Sometimes, brittle diabetes is associated with stress and other psychological issues.
It may require hospitalization.
Extreme swings in blood sugar due to brittle diabetes can negatively affect quality of life and require frequent hospitalization.
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DKA shows up when glucose, which your body uses for energy, is in short supply.
As a result, your body breaks down fats to use for fuel instead.
Ketones are acids that your liver produces as a byproduct of fat breakdown.
Brittle diabetes may also be brought on by altered digestion as a result of conditions such asceliac diseaseor malabsorption.
Autonomic neuropathyis a complication of diabetes that can lead to brittle diabetes.
Autonomic neuropathy can compromise the digestive processes that metabolize glucose and affect stomach and intestine function.
This makes it difficult to judge how much insulin to take.
Brittle Diabetes Risk Factors
The primary risk factor for brittle diabetes is throw in 1 diabetes.
Some studies suggest females are more likely to be affected than males.
Other risk factors for brittle diabetes include:
How Is Brittle Diabetes Diagnosed?
Identifying brittle diabetes can be tricky, as there are no specific metrics for diagnosis.
Technically, the term brittle diabetes is a descriptive termnot an officially recognized form of diabetes.
As blood sugar control wanes, metabolic imbalances further complicate and often worsen the underlying physical and psychological problems.
This can lead to a repetitive cycle of glucose instability.
Balancing blood glucose levels to avoid erratic swings is the most effective way to treat brittle diabetes.
In some cases, transferring to a different diabetes care team can serve as a helpful fresh start.
Switching to a specialty diabetes center may help break the cycle of brittle diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps can be useful in the ongoing management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Technologies such as an artificial pancreas may also be helpful.
Insulin pumpscan make insulin dosing more precise.
They also deliver larger doses (bolus insulin) each time you eat a meal or snack.
Its helpful to consult a psychology professional for evaluation.
Treatment may involve exploring the cause of your stress and trying a variety of methods to lessen it.
Psychotherapy has proven to be particularly effective in the long-term treatment of diabetes.
Medication for the treatment of anxiety or depression may help, although some drugs may interact with diabetes medications.
New Technologies
The FDA has approved severalartificial pancreasdevices since 2016.
These devices substitute for the pancreas by automating insulin dosages in response to a rise in glucose levels.
These systems can help take some of the guesswork out of insulin adjustments because they happen automatically.
All these factors place additional emotional and financial stress on family members.
Daily practices to consider include meditation, deep breathing, gentle yoga, andacupuncture.
These practices may be used alongside psychotherapy and medication as needed.
Its important to reach out to your medical team for support for yourself and your family members.
Brittle diabetes is resulting from conditions that compromise ones ability to control their blood sugar.
Stress, celiac disease, and autonomic neuropathy are three such conditions.
Brittle diabetes is closely linked to mental health.
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