Diabetic foot ulcers are red sores that can occur most often on the pad (ball) of the foot or the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers can also form from poorly fitted shoes, especially on the sides of the foot, the tops of the toes, or the heel of the foot.
Diabetic hypoglycemia (also called insulin shock or insulin reaction) is having an abnormally low amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood relative to the amount of insulin in the blood. A person with diabetes can become hypoglycemic by taking too much insulin or diabetes medicine or by skipping meals. Symptoms of...
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening blood chemical (electrolyte) imbalance that develops in a person with diabetes when the cells do not get the sugar (glucose) they need for energy. As a result, the body breaks down fat instead of glucose and produces and releases substances called ketones into the...
Discusses diabetic ketoacidosis. Covers causes and symptoms. Discusses how it is diagnosed and treatment options.
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis may include: Flushed, hot, dry skin. Blurred vision. Drowsiness or difficulty waking up. Fast, deep breathing. Fruity breath odor. Belly pain, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Confusion.
Discusses diabetic nephropathy, which is kidney disease or damage caused by diabetes. Covers causes and symptoms. Discusses how it is diagnosed and treatment options, including medicines, diet, and dialysis. Offers home treatment tips.
Diabetic kidney disease (sometimes called diabetic nephropathy) is damage to your kidneys caused by diabetes. The kidneys have many tiny blood vessels that filter waste from your blood. High blood sugar from diabetes can destroy these blood vessels. Over time, the kidneys don't work as well and may stop working...
Discusses diabetic neuropathy, nerve disease caused by diabetes. Covers the three types: peripheral, autonomic, and focal. Discusses symptoms of each type. Covers diagnostic tests. Includes info on treatment with medicines, physical therapy, and TENS.
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves throughout your body. Diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious foot problems and, in time, to problems like diarrhea or constipation, sexual problems, bladder infections, and heart problems. The older you get, and the...
Discusses how to exercise safely if you have diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the retina, the thin tissue that lines the back of the eye. The condition is a complication of diabetes. It is related to long-term high blood sugar levels. Over time, this leads to changes in blood vessels that interfere with oxygen delivery to the cells in the retina.
Retinopathy means disease of the retina, the nerve layer at the back of your eye. Diabetic retinopathy is related to prolonged high blood sugar, which damages blood vessels in the eyes. It can lead to poor vision or blindness. Diabetic retinopathy usually gets worse over many years. People who have diabetes need regular...
What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by diabetes. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in part of your eye. This can lead to poor vision and blindness. What causes it? Diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body. Diabetic retinopathy happens when prolonged high...
Learn about diabetic retinopathy and why screening is important.
This exercise stretches your back, spine, and upper torso muscles. Sit with your feet out in front, knees bent, and hands clasped in front of you. Slowly twist your upper torso to the left and then to the right. Twist to both sides a total of 5 times.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of counseling for people who have mental health disorders that impair the ability to regulate emotions, such as borderline personality disorder. This type of therapy may include both individual therapy and group skills training. This type of therapy focuses on reducing destructive...
Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that helps filter waste products from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. The two main types of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to filter wastes and remove extra fluid from the blood. It is...
A dialysis access is a site on a person's body created so that blood or other fluids can be removed, filtered, and returned to the body during dialysis. Dialysis is a process that performs the work of healthy kidneys for people who have kidney failure. Before dialysis can begin, the doctor has to create a dialysis...
Learn how to care for yourself at home after a vascular access procedure.
Watch the personal story of someone who's living better with dialysis.
Dialysis removes urea and other waste products from the blood. To find out how well dialysis is working, you will have blood tests that look at the level of urea in your blood. Usually these tests are done once a month, at the start of your session and again at the end. Two of the measures that show how well dialysis is...
Understand what dialysis is and how it helps you feel better and live longer.
Learn what to expect when you have a vascular access procedure for hemodialysis.
Briefly discusses common causes of diaper rash. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Diaper rash is skin irritation around the thighs, genitals, buttocks, or abdomen; the rash is red and may look like the skin has been burned or scalded. Diaper rash is the most common skin problem in babies and young children, but it can occur at any age if diapers or incontinence briefs are worn. Most of these rashes...
Symptoms of a more serious infection in the diaper area may include: Increased pain, swelling, heat, or redness around the rash. A fever. Clear, fluid-filled blisters that leave red, raw areas when they break open. Pus in or draining from the rash. Being fussy, upset, and hard to console. These symptoms usually last...
Signs that diaper rash may be a fungal infection include: A red rash in the skin creases. The rash usually has clear borders and tiny red or pus-filled pimples beyond the borders of the rash. A rash in other skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, or belly button. White patches in the mouth. White discharge from the...
The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity (containing the lungs and heart) from the abdominal cavity (containing the digestive organs). The diaphragm also serves as a muscle to help draw air into the lungs as a person breathes. It contracts to expand the lungs when breathing in (inhaling)...
The diaphragm is used to prevent pregnancy. It is called a barrier method because it keeps the sperm and eggs apart. It is usually made of silicone and shaped like a dome, and it has a firm, flexible rim. It fits inside your vagina and covers the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. You use the diaphragm each...
While persistent or severe cases may need special care, for common diarrhea discomfort relief just takes time and a few well-chosen remedies. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful. Refuel and rehydrate Replace lost fluids and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports...
