How Does Alcohol Affect My Blood Sugar Levels?

It is not uncommon to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or to have drinks after work with friends. Alcohol consumption is very prevalent in the United States.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2014:

• 87.6 percent of people age 18 and older reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime
• 71 percent reported drinking in the past year
• 56.9 percent reported drinking in the past month

For many people, a glass of alcohol here and there does not pose a problem. For those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, however, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels and pose a health risk. It is important for them to understand what alcohol is and how it affects blood sugar levels.

Read more: How Does Alcohol Affect My Blood Sugar Levels?

The way that alcohol affects the body differs from person to person. People with diabetes and other
blood sugar-related illnesses must be extremely careful when consuming alcohol. Cocktails and
mixed drinks are full of sugar, so should be avoided by people with blood sugar problems.

Source: MedicalNewsToday

The Current State of Diagnostics for Meningitis and Encephalitis

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) such as meningitis or encephalitis can be caused by myriad microorganisms and may be life-threatening. Patients with acute CNS infections generally present with similar findings of fever, headache, and neurological changes. Given the similarity in symptomology, it is often difficult to distinguish bacterial and viral infection based on clinical presentation alone. As a result, obtaining a rapid and accurate diagnosis is important for proper patient management. Indeed, rapid identification of CNS pathogens is critical for antimicrobial treatment in cases of bacterial or herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Any delays in appropriate therapy can lead to poor patient outcomes, including death.

The aim of this Continuing Education article is to review the current landscape for diagnostic testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in acute CNS infections, present the potential impact of rapid identification, and discuss methods to increase the diagnostic yield in uncertain cases. It is anticipated that new technologies will aid in providing rapid and accurate pathogen identification, potentially leading to better patient outcomes, improved antimicrobial stewardship, and decreased hospital costs.

Read more: The Current State of Diagnostics for Meningitis and Encephalitis

Source: pbs.twimg