Hypoglycemia is a common problem for diabetic patients, however people without diabetes can suffer from it as well. Regardless of your risk, it is important to learn about safely preventing, detecting, and treating its symptoms.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), hypoglycemia is a condition distinguished by abnormally low blood glucose (sugar) levels. Blood glucose levels should stay above 70 mg/dl, however symptoms of hypoglycemia differ dramatically from person to person.

A combination of factors can cause sudden drops in blood glucose levels. These include diet, medication, and exercise. Talk with your doctor and become familiar with how your body reacts to an episode of low blood glucose.

If Left Untreated

If left untreated, severe hypoglycemia can have fatal consequences. Hypoglycemic patients are prone to accidents and injuries as a result of the swift onset of dangerous symptoms, including:

• Unconsciousness
• Weakness or fatigue
• Anger, sadness
• Lack of coordination
• Nightmares / crying out during sleep
• Seizures
• Nervous or Anxious Feeling
• Sweating, Chills, Clamminess
• Irritability / Impatience
• Confusion, including delirium
• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling lightheaded / dizzy
• Hunger or Nausea
• Blurred / Impaired Vision
• Tingling / numbness
• Headaches

How To Treat

While hypoglycemia can sometimes turn into a medical emergency, it is rather easy to treat from home if done immediately. The ADA suggests consuming 15-20 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates to help boost blood sugar levels. Be sure to recheck your glucose levels after eating. If the symptoms continue, repeat the process.

Without immediate treatment, hypoglycemia can cause seizures and comas. If a patient becomes unresponsive, the hormone glucagon must be used to return glucose levels to normal. Glucagon signals the liver to release stored glycogen and change it back to glucose. Because of this, blood sugar levels return to the normal range.

In some cases, a person may have few or none of the above symptoms, even though their blood glucose level may be lower than normal. This is called Hypoglycemia Unawareness (HU). HU can affect patients who often experience low blood sugar episodes or those who have had diabetes for a long time.

Wearing a medical ID can help increase the response time for a person having a hypoglycemic episode. In the event of an emergency, a medical ID communicates valuable information to first responders, therefore helping to make sense of an emergency situation.

Most of all, learn to understand the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic episodes. Inform those close to you of the necessary precautions needed to handle such emergencies.

Article Sources:

• American Diabetes Association – Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
• Mayo Clinic – Benefits of Medical ID Bracelets
• WebMD – The NIDDK on Hypoglycemia

The National Institute for Health recognizes breast cancer as one of the most deadly forms of cancer for American women between the ages of 45-85.

As technology and health care have improved, the fatality rate for breast cancer has decreased. However, the number of new cases of breast cancer has increased steadily for years.

Increasing Awareness Is the Key to Early Detection

Increasing awareness of breast cancer screening methods among women (and men) as they age is incredibly important to guarantee they have the knowledge and preparedness to take action.

In general, cancer cells are known for their rapid, abnormal growth. While these harmful cancer cells may develop locally in one area of the body, they can quickly spread to other vital organs and prevent normal bodily functions that support life. For all forms of cancer, early detection is critical to the success of patient outcomes.

Helping Seniors Understand Screening Methods for Breast Cancer

Mammograms: The best way to confirm any suspicions that you have about the health of your breasts is to schedule an appointment where screening can be performed using mammography. According to the National Institute for Health, a mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast that often can detect cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel. Due to the density of women’s breasts before menopause, mammograms are typically only given to women over the age of 50.

Clinical Breast Exams: In addition to receiving mammograms annually, regular clinical breast exams (CBE) should be performed by a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or physician’s assistant. During a clinical breast exam, the breasts will be inspected for abnormalities in size and shape, as well as changes in the skin or nipples. The examination will also require the health professional to feel the breasts to inspect tissue for lumps or irregular shapes or textures.

Breast MRI: Using magnetic imaging, MRI’s are used to get a detailed look at the breast health of women with higher risks. Typically used as a follow-up method after the discovery of suspicious physical symptoms.

Breast Self Exam: While it should never replace a mammogram or CBE from a doctor, a self examination of one’s breasts can be performed at home alone. Known as a Breast Self Examination (BSE), women can inspect their own breasts for abnormalities in size and shape by gently palpating the breasts one at a time in front of a mirror. If you choose to perform regular BSE’s at home, remember that there are a number of reasons why you might notice changes in the size or shape of your breasts. These changes can often be attributed to:

• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Menopause
• Menstrual Cycles
• Birth Control Pills
• Hormones

Despite the fact that there are differing opinions in the medical community about the effectiveness of self-exams at home, women of all ages need to understand the risk factors and physical warning signs for breast cancer.  You can read more about the risk factors and physical warning signs of breast cancer here.

Helping Seniors Get Screened for Breast Cancer

Seniors might need special attention to make sure they receive the necessary screening for breast cancer as they age. Caregivers, companions, and family members can help schedule doctor’s visits and ensure transportation is in order to guarantee that missed mammograms are not missed opportunities for early detection.

Other times, seniors might hesitate to have screenings done out of fear that they cannot afford them. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention outlines eligibility for these individuals to receive low-cost and even free screenings.  Since September 2010, the Affordable Care Act has required all new health insurance plans to cover yearly mammography (with no co-payment) for women ages 40 and older.

A Place at Home provides RN Advocacy services that can include coordinating your health care needs and acting as a liaison between you or your senior and various medical professionals.  This ensures that communication is understood and followed while providing the peace of mind that no stone is left unturned when it comes to your care. Contact us today to learn more.

If you have ever checked in at a hospital for an overnight stay, you may have had to sign some documents related to your “patient’s rights & responsibilities.”

Your patient’s rights will include detailed instructions for how the hospital will administer your care. Typically, a hospital will also outline your responsibilities as a patient. While most of the heavy lifting will be done by the doctors and nurses administering your care, the success of your care ultimately does rely on your fulfillment of these responsibilities.

Home care agencies, like A Place at Home, must provide clients with a similar patient’s bill of rights and responsibilities that outlines a list of expectations for your care. As a client of a home care agency, it is essential to understand your rights and responsibilities to guarantee you are enjoying the highest quality care you deserve.

As a client of A Place at Home, you have the rights to:

• Choose A Place at Home as the agency that provides your home care.
• Participate in the planning of your care and receive education regarding the plan prior to care being provided and as changes are made.
• Request information about your diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
• Refuse home health care and be informed of any possible health consequences of this action.
• Receive care given without discrimination as to race, color, creed, sex, age, or national origin.
• Be admitted for service only if A Place at Home has the ability to provide safe, professional care at the level of intensity needed and to a reasonable continuity of care.
• Enjoy confidentiality of all records, communications, and personal information.
• Review all of your health records, unless, the physician has documented otherwise in the medical record.
• Receive both oral and written explanation regarding termination if services are terminated for reasons other than discharge and receive information regarding community resources.
• Voice complaints, grievances, and suggest changes in service or staff without fear of reprisal or discrimination.
• Be fully informed of agency policies, and charges for services, including eligibility for third-party reimbursement, prior to receiving care.

As a client of A Place at Home, you have the responsibilities to:

• Request further information concerning anything you don’t understand.
• Give accurate and complete health information concerning your past and present illnesses, hospitalizations, doctor’s appointments, medications, allergies, and other pertinent items.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a safe environment in your home.
• Inform A Place at Home at least 24 hours in advance of any address changes or when you will not be able to keep a visit.
• Participate in the development and update of your home care plan and adhere to this care plan—including proactively informing A Place at Home of any known changes/needs relative to the client.
• Give information regarding concerns and problems you have to an administrator of A Place at Home.
• Accept qualified personnel without discrimination against race, religion, political belief, gender, social status, sexual orientation, marital status, or age.

Do you know a friend or family member in need of home care in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area? Keeping your loved ones happy and healthy at home requires a delicate balance of patience and teamwork that we can offer at A Place at Home. Our dedicated staff of nurses and caregivers is prepared to offer realistic solutions to the obstacles standing in the way of your independence.

While it may seem common for aging adults to experience a decline in eyesight, failing vision can put seniors at a dangerously higher mortality risk by complicating even the most basic parts of their daily routines.

In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Ophthalmology, research suggests that the active prevention and early treatment of conditions that cause vision impairment may reduce mortality risks for aging adults.

“Throughout an analysis of more than 2,500 test subjects, ages 65 to 84, declining vision over time was linked to an increase in the person’s risk of death during the study. Participants who experienced visual decline of one letter on an eye chart were expected to have a 16 percent increase in mortality risk during the eight-year study because their vision affected daily activities.”

The kinds of daily activities as defined by the study included more “instrumental” ones rather than necessary functions like bathing, dressing or eating. Researchers determined that failing eyesight prevented seniors from being able to perform essential tasks like using the phone, shopping and preparing their own food. An inability to perform these duties throughout the course of a given day reflects the higher mortality risk.

The results reaffirm the emphasis on providing more accurate early- detection services and better treatment methods for the visual side effects of other complications like diabetes. Additionally, these findings place extra importance on the quality of care seniors are receiving on a daily basis. Seniors can enjoy potentially longer lives by receiving the basic help they need to get through the day.

Article Sources:

• WebMD – Failing Vision Tied to Shorter Lifespans for Seniors
• JAMA Network – Longitudinal Relationships Among Visual Acuity, Daily Functional Status, and Mortality