Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms Mellitus Signs Type 1 Tips 2008 How to

Follow the 2,000 Calorie Diabetic Diet

2008-06-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

A 2,000 calorie diet is a good excellent for a diabetic who wants to elude a lot of load. Because it is not careful to cut down calorie intake too drastically at once, you can ensue a daily 2,000 calorie diet as a first stair in dipping your food consumption. For those just tiresome to assert weight, this number should eventually be cut down to 1,500 to 1,800 (women and men, respectively). Divide your 2,000 calorie diabetic diet into 3 meals and 2 to 3 munchies per day. This is an best excellent for a diabetic, as it helps adjust blood baby and speeds up the metabolism, increasing energy and allowing the body to burn calories more consistently. Learn about helping sizes. You can do this by reaching the website of the FDA or a more definite spot, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (see Resources below). For example, a tablespoon is about the magnitude of your thumb, while a deck of cards epitomize 3 ounces.

Eat 2 carbohydrates (such as undivided wheat toast or darling-open cereal), 2 proteins (soar milk, nonfat sweetie-unbound yogurt or knotted eggs) and a vegetable (you can try adding chopped veggies to omelets, for example). If you want to eat fruits in the morning, make clearly you each substitute them for one of the carbohydrates or add more protein to your diet, so the darling balances out. Eat a small serving of carbs (such as saltine crackers or peanuts) with fat or protein (peanut butter, cheese or a few olives) as a snack between the large meals of the day. This will keep your blood baby establized and help you add more calories to the compute day tally. Follow breakfast with an akin dine and feast. Make effective you always eat protein, fat and carbs in each meal, but condense the total of carbohydrates at dinnertime (2 servings at lunchtime, 1 at night), since you indigence the extra energy at the end of the day. Add at slightest 3 vegetable servings to each meal by drinking salads, adding veggies to sauces and mixes or choosing raw veggies as appetizers.

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How to Prevent Diabetes Care and Treatment best tips

2008-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Lifestyle changes that you can make to help averting diabetes and slash blood sugars. Determine if you want to elude loading with a BMI chart. If your BMI is greater than 25, you could gain from influence failure. As little as 5-7% import pasting or typically 10-15 pounds is enough to shock seeing some changes in wellbeing.

Eat breakfast inside 1 hour of getting up in the morning. Then try to eat a meal or snack every 4-5 hours, avoid untaken a long time without ingestion. The helps to keep blood sugars height and foil overeating. Weight string or do power-resistance exercises most living of the week (5 or more). Muscle cells claim for fuel and, hence help to speed up your metabolism. Muscles also heighten insulin sensitivity, and then help to reduce blood sweetie. Increase food stranded contents of your foods. Aim for at least 25 grams of dietary roughage per day. The norm American eats about 11 grams of filament daily. Fiber helps to stupid down how briefly food curve into blood baby. Studies also suggest integrity can sink cholesterol, junior blood heaviness, and lessen credence.

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Diabetic Weight This Overweight Person Isn't me

2008-04-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Forget "controlling." You would like to lose this awful weight, get off all the meds, and get the blood sugar readings down. What you do know, is that you can lose weight. This overweight person is not you. You feel that you can take your life back this way. For many of our friends, diabetes often times started with a life-altering event: A broken body part, bad knees, an illness, a new job or just crossing 50 years old. Next comes this horrible cycle to overweight, and higher and higher blood sugar readings and yet more weight.

People tell me:
The meds make them gain weight
The high blood sugar level makes them weight gain
The 'Supermarket food' of today is no help

The American Diabetes Association says this doesn't have to happen to you. Your doctor will confirm that just by losing weight, you'll reduce, even reverse the ravages of diabetes. Now start to eat healthier and a little exercise and look out. But most physicians just don't understand you in person, and what can effectively help you to reduce your weight.

Where to start? Education, education and education. Educate your self about what is the best diabetic diet for you. Pick an activity (exercise) that works for you. Become a doctor's worst nightmare, the educated "Google Patient" some one who is full of information and questions. Osteopathic physicians like Dr. Mercola (mercola.com) say, "Not only is type 2 diabetes completely preventable, but it is virtually curable for anyone who is willing to put in the hard time and work and recovering their insulin and leptin sensitivity." Clearly we are talking about simple but serious life style changes. These changes are as simple as learning to select and eat healthy foods, maintaining the optimal weight for you and adding some good exercise to your weekly routine.

Get help with the journey to Defeat Diabetes Those successfully diabetics that moved beyond just control of the symptoms, and into actually reverse their Type 2 condition used more than weight, diet and exercise. They rely on a support network of friends and families. Use positive reinforcement to stay on track. Overcome temptation with willpower and perseverance. It's a balancing act between your mind, body and soul. To stay focused on your goals, you need to find that balance. There are a number of natural supplements that are supported by clinical research that might help you take off weight, and support normalizing blood sugar levels. When you are successful, you will be able to reduce or eliminate your meds, (always with the counsel of your medical practitioner.)

Herbs Vitamins Supplements Useful In Treatment Of Diabetes

2008-04-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

There are many natural herbs, vitamins, and supplements that can be used in the treatment of diabetes - here are eight of the more popular ones.

Garlic Garlic has been shown in many studies to lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. It is believed that the anti-oxidant, allicin, which is found in garlic is responsible for these benefits.

Cinnamon Research suggests that as little as 1 gram of cinnamon a day may lower both blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels.

Bitter Melon Both the fruit and the seeds in bitter melon are known to decrease blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is believed that bitter melon increases blood glucose uptake into the liver and muscles.

Chromium Chromium is also thought to help diabetics control blood sugar levels however evidence is mixed. Chromium is found in cheese, peanuts, apples, oranges, pineapple, most leafy vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, and grains.

Zinc Low zinc levels has been found to impair the production of insulin by beta cells in the pancreas. Zinc is found in grains, nuts, dairy food, pumpkin seeds, red meat, poultry, and seafood.

Thiamine Thiamine or Vitamin B1 is known to prevent many of the common side-effects of diabetes. It helps reduce neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney damage, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and damage to the eyes. Rich sources of thiamine include green peas, pork, beef, spinach, nuts, bananas, and whole-grains.

Biotin Studies have shown that supplementation with biotin, also known as Vitamin B7 or H, can significantly reduce a persons fasting blood glucose levels. Rich sources of biotin include eggs, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and organ meats such as liver and kidneys.

Infectious Diabetes and Obesity New Genetically Engineered Plague?

2008-04-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

The following vital information is, frankly, frightening, as it means that we have entered into a new world of disease never before imagined. This is not a conspiracy theory. When you read what follows, you will understand why this issue may already be known by a select few, but kept from the public domain. The issue has to deal with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Over the last several decades, obesity and diabetes have become epidemic. Children, adults, poor people, wealthy people, Americans, Africans - all over the world people are becoming obese and developing diabetes. We are concerned that the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes may be caused by a new problem, never before considered because it never before existed. Of course, when you think of the cultural/lifestyle causes of obesity and diabetes, the answer quickly comes that these people need to eat less and exercise more. Our lifestyles have become sedentary, and people have become more spectators, and less doers. And catering to this "market" is a large supply of dietary products, weight loss methods, and pharmaceuticals, like insulin.

It is this insulin that plays a key role in the new crisis. Insulin, of course, is a hormone. It is active in very minute concentrations. All hormones are chemical messengers and facilitators that allow our body's organs to keep integrated and modulated as they perform their vital functions. Insulin is a very important hormone, responsible for getting sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream absorbed by the cells, which need the sugar for energy. The cells have receptors for insulin on their cell membranes, which act as "locks" for which the insulin is the "key", turning on the cell to take up the life-supporting sugar. Without the effect of insulin, the cells would not be able to drink up the sugar from the bloodstream, and would starve. The blood "spills" the sugar out in the kidneys, and into the urine. This condition of reduced insulin activity and sugar in the urine is called diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a rarer form of the disease, in which the pancreas, the organ that manufacturers and releases insulin into the bloodstream, reduces or stops its insulin production. These people can die without insulin being provided in drug form. Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90% of diabetes cases, and is typically associated with overeating and obesity. It is often cured by dietary and other lifestyle changes. However, not all people recover. There are also other conditions that can lead to obesity and diabetes. One is having too much insulin. If you have too much insulin in your bloodstream, it will cause your cells to take up so much sugar that it lowers your blood sugar level, a condition called hypoglycemia. This makes you hungry, so you would eat more to raise you sugar level back up. But the high insulin quickly sends that new sugar into the cells for storage as well, along with water to help keep the sugar in solution. This makes the cells swell, as well as make fat cells convert the sugar into more fat, ultimately leading to obesity. Since the cells also become less sensitive to insulin because of the high levels, it also causes diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia, then, causes obesity and diabetes. This condition is also epidemic, and parallels the current diabetes and obesity trends. More and more people are developing these problems every day, at an alarming rate. It is as though diabetes and obesity were contagious, spreading from person to person, like some germ plague.

Diabetic Recipes Most Appeal to Your Tastes

2008-04-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Although many people diagnosed with diabetes initially worry about the future, there is no reason why with a properly regulated diet, they cannot enjoy a good healthy life. As with many things that are good for you in life, there is a payback and diabetes is no different, and it will be necessary to alter the foods you may be used too. To start with you will need to sort out your own diabetic diet plan using diabetic recipes that most appeal to your tastes. One of the hardest things to do will be to stick with your diabetic diet to shed those unnecessary pounds as maintaining your weight is extremely important when you're a diabetic. One of the best ways to follow a diabetic diet is to eat foods that are from all of the four basic food groups.

For a diabetic, eating healthily and sticking to their diabetic diet plan means that they will usually lower the chances of heart disease and stroke which are two complications associated with their condition. A diabetic diet using specially formulated diabetic recipes which are essentially a healthy, low-fat, balanced eating plan that helps the patient feel better and more energetic, and achieve some control over the symptoms like fatigue, thirst, blurred vision. A healthy diabetic menu is concerned with eating a balanced diet of non-fat dairy foods, lean meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, fruit, vegetables and beans. In diabetic, low-carb diets, the foods that are approved are meats, fish, poultry, eggs and cheese and certain vegetables like kidney beans, carrots, avocados. Diabetic recipes should include foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as skinless poultry, fresh fruit, and vegetables as previously mentioned.

Weighing your food when you're on a diabetic diet is as important as the foods you consume, so that you receive the correct amount of calories. Using the food labels in the supermarkets will also become second nature when you are preparing your diabetic recipes as they contain useful information, usually based on a diet of 2,000 calories per day. If you have been prescribed 2,000 calories per day on your diabetic diet plan then for breakfast you may be allowed some sugar free yoghurt or skimmed milktwo slices of bread or alternatively pasta or rice cakes plus an egg and some fruit. However, if a lower 1,800 calorie per day has been advised for your diabetic diet plan then your diabetic recipes book might suggest something like a cup of skimmed milk, a tablespoon of cheese, a couple of slices of bread and a serving of fruit.

Weight Loss For Diabetics Using Proper Diet & Healthy Chocolate

2008-04-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

Do you love chocolate but struggle with weight and blood sugar problems? Approximately 18 million people in the United States have diabetes, and the majority struggle with their diet. Diabetes occurs when the insulin (produced by the pancreas) does not effectively transport glucose (sugar from of the food you eat). into your bodies cells. Your cells utilize glucose as an energy source necessary for living. When the glucose remains in the bloodstream, it causes your blood sugar levels to escalate. If left untreated, high blood glucose (sugar) levels can result in complications that affect your vision, heart, kidneys and circulation. Research has shown that proper diet, weight, and exercise are effective tools to delay or prevent the onset, or slow the the course of diabetes in many individuals.

Does chocolate have a place on your plate when you have diabetes? The answer is a qualified yes: there is room for healthy chocolate as long as you keep your calories under control. In fact, eating healthy cacao (dark chocolate) could be the first step to a whole new you. It is often more difficult to loose weight when struggling with diabetes especially for those who are limited in their physical activity. Cutting calories and eliminating sweets can get discouraging. It is easy to give up on losing weight and simply return to old eating habits while relying on insulin to balance out sugar levels. Including a healthy chocolate dessert or treat into a diet on a daily basis can drastically improve, not just the physical diet plan, but the emotional benefits that also play an important role in a diabetic life style. Chocolate is a known "Happy Feelings" food; however, it is very important to consume the RIGHT kind of chocolate. Just because the chocolate package says "sugarless" does not mean it is good for your body. The saying "We Are What We Eat" holds true when trying to keep our bodies healthy. A fun way for diabetics to get the nutrition they need is by eating what researchers call healthy or all natural chocolate. The cacao bean or dark chocolate, when processed properly, is at the top of the list of super foods. All Natural Chocolate:

* Is packed with protective Antioxidants
* Is shown by research to be good for your body
* Can aid the Cardiovascular System (healthy heart)
* Can help moderate Blood Pressure
* Can help lower LDL Cholesterol
* Does not have a negative effect on Blood Sugar levels
* Elevates Mood - contains Serotonin (natural anti-depressant)

Cure For Type 2 Diabetes

2008-04-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Now that type 2 has gone beyond the level of mere concern for people with obesity and has crept into the everyday domain of people who at first glance seem fairly healthy, re education against this terrible affliction is a must. Type 2 diabetes is here in record numbers and is now an epidemic. Only a few decades ago, the statistics for people suffering from type 2 or adult onset diabetes was tiny, records vary but somewhere in the region of 1 in every 100000 seemed to be the general consensus. Fast forward a few decades and the numbers are a little insane to say the least, again records vary but somewhere in the region of 1 in 20 are either diagnosed type 2 diabetic or as of yet pre diabetic and unaware - this is a ridiculous jump in figures in such a short space of time and to add an even bigger slant on the above figures - THESE ARE JUST FOR THE U.S!

It is no exaggeration to say that this disease or metabolic disorder, depending on your angle, is probably the biggest growing health problem in the western world. I say western world because a lot of the poorer more under developed countries seem to be practically type 2 diabetic free. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with nutrient devoid junk food after all? Just a theory, one that is consistently crushed by the governing bodies that have the biggest media leverage over this disease. So, getting back to the original question, is there a cure for type 2 diabetes. Well, yes and no. It really is something that any individual suffering from type 2 diabetes, would do well to constantly remind themselves that they will never be cured completely but with proper education, diet, exercise and knowledge of foods to avoid at all cost, then there is no reason you can not go on to live a healthy and productive life, one that will likely be far more healthy than an individual who does not have type 2 diabetes. It all comes down to the right lifestyle choices.

High Blood Sugar Dangers

2008-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Insulin is the hormone that injects blood sugar into your cells giving you instant energy. That is why eating fast acting foods, processed food with added sugar and made with refined flour, spikes the blood sugar. This will cause the body to produce insulin. With the body producing extra insulin, it will cause the blood sugar to drop too low therefore, zapping your energy. When eating fast acting foods such as bagels or doughnuts the body goes into production and produces more insulin. This will cause the blood sugar to drop causing an energy loss. The body responds with mood wings, mental fuzz and memory lapses. This cycle must be repented about every two hours. These highs and lows are not good for the body. High blood sugar causes diabetes and affects the kidneys, nerves, eyes, heart, and brain. It will trigger inflammation which can lead to heart disease and possibly cancer. It also elevates cholesterol and triglycerides. Eating the right foods can help prevent high blood sugar. A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples a day maintained lower blood sugar levels than the women that did not. Women who eat one apple a day are 28% less likely to develop type II diabetes.

Drinking Apple cider vinegar before a meal will help to lower the blood sugar. Water soluble fiber supplements enhance blood sugar control such as guar gum, psyllium, glucomannan, seaweed fibers and fenugreek seed powder or fibers. Keeping the blood sugar level is likely to delay or possibly prevent diabetes. Because gas can be produced while using water soluble fibers, start with a small dose, about one or two grams with meals and before bedtime then gradually increase the dosage to twenty grams. It will take a few days for the digestive system to adapt. Perhaps avoiding these foods will help in controlling your blood sugar:

-Pretzels, cakes, muffins, and pastas
-Cereals, candies and bake goods
-Empty calories foods, chips, microwave pop-corn and other processed package foods
-Margarine, butter and shortening
-Smoked and cured meats such as hot dogs, bacon, sausage and ham. Smoked and cured meats contain sodium nitrate or sodium nitrites. These compounds are used to prevent spoiling and are linked to the risk of type II diabetes.

Diet for Gestational Diabetes

2008-04-11T09:37:00.003-07:00

Approximately 4% of women who are pregnant in the United States will be affected by gestational diabetes. It is a misunderstood disease in that medical research has been unable to pinpoint why women suffer from it during pregnancy only to see it disappear after the baby is born. The stress and increased hormonal activity associated with pregnancy is thought to be a factor but women who are at risk will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes. Expectant mothers who were already diabetic at the time of conception will also need to follow this type of diet. Any woman with gestational diabetes should consult with a registered dietician to help create the proper diet plan for her and her unborn baby. Control of blood sugar levels during pregnancy is of the utmost importance and modification of dietary intake is the best way to accomplish this.

During a pregnancy the goal of the diet for gestational diabetes is to ensure the proper amount of calories and nutrients for the mother and baby while also keeping blood glucose levels under control. The diet itself is individualized to each woman based on her height and weight. Blood glucose levels will also need be tested and measured at least four times a day. This is done to ensure that the woman's blood sugars remain under control through out the day. The frequency of testing can be decreased once good glucose control is established but self monitoring will need to continue through out the pregnancy.

It is important that the meal plan meet the nutritional and weight gain needs of a normal pregnancy. During the first trimester of a normal pregnancy the woman should gain from 2 to 4 pounds. Once the second and third trimester starts the weight gain should average a pound a week. Caloric intake will need to be increased by approximately 100 to 300 calories per day during the second trimester. At the same time protein will need to be increased to 10 grams per day. This can be accomplished by drinking 2 glasses of milk or eating 1 to 2 ounces of meat each day. One of the biggest dangers of inadequate caloric intake is diabetic ketoacidosis. A pregnant woman should never restrict the amount of calories she eats unless so directed by her doctor. The calories she does eat should come from highly nutritious foods and should not be less then 1700 to 1800 per day. Any pregnant woman who is diagnosed with this dangerous disease will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes to ensure the health and well being of her unborn baby.

Recognizing the Signs Of Diabetes Could I have Diabetes?

2008-04-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Many people who have not been diagnosed with Diabetes, or have not been told they are in the 'at risk' category are content to simply leave it at that. They may well be suffering from mild cases of diabetes and their lack of knowledge may be pushing them faster and faster towards a full blown case of Type Two Diabetes. Estimates of the number of Diabetes sufferers in the United State suggest that nearly six million of the 17 million diabetics do not know they have the disease. Diabetes comes in two forms known as Type I and Type II. When the pancreas is completely unable to produce Insulin the diagnosis is Type I diabetes. In type II diabetes the body is still able to produce Insulin, but not in sufficient amounts, or the body cannot process it properly. The classic symptoms of suffering from Diabetes include:

1. Frequent Urination - Because high blood sugar levels increase the rate of bloodflow, urination becomes more frequent.

2. Thirst - As a result of more frequent urination the body becomes dehydrated and more water is required.

3. Hunger - absence of Insulin causes hunger problems. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream and to the cells. This glucose is the primary energy source in cells so when there is a limited supply the result is what we refer to as hunger pains.

4. Loss of weight - While the body is receiving more food and drink it is not properly processing it, so it begins to use stored energy, breaking down body fats and muscles and effectively cannibalizing itself despite the supply of food being fine.

5. Tiredness - Because of decreased cellular energy levels the body becomes fatigued faster leaving the sufferer constantly tired.

6. Depression - Lower energy levels lead to depression and irritability.

7. Eye problems - The higher blood glucose level will cause an increase in blood volume which in turn results in the leans of the eye swelling. The early symptoms are not very severe and in many cases the diabetic is diagnosed when they are seeing their doctors regarding something else. Most are quite surprised with the initial diagnosis of diabetes. To begin with only one or two symptoms are usually noticed but as time goes on more will be apparent. The longer before the initial diagnosis the more damage is being done to the body. Medically, there is no cure to diabetes, but the earlier the diagnosis is made the easier it is to treat the disease with exercise, good eating and medication.

List Of Food For Diabetics To Eat

2008-04-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

A diet low in saturated fat with well controlled blood glucose levels that incorporates weight control, exercise and fewer refined sugars is recommended. Controlling blood glucose levels with diet, and in some cases medication, is the key. To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you take in. In addition, a 1,500-calorie diabetic diet restricts calories and fat. These fruits helps to control blood sugar, levels. Due to their law glycaemic index, they promote a gradual increase in the blood sugar level which is highly beneficial to diabetics.The two most important pieces of information on food labels for a carbohydrate-controlled diet is the serving size and grams of total carbohydrate in each serving. Increasing the number of low glycemic index foods such as legumes, barley, pasta and whole grains (e.g., cracked wheat) in your meal plan may have real benefit in controlling blood glucose levels. Most low glycemic index foods offer more fibre and are low in fat, both of which are recommended in Health Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating, as well as the Canadian Diabetes Association's nutrition guidelines. The best types are wholegrain versions as they help with your diabetes control and can make you feel full for a longer period of time. Chose to spread your bread with a low fat spread or one that is based on monounsaturated fats. The brown bread or salad slows down absorption, so the body can cope with the release of glucose from the digested food.

Among the several home remedies that have proved beneficial in controlling diabetes, perhaps the most important is the use of bitter gourd. It has lately been established that bitter gourd contains a hypoglycaemic or insulin-like principle, designated as 'plantinsulin', which has been found valuable in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. Person suffering with diabetes should not be afraid of fresh fruits and vegetables that contain sugar and starch. Fresh fruits contain sugar fructose, which does not need insulin for its metabolism and is well tolerated by diabetics.One special health benefit of dragon fruit which has been verified by the authors of this web site is the special dragon fruit health benefit that dragon fruit helps to control of glucose blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes (and type 1 diabetes by some reports), in addition to pitaya fruit nutrient profile being full of dietary fiber and Vitamin C. Fresh dragon fruit or dried dragon fruit both are great additions to a healthy diet.

Eat only whole foods cooked in your home - plain vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, eggs and rice. These foods are naturally gluten free and use the same process times as for conventionally canned foods. There should be three to five servings of vegetables, two to three servings of milk, and two to four servings of fruits in your daily diet. You can take meat, poultry, and nuts two times in a day. It is recommended that a small amount of vegetable fat be used on bread, in cooking or in salad dressing. Food should be prepared using methods that are as low in fat as possible. Phenols and polyphenols are found in a wide variety of plants; they give red wine and tea their heart-healthy boosts and are especially prominent in dark-colored fruits and vegetables. There are no magic cures, no magic pills, natural or synthetic, just a simple remedy; control what you eat before you experience the complications associated with diabetes! By sticking to your diet, doing regular exercise and taking your medication (oral tablets or insulin injections), you will be able to control your blood glucose levels, and your weight. A well balanced diabetic diet which is tuned to your needs, will ensure that you feel well and stay healthy.

Diabetes and Your Body

2008-04-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot produce insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy that wee need for day to day activities. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), over 20.8 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, while another 6.2 million people don't even know that they have the disease.

Detecting Diabetes People are tested for diabetes through two types of tests: a fasting plasma glucose test (FPGT) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Both tests are used to determine whether or not a person is predisposed to Diabetes or if the person already has Diabetes. FPG tests that result in blood glucose levels of 126 mg or higher indicate that a person has diabetes. OGT tests that result in blood glucose levels of 200 mg or higher indicate that a person has diabetes.

Types of Diabetes There are several types of diabetes. The most commonly known ones are Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is less common among people and results from the body's failure to produce insulin. Most Americans are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which results from insulin resistance and deficiency. Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This affects approximately 4% of all pregnant women. Usually, it develops when the woman is pregnant due to hormone changes, and after the baby is born, usually goes back to normal. Many people also have what is known as "pre-diabetes," which is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are high but not necessarily high enough for that person to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Prevention If you are at risk for getting diabetes (either it runs in your family or you have pre-diabetes symptoms), then the best way to prevent yourself from being diagnosed is to monitor what you eat as well as stay active. Also, healthy lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, increasing exercise and going for regular checkups can greatly reduce your chances of getting diabetes.

Diabetes Myths Must for Every Diabetic to Know

2008-04-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

I and food are key components of diabetes care. Diabetics have many doubts and suspicions. It's no surprise that a lot of myths in diabetes revolve around these two topics. In this article I have tried to clear these myths so that more and more diabetics have the true knowledge to for better management.

Myth No.1> No Symptoms of Diabetes Appear before Damage Has Occurred Diabetes is sometimes called "the Silent Disease," but this is not true. Diabetes actually has plenty of symptoms like increased urination, increased thirst, dry skin, fatigue, blurry vision, irritability, extreme hunger, eating without weight gain, unexpected and unusual weight loss, these symptoms aren't severe, so they often go unnoticed by parents and caretakers.Put simply, it's hard to accept the fact that there's something seriously wrong with body.

Myth No.2> Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Are the Same Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes share some common characteristics but they are hardly the same disease. They differ in the following ways: Type 1 is a genetic tendency plus a virus. These patients have an absolute lack of insulin and most cases occur in childhood. Type 1 can't be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Most patients are thin.

The cause of Type 2 is heredity plus obesity plus a sedentary lifestyle. These patients have insulin resistance and it mostly occurs after age 35.It can be controlled with diet and exercise alone. Patients are generally (but not always) fat.

Myth No.3> You Can't Eat Sugar with Type 1 Diabetes Today, there are probably more types of insulin available than are needed. A little injected insulin can take care of lots of sugar or other carbohydrates.A corollary to this myth is that diabetes caused by consuming too many sweets. Doctors have a pretty good idea of the cause of diabetes, and sweets have nothing to do with it.

Myth No.4> You Have to Eat Special Foods When You Have Diabetes With diabetes, there's no advantage to eating special diabetic foods. It's difficult enough to deal with all the requirements for good diabetes care to have to eat boring tasteless foods! Food is one of life's great pleasures. Diabetics can have excellent glucose control with regular food so long as you account for the carbohydrate in it.

Myth No.5> If You Take Insulin, You Must Have Type 1 Diabetes In Type 1, insulin is an essential part of diabetes care because the disease is characterized by a total lack of insulin in the body. On the other hand, in Type 2, insulin is a tool to get the blood glucose to a level at which diet and exercise can work. Type 2 is a lifestyle disease, not a disease of lack of insulin. When someone with Type 2 improves his diet, exercise regimen, and weight, he can manage Type 2 without insulin.

Myth No.6> Insulin Causes Atherosclerosis The fact is that insulin actually causes a decline in atherosclerosis by reversing the processes that lead to elevated blood glucose levels and elevated fatty acids in the blood.

Myth No.7> Insulin Cures Type 1 Diabetes Many myths concern great new cures for Type 1 with this medication or that medication. Ignore them. At the present time, no single medication can cure Type 1 diabetes.

Myth No.8> Women with Diabetes Shouldn't Get Pregnant The woman with diabetes who's even thinking about a pregnancy must improve her glucose control so that she has HbA1c below 7 percent before she conceives. She also must keep her blood glucose below 90 mg/dl before a meal and below 120 mg/dl an hour after the meal throughout the pregnancy.

Myth No.9> Doctors Are Hiding the Cure for Diabetes So They Can Make More Money There's nothing further from the truth than this myth. Scientists are a highly competitive bunch. None of them is holding back a diabetes cure because they can feel the others breathing down their necks! Thousands of hard-working doctors and other scientists have dedicated their lives to finding a cure for diabetes.

Diabetes Exercise Prescription

2008-04-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

The exercise prescription involves four things: (1) the activity you choose, (2) the frequency with which you participate in it, (3) the intensity of your participation, and (4) the duration of the activity. These choices are based on your physical fitness, as determined by your physician. For the frequency, determine whether you are going to exercise three, four, or more times a week. Aim for a minimum of four times per week. Do not allow more than two days in a row to pass without taking some opportunity to exercise. Start slowly-every other day is recommended. Then add more days as tolerated. The intensity is determined by your target heart rate (the pulse rate above the threshold and below the ceiling). If you are able to sing or talk while you are exercising, then you can assume you are exercising at the proper intensity. Remember the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion? What is the range of your perceived exertion scale?

The older you are, the more slowly you should start the activity. Even starting with as short a time as 3 minutes (or, for the very elderly, just 1 minute) is wise. Gradually increase the time until you reach a goal of 20 to 30 minutes. If your goal is to reduce body fat, you must exercise for 40 minutes or longer. Determine what you can tolerate, then add anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes each week until you have reached your goal. Since there are many types of activities to choose from, you don't need to do the same type of exercise every day. Whatever exercise you choose for a given day, be sure it is done continuously and rhythmically (that is, at the same rate or at varying speeds but without completely stopping), that it involves large muscle groups, and that it is enjoyable! If you are bored with the exercise, do some other type of exercise. Boredom may become an obstacle leading to inactivity. On the other hand, don't overload yourself with activities to the point at which you become burned out. Focus on your goals of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and improved diabetes control and be sure to have fun in the process.
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Diabetes Frequency of Testing Diabetes

2008-04-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Studies in various parts of the country have indicated that the single blood-glucose measurement, done in the physician's office every few weeks or months, is still the most common method of diabetes management in the United States. However, other studies have demonstrated the futility of this type of management, and more and more people are being treated by physicians who weigh the results of self testing of blood glucose (SMBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin of some form (such as HgAic or HgAi), rather than having a single blood-glucose measurement done. The philosophy of obtaining a fasting or postmeal blood-glucose measurement in the doctor's office is that blood glucose is relatively stable and that the measurement obtained thus reflects the level over the past few weeks and predicts the level for the next few weeks. Nothing could be further from the truth. We reviewed a patient's chart recently and found the following office blood sugars at 3-month intervals: 217, 67, 197, 46, and 125 mg/dl.

If management is based on these measurements, the medicine would have been increased at blood sugars of 217 and 197, decreased at 67 and 46, and kept the same at 125. In actual fact, in comparison with the HgA1c the blood-sugar (glucose) averages obtained through self testing were about the same for each visit, indicating that there was no need for any change in the diabetes medication. Blood sugar is constantly changing, so a blood-sugar test in the doctor's office measures the blood sugar only for that moment in time.

The frequency of self-blood testing suggested that testing is different for different clinics. Researchers have shown that the more testing done (and responded to), the better the control and the fewer the complications. Lower blood-glucose levels are found before each meal and at bedtime. Higher blood sugars are found after meals. One hour after a meal, the blood sugar would be higher than 2 hours after a meal. If a person could remember to test for blood-sugar levels on arising and 2 hours after a meal, more information for control would be obtained than if the more easily remembered pre meal and bedtime blood-sugar tests are used. Again, physician preference may guide the person into testing one way or another that is, testing the fasting blood sugar and 2 hours after each meal, or before meals and at bedtime. If the physician does not ask you to do blood-sugar tests at home but does them in the office only, be suspicious that you are not receiving the best of care as recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
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Diabetic Medications Drugs That Are Incompatible

2008-04-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

In addition to adverse consequences from the drugs themselves, many of the drug interactions and resulting bad reactions may be cloaked under a condition you already have. For example, instead of having some bizarre medical reaction, you may have a reaction that is simply a worsening of a condition you already have. For example, it will be hard for a doctor to determine if your diabetes is getting worse because of medication interactions since there are many other reasons diabetes can go out of control. Here is a list of 9of the most common drugs that may have adverse effects on diabetics:

1. Beta blockers: These may reduce the release of insulin. Some examples are Lopressor, Tenormin, and Inderal.
2. Minoxidil: This can raise your blood glucose levels. If you are on insulin and you forget your minoxidil dose, your blood glucose may go too low. If you are not on insulin this may make it hard for you to keep your blood glucose down through lifestyle choices.
3. Thiazide diuretics: These diuretics can cause a loss of potassium, which can lead to rising blood glucose levels. Some examples of Thiazide diuretics are Oretic, Diuril, hydroDiuril, and Zaroxolyn.
4. Classic oral contraceptives: Those using the same oral contraceptives they've used for many years should check to make sure theirs is safe for them to continue taking. While the newer oral contraceptives are mostly safe for diabetics to take, the older oral contraceptives were prone to causing hypoglycemia in those susceptible.
5. Calcium channel blockers: These can reduce insulin secretions from the pancreas. Some examples are Norvasc, Adalat, Isoptin, Calan, and Procardia.
6. Thyroid hormone: This can cause a reduction in insulin secretions from the pancreas.
7. Niacin: This B vitamin helps the body control cholesterol. It can also raise your blood sugar if you're a diabetic.
8. Diphenylhydantoin: Commonly sold under the name Dilantin, this drug is useful in preventing seizures. However, it can block pancreatic insulin release.
9. Corticosteroids: You might not think that a topical cream would affect your blood glucose levels, but corticosteroids taken in this manner can in fact raise your blood glucose levels.
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Managing Diabetes with Diabetic Medical Supplies

2008-04-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

Left untreated diabetes can cause life threatening complications such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and vision issues. There is currently no cure for diabetes but by using proper management techniques built on medications, diet and exercise, and blood glucose monitoring you can see why diabetic medical supplies are so important. A working and well maintained blood glucose monitor is one of the most important pieces of equipment for managing diabetes. With out one of these handy little devices it would be nearly impossible to manage the affects of diabetes. Depending on the type and severity of their disease the diabetic will check their blood glucose levels anywhere from 3 to 7 times a day. Blood glucose meters can be bought at just about any pharmacy but a better way to get one is through an online diabetic medical supply company. Most of these companies will give you one for free when you sign up to use them as your testing supply provider. Because these meters cost between $70 to $100 this can be a significant savings to you. But without a consistent supply of test strips, lancets, and alcohol wipes a blood glucose monitor is of little use.

For the type 1 diabetic insulin is a vitally important part of their treatment routine. Being able to self administer their insulin on a daily basis is one of the most important aspect of diabetes management. There are different ways a diabetic can administer their insulin using everything from insulin syringes, pen and jet injectors, to an insulin pump/infuser that will need to have its needle replaced frequently. Learning to use this equipment will occur under the watchful eye of a Registered Nurse at the doctor's office but once that is done the diabetic is responsible for the maintenance and supply of all the supplies they need. To keep these supplies on hand you used to have to make trips to your local pharmacy once or twice a month. In many cases you would also have to pay out of pocket and submit your receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement. This is no longer the case because there are a number of companies that will provide diabetic medical supplies through direct delivery to your front door. A good diabetic supply company will also work as the intermediary between you, the customer, and the insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid. This means they will fill out and submit the required paper and work with the insurance providers to resolve any problems that may appear. They will also bill the insurance company and Medicare leaving you to pay only any co-pays or deductibles. In most instances you will not have to pay any shipping costs. Once diagnosed with diabetes daily management of this disease is a must it to avoid the dangerous complications it causes and having a reliable source of diabetic medical supplies is an important part of diabetes management puzzle.

Relationship of Diabetes to Other Diseases and Conditions

2008-04-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Relationship of Diabetes to Other Diseases and Conditions The U.S. diabetes epidemic is more dangerous than most people realize. The Center for Disease Control recently indicated that more than 63% of Americans are at risk for diabetes due to a Body Mass Index (BMI) qualifying them as overweight. Diabetes not only causes other conditions and symptoms, but also is linked with kidney and cardiovascular diseases. To prevent complications, it's important to understand the relationship between diabetes and other diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that causes decreased and blurry vision, and eventually blindness. The effect of diabetic retinopathy on vision depends on the stage of the disease. Diabetes' effect on the retina is a severe threat, mostly seen in elderly sufferers. People with diabetes also tend to experience long-term effects on the circulatory system. As diabetes progresses, the arteries in the retina weaken and form hemorrhages. In later stages of the disease, circulation problems cause areas of the eye to become oxygen-deprived. Consequently, new vessels develop that hemorrhage easily, and blood may leak into the retina as well.

Obesity Obesity and diabetes are scientifically proven to be directly linked. In fact, obesity is a direct cause of Type II Diabetes. Obesity is dangerous because an excessive proportion of body fat causes elevated blood glucose levels. The human body manufactures insulin after every meal to alert cells that higher levels of glucose are on the way. Type II Diabetes sufferers lack the ability to use this insulin hormone. And when insulin isn't used properly, the body can't digest food correctly, hence increasing the risk of additional weight gain, as well as diabetes.

Kidney Disease/Kidney Failure Diabetes affects many parts of the body. According to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetic kidney disease results from injured small blood vessels in the body. When blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly. At this point, the human body retains more water and salt than it should (which results in weight gain and ankle swelling). In addition, protein appears in the urine and waste materials accumulate in the blood. In addition, Type II Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can result in urination problems. The pressure resulting from a full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. When urine remains in the bladder for too long, the high levels of sugar can cause the rapid growth of bacteria, resulting in an infection.

Heart Disease & Stroke The American Diabetes Association says two-thirds of people with Type II Diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. As such, diabetes and heart disease work in tandem - and people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. A person with diabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels. These high blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body, including blood vessels. Heart disease is a direct result of narrowed or blocked blood vessels that lead to the heart. Hence, increased blood sugar levels, common with Type II Diabetes sufferers, causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Breast Cancer Scientists have investigated the possible relationship between breast cancer and diabetes and suggested that high levels of insulin increases the risk of breast cancer. Since many factors, such as obesity, increase the risk of both breast cancer and diabetes, it's been difficult for scientists to determine if diabetes itself is the issue. However, research indicates that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One recent study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer, even among pre-menopausal women. In addition, significant weight gain (more than 55 lbs. since age 18, or 22 lbs. after menopause) acts as a catalyst in causing diabetes - and can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Sweet Treatment From Ayurveda For Diabetes

2008-04-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ayurvedic management of Diabetes depends on the strength of patient and type of diabetes he/she has. But some generalized management are mentioned below. If the patient has sufficient strength panchakarma treatment can be started with snehana followed by vamana and virechana. Virechana can be repeated frequently. Dhanwantharam Gritham is apt for snehanam. Pizhichil is good for a week. Takradhara can also yield good results. Internal medicines that can be used are katakakhadiradi kashayam, aragvadhadi kashayam, nisadi kashayam, mehari dravakam. Apart from these ayaskriti and lodhrasavam are good.

Mehasamhari gulika, brihantmehantaka gulika, niruryadi gulika, svetagaunjadi gulika, haldi (turmeric), amalaki (gooseberry) choorna, nyagrodadhi churna, nisosiradi tailam,or eladi tailam can be added to the kashayams as the case may be. Shilajit, vasntakusumakara rasa, nag bhasma, vanga bhasma, and chandraprabha vati can be used favorably. Hyponidd tablets, Diabecon tablets, Mehanil tablets, Glucova, Nishakatakadi qwath tablet can be used on regular basis. Sugar in any form like rice, especially from fresh grains, potato, banana, and other such cereals and fruits are to be avoided. Fat intake should also be avoided. Tamarid and salt intake should be minimal. All bitter things are of help in general. Vegetables like bitter gourd, drumstick, patola(sponge gourd), okra (ladies finger) are good. So is neem (Azadirachta indica) and bilva (Aegle marmelos). It is also advised to decrease all food intakes by three quarters of normal. Wheat, barely and all millets are good. Some cases recover fully just with exclusively meat diet. Don't use polished grains as bryan is good for diabetes. Shadangapaniyam or water boiled with ekanayakam (Salacia reticulate) is excellent to quench thirst in diabetics. Exercise within limits is advisable, yogic exercise, particularly matsyendra asanam is useful. Sleep during daytime, sex, not resting after food intake and excessive labour is to be avoided.

Diabetic Bracelet Could Save Your Life

2008-04-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

More and more people are learning that a diabetic bracelet can indeed be life-saving in the long run. Millions of individuals in America and the world are suffering from diabetes with different manifestations and experiences everyday. It is only a matter of time before they find themselves in a deep predicament in which they can only rely on simple but informative bracelets.

The Diabetic Bracelet Advantage The most useful and important aspect of your diabetic bracelet is the information that it holds. First and foremost, the bracelet will include text or a tag indicating that you are diabetic plus other information such as your name, address and age. You may also want to add other details like a contact person or number, your normal blood sugar count and blood type. These can come in very handy especially for medical professionals attending to you during emergencies. When blood sugar levels become abnormally high or low, patients can be incapacitated or simply blackout anytime and anywhere. Only the bracelets can provide relevant information that can help save their lives. Other people in the area can immediately respond to the dire situation by using the data included in the diabetic bracelet.

Function and Fashion Diabetic bracelets come in various designs and use different materials as well. The most common versions are the rubber or silicone wristbands with debossed text. These come in different solid and mixed colors as preferred by the individuals. Non-diabetics are frequently seen wearing these bands to show their support and concern for the cause. You will find encouraging messages and text imprinted, debossed or embossed on the surface such as "Live Strong, Hope, Believe, etc." Since other diabetic patients do not fully like the idea of being tagged or labeled as a sufferer, there are more fancy and beautiful designs that both serve as a functional and fashionable piece. You can find diabetic jewelry using 14 to 22-karat gold, silver, sterling silver and other expensive metals. These bracelets may also include charms and adorned with beads, semi-precious stones and crystals according to the specifications and customizations of the wearer. Still, these pieces include vital information that will save their life during unexpected diabetic bouts. Prices for rubber and silicone versions are as low as $1.50 to $3 while jewelry costs $21 up to $300.

When Investing in a Diabetic Bracelet Try to look for a design that you can comfortably wear in almost any occasion. Plain silver designs match both casual and formal attires. Waterproof bracelets are also good so that you don't have to take them off while going to the shower. It is advised that you wear the diabetic bracelet at all times so that you'll always be prepared for any untoward accident. Always check the latch or lock that it is functioning well to avoid breakage or accidentally losing the piece. Ensure that the size is also just right so that it doesn't easily fall off or snap should you fall or blackout. The ideal size would allow one finger to slide between your wrist and the bracelet. Choose the information you wish to include in your diabetic bracelet. If you're planning to invest in jewelry, a simple text saying "Diabetic" may be enough but of course you can add more to prioritize function over style.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms To Look Out For

2008-04-01T12:47:00.002-07:00

People who have a family history of diabetes as well as diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a condition wherein the body, over time, becomes resistant to insulin. This results to increased levels of blood sugar. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone. Insulin levels go up or down depending on how much glucose is present in the body. In general, insulin levels go up after eating, and go down when the stomach is empty. Insulin's primary function is to move glucose from the digestive system to the different parts of the body. If there is too much glucose in your body, the extra glucose is moved to the liver, where it is stored until the body becomes low on glucose. In essence, the pancreas, insulin, glucose and liver are all working together to achieve a highly complex balancing act. One of two things happen to people with type 2 diabetes. Either their pancreas stops producing enough insulin that the body needs or their body becomes resistant to insulin. In both occurrences, the result is the same: high blood sugar levels. One symptom of type 2 diabetes that is often overlooked is extreme fatigue. The most logical reason for this is that extreme fatigue is a very general symptom; people, including those who don't have type 2 diabetes can experience extreme fatigue. Extreme fatigue is often seen in people who are leading a hectic lifestyle, not getting adequate sleep and rest, and constantly under stress. However, it is best to consult a doctor if extreme fatigue appears to not be caused by lifestyle, sleep or stress. Another symptom of type 2 diabetes is drastic weight gain or weight loss. People who start eating more are likely to gain weight. As the weight goes up, excess fat gets stored up and can make the body even more resistant to insulin. However, there are people who lose weight despite eating more. The weight loss is a result of the muscles not being able to be supplied with the glucose it needs in order to exert energy.

Another symptom of type 2 diabetes is blurry vision. The blurriness happens because fluid from the tissues, including the lenses in the eyes, are pulled away when blood sugar levels are high. This makes it hard to focus the vision. It has been found that a number of vision problems are corrected once diabetes is treated. If the diabetes is left untreated, however, the blurriness could progress to blindness. People who frequently have infections or whose infections and wounds are slow to heal may have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes has been found to slow down the healing process. In addition, frequent yeast infections are often an indication of type 2 diabetes. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes include redness, swelling and inflammation of the gums. It is recommended that you talk to a doctor if any of these symptoms of type 2 diabetes becomes apparent. If left untreated, diabetes could cause the gums could become infected. The sooner that type 2 diabetes is detected, the sooner you can be on your way to becoming healthy again.

Medical Insurance For Diabetics

2008-03-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

While health insurance is important for everyone, it is extremely important to have medical insurance for diabetics. With regular visits to the doctor, lab tests, blood testing strips and medications, diabetics have constant costs related to their disease. These measures are important to keep the disease under control. Besides keeping the disease under control, diabetics are at risk for complications arising. Unfortunately for diabetics and others with chronic conditions, in most states, insurance companies can screen applicants and turn down those with pre-existing conditions. This happens frequently with diabetics. An alternative way to get medical insurance for diabetics is to get on a group insurance plan through work if one is available. These group plans must accept people with pre-existing conditions. If there is no group plan available at work, all is not lost, however. Some professions can buy into group plans. If you work in real estate, information technology or construction, you have an opportunity to buy into a group plan through those industries.

There are also limited benefit plans available to diabetics younger than 65 years of age. Shop around to find the best plan you can, as these mini plans vary greatly. Another option for medical insurance for diabetics might be to purchase critical illness insurance. Ask the insurance salesmen in your area... most will work with at least a few carriers who have some plans available that will cover diabetics. Be sure you are up front about any health problems you have... it won't help you to be accepted for coverage only to have it canceled because you lied or omitted something in your health history. Even if you are accepted, there will probably be a waiting period since diabetes is a pre-existing condition. While this seems to be very unfair, it is alas, common practice. If all else fails, there may be state programs that you can use to get medical coverage. The government needs to know the insurance industry is failing to provide for a large portion of the population... 7% of the population are afflicted with diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association did a study of 850 people spread across all 50 states. They discovered that these people had difficulty getting and keeping affordable health insurance because of their diabetes. They discovered that insurance companies consider diabetics "uninsurable," when in reality, they just don't want to incur the cost of paying for the needs of diabetics. Medical insurance for diabetics is difficult to get, and may be difficult to maintain. But don't give up hope. You may get some relief on costs by using a free or low-cost clinic in the meantime. A lot of doctors who work at clinics like this are very caring, and are doing it because they truly want to help people. If you find after an extensive search that you cannot find any medical insurance for diabetics, contact your congressman. They may be able to help by pulling a few strings or making the issue an embarrassment to the insurance companies, in which case, it could benefit many diabetics besides you.
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Brittle Diabetes Treatment Challenge In Many Ways

2008-03-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

Brittle diabetes treatment is fully discussed in the Annals of Endocrinology published in Paris. Lille University Hospital's Endocrinology and Metabolism Department reported this under the title Management Strategies for Brittle Diabetes. With the advent of SMBG (self monitoring of blood glucose), the term brittle diabetes treatment is not often heard although we still know it as the roller coaster swings of the blood glucose level. Although now rare, the few with type 1 diabetes have to live with this condition. That said, it is not the end of the world; it is just a challenge one has to meet. The key to achieving a blood glucose level to as normal target as possible without severe hypoglycemia is lifestyle. It is all about consistency in lifestyle, in carbohydrate intake, and insulin injections and exercise. If all the aforementioned are constant, chances are the blood sugar level will be stable. While brittle diabetes and so its treatment is sometimes not attended to except for hypoglycemia, some people's bodies have exaggerated reaction to food, exercise, insulin and stress no matter how consistent they are in their effort to stabilize the blood glucose level so let us do some detective work. Find out how the body reacts to any of the following:

* Insulin dose: Is the amount accurate? Too much at one time takes different quantity of time to work. Will the use of insulin pump help? This will solve the dosage challenge as it delivers the spread out over time.
* Site of injection: The most consistent rate of absorption is from the abdomen.
* Depth of injection: Does the injection target the same depth every time?
* Time of injection: Is the insulin given enough time to work before eating?
* Hypoglycemia: Recurring events of this could prevent the insulin from doing its work.
* Dehydration: Constant high blood glucose levels could drain the body of fluids and this in turn will make it hard for the insulin to go into tissues.
* Neuropathy: Nerve damage affects food absorption, slows digestion and may lead to diarrhea.

It is wise to find a health care team that specializes in diabetes. Their years of experience will be a benefit to those who suffer from the erratic blood sugar readings. Their experience will show the way through all the factors to consider when dealing with brittle diabetes and its treatment. As far as emergencies with this condition are concerned, they are insulin shock, coma from increased blood acids, and coma due to high blood sugar. If on insulin shock or hypoglycemia, give the person some sort of carbohydrate or sugar. If he becomes unconscious, seek medical help immediately. If unsure whether one's impaired condition is due to insulin shock or increased blood acids, give sugar by mouth. If within a few minutes there is no improvement, call for emergency medical help. If the person is impaired due to high blood sugar, seek emergency help. To prevent coma among the diabetics, make sure they drink lots of water and treat the early signs.
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What Are the Different Types of Diabetes?

2008-03-31T13:20:00.000-07:00

There are two different types of diabetes; Type I and Type II. Type I Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and very young adults. Type I Diabetes differs from Type II in that a person with Type I Diabetes does not produce insulin at all and insulin is needed to take sugar from the blood into the cells. Type I diabetes years ago used to be called Juvenile Diabetes as it was diagnosed in children at early ages. The symptoms of Type I and Type II Diabetes are very similar, frequent urination, frequent thirst, excessive hunger are three of the most common symptoms. A person with Type I Diabetes must be on insulin for the rest of his or her life. This does not mean that they cannot lead a long, productive life. In fact, people who are diagnosed young in life become accustomed to the treatment and are generally more compliant than those who are diagnosed with Type II diabetes later in life and who tend to ignore many treatment options. Years ago, a child who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes had to inject himself every day with insulin to remain alive. Today, however, insulin pumps are available that make daily injections a thing of the past. A person with Type I diabetes, as is the case with those with Type II diabetes, has to watch their diet and avoid certain foods high in sugar and starch. In 1981, the Glycemic Index was developed at the University of Toronto that rated those foods diabetics should avoid on a scale system. Some foods were very high on the scale and took a longer time to process in the system, causing more strain on the kidneys and adverse affects on insulin. Other foods were low on the scale and digested at a slower pace. For years, it was commonly assumed that sweets were the cause of diabetes and that these were the only foods to be avoided. With the advent of the Glycemic Index as well as other medical studies, it became apparent that sweets were not the only foods to avoid. As a matter of fact, a baked potato, often seen as a nutritional substance, is actually more harmful than a candy bar to a diabetic.

Carbohydrates are the bane to diabetics, and this is the food group rated on the Glycemic Index. People with Type I and Type II diabetes must limit their intake of carbohydrates. Certain carbohydrates, those rated low on the Glycemic Index, can be taken in smaller quantities. Those on the high scale should be avoided at all cost. People with Type II diabetes are generally diagnosed later in life. This condition often effects older people and those who are obese. The incidents of Type II diabetes has mirrored incidents of obesity in the United States and most in the medical community agree that there is a clear link to obesity and the development of this disease. People with Type II diabetes do not process enough insulin to break down the glucose in their system and cause their kidneys to work overtime in getting rid of the waste. While some people with Type II diabetes are prescribed insulin, most are started on a regiment of medication and a good low GI diet and more exercise. Physicians generally hope that by taking medication as prescribed, exercising, eating the right foods and monitoring their blood glucose levels, they can avoid the use of insulin. In many cases, patients are very successful at maintaining good blood sugar levels by modifying their diet, exercising and losing weight. Others who are not successful usually end up taking insulin. As with both Type I and Type II diabetes, there are complications. These complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease and skin disorders can be avoided if patients comply with the instructions of their physician, learn about their disease and do all they can to manage it. Diabetes is far from a death sentence. With proper maintenance, those with Type I and Type II diabetes can live long and happy lives.
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Important Diabetes Information To Know

2008-03-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is one of the health problems that people from all over the world are having to deal with. In the United States alone, about 20.8 million children and adults have diabetes, and that number continues to grow with each passing day. Although it is not clear as to what exactly causes diabetes, what is clear is that obesity and lack of exercise can increase a person's risk of developing diabetes. In order to function, the body needs some kind of fuel in the same way that cars need gasoline in order for it to run. The "gasoline" that our body needs in order to for it to function is called glucose. Without glucose, our body will cease to function. Every part of our body, including muscles and major organs, require glucose. When we eat, we supply our body with this fuel. Our body is able to convert sugar into glucose, but glucose is also the result of starches and carbohydrates that have been chemically broken down by the body. We now know that glucose is the fuel that makes our body work smoothly and efficiently. But how exactly does the glucose reach the different muscles, organs and other parts of the body? Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for transporting the glucose to the different parts of the body. When a person is diabetic, his pancreas is unable to create the necessary amount of insulin needed to distribute the glucose. However, a diabetic person may also be able to produce enough insulin but his body is unable to process the glucose carrying insulin properly. Either way, the glucose stays in the bloodstream, resulting to high blood sugar.

There are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin (or their pancreas is only able to produce a little of it). This is why they need daily insulin shots to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes, also referred to as insulin dependent diabetes, often starts at childhood. Type 2 diabetes is diabetes that typically develops during adulthood. People with type 2 diabetes are able to produce insulin but their body is not able to process the insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be managed by proper diet and taking oral medications. Gestational diabetes, as its name implies, is diabetes that develops in women who are pregnant. Gestational diabetes disappears after childbirth. A big risk factor of diabetes is family history. A person whose parent, sibling or relative has a diabetes is more likely to develop diabetes than a person who doesn't have a family history of diabetes. In addition, people who are over 45 years, overweight or obese, have poor diet or have Native American or African American ancestry are also more likely to become diabetics. If you have any of the above mentioned diabetes risk factors, you need to be aware of the symptoms of diabetes. It is recommended that you call your doctor if you notice that your appetite increases, you are often thirsty, you are urinating more than usual, your cuts, burns or infections are healing slowly, you experience more infections and your vision becomes blurry.
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What Doctors Don't Tell Diabetics About Fats And Carbs

2008-03-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

If you recently have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, chances are your nutritional advice has fallen into one of two mutually exclusive categories:
1. Eat fewer carbs. Your body turns almost all carbohydrates into glucose either quickly or slowly, so to get your blood sugar levels down, eat less carbohydrate.
2. Eat more carbs. You have diabetes because you are overfat, so replace the fat in your diet with carbohydrate.

It's enough to make you wonder if doctors and nutritionists really know how to treat diabetes, but there is, despite what you may hear from true believers in one kind of diabetes diet or another, value in both approaches. The idea that diabetics should eat less carbohydrate makes inherent sense. Diabetes is a condition in which either the body is not making enough insulin or insulin does not work effectively. If you are not going to inject insulin or take drugs that sensitize cells to insulin or use medications that force the pancreas to produce more insulin, it makes sense to give your insulin less to do. In type 2 diabetes, at least in the earlier stages, the body can produce insulin slowly, but not fast enough to take care of a "dump" of carbohydrate from a high-carb meal. For these diabetics, it makes sense to eat a different kind of carbohydrate, the more slowly digested carbohydrates associated with low-glycemic index foods like whole grains and vegetables. Even whole grains and vegetables, however, add up, and there are no "freebies." Too many turnips can raise blood sugars as much as too much cake, only much more slowly. But what if you ate almost no carbohydrate at all? Wouldn't this be even better for getting blood sugars down?

There is a growing number of doctors and diabetics finding success with diets that allow 1/10 to 1/5 as much carbohydrate as suggested by the American Diabetes Association. The body still needs insulin to move glucose into cells, because about 23 per cent of the amino acids in high-protein foods are eventually transformed into sugar. The body does not need as much insulin, however, and blood sugars do not swing up and down as they do on high-carb diets, even "good carb" diets. And fats do not turn into blood sugar. The problem comes when diabetics try to mix the two approaches, eating both high-fat and high-carb, or alternating high-fat and high-carb. If you eat a meal that's mostly carbohydrate, the liver will sense raising blood sugar levels and stop converting its stores of glycogen into even more glucose. If you eat a meal that is high in both fat and carbohydrate, the liver will not sense the load of glucose and stop releasing sugar. This is because the liver is "blinded" to glucose levels by the fatty acids released in the digestion of fatty foods. A high-fat meal can cause excess production of glucose by the liver for as long as seventy-two hours. And in those seventy-two hours, elevated levels of sugar in the bloodstream can "turn off" muscle cells in ways that make them less sensitive to insulin the next time the diabetic eats any kind of meal, either high-carb or high-fat.
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Diabetic Food Pyramid Managing Diabetes Through Great Nutrition

2008-03-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

If you're diabetic, no one needs to tell you how important it is to eat properly. That's why the American Diabetes Association developed a special diabetic food pyramid, just to help those of us who have special dietetic needs eat more healthfully. First Step: Portion Control and Timing What you eat when you have diabetes is critically important, but before you start changing what you eat, address when you eat and how much you eat. Follow these rules.
1. Instead of eating three meals a day, try to eat six small ones, focusing on breakfast. Break your meals into breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, supper, bedtime snack. At the very least, make sure you have breakfast first thing in the morning, within an hour of rising.
2. Eat a mixture of carbs and proteins with every meal. Proteins give you quick energy without shooting up your sugar, and carbs give you slower-acting energy. Eating both stabilizes your insulin level from one meal to the next.
3. Learn what proper portion sizes for a serving are, and especially learn what a 3-ounce portion is. We eat portions that are far too large, and no food pyramid will repair simple overeating. This is especially critical if you follow the six-meals-a-day rule above.

Second Step: Follow The Diabetic Food Pyramid The largest part of your caloric intake every day should be starches - grains. But you need to watch which carbs you eat. Avoid anything white - potatoes, white bread, white rice, refined sugars. Whole-wheat alternatives are preferable to anything processed. And of course, avoid sweets. This does not mean you can never have sweets, just that they are a special occasion thing and should never be eaten alone. Eat between 6-11 servings of starches every day. Vegetables are the next critical part of your daily nutrition, between three and five servings daily. Go for fresh vegetables in preference to canned or even frozen, and try to eat a rainbow - orange carrots, purple cabbage, green peppers, red tomatoes. Eat corn and starchy vegetables sparingly, as these are high in carbs. If you must eat canned or frozen veggies, read the package to assure yourself that there's no added sugar. Fruits should also be eaten frequently, 2 to 4 servings per day. Especially if you don't eat acid vegetables like tomatoes, make sure some of it is citrus. As with vegetables, be sure to eat a rainbow, and try to eat fresh fruit. If you must eat preserved, canned and frozen fruit is always better than fruit juice, and be sure you read the package to avoid added sugar.
tags: Diabetes Meals 1500 Diabetic Diet Diabetes Menu Diabetic Meal Diabetic Nutrition Diabetic Foods Food Photography African Food Party Food Basic Food Hygiene Brazil Food Renal Diet Food Shopping Hypoglycemia Diet Food Festival

When Diabetes Strikes Your Child

2008-01-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

Tips for empowering your child to take care of their diabetes.

Treating diabetes in a child can be more challenging than dealing with the disease yourself. Depending on their age and temperament, children vary in their ability -- or desire -- to understand what's happening to them, take care of themselves, and follow your instructions. But you can put your child on the road to responsible self-care with either type 1 (the most common type in children) or type 2 diabetes if you bear these principles in mind:

Toddlers and Preschoolers
Learn to recognize how hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia affect your child's behavior, since she simply doesn't have the words to tell you how she feels herself. Expect some battles over insulin injections and blood-sugar tests around toilet-training time, as your child starts to assert herself more, but stick to your guns to get them done. Don't worry too much if blood sugar ranges between 150 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl (higher than what's recommended for adults): Children need more blood sugar for normal development. Forget trying to control when your child eats. Instead, accept irregular eating patterns and compensate by using shorter-acting insulin when your child does have a bite.

Elementary School Kids
As your child develops physically and mentally, he'll be better able to understand why his treatment is necessary and become more willing to cooperate with its demands. Educate him about how caring for his condition now will protect his health in the future, but don't scare him with the gory details of complications. Tighter blood-sugar control now becomes more important, especially at night, when there's a higher risk of hypoglycemia. Make sure he has a bedtime snack and doesn't skip meals. Encourage him to participate in school and social activities to build friendships, promote self-esteem, and make him feel less different from other kids. Around age eight, your child can probably start taking on some of the responsibility for injections and blood tests himself -- maybe with the daytime help of teachers or classmates, who benefit from the opportunity to learn about diabetes from your child.

Preteens and Adolescents
Control -- over a number of things -- now starts falling into your child's hands. Studies find that tight blood-sugar monitoring as early as age 13 can prevent complications in adulthood, so encourage her to take charge -- but don't expect the thought of future consequences to motivate her too much. Now's not the time to completely let go of the reins: Worries about what other kids think might cause her to skip steps in her care. Make an issue of it, expect an argument -- but be confident that using you as an excuse ("My parents make me do it") can help her do the right thing. Gradually give your child more responsibility as she's able to handle it. By the time she's choosing which college to attend or looking for work, responsibility should pass to her.
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Diabetes Tests You Should Know About

2008-01-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

All the facts about testing for diabetes.
From Looking After Your Each year, more than 80,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes, a disorder in which the body doesn't produce enough insulin (the hormone needed to extract glucose, the body's main source of energy, from the blood) or is resistant to the action of insulin. According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetes is one of the most common and serious chronic diseases in this country. It can be diagnosed early on with a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The sooner you detect diabetes, the more quickly you can treat it and prevent serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.

Who needs it The American Diabetes Association advises all adults to get tested every three years. How it's done Your FPG reading is taken from a blood sample usually drawn in the morning, before you've eaten. If you are having an OGTT, show up with something to read, since the whole exam can take more than two hours. You'll be instructed to fast for eight hours (overnight) before the test and to avoid certain drugs, such as acetaminophen and oral contraceptives, which can affect the results. You'll be asked to drink several ounces of a glucose (sugar) solution, then blood and urine samples will be taken after one hour and again after two hours.

What the results mean The normal level of glucose in the blood ranges from about 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). If your blood sugars measure higher than 140 mg/dl, you may have undiagnosed diabetes. If your blood sugar levels are lower than 70 mg/dl, you may have hypoglycemia, a condition that can produce sudden severe hunger, headaches, anxiety, sweating, and confusion.
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What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

2008-01-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

Type 1: An Insulin No-Show
So what makes type 1 diabetes different than type 2? First, type 1 is much rarer, accounting for only 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system destroys special cells in the pancreas that manufacture insulin. These cells, called beta cells, are the only places in the body where insulin is produced. Without them, the body lacks the insulin it needs to move glucose out of circulation and control high blood sugar. Other major characteristics of type 1:
Needles are necessary. Because the body can't produce insulin, type 1 patients need an outside supply of the hormone, self-administered by daily injections. That's why type 1 is sometimes called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or IDDM. This term is used less frequently today, however, because people with type 2 diabetes sometimes need to take insulin as well. But the fact that injections are an inevitable part of daily life for all type 1 diabetes patients remains one of the key characteristics of this form of the disease.

It strikes early. Type 1 diabetes often sets in during childhood, with about half of all cases developing before age 20. Most other cases begin in people up to age 30. It's very unusual to see a case of type 1 diabetes crop up in anyone over age 40. Because it's widely seen as a disease of the young (although you continue to have it your entire life), type 1 is sometimes called juvenile-onset diabetes. This term, too, has fallen out of favor, both because adults can get type 1 diabetes and because rates of type 2 diabetes in children are exploding.

It strikes fast. The onset of type 1 diabetes is rapid compared with type 2, which can take years to develop. If you (or your child) have type 1, such classic symptoms as fatigue, excessive thirst, and frequent urination will probably become worse over a period of just weeks or months.

There is a "honeymoon" period. In the first several months after type 1 is diagnosed and treatment begins, 20 percent of patients seem to improve as the pancreas temporarily begins to increase insulin production once again. This period of remission may last for as long as a year, during which blood-sugar levels become more stable and insulin injections may not even be necessary. While all honeymoons must come to an end, researchers see this period as a potential window of opportunity. One day it may allow yet-to-be-perfected therapies to preserve beta cell function before it's too late.

Blood sugar jumps wildly. With type 1, the pancreas loses its ability to monitor and control blood sugar. As a result, blood-sugar levels tend to spike and crash with greater volatility than in people who have type 2 diabetes, since their pancreatic function is usually less severely impaired. With type 1, the job of the pancreas essentially falls to you. You control your blood-sugar level with the timing and dosage of your insulin injections. This makes monitoring your blood sugar critically important.
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Will Skipping Breakfast Help Lower Morning Blood Sugar?

2008-01-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

Q. Help! My blood sugar is sky-high in the morning. Shouldn't I skip breakfast to bring it down?

A. No. It's true that for some people with diabetes, blood sugar tends to be high in the morning. That's because as dawn approaches, your body starts releasing energizing hormones to rev you up for the day. These antagonize the action of insulin and stimulate the liver to produce more glucose, even if the glucose level in the blood is already abnormally high. Will eating make it rise even higher? Probably, but because breakfast is so important for weight loss and proper nutrition, you need to make eating a priority and find other ways to deal with the "dawn phenomenon."

Start checking your blood sugar at 7 a.m. If it's often above 200, try controlling the morning spikes by taking action the night before. For instance, you could eat less in the evening or try exercising before you go to bed, which siphons glucose from the blood into the muscles for hours afterward. If you're taking insulin, you may also need your doctor to adjust the timing or amount of your last dose of the day. Or you may need a morning dose of medication (taken with food) to keep blood sugar under control until proper eating, exercise, and stress management get you on a more even keel. Home Decorating Tips : Latest Gadgets : Home Decorating Tips : All Supercars Collection : Online Games collection : Natural Helath Care Tips : Home Decorating Tips : Home Interior Decorating Tips :

Your Diabetes Prevention Plan 2008

2008-01-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

DIET
Doctor your diet. For most people, carbohydrates (especially complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber) should form the bulk of the diet. Protein foods (meat, soy foods, and dairy) should make up 10 to 20 percent of daily calories. Choose protein foods that are lower in fat, especially saturated fat. That means emphasizing fish, poultry, beans, and low-fat or no-fat dairy products.

Stick to a schedule. Avoid delaying or skipping meals and binge eating, all of which can play havoc with blood-sugar levels.

Shed some pounds. At least 80 percent of people who develop type 2 diabetes are overweight. Slim down and you may avoid the disease. Even if you can't get to your ideal weight, a 10-pound loss can dramatically lower blood-sugar levels.

EXERCISE
Move it. Exercise improves your body's sensitivity to insulin, aids glucose control, and can help you lose weight. Brisk walking an hour a day could cut your risk of developing diabetes in half.

MEDICAL OPTIONS
Get a diabetes test. In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform. With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.

NATURAL HEALTH
Protect yourself with E. In one Finnish study, men with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E were found to be about four times more likely to develop diabetes than men with the highest levels. Some experts recommend taking a supplement of 200 to 400 mg of vitamin E daily.

LIFESTYLE
Lower your stress. Excess stress, in combination with poor coping skills, can raise your blood-sugar levels.
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Stabilize Your Blood Sugar

2008-01-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

1. Drink a cup of skim milk and eat eight ounces of nonfat yogurt a day. A study of 3,000 people found that those who were overweight, but ate a lot of dairy foods, were 70 percent less likely to develop insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes) than those who didn't. Turns out lactose, protein, and the fat in dairy products improves blood sugar by filling you up and slowing the conversion of food sugars to blood sugar.

2. Buy bread products that have at least three grams of fiber and three grams of protein per serving. They'll slow absorption of glucose and decrease possible insulin spikes, says J. J. Flizanes, a nutritionist and owner of Invisible Fitness in Los Angeles. Plus, the hearty dose of fiber and protein will keep your stomach feeling satisfied longer.

3. Serve up a spinach salad for dinner. Spinach is high in magnesium, which a large study suggests can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. One study in women found higher intakes of magnesium (also found in nuts, other leafy greens, and fish) reduced diabetes risk about 10 percent overall, and about 20 percent in women who were overweight. Another great source of magnesium? Avocados.

4. Sprinkle cinnamon over your coffee, yogurt, cereal, and tea. Researchers from Pakistan (where cinnamon reigns) had volunteers with type 2 diabetes take either one, three, or six grams of cinnamon or a placebo for 40 days. Those taking the fragrant spice saw their blood glucose levels drop 18-29 percent depending on how much cinnamon they took.

5. Eat soba noodles for dinner one night a week. The "Japanese pasta" is made from buckwheat, a grain that lowered blood glucose levels 12-19 percent in one well-controlled study on rats. Sure, you're not a rat, but buckwheat is an excellent source of fiber, and the evidence on fiber and blood glucose improvement is unimpeachable. Add a helping of buckwheat pancakes every Sunday and get double the benefits.

Effects of GSM Signals on Sleep

2007-12-31T11:11:00.000-08:00

A research project carried out in Sweden regarding the effects of 884 MHz GSM radiation on sleep of the subjects studied. The results show that subjects exposed to the radiation compared to placebo exposure displayed a prolonged latency to reach the first cycle of deep sleep (stage 3), the length of stage 4 sleep also decreased in exposed subjects. Moreover, participants that otherwise have no self-reported symptoms related to mobile phone use, appear to have more headaches during actual radiofrequency exposure as compared to sham exposure. The study indicates the effect of exposure on components of sleep, believed to be important for recovery from daily wear and tear, as being adversely affected.

Diabetes And Dieting

2007-12-30T02:27:00.001-08:00

It is better if people with Diabetes do not opt for dieting at all because the problem of their sugar level going down all of a sudden can cause problems and can make the person go into coma. But if insisted upon dieting then you should do it with care and caution. It is estimated that approximately 18 million people in the United States have Diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or when the insulin you do make does not work as well as it should. Under normal circumstances, the food you eat is converted into glucose (a kind of sugar) and then transported to your bloodstream. Insulin, which is produced by your pancreas, helps to move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. Your cells then utilize glucose as an energy source necessary for daily living. In patients with diabetes, the insulin does not effectively transport glucose into the cells. Therefore, it remains in the bloodstream and causes your blood sugar levels to escalate. If left untreated, such high blood glucose levels can result in complications that affect your vision, heart, kidneys and circulation. Proper Diet, Weight Loss, and Exercise have proven to be effective tools in the battle to both delay or prevent onset, and, or, slow the the course of diabetes in many individuals. Diabetes affects as many as 18 million Americans and is increasing in our population to the point where public health authorities are calling diabetes an "epidemic" that requires urgent attention. Of the 18 million people with diabetes, about 5 million are completely unaware that they have it.

Currently, about 800,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and that number continues to rise. By the year 2025, it is projected that 9 percent of the US population will be diabetic. Nearly 9 out of 10 people with diabetes are overweight. By reducing your weight you can often decrease the effects of diabetes. However, losing weight can be difficult. Obesity, family history, high blood pressure, age and body shape can put you at risk for Type II diabetes.People with Type II Diabetes may have a particularly difficult time losing weight. (University of Maryland Medical Center) Nearly 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed Type II diabetes are overweight. (American Diabetes Association) When people with Type II diabetes achieve even modest weight loss (as low as 2.5% of total weight) they reduce risk factors in the heart. Ideally, however, overweight patients should strive for 15% weight loss or better, which can have major positive effects on insulin sensitivity. (University of Maryland Medical Center). Medifast has been around a long time, operating within the modified fasting programs segment of the weight loss industry and is now growing in the area of weight loss for people with diabetes. It ranks among the leaders such as HMR and Optifast, in terms of the number of physicians, clinics, and other healthcare sites, and number of people using this type of prescription weight loss program. Medifast is a leader in soy-based medical meal replacement products used by consumers and medical practitioners for over 20 years. With over 1 million patients and 15,000 doctors previously working with its products, this program has been pre-sold to much of the company's previous customer base. It's important to realize that Medifast is no longer primarily a medically supervised weight loss program. http://www.cure-diabetes.org Yes, it still does offer this option, but claims that only 10% of its current customers fall into this category. Consequently, one can access the Medifast programs via: 1) High Energy weight loss centers, 2) at home by phone or the website: http://www.medifastdiet.com (Take Shape for Life), 3) via hospitals and clinics, and 4) via a healthcare professional's office (physician, dietitian, etc.). Most customers now buy Medifast meal replacement products directly from the company, with no medical supervision required. For those dieters living outside the United States, Medifast weight loss programs are available in Asia (India, Hong Kong, Singapore) via the Dr. Diet plan. The Canadian market has not as yet been tapped, since that nation has different regulatory issues than the U.S. regarding liquid diet fasting supplement products. The Nutrition Institute of Maryland was founded in 1972. In 1976, the company is said to have instituted the first Protein Sparing Fasting Program in the Mid-Atlantic states, and in 1977 the Institute was among the pioneers to implement Defined Formula Supplemented Fasting programs in the private sector. Those programs were derived from research at Case Western Reserve and the Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Cleveland. It soon became known as the Medifast program. During the past several years, Medifast has brought in new management and became a public company, giving it access to capital that allowed it to expand beyond doctor’s offices to the general public and to compete more strongly with Optifast and HMR. Consequently, it has began marketing directly to the public and doing a lot more advertising and marketing, to increase awareness of its name. So, it's not just a medical weight loss program anymore. The company has also introduced 43 new products in the past two years, and now has about 70 items to choose from (including the supplements, nutrition bars, teas, soups, chili, hot cocoa, snacks, oatmeal and the meal replacement product shake).Diets Diabetes Information Center 2008

Symptoms of Diabetes

2007-12-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Diabetes Associations

A person with diabetes needs to acquire the necessary education and knowledge about his condition in order to know how to avoid the onset of acute or chronic complications, and to be able to attack and swiftly remedy any problem. This way life can be enjoyable, healthy, productive, and happy and, above all, free of complications.

Diabetes associations are the perfect places where people with Diabetes and their families will be able to find all kinds of Diabetes related information and education that they need, from from the most basic and simple to the most complex and in-depth aspects concerning to this “Life condition”.

There are lots of leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. These associations are dedicated to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

American Diabetes Association

2007-12-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

The goal of every diabetic is to live a long and livable life.It is more important for the parents of small children with diabetes. As long as they manage their blood sugar, they can enjoy their life. It is not different for diabetics to display sudden mood swings. One minute they are so active, and in next moment they are whinny. So why take a risk, check your blood sugar. It really helps you to stop a litany of health related issues in the future, and does not hurt you.

To maintain a diabetics daily routine, the best thing is to know the content of carbohydrate in the food. As the higher the carbohydrate is, more amount of insulin will be needed. Humaloginsulins are of immense use for diabetics. It offers diabetics usefulness, control and flexibility. Its quick action acts much like your body insulin in case of those who have diabetes.Humalog starts working quickly within minutes to lower your blood sugar. Due to Humalog's efficacy,

Diabetes Day

2007-12-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is of two types they are diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient production of insulin produced by the gland called pancreas. Anti diuretic hormone, insulin is responsible for the absorption of glucose into the cells to generate energy, if the production of insulin is less, energy produced will be low and so diabetic patients are found to be dull and sleepy. Defects caused due to the deficiency of insulin are less synthesis of insulin from the beta cells. Let us now study about the types of diabetes.

Types of diabetes mellitus are1. Insulin-dependent type.2. Non-insulin dependent.

Reasons and causes for diabetes - Diabetes is mainly caused due to various reasons such as viral infection that damages the pancreas causing the deficiency of insulin, obesity (major cause) leading to development of non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Treating Diabetes

2007-12-29T09:10:00.000-08:00

This article is about showing you some differences between type l and type ll diabetes exercise programs. With type l you will need to be more careful with your program. As far as treating diabetes or any other disease exercise is one part of a well rounded path to better health.

When the pancreas produces too little or no insulin that is called type l diabetes. Someone with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin at least a few times in the day in order to sustain sound glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not creating adequate amounts of insulin to control glucose levels. Or the cells are not responding to insulin. When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is called insulin resistance. If you are diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are used to alleviate insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed.

Idleness single-handedly is a very strong risk reason that has been confirmed to lead to diabetes type II. The warning signs for type II diabetes are idleness, obesity, cholesterol, and hypertension. Treating diabetes using exercise will have a positive outcome on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I cannot be controlled utilizing an athletics program. If you have diabetes there is a 90% chance it is type ll.