Diabetes

Diabetes- Getting Down to the Basics

2011-09-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

Diabetes- Getting Down to the Basics

By Don Ford, M.D.

What is diabetes?

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.

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.

Are there different kinds of diabetes?

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.

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.

Types Of Diabetes.

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.

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.

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.

How do you get diabetes?

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.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

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.

Glucose is sugar! So all I have to do is avoid sweets, right?

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.

How do you treat diabetes?

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.

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.

What medicine am I going to have to take for my diabetes?

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

The main classes of diabetic medications include sulfonylureas, biguanides, and thiazolidinediones.

Sulfonylureas include the following medications:

Orinase ,Tolinase, Diabinese, Glipizide, Glyburide, Amaryl, Prandin, Strarlix

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.

Biguanides include the following medications:

Glucophage (Metformin)

Glucovance (metformin + glyburide)

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.

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.

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

How do I know I am keeping my blood sugar under control?

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.

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.

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.

How does my doctor know if I am keeping my blood sugar under control?

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.

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.

What happens if I do not control my diabetes?

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:

Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) is a leading cause of blindness.

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.

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.

Damage to the kidneys from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) is a leading cause of kidney failure.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

My doctor says I have pre-diabetes? What is that?

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.

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:

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.)

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.

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.

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.

What else do I need to do if I have diabetes?

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.

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.

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.

[http://www.essential-nutrients.net]

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.

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Avoid the High Blood Sugar, Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic

2010-10-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

Avoid the High Blood Sugar, Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic

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.

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.

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.

How To Keep Blood Sugar At Healthy Levels

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?

I feel a healthier nutritional intake to keep blood sugar normal would look more like the following:

•4-6 ounces of lean protein with each main meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

•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.

•7-8 servings of vegetables per day.

•3 servings of low glycemic index fruit (like apples, strawberries, plums) a day.

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.

In addition to proper diet, several vitamins and minerals are crucial to keeping these levels optimal:

•Magnesium - studies show that magnesium deficiencies can cause blood sugar spikes. It also lowers blood pressure with a natural tranquilizer effect.

•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.

•Zinc - helps glucose get into cells and improves insulin work.

•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.

•Alpha lipoic acid - lowers sugar levels and, as an antioxidant, kills free radicals and reduces the pain, burning, itching of peripheral neuropathy.

•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.

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.

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.

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!

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

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Herbal Supplements And Home Remedies For Diabetes

2010-10-05T01:52:00.000-07:00

Herbal Supplements And Home Remedies For Diabetes

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.

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.

Types of diabetes

According to WHO, there are three main types of diabetes:

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.

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.

Gestational Diabetes – A form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.

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.

Juvenile diabetes may be either Type 1 or Type 2, and is seen in children or adolescents.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of diabetes are: Frequent urination

Disproportionate thirst

Intense hunger

Weight gain

Unusual weight loss (More common among people with Diabetes Type 1)

Increased fatigue

Irritability

Blurred vision

Cuts and bruises don't heal properly or quickly

More skin and/or yeast infections

Itchy skin

Red or swollen gums

Numbness or tingling, especially in the feet and hands

Diabetes is typically detected by carrying out a urine test, followed by a blood test

High risk groups of diabetes

Certain people are at higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. High risk groups include those who:-

Are over 55

Have a family history of diabetes

Are overweight or obese

Have high blood pressure

Had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a big baby (more than 9 pounds)

Are Southeast Asian, Asian Indian, Afro-American, Hispanic American or Native American

Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Have heart disease

There is only one way to check if you have diabetes: get your blood sugar level tested.

Diabetes related complications

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.

Short-term complications:

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.

The typical signs of hypoglycemia are: hunger

shakiness

sweating

dizziness or light-headedness

confusion

weakness

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.

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.

Bacterial / fungal infections Patients are more prone to fungal and bacterial infections like boils, boils, athlete’s foot, sties, ring worm, and vaginal infections.

Long-term complications:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Amputation Diabetics are more likely (20 to 35 times) to require lower-limb amputation.

Prevention & Lifestyle modification

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.

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.

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.

Healthy eating, regular exercise, weight control all contribute to good cardiovascular health. Diabetics should also quit smoking .

According to the Mayo Clinic, daily intake of calories should consist of:

Carbohydrates 45% to 65%

Proteins 15% to 20%

Fats 20% to 35%

Patients are advised to adhere to meal plans for portion sizes and eating times. This will keep blood sugar and your weight ideal.

Treatment

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.

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.

Herbal Remedies for Diabetes

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.

By: Neal K

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Control Diabetes Through Exercise

2010-08-12T01:15:00.000-07:00

Control Diabetes Through Exercise

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.

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.

Perhaps the best way to control Diabetes is by doing regular exercises. Let us see how workouts help to keep diabetes at bay.

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.

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.

In order to reduce weight it is absolutely necessary to burn out the extra calories and so you need to do the required exercises.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exercises regularly and see how you can control your diabetes problems easily.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes That Everyone Should Know

2010-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes That Everyone Should Know

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.

It is further classified into 2 types - a) type 1 diabetes 2) type 2 diabetes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Important signs and symptoms are as follows -

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.

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”.

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.

Lethargy and Fatigue - They occur particularly in type 2 diabetes because in type 2 symptoms are present since some time.

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.

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).

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.

By: Ryan Mutt

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes - Food Tips to Control Diabetes For Life

2010-03-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes - Food Tips to Control Diabetes For Life

By Bob D Williams

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beverages: Caffeinated drinks, soda and other types of beverages are also not good for the diabetics.

You Can control diabetes for life by limiting or avoiding these foods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_D_Williams

Compulsive Overeating and Diabetes

2009-11-17T05:26:00.000-08:00

Compulsive Overeating and Diabetes
By Lou Ryan

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.

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.

*What is Diabetes?

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.

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.

*How Compulsive Overeating Contributes to Diabetes

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.

*Preventing Compulsive Overeating

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.

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_Ryan

Diabetes : Information And Advice

2009-08-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Diabetes : Information And Advice

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.

Types of Diabetes

- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Pre-Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes

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.

Diabetes Symptoms

- Frequent hunger or thirst
- Weight loss
- Dry skin
- Feeling tired
- Greater need to urinate
- Blurred vision
- Tingling/numbness in hands or feet
- Slow-healing sores
- Infections

How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes?

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.

Available Treatments

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.

- Medications - oral antihyperglycemic agents, injectable antiyperglycemics, insulin
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Keeping excess weight off
- Dietary changes - more vegetables and fruits, complex carbs and whole grains, fewer over-processed, fatty, starchy, sugary choices
- Daily exercise

Can You Prevent Diabetes?

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.

Pre-Diabetes

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.

Risk Factors

- Overweight or obese
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- Age
- Race - African Americans, Hispanics and American Indians are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes
- A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes:

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.

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.

Warning Signs

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.

Type 2 Diabetes:

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.

Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes:

- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Increased age - almost 21% of people over 60 have diabetes
- Family history
- Ethnicity - diabetes is more common in the African-American, Native American, Latino, Pacific Islander and Asian-American populations
- History of metabolic syndrome
- History of gestational diabetes

Complications Caused By High Glucose

- Neuropathy - nerve damage, especially in extremities
- Nephropathy - kidney damage, kidney failure
- Retinopathy - vision problems, blindness
- Cardiovascular Disease - heart disease and increased risk of strokes
- Erectile dysfunction in men and decreased desire in both men and women
- Depression

Gestational Diabetes

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.

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.

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:

- Macrosomia (oversized baby)
- Increased chance of cesarean section delivery
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the baby immediately after birth
- Stillbirth
- For the child, risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes later in life

Risk Factors

Many pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes have no risk factors, but in others, risk factors may include:

- Being overweight or obese
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Age 25 or older
- Multiple gestation (twins, triplets or more)
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- Being American Indian or Alaska native, African American, Asian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander

Diabetes Complications

- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Kidney Disease in Diabetes
- Heart Disease and Diabetes
- Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis

By: Imgenmk

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan

2009-06-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exchange lists were first developed for diabetic meal planning but they have become a basic tool for almost all food guides and dietary recommendations.

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.

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.

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.

By: Andrew Bicknell

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes

2009-05-14T22:19:00.001-07:00

Diabetes Reversal - A Natural Cure For Diabetes

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.

Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies are still convinced that insulin is the best treatment for diabetes. However, thousands of sufferers cure themselves each year.

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.

Why a Natural Cure is Right around the Corner?

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.

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.

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.

Diabetes Reversal Tips

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Treat Diabetes at Home

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.

Diabetes Reversal

By: Joe Barton

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Different Ways To Treat Diabetes

2009-05-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Different Ways To Treat Diabetes

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.

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.

Treatment and medical options

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

By: Jules Sims

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Essential Aspects Of Diabetes Hormone

2009-04-22T08:10:00.001-07:00

Essential Aspects Of Diabetes Hormone

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. .

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.

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.

There is a huge collection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, right from soups to main course to diabetic desserts.

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.

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.

Diabetes school section is a must for every diabetic person. It provides practical and day to day use information about diabetes.

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.

Diabetes E-book is a complete book on diabetes with a great navigation and facility to see images & related video, while reading a article.

Professional area is for doctors and its main objective is to create an interactive platform to discuss views among experts of Diabetes and endocrinology.

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.

By: web2indya

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Symptoms of Diabetes 2

2009-04-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of Diabetes 2
By Nathalie Fiset

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?

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.

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.

How do you know that you already have diabetes?

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.

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.

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.

Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are:

- you're always thirsty

- frequent urination

- you're always getting hungry

- immediate weight loss

- you're often stressed

Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:

- cuts, bruises and infections that do not heal quickly

- blurry vision

- numbness or tingling of the feet and hands

- bladder, gum and skin infections

- for women, vaginal yeast infections

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Diabetes Home Remedy - How To Cure Diabetes

2009-03-20T01:47:00.000-07:00

Diabetes Home Remedy - How To Cure Diabetes

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.

In this article, you will learn how to cure diabetes with your diet, lifestyle, herbs, and supplementation.

Why Cure Diabetes Naturally?

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.

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?

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!

How to Cure Diabetes?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cure Diabetes in Less Than 4 Weeks

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.

For a 100% guaranteed risk-free diabetes remedy report that is doctor approved, step by step and research based, please visit us today!

Diabetes Home Remedy

By: Joe Barton

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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-treatment

What Are The Three Types Of Diabetes

2009-02-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

What Are The Three Types Of Diabetes

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.

As per recent study, there are three types of diabetes and these are:

· The first type is the Type1 diabetes which is called "insulin dependent" or "juvenile" diabetes.

· The second type is the Type2 diabetes which is also called as "adult onset" diabetes.

· The third type is the Type3 diabetes which is called as "gestational diabetes.

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:

Type 1 Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes

* It is commonly found in children and or adolescents, but may also occur in adults.
* There is complete deficiency of insulin.
* It requires daily injection of insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes - Adult Onset Diabetes

* It is commonly found to people who are more than 40 years old and to obese people even children.
* The patient's insulin level is usually either normal or sometimes even elevated but is not deficient.
* The initial treatment phase includes regular exercise and a diet that is designed to loss weight.
* The last phase would be the use of insulin if the case gets more serious.

Type 3 Diabetes - Gestational

* This type is developed during pregnancy and therefore applicable only for women.
* It normally ends after pregnancy however there are cases that it develops to Type 2 diabetes as they get older.
* Although it is develop only during pregnancy, it must be monitored because of the risk of leading to type 2 diabetes.

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.

By: Kawayan

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Cause And Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus

2009-01-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

Cause And Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus

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.
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.

What is Diabetes mellitus?
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.

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.

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.

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.

By: Alliance

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

How Diabetes Affects Your Vision

2009-01-06T18:08:00.000-08:00

How Diabetes Affects Your Vision

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.

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.

How diabetes effects vision

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.

Symptoms & Signs
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.
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.
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.

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

Cause & Risk of vision damage
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.

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.

Diagnosis
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.

Diabetic retinopathy has four stages:
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.
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
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.
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.

Treatment
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.
There are treatments for diabetic retinopathy, which usually include laser surgery or Â“vitrectomyÂ”. 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.

Prevention
There are ways to prevent or lessen the risk of eye damage caused by diabetes.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial proved that careful control of blood glucose levels might prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.
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.

Future Risk
In a recent Washington Post article entitled Â“Diabetic Eye Disease Rates SoaringÂ”, 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.
The study gave the following breakdown;

-The number of cases of vision threatening diabetic retinopathy will increase from 1.2 million to 3.4 million.
-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.
-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.

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.

By: Christopher Cartre

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Diabetes - Signs Of Diabetes

2009-01-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Diabetes - Signs Of Diabetes

Diabetes is now becoming increasingly widespread across both adults and children. A lot of this is down to obesity and the vast amounts of sugar and refined white flour that is in our diet these days, but how do we know if we have diabetes and what are the signs of diabetes we need to look out for?

Well first of all lets get an understanding of what diabetes is. The first thing we need to understand is that there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, and type 2 when the body's cells don't respond well to insulin. Both result in high blood sugar levels because the body is unable to process the available glucose. At one time type 1 was known as juvenile diabetes as it was mainly found in younger people, and type 2 was expected to be found in older people, but this is not necessarily the case now.

At present it is not really known what causes type 1, but it occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing part of pancreas. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the bodys immune system has attacked and destroyed them, this leads to this form of diabetes being controlled mainly by insulin injections.

Type 2, which is probably now the most common type, is often caused by poor diet and obesity. Quite often you can control this type of diabetes with a combination of dietary treatment , tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation.

So now we know what the diabetes type are what are the signs of diabetes to look out for?

The signs can be very similar in both type 1 & 2 due to the drop in blood sugar levels. This could be down to a lack of insulin production, no production at all or simply, insulin resistance. The symptoms to watch out for are as follows
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination especially at night
Tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision

If you spot these symptoms happening to you consistently, then you must see a doctor as soon as you can. Whilst diabetes is very treatable, it is also very severe if left untreated and can lead to blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and other problems.

By: Paul Rooney

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The Diabetes Management

2008-12-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

The Diabetes Management

Being diagnosed with diabetes usually means adjusting your daily routine and adapting a diabetes management plan. For example, depending on the type of diabetes that you have, you might have to plan your medication to fit in with your meals. That is not necessarily as big an adjustment as it might seem. Most of the time, it will only involve remembering to take your medication before, during or after your meal, provided that your meals are spaced at regular intervals. Treatment and diabetes management is an obvious step in coping with diabetes, but diet and exercise can also have a big role to play.

Diabetes is a health problem in which there is not enough glucose in your blood to regulate your blood sugar levels. There are three main types of diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, it means that your body does not create enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels. Usually this is because the insulin cells in your pancreas have been destroyed, and your body can no longer produce enough insulin. It is also known as insulin dependent diabetes, as regular insulin injections are currently the only available treatment. Type 1 diabetes rarely occurs after the age of 40.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does produce insulin, but it is not used efficiently enough to control your blood sugar levels. It is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, as treatment can come in the form of tablets, as well as insulin injections. Diet and exercise have a huge role in controlling type 2 diabetes, and can sometimes control it without the need for other types of treatment. Type 2 diabetes does not usually develop until after the age of 40, although it has been known to occur in people who are much younger than that.

Diabetes can also occur in pregnant women of any age. This is known as gestational diabetes. Although it is mostly only temporary, and will disappear after you have given birth, some women with gestational diabetes will go on to become a type 2 diabetic when they are older.

Your diet can have a big impact on your blood sugar levels and your diabetes management plan. It is important for diabetics to keep their blood sugar levels to an acceptable level - if they are too high or too low, it can cause medical problems. It is vital that you follow a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Cut down on food that contains lots of starch and carbohydrates. Contrary to what you might think, it is actually carbohydrates, not sugar, which have an effect on your blood sugar levels. Any foods that are rich in carbohydrates are going to increase your blood sugar levels so it is essential that you limit the amount of bread, pasta and potatoes that you eat. You should still eat some carbohydrates, but keep an eye on how much. Generally, carbohydrates and starchy foods should be eaten at the start of meals.

By: Marlon Dirk

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Getting The Correct Nutrition Having Diabetes

2008-12-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

Getting The Correct Nutrition Having Diabetes

Food is an essential component of anyone's life. The selection of food becomes even more important for good nutrition and diabetes. In North American culture, poor food choices led to a population of obese people, many of them are pre-diabetic, others have type 2 diabetes and some have gestational diabetes.

In all these cases, good diabetes food and nutrition management plan can reduce the weight recommended by 5 to 7 per cent. A diabetes and nutrition program can even help reduce your blood sugar levels and improve your overall health.

It is not enough to simply rely on your insulin shots or medication prescribed by your doctor. They can not do all the work. You must learn to regulate your food intake.

With the abundance of food available to us, sometimes it is not easy to choose wisely. This piece of chocolate cake can be much more appealing than having a small salad natural fruit juice for dessert. A trip to your favorite fast-food restaurant is more inviting than the penalty cook a meal in the evening you come home tired from work. Perhaps all you want to do is curl on the couch and not even bother to drag the family for a meal. In this situation, the idea to call the restaurant for fried chicken or hamburgers much fat is tempting.

But does it necessarily stop there? Do you limit the restoration or the command to once a week, twice a week, or did you not even consider how many times you do this. What about breakfast, do you have a solid nutritious breakfast or you wake up already in flight, and take a chance on your way to the door, or not even bother to eat for breakfast? Yes, we know you're busy, busy, busy, but the calories are empty, empty, empty. There is very little nutritional value in much of the food choices you are being taken. Yet, these same foods are loaded with calories designed to keep the extra weight. They are responsible fat and sugar.

Sometimes, the idea of a system alerts people. They look as depriving themselves of foods they love. A diet first is not a system of deprivation is a way of life. Do not look like you deprive the foods you love, but rather seek to give you the healthy lifestyle that you deserve. Do not look, it's like to lose anything, you get better health and you doing, you add precious years to your life.

To begin this journey towards a healthier you, start by learning to make healthy food choices. A diabetes and nutrition program is designed to show you the proper foods to eat and then you help regulate the amount of food you eat to maintain your blood sugar and weight in control and normal levels. Included in this information, you can also find May smart healthy recipes that are not only nutritious but delicious.

Once you learn the proper foods to eat, you also learn that you can extend your diabetes and nutrition management outside the house. You learn how to eat food when you visit friends and family, or eat out in restaurants. With a good diabetes and nutrition and management of the program, you can lead a normal life and enjoy many of the same food you've ever eaten, only now you know how to do it in the right direction.

By: Jack Stanley

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Diabetes Control In Safe Way

2008-12-09T23:17:00.000-08:00

Diabetes Control In Safe Way

A variety of ways have been invented to control blood sugar and some of them look quite effective. The most common way in the past is to consume drugs from pharmacies. Are you currently doing it now?

If yes, then you know how it feels aren't you? Although in some level it really helpful but you also feel certain side effects such as hard to sleep or stomach pain evenly. That is not good.

Those medicines made with chemical as the basic substances. Logically, it is not safe for consumption. So what should you do now if you want to control blood sugar in a safe way?

Try to change from chemicals resources to the natural resources. In Europe, many people have realized this, they began to switch on herbs as an alternative.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get high-quality herbal in Europe since of Europe is not a suitable place to plants herbs.

Today, Asia became the main place for buyers of herbal plants. That is why those who live in the states of Asia are very lucky.

Herbs are very effective to overcome diabetes and of course it also safe to consume too. It is time to think about this if you have not already done so.

But now there is a problem, which herbs that you need have in order to control your blood sugar effectively? There are many, of course, and all of these must be in the right dosage too for the maximum result.

However, you do not need to be more troublesome and confuse because today there is a natural supplement available that made especially to control blood sugar and contain with herbs as basic substances.

The name of the supplement is Glycogone and in each of its capsules contained herbs that are already appropriately measured so that it is effective to control blood sugar. Is it safe? Of course, because in Glycogone made with carefully calculation.

By: Jimbola

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

What Are the Serious Effects of Diabetes

2008-11-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

What Are the Serious Effects of Diabetes
By Siva Lakshmi

A lot of people suffer from diabetes as well as the supplementary medical side effects it provides. An early identification of diabetes can assist a person to keep away from serious associated diseases.

If the diabetes is caught in advance the easier it is for doctors to keep an eye on the patient's general health, thus putting off any additional medical troubles.

When the pancreas does not work appropriately and glucose levels drop outside the normal range is Diabetes. A normal blood glucose levels should be lower than 110 mg/dL ahead waking at first light and lesser than 140 mg/dL two hours subsequent to eating. There are easy blood sugar tests that are utilized to analyze diabetes.

Once diagnosed, an individual will work along with their doctor to settle on a treatment. Treatments can take account of diet modifications, injections, or pills. Any family history, as well as people in particular ethnic groups may well be at high risk for budding diabetes.

There are dissimilar types of diabetes. Some begin in childhood, some crop up in adulthood and a different form happens during pregnancy. All can create destructive effects on the body if cared for.

High blood sugar levels have a shock on approximately each organ and tissue in the body. Scientists have noted three likely behaviors this may happen and up to date research is showing if there are drugs that resist the effects of the elevated glucose levels after the spoil is finished.

It is apparent, on the other hand, that the top therapy is to put off the harm before it occurs by taking painstaking care to keep away from extremely high glucose levels in blood.

Research has revealed that the complications of diabetes, predominantly those that take into account the diabetic eye problems, kidneys, and diabetes heart attack, can be put off by maintaining the regular level of blood glucose underneath 150 mg/dL, which will be under an HbA1c level less 7%.

The HbA1c, a trial which provides a normal your blood glucose power for the past 3 months, ought to be made 4 times every year if you ingest or inject insulin, twice every year if your diabetes is well-controlled on pills or diet only.

Long term consequences of diabetes on the body are frequently due to a patient allowing their glucose levels stay elevated for long instances of time. That is why early recognition is significant. Excess sugar levels in blood include a horrible result on the body.

A number of widespread effects from diabetes consist of vision troubles, kidney harm, nerve injure, circulation and heart troubles.

A being with diabetes is at a superior risk for these kinds of conditions, but a being who does not manage their diabetes is even extra probable to build up one of these illnesses.

Diabetes is a sickness that does not contain a cure. Diagnosing in addition to treating diabetes have developed into easier methods.

An individual with diabetes can more often than not live life as they did prior to their diagnosis no matter what the serious effects of diabetes are as long as they have maintained their glucose levels.

source http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Serious-Effects-of-Diabetes?&id=1709158

Diabetes Control In Safe Way

2008-11-19T23:29:00.000-08:00

Diabetes Control In Safe Way

A variety of ways have been invented to control blood sugar and some of them look quite effective. The most common way in the past is to consume drugs from pharmacies. Are you currently doing it now?

If yes, then you know how it feels aren't you? Although in some level it really helpful but you also feel certain side effects such as hard to sleep or stomach pain evenly. That is not good.

Those medicines made with chemical as the basic substances. Logically, it is not safe for consumption. So what should you do now if you want to control blood sugar in a safe way?

Try to change from chemicals resources to the natural resources. In Europe, many people have realized this, they began to switch on herbs as an alternative.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get high-quality herbal in Europe since of Europe is not a suitable place to plants herbs.

Today, Asia became the main place for buyers of herbal plants. That is why those who live in the states of Asia are very lucky.

Herbs are very effective to overcome diabetes and of course it also safe to consume too. It is time to think about this if you have not already done so.

But now there is a problem, which herbs that you need have in order to control your blood sugar effectively? There are many, of course, and all of these must be in the right dosage too for the maximum result.

However, you do not need to be more troublesome and confuse because today there is a natural supplement available that made especially to control blood sugar and contain with herbs as basic substances.

The name of the supplement is Glycogone and in each of its capsules contained herbs that are already appropriately measured so that it is effective to control blood sugar.

Is it safe? Of course, because in Glycogone made with carefully calculation.

By: Jimbola

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Are You Suffering Gestational Diabetes?

2008-11-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

Are You Suffering Gestational Diabetes?

During pregnancy, women can develop a form of diabetes known as gestational diabetes. In most cases, these women have never been diagnosed with this condition before their pregnancies. Although gestational diabetes places the woman’s pregnancy in a high risk category, it is more than possible for her to have a normal delivery and birth with the proper medical treatment.

Approximately 4 % of pregnant women will develop this condition. With diabetes in the pregnant woman, the blood sugar or glucose level becomes elevated. This can lead to medical complications for both the mother and child. Therefore, the woman needs to follow special precautions throughout the pregnancy.

When gestational diabetes develops in a person, the body experiences difficulty processing any sugar or any glucose. In a person without diabetes, the sugar is processed into energy that the body uses to perform daily activities and functions. Since the sugar is not getting processed properly, both the mother and the baby could gain more weight than is desirable.

It is possible that the hormones pregnancy generates circumvent the proper use of insulin during the pregnancy. Without the proper amount of insulin, the blood sugar cannot be processes. Hence, a build up of blood sugar occurs along with the development of gestational diabetes.

One of the steps that needs to be taken when gestational diabetes occurs is to monitor the woman’s weight gain carefully as well as her blood sugar levels. Two changes are usually incorporated into a pregnant woman’s lifestyle if she is diagnosed with gestational diabetes or with a great risk for developing it.

The first is to restrict the calorie intake by limiting certain foods, specifically simple sugars such as candy, cakes, cookies, and pies. The second is to increase the woman’s level of exercise during the pregnancy to restrict weight gain. Severe cases of gestational diabetes might require medical treatment, such as insulin injections, this is often very rare.

The likelihood of developing this disease is small since it only affects approximately 4 % of pregnant women. Moreover, certain risk factors can be used to predict the chances of a pregnant woman developing this disease.

One of the risk factors for developing gestational diabetes is the existence of a first order relative who has diabetes type 2. Having a large baby who was nine pounds or more during a previous pregnancy is also a risk factor. In most cases that involve gestational diabetes, the disease goes away once the woman has delivered her baby.
The midwife and the doctor will take care of you if you do develop gestational diabetes. Rest and care will go a long way to aid a person if they do come down with gestational diabetes.

By: Marlon Dirk

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Type 2 Diabetes And Exercise

2008-11-11T23:52:00.000-08:00

Type 2 Diabetes And Exercise

One of the most effective ways to lower blood sugar amount, greatly reduce the dangers of heart disease, and increase health and welfare is exercise.

In today's inactive world where almost every job can be carried out online, from the ergonomic chair in front of a computer, or with a line of messages from a fax machine, exercising can be a hard argument to win over.

The Importance of Exercise

Everyone should exercise, yet health experts say that only 30% of the United States population gets the recommended thirty minutes of daily physical activity, and 25% are not active at all.

In fact, inactivity is thought to be one of the key reasons for the surge of type II diabetes in the U.S., because inactivity and obesity lead to insulin resistance.

The good news is that it is never too late to get moving, and exercise is one of the easiest ways to start controlling your diabetes. For people with type II diabetes, exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of heart disease, and help with weight loss.

Type II Diabetes

Diabetes is growing. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes every year increased by 48% between 1980 and 1994. Mostly all the new cases are Type II Diabetes, or adult-onset.

Symptoms of Type II Diabetes include increased thirst, appetite, and need to urinate; feeling tired, edgy, or sick to the stomach; blurred vision; tingling or loss of feeling in the hands.

The causes of type II diabetes are not completely understood, although research is uncovering new clues.

However, it has already been proven that one of the reasons for the large growth in type II diabetes is the widening of waistbands and the trend toward a more deskbound and inactive lifestyle in the United States and other developed countries.

In America, the shift has been striking; in the 1990s alone, obesity increased by 61% and diagnosed diabetes by 49%.

To fight the onslaught, health experts encourage those who already have type II diabetes to start exercising to get the benefits therein.

Without exercise, people have the tendency to become obese. Once they are obese, they have bigger chances of accumulating type II diabetes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 80% of people with type II diabetes are clinically overweight. It is past time that people, whether inflicted with type II diabetes or not, should start doing those jumping and stretching activities.

Getting Started

The first order of business with any exercise plan is to consult with your health care provider. If you have cardiac risk factors, the health care provider may want to perform a stress test to establish a safe level of exercise for you.

Certain diabetic complications will also determine what type of exercise program you can take on. Weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics can possibly pose a risk for people with diabetic retinopathy due to the risk for further blood vessel damage and possible retinal detachment.

If you are already active in sports or work out regularly, it will still benefit you to discuss your regular routine with your doctor. If you are taking insulin, you may need to take special precautions to prevent hypoglycemia during your workout.

Start Slow

For those who have type II diabetes, your exercise routine can be as simple as a brisk nightly neighborhood walk. If you have not been very active before now, start slowly and work your way up. Walk the dog or get out in the yard and rake. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park in the back of the lot and walk to the store. Every little bit does work, in fact, it really helps a lot.

15 to 30 minutes of daily, heart-pumping exercise can make a big difference in your blood glucose control and your risk of developing diabetic complications. One of the easiest and least expensive ways of getting moving is to start a walking program. All you need is a good pair of well-fitting, supportive shoes and a direction to head in.

You do not have to spend a lot of money on costly health club memberships, or the most up-to-date health device to start pumping those fats out. What you need is the willingness and the determination to start exercising to a healthier, type II diabetes-free life.

Exercise your way to diabetic health.

By: Mike Parham

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Diabetes and Losing Weight - Are You in Danger?

2008-11-04T22:48:00.000-08:00

Diabetes and Losing Weight - Are You in Danger?
By Nicola Fourie

If you're carrying extra weight, or if you're highly stressed, or smoke, or don't exercise, you could have diabetes and not know it. Diabetes and losing weight go hand in hand. Read on and see if your in danger.

I always believed that diabetes is inherited, or if you got through childhood without it, you're OK, So I was startled to learn recently that the vast majority of diabetics are diagnosed in adulthood and that 50 to 80% of sufferers don't even know they have it until it seriously affected their health.

So what is it? Diabetes occurs when the body is either unable to make enough insulin or is unable to make proper use of the insulin it does produce, insulin is needed to move glucose from the bloodstream into the body's cells, where it's converted into energy.

How do I know if I have it? You may feel tired all the time, a need to wee a lot, your vision may become blurred, you may lose weight, suffer extreme thirst, feel faint, suffer itchiness and skin infections.

Who gets Diabetes? Children and young adults may get Type 1 diabetes, but they account for less than 10% of sufferers. By far the largest group is that suffering from Type 2 or late onset diabetes.

Quoting from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM. 2001), Carol Browne, dietitian and nutrition manager at the SA Sugar Association, says excess weight or obesity was shown to be the single most important predictor of diabetes, stress, smoking and lack of exercise are also risk factors. Therefore diabetes and losing weight go hand in hand.

Can I ignore it? No. This is a chronic and progressive illness which can lead to circulatory problems (and amputation), heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and even death.

How is it treated? Type 1 diabetes is treated with a combination of insulin injections and diet, and is not preventable However, many cases of

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Latest research from the British Heart Foundation shows that people who eat healthily, exercise regularly, and keep their weight stable, often have blood sugars in the normal range, even if diabetes runs in the family.

Type 2 diabetes may require insulin injections or tablets but not it can be controlled with diet and lifestyle adjustments.

Can I avoid getting Diabetes? Yes. The NEJM study showed that the majority of cases of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle "

Dietitians suggest avoiding all energy-dense foods to reduce obesity. Even an excess of low-fat foods can lead to obesity (and therefore place you at high risk of diabetes) if you're not exercising enough.

Diabetes and losing weight is very important. A healthy diet is one where carbohydrate is supplied from a variety of sources, starchy goods should form the basis of most meals, and these should be minimally processed.

One should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, and introduce legumes and soya into your diet Sugar can be used in moderation, This will ensure a diet that has many foods that are absorbed slowly, and limit those that are absorbed quickly.

Most importantly, get some exercise, research shows that even moderate exercise such as a 30-minute walk five days a week, could halve the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Practice relaxation techniques when you're under pressure - yoga and meditation are excellent - and stop smoking.Apparently the nicotine and other chemicals in smoke cause insulin resistance and stimulate stress hormones

source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Diabetes-and-Losing-Weight---Are-You-in-Danger?&id=1588825

Herbal Medicine For Diabetes

2008-10-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Herbal Medicine For Diabetes
By: Jingyu bai

Since antiquity, herbs have been used to treat diabetes symptoms and root causes. Particularly in Chinese medicine where such common plants as dandelion and licorice root as well as ginseng has been used for centuries. Herbs for diabetes, when used under the care of a naturopathic practitioner can quite possibly cure Type I Diabetes and hold off the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Other herbs for diabetes are efficacious in treating symptoms rather than root causes.

Generally, any herb that strengthens the pancreas or liver will be helpful for diabetes treatment. Herbs for diabetes include Pterocarpus Marsupium, Gymnema Silvestre, Momordica Charantia, Allium Cepa, Allium Sativum, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum, Vaccinium Myrtuillus, Asian Ginseng, Bilberry, Stevia, Ginkgo Biloba, cinnamon and barberry

Pterocarpus Marsupium is also known as Dragon's Blood, Kino, Pitasara and Venga. The gum resin of this Indian tree has the look of dried blood, hence the name. An alcohol extract of the resin and the flavonoid epicatechin extracted from the bark of the tree both have been shown to prevent pancreatic alpha cell damage in rats and to actually regenerate beta cells. These pancreatic cells directly or indirectly control metabolic processes to balance glucose in the blood stream.

Gymnema Silvestre reduces the desire for sweets. It helps in the production of insulin in Diabetes Type 2 and reduces the blood sugar levels for both types 1 and 2. 500 mg per day of Gymnema extract is a substitute for oral medications to lower blood sugar for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Momordica Charantia or bitter melon is also known as balsam pear. It is widely cultivated in Africa, Asia and South America as a vegetable and as a diabetes treatment. Several compounds in bitter melon are confirmed as effective in treatment of diabetes. Charantin is a hypoglycaemic agent; Momordica contains a polypeptide which is confirmed by clinical trials to reduce blood sugar when injected subcutaneously.

Allium Cepa and Allium Sativum are respectively onion and garlic. Both foods are helpful in diabetic treatment plus have the added benefits of being beneficial in treating cardiovascular problems. Both substances lower blood sugar levels.

Trigonella Foenum-Graecum is also known as Fenugreek. Fenugreek contains an anti-diabetic compound via the defatted portion of the seed.

Vaccinium Myrtuillus is commonly called blueberry. A concoction of the leaves of the blueberry plant injected is only slightly less effective but less toxic than insulin. Its beneficial effects can last several weeks. The active ingredient is myrtillin, used to improve the functioning of the vascular system and effective in preventing diabetic retinopathyâ¬an eye disorder associated with diabetes.

Each of the other herbs for diabetes mentioned above is helpful in treating particular symptoms of the disease. Particular mention should be made of barberryone of the best liver tonics available and cinnamon which make insulin three times as effective as without the use of cinnamon.

Continuing research into the use of herbs for diabetes may well result in a cure for the disorder. In the meantime these herbs for diabetes have been shown to be helpful in treating the disease or its symptoms.

Early Symptoms Of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting 20 million Americans at present and the incidence of adult onset diabetes continues to rise. Simply stated, diabetes is the inability of the body to either make or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body to assist in the breakdown of sugars in the food to become fuel for the body. Before food can be utilized, it must be broken down by the hormones produced in the pancreas and liver into sugars. When the body doesn't accomplish its assigned task of producing or utilizing insulin, the blood stream and the urine become full of the sugar molecules called glucose.

The cells cannot use the glucose in this form, so they are starved for fuel and in the meantime the blood is thickened by the glucose. The blood sugar counts may be either too high or not high enough. Although diabetes may creep up on a person gradually, there are some early signs of diabetes which will help you begin an active containment program of the disease. Although diabetes is not curable at present, the disease can be monitored and controlled by the patient who takes an active role the treatment.

The most common of the early symptoms of diabetes is excessive thirst. Because the glucose in the blood captures the moisture in the cells, the body interprets the condition as dehydration and sends the third signal to the brain. You'll also find early symptoms of diabetes reflected in the frequent urination. Because the person with diabetes is drinking more, and the cells are not absorbing the water because the glucose is moving it through the blood stream to the kidneys and bladder, frequent urination is common.

Fatigue is another of the common early symptoms of diabetes. Because the cells of the muscles are not getting the fuel they need on which to run, the brain interprets the condition as fatigue. In addition to fatigue caused by lack of the energy sources the body needs, the thirst and frequent urination during the night means that the sleep which is received is not the deep and restful sleep required for healthy bodies.

Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches and pains are all part of the symptoms of diabetes. The dehydrated cells throughout the body are demanding nourishment, the blood is sluggish with unmetabolized glucose, and the brain, liver and pancreas are not being healed. Is it any wonder the brain recognizes the sensations as being the same as the flu? Headaches and muscles aches and pains cause the sleep patterns to be even more disrupted, and it's a vicious circle.

Frightening vision problems are part of the onset of diabetes. The dehydrated condition of cells in the eye can mean heavy blurring of vision. Worsening early symptoms of diabetes means a potential for blindness. During the course of diabetes, the body may form new blood cells over the retina. This will cause permanent loss of the eyesight.

source :
http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Herbal-Medicine-For-Diabetes/542418

Living With Diabetes For Kids Young and Old

2008-06-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Living With Diabetes For Kids Young and Old
By Edwin Buckley

For those who become Diabetic at a young age, they want to and should be able to do just about everything their age group is doing. Overall, they can. Still, there are things they have to watch that other children their age do not have to worry about. For instance, going to parties and eating the same things the other kids are having. At a very young age, there is less of a problem. When they go to a party, you can have the hosting parent keep an eye out. You can make sure there are special treats for special kids. Unfortunately, kids do not stay those cute little things we think about when we think of our kids.

By the time they get to their teens, kids are out asserting their independence and experimenting with this, that, and the next thing. The only hope you have in life is that they have learned a few lessons along the way, and will use common sense.

Along comes college, and there is a whole new world of "real" independence to think about. Now, there is true experimenting going on, and it has nothing to do with Chemistry 101. Again, the only hope you have in life is that they have learned a few lessons along the way and will use common sense.

Now that we have clearly established "common sense" into the picture, think back to when you were a teen in high school, or were setting off to college. Was there a whole lot of common sense anywhere in the picture? Uh, huh.

There seems to be an epidemic of Type 2 these days. Basically, it is because we do not exercise enough, and we eat more than enough. We're older and wiser, right? Well, let me put it this way, when it comes to common sense, plenty of us seemed to have forgotten where we placed it. For instance, I worked with a lady who happened to be in her 50's. She was diagnosed with Diabetes in her 40's. In other words, she had Diabetes for about 10 years.

Her sight was going, and her circulation was terrible. About the only thing she did not have trouble with was getting to the head of the line when the sweet things were being doled at out office parties. She even had a candy jar on her desk, but that was just to share, mind you. You could literally hit this woman over the head with a rock solid chocolate bat, and you were not going to dislodge that sweet tooth from her head.

Kids are going to be kids, and old dogs are going to be old dogs. Both need our support. Remember, though, support comes in many different forms. It can be a hug, or it can be a kick in the fanny

source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Living-With-Diabetes-For-Kids---Young-and-Old&id=1238531

Diabetes Facts You Need to Know

2008-04-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

Diabetes Facts You Need to Know
by Lee Wharton

Diabetes is a serious disease which can lead to heart problems, strokes, loss of limbs due to poor circulation and death.

Research continues to indicate that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two factors which can help people avoid diabetes, as well as allow diabetics to have functional lives.

Diabetes is increasing faster in the world's developing economies than in developed countries.

Seven out of ten countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes are in the developing world. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United Staerttes.

However, studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypension.

Diabetes is emerging from the shadows because the United Nations led the global response and declared a Resolution on diabetes.

Diabetes is divided into two subgroups: Type 1 and Type 2. The difference is based on whether the problem is caused by a lack of insulin Type 1) or a resistance to insulin(Type 2).

Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism, which is a process that converts food into energy.

Insulin is the main factor in this process, which starts when food is broken down during digestion to create glucose, the main source of fuel for the body.

Diabetes is a serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening. It is often associated with long-term complications that can affect every system and part of the body.

Diabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose is above 126 mg/dl when tested at least twice. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, as well as the most common cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations in U.S.

Diabetes is a disability when it substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. Life activities are normal activities that a person can do with little or no difficulty, such as eating and taking care for oneself.

Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease-in fact, two-thirds of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.

Diabetes is identified by constant levels of high blood sugar, it is dangerous because of its possible side effects and consequences.

Exercise and Diet Can Help

Exercise helps improve fitness, reduce body fat, burn calories and increase muscle tone. Physical activity is key to good health.

Exercise has other benefits as well. Exercise and a Diabetic Diet There is medical evidence that regular exercise can actually help prevent a person contracting diabetes as well as controlling it.

Carbohydrate foods that contain dietary fiber is important, as a high fiber diet has been associated with a lower risks of colon cancers.

For people with high blood cholesterol levels, lower total fat and saturated fat contents may be recommended.

Diabetics still need carbohydrates with every meal, even though carbs will raise blood-glucose levels. With no carbohydrates, the body can't produce energy.

Carbohydrates are any food that can be broken down into sugar and the more of these you eat the higher your blood sugar will rise.

Therefore you must monitor the amount eaten at each meal to control blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates with high fiber content take longer to turn into sugar and are preferred

Chromium Picolinate For Diabetes

2008-04-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

Chromium Picolinate For Diabetes
by Geneda Gilbert

Diabetes and blood sugar levels can be such a huge challenge to many people with the disease and their families, so when a little extra help is available they need to know about it.

Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement that can help control diabetes.

As the name suggests, it is a combination of two different substances: chromium and picolinate.

Chromium is a mineral that helps to increase the efficiency of insulin.

Insulin being the hormone that controls blood glucose or blood sugar levels.

Picolinate is an amino acid derivative that allows the body to use chromium much more readily.

Scientists has known for a long time that chromium is a vital nutrient, but not until chromium was combined with picolinate was a truly effective way of providing supplemental chromium developed.

In the body, chromium ( a mineral) takes the form of an ion, which is a particle with an electrical charge.

This charge is repelled by the body's cells, making it difficult for the chromium to enter the cells.

That's where the picolinate comes in, it is a chelator, a substance that can bind with an ion and neutralize its charge. The body's cells then are able to accept the chromium.

Chromium deficiency has been linked to diabetes.

Studies have found chromium supplementation to be helpful for people with type 1 and type 11 diabetes, as well as for women with diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

What is also interesting is the shape of individual insulin molecules.

It is important to the hormone's effectiveness.

If the molecules maintain their proper shape, the insulin can effectively transport glucose into the cells, where it is needed.

Without chromium, insulin molecules become misshapen, which can leave them unable to effectively transport glucose.

Without an effective transportation system, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, starting a chain reaction that eventually leads to diabetes.

Research has been conducted on individuals with a number of different health problems, including diabetes and it shows that most people with diabetes experience a decline in blood glucose levels after they start taking daily chromium picolinate supplements.

It is believed that chromium picolinate may be able to help many people with diabetes (especially type 11 diabetes) to control their blood sugar levels.

This of course would allow them to cut back on their intake of insulin and other drugs, likely resulting in fewer side effects.

Since improving the action of insulin also helps the body to use fat as a fuel, chromium picolinate can help reduce obesity.

This means that it may, hopefully, enable some people with type 11 diabetes to lose enough weight to stop taking drugs entirely.

Chromium helps with sweet cravings which helps with weight loss and management.

However, it is not recommended that people with diabetes simply go out and buy chromium picolinate supplements and start taking it.

Anyone interested in using chromium picolinate supplements should first seek the advice of a qualified health care provider, preferably a nutritionally oriented physician who has experience in this area.

Blood sugar levels must be monitored carefully and the appropriate dosages of insulin or other drugs adjusted as needed in response.

A potentially dangerous insulin reaction may occur as a result of too little glucose in the blood

Silent Disease Diabets Often Goes Undiagnosed For 5-10 Years

2008-03-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

Silent Disease Diabetes Often Goes Undiagnosed For 5-10 Years
by emaxhealth

It is estimated that nearly one third of Type 2 diabetes cases are unaware that they have the disease, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH.) In 2006, more than 140,000 undiagnosed Marylanders joined the ranks of 334,000 others who knew they had the disease.“The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are subtle,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. “People can go undiagnosed for five to 10 years before complications become evident.”

Many people will not notice anything wrong, but symptoms that may signal diabetes include unusual hunger, excessive thirst, constant urination and unintended weight loss. Risk factors can include being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high blood pressure and a family history of the disease.

Women who are pregnant or those who have a baby that weighs more than nine pounds at birth are also at risk. The disease is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.Often described as a silent disease, diabetes means your blood sugar is too high.

When this happens, it can harm your eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart. It can lead to amputations. And, your risk of acquiring the disease goes up as you age, gain weight or fail to stay active.

Yet there are steps you can take to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Measures include losing weight if you are overweight, staying active most days of the week and eating low fat meals that include vegetables, fruits and whole grain foods.

Once diabetes is diagnosed, treatment goals are to keep the blood sugar as close to normal as possible. By doing this, the chances of complications from diabetes are reduced. Treatment options include eating a healthier and balanced diet, physical activity, and medications.

It is important that a person with diabetes manage his or her own care every day with a team of professionals including a primary provider, dietitian, diabetes educator and in some cases, the pharmacist.DHMH encourages its healthcare partners across the state to take some time on March 25, “Diabetes Alert Day,” to provide information and urge people to take a risk test.

To assist with this effort, the Department provided educational brochures to local health departments, community-based coalitions and partnerships across the state. These brochures contain a series of questions that can help an individual determine if he or she is at risk.

In addition, working with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Department has collaborated with a Baltimore-area television station to raise awareness of the disease during its late afternoon programming on March 25.

WMAR television will sponsor a “Call to Health” where 10 diabetes educators and other professionals will answer questions phoned in by viewers. Also, six, 60-second segments will feature interviews related to diabetes prevention and management

source http://www.emaxhealth.com/23/21247.html

How to Limit Risk for Diabetes

2008-03-10T21:37:00.000-07:00

How to Limit Risk for Diabetes

There are two forms of diabetes, Types 1 and 2. Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes is unavoidable.

It's largely genetic and involves an autoimmune dysfunction that leads to an unproductive pancreas.

However, you can limit your risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes by adjusting certain lifestyle factors. Read on to learn how to limit your risk for this type of diabetes

Step 1:
Watch your weight. Focusing on staying at a healthy body weight is paramount when you're trying to limit your diabetes risk. If you're overweight, work with your health care provider to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Carrying that extra weight can prevent your body from making insulin and using it properly.

Step 2:
Choose your foods wisely. Watch your portions, increase amounts of fruits and vegetables, reduce your fat and sodium intake and limit alcohol and sugar. Keep exercise and food journals to help you stay on track. Reward yourself for a job well done once you've reached a goal. Making smart food choices can help you control your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Step 3:
Exercise daily, even if your choice of exercise is brisk walking. Regular exercise addresses multiple risk factors: weight loss, cholesterol and blood-pressure control, and your body's use of insulin. Getting some physical activity for just 30 minutes each weekday can reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Step 4:
Talk to your physician about your desire to maintain your health and limit risk for diabetes. When blood pressure or cholesterol are difficult to maintain, she may be able to prescribe medications that can help to improve these conditions. She may also suggest medications to limit diabetes risk.

Step 5:
Consider your health and lifestyle and what changes you can implement into your daily routine, starting immediately. The more you know about the disease and how simply you can reverse it, the more motivated you'll be to take charge

Know About Diabetes Diet

2008-02-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

Know About Diabetes Diet By: Subhash Kandpal

Most people have the misconception that if you have diabetes you need to follow a strict diet plan. However, contrary to what most people believe, having diabetes needn’t restrict your diet choices. An ideal diabetes diet needs to include an assortment of foods in moderate quantities. Here are a few pointers to help you create your own diabetes planner

When you have diabetes, the ultimate aim of your diet plan should be to reduce the fat content and enhance the nutrients in the food. That can be accomplished if you use a specialized diabetes carb counter to count the calories in your meals and also including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains

Meal times

Many people tend to eat at odd times which can disrupt the natural digestive process of the body. Hence people with diabetes need to set regular timelines for meals and snacks. While a certain amount of diabetes carb counting does help to reduce the calorie intake, it is not the only thing that will aid you in a healthy eating endeavour. Eating at regular times every day of the week, month and year is what will help manage diabetes better. Keep a reminder, an alarm – basically do whatever you need to remember your meal times

Carbohydrate counting

Since carbohydrates contribute to the overall sugar levels in the body, it helps to keep track of the amount of carbohydrates you are ingesting in your meals. You can make use of a regular diabetes carb counter to keep effective track. Typically it is the foods that have a high glycemic index that are dangerous as they raise blood sugar rapidly. However that doesn’t necessarily mean that the low glycemic foods are a healthy option all the time

The substitution method

One effective way to cut down on the amount of carbohydrates you consume and to avoid an overload of a particular nutrient is by using an exchange mechanism. So you could try substituting a potato with beans or corn as they cut down on the starch levels. You could take help from a dietician to chart out a diabetes planner to help you manage your meal plans.

Creativity goes a long way

Whoever said that healthy food is boring didn’t know what he or she was talking about! With a little imagination and creativity you can transform some of the most mundane vegetables into tasty treats. Since your diabetes diet will need to include a rich range of vegetables and grains, you might need to look up some interesting recipes to try.

Diabetes Information-nine Tips For An Alternative Natural Treatment

2008-02-19T19:24:00.000-08:00

Diabetes Information - 9 Tips For An Alternative Natural Treatment by Jack Krohn

Before you dismiss this type of treatment read on. The basics of it are founded on ADA principles and should not be discarded because of the "natural" handle. There is some great value here.

The basics involve taking control of the factors that brought you to be at risk in the first place. Weight, exercise, diet, and nutrition (supplements)

Here are some tips that will definitely help get your disease under control. Before you begin consult with your physician and coordinate your efforts.

1. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently if for no other reason than to be sure everything is under not out of control.

2. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. This is good advice for everyone anyhow especially as we get older. Believe it or not most folks don't drink nearly enough (water).

3. Lose weight and exercise. The book on exercise is 30 minutes 5-6 times a week. If you do that you will lose some weight.

4. Eat six smaller meals daily. This really helps stabilize your blood sugars and helps with weight control too.

5. Reduce your sugar and increase complex carbs.

6. Increase protein. I happen to love salmon and chicken which are great for you too.

7. Learn what to avoid-alcohol, potatoes do it for me, corn of any kind including popcorn and corn tortillas. These things drive my blood sugars thru the roof and unfortunately are things I love (except the alcohol).

8. Discuss side effects of the meds. A natural remedy will often bypass some of the negative effects on your liver and kidneys.

9. Get a good supplement program going. Cinnamon, Chromium, vanadium, a good diabetic multi vitamin, zinc are the basics. They all help rebuild the cells damaged by the disease. Make sure you coordinate with your doc any supplement usage.

Your goal should be to reduce or eliminate your medications and get control of your disease. Follow these nine tips and you'll be on your way.

Prediabetes – How To Prevent Prediabetes?

2008-02-13T22:37:00.000-08:00

Prediabetes – How To Prevent Prediabetes? by Nick Mutt

Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar levels of the body are elevated over a period of time and within a specific range. The blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes may be associated with the development of Type 2 diabetes, however ongoing research tends to indicate that with proper care and healthy lifestyle one can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes

Prediabetes can also increase the risk factors for the individual for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. This may also lead to complications with vision and kidney function as the individual ages.

Symptoms of Prediabetes

Athough prediabetes has no symptoms, a family history of diabetes, excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue should alert a person that these are diabetes symptoms.

Causes of Prediabetes

The sugar in food is converted to glucose, a sugar that the body uses during digestion. The pancreas responds by producing insulin. If the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not use insulin properly, glucose can not get into the cells where it is converted into energy. The body uses this energy in order to function properly. Sugar is the fuel in which the body functions. The accumulation of sugar in the blood causes prediabetes. If not treated, this condition will lead to type 2 diabetes.

Diagnosis of Prediabetes

The Fasting Blood Sugar Levels- Blood is drawn after fasting for eight hours. A fasting blood sugar level below 100 (mg/dL) is considered normal. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 (mg/dL) confirms the presence of prediabetes

Prevention of Prediabetes

The first step that you should take is to follow your doctor’s instructions after he or she has diagnosed you with prediabetes. Prediabetes can be prevented by choosing a healthy lifestyle. Diets high in fiber e.g. cereal, fruits and vegetables have shown to help people keep their weight off and lead a healthier life, thus preventing prediabetes.

Eat food low in saturated fat but high in soluble fiber. Take regular exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, and biking to keep the blood sugar levels within normal range. Walking is a good start for people with prediabetes. It is relaxing, easy to do anywhere, and can really burn a lot of calories. If you prefer dancing, swimming, basketball, or any other way to get yourself moving, then that is great. Choose something you enjoy so that it won’t be hard to continue with it several times a week. If overweight lose weight. Prediabetes can be prevented by losing weight through dietary changes, increased physical activities or both.

The Link Between Diabetes And Heart Disease

2008-01-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

The Link Between Diabetes And Heart Disease
by Raymond Nwambuonwo

Research on diabetes and heart disease reveals that the two health problems are closely related because diabetic patients suffer the risk of having heart disease twice as much as do people without diabetes.

Almost 65% people suffering from diabetes die from heart disease. It has also been found that heart disease progresses more quickly in diabetics than in other people. This link between diabetes and heart disease puts diabetic at an increased risk of dying from stroke and/or heart attack.

The Diabetes and Heart Disease Connection

The observed connection between diabetes and heart disease has to do with blood chemistry and the role of glucose in developing the condition called atherosclerosis in which plaque (fatty deposits) gradually build up along the walls of the arteries. Plaque is mostly made of a kind of cholesterol called LDL (bad cholesterol) which is too light to settle down and be removed in body waste.

The presence of glucose in the diabetic’s blood increases LDL’s stickiness and its ability to build up along the arterial walls. The arteries thus become fibrous, thick, and calcified, or ‘harden’ in general. Blood flow in the arteries is reduced and the patient develops heart disease.

Reducing the Risk of Death from Diabetes and Heart Disease

Medical professionals concerned with reducing the risk of dying from heart disease in diabetic patients suggest a careful control on three main variables that they abbreviate as ABC. This represents A1C (a measure of the blood glucose level), blood pressure, and cholesterol level in the blood.

The criteria for general safety require that the A1C level of the patient should be kept below 7%; the blood pressure should remain below 130/80 mmHg; and the low-density lipoprotein or LDL (the bad cholesterol) level should be lower than 100 mg/dl.

Preventing Health Damage from Diabetes and Heart Disease

To prevent the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other kinds of damage resulting from the simultaneous occurrence of diabetes and heart disease, patients are advised to keep control on certain factors like diet, weight, and lifestyle. In general it is strongly recommended for diabetic patients to keep a check on their body weight by eating a diet with more vitamins and fiber (vegetables and fruit) than fat (rich foods) and protein (meat).

Abstinence from smoking and excessive intake of alcoholic beverages is very useful in reducing the risk of stroke and/or heart disease. In addition, regular daily exercise for up to one hour helps protect against health damage resulting from atherosclerosis.

Five Easy Ways To Control Sugar Cravings

2008-01-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

Five Easy Ways To Control Sugar Cravings by Randi Cestaro

Do you find yourself grabbing a soft drink first thing in the morning in order to get going or stopping frequently for sweets mid-afternoon? Chances are that sugar is running your life and that life (and your body) is out of control. Let’s start now to learn how to control those sugar craving with these five tips:

1. Drink more water.We often misinterpret dehydration as a craving for something sweet. But your body knows what you need and that’s water. Try reaching for a nice glass of water and notice your sweet cravings disappear.

2. Add more protein to your diet.Try adding more protein to your meals and see if your sweet tooth starts to disappear. Protein helps to stabilize out blood sugar levels which helps you crave less sugar.

3. Eat balanced meals.
Choose from some of the following well-balanced foods:
a). Plant foods are rich in complex carbohydrates that produce long-lasting energy without creating elevated blood sugars. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are an immune booster and rich in fiber.
b). Green and leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale and mustard greens.
c). Sweet vegetables such as parsnips, squash, carrots, onions, sweet potatoes and yams create elevations in blood sugar without causing extreme highs.
d). Protein foods (the substance that builds tissues for growth and repair) like red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, grains and soy.

4. Add more healthy fat to your meals.Most Americans are deficient in healthy fats because we are so used to the low-fat mentality. Healthy fats are good for us and help promote stabilized blood sugar levels. The more stable your blood sugar levels, the less you crave sugar. So add more healthy fats (avocado, nuts and seeds, olive oil, sesame oil, etc..) to your diet and start to notice if those sugar cravings begin to decline.

5. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of good sleep throws your metabolic system off and encourages sugar cravings. Start making a conscious effort to have at least 8 hours of sleep each night. You and your body will slowly start to notice fewer sugar cravings. Set a personal goal to incorporate these tips in your life over the next few weeks and conquer sugar cravings forever.

Help To Control Type 2 Diabetes

2008-01-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

Help To Control Type 2 Diabetes by Bessie Johns

Amaryl
When diet and exercise are no longer enough help to control Type-2 Diabetes, Amaryl is there to help. This is an oral medication classified as a sulfonylureas and has proven very effective in controlling high blood sugar levels for patients with Type-2 Diabetes. While it cannot replace a good diet and proper exercise, it can be very helpful to diabetics who are not insulin dependent.

How Does It Work?
This medication helps to control high blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce more of the bodies natural insulin. When taken in conjunction with other drugs such as the insulin boosting, Glucophage, Amaryl has proven itself to control elevated blood sugar levels in adult patients.

How Do I take Amaryl?
This prescription drug is usually taken in a 1 to 2 milligram dose once daily with breakfast or the first main meal. Your doctor may increase the dosage by 1 or 2 milligrams at a time every one or two weeks until your diabetes is brought under control. Most cases will reach a level of control on 1 to 4 milligrams a day and the daily dosage should never exceed 8 milligrams. If the maximum dose fails to control your high blood sugar levels, your doctor may choose to add Glucophage to your treatment.

Is There Any Risks Of Side Effects?
Though they are not to be anticipated, treatment with this medication does involve a substantial risk of side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:
• anemia and other blood disorders
• blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache• itching
• liver problems and jaundice
• muscle weakness• nausea • sensitivity to light
• skin rash and eruptions• stomach and intestinal pain
• vomiting

In addition to these risks, there is the additional risk of Hypoglycemia, which occurs when the body produces too much insulin, leaving one with a low blood sugar. If a patient experiences Hypoglycemia while taking this drug, medical assistance should be consulted immediately as severe Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening situation.

Before taking this medication, you should consult your physician or pharmacist about the known food and drug interactions with this medication. Also avoid substances such as Alcohol which cause a lowered blood sugar as these can lead to Hypoglycemia in patients taking Amaryl.

There are special precautions for patients that are pregnant or breast feeding infants. Since the effects of this medication can be passed on to a nursing child, you should not take it while breastfeeding. Likewise, unborn children can be effected by their mothers blood sugar levels. Your doctor may recommend insulin injections during pregnancy or post partum for nursing mothers.

Treating Type 2 Diabetes With Medication

2008-01-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Treating Type 2 Diabetes With Medication by Leanne King

If you have type ii diabetes you are probably overwhelmed with the information you can obtain to treat your diabetes.Type two diabetes can be treated by dietary changes, administration of medication or a combination of both. One medication that is widely used for this purpose is Prandin. This is the brand name for a drug known as Repaglinide.

What is prandin?

It is a drug that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug works by stimulating the pancreas to create more insulin. The created insulin is then released into the blood stream where it helps your body function normally. The creation of insulin by drug inducement assists your body provide the insulin that is naturally lacking.

You can use Repaglinide in combination with other forms of oral diabetes medication or on its own. This medication is only available with a doctor's prescription and cannot be obtained over the counter. Currently the drug is only produced in tablet form.
Factors to consider when taking Repaglinide

All medication involves some associated risk. This drug is no different. Some pre-existing conditions that you may have may make taking this medication contraindicated or unsuitable for you.

In order to protect yourself from the risk of injury or harm by taking unsuitable medications you must fully consult your doctor. When consulting your doctor you must disclose fully any medical problems that you have or have had in the past. In addition, it is wise to take along to your appointment all medications that you are currently taking. Your doctor will then be able to assess whether the combination of medications together with your medical history will make this drug suitable for you.

Some factors that may make this medication unsuitable for use are:

Pregnancy -There have not been any studies on the effects of prandin on unborn babies at this stage. If you are pregnant, or considering falling pregnant, you should discuss with your doctor suitable alternative medications during this period. It would probably be best avoid this drug during pregnancy to the unknown effects on your baby.

Breast-feeding - We don't know whether prandin passes into the breast milk, so make sure you discuss it with your doctor. I would not suggest breast feeding when taking this medication.

Allergies - If you are allergic to anything, especially medications, let your doctor know.
Dosage for Children - Studies have not been done on the effects of this medication on children. For that reason, it is recommended that children do not take prandin until the effects have been studied.

Combining Medications - Some medications are not suitable or effective when taken in combination with other drugs. In order to avoid any unpleasant side effects you should advise your doctor of all drugs you are currently or have been recently taking. You doctor will need that information before deciding if prandin is appropriate to treat your type two diabetes.
Existing Medical Conditions

If you suffer from or have recently experienced any of the medical problems set out below you should tell your doctor:
" Type 1 diabetes
" Stress
" Kidney/Liver disease
" Ketones in the blood
" Infection
" Surgery

Before taking any medication it is important to consult your doctor and find out as much information as you can about the drug. Once you have all your information you will be more able to assess if a medication is suitable for your lifestyle and needs.

Symptoms Of Diabetes And Your Risks

2008-01-10T02:56:00.000-08:00

Symptoms Of Diabetes And Your Risks by Elsie Shan

Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting millions of people around the world. It is an incurable disease and once diagnosed must take medication for life. Diabetes is caused by the failure of the pancreas to produce insulin to help in glucose metabolism. This defect causes glucose to remain in the blood stream and if left untreated for long periods of time, will cause secondary damage to the eyes, heart, liver, kidney and other important organs.

The symptoms of diabetes are often difficult to notice. You might just brush it aside because it doesn't cause pain and you always assume that it is something else that is giving you the symptom. Below are some of the symptoms of diabetes and if you have more than one sign, it is advisable to pay your doctor a visit to rule out the possibility of the disease.

* constantly feels hungry and thirsty and some degree of dehydration
* urinating frequently especially at night
* getting blurred vision over a short period of time
* easily feels tired and exhausted even while not doing anything
* takes a long time to heal cuts and bruises
* unexpectedly loose weight without going through weight reducing program
* numb feeling in your hands and feet* continue getting gum or skin or bladder infection

Dehydration occurs because of body fluid is lost due to frequent urination. In more serious cases of diabetes it leads to a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acids which can poison the body. Ketocidosis will lead to diabetic coma and eventually death.

Some people may also experience dizziness at the onset of diabetes. This is related to the sense of balance of the body which involves the eyes, ears and brain. When diabetes is out of control it may also lead to fainting due to low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) or high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia).

The risk of getting this disease is higher if your family has a history of it. If the symptoms of diabetes persist, consult your family doctor fast. Your doctor will do a fasting plasma glucose test to determine your blood glucose level. Your blood glucose level is high if the result is above 125 mg/dl. If this is the case, your doctor will perform a second test to confirm the first diagnosis before they can give you a prescription.

Conclusion

Diabetes can lead to many other life threatening diseases if left untreated. If you have one or more of the symptoms of diabetes, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. Early intervention will minimize the damage caused by this disease. Adjust your lifestyle to adapt to this disease.

Diabetes - General Information And Methods Of Diagnosis

2008-01-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

Diabetes - General Information And Methods Of Diagnosis Jitesh Arora

Diabetes is a very common disease nowadays it is a condition in which insulin is not produced in our body or body becomes resistant to the effect of the insulin.Our body needs energy for our daily activities and insulin is the hormone which is needed to convert sugars and starches into energy. The exact cause of the disease is not revealed yet but there are many factors which play a great role. Person can have this disease due to genetic factors or due to environmental factors like obesity.

According to American diabetes association 7% population of united stated is suffering from this disease that is 20.8 million adults and children. One third of these patients are not aware of their disease. There are some tests which health professionals conduct to find if the person is having diabetes or pre-diabetes.

The first method is called fasting plasma glucose test and second one is oral glucose tolerance test. The fasting plasma glucose test is used widely as this method is easy fast and cheap. If fasting plasma glucose test shows the level of blood glucose in between 100 and 125 mg/dl this indicates the condition of pre-diabetes. The diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed if a person is having blood glucose level above 126 mg/dl.

The oral glucose tolerance test is performed after eight hours fast and two hours after drinking of a glucose rich beverage. If the blood glucose level is in between 140 and 199 mg/dl the person is diagnosed pre-diabetes and if it is above 200 mg/dl physician puts the diagnosis of diabetes.

Diabetes Caused By Systemic Infections Of Yeast And Mold

2008-01-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

Diabetes Caused By Systemic Infections Of Yeast And Mold by Joan McKenna

Diabetes is now a global pandemic. Rich, poor, fat and thin people of every ethnic background are found to have abnormal glucose metabolism resulting in elevated triglycerides and often accompanied by high blood pressure and heart disease. The progressive damage may lead to kidney failure, stroke, amputation of limbs and blindness. The sheer volume of cases is staggering to the medical profession.

The "cause" is variously attributed to diet, genetics and life-style. But what if the "cause" is something more insidious, something that is neither tested for nor treated? As I studied the literature on diabetes and its effects, I became aware that there were often contradictory findings. Overnight, as the body "fasted" from foods, and the metabolism slowed down, glucose levels should have dropped to normal or below normal levels. Individuals who undertook three and four day fasts would likewise be expected to have subnormal levels of glucose. Neither group did. In fact, many individuals find that their glucose levels were higher in the morning than they had been the previous evening. Many found that fasting simply brought their glucose readings into a normal range.

If the overnight fast had resulted in the metabolizing of fat into sugars, this might explain the elevated glucose readings. But the science of the day insists that the metabolism of fats do not result in elevated glucose levels. With the three and four day fasts, fat metabolism should be well underway, yet, again, no significant rise in glucose levels were taking place. If reduction in food intake did not cause a reduction in glucose levels, what else would cause elevated glucose? What other biological process produces glucose? The answer is yeast, mold and some forms of fungus.

These life forms are categorized as plants. They grow best in a more acid environment. Refined sugars are strongly acidic. In combination with mold, yeast or fungal spores, there would be a surge in the production of glucose beyond the level of dietary sugars. Let's call the glucose from yeast, molds and fungus "abnormal glucose". In normal metabolism of carbohydrates, the liver and pancreas go through a sequence that triggers release of insulin to enable absorption of the glucose by the body's cells. If this glucose is not used, it is converted into lipids (triglycerides) and if not metabolized and used by the body, into fat.

With abnormal glucose, there is no actual metabolic process in the liver. As a result, it does not trigger release of insulin. It circulates as an acid through the body causing inflammation and irritation to blood vessels and tissue. If it is eventually converted to lipids in the liver or to fat, it has a very different energy signature than normal fat.

In diabetic mice, the abnormal fat has an energy signature of 8,000 calories per pound. Normal fat has an energy signature of only 3,500 calories per pound.

Individuals diagnosed as diabetics face extraordinary resistance to weight loss, increasing inflammation and destruction of blood vessels, damage to all major organs, as the underlying infections progress.

Yeast, mold and fungal infections are stimulated by tissue destruction. As tissue breaks down, it provides new material for rapid expansion of the infection. Progressive deterioration results in damage to all biological systems.

While reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates may slow the active infection, yeast, mold and fungi produce spore that can persist in a latent state for a nearly indefinite period of time. A diet to reduce or eliminate "candida" (yeast) may be needed if the history of the individual indicates that this is the probable infection. An infection with mold or fungus may need added medical and dietary protocols.

Testing for systemic yeast, mold or fungus is expensive and time consuming. Often the careful analysis of a Comprehensive Medical and Personal History will indicate the source of the underlying infection whether it is from yeast or mold or fungus.

1200 Calorie and Diabetes Diet Plan

2008-01-04T23:51:00.000-08:00

1200 Calorie and Diabetes Diet Plan

Let me share with you important news that there is no "diabetes diet". This implies that you and your family can eat the same balanced foods at mealtime. Carbohydrates have the greatest influence on blood sugar levels that's why diabetes patients should be careful about consumption of carbohydrate. Control diabetes and total calorie intake is the main theme of diabetes diet.

Most important aspects of diabetes treatment and management are healthy diet and regular exercise. Before we discuss on diabetes diet, let us see the cause of diabetes.

In simple words, blood sugar level increases for diabetic patient because either body fails to generate enough insulin or fails to utilize body's own insulin in an appropriate way.

Do you know importance of calorie in diabetic diet plan?

In simple word – it is eating right. A balanced diet consists of carbohydrates, fat and protein and required total calorie is 1200. In a 1200-calorie diabetes diet plan, 600 calories comes from carbohydrates and that means 1 gram of carbohydrate equals 4 calories. Now you can exchange the percentage of carbohydrate in your food with either meat or fat group. This is all right until the total calories remain 1200.

What's relation between serving sizes and diabetes ?

Do not eat more than the amount prescribed in your diabetes diet plan. If you take excess calories, it will result in excess fat and excess weight. For type 2 diabetic patient, excess body fat means less sensitivity to insulin. Your dietitian prescribe the appropriate amount of food you require, depending on body structure, and blood sugar levels.

Diabetic patients should eat meals and snacks at regular intervals every day. In case of women with gestational diabetes, it’s mandatory to eat multiple meals and snacks per day as recommended by her doctor

Type 1 Diabetes Causes - Myths and Facts

2008-01-04T23:47:00.000-08:00

Type 1 Diabetes Causes - Myths and Facts by Dr John Anne

What Causes Type 1 Diabetes

Even with the modern technology and information available today, the causes remain a mystery to the medical world. There is no one certain cause that can be linked to the onset of diabetes. However, there are certain factors that are present among the majority of the people who have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's defense system attacks and destroys its own cells. In diabetes type I, the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which is a hormone that is used by the body to convert sugars and carbohydrates into the energy that is needed for your body to maintain its normal function. Once these cells are destroyed, the body does not produce enough insulin to convert the sugars and carbohydrates that are consumed. This can lead to other, life threatening illnesses and diseases.

It is believed that one Type 1 Diabetes cause is genetics. Some people may be genetically inclined to develop the disease and viruses such as Coxsackie, rubella, and mumps can trigger the onset of the disease. The cause of this type of diabetes is not the viral infection, however the infection may trigger the symptoms of the disease. In other words, in people who are predisposed to contract diabetes, the disease may lay dormant until triggered by one of the factors that are believed to cause the onset of the symptoms.

What Does Not Cause Type 1 Diabetes

When a disease that is as prevalent in society as this has no known cause, myths become a part of the mystery. Human intelligence demands that we know a definite cause for all diseases and events, and in the absence of something that we can definitively "put our hands on", it is human nature to find something in our lives that may cause the disease.

Here are some of the myths surrounding Type 1 Diabetes causes:

• Eating two much sugar causes diabetes - this myth is based on the fact that diabetes involves a high content of sugars in your blood. Consuming too much sugar can trigger the onset of some of the symptoms of diabetes, however, the cause of the disease is not the intake of too much sugar.

• Stress causes diabetes - while stress can trigger some of the symptoms of diabetes, stress does not cause the disease.

• Diabetes can be caught from another person - diabetes is not a contagious disease and cannot be transferred from one person to another.

While there are many myths surrounding theses causes, there are just as many that involve the management of the disease. It is often believed that people who have been diagnosed with diabetes can never consume foods that contain sugars or starches, however these foods can be consumed within a healthy diet plan. Diet and other factors do not cause diabetes, but are often the triggers that cause the onset of the disease and the symptoms that alert you to the possibility of being diagnosed with this diabetes type.

Since one of the prevalent Type 1 Diabetes causes is genetics, there are certain things that a person can do in order to delay or possibly even prevent the onset of the disease. If your family has a history of diabetes, the best way to accomplish this is to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. Starting a healthy diet as early in life as possible not only reduces the risk of the onset of diabetes symptoms, but also can reduce the risk of obesity and the illnesses and complications that are associated with obesity. While eating a healthy diet and maintaining a regular exercise regimen may not guarantee that the disease will remain dormant forever, it will help you to better manage the disease once the symptoms begin - and give you a chance to maintain a normal lifestyle. Knowledge and preparation is often the key to success.

How To Prevent Diabetes

2008-01-04T23:44:00.000-08:00

How To Prevent Diabetes by Tristan Bailey

As more and more people in the modern world become overweight or obese, the number of cases of type two diabetes continues to rise and its fast becoming an epidemic. The good news is that type two diabetes can be prevented by simply changing your lifestyle and having a healthier diet.

Although many people will be prone to developing type one diabetes if they have close relatives who already have the disease, type two diabetes is not hereditary and is caused primarily by having a bad diet. People who consume foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars and low in nutrients will be more at risk of contracting diabetes.

The prevention of type two diabetes is not complicated but it just requires you to be sensible about what you eat and how you live your life. Its important to live an active life and eat healthy foods that provide nutrition and not eat foods that are full of saturated fats and sugars if you want to avoid becoming one of the millions of people who contract type two diabetes each year.
Fast foods have had a major contribution to obesity levels because they provide little in the way of nutrition and are high in fat and carbohydrates. This is common knowledge but there are still people, especially children, who are unaware of the damage that is caused to the body by consuming too many fast foods on a regular basis.

Its often thought that diabetics are people with a sweet tooth who crave sugar but this is not the case as having a diet that consists of excess carbohydrates can also contribute to the onset of diabetes. This is why obese people have a much greater risk of contracting diabetes than people who maintain and manage their weight properly.

One of the best ways to maintain a stable weight is to take regular exercise as this will help you burn off any excess fat and keep you fit and healthy. As well as this, exercising on a regular basis will also improve the bodies blood sugar control because active muscles will remove glucose from the blood faster than inactive muscles.

Type two diabetes is closely related to the problem of obesity, so if you are unhappy about your weight and you want to change your lifestyle by improving your diet and taking more exercise you will not only improve your appearance, you will also reduce the risk of contracting this potentially life threatening disease

Maintaining a Good Gestational Diabetes Diet

2008-01-04T23:42:00.000-08:00

Maintaining a Good Gestational Diabetes Diet by Michael Dinsmore

A person who develops gestational diabetes should come up with some sort of diet to protect themselves and the fetus.

What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman is pregnant. This occurs in women who do not have diabetes but, develop high blood sugar when they get pregnant. The woman's blood sugar generally goes back to normal after she has the baby.

The best way to keep this under control is by exercising regularly and developing a diet that minimizes your exposure to sugar. A healthy diet includes eating enough carbohydrates, protein and fat. It's important that you eat these three things in conjunction with one another. Eating too many carbohydrates at once can spike your blood sugar. Eating carbs with protein and fat will minimize these hikes.

Finding the Right Plan for You
Finding the right balance between exercise, carbohydrates, fats and proteins is going to take a little while. Everyone reacts differently to it. They also react differently to gestational diabetes diets. How much you eat and when you eat will depend largely on how much you weigh, how far along your are in your pregnancy and how developed your diabetes is. Your doctor or nutritionist will look at all of these factors to start you on a diet. Keep in mind that this diet may have to be tweaked several times before it's correct.

Most doctors will suggest that you eat small meals throughout the day. None of your meals, or snacks should be more than three hours a part. Eating smaller meals more frequently will help regulate your blood sugar. For some women, avoiding carbohydrates in the morning is helpful. Starting the day with proteins only will help keep your blood sugar down.

The most effective way to regulate your diet is by paying very close attention to what you're eating. If you don't know what carbohydrates are, ask your doctor to break down the food pyramid for you. If you're not good at remembering to eat many, small meals, wear a stopwatch and set it so it goes off every two hours. This will help you keep in line with your gestational diabetes diet.

How Glucose Is Related To Diabetes

2008-01-04T23:37:00.000-08:00

How Glucose Is Related To Diabetes by Monica Nelson

Having diabetes is one of the most dreaded chronic medical conditions any person could ever experience. Technically called "diabetes mellitus," diabetes is known to affect almost 20 million people in the United States alone.

Referred to as chronic disease that leads to more serious medical and health complications such as renal or kidney failure, various heart and coronary diseases, blindness, blood vessel disease, nerve damage, and stroke, diabetes can be heavier burden if not given proper medical attention.
Characterized by recurrent and repeated urination, fatigue, exhaustion, extreme thirst, and excessive hunger, diabetes can affect people regardless of age, gender, status, or race. Other symptoms of diabetes include sudden increase in appetite, gradual weight loss, vomiting, nausea, blurring of vision, recurrent infections in the vagina among women, risks of impotence among men, and varying degrees of yeast infections.

Once any of these symptoms become persistent, now is the time to get a diagnosis. Diabetes can be diagnosed through getting sample of urine for a urine test or several drops of blood for a blood test in order to determine the amount of sugar or glucose in the urine or blood. Aside from getting the sugar count in the urine, urine tests can also assess how the kidney is functioning. When it comes to blood test, a possible diabetic can choose from several processes that include fasting glucose test where the blood sample is collected when the patient has not eaten for eight hours, the postprandial glucose test where the blood sample is taken after the patient has eaten, and the oral glucose tolerance test wherein the blood sample is collected before and after the patient take in a glucose through a sweet syrup. Blood and sugar tests can also be used in monitoring the degree of diabetes and how does it progress under a specific treatment.

The association of glucose and diabetes
When diabetes is mentioned, people cannot help but think of the amount of sugar or glucose in the person's body. And why not? Glucose indeed is related to having diabetes because high blood sugar or glucose levels in the body cause this metabolic disease. When a person has high levels of glucose it usually results to deficiency in the secretion of insulin-a hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, starches, and fats in the patient's body.

Glucose is directly related to diabetes because once a person is diagnosed with an elevated level of glucose, he or she has a great possibility of developing diabetes. Technically, diabetes refers of a long-term condition wherein the pancreas cannot do its function of producing enough amount insulin that results to high glucose level in the blood.

Basically, glucose serves as a main source of energy of every cell in a human body. The metabolism of this simple sugar greatly depends on insulin produced by the pancreas. When the body has no sufficient supply of insulin, it cannot breakdown glucose that usually result to diabetes.

Studies show that the presence of excessive amounts of glucose in the blood for so long lead to high blood levels of blood sugar and may lead to the impairment numerous body parts that include the heart, the nerves, the blood vessels, the eyes, and the kidneys and will eventually lead to a full blown diabetic condition.

When it comes to treatment, no definite cure has been found out as of today. In order to manage diabetes, most experts only recommend strict habits like well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and meticulous blood glucose monitoring. By doing this, a diabetic-despite his or her condition-has greater chance to live a normal and comfortable life.

Indeed, diabetes can be a life-threatening disease if not managed and monitored regularly. Any diabetes treatment should aim to keep the patient's blood glucose within the standard range and any treatment should also aim to prevent possible developments of enduring complications.
Aside from keeping a strict diet, other alternative treatments for diabetes include taking in supplements such as chromium picolinate, Magnesium, Vanadium, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, practicing yoga, biofeedback, allopathic treatment, taking in oral medications, insulin injections, and surgery like pancreas transplant.

The Symptoms Of Diabetes

2008-01-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

The Symptoms Of Diabetes by Tristan Bailey

There are many different symptoms of diabetes which vary depending on which type of the disease you may have and what type of lifestyle you live. Its important to be aware of the symptoms of diabetes so that you can look out for them and detect any problems as early as possible.

The symptoms of both type one and type two diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, loss of weight, blurred vision, and infections such as thrush. These are the initial symptoms which can lead to the onset of diabetes and anyone experiencing them should seek immediate medical attention.

The problem with type two diabetes is that these symptoms can be very mild and can go completely unnoticed for many years. Some people simply feel a bit unwell or assume its part of the ageing process. Many people with type two diabetes will have no symptoms at all and its often discovered accidentally after routine medical check ups.

The problem with type one diabetes is that if its not treated after experiencing these symptoms it can cause additional problems which can be life threatening. The body will start to use energy sources other than glucose and it will begin to produce chemicals called ketones. When ketones build up in the bloodstream it can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious problem and causes additional symptoms which include vomiting, stomach pain, rapid breathing, increased pulse rate, and tiredness. If diabetic ketoacidosis is undiagnosed and untreated it can lead to a coma which can result in death.

Although most people with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood, there is another type of diabetes called hypoglycemia which causes people to have a lower than normal amount of glucose in the blood. This can cause additional symptoms which include nausea, anxiety, confusion, blurred vision, and in severe cases can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and comas.

If you have any of the symptoms of diabetes you should visit your doctor and check your blood sugar level. If you have a high or low blood sugar level it can be an indicator that you have diabetes and further tests will need to be done to determine the cause of the abnormal blood glucose. Its essential to detect diabetes as early as possible as there are many new effective medications on the market that can be used to keep the disease under control

Maintaining Diabetes Nutrition

2008-01-04T23:30:00.000-08:00

Maintaining Diabetes Nutrition by Michael Dinsmore

Diabetes nutrition is a very important part of remaining healthy while being a diabetic. If you don't pay close attention to your diet, diabetes can be very difficult to manage.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet
Making a balanced diet part of your every day routine is important for everyone, but it's especially important for diabetics. Diabetes occurs because a person's body doesn't correctly process certain foods, namely sugars. A person with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes either doesn't produce insulin or their body doesn't know what to do with the insulin that is produced. The problem is that this prevents a person's body from breaking down sugars. Since sugars are a large part of our diet, it's extremely important to regulate one's diet when they have it.

Before you start regulating your diet to coincide with your diabetes, you need to understand what constitutes a sugar. Obviously a candy bar or ice cream is full of sugar, but what about bread? Or cereal or processed milk? There are a lot of things in our day-to-day diet that includes sugar. The best way to keep your diabetes under control is by eating small amounts of sugar. It's also a good idea to have a mix of carbohydrates, fats and proteins at each meal.

Triple Threat
As mentioned above, the best way to balance your nutrition is by eating carbohydrates, fats and proteins at each mean. Many doctors recommend that you eat about 60 grams of carbohydrates at each meal. Carbohydrates come in many forms, but they include fruits and veggies, dairy and bread.

You're also going to need some protein. Protein is found in cheese, fish, meat, beans and some vegetables. Many of these products are high in fat. To minimize your fat intake, choose a few protein options that are "low fat," such as low fat yogurt.

Now, you'll get a lot of your meal fat form the protein you eat. Ask your doctor how much fat you should be eating every day. This will help you maintain your weight. Your doctor should also be able to recommend good diabetic cookbooks. These will help add variety to your diet while making sure your diabetes nutrition needs are met.

How Do You Get Diabetes

2008-01-04T23:21:00.000-08:00

How Do You Get Diabetes
by Adrian Whittle

Diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body to control it's blood sugar level. High blood sugar is known as hyperglycemia and is controlled by the hormone insulin. So diabetes interferes with the creation and secretion of insulin.

There are three types of diabetes and they disrupt the normal secretion of insulin in different ways.

The first type of diabetes is known as Type 1 diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile diabetes . It is often called juvenile diabetes to indicate the age that most people acquire it. It is unusual to acquire Type 1 diabetes past your mid 20's.

Although it is not known how you get Type 1 diabetes, it is understood what causes the condition and some theories about why it occurs.

Type 1 Diabetes is known as an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body destroys the cells that produce insulin because it thinks that they are harmful to the body. These cells are called the beta cells found in the islet cells that are located in the pancreas. Because the insulin producing cells are destroyed blood sugar levels cannot be regulated by the body so insulin has to be injected into the body to perform this function.

Type 1 diabetes lasts for life and insulin replacement therapy must continue throughout. It is thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause type 1 diabetes. People are thought to inherit genes that will tell the body to destroy beta cells. This, combined with exposure to poor diets, air pollution or poor quality environments could cause the disease to occur. Research continues.

Type 2 diabetes, sometimes known as adult onset diabetes because it was thought to occur in later life (although this is changing) is caused by insulin resistance. The beta cells in the pancreas continue to produce insulin but the body needs more insulin than secreted to process the glucose or the insulin is less effective in converting glucose into glycogen and thus reducing the blood sugar level.

Again, it is not completely clear why Type 2 diabetes occurs but being overweight is a common condition of most Type 2 diabetic people. The common assumption is that a lifestyle of eating unhealthy foods and not taking regular or adequate exercise could contribute to causing this disease.

It is believed that hereditary genes may predispose a person to acquire Type 2 diabetes but most advice on avoiding this condition is to lose weight, eat healthily and do more exercise.
Gestational diabetes is acquired during pregnancy and is a consequence of hormonal changes in the body during the pregnancy and, again, hereditary genes. Gestational diabetes generally stops after childbirth.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the 3 types of diabetes. It is estimated that 90% of diabetics suffer from this form of the ailment. It also seems that there is more data on how to avoid and prevent this condition than any of the others. Exercising more regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet can significantly reduce the chances of contracting the disease. If you already have it, exercise and healthy eating can make it less intrusive to your lifestyle.