tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40514527354319750872024-03-12T22:21:13.878-07:00DiabetesDiabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-17756883266446738692014-05-26T16:37:00.000-07:002014-05-26T16:37:35.266-07:00Type 2 Diabetes - Preventing Amputation of Your Lower Limbs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Type 2 Diabetes - Preventing Amputation of Your Lower Limbs</b></div>
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Two of the most feared complications of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes has to be gangrene and bone infection. Both conditions can lead to toe, foot, or leg amputation. In 2006 about 65,700 surgical lower limb amputations were performed, more than 60 percent of them in people with diabetes.</div>
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Gangrene consists of dead tissue caused by lack of blood circulation. Damaged blood vessels caused by...</div>
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unstable and high blood sugar levels,</div>
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smoking,</div>
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infection, or</div>
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injury</div>
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can lead to poor circulation, especially to the legs and feet. Lack of oxygen and nutrients to the cells can result in their death.</div>
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Infection of the legs and feet is also a danger for people with diabetes. Poor circulation does not allow enough white blood cells to enter the lower limbs to fight off infection. High blood sugar levels provide food for bacteria.</div>
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Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, United States, compared rates of lower limb amputation in people with Type 2 diabetes with various levels of blood sugar control. Their study, reported in the journal Diabetes Care in July 2013, included...</div>
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35,368 people with Type 2 diabetes.</div>
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After about 7 years,</div>
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578 new cases of lower limb amputation were found.</div>
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HbA1c's were clearly related to the chances of amputation. Compared to participants with HbA1c levels below 6 percent, those with</div>
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HbA1c's of 7.0 to 7.9 percent had a 73 percent greater chance of lower limb amputation.</div>
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Diabetics with HbA1c levels of over 10 per cent had more than three times the risk of amputation as those with HbA1c levels below 6 percent.</div>
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From this information it was concluded there was an association between blood sugar control and the risk of lower limb amputation.</div>
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HbA1c levels measure sugar in the red blood cells. Since red blood cells live about 120 days, these levels indicate blood sugar control over a period of about three months.</div>
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To keep your HbA1c levels low, first...</div>
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eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and</div>
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stay away from refined sugar.</div>
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Eating foods with a high amount of fiber slow down absorption of carbohydrates, helping to keep blood sugar levels low.</div>
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Second...</div>
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get enough exercise.</div>
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Aerobic exercises are best. Plan a sensible course of diet and exercise with your doctor.</div>
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In addition to controlling blood sugar,</div>
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stop smoking or do not start. Not smoking is a good idea for anyone, but it is particularly important for anyone with diabetes.</div>
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keep your feet clean and dry and wear well-fitting shoes and socks.</div>
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keep toenails short and have a podiatrist trim them if you are not able to see your toenails clearly or reach them easily.</div>
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report any blisters, sores, discoloration, or discharge to your doctor promptly.</div>
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If infection or gangrene does start, nip it in the bud promptly to avoid amputation.</div>
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Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by high blood sugar levels, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.</div>
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For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.</div>
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The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8516630</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-72265815215548717752014-02-04T15:50:00.002-08:002014-02-04T15:50:44.293-08:00Diabetes Reversal and Diet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nu3pK4ILd1V7weMSAT7OuoUZHwtfaj6u14-DArdd_oKobxzel-M537uhZqUm7Xqj9cuWbMXayoiqwGbryOxLQAQtoJGEnwiV9gENo0bxZB4t4ZMr8CNloqOnyr6nIpzmtY1ToLnqchzh/s1600/HealthySnackBasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nu3pK4ILd1V7weMSAT7OuoUZHwtfaj6u14-DArdd_oKobxzel-M537uhZqUm7Xqj9cuWbMXayoiqwGbryOxLQAQtoJGEnwiV9gENo0bxZB4t4ZMr8CNloqOnyr6nIpzmtY1ToLnqchzh/s1600/HealthySnackBasket.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Diabetes Reversal and Diet</b></div>
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Diets play an important role in diseases, diets that are lacking essential nutrients will cause the body to degenerate prematurely overtime and lead to premature aging and death.</div>
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Enzymes provide vital roles in our bodies and without enzymes we could not survive. Enzymes are classified into two types, endogenous (originates in the body), and exogenous (originate outside the body). From this breakdown we have metabolic enzymes, digestive enzymes, and food enzymes.</div>
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When we eat, the digestive enzymes go to work to help digest the food. If we consume enzyme rich foods, our body does not undergo unnecessary strain to digest the food. The problem with indigestion is we consume foods which are devoid of the proper nutrients such as overcooked foods or processed foods, and then we are forced to turn to the body enzyme resources for help. Overtime we can exhaust the enzyme resources in our body and the end result can be chronic illnesses and possible premature death.</div>
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Sadly most of us do not consume sufficient enzyme rich foods. Our diets should consist of 60% raw foods (such as raw vegetables etc.) and 40% processed or cooked foods. This simple formula will prevent us from overtaxing the body enzyme resources and help prevent developing chronic diseases such as Diabetes, allergies, heart disease, some types of cancer among others.</div>
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There is evidence from some current and ancient cultures that consuming raw foods lead to healthier lives. According to an article from "Miracle Enzyme Secrets": Generations of Eskimos that lived on diets rich in fat from both animals and plants in the unprocessed form did not develop many of the diseases that affect us today such as high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure among others. Also another study showed that the Masai tribe in Africa diet consisted of beef fat and milk in its raw form and autopsies showed no clogged arteries or heart disease.</div>
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Sadly today the aforementioned cultures have adopted western lifestyle and diets and have now developed the common diseases that afflict western society today.</div>
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Type 2 Diabetes is a digestive illness, simply put after we eat, the nutrients are in a struggle to get to the cells of the body and consequently result in too much sugar (glucose) in the blood stream. There are many debates of what causes type 2 diabetes, but at the heart of this disease is a tired pancreas which must work harder to produce sufficient insulin to move the glucose.</div>
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Eating sufficient enzyme rich foods, and also supplementing your diet with enzyme supplements, could overtime prevent developing type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and also overtime reverse type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Esric_B_Hall</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8153222</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-85590441163716189922013-02-20T06:57:00.000-08:002013-02-20T06:58:53.281-08:00Should Diabetes Stop Your Enjoyment of Life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfLj18v8Oi65zDun2gjnS-Psw_NOViJTAhquxMERuIaKNeWjZWchgGi03i7vfte9gzznPjnyVYYe6aoA7hTci2I6y2oODCtHzJ9Qqdv59-pWoG_zZTERcfJsRZZ4H3-uULDXJUnynwNU/s1600/happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfLj18v8Oi65zDun2gjnS-Psw_NOViJTAhquxMERuIaKNeWjZWchgGi03i7vfte9gzznPjnyVYYe6aoA7hTci2I6y2oODCtHzJ9Qqdv59-pWoG_zZTERcfJsRZZ4H3-uULDXJUnynwNU/s320/happiness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Should Diabetes Stop Your Enjoyment of Life?</b><br />
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With over 350 million people now suffering from diabetes on a worldwide basis, and tens of millions suffering in silence unaware of their condition, we can only imagine how many people will receive the news that they have diabetes in years to come. Standing in front of your doctor awaiting the results of a diabetes test could be one of the most challenging times of your life but should diabetes stop your enjoyment of life?<br />
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Diabetes today<br />
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Over the last 30 years we have seen a massive increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes with type II diabetes now more commonplace than ever. Indeed type II diabetes is seen by many as a "lifestyle condition" brought about by bad diet, lack of exercise and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. However, nothing is straightforward with regards to diabetes and ultimately there may be a number of different factors coming together to create the perfect environment for the condition to develop.<br />
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If we take a step back and look at the situation, diabetes is now regularly spoken of in the public domain as opposed 10 years ago when there was a great reluctance to admit you had diabetes. So, why shouldn't diabetes impact upon your life going forward?<br />
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Diagnosing diabetes<br />
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In years gone by many people would have been suffering from diabetes for potentially years unaware of the condition. They would likely have encountered bouts of serious illness, challenging medical conditions and in some cases possibly pushed to the edge of life. The situation today is very different with governments and charities around the world carrying out more and more tests for diabetes on a regular basis. As a consequence, as soon as you begin to show signs of diabetes the likelihood is that a test will be made available for you and you will be diagnosed with or without the condition much earlier than people have been in the past.<br />
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This element of the diabetes industry alone should improve your standard of living in the short to medium term but if we look longer term what is the situation?<br />
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Living with diabetes<br />
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As the number of diabetics around the world has doubled over the last 30 years we have seen a major increase in the number of treatments available, research programmes and equipment. Never has the diabetes industry been so well-equipped, been so well supplied and in many cases it is on the edge of the latest technology. There is an array of different injection systems available, different ways to control your blood sugars and indeed advice on diets is available on thousands of websites around the world.<br />
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Many experts take a very simple approach to living with diabetes suggesting that "a little of what you fancy" will not necessarily do you any harm. There are other opinions with regards to this particular subject with some experts preferring to look towards specialist diabetic foods, diabetic recipes and specific ways of life. However, on the whole there is a general feeling that if you are careful, monitor your blood sugar levels and you are sensible then diabetes should not stop you from enjoying your life.<br />
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Lifting the stigma<br />
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There has been a stigma attached to diabetes for many years now, it was often one of those conditions which was never spoken of in public. However, the internet has also brought together a variety of support groups able to offer help and assistance, from people who've been there and done it, which can be invaluable going forward. Just a relatively small number of tweaks to your everyday life can make a massive difference, can put your mind at rest and can ultimately protect you from any potential dangers going forward.<br />
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We must never underestimate the power of support, the power of talking and the power of advice from those who have been there and done it. Perhaps this is ever more so in the world of diabetes, a world which was often left in the shadows with little or no public recognition or major government investment.<br />
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Conclusion<br />
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If you look back 30 years ago you will see that the number of diabetics around the world has doubled. However, during this time we have also seen major improvements in treatment, diagnosis, support and advice. The life of a diabetic is very different today than it was 30 years ago, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy life to the max and do the majority of those things on your "to-do list".<br />
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If you dig deep with regards to diabetes you will see a variety of different levels of advice, from food to exercise, from testing to pregnancy and everything else in between. Many experts take a fairly simple approach to the condition suggesting that if you are careful and eat "a little of what you fancy" then there is no reason why diabetes could or should control your life. We are all different but there is no reason why diabetes should ever control your life.<br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=NM_Benson<br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509122Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-38701762999493490912012-12-12T23:57:00.001-08:002012-12-13T00:05:31.986-08:007 Biggest Myths About Diabetes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>7 Biggest Myths About Diabetes</b></div>
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Diabetes is one of the many "diseases of civilization," with interaction of genetic, nutritional and sociocultural factors, among others, that result in one of the highest-prevalence pathologies in today's world. Diabetes is essentially a metabolic disorder caused by the little or no ability of the pancreas to produce insulin.</div>
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Generally, misinformation from friends and other patients create a picture of Diabetes which is far from truth. It is very important that patients are educated immediately after diagnosis. This education can be in the form of an organized education programme involving all health workers inclusive of nurse specialists, dieticians and podiatrists.</div>
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There are so many myths prevalent about diabetes that it makes it difficult for the patient to believe that diabetes is actually a very serious, complicated and fatal disease. Get your facts correct and get into the management of your diabetes to ensure a successful quest of glycemic control. Here are 7 most prevalent myths about diabetes.</div>
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Myth #1</div>
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I have Mild Diabetes.</div>
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Truth #1</div>
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There is NO such thing as Mild Diabetes. All patients who meet the criteria for Diabetes are liable to long term disabling complications.</div>
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Myth #2</div>
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There is only one kind of serious Diabetes.</div>
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Truth #2</div>
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Diabetes is of two types:</div>
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Type I Diabetes. Type I Diabetes is a disease of insulin deficiency. Pancreatic β islet cells produce and secrete insulin. Type I Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where autoantibodies directed against pancreatic islet cells destroy these cells. Thus, the pancreatic cells produce little or no insulin. The treatment comprises of insulin therapy.</div>
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Type II Diabetes. Type II Diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and a progressive decline in insulin secretion. This Diabetes is due to defective insulin release rather than destruction of β cells. Type II Diabetes is thus a disorder in which relative insulin deficiency gradually converts to absolute insulin deficiency which may require insulin therapy.</div>
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Myth #3</div>
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I have Diabetes because I eat too much sugar.</div>
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Truth #3</div>
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After the intake of food, the increased concentration of glucose triggers the secretion of insulin from the pancreatic islet cells. After secretion, insulin enters the portal circulation and is carried to liver where it causes the storage of glucose in the form of glycogen. Insulin also causes controlled release of glucose in between the meals.</div>
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Thus, insulin is the major regulator of intermediary metabolism. The deficiency of insulin thus causes an abnormal rise in the glucose levels in the body which brings about further microvascular and macro vascular complications.</div>
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Thus, it is not sugar that causes Diabetes, but a deficiency of insulin.</div>
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Myth #4</div>
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Since I'm obese, I will eventually develop Diabetes.</div>
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Truth#4</div>
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Diabetes develops when the body cannot secrete sufficient insulin to meet its requirements. Even massively obese individuals with fully functional β cells do not develop Diabetes. The concept is that β islet cell impairment generally occurs in people with poor nutrition early in life, especially those with low birth weight and who gain excess weight later in life.</div>
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Insulin resistance (Type II Diabetes) is associated with central obesity, and accumulation of intracellular triglycerides in muscles and liver. As compared with a healthy obese individual, a diabetic obese patient shows much greater destruction of β cells.</div>
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So, if you are overweight, it is not necessary that you will develop Diabetes.</div>
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Myth #5</div>
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I have to eat special food because I have Diabetes.</div>
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Truth #5</div>
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The care of Diabetes is based on self- management in accordance with specialized medical care. The diet of Diabetic patients is not much different from healthy individuals. The diet has to be balanced with a proper exercise regimen. The diet is generally;</div>
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Low in sugar (NOT SUGAR FREE!)</div>
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High in starchy carbohydrates</div>
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High in fiber</div>
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Low in fat</div>
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The obese diabetics should be encouraged to lose weight by a combination of diet and exercise.</div>
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Myth #6</div>
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I cannot do anything about the complications associated with Diabetes</div>
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Truth #6</div>
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Self-management and regular checkups are the key to avoiding Diabetic complications. If you go for regular health checkups and keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in control through healthy eating habits and exercise regimen, then the risk of diabetic complications such as neuropathy and nephropathy can be minimized.</div>
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Myth #7</div>
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Only I need Insulin</div>
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Truth #7</div>
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Insulin is a hormone which is released by the islet cells of pancreas. It is a regulatory hormone playing a role in the intermediary metabolism of glucose, fats and proteins. It is the deficiency or reduction in insulin levels that causes Diabetes and hence, patients diagnosed with Type I Diabetes need insulin administered from outside.</div>
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The truth thus, is that everyone needs insulin for proper metabolism.</div>
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So, if you have been diagnosed with Diabetes, shed your stereotypes and stigmas associated with Diabetes and take care.</div>
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Pooja S. Banerjee is a pharmacist by profession. She has been an active academician and researcher. Her passion for writing has recently led her to foray in the field of medical and content writing.</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pooja_S_Banerjee</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7058260</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-37714851622166764192012-10-16T01:55:00.000-07:002012-10-16T01:55:15.036-07:00What Is Diabetes and Types of Diabetes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What Is Diabetes and Types of Diabetes</b></div>
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Medical Science has got immense growth in modern world. But still diabetes is treated as a chronic disease. It is established that diabetes can be controlled, but it prevails in the body till the death. </div>
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Diabetes is a metabolic disease due to the level of blood sugar (glucose). </div>
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In other words it is the inability of the body to convert glucose in to energy. After the digestion food is divided in to fats, protein and carbohydrates. These carbohydrates cause the formation of glucose. Glucose is transferred to blood and it is used as the energy for cells. </div>
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Patients with diabetes this process i.e. the conversion of glucose in to energy, doesn't work properly. As a result the level of glucose in the blood becomes high. </div>
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This phenomena in the human body is happens when the insulin secretion comes under defects. Insulin is a hormone which produced by pancreas that control the glucose level in the human body. </div>
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In a normal physical condition when the glucose level bumps up in the body, the pancreas release adequate insulin to regulate the glucose level. </div>
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This insulin converts the glucose in to energy for cell and thus it keeps sugar (glucose) level normally. </div>
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But in patient with diabetes this type of auto regulation system doesn't happened. </div>
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The deficiency of insulin may come as the reason for hyperglycemia. Excessive thirst, excessive urination, extreme hunger, fatigue are some the common symptoms of diabetes. </div>
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Studies reveal that diabetic people are more prone to heart diseases than other people. That is why people with diabetes need more care in daily life. Let us discuss the types of diabetes.
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Diabetes is categorized in to three types.
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1. Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes)
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Type 1 diabetes is also known as immune-mediated or juvenile-onset diabetes. This is purely depending on the production of insulin in the body. </div>
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Insulin may be insufficient or defective in patient with Type 1 diabetes. This types diabetes is most often happens in childhood. </div>
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Patient who is suffering from this category must see strict diet and exercise. It is recommended that patient comes under this group must inject with insulin in the physician.</div>
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2. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes)
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Another name of this category is adult-onset diabetes. 90% of total diabetes patients come under this type. </div>
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In this category sufficient insulin is produced by the pancreas. But the body is fails to use it in the true sense. Adult people are the victims of the Type 2 diabetes. </div>
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The positive thing is that this type can very easily be controlled. The Patients having Type 2 diabetes has to do stringent diet, strict exercise and weight control to make upper hand on it.</div>
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3. Gestational diabetes mellitus
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During the pregnancy Gestational diabetes mellitus is diagnosed through an oral glucose tolerance test.</div>
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GDM comes to normal after the delivery but the mother may face the risk of developing permanent diabetes. </div>
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The chance of such case is one in 25 pregnancies world-wide. The chance to develop obesity and impaired glucose is high.</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shahid_Malima_Hussain
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7234713</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-54724360718037165492012-06-19T01:50:00.001-07:002012-06-19T01:50:53.746-07:00Gestational Diabetes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Gestational Diabetes</b></div>
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What is Gestational Diabetes?
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Gestational Diabetes also known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or GDM is a form of diabetes that sometimes develops during pregnancy. It is usually noted in the second or third trimester. GDM occurs when the expectant mother's pancreas cannot make enough insulin causing the body not to able to regulate the glucose.
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What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
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No one knows the exact cause of GDM. It is very possible that the hormones made by the placenta interfere with the regulation of insulin or block the effect of insulin. The placenta is a tissue that connects the baby to the mother while the baby is in the womb. The blocking effect would seem to increase as the placenta grows and produces more hormones. In most women the body makes more insulin and takes care of the problem. GDM would be the result of the pancreas making insufficient amounts of insulin.
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Some women are more likely to develop Gestational Diabetes than others.
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Risk factors include the following
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* Having a family member with Diabetes
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* Having a history of high blood sugar
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* Gaining too much weight during pregnancy
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* Being overweight before getting pregnant
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* Having given birth to large babies in the past (over 9lbs)
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* Having glycosuria (sugar in the urine)
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* Black
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* Hispanic
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* American Indian
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Signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes;
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o Frequent Urination
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o Blurred Vision
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o Tired feeling much of the time, more than is usual
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o Frequent urinary or bladder infections
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o Frequent skin rash or infection
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o Gaining more weight
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o Nausea
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o Vomiting
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How is GDM Diagnosed?
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The physician or healthcare professional will do a physical examination. If there is any concern about the possibility of GDM they will likely order either a 50 Gram Glucose Challenge.
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This is sometimes referred to as a 1hour Tolerance Test. In most labs you will be asked to fast prior to the test, but that is not always the case. Most labs will draw a sample and check the baseline blood glucose then give you a drink containing a specified amount of glucose.
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After you complete the drink you will then be asked to return in 1 hour to have a second tube of blood drawn. Women that are at high risk for gestational diabetes may have this test repeated several times throughout their pregnancy.
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How is Gestational Diabetes Treated?
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Much of the time GDM can be treated and controlled by using a combination of diet and exercise. The person with possible GDM should keep a very close watch on her Glucose levels through use of a glucose monitoring device such as the one-touch or accu-check.
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Insulin or other medications may be given if diet and exercise are not successful in the treatment of GDM.
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Will having GDM affect the baby or the mother?
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There is a chance that GDM will lead to the following in mother:
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* Development of Type 2 Diabetes later in life
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* GDM in future pregnancies
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* Increases chances of need for caesarean delivery
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* Possible premature labor
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And the following in the baby:
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* Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
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* Macrosomia (large baby) any baby weighing over 8lbs 8 oz is considered to be large
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* Long term jaundice. Babies usually have some jaundice but it goes away after a week or so.
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* Twitching of the hands and feet, possibly cramping of muscles
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* Low Calcium
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* Low Magnesium
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To find out more about GDM or any type of Diabetes, or if your doctor says you have diabetes and you need some support or more information check out the following places.
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How do I find support and more information? Gestational diabetes is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have gestational diabetes may be hard. You may want to join a support group which is a group of people who also have gestational diabetes.
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Disclaimer:
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This report should in no way be considered medical advice. The suggestions and/or techniques described in this report are for informational purposes only. If you are ill or injured you should see your primary healthcare professional immediately.
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Jerry Goodwin is an avid cyclist, Medical Technologist, Personal Trainer and bicycle mechanic. Jerry and his wife Ruth have operate BMG Cycling and Fitness in Moultrie Georgia. Jerry is a member of the Pecan City Pedalers,he races his bicycle in the Georgia Golden Olympics and races BMX with his grandsons at CCheck out http://www.bmgfitness.com/diabetes for more information
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Goodwin
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/388565</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-11713586973649184052012-05-11T01:51:00.005-07:002012-05-11T01:51:40.238-07:00Signs of High Blood Sugar<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Signs of High Blood Sugar </b></div>
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To the layman, diabetes mellitus indicates a persistent elevation of blood sugar that may lead to detrimental complications. </div>
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To physicians however, diabetes mellitus refers to a group of disorders that share an underlying feature--- hyperglycemia. </div>
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The hyperglycemia is a result of the impairment of the cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin, or a defect in insulin action, or both. </div>
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This long term defect in insulin action and blood sugar elevation can cause various signs and symptoms causing multiple organ damage, such as in the eyes, kidneys, arteries, and nerves. </div>
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Blood sugar is usually maintained between 70 to 120 mg/dL. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus however, depends on three standard criteria. An individual may be "pre-diabetic," indicating a state that can sooner or later progress to overt diabetes. </div>
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The disease itself however, is divided into four categories: Types 1, 2,3 and 4
Type 1 and Type 2 are more commonly encountered compared to the last two. </div>
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Type 3 is thought to be caused by multiple specific conditions like pancreatitis and drug therapy. Type 4 or gestational diabetes refers to the abnormal blood sugar levels during pregnancy. </div>
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Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5% to 10% of diabetes mellitus, affecting individuals less than 20 years of age. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is seen in around 90% to 95% of diabetics. In contrast to type 1, type 2 diabetes affects both young and old, but it is more common in the latter. </div>
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Obesity is also notable in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes share the classical symptoms, which can be easily remembered as the 3 P's: polyuria (increased frequency and amount of urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive intake of food). </div>
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When sugar is elevated in the blood, its excretion via the urine is also increased. As a result, water is also drawn with it, leading to polyuria. </div>
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The depletion of the water in the body triggers the thirst centers in the brain producing the intense thirst. And since both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients are unable to fully store and metabolize glucose, fat and protein stores are used up. </div>
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This produces a negative energy balance, making the body feel constantly "hungry" and thus the polyphagia.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are known to cause detrimental complications. </div>
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Usually a patient does not know that he/she may be suffering from diabetes until there is an episode of loss of consciousness. Except in cases of hypoglycemia, loss of consciousness is a sign of high blood sugar but if the cause is not readily known the patient may progress to coma. </div>
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In type 1 diabetes this can be brought about by ketoacidosis, while type 2 diabetes can cause both ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar nonketotic coma but the former is rare in such cases. In ketoacidosis, the body produces ketone bodies or acidic substances similar to acetone. </div>
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Patients with type 2 diabetes who progress to hyperosmolar nonketotic coma are at risk for thrombosis and neurologic damage.
Julia L Hanf is a proud contributing author and writes articles about Defeating Diabetes Naturally. </div>
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Julia is the author of the book How To Play The Diabetes Diet Game And Win With this proven system you to can lower your blood sugar level and retake control of your health and your life. </div>
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Learn how to Defeat Diabetes Naturally.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_L_Hanf
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7043775</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-68256170941108653752012-03-06T09:41:00.000-08:002012-03-06T09:44:15.366-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Fighting the Disease With Exercise<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><b>Type 2 Diabetes - Fighting the Disease With Exercise</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Millions of people have Type 2 diabetes as a result of sitting around and never exercising. And many more people become at risk as they put on weight and do not get moving. This presents a choice. You can choose to fight Type 2 diabetes. Since it is a lifestyle disease, you have to decide on the best way to fight the disease. The alternatives are medicine, diet and exercise.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Exercise is an effective therapy for Type 2 diabetes, and it lowers complications of the disease. A recent study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that a focus on exercise gave better results than trying to change exercise, diet and medication all at the same time.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">The good news is that "it doesn't matter how overweight you are or how poor your current blood glucose is at the start of the studies, the improvements from exercise were equal across the board... the studies could mean that it is easier for people to focus on one thing at a time. It is easy for people to get overwhelmed when asked to make too many changes."</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">This was a review of over 100 other studies, and it found that in studies that focused on exercise only, blood glucose improved twice as much as compared to other studies that focused on exercise, diet and adherence to medication plans.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Now that we know that exercise helps, what are the specific requirements? Do you have to go to an expensive gym to get your exercise? Not at all. You merely want to add some physical activity to your daily schedule, and remember that some daily exercise will work wonders. Moderate exercise, that is, walking, has a good effect on diabetes. For example, a walk after lunch or before dinner will do you good. For your cardio health, very low levels of exercise work well. But for Type 2 diabetes a higher pace of exercise is significant because it will help even more.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">To fight your diabetes, you first want to build up to 30 minutes every day of walking at a reasonably fast pace. You may have to start with only a few minutes at a slow pace, and very gradually build up, but you can get to 30 minutes per day and you will enjoy it while you go for your walks. Please note that the amount of exercise you do (how long you walk) is more important than the speed at which you walk. Even if you have to take three 10-minute walks instead of a single 30-minute walk, you will get a big improvement.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Don't forget to check in with your physician before you start. Exercise works so well that you have to pay careful attention to prevent over-medicating if you have been taking medicine for your diabetes.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Start with a short and fun walk, do the same distance every day for a few days to make sure you are not overdoing it. If you still feel good, no pain from the walking, then very gradually build up the distance and speed. Maybe a friend would enjoy walking with you, just remember to walk a bit faster for the best exercise.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">If you are capable and really want to fight even more aggressively against Type 2 diabetes, you can move up to walking at an few degrees of incline, or move up to running. Having a treadmill at home is super convenient, but does cost more than just getting into your exercise shoes and walking outdoors. The most inexpensive way to start is to just get going with a daily walking program, and as you feel better and get in better shape, increase the activity level. As you start to enjoy you enjoy the 30 minutes a day program, you will have a better life, and you will have a longer life as you take back your health.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Dean Westby has been interested in health and fitness for a long time. You are invited to visit his website about leather walking shoes, and when you are ready for more vigorous running exercise you can visit his fitness equipment site about treadmills.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Westby</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span ><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2918368</span></div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-76639079377718651402011-09-20T05:21:00.000-07:002011-09-20T05:23:51.105-07:00Diabetes- Getting Down to the Basics<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Diabetes- Getting Down to the Basics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By Don Ford, M.D.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is a disease where your blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal. It results from the inability of the glucose to get into your cells. As a result your cells are starving for their food (glucose). It would be like a starving person surrounded by tables of wonderful food but their mouth has been sewn closed and they can't eat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">About 17 million Americans are believed to have diabetes and one-third of those patients don't even know they have it. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. And most diabetics develop heart disease. In fact, just having diabetes carries the same risk of having a heart attack as someone who has already had such an event. Therefore it is very important for patients that have diabetes to also have a physician that closely monitors and treats their cholesterol levels as well as their blood pressure. Additionally, any use of tobacco products multiplies the risks and should be stopped.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are there different kinds of diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Certainly. But the basic features of the disease are same. In any form of diabetes there is some underlying reason why your body is not able to utilize glucose (sugar) for energy, and that causes the levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood build up above normal. There are three areas that are important for you to understand in diabetes. First, the cells in your body which use the glucose are important as they must be able to remove sugar from the blood and put it inside the cell as a fuel. Secondly, the insulin which is made by your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) is important to allow the sugar to enter the cell (the key to unlock the door to enter), and lastly, glucose which is broken down from your food or from muscle and liver from a storage form of glucose called glycogen. Now if you think of the disease diabetes as involving a locking gas cap on your car, it will be easier to understand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you understand how a locking gas cap works, then you can understand how diabetes works. All of the cells in your body have a locking gas cap on them. Insulin is the key to the locking gas cap, and glucose would be the fuel for the car. In one form of diabetes, the body totally quits making insulin (keys) so you can't get glucose (fuel) into your cells. In other forms of diabetes, your body makes some insulin (keys) but not much as your body needs. Therefore, only a few of the cells can be unlocked and opened to put the glucose (fuel) inside. Another thing that happens is that some of the locks on the cells become rusty and won't work properly. So even if you have insulin (keys) you can't get the cells to open. This is called insulin resistance. If the cells won't open, you can't get glucose (fuel) inside the cell for energy. The result of all of this is excess glucose in your blood.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Types Of Diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and only accounts for 5-10% of diabetes patients. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas doesn't make any insulin (keys) at all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It accounts for 90-95% of all the cases of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either your body doesn't make enough insulin (keys), or the cells in your body ignore the insulin (the lock is rusty and doesn't work) so they can't utilize glucose like they are supposed to. When your cells ignore the insulin, as mentioned above, it is often referred to as insulin resistance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other types of diabetes which only account for a small number of the cases of diabetes include gestational diabetes, which is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies and usually disappears when the pregnancy is over. Other types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all cases of diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How do you get diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are risk factors that increase your chance of developing diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. Risk factors are less well defined for type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in developing this type of diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are the symptoms of diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for a diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms: frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, sudden vision changes, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, feeling very tired much of the time, very dry skin, sores that are slow to heal, more infections than usual. Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of type 1 diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Glucose is sugar! So all I have to do is avoid sweets, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is not that simple. The truth is, most food, and all of the carbohydrates you eat, are broken down into its simplest structure, glucose. As food arrives in your stomach, the acid starts to break the food down immediately. Proteins are broken down for their amino acids, and carbohydrates for their glucose. Once your gastrointestinal system breaks your food down into something your body can utilize, the blood picks it up and carries it to your cells to for energy. In healthy people, the blood picks up the glucose absorbed from the GI tract, and sends a signal to your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) to make and release insulin. Remember, in Type 2 diabetes your body doesn't make enough insulin (keys), or some of your cells ignoring the insulin that is there. (The locks are rusty and won't work) In both situations, your cells don't get the glucose they need for energy and they are starving while all the extra glucose is just floating around in your blood and can't be used. The worst part is, when all that extra glucose is floating around in your blood, it is causing damage to your blood vessels and organs and that damage increase your risk of heart disease. That is why it is very important to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. When the glucose levels get really high, the glucose starts to leak out into your urine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How do you treat diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are several things you need to do to help control your diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. For patients with type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For type 2 diabetes, healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels. Some of the oral medications work by stimulating your pancreas to make more insulin (keys). Other oral medicines work to make the rusty locks start working again. In a sense they are kind of like WD-40 for the rusty locks on the cells. It fixes the lock on the cells so the insulin (keys) can open the cell to allow the glucose (fuel) inside. Once the glucose (fuel) is allowed inside the cells, your blood sugar levels will drop back down to normal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What medicine am I going to have to take for my diabetes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are many different types of medications that your doctor may prescribe for diabetes; however these prescriptions can cause certain nutritional deficiencies that may increase your risk for chronic degenerative diseases. NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients® supplement was designed to work with your diabetic medications by replacing lost nutrients reducing the risk of dangerous side effects, and promote better health</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main classes of diabetic medications include sulfonylureas, biguanides, and thiazolidinediones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sulfonylureas include the following medications:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Orinase ,Tolinase, Diabinese, Glipizide, Glyburide, Amaryl, Prandin, Strarlix </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main function of sulfonylureas is to increase insulin production in the beta cells of the pancreas. Sulfonylureas can interfere with the body's normal metabolism of Coenzyme Q10. Because CoQ10 is necessary to make energy in all tissues of the body, this effect may decrease your body's natural ability to utilize or "burn up" sugars, and may even reduce the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin over time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Biguanides include the following medications:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Glucophage (Metformin)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Glucovance (metformin + glyburide)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main functions of biguanides are to lower the production of glucose by the liver thereby reducing blood glucose levels. Your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine in combination with sulfonylureas insulin, or a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones. Unfortunately, biguanides have been shown to deplete vitamin B-12, folic acid and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A few of the problems which may arise from deficiencies of folate and vitamin B-12 include the following: Heart disease, stroke, anemia, arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain, and neuropathies (nerve damage). Because diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and neuropathy, it is especially important to prevent nutritional deficiencies which may add to these risk factors. Therefore to reduce potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies you should take NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients® supplement as long as you are on your diabetic medication.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because both medication types listed above can deplete CoQ10, it is important to understand some of the symptoms of a deficiency. CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to the following diseases and symptoms: Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, rhabdomyolysis (muscle break down), muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. Therefore to achieve maximum benefit from the diabetes medications and minimize potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies, you should compliment your prescription medication by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients® supplement. By doing this, you will balance the risk/benefit ratio further in your favor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In summary, diabetic medications prescribed by your doctor are necessary to treat your condition; however, you should also be aware that the long term potential nutritional side effects may be just as big a risk factor for your health as the disease you set out to treat in the first place. Put the odds in your favor and maintain your health with NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients® supplement</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How do I know I am keeping my blood sugar under control? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Frequent blood tests are used to monitor your blood sugar. Most patients with diabetes should have a home blood monitoring kit. Some doctors ask their patients to check their blood sugar as frequently at 6 times a day, though this is an extreme. The more information you have about your blood sugar levels, the easier it will be for you to control it. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When your blood sugar is too high, your doctor refers to it as hyperglycemia. When your blood sugar is too high, you may not experience any symptoms, but the high levels of glucose in your blood is causing damage to your blood vessels and organs. That is why it is important to have your body utilize the sugar properly and get it out of your bloodstream.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When your blood sugar is too low, your doctor refers to it as hypoglycemia. Having low blood sugar can be very dangerous and patients taking medication for diabetes should watch for symptoms of low blood sugar. It is also important that your monitor your blood sugar regularly to avoid both low as well as high blood sugar. It is important that you keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible at all times.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How does my doctor know if I am keeping my blood sugar under control? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some patients are may not follow the proper diet and exercise except for the days leading up to a blood test in the doctor's office. They want to look like they are doing a good job controlling their blood sugar. This way their fasting blood glucose test results will be good for the doctor. But, there is a test that will show your doctor the real picture over the past 3 months or so. It is called the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test. Hemoglobin is the part of your blood, or red cells, that carries oxygen to your cells. Glucose sticks to the hemoglobin in your red cells of the blood as they emerge from the bone marrow where they are made.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The amount of sugar on the red cell is proportionate to the blood sugar level at the moment the red cell goes into circulation, and remains at that level for the life of the red cell. So if there has been a lot of extra glucose in your blood, there will be a lot of glucose stuck all over your hemoglobin. Since the average lifespan of the hemoglobin in your blood is 90-100 days, a HbA1C test shows a doctor how well you have been controlling your blood sugar over the last 3 months. This test is a check on the overall sugar control, not just the fasting blood sugar. So it is important to control your blood sugar at all times, and not just before visiting the doctor. The most important reason to control your blood sugar is so that you can live a longer, healthier life without complications that can be caused by not controlling your diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What happens if I do not control my diabetes? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The complications of diabetes can be devastating. Both forms of diabetes ultimately lead to high blood sugar levels, a condition called hyperglycemia. The damage that hyperglycemia causes to your body is extensive and includes:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) is a leading cause of blindness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes predisposes people to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These independently and together with hyperglycemia increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damage to the nerves in the autonomic nervous system can lead to paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), chronic diarrhea, and an inability to control heart rate and blood pressure with posture changes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damage to the kidneys from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) is a leading cause of kidney failure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damage to the nerves from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) is a leading cause of lack of normal sensation in the foot, which can lead to wounds and ulcers, and all too frequently to foot and leg amputations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries", and the formation of fatty plaques inside the arteries, which can lead to blockages or a clot (thrombus), which can then lead to heart attack, stroke, and decreased circulation in the arms and legs (peripheral vascular disease).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs from time to time in most people with diabetes. It results from taking too much diabetes medication or insulin, missing a meal, doing more exercise than usual, drinking too much alcohol, or taking certain medications for other conditions. It is very important to recognize hypoglycemia and be prepared to treat it at all times. Headache, feeling dizzy, poor concentration, tremors of hands, and sweating are common symptoms of hypoglycemia. You can faint or have a seizure if blood sugar level gets too low.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition in which uncontrolled hyperglycemia (usually due to complete lack of insulin or a relative deficiency of insulin) over time creates a buildup in the blood of acidic waste products called ketones. High levels of ketones can be very harmful. This typically happens to people with type 1 diabetes who do not have good blood glucose control. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be precipitated by infection, stress, trauma, missing medications like insulin, or medical emergencies like stroke and heart attack.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome is a serious condition in which the blood sugar level gets very high. The body tries to get rid of the excess blood sugar by eliminating it in the urine. This increases the amount of urine significantly and often leads to dehydration so severe that it can cause seizures, coma, even death. This syndrome typically occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who are not controlling their blood sugar levels or have become dehydrated or have stress, injury, stroke, or medications like steroids.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My doctor says I have pre-diabetes? What is that? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pre-diabetes is a common condition related to diabetes. In people with pre-diabetes, the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Pre-diabetes increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes and of having heart disease or a stroke. Pre-diabetes can be reversed without insulin or medication by losing a modest amount of weight and increasing your physical activity. This can prevent, or at least delay, onset of type 2 diabetes. When associated with certain other abnormalities, it is also called the metabolic syndrome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are normal blood glucose levels? The amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood changes throughout the day and night. Your levels will vary depending upon when, what and how much you have eaten, and whether or not you have exercised. The American Diabetes Association categories for normal blood sugar levels are the following, based on how your glucose levels are tested:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A fasting blood glucose test: This test is performed after you have fasted (no food or liquids other than water) for eight hours. A normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dl. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 126 mg/dl or higher. (In 1997, the American Diabetes Association lowered the level at which diabetes is diagnosed to 126 mg/dl from 140 mg/dl.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A "random" blood glucose test can be taken at any time. A normal blood glucose range is in the low to mid 100s. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 200 mg/dl or higher and you have symptoms of disease such as fatigue, excessive urination, excessive thirst or unplanned weight loss.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another test called the oral glucose tolerance test may be performed instead. For this test, you will be asked, after fasting overnight, to drink a sugar-water solution. Your blood glucose levels will then be tested over several hours. In a person without diabetes, glucose levels rise and then fall quickly after drinking the solution. In a person with diabetes, blood glucose levels rise higher than normal and do not fall as quickly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A normal blood glucose reading two hours after drinking the solution is less than 140 mg/dl, and all readings between the start of the test until two hours after the start are less than 200 mg/dl. Diabetes is diagnosed if your blood glucose levels are 200 mg/dl or higher.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What else do I need to do if I have diabetes? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes, and its precursor, the metabolic syndrome, can lead to a multitude of problems if not adequately controlled. These include vascular diseases that result in heart attack and stroke, kidney damage leading to kidney failure, damage to nerves (neuropathy), retinal damage leading to blindness, high blood pressure, and various metabolic defects such as high triglycerides or high cholesterol. It is therefore crucial to control the diabetes as well as all the other risk factors for artery diseases that cause heart attack and stroke.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To do this, your doctor will insist on a good diet and regular exercise. Medications are added to lower the blood sugar, and if these are inadequate, insulin or other injectable medication will be required. The medications that treat diabetes may cause depletion of folic acid, which in turn can cause a high homocysteine, which is a risk factor for artery disease that underlies heart attack and stroke. You can shift the risks in your favor by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients along with your doctor prescribed medications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">[http://www.essential-nutrients.net]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Donald Ford, MD, Diplomate of the American Board Internal Medicine. Dr. Ford has practiced general internal medicine for the past 22 years. He is a native Texan and trained at Baylor University, the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Scott and White in Temple. He is a Clinical Assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to general Internal Medicine, his practice includes travel medicine, vascular disease prevention, and Integrative Medicine with nutrients. He has been interested in the body’s ability to heal itself since medical school, and has used nutrients throughout his career to help patients use less prescription medication, or avoid it altogether.While he sees the tremendous value prescription medications can provide, he is also aware of the value and place for nutrients.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Ford,_M.D.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/102435</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-59694902581299935762010-10-29T01:07:00.000-07:002010-10-29T01:07:34.437-07:00Avoid the High Blood Sugar, Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Avoid the High Blood Sugar, Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did you know that high blood sugar problems and type 2 diabetes are reaching epidemic levels in America? That's right! Approximately 18.2 million Americans have type 2 diabetes! It's most prevalent in Native-American populations and seems to affect men over 40 more than women nearly 2:1, but women do have problems with high blood sugar, and may develop type 2 diabetes particularly during the onset of menopause.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many of my patients past the age of 40 test positive for higher than normal fasting blood sugars and borderline high hemoglobin A1c levels. It's common for these problems, even diabetes to increase with age due to slower metabolism, less exercise, weight gain, which all contribute to the condition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even though you may not develop diabetes, higher than normal levels can cause damage throughout your body. It can cause blurry vision, numbness and tingling in your hands and feet. However, high blood sugar, and the damage it does, doesn't have to be the case just because you're getting older. Let me explain how you can keep your levels normal and avoid its complications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How To Keep Blood Sugar At Healthy Levels</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I feel that the increasing rate of these high levels throughout America is a result of poor diets, and eating too much of the wrong kinds of foods. For the last 10 years or so, we've had a new food pyramid model, the base of it being 6-10 servings of starchy carbohydrates like pasta, rice, bread, noodles, etc. This food group causes the highest rise in blood sugar of all the other food groups listed. Proteins, which decrease these levels, are assigned a much smaller portion. Fats, also given minuscule mention, are now thought beneficial to maintaining stable blood sugar levels as they help decrease the time food (and glucose) leaves your stomach for digestion. The slower it is released, the slower insulin is released, and the more stable the levels. Is it any wonder, then, with this out of proportion food pyramid model that Americans blood sugar/type 2 diabetes levels, are at an all time high?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I feel a healthier nutritional intake to keep blood sugar normal would look more like the following:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•4-6 ounces of lean protein with each main meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•No more than 4 servings of whole wheat bread, pasta, brown rice everyday, not more than 25 grams carbohydrate each serving; or not more than 130 grams of high quality carbs per day if you're trying to lose weight, and 200 if you're trying to maintain your weight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•7-8 servings of vegetables per day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•3 servings of low glycemic index fruit (like apples, strawberries, plums) a day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just as crucial as the proper mix of nutrition in your diet, is 30 minutes of exercise each day such as walking, riding a bicycle, swimming. Regular exercise helps burn glucose out of your liver and regulates your levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition to proper diet, several vitamins and minerals are crucial to keeping these levels optimal:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Magnesium - studies show that magnesium deficiencies can cause blood sugar spikes. It also lowers blood pressure with a natural tranquilizer effect. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Chromium - most American diets are sorely lacking in this mineral due to food processing. Helps maintain normal insulin and cholesterol levels. The best form to take is chromium picolinate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Zinc - helps glucose get into cells and improves insulin work. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Bitter melon extract - traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic doctors have used this Asian fruit to control blood sugar/treat diabetes for centuries. Can be taken in supplement/pill form or in juice form found in Asian groceries. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Alpha lipoic acid - lowers sugar levels and, as an antioxidant, kills free radicals and reduces the pain, burning, itching of peripheral neuropathy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">•Bilberry - their high chromium content lowers blood sugar, promotes healthy vision, improving night vision and retinopathy of diabetes. Also prevents hardening of arteries and strengthens veins by building collagen within the vascular walls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I counsel my patients, getting your sugar levels under control is crucial to your health and well-being. When your levels are too high, you feel lethargic with no energy. When they are too low, you can feel depressed, irritable and without energy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Too high blood sugars can damage all the major organs of your body while too low can make it impossible for cells to receive nourishment from glucose. Eating a balanced diet in the optimal proportions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is the best way to assure that your blood sugar levels stay balanced.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, many multivitamin formulas do not contain the necessary trace minerals like chromium, zinc, and magnesium, in the proper amounts. As I tell my patients, get good control of your these sugars and it will prevent you from getting caught in America's high blood sugar epidemic!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mark Rosenberg, M.D. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Rosenberg,_M.D.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-10886886314270048152010-10-05T01:52:00.000-07:002010-10-05T01:52:33.913-07:00Herbal Supplements And Home Remedies For Diabetes<b>Herbal Supplements And Home Remedies For Diabetes</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The word diabetes was coined by the 2nd-century A.D. Greek physician, Aretus the Cappadocian, meaning 'the siphon' as the condition is characterized by excessive urination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. The word mellitus was added to diabetes in 1675 by Thomas Willis. Mel in Latin means honey and refers to the excess of glucose in the urine and blood of people with diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Types of diabetes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to WHO, there are three main types of diabetes:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes Type 1 – The body does not produce insulin at all. Also called early onset or juvenile diabetes, it requires the person to inject insulin throughout his/her life. People suffering from this types of diabetes are also very prone to ketoacidosis. The cause is not certain and could be genetic, viral, or multifactorial.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes Type 2 – Also called maturity onset, Type 2 diabetes is a result of insulin resistance. The body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or is not able to utilize insulin effectively. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gestational Diabetes – A form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes Types 1 & 2 are chronic, lifelong medical conditions. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after the birth of a child but can later lead to type 2 diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Juvenile diabetes may be either Type 1 or Type 2, and is seen in children or adolescents.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Symptoms</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Common symptoms of diabetes are: Frequent urination</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Disproportionate thirst</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Intense hunger</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weight gain</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unusual weight loss (More common among people with Diabetes Type 1)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Increased fatigue</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Irritability</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blurred vision</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cuts and bruises don't heal properly or quickly</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">More skin and/or yeast infections</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Itchy skin</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Red or swollen gums</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Numbness or tingling, especially in the feet and hands</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is typically detected by carrying out a urine test, followed by a blood test</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">High risk groups of diabetes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Certain people are at higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. High risk groups include those who:-</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are over 55 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have a family history of diabetes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are overweight or obese </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have high blood pressure</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a big baby (more than 9 pounds)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are Southeast Asian, Asian Indian, Afro-American, Hispanic American or Native American </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have heart disease</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is only one way to check if you have diabetes: get your blood sugar level tested.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes related complications</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is a chronic, life-long condition that requires careful monitoring and management. Left untreated, it can lead to various complications such as kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and blindness in some cases. Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year. Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years without urgent action and preventive measures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Short-term complications:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) Anyone who suffers from diabetes and takes insulin is going to face the problem of blood sugar falling too low at some point. This state is called hypoglycaemia and can be corrected quickly by eating something sweet, like candy or plain sugar. If it is not corrected, hypoglycaemia can lead to the person losing consciousness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The typical signs of hypoglycemia are: hunger</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">shakiness</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">sweating</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">dizziness or light-headedness</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">confusion</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">weakness</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ketoacidosis This is a severe condition caused by lack of insulin. It mostly affects people with type 1 diabetes. Acidic waste products called ketones are produced when the body breaks down fats. In the absence of insulin, the body cannot release all the ketones and they build up in your blood, causing ketoacidosis. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lactic acidosis Lactic acidosis is the build-up of lactic acid in the body. Too much lactic acid in the body makes people feel ill. Otherwise, Lactic acidosis is a rare ailemnt. It mainly affects people with type 2 diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bacterial / fungal infections Patients are more prone to fungal and bacterial infections like boils, boils, athlete’s foot, sties, ring worm, and vaginal infections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Long-term complications:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eye disease (retinopathy) As per statistics, about 2% of all people who have had diabetes for 15 years or more become blind, while about 10% develop a severe visual impairment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kidney disease (nephropathy) Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease (nephropathy) and failure. About one third of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease and approximately 20% of people with type 1 diabetes develop kidney failure. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nerve disease (neuropathy) Diabetic nerve disease, or neuropathy, affects at least half of all people with diabetes. Common complaints are loss of sensation in the feet or in some cases the hands, pain in the foot and problems with the functioning of different parts of the body including the heart, the eye, the stomach, the bladder and the penis. A lack of sensation in the feet and hands can lead to patients to injure themselves without realizing it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diseases of the circulatory system The risk of heart disease is 2-4 times higher in diabetes patients than for those who do not have diabetes. It is the main cause of disability and death for people with type 2 diabetes in industrialized countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amputation Diabetics are more likely (20 to 35 times) to require lower-limb amputation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prevention & Lifestyle modification</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experts and doctors believe that while there is yet no evidence to suggest that Type 1 diabetes can be prevented, primary prevention of type 2 diabetes is possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weight control, a balanced diet, and increased physical activity are important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The benefits of reducing body weight and increasing physical activity also play a role in reducing heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondary prevention involves the early detection and prevention of complications, therefore reducing the need for treatment. Regular annual check-ups go a long way in timely detection of diabetes. Periodic check of blood glucose levels is a must as are the monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Healthy eating, regular exercise, weight control all contribute to good cardiovascular health. Diabetics should also quit smoking .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the Mayo Clinic, daily intake of calories should consist of:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carbohydrates 45% to 65%</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Proteins 15% to 20% </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fats 20% to 35%</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Patients are advised to adhere to meal plans for portion sizes and eating times. This will keep blood sugar and your weight ideal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Treatment</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though there is no known cure for diabetes, all types of diabetes are treatable. The main treatment for a Type 1 diabetic is injected insulin, along with some dietary and exercise adherence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you have Type 1 and follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, and take insulin, you can lead a normal life. Larry King, Halle Berry, and several well known diabetic US baseball and basketball players lead normal lives. Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, be physically active, and test their blood glucose regularly. They may also be prescribed oral medication to control blood glucose levels. Sometimes, Type 2 patients may also require insulin injections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Herbal Remedies for Diabetes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian bitter gourd or karela is very useful in treating diabetes. The bitter gourd seeds help in reducing the sugar in the blood. It may be taken in its natural form or as capsules. Karela contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide that considered to be similar to bovine insulin </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian bitter gourd or karela is very useful in treating diabetes. The bitter gourd seeds help in reducing the sugar in the blood. It may be taken in its natural form or as capsules. Karela contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide that considered to be similar to bovine insulin Amalaki or Indian gooseberry is a rich concentrated source of Vitamin C and is effective in controlling diabetes. A tablespoon of amla juice, along with a cup of bitter gourd juice, stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By: Neal K</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-65413643910470874602010-08-12T01:15:00.000-07:002010-08-12T01:15:56.397-07:00Control Diabetes Through Exercise<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Control Diabetes Through Exercise</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In spite of the various medical developments in the modern age, a number of diseases are spreading like wild fire today. Diabetes is one such killer disease that has become very common not only in elderly people but children too are being affected by it. So it is wise to take precautions and nip it in the bud.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels which occur when the pancreases do not secrete enough insulin and the individual becomes weak and susceptible to other ailments as well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps the best way to control Diabetes is by doing regular exercises. Let us see how workouts help to keep diabetes at bay.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are various factors that lead to this deadly disease. The first cause is putting on extra weight. To lose the extra weight, practice exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups, aerobic exercises and others, under the guidance your personal trainer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Routine exercise regulates the blood and energizes the body to fight against diabetes. It also helps to deal with the side effects of the disease like weakness and lethargy and makes the patient feel fresh and relaxed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In order to reduce weight it is absolutely necessary to burn out the extra calories and so you need to do the required exercises. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most easy exercises like Jogging and walking help to burn out the extra calories that are not only harmful but leads to this persistent problem of diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is often referred to as a silent killer and it often becomes too late to cure it permanently and the patient has to live on insulin injections for the rest of his life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So never neglect any of your health problems. Go to the doctor and get yourself checked. If reports show that your sugar level is higher than the normal range immediately visit a fitness trainer and start your regular exercises. Pills and insulin shots are only a temporary remedy. But fitness training can work wonders for you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another vital factor that causes diabetes is tension and stress. Breathing exercises help to reduce stress to a large extent. Whenever you are stressed about anything, try out breathing exercises. This will assuredly make you feel better. Meditation and Yoga too reduce stress and strain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Exercises along with diet control can positively cure diabetes. It all depends on the individual, how eager he is to free himself of the fatal disease. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, never be in a hurry to perform all the exercises all at once. Take the help of your personal trainer and gradually increase the intensity, duration of exercise. Keeping a record of the sugar level is very important. If it falls below the normal level, that too is not good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Exercises regularly and see how you can control your diabetes problems easily.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kya_Victoria_Grace</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0Iowa, USA41.8780025 -93.09770237.78812 -100.568405 45.967885 -85.626999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-75433869397845807422010-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:002010-07-08T05:27:13.207-07:00Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes That Everyone Should Know<b>Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes That Everyone Should Know</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders with hypoglycemia as a principal complication which may either result from defect in insulin secretion or insulin action or both.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is further classified into 2 types - a) type 1 diabetes 2) type 2 diabetes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Type 1 diabetes occurs due to beta cell destruction which may be immune mediated or idiopathic usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency. That is why type1 diabetes is also called as Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Type 2 diabetes may range from predominantly resistance to insulin along with insulin deficiency to predominantly secretory defect with insulin resistance. It is also called Non Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In all, diabetes develops due to variable combination of total insulin deficiency caused by pancreatic cell dysfunction and tissue insulin resistance due to decreased cellular responsiveness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Signs of type 1 and type 2 are similar in many respects as in both these conditions there is too much glucose present in blood but not enough present inside the cells.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Insulin dependent or type 1 diabetes there is abrupt onset of severe symptoms while in Non insulin dependent or type 2 diabetes there are asymptomatic or only moderate symptoms present.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cardinal symptoms of diabetes mellitus are polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss without effort. The presence of these symptoms should always result in an immediate test for blood glucose and urine for ketones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Important signs and symptoms are as follows -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Polyuria - Hyperglycemia causes increased excretion of urine because if insulin is absent or not effective then kidneys are not able to filter glucose back to blood so they take out extra water from the blood in order to dilute the glucose. Hence, there is regular filling of bladder and regular desire of voiding of urine arises.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Polydipsia - Due to increased urinary excretion, excessive thirst develops which forces the person to drink more water causing polydipsia. Polyuria and polydipsia are termed as “Osmotic Symptoms”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weight Loss - Weight loss in a person of more than 5% should be considered clinically important if the person is not deliberately attempting to lose weight. Weight loss is a common symptom in type 1 diabetes because in type 1 diabetes there is marked insulin deficiency so cells desperately starve for glucose. Type 2 proceeds gradually so symptoms of weight loss are not as noticeable as type 1.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lethargy and Fatigue - They occur particularly in type 2 diabetes because in type 2 symptoms are present since some time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tingling or Numbness in Extremities - Consistently high glucose blood level damages the nervous system and especially in the extremities. This symptom often improves if controlled glucose levels are maintained.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Skin Troubles - In patients with poor glycemic control skin infections occur such as Staphylococcal infections leading to boils, Carbuncles or Abscesses which are often recurrent. Oral and genital candidiasis can also be a presenting feature of diabetes mellitus. Genital candidiasis in women leads to a thick white discharge and vaginal soreness. In men it can lead to severe Balanitis (infection of glans penis).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visual Disturbance - Hyperglycemia leads to blurred vision owing to the osmotic changes within the aqueous humor of lens of eye. This symptom settles once normoglycemia is achieved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By: Ryan Mutt</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0United States36.305679917902779 -92.2734349966049192.0734874179027827 -152.03905999660492 70.537872417902776 -32.507809996604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-20601044447572343632010-03-10T06:41:00.000-08:002010-03-10T06:41:16.760-08:00Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes - Food Tips to Control Diabetes For Life<div class="art_title" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px;"><b>Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes - Food Tips to Control Diabetes For Life </b></div>By Bob D Williams<br />
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In diabetic patients, the mechanism that controls the blood sugar level works in an erroneous manner. Dietary care is an important issue under this context, the lack of which causes the blood sugar to reach unmanageable levels. The physician would give a clear indication as to what type of food a diabetic can eat and what he should avoid strictly. Those with a difficult-to-control blood sugar levels must exert the utmost care to adhere to a diabetic friendly diet.<br />
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Taking fruits and vegetables in moderate amounts are helpful to the body and supply the body with nutrients, minerals and dietary fibers. But some food items are known to aggravate the condition and need to be avoided at all cost.<br />
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Sweets and Cakes: In any form, these foods are not beneficial even for the healthy individuals. So in diabetics, a big no to such food items help maintain the blood sugar levels at the desired levels. Such foods are made by adding a lot of ingredients that are harmful to the diabetics and above all, it adds to the calories and results in rapid weight gain.<br />
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Fried Items: Fried items are, in general, not preferred by the calories conscious section of the society. In diabetics, the fried items rich in sodium, salt, saturated fats etc adversely affects the whole system. The majority of the diabetic patients also develop hypertension at a later time. Avoiding oily and fried foods reduce the risk to a certain extent.<br />
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Cream and Fats: Intake of creamy and fatty foods makes the situation uncontrollable for diabetics and also they are rich sources of fat. Butter, cheese, margarine etc comes under the category of cream and fats and never recommended for diabetic patients.<br />
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Foods having high glycemic index: Foods with a high glycemic index, needless to say, raise the blood sugar rapidly and it is highly recommended for the diabetic patients to avoid such food items as it is essential for them to maintain the blood sugar at the optimum levels.<br />
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Refined Foods: Refined and processed foods are notorious foods in that they add to extra calories and not good for the digestive system. A fiber rich food is ideal for the human digestive system. For the diabetics, it is better to abstain from the refined foods.<br />
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Meat and Dairy: Meat and dairy products are not recommended for diabetic patients. Diabetic patients are already at a risk for cardiac diseases. Meat and dairy products rich in saturated fats increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases at a fast pace. Red meat should be strictly avoided, but skinless chicken can be consumed at times.<br />
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Alcohol: The ill effects of alcohol are very many and it will be better if the diabetic patients withdraw themselves from such luring temptations and avoid alcoholic drinks altogether.<br />
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Beverages: Caffeinated drinks, soda and other types of beverages are also not good for the diabetics.<br />
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You Can control diabetes for life by limiting or avoiding these foods.<br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_D_WilliamsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0Mountain View, CA, USA37.3860517 -122.083851137.3178537 -122.20058060000001 37.454249700000005 -121.9671216tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-88857305524836441802009-11-17T05:26:00.000-08:002009-11-17T05:26:26.349-08:00Compulsive Overeating and Diabetes<b>Compulsive Overeating and Diabetes </b><br />
By Lou Ryan<br />
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<div id="body"> The behavior of compulsive overeating leads to the condition of being overweight, which is a heavily cited factor in the development of the blood sugar disease known as diabetes. Type II diabetes, which is the form of the disease usually diagnosed in adults who have a compulsive overeating disorder, features symptoms including blurred vision, increased urination, and infections in the feet and legs.<br />
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Diabetes can also result in a variety of complications, including kidney failure, heart problems, and blindness. The first step in avoiding diabetes is to stop compulsive overeating. The best way to prevent compulsiveovereating is to understand the psychological factors involved, eliminate the behavior, and ultimately prevent the development of the crippling and life-long disease of diabetes.<br />
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*What is Diabetes?<br />
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Diabetes is essentially a surplus of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Insulin, which is created by the pancreas, normally combats the oversupply of glucose in the blood of healthy people. However, in a patient with diabetes, the pancreas is unable to supply insulin, requiring the patient to seek outside insulin injections. Because there is no pill form of insulin, injections and a newly proposed nasal spray are the only methods of receiving insulin. Diabetes is painful and incurable, and can only be managed through a lifetime of maintaining one's insulin level with timed injections.<br />
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Diabetes has three primary forms, gestational, Type I and Type II. While both gestational and Type I diabetes are conditions inherited from birth, Type II is generally easily avoidable if you can control compulsive overeating and get enough exercise. Once you have become overweight or obese, the chances that you will develop diabetes increase dramatically.<br />
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*How Compulsive Overeating Contributes to Diabetes<br />
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Compulsive overeating increases your risk of developing Type II diabetes because you are building a reserve of more and more unused calories, which subsequently turns into fat. This excessive build up of fat can lead to the development of excess glucose and ketones. These warning signs are used to detect the disease in diabetes screenings. A lack of exercise and a high blood cholesterol level are also dangerous contributing factors. Compulsive overeat exponentially increases your chances of developing cholesterol, while the correspondingly low level of energy most overweight people experience discourages you from exercising.<br />
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*Preventing Compulsive Overeating<br />
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Receiving effective compulsive overeating treatment involves understanding why you compulsively overeat, and how you can begin to change your behavior so you can reduce your chances of developing diabetes. Putting yourself on a diet without understanding the root causes of overeating will not make your problem go away; it will offer, at best, a temporary abatement. Treating compulsive overeat is about transforming your frame of mind; often, psychological factors are the major influence behind the kind and amount of food that you eat. Changing your consumption habits so you start eating healthy foods in regular, not excessive portions, will help you control your weight.<br />
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Diabetes, once it has developed, is incurable; but changing your eating habits and mental attitude to prevent compulsive overeating is something you can start to do today.<br />
</div><div class="sig" id="sig"> <br />
</div>Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_Ryan<b><br />
</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-31959521340903287132009-08-12T08:56:00.000-07:002009-08-12T08:56:41.001-07:00Diabetes : Information And Advice<b>Diabetes : Information And Advice</b><br />
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Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down and blood sugar levels become too high.<br />
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Types of Diabetes<br />
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- Type 1 Diabetes<br />
- Type 2 Diabetes<br />
- Pre-Diabetes<br />
- Gestational Diabetes<br />
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There are two main types of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but the cells in their body don't respond to it. In both cases, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become too high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious problems and complications. Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin and your blood glucose levels are higher than they should be. Gestational diabetes appears in women with no previous history of diabetes, usually during the last half of pregnancy.<br />
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Diabetes Symptoms<br />
<br />
- Frequent hunger or thirst<br />
- Weight loss<br />
- Dry skin<br />
- Feeling tired<br />
- Greater need to urinate<br />
- Blurred vision<br />
- Tingling/numbness in hands or feet<br />
- Slow-healing sores <br />
- Infections<br />
<br />
How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes?<br />
<br />
Type 2 diabetes often does not have any noticeable symptoms, and you may not know that you have it. Regular check-ups with your doctor and some basic blood tests will help you find out early if you have the disease. Early detection helps you to get control of your blood sugars. If your blood sugar is controlled, then your risk for complications is greatly reduced. Diagnosis includes a blood glucose test and an oral glucose tolerance test.<br />
<br />
Available Treatments<br />
<br />
Medications are usually prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes. The medications work in different ways but their effect is to lower blood glucose and help the body's own insulin become more effective. If oral medications are not enough, insulin injections may be used to help gain control of glucose levels.<br />
<br />
- Medications - oral antihyperglycemic agents, injectable antiyperglycemics, insulin<br />
- Blood glucose monitoring<br />
- Keeping excess weight off<br />
- Dietary changes - more vegetables and fruits, complex carbs and whole grains, fewer over-processed, fatty, starchy, sugary choices<br />
- Daily exercise<br />
<br />
Can You Prevent Diabetes?<br />
<br />
Prevention is actually possible. If you have risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, it is possible to prevent the disease. Healthy eating, maintaining a normal weight and daily exercise will not only help you feel your best, but may greatly reduce your chances of getting diabetes.<br />
<br />
Pre-Diabetes<br />
<br />
Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. The blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later. The good news is that you can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, making changes in your diet and exercising.<br />
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Risk Factors<br />
<br />
- Overweight or obese<br />
- Sedentary lifestyle<br />
- Family history<br />
- Age<br />
- Race - African Americans, Hispanics and American Indians are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes<br />
- A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes<br />
<br />
Type 1 Diabetes:<br />
<br />
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. It is believed that it may be a virus that triggers the immune system to attack the cells and permanently destroy them. The pancreas can no longer make the insulin necessary to transport sugar from the blood into the other cells of the body for energy. Sugar builds up in the blood and over time can damage internal organs and blood vessels.<br />
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A person with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin everyday to survive. They have to find the right amount of insulin necessary to keep the blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. The person with diabetes has to check their blood sugar levels often and then inject themselves with the correct amount of insulin to counteract the amount of sugar. This mimics the action of the pancreas.<br />
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Warning Signs <br />
<br />
This can be an overwhelming process for the newly diagnosed person, especially since Type 1 diabetes typically strikes children and young adults, although adults age 40 and older, can get Type 1. The onset of the disease happens quickly. As the insulin stops being produced and the blood sugar rises, this causes hyperglycemia. Several warning signs appear. Increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision are a few of the most noticeable signs of Type 1 diabetes.<br />
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Type 2 Diabetes:<br />
<br />
A person with Type 2 diabetes has adequate insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. Type 2 usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can affect anyone, including children. The National Institutes of Health state that 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2 because it is a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.<br />
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Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes:<br />
<br />
- Obesity<br />
- Poor diet<br />
- Sedentary lifestyle<br />
- Increased age - almost 21% of people over 60 have diabetes<br />
- Family history <br />
- Ethnicity - diabetes is more common in the African-American, Native American, Latino, Pacific Islander and Asian-American populations<br />
- History of metabolic syndrome <br />
- History of gestational diabetes<br />
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Complications Caused By High Glucose<br />
<br />
- Neuropathy - nerve damage, especially in extremities<br />
- Nephropathy - kidney damage, kidney failure<br />
- Retinopathy - vision problems, blindness<br />
- Cardiovascular Disease - heart disease and increased risk of strokes<br />
- Erectile dysfunction in men and decreased desire in both men and women<br />
- Depression<br />
<br />
Gestational Diabetes<br />
<br />
Gestational diabetes affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women. It usually appears during the second trimester and disappears after the birth of the baby.<br />
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Certain hormones increase during pregnancy, transferring nutrients from the mother to the baby so that the fetus develops and grows. Other hormones block the action of insulin, ensuring that the mother herself does not develop low blood sugar. To compensate, the mother’s insulin levels rise.<br />
<br />
If her insulin levels cannot increase sufficiently, rising blood sugar levels will eventually result in gestational diabetes. Untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby. These complications may include:<br />
<br />
- Macrosomia (oversized baby)<br />
- Increased chance of cesarean section delivery<br />
- High blood pressure during pregnancy<br />
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the baby immediately after birth<br />
- Stillbirth<br />
- For the child, risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes later in life<br />
<br />
Risk Factors<br />
<br />
Many pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes have no risk factors, but in others, risk factors may include:<br />
<br />
- Being overweight or obese<br />
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes<br />
- Age 25 or older<br />
- Multiple gestation (twins, triplets or more)<br />
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy<br />
- Being American Indian or Alaska native, African American, Asian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander <br />
<br />
Diabetes Complications<br />
<br />
- Diabetic Neuropathy<br />
- Kidney Disease in Diabetes<br />
- Heart Disease and Diabetes<br />
- Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes<br />
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="author">By: Imgenmk</div><div class="author"></div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0Rose Hill, Missouri, USA38.676129362378326 -94.07215118408203138.659377362378329 -94.101333684082036 38.692881362378323 -94.042968684082027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-90359585262953217892009-06-04T23:38:00.000-07:002009-06-04T23:38:22.206-07:00Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan<b>Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan</b><br />
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Gestational diabetes is a condition brought about by high blood glucose levels that remain high during pregnancy. The health of the fetus and mother as well as the development of the fetus can be adversely affected by this form of diabetes.<br />
<br />
Although it seems as if the pregnancy causes the diabetic response in some women there have been studies done which show they may have been predisposed to diabetes as they develop type 2 diabetes later on in life. A gestational diabetes diet plan is critical to properly managing the affects of this disease.<br />
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Routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended during the second trimester for all pregnant women to help limit the negative impacts it can have on mother and baby. If it is not controlled it can lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature birth, large fetus size, congenital abnormalities, future obesity and diabetes in the infant, and other birth complications.<br />
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A gestational diabetes diet requires dietary modifications that the mother may not be used to but to control this form of diabetes it is essential. This is accomplished through individually developed dietary prescriptions based on metabolic nutrition and lifestyle requirements. Basic changes include reduced intake of simple sugars such as white table sugar and syrups.<br />
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The simple sugars are replaced with more complex carbohydrates with a balanced intake of nutrients, particularly with the carbohydrates, during the day. To make starting this type of gestational diabetes diet plan easier a registered dietician will use exchange lists to make their clients meal planning easier.<br />
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Exchange lists were first developed for diabetic meal planning but they have become a basic tool for almost all food guides and dietary recommendations.<br />
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Another system to control diabetes, carbohydrate counting, has recently begun to see more widespread use. This system allows the client to keep track of carbohydrate intake during the course of the day.<br />
<br />
An overall gestational diabetes diet plan takes into account the physical, psychosocial, and educational requirements. For the woman with this form of diabetes reliance on her health care providers to help manage her condition is vitally important.<br />
<br />
Her registered dietician has the primary responsibility for developing and teaching her the individualized dietary plan that will work best for her. Nurses at her doctor's office and in the hospital help reinforce these dietary needs and also are responsible for teaching her how to effectively monitor blood glucose levels and administer insulin if needed. By working together the pregnant woman and her health care team can successfully manage and overcome the risks posed by gestational diabetes.<br />
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<div class="author">By: Andrew Bicknell</div><div class="author"></div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0United States40.035463839219275 -104.226559996604927.1032023392192727 -163.99218499660492 72.967725339219271 -44.460934996604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-75898756722448972752009-05-14T22:19:00.001-07:002009-05-14T22:20:11.568-07:00Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes<b>Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes</b><br />
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Diabetes reversal has been a very popular subject lately! Though there is no announced cure for both types of diabetes, there are many diabetes experts claiming that a natural cure for diabetes is possible. And it might be simpler than you think.<br />
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Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies are still convinced that insulin is the best treatment for diabetes. However, thousands of sufferers cure themselves each year.<br />
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How are they doing it? By the end of this article, you will have learned 5 ways to naturally reverse diabetes and eventually cure it. <br />
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Why a Natural Cure is Right around the Corner?<br />
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Diabetes is quite possibly an epidemic! In America alone, almost 1 in 10 people have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, our 21st century westernized diet is not helping the cause.<br />
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However, if you travel north of the United States to a country called Greenland, you will find just the opposite. Researchers once found an Eskimo tribe which had almost no cases of developed diabetes. In fact, about 1 in every 2000 people would be considered 'borderline' or diagnosed.<br />
<br />
And because our bodies are nothing shy of miraculous, you may be able to reverse diabetes with a healthier life and different diet. Here are some basic tips you need to try to wean yourself off of insulin.<br />
<br />
Diabetes Reversal Tips<br />
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1. You should immediately start to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water acts a flusher of the body and begins to make it run more effectively. Healthier cells are also a byproduct of always staying hydrated. Men should drink at least 12 cups a day and women should drink at least 9 cups.<br />
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2. You should also look at your diet differently. For instance, you obviously know that sugar is not healthy for your diet. Therefore, you should begin to wean yourself off of carbohydrates which will eliminate a lot of sugar content.<br />
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3. You should be trying to eat plenty of protein. Protein is necessary for cell membrane repair which can be responsible for the cells beginning to accept insulin again. Eating a diet that is high in protein is great for your body but even better for your diabetes. Foods rich in protein are meats, dairy, nuts, seafood and soy.<br />
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4. Exercising is extremely important because exercise helps create healthier cells that are not diabetic prone. Did you know that your body makes almost 100,000 new cells in a matter of seconds? The goal of your new lifestyle would be to create healthier cells!<br />
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5. Vegetables are a great snack which are low in carbohydrates (sugar) and high in fiber which also help flush the body. Vegetables are loaded with minerals and vitamins that are essential for making healthy cells. A good tip would be to buy plenty of fresh vegetable and clean them all up and cut them up for easy access.<br />
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Treat Diabetes at Home<br />
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These tips are only the tip of the iceberg. Imagine your doctor telling you that you no longer need to take insulin for your diabetes. This could be in 4 weeks with our 100% guaranteed Diabetes Reversal Remedy Report.<br />
<br />
Diabetes Reversal<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="author">By: Joe Barton</div><div class="author"></div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0United States37.010739090827514 -102.1171849966049218.215179090827515 -131.99999749660492 55.806299090827508 -72.234372496604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-88965188344744256462009-05-07T08:25:00.000-07:002009-05-07T08:25:29.417-07:00Different Ways To Treat Diabetes<b>Different Ways To Treat Diabetes</b><br />
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What is sad about people who are suffering from diabetes is that many of them remain undiagnosed mainly because of lack of knowledge on the disease and lack of resources to even visit a doctor and know their real condition. In fact, more often than not, "diabetics" or the people who are suffering from diabetes only know about their condition once their bodies exhibit signs and symptoms that can no longer be ignored.<br />
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These include extreme blurring of vision, excruciating pains especially in the legs, and cuts or sores that takes time to heal and worse, wounds that don't heal at all and needs to cut to avoid other affected cells from spreading to other parts of the body. <br />
<br />
Treatment and medical options <br />
<br />
Since diabetes is a chronic disease, people who are suffering from it should be more vigilant about their health more than ever. It means that they should visit their doctors more often, maintain a healthy lifestyle and take the necessary medications or undergo needed treatments for them to stay healthy.<br />
<br />
Before taking in any medication or undergoing a specific treatment, it is a must that person knows what type of diabetes he or she is suffering from. Basically, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes wherein the person's body doesn't have the capability to produce insulin, which is crucial for sugar to turn the food into energy; the type 2 diabetes-the most common type-restricts the person's pancreas to produce enough supply insulin for the body to use well; and the gestational diabetes which occurs among pregnant women and can lead to type 2 diabetes eventually if not monitored immediately.<br />
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Experts say that people with diabetes should aim for healthy diet and getting regular exercise to control the illness. At times, there will be the need to take in some medications or undergo treatments. The following are just some of the common medications advised for people with diabetes:<br />
<br />
1. Insulin shots. Since insufficient insulin levels in the body cause diabetes, insulin itself can solve the problem. For diabetics, insulin is very important because it lowers the blood sugar in the body by moving the sugar from the person's blood into the cells. Insulin should be taken at least two times daily to ensure that there will be stable blood sugar control. It should be taken at least 30 minutes before each meal or should be taken before one eats especially if she or he takes a fast effecting type.<br />
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2. Oral medications. People with type 1 diabetes are not advised to use oral medications since insulin shots are injected in their bodies 24/7 in order to survive. Oral medications work best to people with type 2 diabetes-especially those who have high blood sugar-because these can serve as a supplement for them. The most common oral medications include sulfonylureas which forces the pancreas to produce more insulin to lower the blood sugar levels; siguanides which helps achieve lower blood sugar by stopping the liver in producing too much sugar; metformin which helps the person lose weight which is the common cause of diabetes; thiazolidinediones which helps the cells develop higher sensitivity to insulin which moves the glucose from the blood; and meglitinides which is responsible for helping the pancreas produce more insulin immediately after each meal to effectively lower blood sugar levels.<br />
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By: Jules Sims<br />
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Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-25722507072377284602009-04-22T08:10:00.001-07:002009-04-22T08:10:52.199-07:00Essential Aspects Of Diabetes Hormone<b>Essential Aspects Of Diabetes Hormone</b><br />
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Diabeteshormone.com is a site for Education about Diabetes, Obesity, Short Height, Goiter, Osteoporosis, Sexual Dysfunction and other diseases of hormonal glands like pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, Testes, Ovary, Pancreas etc. . <br />
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Movie Theater has movies on important subjects Why Diabetes occurs, how to treat diabetes, Role of exercise and yoga, Drugs for Diabetes and Insulin, Self Blood Testing by Glucose meter and information about Hypoglycemia, Insulin pump etc.<br />
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Virtual Tour is an overview of Hormonal Glands of human body & give simple & precise information about all hormone producing glands like pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, testes and ovaries & their common diseases. <br />
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There is a huge collection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, right from soups to main course to diabetic desserts. <br />
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Common & useful topics of day to day use like injecting insulin, Insulin Pen, Insulin Pump, using Glucose meter are presented by Slide show in section of Online class.<br />
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A health tool gives parents an easy way to know growth and development of their kids through tool - Is your Kid growing normally. In addition risk of diabetes, heart problem etc. can be estimated tools presented in this section. <br />
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Diabetes school section is a must for every diabetic person. It provides practical and day to day use information about diabetes. <br />
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Hormonal problems areas have a list of common hormonal problems observed in different age groups. Each problem like short height, tall height, ambiguous genitalia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, thyroid cancer, low calcium, high calcium, high prolactin, PCOS, menstrual irregularity, infertility, early puberty, unwanted hair growth in females, obesity, hypogonadism, turner syndrome, growth hormone deficiency cushing syndrome, addision disease, Type 1 diabetes etc are discussed from patient aspect and effort is made to answer most of questions for a hormonal problem. <br />
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Diabetes E-book is a complete book on diabetes with a great navigation and facility to see images & related video, while reading a article. <br />
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Professional area is for doctors and its main objective is to create an interactive platform to discuss views among experts of Diabetes and endocrinology.<br />
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Diabetes diary is software which can be downloaded by users and then they can use it as their complete medical record and also can take opinion with their treating doctor.<br />
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<div class="author">By: web2indya</div><div class="author"></div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0United States38.401373139487383 -103.523434996604924.8593441394873835 -163.28905999660492 71.943402139487375 -43.757809996604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-32716021357145747412009-04-09T07:17:00.000-07:002009-04-09T07:17:56.429-07:00Symptoms of Diabetes 2<b>Symptoms of Diabetes 2</b><br />
By Nathalie Fiset <br />
<br />
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes 2 for short, is a medical ailment that is connected to the abnormal high levels of glucose or blood sugar. There are so many kinds of diabetes, but what exactly is the difference between the type I diabetes and type II diabetes? Also, what are their symptoms?<br />
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Glucose is the sugar that is contained in foods such as honey and fruits. It is also the starch that is converted through digestion. Glucose provides the energy which our body needs. Glucose is controlled by insulin. Insulin is the substance produced by the gland near the pancreas. It lowers the blood sugar level because it is the body's stimulant to create the glucose.<br />
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When the glucose in the bloodstream increases, the insulin released by the pancreas regulates the glucose level. But patients diagnosed with diabetes have high glucose levels that can no longer be normalized. This results to the high levels of glucose which often leads to glucosuria or glucose presence in urine.<br />
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How do you know that you already have diabetes?<br />
<br />
Type 1 Diabetes is insulin-dependent. It is also referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes primarily because the signs of the disease already show during childhood or the teenage years. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas does not release any insulin because the body has already diminished the cells that produce it. The diagnosed patient therefore relies heavily on insulin treatment.<br />
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But the most common type of diabetes mellitus is Type 2 diabetes. Before, it was called non-insulin diabetes. Now, it is referred to as adult onset diabetes because the signs show during adulthood. Patients with Type 2 diabetes continue to produce insulin but not enough for their bodies to properly use.<br />
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The first sign of type 2 diabetes is the blood sugar level increase slowly yet surely. This is so subtle that you wouldn’t realize something's wrong. In fact, a third of people diagnosed with diabetes had no idea that they already have the disease.<br />
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Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are:<br />
<br />
- you're always thirsty<br />
<br />
- frequent urination<br />
<br />
- you're always getting hungry<br />
<br />
- immediate weight loss<br />
<br />
- you're often stressed<br />
<br />
Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:<br />
<br />
- cuts, bruises and infections that do not heal quickly<br />
<br />
- blurry vision<br />
<br />
- numbness or tingling of the feet and hands<br />
<br />
- bladder, gum and skin infections<br />
<br />
- for women, vaginal yeast infections<br />
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Diabetes is a serious illness. In fact, it is the seventh terminal disease. If diabetes is not treated it can lead to serious health problems such as blindness, kidney failure, nerve damages in the hands and feet, narrowing of blood vessels or what is commonly known as atherosclerosis. If this happens, then there is more chance of a heart attack or stroke to occur.<br />
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Once diagnosed with diabetes, you have it forever; it is a chronic condition that lasts your whole life. Type 2 diabetes normally begins in adulthood. Generally, it hits adults over 40 years old. In most cases, it develops gradually. The ironic thing about it is that it may already be present for several years prior before it is actually detected.<br />
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The treatment of Type 2 diabetes is a healthy lifestyle. That means the right diet and regular exercising in order to shed off the excess weight. If these measures failed, oral medicines can also boost the insulin production in the body. A person with diabetes must control the levels of fats in his bloodstream because if not, they are more prone to have cardiovascular diseases.<br />
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Recently, a medicine called ACE or angiontensin converting enzyme has been discovered. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients diagnosed with diabetes. It can also lessen the progress of eye diseases and kidney problems.<br />
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There may be no cure for diabetes mellitus at the moment but it can successfully be controlled. The benefits of pancreas and inslet cell transplants in people with diabetes are currently being observed whether this will result to the complete eradication of the disease. As soon as the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are evident, make an appointment with your physician.<br />
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Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist. <br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_FisetAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com3United States37.290950791304915 -110.554684996604923.3515752913049184 -170.32030999660492 71.23032629130492 -50.789059996604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-35104638862658459892009-03-20T01:47:00.000-07:002009-03-20T01:48:22.450-07:00Diabetes Home Remedy - How To Cure Diabetes<span style="font-weight: bold;">Diabetes Home Remedy - How To Cure Diabetes</span><br /><br />If you are looking for a diabetes home remedy, you are not alone! Almost 200 million people suffer from this disease worldwide and many of them do not have access to insulin medication. Fortunately, natural health research is now showing that you do not have to take diabetes insulin the rest of your life. You can actually cure your disease with a diabetes home remedy.<br /><br />In this article, you will learn how to cure diabetes with your diet, lifestyle, herbs, and supplementation.<br /><br />Why Cure Diabetes Naturally?<br /><br />If you are taking insulin for your diabetes, you do not have to take it the rest of your life. That is if you treat it naturally. Unfortunately, many people try to ignore the disease. If diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness and joint problems. In extreme situations, diabetics could lose circulation to the peripheral tissues and amputations may be necessary.<br /><br />If you haven't already noticed, diabetes is a serious disease. Fortunately, your body is very miraculous and is continually making healthy NEW cells that can eventually accept the insulin (cause of type 2). By the time you finish reading this sentence, your body has made about 60,000 new cells. But are they healthy new cells?<br /><br />With this in mind, you can use your diet, lifestyle, herbs and supplements to make new healthy cells that are not pre-diabetic! Here is how!<br /><br />How to Cure Diabetes?<br /><br />Since type 2 diabetes is a disease that is caused by improper nutrition and poor lifestyle decisions, the diabetes will focus on your diet, supplementation and lifestyle changes. Here are some simple, yet effective tips.<br /><br />1. Begin your treatment by eating more protein which is available in nuts, lean meats, and seafood. Protein is responsible for repairing the cell membrane. This is essential for a cure.<br /><br />2. You should reduce your sugar intake and your carbohydrate intake. When carbohydrates enter the body, your body converts them into sugar. Your blood sugar should be counted at least 4 times per day.<br /><br />3. You should be exercising 30 minutes a day, every day. Try to do something you enjoy so you do not get burned out. Besides losing weight (which will help reverse diabetes), it will also create healthier cells.<br /><br />4. Keep your blood sugar more constant and consistent by eating more regularly. Humans are grazing creatures like cattle. Therefore, you should try to eat 6 meals a day that are about the size of your fist.<br /><br />5. Avoid milk, alcohol and all soft drinks. Your main beverage should be water which you should try to get about 16 ounces every 2 hours.<br /><br />6. Finally, you should also supplement. For instance, vitamins A, C, E and Selenium have been helpful to reverse diabetes in some patients. You should also consider a quality multi-vitamin and amino acid supplement which will aid in rebuilding cells.<br /><br />Cure Diabetes in Less Than 4 Weeks<br /><br />Imagine your doctor telling you that you should lessen your insulin intake because it appears you are reversing diabetes. This is happening all over America because thousands of people are choosing a diabetes home remedy to fight their disease.<br /><br />For a 100% guaranteed risk-free diabetes remedy report that is doctor approved, step by step and research based, please visit us today!<br /><br />Diabetes Home Remedy<br /><br />By: Joe Barton<br /><br />Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com<br /><br />Joe Barton has helped thousands of diabetics reverse and cure diabetes completely with a 100% guaranteed Diabetes Home Remedy. You can download a copy for 50% off today! www.diabetesreversed.com/diabetes-treatmentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-64506871825190685792009-02-19T06:47:00.000-08:002009-02-19T06:47:08.382-08:00What Are The Three Types Of Diabetes<b>What Are The Three Types Of Diabetes</b><br />
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When we are doing an analysis of a certain problem, what we usually do? We zero in on the case and isolate the problem, is it not? I strongly believe that in treating a certain disease like diabetes, you will apply the same strategy is it not? I mean we do not need to be a doctor of medicine to figure that out. Having said that, let us find out how many types of diabetes are known today.<br />
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As per recent study, there are three types of diabetes and these are:<br />
<b> <br />
</b><br />
· The first type is the Type1 diabetes which is called "insulin dependent" or "juvenile" diabetes.<br />
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· The second type is the Type2 diabetes which is also called as "adult onset" diabetes.<br />
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· The third type is the Type3 diabetes which is called as "gestational diabetes.<br />
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It is important to know what each type consists of. If we understand the distinction between the three types, it will be easier for us to know what corrective action is required and who are most likely the candidates are. Let us differentiate each type then:<br />
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Type 1 Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes<br />
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* It is commonly found in children and or adolescents, but may also occur in adults.<br />
* There is complete deficiency of insulin.<br />
* It requires daily injection of insulin.<br />
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Type 2 Diabetes - Adult Onset Diabetes<br />
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* It is commonly found to people who are more than 40 years old and to obese people even children.<br />
* The patient's insulin level is usually either normal or sometimes even elevated but is not deficient.<br />
* The initial treatment phase includes regular exercise and a diet that is designed to loss weight.<br />
* The last phase would be the use of insulin if the case gets more serious.<br />
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Type 3 Diabetes - Gestational<br />
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* This type is developed during pregnancy and therefore applicable only for women.<br />
* It normally ends after pregnancy however there are cases that it develops to Type 2 diabetes as they get older.<br />
* Although it is develop only during pregnancy, it must be monitored because of the risk of leading to type 2 diabetes. <br />
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One common factor in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels. However, type-1 diabetes is more serious than type-2 since a daily injection of insulin is a must. Those with type-2 diabetes, they are able to control the disease and even reverse it. This is possible by a combination of appropriate diet, proper weight control and adequate exercise. <div class="author">By: Kawayan</div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com0United States40.035463839219275 -102.117184996604927.1032023392192727 -161.88280999660492 72.967725339219271 -42.351559996604919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-38665565144371278002009-01-18T17:57:00.000-08:002009-01-18T18:00:07.035-08:00Cause And Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus<b>Cause And Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus</b><br />
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Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which in this century is commonly heard among many people. Researches have done on diabetic patients show a strong inheritance of this disease over many generations.<br />
Diabetes is no longer a dreaded disease; a well-managed diabetic has a good life expectancy. Neglect, on other hand produces irreparable damage to arteries over the years. It is said that there is no disease, which provokes greater thought on diet than diabetes.<br />
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What is Diabetes mellitus?<br />
Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.<br />
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There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don't respond to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.<br />
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Insulin Resistance. Insulin is necessary for the transport of blood glucose (sugar) into the cells of muscle and fat (which is then used for energy). By transporting glucose into cells, insulin keeps the blood glucose levels in the normal range. Insulin resistance (IR) is the condition whereby the effectiveness of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) into cells is diminished. Fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; therefore, one important cause of IR is obesity. The pancreas initially responds to IR by producing more insulin. As long as the pancreas can produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, blood glucose levels remain normal.<br />
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This IR state (characterized by normal blood glucose levels and high insulin levels) can last years. Once the pancreas can no longer keep up with producing high levels of insulin, blood glucose levels begin to rise, resulting in type 2 diabetes, thus IR is a pre-diabetes condition. In fact scientists now believe that the arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) associated with diabetes likely develops during this IR period.<br />
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<div class="author">By: Alliance</div><div class="author"></div><div class="articletext">Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017069045825528692noreply@blogger.com2United States39.095962936305476 -110.74218755.8568434363054749 -170.5078125 72.33508243630547 -50.9765625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051452735431975087.post-20278164978041523722009-01-06T18:08:00.000-08:002009-01-06T18:10:02.672-08:00How Diabetes Affects Your Vision<b>How Diabetes Affects Your Vision</b><br />
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The American Diabetes Foundation reports that more 23.6 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. Another 5.7 million people are undiagnosed and often unaware they suffer from diabetes.<br />
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Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. There are two types of diabetes; Type 1- is when the body fails to produce insulin, the hormone that allows cells to turn suage and starch to energy. Type 2- is when the body is resistant or fails to peoperly use the insulin, this is the most common form.<br />
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How diabetes effects vision<br />
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Nealy 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or longer suffer from complications of diabetes mellitus or damage to the retina; also called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels in the eye caused by diabetes. It is the leading cause of visual loss among American adults aged 20 to 65. Research has indicated at least 90% of new diabetic related cases could be avoided with proper and vigilant treatment and mointoring of the eyes.<br />
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Symptoms & Signs<br />
There generally are no early warning signs or pain associated with diabetic retinopathy. Characteristic signs of retinal changes may be seen during examination of the retina. Severe retinopathy may develop prior to noticeable vision loss, with late sudden onset of vision loss with hemorrhage or retinal detachment.<br />
With the symptoms of proliferative retinopathy, if bleeding occurs at first, you will see a few specks of blood, or spots, "floating" in your vision. If spots occur, see your eye care professional as soon as possible. You may need treatment before more serious bleeding occurs. Hemorrhages tend to happen more than once, often during sleep.<br />
Sometimes, without treatment, the spots clear, and you will see better. However, bleeding can reoccur and cause severely blurred vision. You need to be examined by your eye care professional at the first sign of blurred vision, before more bleeding occurs.<br />
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If left untreated, proliferative retinopathy can cause severe vision loss and even blindness. Also, the earlier you receive treatment, the more likely treatment will be effective<br />
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Cause & Risk of vision damage<br />
Approximately 40 percent of all people with diabetes have at least mild diabetic retinopathy, which affects both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness and tends to be particularly severe in Type-1 diabetes.<br />
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In general, the longer one has had diabetes, the greater one`s chances of developing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy generally takes at least eight years to develop in juvenile onset diabetes, but may be present at the time adult onset diabetes is first diagnosed. High blood pressure and high cholesterol in the blood are additional risk factors that your doctor will address.<br />
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Diagnosis<br />
Because diabetic retinopathy can begin and get a foothold before it causes symptoms, all patients with diabetes should have an eye examination with pupils dilated at least once a year. Often your doctor will take photographs of your retinas. A dye, called fluorescein, may be injected in the blood stream to show further details of the circulation in the retina. This is called fluorescein angiography.<br />
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Diabetic retinopathy has four stages:<br />
1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy. At this earliest stage, micro aneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina`s tiny blood vessels.<br />
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.<br />
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.<br />
4. Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss. However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result.<br />
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Treatment<br />
Proper treatment of diabetic retinopathy can cut the risk of vision loss by over half. Treatment before diabetic retinopathy causes severe loss is much more effective than later in the disease. For this reason, early diagnosis is critical in order to prevent visual loss and blindness. Control of diabetes and blood pressure is important; intensive control of blood glucose can delay onset and slow progression of retinopathy.<br />
There are treatments for diabetic retinopathy, which usually include laser surgery or “vitrectomy”. It involves removing the cloudy vitreous and replacing it with a salt solution. Because the vitreous is mostly water, you will notice no change between the salt solution and the normal vitreous. Although laser surgery and vitrectomy are very successful, they do not cure diabetic retinopathy. Once you have proliferative retinopathy, you will always be at risk for new bleeding. This means you may need treatment more than once to protect your sight.<br />
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Prevention<br />
There are ways to prevent or lessen the risk of eye damage caused by diabetes.<br />
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial proved that careful control of blood glucose levels might prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.<br />
Regular eye examinations are especially important for children who have had diabetes for 5 years or longer, for adults at the time of diagnosis, for those who have difficulty controlling the level of sugar in their blood, and for diabetic women who are considering becoming pregnant. All of these people are at increased risk for diabetes-related eye problems. To protect your vision get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year and remember that damage to the vision can occur without symptoms.<br />
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Future Risk<br />
In a recent Washington Post article entitled “Diabetic Eye Disease Rates Soaring”, the story quotes a study showing the rates for cases of diabetic retinopathy soaring from 5.5 million to nearly 16 million cases by the year 2050.<br />
The study gave the following breakdown;<br />
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-The number of cases of vision threatening diabetic retinopathy will increase from 1.2 million to 3.4 million.<br />
-Among Americans 65 and older, the number of cases of diabetic retinopathy will rise from 2.5 million to 9.9 million, and the number of cases of vision threatening diabetic retinopathy will increase from 500,000 to 1.9 million.<br />
-Cataract cases among whites and blacks age 40 or older with diabetes will increase 235 percent. Cataract cases among people age 75 and older with diabetes will increase 637 percent for black women and 677 percent for black men. Glaucoma cases among Hispanics age 65 and older with diabetes will increase 12-fold.<br />
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Regular eye exams, preventive measures such as a healthy diet and controlled blood glucose, education (understanding how your diabetes affects your vision) may help keep you from being one of those statistics.<br />
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By: Christopher Cartre<br />
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