnoses in the summer months.
Cow’s milk given at an early age
Children who are introduced to cow’s milk very young tend to have a slightly higher risk for developing Type 1 diabetes.
Other autoimmune conditions
Having an autoimmune disorder that shares a similar HLA complex to Type 1, such as Graves’ disease or multiple sclerosis (MS), can make a person more susceptible to Type 1 diabetes as well.
A less common cause of Type 1 diabetes is injury to the pancreas. This injury and damage to the organ and its cells can result from toxins, trauma or surgery.
Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes
Most people may be aware that being overweight increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but there are a few other factors. In fact, not all people with Type 2 are overweight. Diabetes is complex and no two people with the disease are the same.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers a checklist for Type 2 diabetes risk factors, it includes:
- Age 45 years or older
- Being overweight
- Parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- Family background: African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander
- Gestational diabetes while pregnant or had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
- Higher than normal blood glucose
- Blood pressure above 140/90 or “high normal” blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels, HDL lower than 35 or triglycerides above 250
- Being physically active less than three times a week
- Having discoloured, dirty looking skin in the armpits or around the neck despite scrubbing
- Blood vessel problems in the heart, brain or legs
Lowering Your Type 1 Diabetes Risk
A person’s risk for developing Type 1 diabetes often cannot be lowered or prevented since the disease is the result of an immune response. Several risk factors associated with the disease are also unable to be changed, such as one’s family history, genetic makeup, race or ethnicity, or other autoimmune conditions.
It may be possible, however, to prevent injury or damage to the pancreas that can sometimes result in the development of Type 1 diabetes. The pancreas can be easily injured due to its lack of protection from the ribcage. Pancreatic trauma, the term for injury to the pancreas, is most often caused by a car accident or a direct blow to the abdomen. The trauma that occurs can be the result of blunt force or penetration.
If a pancreatic injury is suspected, it is important to seek immediate medical attention, especially where there is blood loss, persistent abdominal pain or other symptom. Those conditions might include, inflammation, bruising, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Signs and symptoms of a pancreatic trauma can surface hours or even days after the injury occurs. Surgery is often necessary to treat an injury to the pancreas that results in symptoms. Pancreatic injuries can sometimes become life-threatening.
PREVENTING ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Acute pancreatitis is the sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas caused by enzymes in the organ eating and digesting its own tissue. This results in swelling, bleeding and eventual damage to the pancreas. Certain diseases, surgeries and habits, such as alcoholism or alcohol abuse, make a person more likely to develop the serious condition that results in severe injury to the pancreas.
Other factors linked to the development of acute pancreatitis include:
- Autoimmune problems
- Blockages in the pancreatic duct or common bile duct (tubes that lead enzymes from the pancreas)
- Damage to the ducts or pancreas caused during surgery
- High blood levels of a certain fat called triglycerides
Avoiding alcoholic drinks, smoking and fatty foods, and talking to your doctor about the risks of taking certain medications, can help to avoid pancreatitis or keep it from recurring after an attack.
Lowering Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk
The most effective ways to lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes are by making smarter food choices and increasing your physical activity. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Of course, it is not always easy to make these changes overnight. The American Diabetes Association recommends making these changes over time so you can adopt them as a lifestyle.
Here are some tips for making small, sustainable changes:
- Set realistic goals and start slow.
- Set a timeframe to complete them.
- Keep goals specific.
- Reward yourself for accomplishing goals.
One misconception about lowering your risk by losing weight is that weight loss has to be significant, such as 50 to 100 pounds. The truth is losing as little as 10 pounds can have a dramatic impact on health and diabetes risk.
Diagnosing Diabetes
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes generally develop early in life, when people are in their teens or when they are young adults. Type 2 symptoms generally develop later in life.
However, because the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes seem mild or might not appear at all, many people don’t know they have it. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 8.1 million people may be living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Many health care professionals can check for diabetes with simple blood tests.
There are three main tests for diagnosing diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, and prediabetes: fasting plasma glucose (FPG), A1C and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Fasting Plasma Glucose FPG (FPG)
This test measures levels of fasting blood sugar. Patients should be fasting for at least 8 hours prior to the test. This is the most popular test.
A1C
This test measures average blood glucose over the course of 2 to 3 months. It is a simple blood test and, like the FPG, patients must be fasting. Doctors may opt to do both FPG and A1C tests at the same time.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Patients must be fasting with the OGTT. OGTT can also diagnose gestational diabetes. The patient’s blood glucose is measured before and after drinking a special sugary drink.
Ketone Testing
Ketone testing is another diagnostic method sometimes used to diagnose diabetes. This test is performed using a sample of the patient’s blood or urine. Ketone testing is generally used in diagnosing Type 1 rather than Type 2 diabetes because ketones in the urine are more commonly seen in patients with Type 1.
Ketones are chemicals produced when the body burns or breaks down fat for energy, or fuel. When the body lacks enough insulin to convert sugar, or glucose, to energy, it must break down fat instead. During this process, ketones form in the blood and infiltrate the urine, often making the patient sick.
Ketones in the urine, therefore, are a sign that the body is using fat instead of glucose for energy, thereby signalling that there’s not enough insulin and that as a result, a patient’s blood glucose level is likely too high.
Ketone testing can be done when the following conditions are present:
- When the blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL
- During an illness such as pneumonia, heart attack or stroke
- When nausea and vomiting occur
- During pregnancy
After Diabetes Diagnosis
A diagnosis of diabetes is serious, but with the right help people can take the correct steps to maintain their health. A diagnosis may mean many changes in lifestyle, but it doesn’t mean life is over. For example, the American Diabetes Association has a number of great resources to help make sensible lifestyle changes.
Many people may feel it is their fault they got Type 2 diabetes. But, this isn’t true.
What is true is that they must be more vigilant about their health. To that end, it is important to find the right professionals to help you manage your blood sugar. This may include your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dietitian and diabetes educator. The diabetes care team can help create a treatment plan that works.
Diabetes Treatments
When doctors first discovered diabetes in the early 1900s, there were few options for treatment. It wasn’t until the 1990s that people with Type 2 diabetes had oral medications like metformin— still a mainstay of treatment for many people with diabetes.
Insulin, a necessary treatment for patients with Type 1 diabetes, remains one of the biggest medical discoveries to this day. Prior to its unearthing in the early 1920s, led primarily by Dr. Frederick Banting of Toronto, Canada, diabetes was a dreaded disease that led to certain death. A strict diet to minimize sugar intake, which sometimes caused death by starvation, was the most effective treatment, possibly buying patients a few more years to live.
Banting and one of his colleagues were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their discovery in 1923. That same year, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly started large-scale production of insulin, producing enough to supply all of North America.
Now, in addition to injected insulin, there are a number of oral medication classes to choose from, all with their own benefits and risks. But diet and exercise are still an important part of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes treatment. Now, even special types of surgery can help people with both types of diabetes manage their blood sugar.
A doctor may recommend one type of treatment or a combination of the three.
Medications
When changes in diet and increased physical activity are not enough to control blood glucose levels, doctors will prescribe medications. These same medications, aside from insulin, are not used, however, to treat patients with Type 1 diabetes. Insulin is the only medication prescribed to treat Type 1 diabetes, and Type 1 patients are required to take the hormone replacement daily. However, there are several different types, or classes, of medications available to treat Type 2 diabetes. Each controls blood sugar in different ways. Some people may take more than one medication to more effectively control sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes Groups
- Increase release of glucose through urination
- Increase insulin sensitivity of liver, fat and muscle cells
- Stimulate insulin production by the pancreas
- Slow the digestion of carbohydrates
There are many medications to treat Type 2 diabetes, and typically they are organized into groups that represent the condition that they target. These drugs are then organized into classes by mechanism of action.
SGLT2 INHIBITORS
A new class of diabetes medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors release excess glucose in the body through urination. The FDA approved Invokana (canagliflozin), the first drug in the class, in 2013. Several others followed. But the agency has also released a number of warnings for serious side effects linked to these medications.
Popular Drugs in This Class Include:
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Invokamet (canagliflozin and metformin)
- Invokamet XR (canagliflozin and metformin extended release)
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Xigduo (dapagliflozin and metformin)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Glyxambi (empagliflozin and linagliptin)
Side Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors May Include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Yeast infections
- Increased urination
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Low blood pressure
- Increased cholesterol
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
The FDA warned UTIs caused by SGLT2s can lead to other serious infections. The first is urosepsis, a serious systemic blood infection that can be fatal. The second is pyelonephritis, a serious kidney infection. Pyelonephritis may also lead to a blood infection. Both types of infection require hospitalization and antibiotics.
Additional FDA safety communications warned about kidney injury and diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that occurs when too many toxins build up in the blood. New studies also show these drugs may also cause acute pancreatitis, a condition caused by the swelling and inflammation of the pancreas — the organ that produces insulin.
BIGUANIDES
Biguanides are a class of drugs that work by making the body more sensitive to insulin. They also stop the liver from making glucose and releasing it into the blood. They may also make fat and muscle cells more insulin sensitive.
Currently, there is only one drug in this class available on the market: Glucophage (metformin). This is one of the most widely used Type 2 diabetes medications in the world. Since it has been around since the 1920s, its side effects are very well known. It became available in the U.S. in the 1990s. Many doctors are very comfortable prescribing it as a frontline medication or in combination with other medications.
In fact, most combination oral medications contain metformin. Newer drugs also test their effectiveness against metformin in clinical trials.
Metformin’s Side Effects May Include:
- Nausea
- Decreased absorption of B12
- Skin rashes
- Lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood)
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
THIAZOLIDINEDIONES (TZDS)
TZDs work by decreasing blood glucose levels by making muscle, fat and liver cells more sensitive to insulin. The FDA approved many of these drugs in the 1990s. The two most popular drugs in this class are Actos and Avandia. But these drugs were linked to serious side effects including bladder cancer and heart failure.
ACTOS (PIOGLITAZONE):
It has been one of the most popular drugs in the United States for treating Type 2 diabetes since 2007. It has only been on the market since 1999. The drug recently came under fire for causing an increased risk of congestive heart failure and its link to bladder cancer. The drug’s maker, Takeda, paid $2.37 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits by people who claimed Actos caused their bladder cancer.
AVANDIA (ROSIGLITAZONE):
This drug comes from the same controversial class of drugs as Actos, and works in a similar way. Studies link it to an increased risk of heart failure. A number of countries in Europe stopped selling the drug and banned it. Although not banned in the United States, it can only be prescribed by a small group of doctors.
TDS side effects may include:
- Bone fractures
- Macular edema
- Liver failure
- Heart failure
- Sinus infection
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Skin rashes
- Hypoglycemia
SULFONYLUREAS AND NON-SULFONYLUREA SECRETAGOGUES
These drugs stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. There are several well-known Type 2 diabetes drugs that use sulfonylureas as their base. These include Glucotrol (glipizide), Diabeta (glyburide) and several others. The FDA approved the first of these drugs in the 1980s.
These work to decrease blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin release by the beta cells in the pancreas. Pancreatic beta cells are the cells primarily responsible for releasing insulin.
Side effects of sulfonylureas include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Weight Gain
DRUGS THAT SLOW DIGESTION OF CARBOHYDRATES
One of the issues with Type 2 diabetes is glucose entering the bloodstream faster than the body can process it. Slowing the digestive process of starches and sugars slows down the rate that glucose enters the bloodstream.
ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS AND AMYLIN ANALOGUES:
These drugs slow the digestion of sugar. Because these medications affect the digestive system, side effects of nausea and flatulence are common. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are the least effective medications for lowering blood sugar and are rarely used in the United States. Precose (acarbose) and Glyset (miglitol) belong to this class. Amylin analogues also have a modest effect on blood sugar, and are injected with a dosing pen. The only product available is called pramlintide.
DIPEPTIDYL PEPTIDASE-4 INHIBITORS (DPP-4):
These drugs keep the hormone incretin from being broken down, stimulating insulin production and slowing digestion. Popular brand names are Januvia, Onglyza and Tradjenta. Generic names are sitagliptin, saxagliptin and linagliptin. Side effects include: joint pain, pancreatitis, sore throat, swelling of hands or feet, nausea, hypoglycemia and diarrhea.
TAKING INSULIN
Everyone with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. However, patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes sometimes need to take insulin as well, when oral medications taken along with diet and exercise, are no longer enough to control the disease on their own. Some reasons why people with Type 2 may need to start taking insulin, even if just temporarily, often involve other health conditions, injury, medication use or any other physiological change that can cause an individual’s body to become unable to produce enough insulin.
These reasons might include:
- Pregnancy
- Surgery
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Steroidal medicine-use (such as Prednisone)
- Aging
- Weight gain
- Chronic (long-term, ongoing) emotional or physical stress
Insulin is injected under the skin (called a subcutaneous injection) using a syringe, insulin pen or insulin pump. The abdomen is the preferred injection site due to a more consistent absorption of insulin occurring in this region. However, the location for injections should be rotated regularly to avoid a condition called lipodystrophy, or erosion of the fat beneath the skin. Other popular injection sites include the thigh and the arm.
Insulin is not available to be taken in an oral form because stomach acid destroys the hormone. However, there is an inhaled version of the drug sold under the brand name Afrezza. This is a powder that is breathed in just before a meal (rapid-acting).
Doses of insulin vary by patient. How much insulin a patient requires daily depends on several factors, including:
- Weight
- Eating habits
- Exercise levels
- Other illnesses
- Level of insulin resistance (in Type 2 patients)
In patients with Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be stopped if temporary situations necessitating its use are resolved, or sometimes with weight loss, exercise or other lifestyle changes. Patients with Type 1 diabetes will never be able to stop taking insulin, although doses may be adjusted.
TYPES OF INSULIN AND SIDE EFFECTS
There are four different types of insulin that work differently for patients with diabetes — rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting. Rapid-acting and short-acting insulins are often used in combination with longer-acting insulins. Both rapid- and short-acting insulins are taken shortly before meals (usually about 30 minutes prior) to cover the rise in blood glucose levels that results from eating.
Intermediate- and long-acting insulins cover any elevations in blood glucose levels after the shorter acting insulins stop working. Intermediate-acting insulin is usually taken twice a day, while long-acting insulin is taken once or twice a day.
The following chart breaks down the different types of insulin and how they work.
TYPE OF INSULIN
|
BRAND NAME
|
ONSET OF INSULIN’S EFFECTS
|
DURATION OF DOSE
|
Rapid-acting
|
Humalog Novolog Apidra
|
10 to 30 minutes (usually taken just before eating)
|
3 to 5 hours
|
Short-acting
|
Regular (R)
|
30 minutes to 1 hour (usually taken 30 minutes prior to a meal)
|
Up to 12 hours
|
Intermediate-acting
|
NPH (N)
|
1.5 to 4 hours
|
Up to 24 hours (but usually taken twice a day)
|
Long-acting
|
Lantus Levemir
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About 45 minutes to 4 hours
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Up to 24 hours
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Insulin is generally considered safe to take. It is even the preferred drug, over oral drugs, to control blood glucose levels during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. However, insulin is not without side effects. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the most common side effect experienced in patients taking insulin.
Other Insulin Side Effects Might Include:
- Blurred vision (usually temporary after prolonged high blood sugar levels are returned to normal)
- Headache
- Skin reactions, including redness, swelling, itching or rash at the injection site
- Worsening of diabetic retinopathy (disease of the retina, or the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye)
- Changes in body fat distribution (lipodystrophy)
- Allergic reactions
- Sodium retention
- Swelling (edema)
- Weight gain
- Low potassium blood levels
- Throat pain or irritation, cough (associated with inhaled insulin)
Diet/Exercise
Healthy eating helps keep blood sugar down and is a critical part of managing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. In fact, healthy eating is a part of a diabetic patient’s treatment plan, along with insulin for primarily Type 1 patients or another prescribed medication for patients with Type 2. Type 1 patients are also required to count carbohydrates and frequently monitor their blood sugar levels. Type 2 patients should be mindful of their blood sugar levels before and after eating as well.
The NIH recommends talking to a registered dietitian or nutritionist to develop an eating plan that works around each individual’s lifestyle, weight, medicines and other health problems. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has tips for healthy eating.
These include:
- Eating a lower sodium diet
- Eating smaller portions spread out over the day
- Keeping track of when and how many carbohydrates you eat
- Eating less fat
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Eating a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains
Exercise is also beneficial for controlling blood glucose. Both Type 1 and Type 2 patients can benefit from exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. A personal trainer or a diabetes expert can help you set meaningful goals. An exercise plan does not have to be strenuous to impart benefits.
What is type 2 diabetes and describe the disorder’s link to diet and exercise?
In fact, new research in the journal Diabetologia shows that short 10-minute walks after meals can help lower blood sugar. Researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand found these short walks after meals helped control blood glucose better than a single 30-minute walk by 12 percent.
FACT
Other 2016 research in Diabetologia by Dr. Bernard Duvivier of Maastricht University in the Netherlands found simply sitting less and by standing more and doing light walking may control blood sugar better than higher intensity exercise.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, especially in diabetic patients taking insulin. Patients with diabetes should regularly monitor their blood sugar levels before, during and after physical activity to make sure they don’t get too low.
Additionally, after administering insulin, strenuous activity can potentially speed up the body’s absorption of the hormone. Patients who plan to exercise following an insulin injection, should not inject themselves in an area that is most likely to be affected by the activity. For example, patients who plan to go running soon after the injection of insulin, should not inject the hormone into their thigh.
Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is growing in popularity as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. There are a few methods of performing the surgery, but they all involve shrinking the size of the stomach or rerouting the path of food.
As with any surgery, there are risks, including:
- Poor nutrition
- Vomiting from eating too much
- Scarring that could lead to blockages
- Injury to the stomach and intestines
- Heartburn or ulcers
- Leaking from stomach incisions
The most familiar type of surgery is gastric bypass. It creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach about the size of a walnut. The surgeon then reconnects the small intestine to this new walnut-sized stomach.
One study published in 2011 in Diabetes Care showed the surgery is highly effective in very obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. A review of clinical literature showed diabetes death rates lowered by up to 90 percent after gastric-bypass surgery.
Overweight patients with poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes may make good candidates for surgery as well. Such operations may give Type 1 patients greater control over the disease — not a cure.
They may experience a possible reduction in daily insulin doses, according to a review of cases from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
One study conducted at Cleveland Clinic showed that 9 out of 10 morbidly obese patients with Type 1 who underwent a laparoscopic procedure, such as a gastric bypass, lost more than 60 percent of their body weight in more than three years’ time. These patients also saw improvements in all cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and triglyceride levels (the most common type of fat found in the blood).
Other Pages Related to Diabetes
Farxiga Side Effects
Farxiga side effects include bladder cancer, ketoacidosis, kidney injury and serious urinary tract infections. Some patients have died.
Farxiga Side Effects
SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana and Farxiga are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, several studies have linked these drugs to serious conditions.
SGLT2 Inhibitors
SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana and Farxiga, are popular Type 2 diabetes drugs, but FDA released several safety communications about side effects.
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes is a serious condition that can result in serious complications if not managed properly. All diabetes complications are the result of poorly controlled blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are controlled in both patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, short- and long-term complications can be prevented or postponed.
One of the most common short-term diabetes complications, especially in patients with Type 1 diabetes, is hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar. This is due to taking too much insulin or not properly planning insulin intake around meals and/or exercise. Certain medications, such as aspirin, and alcohol can sometimes cause hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes, as well.
While many people with Type 2 diabetes might not immediately notice symptoms of the disease, it can still cause serious complications if left untreated. Even after diabetes complications develop, maintaining control over one’s blood sugar levels can assist in managing symptoms and preventing additional problems.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
While diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a side effect of some Type 2 diabetes medications such as Invokana, people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk even without taking the medication. Lack of insulin production can lead to DKA. This occurs when the body cannot use glucose for fuel and burns fat instead. The by-products of breaking down fat for fuel are called ketones. When ketones build up in the body, they become toxic.
This condition is rare in people with Type 2 diabetes, though, and usually affects people with Type 1 diabetes whose bodies do not produce insulin at all.
Sometimes, people do not realize they have diabetes until they develop DKA.
Risk of Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
People with both types of diabetes are at increased risk for pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) and pancreatic cancer.
Acute pancreatitis may happen suddenly and symptoms include pain in the abdomen, nausea, fever and rapid heartbeat. Chronic pancreatitis develops over time and symptoms include oily stools, diarrhoea, weight loss and vomiting. One study published in Diabetes Care found that people with Type 2 diabetes were almost twice as likely to have acute pancreatitis as people without Type 2. But researchers found insulin slightly decreased this risk. Pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic cancer.
Diabetes can be a risk factor or a symptom of pancreatic cancer. Typically, this type of cancer is more prevalent in people who have had diabetes for more than five years, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Researchers found that health conditions connected to Type 2 diabetes such as insulin resistance, inflammation and high blood sugar all contribute to development of pancreatic cancer. But people with pancreatic cancer may also develop diabetes as a symptom of the cancer.
Some Type 2 diabetes medications may also increase the risk of pancreatitis and possibly pancreatic cancer, including DPP-4 inhibitors such as Januvia, Janumet and Victoza.
Increased Mortality
Diabetes also increases mortality. Diabetes was mentioned as a cause of death on 234,051 death certificates in 2010, according to American Diabetes Association statistics. The ADA also says diabetes may be underreported as the cause of death.
Other Diabetes Complications Include:
- Eye complications
- High blood pressure
- Skin problems
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Heart disease
- Amputation of limbs
- Heart stroke
- Kidney disease
Pregnancy and Diabetes
Uncontrolled Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is especially dangerous during pregnancy. Not only does it affect the mother, but it can also endanger the baby. A foetus’ organs are formed within the first two months of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Blood sugar that is too high (or too low) can affect the organs as they are developing leading to serious birth defects. Therefore, women planning to get pregnant should make sure they have their blood sugar under control before and during pregnancy.
High blood sugar before and during pregnancy can:
- Increase the risk of birth defects, such as those of the brain, spine and heart
- Increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth
- Increase the risk of having a large baby, which also increases a mother’s risk of having to deliver by caesarean section (C-section)
- Worsen long-term complications of diabetes, including, kidney disease, heart disease and eye problems
- Increase problems for the baby such as premature birth, nerve damage, breathing problems or low blood sugar after birth
Preeclampsia
Women with diabetes are at a higher risk of preeclampsia during and after pregnancy. Preclampsia is one of the leading causes of child-bearing related death. Most deaths happen in the days or months after the mother gives birth. Preeclampsia can be treated. And most deaths are preventable if a woman receives treatment.
Symptoms of preeclampsia during and after pregnancy include:
- Abdominal pain
- Anxiety
- Decreased urination
- Excess protein in the mother’s urine
- Headache
- High blood pressure (140/90 or higher)
- Hyperreflexia (over-reactive reflexes)
- Lower back pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Shoulder pain
- Stomach problems or pain
- Sudden weight gain
- Swelling
- Swelling
- Vision changes
Health care providers should continue to monitor women for signs and symptoms of preeclampsia after they give birth. Postpartum preeclampsia symptoms may mimic those of other conditions new mothers experience. These can include headaches, stomach problems and swelling.
Gestational Diabetes
About seven out of every 100 pregnant women in the U.S. suffers from gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens for the first time during pregnancy, usually around the 24th week, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Gestational diabetes is not the same condition as a person already diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who then gets pregnant.
A diagnosis of gestational diabetes does not mean that a woman had diabetes prior to conceiving. Additionally, gestational diabetes generally goes away after pregnancy. However, it can increase a woman’s chances of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. The infant may also be at an increased risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Pregnant women are typically tested for diabetes during the second trimester of the pregnancy as a part of routine prenatal care. Gestational diabetes is caused by hormones from the placenta that block the body’s normal use of insulin and prevent the body from regulating the increased blood sugar levels that are usually associated with pregnancy.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes are similar to those of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, including:
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent urination in large amounts versus the frequent but normally light amounts seen in early pregnancy
- Fatigue, which can be hard to detect due to the fatigue caused by pregnancy itself
- Sugar in the urine, which can be found via a urine sample during a routine prenatal visit
A test for gestational diabetes may be done earlier if a woman is considered to be at higher risk for developing the disease. Risk factors include being overweight, older, having a history of gestational diabetes from previous pregnancies and receiving a pre-diabetes diagnosis before pregnancy.
Staying active and maintaining a normal (or healthy weight), as well as eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, are ways in which women can help prevent the development of gestational diabetes.
Here are some tips for a healthy pregnancy:
- Quit smoking
- Check blood glucose levels often
- Have a diabetes and pregnancy care team in place
- Check ketone levels through urine or blood
- Keep regular appointments with your doctor
- Eat a proper diet
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Daily physical activity
- Check medications to see if they may affect the baby
Type 1 Diabetes Research
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is focused on improving the lives of all people affected by diabetes. While Type 2 makes up the majority of those individuals, Type 1 is a priority of the nonprofit health organization as well. In 2016, 37 percent of the nonprofit’s total research budget was apportioned to projects relevant to Type 1.
Smart Insulin Patch
One recent project, started in early 2015, that would benefit people with Type 1 as well as those with advanced Type 2 requiring insulin, is the smart insulin patch. ADA Pathway to Stop Diabetes scientist Zhen Gu, a professor in the Joint University of North Carolina/North Carolina State University Department of Biomedical Engineering, published a paper in the biomedical journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describing the development of the new patch that could replace painful and burdensome injections.
The smart insulin patch, made of thin silicon, is about the size of a penny. It includes more than 100 microneedles, each one approximately the size of an eyelash. The microneedles house live beta cells that can sense when blood glucose levels are high and send a rapid release of insulin into the patient’s bloodstream. The live beta cells (cells responsible for making insulin) are said to reduce the risk of complications and last longer than the synthetic insulin that was previously preloaded in the patch.
The final prototype is expected to include glucagon (the hormone responsible for counteracting insulin) into the device as well. This will make the smart insulin patch effective in correcting both high blood glucose levels as well as low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia), a dangerous potential side effect of taking insulin.
Scientists have tested the smart insulin patch technology in mouse models, where it was discovered that the device was able to effectively lower blood glucose levels for up to nine hours. The positive result paves the way for continuing research in live animals and eventually clinical trials for humans.
Immunotherapy Clinical Study
British researchers published results from a small clinical trial showing immunotherapy treatment is safe for people with Type 1 diabetes. Science Translational Medicine published the findings from the study in August 2017, reporting that the immune system therapy showed promise in maintaining insulin production in people who were newly diagnosed with the disease.
The immunotherapy treatment is comparable to an allergy shot in how it works in that it is supposed to stop the immune system from attacking the body, specifically the beta cells found in the pancreas responsible for making insulin.
Scientists determined that people who develop Type 1 diabetes likely do not produce enough of the right kind of T-regs, immune cells that can aid in the suppression of immune attacks, or the T-regs aren’t working as they should. So, researchers developed the treatment called peptide immunotherapy using disease-related autoantigens, substances that cause autoimmune attacks, in an attempt to “re-educate” the immune system and induce more, or more effective, T-regs.
ABOUT THE STUDY
The study involved 27 patients with Type 1 diabetes who had been diagnosed with the disease within the past 100 days. The participants were divided into three groups, including a group given placebos (dummy pill). Those taking the placebos increased their insulin-use by 50 percent over a 12-month period.
Although, all of the participants still required daily insulin, researchers asserted that the need for less insulin over time can lessen complications and improve patients’ overall quality of life.
Additional trials are needed to determine how often the immunotherapy treatments would need to be administered and what benefit, if any, it would have in people who have had Type 1 diabetes for a longer amount of time, whose beta cells are likely more severely damaged or altogether gone. Detectable C-peptide (a substance created along with insulin) levels in patients might also make a difference in this or future treatments.
One of the study’s authors and professor of clinical immunology at King’s College in London, England, Dr. Mark Peakman, said the next step “will be bigger trials to test whether the therapy can halt beta cell damage.”
Beta Cells Transplantation
Researchers with the ADA are working on ways to enhance the survival of beta cells for eventual successful transplantations for patients with Type 1 diabetes. The goal of such treatment is to replace insulin injections and provide better control of blood glucose levels.
Currently, there is a shortage of sufficient donor cells, further complicated by the fact that it takes several donors to transplant one recipient. The survival rate of these stem cells contained on islets, or small isolated masses of one type of tissue, is also very low, with 80 percent of transplanted islets dying from exhaustion. However, there is evidence to suggest that these beta cells can be trained to survive exposure to oxygen and nutrient shortages experienced before and after transplantation.
The ADA contends that stem cell technology resulting in an unlimited source of beta cells may very well be a reality in the next several years. Research to determine how best to use these new cells, how they live and function after transplantation, and how to control the body’s immune responses to the transplanted tissue, to avoid rejection or subsequent cell and tissue death, will be essential in the potential realization of an eventual cure for diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Research
Type 2 diabetes research focuses on four main areas: education, new technology and medications, prevention of the disease and prevention of complications. In addition to government funding of research, many drug companies also conduct their own studies to find new medications for the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also funds studies.
Some of the questions researchers may ask include:
- Who is at risk for Type 2 and what are the first signs of the disease?
- Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?
- What are the physical differences between people with and without the disease?
- What new technologies make living with diabetes easier for patients?
- Why does Type 2 run in families?
- How can complications develop and how can they be prevented?
Some of the most recent findings include:
Dr. Marilyn Corneli, a nutritionist and assistant professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, found people who drink coffee have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, and she is doing more research to find out why.
Dr. Rebecca Hasson, an exercise physiologist at University of Michigan, found a link between environmental stress and Type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that when under stress, the body produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol contributes to insulin resistance.
Dr. Laura D. Baker found aerobic exercise improves brain function in people with prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are the second biggest risk factors for Alzheimer’s. Diabetes increases the risk by 65 percent. Even small amounts of exercise improve cognition.
Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.
Jun 28, 2019 | News
By: Amy Keller, RN
In this era of modern medicine, there’s a pharmacological fix for many ailments, but sometimes, the remedies can cause their own set of problems. Prescription painkillers, anti-anxiety medications and other drugs can lead to physical dependence, addiction and other issues. Understanding the risks of these medications and having frank discussions with your doctor can help head off complications.
Powerful prescription drugs are the go-to remedy for a host of ailments.
Someone struggling with anxiety is handed a prescription for a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax (alprazolam) or Ativan (lorazepam). The patient who’s having trouble sleeping receives a prescription for Ambien (zolpidem). A person suffering from chronic pain is given a prescription opioid, such as Percocet (oxycodone) or Vicodin (hydrocodone).
At first, the drugs may seem to work like magic — and they work quickly. The Xanax takes the edge off. The Ambien provides a restful night’s sleep. The Percocet eliminates the pain.
But over time, the dark side of these drugs often emerges. One day, the patient needs more than the usual dose of medication to get relief. Or the patient tries to stop taking the pills and feels horrible. The patient is suffering from withdrawal because his or her body has become dependent on the medication.
For many patients, this is how the cycle of dependence and addiction starts, and the toll is tremendous. Nearly 218,000 Americans died between 1999 and 2017 from overdoses related to prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and millions more are struggling with ongoing substance use disorders.
Physicians sometimes fail to mention these risks when they prescribe the medications to patients, and many provide little or no information about when or how to stop taking the drugs.
That’s why it’s essential to get as much information as possible before you start taking these types of drugs. When you understand the risks, you can take steps to avoid them.
Talking To Your Doctor
Before taking any medication, it’s crucial to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and risks of the drug. This is especially the case with prescription painkillers and other central nervous system depressants, which have a host of serious side effects and are notoriously hard to quit when you take them for a long time.
Asking your doctor why they’ve selected a particular medication and how the drug works is a good starting point for this critical conversation.
It’s important to understand your diagnosis and the sort of results the medication will deliver. If your doctor has prescribed opioids for back pain, for instance, find out what he or she thinks is causing your pain. Will the medication improve your condition or just treat the symptoms? Or is there another way to get to the root of the problem and fix it?
Here are some other important questions to get you started:
- What are the benefits and risks of taking this medication?
- What are my treatment options?
- Are there better, safer (or non-addictive) alternatives?
- What are the medication’s side effects?
- How will this interact with my other medications?
- Can I safely drive while taking this medication?
- How long should I take this drug?
- How should I stop taking this drug? (Can I stop it suddenly or will I need to be weaned off of it?)
If you find this sort of conversation nerve-racking or uncomfortable, know that you’re not alone. Many people find doctors intimidating or worry that their doctors will think they are questioning their judgment. With the typical medical appointment lasting about 15 minutes, other patients simply feel too rushed to bring up their concerns.
But a good doctor will make time for these conversations and encourage you to be an active participant in your health care decisions. If you’re too shy or tongue-tied, take a friend or relative with you who can advocate for you. And remember, your doctor works for you — not vice versa.
DID YOU KNOW?
In a 2016 survey of patients using prescription opioids, six out of 10 patients said their physicians provided no instructions about how to stop taking the drugs, or when they should stop.
Source: The Washington Post/Post-Kaiser Long-Term Prescription Opioid Painkiller Users Poll
Understanding the Risks
Not everyone who fills a prescription for an opioid will become addicted. But a 2017 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggests that approximately 8 percent of those given prescription painkillers will end up with a diagnosed “opioid use disorder” and up to a quarter will engage in behaviours that suggest a substance abuse problem.
Physical dependence on opioids can occur in as little as eight weeks. And dependence on benzodiazepines and hypnotic sleep medications like Ambien can occur within three to four weeks of regular use, according to studies.
That’s why many physicians will prescribe the lowest dose needed for as short a time as possible.
But Dr. Chris Johnson, an emergency room physician who has worked on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, told Drugwatch that “there is no ‘risk-free’ dose of opioids,” and the risk of dependence and addiction escalates the longer you take them.
DID YOU KNOW?
One-third of patients taking prescription opioids for eight weeks developed an addiction or physical dependence on the medication.
Source: 2016 survey conducted by The Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation
Dependence and Withdrawal
Tolerance is a physiological change that occurs when you repeatedly use a drug. Tolerance is usually characterized by needing to take higher levels of a drug to get the same effect. Drug dependence often follows.
When you’re dependent on a drug, your body needs it in order to function normally, and you may feel sick and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you don’t take it. Dependence develops because the drug causes changes to your brain’s neurochemistry.
Dependence may be hard to identify at first, and the signs of trouble may seem counterintuitive.
With opioids, for instance, withdrawal may first manifest as an increase in pain, and a patient with chronic pain may interpret this as a “flare up” of their condition, according to Johnson.
But if your pain level has increased, that’s often the first warning sign that you’re dependent on the medication. Withdrawal symptoms often follow, but patients shouldn’t wait for severe symptoms to manifest to suspect they’re becoming dependent on a drug.
EXPAND
You should talk to your doctor as soon as you suspect you’re showing signs of dependence or experiencing withdrawal symptoms. He or she may be able to create a tapering schedule for you to gradually reduce your dose and minimize withdrawal.
Depending on the drug you’re taking and how long you’ve been taking it, common drug withdrawal symptoms will vary:
Prescription painkillers (such as Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin)
While opioid withdrawal feels miserable, it’s not usually life-threatening. Common withdrawal symptoms may include: anxiety, muscles aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, Goosebumps, sweating, agitation, stomach cramps, dilated pupils, runny nose and watery eyes.
Benzodiazepine sedatives (such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan)
Common symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal may include: a return of anxiety, sleep difficulty, panic attacks, tremors, sweating, trouble concentrating, nausea, dry heaves, weight loss, palpitations, headaches, muscle tension and spasms, seizures and other problems. Some people develop a protracted withdrawal syndrome that can drag on for months or years.
Hypnotic sleeping pills (such as Ambien)
Patients suffering Ambien withdrawal may experience a return of insomnia, uneasiness, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremors and convulsions.
Physical dependence can occur with the chronic use of many drugs, even if you take your medication exactly as directed. Dependence is not the same as addiction, although addiction may accompany or follow dependence.
SAFETY TIP
Physical dependence on opioids, benzodiazepines and other medications can happen in a matter of weeks. For this reason, doctors usually recommend using such drugs for as brief a time as is necessary.
A CLOSER LOOK AT BENZODIAZEPINE DEPENDENCE
Benzodiazepine dependence doesn’t get nearly the attention that opioid dependence does, but the problem is significant.
A 2017 article in The New England Journal of Medicine found that benzodiazepine dependence occurred in approximately one half of patients who took the sedatives for more than a month. Those who’ve experienced it say it can happen even more quickly.
Dr. Christy Huff, a cardiologist and co-director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, told Drugwatch that her doctor gave her a prescription for a low dose of Xanax (0.25 mg) in 2015 when she was suffering from insomnia and anxiety related to an excruciating bout of dry eye syndrome.
“I was warned about addiction. I don’t have a history of abuse or an addictive personality, so I thought as long as I was following my doctor’s instructions, I was safe,” Huff said in a phone interview. “What I didn’t realize is dependence is different and can develop quickly — in the matter of a week.”
After about three weeks of taking the drug to sleep at night, Huff developed a tremor and worsening anxiety. The symptoms were so unbearable that she soon began taking a second dose of Xanax in the middle of the day for relief.
When she told her doctor what was going on, her doctor put her through a battery of medical tests that turned up nothing.
“Nobody ever said the medication could be causing your problem,” she recalled.
“I don’t have a history of abuse or an addictive personality, so I thought as long as I was following my doctor’s instructions, I was safe. What I didn’t realize is dependence is different and can develop quickly — in the matter of a week.”
Dr. Christy Huff, a cardiologist and co-director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
In fact, Huff had developed a physical dependence on alprazolam and was suffering from what’s known as “interdose withdrawal.” The phenomenon, which causes withdrawal symptoms in between doses, is common with short-acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax.
Like many who end up dependent on benzodiazepines, Huff developed an array of excruciating withdrawal symptoms. Hers included profound fatigue, cognitive problems, brain fog, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, stomach upset, and sensitivity to light and sound.
To ease her agony, her doctor switched her to Valium, a longer-acting benzodiazepine, and began a long, slow taper. In the end, it took her three years and three months to taper off of benzos completely and now, she said, she is working on rebuilding her health.
She also works with the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition to educate others about the dangers of benzodiazepine use and provide resources for those who are dependent.
Addiction and Overdose
Addiction is another risk associated with opioids, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills and other types of mind-altering drugs.
Addiction is different than physical dependence and less common, Johnson said, because it involves not just having withdrawal symptoms, but an inability to stop using the drug despite its adverse effects on your health and life.
A person who is addicted to a drug will usually experience intense cravings and compulsively use the drug. The user may spend a great deal of time thinking about the substance and figuring out ways to obtain it.
With prescription drug addiction, people may attempt to obtain more pills than they need or refill their prescriptions early. They may also try and obtain the same prescription from several practitioners, a phenomenon known as “doctor shopping.”
MISUSING PRESCRIPTIONS
An estimated 18 million people — 6 percent of the population over the age of 12 — misused a prescription medication in 2017.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse
And once addiction occurs, “things get ugly, even with treatment,” Johnson said. He pointed to a 2017 study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine that showed that even when getting treatment at a medical clinic, the fatality rate for people with an opiate use disorder is extremely high.
One in five who sought medical treatment for addiction died within 10 years. The risk of dying from a drug overdose is especially high right after treatment. That’s because a person’s tolerance drops quickly after any sort of prolonged period of drug abstinence, and if they return to their prior level of drug use, their body won’t be able to handle it.
Knowing the signs of an overdose is crucial.
The signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose may include:
- Excessive drowsiness or sedation
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Cool or clammy skin
- Slow or stopped breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Sluggish reflexes
- A weak or rapid pulse
- Pale face
- Bluish lips or fingers (darker-skinned people may appear gray or ashen)
- Unresponsiveness
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- The signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose may include:
- Anxiety and agitation
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Drowsiness
- Blurred Vision
- Unresponsiveness
- Trouble breathing
- Muscle weakness
- Slurred speech
- Hallucinations
The signs and symptoms of an Ambien (zolpidem) overdose may include:
- Drowsiness
- Slowed heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Coma
Mixing medications can increase the risk of an overdose. More than a third of fatal opioid overdoses occur when people use opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines together. Both types of drugs suppress breathing, and those effects are greatly multiplied when used in combination, creating a fatal drug cocktail.
If someone is grappling with an addiction to opioids, it’s wise to have an antidote on hand. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can reverse an opioid overdose if it’s given in time. It comes in several forms, including a nasal spray and an injection. Emergency responders usually carry naloxone with them, so if you or a loved one is overdosing, call 911 immediately.
SAFETY TIP
If you or a loved one take prescription painkillers, print out the Opioid Overdose Resuscitation Card. Follow the instructions on the card in the event of an overdose and ask your doctor whether you should keep naloxone on hand.
PTSD and Other Risk Factors
Anyone can become physically dependent on a drug. But some people, including those with post-traumatic stress disorder, have a higher risk of developing an addiction to opioids and other substances.
As Johnson explained, addiction is linked to distortions in the brain’s reward system. Chemicals, such as opioids and benzodiazepines can effectively hijack this reward system — as can pleasant activities, such as gambling, social media and video games.
But people who’ve had their normal reward systems disturbed through traumatic events face an even higher risk, Johnson said, because the reward pathways are also responsible for us feeling comfortable in our skin from minute to minute. As a result, people with PTSD may turn to substances to ease their discomfort.
DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 50 percent of people who seek treatment for substance use disorders meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports
“Furthermore, opioids and addiction deaths have been described as part of the phenomenon as ‘deaths of despair,’” Johnson said. “These deaths of despair include suicide and alcohol along with opioids. Anyone from any socioeconomic status can develop addiction, but the rates of addiction still hit those with lower status and more difficult prospects harder than those better off.”
Other risk factors — including genetics, a family history of substance abuse, and a history of mental health problems — can also increase a person’s chance of developing an addiction.
Certain psychological and social stressors can also lower the bar. A person might be more vulnerable to misuse substances after losing a job, moving or going through a divorce, for instance. You should make your doctor aware of any difficult or stressful situations in your life.
SAFETY TIP
If you have a history of addiction or alcoholism, let your doctor know. This can raise your risk of developing an addiction to certain prescription medications.
Safe Use of Painkillers After Surgery
In some situations, taking an opioid may unavoidable. Opioids are often the only reliable method to control pain related to cancer or other terminal diseases.
Likewise, if you’re undergoing major surgery or have suffered trauma from an accident, an opioid may be the only feasible method of providing adequate pain relief. There are still important precautions you and your healthcare team can take to avoid becoming dependent on the drug.
According to the CDC, doctors should prescribe the lowest effective dose of an opioid and provide no greater quantity than is needed: usually three days’ worth of medicine or less. Only in rare cases, will more than a week’s worth of medication be necessary.
“Patients with an acute injury such as fracture or kidney stone should plan on taking these medicines no more than a few days and plan to stop altogether in no more than a week as a general guideline,” Johnson said.
If you’re being prescribed opioids for pain after surgery, you should also understand responsibilities as a patient. According to the CDC, that includes knowing how often to take your medication, how to properly store it and how to dispose of any unused pills.
Opioid Dos and Don’ts:
Never take a larger dose of the medicine than your doctor has prescribed and never take your pills more frequently than it says to on the pill bottle.
Don’t combine your painkillers with alcohol, sedatives or other drugs (including over-the-counter medications) that cause drowsiness.
Never share or sell your pills.
Store your medication in a secure (locked) cabinet out of the reach of children, relatives and visitors, and keep track of your pills.
Dispose of any unused pills through a community drug take-back event or by disposing of them in the garbage. You can learn more about proper disposal methods from the FDA.
Patients also need to have realistic expectations about post-surgical pain relief.
“[You] should expect some ongoing pain, which is normal,” Johnson said. “Patients should not expect opioids to be taken to make one pain free until the healing has progressed to the point that when they stop taking opioids they are also pain-free. Opioids after an injury or a surgery should be taken only with the expectation that the worst of the pain will be mitigated for a few days.”
SAFE PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE
Jun 22, 2019 | News
Posted by Walter Keenan, Ph.D.
Drug use and abuse can happen to anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 10 people in the United States over the age of 12 have used an illicit drug—defined as a drug that is illegal to consume—at least once within the last year. An additional 2.4 percent have taken a prescription psychotherapeutic drug for nonmedical purposes that either wasn’t prescribed to them or was previously prescribed to them.
These numbers are slightly higher for women. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 12.9 percent (or 15.8 million) of women over the age of 18 have used some type of illicit drug within the last 12 months. Those misusing prescription drugs is higher as well at 3.8 percent, or 4.6 million women in total.
While illegal or improper use of drugs can be damaging to any woman’s mental and physical health, this behavior can have even more consequences if an unborn child is involved.
Pregnancy and Drug Use or Abuse
The NIDA reveals that drugs taken during pregnancy affect the mother and the growing foetus because these substances “pass easily through the placenta.”
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development explains that the placenta is “a temporary organ linking mother and foetus [which] brings nutrients and oxygen to the foetus and moves harmful waste and materials away.” It performs the same duties as many internal organs not yet fully formed—like the lungs, liver, and kidneys—and, if problems develop, can create lifelong issues for the mother and child.
What are some of those potential issues? The answer to that question depends largely on which drug or type of drug is consumed.
Illegal Drugs
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), 1 out of every 20 pregnant women uses some type of illegal drug, also commonly referred to as a street drug. This can result in a number of issues that sometimes include:
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labour, which is labour that occurs prior to the 37th week of pregnancy, or preterm birth
- Stillbirth
Additionally, if a child is born to a mother who has used illegal drugs during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of low birth weight, small head size, heart defects, and other birth defects. Then, as the child begins to grow, there is also increased risk of delayed growth, learning and behavior issues, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Opioids
The ACOG explains that use of street-level opioids, like heroin, put a pregnant woman at risk of developing several different complications, some of which include placental abruption (which is when the placenta separates from the uterus wall prematurely), preterm birth, and stillbirth. It can also disrupt the foetus’s normal growth.
While no opioid use is preferred for pregnant women, the ACOG stresses that if there is an addiction to this type of drug, they “should not suddenly stop using the drug without medical supervision.” Their reasoning is that withdrawal symptoms often lead to relapse, which puts both the mother and the unborn baby at risk.
The ACOG adds that there are also medications that can assist with stopping opiate use, such as methadone or buprenorphine, neither of which have been linked to birth defects. In some cases, the infant may go through withdrawal if the mother has taken either of these drugs, but there are also things that can be done to ease these effects, like swaddling the baby, offering skin-to-skin contact, and taking certain medications.
Stimulants
Drugs that fall into this category include cocaine and methamphetamine. The NIDA indicates that the effects of these types of drugs on a growing foetus are somewhat unclear, largely because pregnant women who take them often use other drugs as well.
The NIDA goes on to explain that, in some cases, women who take stimulants don’t necessarily take proper care of themselves in regard to nutrition and prenatal care. As a result, it’s difficult to ascertain whether a child born with issues is struggling due to the mother’s use of stimulants or if the problems are related to one of these other just-as-important factors.
For the expecting mother specifically, potential consequences of using this category of drug include:
- Migraines
- Seizures
- High blood pressure or preeclampsia
- Premature membrane rupture
- Separation of the placenta from the uterus
- Spontaneous miscarriage
- Preterm labour
- Difficult delivery
Babies born to mothers who used cocaine during pregnancy can also be born with a lower birth weight or be shorter-than-normal in length. They can be irritable and hyperactive, and they may experience tremors, have a high-pitched cry, and engage in excessive sucking. These symptoms may be due to withdrawal or they may be because cocaine is still in the child’s system, where it can remain for as many as seven days’ post-birth.
Research has found that children born to pregnant women who use the stimulant methamphetamine—roughly 6.7 percent of all people seeking treatment for this drug—often act out or are hyperactive in nature. They’re also often more depressed, anxious, and struggle on a cognitive level.
Marijuana
Marijuana is legal in some states medicinally and/or recreationally, but it is included within the list of street drugs because it’s illegal to consume in many areas.
Some expecting mothers use marijuana or cannabis to help them get through the nausea they experience due to pregnancy-related morning sickness. However, marijuana usage during pregnancy can oftentimes have unintended effects, such as increasing the risk of stillbirth by 2.2 times, according to the NIDA.
There are studies that have linked marijuana to a variety of health issues sustained by a child following birth. For instance, the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington reveals that, while researchers aren’t clear on all of the effects marijuana has on a foetus, some studies have found that children who are exposed to this drug in utero can potentially be born with a hole in their heart. Also, as they get older, they may develop cognitive difficulties related to memory and reasoning, attention span, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
Sometimes these negative effects continue into the teen years, says the ADAI, where they can be compounded by depression, anxiety, and academic difficulties. Usage of marijuana during pregnancy also means that the adolescent may have a higher risk of marijuana usage as well.
The ADAI adds that sometimes marijuana used during pregnancy can lead to physical issues for the baby, such as the development of childhood cancers. For reasons such as these, the ACOG recommends that marijuana not be consumed at all during pregnancy, even if it is prescribed for other purposes. Instead, alternate remedies should be explored to treat the originating condition without potentially causing harm to the fetus.
Socially Acceptable, Prescription, and Other “Legal” Drugs
While taking illegal drugs can have a negative effect on both a pregnant woman and her unborn child, there are also “legal” drugs that can impact both. Many of these are socially acceptable or even prescribed, yet may not be the best for a mother and the growing fetus.
Caffeine
Approximately 54 percent of Americans drink coffee daily. Worldwide, around 2 billion people consume at least one cup of tea every day. Therefore, it isn’t unrealistic to think that women who become pregnant will want to continue this habit, though some health experts advise that the cons may outweigh the pros.
The American Pregnancy Association (APA) is one such expert, and they point out that caffeine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, neither of which are good for a pregnant woman. It is also a diuretic, which can potentially lead to dehydration. According to the APA, caffeine can also harm the fetus by disrupting their normal movement patterns and keeping them awake, which can keep the mother awake as well.
While there is conflicting and inconclusive research as to whether it causes birth defects or can lead to miscarriages, the APA suggests that consuming 150 to 300 mg of caffeine daily has been deemed relatively safe. There is roughly 95 mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee, but that amount can exceed 500 mg, such as with an extra large coffee from Dunkin Donuts (517 mg), so monitoring the exact amount is recommended.
It’s also important to realize that there is caffeine in other products as well. This includes chocolate and many over-the-counter headache and migraine medications.
Alcohol
Alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to the unborn child developing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Partial FAS, Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, or Alcohol-Related Birth Defects.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says that the risk of these types of conditions increases if the expecting mother engages in binge drinking, which they define as consuming more than three drinks in one episode. This is especially critical during the first trimester. The NIAAA says that the frequency in which a pregnant woman drinks is a factor as well.
Babies born with FAS often have trouble emotionally, as well as difficulties related to understanding, attention, memory, and communicating. These can affect them academically and, later, create problems associated with holding work. Thus, FAS has both short- and long-term effects.
For these reasons, binge drinking is discouraged during pregnancy, but the NIAAA also emphasizes that “there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.” Therefore, they recommend that pregnant women abstain from alcohol completely.
Nicotine
The NIDA indicates that roughly 16 percent of all pregnant women have smoked during some portion of their pregnancy. Furthermore, nicotine “in the blood of the foetus can be as much as 15 percent higher than in the mother.” The ACOG adds that the nicotine, which is only one of thousands of harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes, narrows the blood vessels. This allows less oxygen and fewer nutrients to make it to the growing foetus, which can cause permanent damage to the brain and lungs.
The CDC adds that smoking also increases the risk of birth defects like cleft lip or cleft palate, premature birth, miscarriage, and low birth weight. It can even contribute to SIDS. Stillbirth risk is also increased by 1.8 to 2.8 times when a woman smokes while pregnant according to the NIDA, and is believed to be a contributing factor to more than 1,000 infant deaths annually.
Even “passive exposure” to nicotine can have negative consequences. Secondhand smoke can increase the expectant mother’s risk of having a stillbirth by 2.1 times. It can also result in premature birth or low birth rate, as well as an increased risk of asthma, respiratory issues, ear infections, and cavities for the baby after he or she is born.
Some expecting mothers move to e-cigarettes in an attempt to be “healthier,” but the NIDA warns that they also contain nicotine, so their effects may be similar. The ACOG agrees, stating that there may also be issues with the propellant and flavouring used in electronic cigarettes. With this in mind, they suggest that it’s best to simply abstain from smoking altogether during pregnancy.
Prescription Painkillers
What happens if a woman becomes pregnant while taking prescription painkillers like codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine? According to the CDC, these opioids increase the risk of the fetus having developmental issues related to the brain or spine. They can also lead to the baby being born with heart defects or their intestines protruding from their abdomen via a hole next to their belly button.
In some cases, opiate use during pregnancy can lead to preterm delivery or stillbirth, with NIDA reporting that prescription painkillers can increase this risk by 2.2 times. However, as with street opiates, the CDC does not recommend stopping prescription painkillers suddenly as this may do more harm than good. Instead, it is suggested that you consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action for you and your unborn child.
The Impact of Addiction on a Newborn Baby
When a drug is taken regularly during pregnancy, the baby may become dependent on it, creating a withdrawal effect after birth. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and is most common if the baby is born addicted to opiates. If NAS exists, this typically requires that the baby be hospitalized in an effort to effectively treat the withdrawal symptoms.
According to the NIDA, these withdrawal symptoms can appear up to 14 days’ post-birth and often include:
- Irritability
- Excessive crying
- High-pitched crying
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased heart rate
- Diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal issues
- Slow weight gain
- Vomiting
- Seizures
Long-term effects of drug use by the mother during pregnancy can also create lasting effects for the baby, such as those that occur as a result of birth defects, premature birth, or low birth weight. In severe cases, it can even lead to SIDS.
When the Father Uses or Abuses Drugs or Alcohol
In some cases, use of drugs or alcohol by the father can potentially impact the foetus as well. The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) says that is called “paternal exposure.” Also, while OTIS says that use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by the father has no proven consequences for the child in relation to the development of possible birth defects, some health experts believe that it can cause some serious issues.
For instance, the ADAI indicates that the use of marijuana by the father during the 12 months prior to the pregnancy can increase the risk of the child developing rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in the muscle tissue. And if the father uses marijuana during the conception or the pregnancy, or even after the child is born, the ADAI says that the child’s risk of SIDS is said to increase.
THE EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE ON PREGNANCY
May 17, 2019 | News
Originally published on HVMN by Ryan Rodal
You’re about to embark on a weight loss journey. You’ve been through your kitchen and thrown all the junk food into the trash. You’ve got a diet plan and you’ve taken those awkward “before” selfies. What is the one thing you might have missed?
Have you made the common mistake of underestimating the caloric content of your favourite drinks?
The majority of beverages consumed by the public are packed with hidden calories. The drinks you might gulp down could be responsible for weight loss plateaus or lack of progress toward your weight loss goals.
The “healthy” smoothie from the organic store? It contains more calories than a double cheeseburger (a large Strawberry Surf Rider from Jamba Juice has 640 calories, a McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger has 440 calories). The coffee on your morning commute? It has the same amount of calories as two glazed donuts (a Venti Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino has 550 calories, while two Dunkin Donuts Glazed Donut have 520 calories). Having a beer with dinner? That’s more calories than a candy bar (a Lagunita’s IPA has 220 calories, while a Hershey bar has 214 calories).
The calories consumed from beverages may be adding hundreds of calories to your daily intake.
Whether it’s juices, flavoured coffees, sodas, beers, or even those popular “healthy” smoothies, they all contain high amounts of calories.
Instead of changing your diet, try rethinking your lifestyle. Don’t count calories, make calories count. The importance of getting the best nutrition out of every calorie will help you reach your goals. Here are a few of the best weight loss drinks to help you get there.
Drinking Your Weight
Most diets place emphasis solely on food—neglected is the significant nutritional value of what you drink. It’s vital to be aware of liquid calories and large quantities of sugar in drinks you’re consuming.
Beverages do not trigger the same satiation responses compared to their solid food counterparts. Studies have shown that meals with solid foods provide better sensations of fullness compared to liquid meal replacements alone.1 When dietary calories are drastically reduced to kick-start weight loss, it becomes crucial that satiation is maximized. Every calorie counts when sticking to a healthy diet.
A typical 16oz bottle of soda has around 200 calories; that’s approximately equal to six ounces of chicken breast. An average juice smoothie from a national chain has around 300 calories; that’s the equivalent to four whole eggs. Most beer has at least 150 calories, equivalent to five pieces of turkey bacon. As you can see, choosing the non-beverage option in each of these scenarios will not only provide more nutritional value, but will also help you feel satiated.
There are several drinks that also tout themselves as diet or zero-calorie options. These drinks have a similar taste but are sugarless. Once sugar is removed, artificial sweeteners are often incorporated into the new drink for taste purposes. These added ingredients mimic the taste of sugar without the added calories.
There is controversy surrounding these sweeteners due to their potential side effects.
- Studies have shown body weight, fat mass, and blood pressure may all be negatively affected by the consumption of sweeteners. Two of the most commonly added artificial sweeteners are aspartame and saccharin.
- Some research has indicated that with sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, there’s a potential risk of adverse metabolic effects and type 2 diabetes.
- Monitor your intake of artificial sweeteners as they are often used in zero-calorie drinks.
Try to pick natural, non-processed drink choices that contain minimal artificial sweeteners to be safe.
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Everyday Drinks
Losing weight doesn’t have to mean sacrificing all beverage-based enjoyment. There are plenty of lower calorie, healthy options that can satisfy your taste buds and battle the bulge.
Green Tea
Green tea contains valuable antioxidants that supercharge weight loss benefits—extract from green tea is one of the most common ingredients added to fat burning supplements. Tea leaves contain many antioxidants such as catechins, which may help decrease body weight. In research on people drinking green tea along with caffeine, they lost an average of 0.2kg – 3.5kg compared to the control group.
Matcha is a Japanese green tea with higher concentrations of catechins. It contains up to 137x the amount of catechins compared to standard green tea; this higher dose has the potential to further enhance fat oxidation. Caffeine, also in many green teas, may also help support weight loss. In one study, people who were able to maintain weight loss consumed more caffeine.
So, if you’re feeling “hangry,” brew yourself a healthy green tea to help you stay on track.
Black Tea
Another type of tea, black tea, may help reduce body weight. Black tea contains polyphenols, which are micronutrients from plant-based foods. Mounting evidence suggests these antioxidants may help prevent obesity.
The polyphenols in black tea promote weight loss through calorie reduction, increased fat breakdown, and increasing friendly gut bacteria. Who would have thought the humble cup of tea could be a health drink?
Coffee
Coffee is synonymous with caffeine. Caffeine is the most widely-used nootropic in the world, with millions using coffee as a way to increase energy and potentially increase productivity. At one-point people believed coffee was linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, but in fact recent studies have suggested coffee may actually help prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Coffee may also have positive metabolic effects for both obese individuals and people of healthy weight.
Coffee can boost metabolism. A study found metabolic rate increased significantly three hours after drinking coffee. Furthermore, fat oxidation improved after consumption compared to a control group.
Not only does coffee help with weight loss, it also may help with weight maintenance. Studies have shown caffeine users are able to better maintain weight loss.
Coffee can also reduce energy intake as an appetite suppressant. One study suggests overweight adults who drank coffee were more likely to consume fewer calories. As a result, energy expenditure is reduced.
Water
Water—the Earth is made up of it, your body is made up of it, you need it to survive. Puzzlingly, most people do not get the recommended daily amount. Drinking adequate amounts of water will improve overall health.
Besides the health benefits of proper hydration, water can also help with weight loss. Many people mistake thirst for hunger. There’s a chance you may be overeating if not properly hydrated.
A study performed on overweight adults found those drinking seventeen ounces of water before a meal lost 44% more weight compared to a control group. Having a glass of water before each meal can help control appetite resulting in fewer consumed calories.
Drinking water can also increase resting energy expenditure (REE). REE is the amount of calories consumed at rest over the course of a day. In a study performed on overweight children, REE was increased up to 25% for around 40 minutes after the drink. Consuming the daily recommended amount of water may result in weight loss due to increased expenditure. The results may be true in adults as well.
Some people think drinking regular old water is boring. If you need to spice it up a bit, try adding mint leaves or citrus to hot water or cold water to give it a flavour boost.
Out of the Box Options
Outside of those everyday drinks, there’s a group of less common beverage options for potential weight loss.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar probably hides out in your condiments cupboard, but you maybe should bring it out more often. Emerging science suggests that it could be a great extra addition to your weight loss regime. It contains acetic acid, a compound linked to decreased belly fat and reduced accumulation of fat in the liver. In a study performed on rats, apple cider vinegar helped prevent obesity in those with type 2 diabetes. In another animal study, it also reduced body weight in obese mice.
The research on apple cider vinegar performed in humans is limited, but some research suggests it may improve metabolic health in humans. Consuming two tablespoons of ACV per day resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, and body fat compared to a control group.
Drinking apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach may help improve digestion; consuming it after meals may improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar levels.
The versatility of apple cider vinegar makes it a valuable tool for overall wellness.
Electrolyte Drinks
You may think athletes are the only ones who need to supplement with electrolytes, but everyone needs them to function properly. Drinking enough electrolytes is important to maintain proper fluid balance throughout the body. Sports drinks often have added electrolytes to counteract their loss in sweat as you work out. Unfortunately, many of these products contain high sugar contents, making them calorically dense. Every calorie counts on a diet. Luckily today, there are low-calorie electrolyte drink options available to provide proper electrolyte balance.
Staying properly hydrated is essential for overall health, and is important for weight loss.
While it seems counter intuitive, the body may retain extra water if not properly hydrated. This water weight can add extra pounds on the scale.
Vegetable Juices
No secret here: consuming whole vegetables maximizes nutrient intake. But preparing vegetables takes time—something on which many of us are short.
If you are on the move, vegetable juice is a convenient shortcut to make sure you eat those greens and get plenty of micro-nutrients. Unless you are a rabbit, eating several cups of spinach, broccoli, carrots, and kale in one sitting is hard. Instead, simply grab a blender and combine the ingredients into one beverage. Easy.
People tend to over complicate juicing by adding obscure ingredients together. Make things simple with this easy to follow recipe:
2 cups of spinach
4 stalks of celery
Handful of kale
1 cup of blueberries
Lemon juice to taste
An easy-to-follow. go-to recipe will help meet daily dietary needs, while still being low in calories.
Low Calorie Pre-Workout Drinks
Combining weight loss, dieting and working out may be a difficult balance for many people. They ask: don’t I have to increase my calorie intake to fuel my workouts?
Actually, it’s not essential to eat before working out, and doing some exercise while fasted or in a carb-depleted state can actually increase endurance adaptations.21 When carbohydrate stores are depleted, the body turns to fat as fuel, especially for lower intensity, aerobic exercise. That said, carbs are usually needed to fuel more intense workouts with a high anaerobic component; it can take a while for the body to fat adapt and become efficient at using fat rather than carbs.
Most people are not fat-adapted and tend to workout at a relatively high intensity. In these situations, carbs are generally the body’s workout fuel; having a small amount of carbs pre-workout can protect the quality of your workout, which is important even for individuals on a set diet plan. Just make sure you take into account the amount of energy you need for the workout before you choose your pre-session drink.
Many pre-workout drinks contain a high amount of sugar and carbs to get people pumped and feeling energetic.
For the calorie conscious gym-goer there are several pre-workout drink options containing little to no calories. The bad news is many contain other active ingredients such as beta alanine, tyrosine, and taurine, which supposedly boost your workout, but in reality the evidence for their impact is largely lacking.
What’s more, these extra ingredients often come as part of a proprietary blend, meaning the manufacturer provides little information as to the exact amount of each ingredient included. People should be concerned about putting unknown chemicals into their body in random quantities. It’s nice to know what you are putting in your body.
Instead of consuming pre-workout beverages with a laundry list of ingredients, choose one with fewer additives. Caffeine can be useful during workouts as it provides an extra boost of energy, especially on diet-days where you feel like you lack energy. Sprint, HVMN’s nootropic for energy and focus, has caffeine to help fuel your hardest workouts. And you won’t be spilling coffee and burning yourself as you dash between work and the gym.
For most people 100mg – 200mg of caffeine is sufficient to power through a workout.
Low Calorie Post-Workout Drinks
When sticking to a diet plan, it’s important to properly refuel after intense training sessions. Without proper post-workout fuel, recovery time will be prolonged and strength / endurance adaptations may not be fully realized.
Consuming protein post-workout is one way to maximize your gains. It’s often not possible to rustle up a protein rich meal in the few hours after your gym session; in this case, supplementation is a convenient alternative.
Taking a drink that is rich in protein not only enhances muscle protein synthesis, but also can be satiating as well.
Increasing evidence has shown that whey protein may increase fullness through a satiety-inducing hormone release. Casein and pea proteins in particular have also been shown to have a promising effect on reducing short term food intake. Having a protein shake prior to a meal can help prevent overeating leading to better weight loss results. Just make sure you account for the extra calories from the shake!
There is evidence that having a protein shake prior to sleep may improve protein synthesis, morning metabolism, and overall satiety.
Working out should go hand-in-hand with a proper diet plan to maximize weight loss and improve body composition. Consuming adequate protein will not only maximize your workouts, but may prevent overeating as well.
HVMN Ketone
If you are searching for the extra boost to your performance or simply want to maximize your workout, try HVMN Ketone, the world’s first ketone ester drink. Taken 30 minutes prior to work out, it can elevate levels of the ketone fuel source, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Having the extra ketone fuel can help improve cognitive and endurance performance. What’s more, it only contains 120 calories (all from ketones).
In tests performed on elite cyclists, those who used HVMN Ketone performed 2% – 3% better, cycling 400m further in a 30-minute time trial. Whether you are striving to be among the most elite athletes on earth or are simply looking for an edge in the gym, HVMN Ketone will be there to push you across the finish line.
For recovery, drinking HVMN Ketone plus a post-workout drink activates pathways that trigger muscle protein regeneration, 2.5x more than a normal carb and protein post-workout drink. This could help athletes to maintain and build lean muscle mass after exercise. If you are on a calorie restricted diet, this may help maintain muscle mass while in a catabolic state.
Not only will HVMN Ketone power you through a workout, it may help curb appetite, lowering levels of hormones associated with hunger.
HVMN Ketone is an exogenous ketone source that can impact on endurance performance and recovery.
Liquid Meal Replacements
Liquid meal replacements have been popular in America for decades. The idea of meal replacements is simple: take out the hassle of cooking and drink your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The good news—these products tend to be lower in calories than a normal meal and generally have a well-rounded macronutrient profile. They also are often fortified with extra vitamins and minerals.
While these meal replacements may help you stick to daily caloric goals, they tend to lack the satiating properties associated with whole foods. A normal meal replacement shake has approximately 200 calories and 20 grams of protein. Instead of drinking a shake, you could have a small chicken breast with a side of veggies.
In a study performed on liquid versus solid meal replacements, those on liquid meal replacements had greater weight gain over a six-month period. These studies suggest liquid meal replacements should not be substitutes for solid meals, but rather should complement an existing whole food diet.
Liquid Cleanses or Detoxes
Detox diets have become popular over the years due to promises of fast weight loss results.
The reasons these type of drinks work in the short term are two fold. One, if you are on a strict liquid cleanse, you’re consuming far fewer calories daily than recommended. This can be considered the most extreme form of crash dieting.
The other reason cleanses work is their laxative powers. They are designed to make people lose water weight and gut fibre weight as opposed to true fat loss. For someone looking for long term results, we do not recommend these types of cleanses.
DRINKS TO AVOID
Many drinks will contain far more calories than you may realize. These drinks should be avoided as they are high in calories, carbs, and added sugar.
Soda: one 12-ounce soda will contain a minimum of 140 calories
Energy drinks: popular brands of energy drinks contain high amounts of added sugars along with controversial ingredients such as taurine, tyrosine, and beta alanine
Fruit juice: once considered a health food staple, most fruit juices today contain high amounts of added sugars. These processed drinks lack the fibre and nutrition associated with real fruit. They also can trigger more of a blood sugar spike compared to the real thing.
Alcohol: generally, alcohol is not diet-friendly. A full-flavored beer or modest size glass of wine will contain 140 – 200 calories. Spirits are slightly less in caloric value, but become more calorically dense when combined with mixers. If you do choose to drink spirits, mix them with a zero-calorie seltzer water to minimize calories.
Coffee flavourings: adding sweet creamers, syrups and sugar to coffee drinks can rack up calories in a hurry. To avoid this drink, black coffee or only add heavy cream. Or you can add HVMN’s MCT Oil Powder for healthy, filling fats that provide all-day energy.
Drinking these beverages can increase caloric intake in a hurry. In order to avoid this, simply stick to the low or no calorie beverages we have suggested.
Drinking Your Way to Success
Dieting is hard enough already. Don’t make it even more difficult by sabotaging yourself with highly-caloric drinks.
Stick to the basics. And remember to always check nutrition labels to see if your favourite drinks are laden with added sugars (hint: they probably are). Remember not to count calories, make every calorie count.
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WEIGHT LOSS DRINKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DIET