Biomedical subjects

T F Swade

Publications and source records attributed to T F Swade.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Consequences of alcohol use in diabetics.

The hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, is an important regulator of blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body does not respond appropriately to the insulin (type 2 diabetes). Alcohol consumption by diabetics can worsen blood sugar control in those patients. For example, long-term alcohol use in well-nourished diabetics can result in excessive blood sugar levels. Conversely, long-term alcohol ingestion in diabetics who are not adequately nourished can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. Heavy drinking, particularly in diabetics, also can cause the accumulation of certain acids in the blood that may result in severe health consequences. Finally, alcohol consumption can worsen diabetes-related medical complications, such as disturbances in fat metabolism, nerve damage, and eye disease.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1997

Alcohol & diabetes.

Single bouts of ethanol do not worsen and may improve glucose tolerance in diabetics. However, daily drinking in moderate amounts (i.e., 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) clearly worsens diabetic control and increases the prevalence of impotence, retinopathy, and possibly peripheral neuropathy. Approximately the same consumption of ethanol is associated with a decreased risk of myocardial infarction and a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality. These latter studies are in a mixed population, making it difficult to discern whether these beneficial ethanol effects are actually operative in diabetics. Therefore, more data is needed to determine whether the beneficial effects of daily drinking of moderate amounts of ethanol outweighs the deleterious ones. The prudent course at this time would be to avoid daily drinking. Clearly, drinking large amounts of ethanol is to be avoided as such behavior can cause ketoacidosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and if taken outside the context of a meal, can cause hypoglycemia and ultimately increased death from noncardiovascular causes.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis: six cases in non-Asian patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe six cases of thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) in non-Asian men. METHODS: We present six cases of THPP, including clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome, and review the related literature. RESULTS: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a relatively common occurrence in Asian men with thyrotoxicosis; however, it is unusual in non-Asian patients with thyrotoxicosis. Among our six patients--four Caucasians, one African-American, and one Hispanic--the precipitating factors, initial manifestations, and clinical course varied. In general, treatment with 131 I or potassium eliminated the paralytic episodes. CONCLUSION: THPP needs to be distinguished from nonthyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Although THPP is unusual in non-Asian men, it must be recognized because of the severe and potentially fatal complications, which are reversible with potassium replacement and antithyroid therapy.

Journal Article↗