Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Cat Diabetes- an Owner's Guide to Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes is cats is a relatively common problem. The condition occurs when insulin fails to balance levels of glucose. Obese and older cats have an increased risk of developing diabetes, although it can affect cats of any age or breed.

Cause

Cat diabetes occurs because either the body doesn't use produced insulin as it should or because the body isn't producing enough insulin to begin with. There is no known reason why this happens, although certain conditions can increase the risk of developing this disease.

One of the most common factors that increase the risk of development of diabetes is obesity. Genetics, hormone imbalances, and pancreatic diseases can also play a role. In some cases, medications can even cause it.

Type

Diabetes in cats doesn't usually produce any symptoms in its early stages. When the disease advances, your cat may develop liver disease and secondary bacterial infections. This causes signs of disease such as increased urination, rough hair, lethargy, and increased appetite. Although cats can start to eat more, they sometimes lose weight. If your cat develops a disorder known as neuropathy, his hind lings will also become weak.

Diagnosis

At the beginning of the visit, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination. Based upon your cat's symptoms, he may suspect diabetes. The diagnosis will be determined if lab tests show extremely high levels of sugar in your cat's urine and blood.

Treatment

Cat diabetes is a condition that must be treated, or it will eventually be fatal. Like humans, this condition needs to be treated with insulin shots either once or twice a day. In rare cases, cats can control the disease with a special diet and oral medication. You should also be aware that your cat's insulin dosage may fluctuate. So, you will need to schedule regular visits to the vet to determine the ideal dosage.

Reference: cat illnesses.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Vitamins for Diabetes

Vitamins For Diabetes

Vitamins are essential to sustain life and we need to take the required amounts from our daily foods or dietary supplements. The benefits they provide help people feel more energetic, and assist the body in its regular functions.

As a diabetic patient is not able to get all the required nutrition from diet because of impaired functioning of the system, some vitamins may be required to take along with the regular medication. But, before taking any vitamin supplements, it is important to check with a doctor for what affect it may have upon diabetes.

Some of the essential vitamins for diabetics are -

Vitamin E

People with diabetes need extra vitamin E, which improves insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant (helps reduce the risk of diabetic complications), fights toxins and oxygenates the blood. Research has shown that people with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetics, it improves glucose tolerance.

It may require at least 2-3 months or more of regular intake of Vitamin E supplementation for benefits to become apparent. If one is taking an anticoagulant like ecospirin, aspirin (blood thinner), consult a physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.

Dietary sources include fortified & multi-grain cereals, nuts, wheat germ, vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C

Type 1 diabetic patients generally have low vitamin C levels. By increasing the amount of vitamin c in the bloodstream, the amount of sorbitol may get reduced. Sorbitol is a destructive sugar that can accumulate and lead to increased risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy (eye), neuropathy (nerves) and renal damage. Vitamin C also helps improve glucose tolerance in the case of type 2 diabetic people. Doctors recommend between 1 - 3 g of Vitamin C dosage per day for diabetics.

Dietary sources include fresh vegetables and citrus fruits, such as broccoli, green and red pepper, cauliflower, lemon, cabbage, pineapples, strawberries, oranges, olives, citrus fruits.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. Diabetics who have a deficiency of this vitamin mostly suffer from neuropathy (nerve damage), and benefit from its supplementation. Peripheral neuropathy is a common outcome of vitamin B6 deficiency. Pyridoxine supplements are able to improve glucose tolerance, particularly for women with gestational diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance caused by intake of birth control pill.

Vitamin B6 is also important in preventing other diabetic complications as it is an important non-protein compound that combines with the protein - collagen to form an active enzyme.

Dietary sources include chicken, fish, liver, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 supplementation does to quite an extent help treat diabetic neuropathy. The presence of Vitamin B 12 is necessary for the correct functioning of nerve cells, and therefore taking it as a supplement may help reduce nerve damage.

Vitamin B12 may be taken orally in capsule form or intravenously or by injection to reduce nerve damage caused by diabetes in most people.

Recommended dosage is up to 500 mcg of Vitamin B12 three times a day.

Dietary sources include liver, yogurt, dairy products, fish, non fat milk.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency predisposes individuals to type 1 and type 2diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D interfere with the proper functioning of insulin-producing cells. If not enough insulin is present, blood glucose levels will begin to rise.

Those with higher blood levels of vitamin D have better sensitivity to insulin and lower blood glucose levels compared to those with low vitamin D levels.

The skin is the most plentiful source of vitamin D. When exposed to ultraviolet light, our skin can produce as much as 20,000 IU of vitamin D. Food sources are limited to egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil and fortified milk.

Biotin (Vitamin B8) -

Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. It works in harmonization with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase (responsible in the primary step of glucose utilization). Glucokinase is formed only in the liver, and its concentration may be extremely low in diabetic patients.

Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose metabolism for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. It might to an extent help reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.

Experts advise taking 16mg of biotin for a few weeks to see for any changes in blood sugar levels.

Dietary sources include cereal, grain products, yeast, liver, legumes.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

High levels of niacin may actually weaken glucose tolerance, and should therefore be avoided by diabetics. However, smaller amounts (500-750 mg per day for one month followed by 250 mg per day) can help some type 2 diabetics to lower their glucose levels.

Dietary sources include liver, poultry, milk, leafy green vegetables.

ALA and GLA

ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a potent and natural antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical break up. Some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus, the control of blood sugar.

GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant. It is helpful for improving damaged nerve function, which is common in diabetes.

Reference: www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Monday, April 27, 2009

Early Signs of Diabetes

Although there are three different types of diabetes, the first series of symptoms to experience are usually those of hyperglycemia, or an excess of blood sugar (glucose), which is the first indicator ' is something not quite right.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia May include blurred vision, fatigue, increased thirst and appetite and increased urination.

In type 1 diabetes, the onset of hyperglycemia can be abruptly because of fact, the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all, or virtually no insulin at all. In other words, there is absolutely no outlet for glucose levels that just build and build quickly. Type 1 diabetes is extremely dangerous and can lead to death. There was a time known as juvenile diabetes because it generally affects young people, and symptoms should not be ignored and doctors should be consulted immediately as a matter of urgency.

For type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia May take considerable time to develop to the point symptoms can be felt and noticed. Many people go through their whole lives unaware that they have type 2 diabetes, and take a large number of symptoms as merely be signs of aging, especially as type 2 diabetes affects generally middle-aged adults to leave, hence its old name of diabetes for adults. In relatively recent years, due to the volume of children developing type 2 diabetes due to poor diet and obesity (the leading causes of type 2 diabetes), the name became simply type diabetes 2.

As the symptoms of high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes can be extremely subtle, many people are completely unaware they have diabetes at all. In type 2 diabetes is caused by one of two factors, the first factor is a lack of insulin production in the pancreas, the second being a condition known as "insulin resistance". This is where the body begins to reject the admission of insulin, bringing the glucose. Therefore, a person's body does not become starved of glucose as fuel, but the accumulation starts glucose in the blood, which has no outlet. The body May attempt by some hunting glucose from the body through urine.

May gestational diabetes perhaps the most difficult form of diabetes to detect because the symptoms are so similar to a pregnancy, it can be almost impossible to make a difference. For example, fatigue, increased appetite and thirst and increased urination.

Gestational diabetes is usually a temporary form of diabetes that disappeared shortly after pregnancy, but May leave the mother and children vulnerable to the ongoing development of type 2 diabetes in the future.

Another concern gestational diabetes is the damage it can do for the baby, which May be respiratory or heart problems, stillborn or died shortly after birth. The absence of treatment, gestational diabetes can also be a contributing factor in health problems that the baby reaches adulthood, such as chronic obesity.

If you think you've felt even slightly any of these symptoms of hyperglycemia, it is very important that you see your doctor as soon as possible. Diabetes is a disorder not you want to guess yourself, because it can be fatal, especially in the case of type 1 diabetes.

Although diabetes can be a very dangerous disease, the diagnosis, it is extremely treatable. The most important things for a diabetic to do so are to take any medication prescribed and monitor blood sugar levels regularly. If you've been told by your doctor to take with you an emergency insulin / glucose kit, you should do so at any time since May it not be fatal. Other factors include a lot of exercise to help regulate glucose levels and a healthy diet and balanced.

Reference: Diagnosing Diabetes

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Tart Cherry Help Fight Heart Disease and Type Diabetes

Research dated April 30, 2007 from the University of Michigan reveals some exciting news about the tart cherry and heart health. What was most interesting about the research was the study was conducted not on the tart cherry fruit itself, but tart cherry powder. Tart cherry powder is a concentrated form of tart cherry.

In most cases, to manufacture tart cherry powder the entire cherry is used, including the skin and the flesh of the fruit. Tart cherry powder can also be defined as a cherry neutraceutical.

According to the Foundation of Innovation in Medicine, which created the term “neutraceutical”, the definition is:

“any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food that provides health benefits, including the prevention of treatment of disease.”

The results from the study were revealed during the Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington D.C.. Although the study was conducted on rats, the results were so promising the University of Michigan indicated they will soon conduct clinical trials on humans.

An Overview of the Tart Cherry Powder Study

Antioxidant-rich tart cherries may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can greatly increase the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Two test groups of rats were fed whole cherry powder (made from the whole fruit). The cherry powder equated to either 1 percent or 10 percent of their daily diets for a period of 90 days. Another study group had no cherry powder added to their diet. However, the amounts of carbohydrates and calories where kept constant during the study, thus providing baseline.

The results of the study showed that the cherry-enriched diet had experienced additional health benefits when compared to the results of the non-cherry diet group. The researchers found the rats fed very little amounts of tart cherry powder benefited from modest amounts of tart cherry powder. Some of the results included the cherry-enriched diets lowered insulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. These are some of the factors linked to metabolic syndrome. In addition, oxidative damage and increased blood capacity were also shown in the study.

Where to Find Tart Cherry Powder

Tart cherry powder is not the easiest product to find. However, with a little diligence you can also incorporate tart cherry powder into your diet. One source of 100% natural tart cherry powder is from Fruit Advantage www.fruitadvantage.com The company is America’s leading Super Fruit supplement brand. It not only sells tart cherry powder in capsules, but a number of different super fruit supplements and products

Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry super fruit supplement delivers 1200mg of tart cherry per serving. This means each daily serving delivers over 3 lbs. of the specific antioxidant benefits of tart cherries in a convenient, easy-to-swallow capsule. In addition, the product is gluten free, kosher and tests free of pesticides, fillers and additives. To learn more or order Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry contact the contact company toll-free at 1-877-746-7477 or visit www.fruitadvantage.com

(1) Cherry-enriched diets reduce metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in lean Dahl-SS rats. Experimental Biology 2007 225.8, Seymour EM, Singer AAM, Bennink MR, Bolling SF. Presented in minisymposium 225, Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Chronic Disease Risk Reduction.

Reference: Tony Anderson

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Juvenile, Adults and Pregnancy Type Diabetes

The three type Diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes. 2. Type 2 Diabetes. 3. Gestational Diabetes. The three-type-diabetes, cause blood sugar levels to turn into higher than normal. Nevertheless, they cause it in different ways. Type 1 is rare than the second type. Most of diabetics nationwide suffer from type 2, which happens at the time that the body becomes incapable to process insulin properly. Over 95% of diabetics are type 2, which is insulin-resistant.

Type 1 - Juvenile Type Diabetes

In view of the fact that, Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in kids and young adults it is called also juvenile diabetes. This type diabetes has an effect on 5% of all diabetics. This type diabetes happens at the time that the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As the body cannot turn blood sugar, or glucose, into energy – either since it does not produce a sufficient amount insulin or does not use it suitably – diabetes will outcome. In the past, it was common that Type 1, the Juvenile Type Diabetes, only happens in children but recent research shows that it also can develop in adults. This type-diabetes is treatable. Medicine, work out and severe diabetes diet will be needed to maintain health.

Adult-Type Diabetes - Diabetes Type 2

Some people develop a Diabetes Type – called secondary diabetes, Diabetes Type 2 This type diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes, though adult-type diabetes - Diabetes Type 2 happens, as the body is unable to act in response to insulin ordinarily . The beta cells are not destroyed by the immune system however by several other factors, such as cystic fibrosis or pancreatic surgery. Constructing people with type 1 diabetes, nearly everyone people with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but not enough to meet the body's needs.

Type Diabetes: Diabetes Gestational

Higher maternal women ages are to be expected to have the type diabetes-Diabetes Gestational. Other imperative issues that cause diabetes: fatness and family history of Type 2 Diabetes. A national research reveals that at the childbirth, approximately 4% of all pregnancies are more often than not complicated due to diabetes. Mothers diagnosed with diabetes for a long time, have fewer odds of transferring diabetes onto born babies. Research found that the baby might develop diabetes after birth at anytime later in life. In addition, having diabetes increases a mother's risks of the following: 1. Preeclampsia, high blood pressure that occurs while pregnancy. 2. Low glucose episodes, which can sometimes be deadly if not managed appropriately. Luckily, these risks can be reduced by fine preparation and diabetes diet before conception, in addition to early prenatal care, exercise and punctual care at the time of delivery.

During my pregnancy, I came to know that I had diabetes gestational. However, there are few subtle symptoms, which I did not particularly notice that help to diagnose diabetes gestational in its early stage.

On our site you'll get clear easy to read information about the causes and risks of Diabetes Gestational. You'll acquire knowledge, note the symptoms and know which questions to ask your physician.

At Gestational Diabetes Info center you will get helpful information about causes and risks of Gestational Diabetes. You'll acquire knowledge of prevention, note the symptoms and know which questions to ask your physician.

Reference: Jane Reynolds

Friday, April 24, 2009

Juvenile, Adults and Pregnancy Type Diabetes

At the time that the body does not produce as much as necessary insulin to break down sugar in the blood stream the body has diabetes. One can get diabetic if he does not eat properly or does not think about of the body.

Nevertheless, genetics play a big role in diabetes as well. Any type Diabetes can have an effect on several parts of the body causing serious health problems. It can cause blindness, amputation of legs, or feet.

The three type Diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes.

2. Type 2 Diabetes.

3. Gestational Diabetes.

The three-type-diabetes, cause blood sugar levels to turn into higher than normal. Nevertheless, they cause it in different ways. Type 1 is rare than the second type.

Most of diabetics nationwide suffer from type 2, which happens at the time that the body becomes incapable to process insulin properly. Over 95% of diabetics are type 2, which is insulin-resistant.

Type 1 - Juvenile Type Diabetes

In view of the fact that, Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in kids and young adults it is called also juvenile diabetes. This type diabetes has an effect on 5% of all diabetics.

This type diabetes happens at the time that the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As the body cannot turn blood sugar, or glucose, into energy – either since it does not produce a sufficient amount insulin or does not use it suitably – diabetes will outcome. In the past, it was common that Type 1, the Juvenile Type Diabetes, only happens in children but recent research shows that it also can develop in adults.

This type-diabetes is treatable. Medicine, work out and severe diabetes diet will be needed to maintain health.

Adult-Type Diabetes - Diabetes Type 2

Some people develop a Diabetes Type – called secondary diabetes, Diabetes Type 2 This type diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes, though adult-type diabetes - Diabetes Type 2 happens, as the body is unable to act in response to insulin ordinarily .

The beta cells are not destroyed by the immune system however by several other factors, such as cystic fibrosis or pancreatic surgery.

Constructing people with type 1 diabetes, nearly everyone people with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but not enough to meet the body's needs.

Type Diabetes: Diabetes Gestational

Higher maternal women ages are to be expected to have the type diabetes-Diabetes Gestational. Other imperative issues that cause diabetes: fatness and family history of Type 2 Diabetes.

A national research reveals that at the childbirth, approximately 4% of all pregnancies are more often than not complicated due to diabetes. Mothers diagnosed with diabetes for a long time, have fewer odds of transferring diabetes onto born babies.

Research found that the baby might develop diabetes after birth at anytime later in life.

In addition, having diabetes increases a mother's risks of the following:

1. Preeclampsia, high blood pressure that occurs while pregnancy.

2. Low glucose episodes, which can sometimes be deadly if not managed appropriately.

Luckily, these risks can be reduced by fine preparation and diabetes diet before conception, in addition to early prenatal care, exercise and punctual care at the time of delivery.


Reference :Jane Reynolds http://the-diabetes-gestational.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Natural Ways To Counteract The Effects Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where the body does not regulate the amounts of sugar correctly. If left untreated, it can ravage the body and cause drastic side effects possibly causing death. But there are ways to circumvent the effects of diabetes and take one's life back from the gallows.

Coffee More for Morning Pick-Me-Ups: Coffee has recently been shown to help defend against the effects of diabetes. The study has shown that that type 2 diabetes can be reduced by as much as 60%. Even if you have drank coffee in the past but quit, the effects of the previous drinking habits will still be long-lasting.

Interestingly, women who drank 10 cups of coffee a day got a 79% reduction in the effect of diabetes. It is hard to imagine sitting through 10 cups of coffee (although some would probably beg to differ), but the effects are too desirable to ignore.

Whole Grain Foods May Have a Part in Diabetes Reduction: Type 2 diabetes has also been suggested to be reduced by whole grain foods, researchers report. The studies are much weaker than that of the coffee study- so there is no guarantee on how much reduction will take place- if any at all.

While whole grain foods may not be the diabetes killer, they are still full of nourishment that serves other purposes. And in the war on diabetes, every little bit helps- regardless of what studies or researched have or have yet to prove.

Magnesium Makes a Show in the Diabetes Reduction Game: Meat, milk, nuts, and beans are all sources of magnesium- but what kind of effect does this magnesium have on the body? From what researchers have found, quite a bit; as much as a 30% reduction in diabetes has been observed from controlled tests.

It has even been proven that a diet that lacks magnesium may increase the onslaught of diabetes. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is slated around 300-400mg- depending on the body type and gender. This daily intake can be easily obtained via magnesium-rich foods- especially nuts and beans.

Fiber Provides Defense for Diabetes: The high fiber diet that your doctor has been preaching may not be so bad after all, says researchers. While the exact numbers were not released, it has been concluded that men who consumed high-fiber diets had increased resistance to diabetes.

Foods that are high in fiber include certain types of cereal, certain fruits such as pears, grain such as spaghetti, black beans, lentil beans, and vegetables such as peas. Making sure that a diet is rich in these foods will help protect against the risk of diabetes- although further research is being conducted to see just how much protection fiber provides.

Final Thoughts on Preventing and Maintaining Diabetes: The above dietary tips should be taken to heart. Try to incorporate fiber, coffee, whole grains, and magnesium rich foods into your diet. Try to put an emphasis on the proven items- such as coffee and magnesium.
Along with the nutritional tips, be sure to follow a healthy exercise routine to help minimize the risk of diabetes. Paired with a good nutrition, exercise will help keep diabetes at bay. In many cases controlling both of these aspects has allowed diabetes patients to live perfectly normal lives- although some cases are worse than others

Reference: Daniel Millions Diabetes | Diaberlink Blog.
Reference:

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Controlling Your Diabetes Some Tips

Diabetes means that your blood glucose (GLOO-kos), also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is needed to fuel our bodies. Glucose is also stored in our liver and muscles. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy. But having too much glucose in your blood is not healthy.

Type 1 is the type of diabetes that people most often get before 30 years of age. All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin (IN-suh-lin) because their bodies do not make enough of it. Insulin helps turn food into energy for the body to work. Most people make insulin in their pancreas. If you have type 1 diabetes , your body does not make insulin. Insulin helps glucose from the foods you eat get to all parts of your body and be used for energy.

Healthy eating, exercise, and losing weight may help you lower your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) when you find out you have type 2 diabetes. If these treatments do not work, you may need one or more types of diabetes pills to lower your blood glucose. After a few more years, you may need to take insulin shots because your body is not making enough insulin.

Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs when women are pregnant. Having it raises their risk for getting diabetes, mostly type 2, for the rest of their lives. It also raises their child's risk for being overweight and for getting type 2 diabetes.

Some people with diabetes use complementary or alternative therapies to treat diabetes. Although some of these therapies may be effective, others can be ineffective or even harmful. Patients who use complementary and alternative medicine need to let their health care providers know what they are doing.

Financial Help for Diabetes Care

Medicare is a Government program providing health care services for people who are 65 years and older.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has established the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to help children without health insurance.
Recent state and Federal laws, however, may help. Many states now require insurance companies to cover diabetes supplies and education. The Health Insurance Portability Act, passed by Congress in 1996, limits insurance companies from denying coverage because of a preexisting condition.
Medicaid is a state health assistance program for people based on financial need. Your income must be below a certain level to qualify for Medicaid funds.
Most HMOs keep costs down by limiting the choice of doctors to those who belong to the network, restricting access to specialists, reducing hospital stays, and emphasizing preventive care.
If you take care of your diabetes you can lower your risk for other health problems. High blood glucose can harm blood vessels and cause heart attacks or strokes. It can also damage organs in the body and cause blindness, kidney failure, loss of toes or feet, gum problems, or loss of teeth.

The good news is that when you take care of your diabetes, you can reduce or avoid these problems.

Reference: Rachel Broune diabetes treatments

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What is Diabetes Type 2?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Some people are born with this condition or has the onset of diabetes at an early age. This is called juvenile diabetes or type 1. Type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin injections. The onset of diabetes later in life is called type 2. Type 2 diabetes can be treated and in most cases prevented with simple lifestyle changes.

There have been several factors in the cause of diabetes type 2, but none are definitive. Some studies indicate heredity, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Also, there are insulin abnormalities that can be the cause of diabetes type 2.

Insulin Abnormalities-
Muscle cells can become resistant to insulin which make excessive insulin to compensate for the resistance. What then happens is a drop in insulin production.

Obesity-
Too much body fat causes the body to work harder to make insulin. Extra sugar is stored in the body as fat, which makes losing weight harder.

Heredity-
Having a sibling or parent who has diabetes means that your are more likely to develop diabetes.

Age-
Nearly 20% of adults over the age of 65 commonly have diabetes type 2.

What Causes Diabetes

Now the main cause of diabetes is currently obesity and with 30% of the USA clinically obese it is no wonder that 24 million people suffer from diabetes in the USA alone. As you can see diabetes is a growing illness and with more and more people being diagnosed with diabetes it is important that you know what the main causes of diabetes are.

A second important cause of diabetes is diabetes being inherited through the bloodlines. A major cause of diabetes which is brought down through generations, however it does not mean that if your father or gran father has diabetes that you will also be diagnosed with diabetes merely that you are at a higher risk. Therefore you should watch out more for the symptoms of diabetes.

To ensure that you are at a lower risk of being diagnosed with diabetes you need to have a healthy and balanced diet of protein, fibre, carbohydrates and a low percentage of fats. Exercise is another great way of not only staying healthy but decreasing the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. Regular exercise 3-5 times a week will not only keep your heart rate and blood levels in the right places but also ensure you are maintaining your body and reducing the risk of diabetes.

Treatment

1. Reduce the levels of carbohydrates

Chose carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index. That is, carbohydrates that converts into blood glucose relatively slower. More companies are now supplying information on glycemic index. Kicking out the sweets, biscuits and cakes and substituting with appropriate fruits and vegetables would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Eat more regular and smaller carbohydrate or food portions throughout the day instead of having "one-off " large main meals. This keeps your insulin levels lower.

2. Increase fat levels

There are many misconceptions about fat intake. Much of it is caused by deception from companies with their clever advertising and marketing methods of selling cheap and nasty health threatening fats and oils. A selection of margarines, deep-fried foods and cheap and nasty oils such as rapeseed, canola, soy and cottonseed oils are examples. Trans-fats should be avoided. Consumers may be totally unaware of the damage these fats and oils can do to the body.

Good fats help to promote the mechanism by which the body's cells take up glucose from the blood. Learn to discern these from the nasty ones. They include naturally occurring fats like omega-3 fatty acids, flax seed oils and fish oils...


Reference: Rich jammes

Monday, April 20, 2009

Types of Diabetes(type 1, Type 2 and Gestational)

Types Of Diabetes

In medical parlance, this disease is known as "diabetes mellitus" - diabetes from the Greek word for siphon, to illustrate the excessive thirst and urination, which is characteristic of this condition, and mellitus from the Latin word for honey - as urine of a diabetic person contains sugar and is sweet.

Commonly, this disease is called diabetes.

There are many types of diabetes, but the three most common are:

« Type 1 diabetes
« Type 2 diabetes
« Gestational diabetes

1. Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin dependent diabetes):

This is an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. It can appear at any age, although mostly under 30 (very often in childhood or during teens), and is caused by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or people genetically predisposed. This type of diabetes, is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes.

It is not really known what causes type 1 diabetes and it is not caused by eating too much sugar or sweets.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period, although beta cell destruction can begin much earlier. Common symptoms include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme weakness. If not timely diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes can go into life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

2. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes):

This is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all diagnosed people. It is also known as late-onset diabetes, and is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
Type 2 diabetes is genetic in origin, but other factors such as excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, ethnicity and faulty diet are its major risk factors. Symptoms may not show up for many years, and by the time they crop up, considerable harm may have been done to the body.

In this condition, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for reasons unknown, the body cannot use the insulin effectively - termed as insulin resistance. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make proficient use of its main source of energy.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Symptoms include weakness, nausea, frequent urination, excess thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds. Some people may show no symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, lifetime condition; and over time, it may be difficult to keep the blood glucose level in the target range. However, good diabetes care and management can prevent or delay the onset of complications.

One can do this by:

« Eating healthy meals and snacks

« Following regular physical activity

« Taking diabetes medications (including insulin), if prescribed.

3. Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. In most cases, all diabetic symptoms disappear following delivery. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 % chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years, especially if they were overweight before the pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by blocking effects of other hormones (estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen) on the insulin that is produced, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Normally, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance. However, when the production of insulin is not enough to overcome the effect of the placental hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Carbohydrate intolerance is diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal level after delivery, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes later on; while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life.

Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The complications of gestational diabetes are usually manageable and preventable. The key to prevention is careful control of blood sugar levels as soon as the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made.
Other types of diabetes -

4. Diabetes insipidus:

Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon condition, that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water as they perform their function of filtering blood. The anti-diuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin) controls the amount of water conserved. Diseases of the kidney (for example, polycystic kidney disease) and the effects of certain drugs may also cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
The common symptoms are excessive urination and extreme thirst.

5. Syndrome X:

Syndrome X, also known as the "metabolic syndrome" or "Insulin Resistance Syndrome", is a condition that is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

It is characterised by abdominal obesity, elevated levels of triglycerides, low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. Other symptoms include smoking, high fat and calorie diet, pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome.

This is more common in older people than in younger people. In addition, women were more likely to have the syndrome than men.

Reference: www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Managing and Coping With Type 2 Diabetes Disease

Numerous individuals are examined and diagnosed with type diabetes each and everyday. Diabetes has unfortunately become one of the most prevalent diseases to affect individuals in the world today. When an individual is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes they might get a feeling of being bewildered and overpowered because of the diagnosis. It is crucial then for individuals who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to understand and comprehend that with some rudimentary alternations in their life style and with careful monitoring coping and living with the disease is totally achievable.

Learning About Type 2 Diabetes

The initial consideration an individual that has type 2 diabetes needs to do is to start to become educated and familiar with their disease and it effects on their body, different complications and ways to get it under control to as much extent as possible. The doctor should assist the patient by starting with some rudimentary instruction and be ready to recommend additional resources of information for the individual. The diabetic should talk to a dietician that is registered and with a diabetes educator that is certified to further educate themselves about the disease.


Changes In Diet

The person who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes will have to get counseling through a registered dietician. The dietician can guide the type 2 diabetic to educate themselves in regards to the foods that they eat and what necessary modifications can be made for the best result to their body functions. There are also many different types of cook books as well as websites that offer recipes for diabetics that will enable a person to consume healthy tasty meals. The diabetic will need to address their dietary changes seriously.

Watching Blood Sugars

The type 2 diabetic will have to get a glucometer so they will be capable of monitoring their blood sugar on a day to day basis within there home. There are numerous different types of glucometers that you can get on the open market today that are highly accurate provided that the person uses them in a correct way. The majority of insurance companies will furnish a monitor with the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. By monitoring closely their own blood sugar levels an individual can in a relatively easy manner see what kinds of foods as well as their activities are giving the biggest effect and make any needed changes accordingly.

Type 2 Diabetic and Exercises

A very helpful thing for any individual, particularly a type 2 diabetic to do is to establish some kind of exercise program. One of the direct results of exercise is the decrease of the levels of blood sugars. You do not have to have a highly complex type of exercise routine to accomplish what you need to. The person with diabetes can just start out with walking, biking or a swimming regimen. Going for a walk around the neighborhood several times each week will be very beneficial to the overall health of the diabetic in addition to lowering their blood sugar levels.

Taking Medications

The type 2 diabetic should follow all of the advice of their doctor and take their medications as they are prescribed to them. There are numerous types of excellent medications that function very well to control diabetes when working in conjunction with exercise and dietary changes. Type 2 diabetics have to take any and all medication that are necessary in their individual circumstances to stabilize the blood sugars and maintain a high quality of life.

Reference: Korbin Newlyn Diabetes Complications

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Diabetes 2 Causes and Dangers

Diabetes 2 affects 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. Nearly all diabetics got their disease from having an harmful lifestyle but diabetes 2 could as well be genetic. One of two things occurs in diabetes.

The pancreas can?t produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or else; the cells don?t respond to the insulin correctly and the pancreas produces insufficient insulin for the body?s increased needs (diabetes 2).

The most common diabetes type is diabetes 2. Diabetes 2 affects approximately 95% of all diabetics. Unlike the first type, diabetes 2 makes the body incapable to act in response to insulin.

What is the reason for getting diabetes 1 or diabetes 2? No one knows why people get diabetes. Researchers suggest that diabetes occurs as a viral illness triggers the immune system to destroy the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. Diabetes results from the incapability of the body to produce adequate amount of insulin.

What is insulin? What is the insulin function? Insulin is a hormone that helps the body cells to use the glucose. The insulin is responsible for breaking down the glucose in our blood stream and avoiding the sugar level from coming up.

What is glucose? What is the glucose function? Carbohydrate foods contain glucose. It is the major resource of energy used by the body. Sugar is one of the glucose types. Glucose comes from foods that contain carbohydrates such as potatoes, bread, pasta and rice, fruit and milk.

How is glucose absorbed into the blood stream and provides us energy? After the food is digested, the glucose is released and absorbed into the blood stream . The glucose in the blood stream needs to move into body tissues so that cells can turn it into energy. Additional glucose is stored in the liver or transformed into fat. The fat is being stored in other body tissues.

How to avoid diabetes 2? Although the causes of diabetes 2 are known and in some cases it can be prevented there is no cure for diabetes 2.

Currently, there is. Foods that are high in fat and cholesterol are not suggested to people who would like to be safe from. Further, to be safe from Diabetes 2, take regular exercise. Keep your body active and boost your resistance to other illness and some of the serious complications caused by having diabetes.

Having Diabetes 2 does not merely diminish the body, it could also widen to different parts of the body. Just the once it spreads, it can lead to removal of body parts to prevent the illness from spreading to vital body organs.

While Diabetes 2 worsens, it could cause damages in the heart, kidney and even the eyes. Heart disease, kidney complications and blindness is conditions that you would never want to have and it could come from diabetes.

Reference: Jane Reynolds

Friday, April 17, 2009

Diabetes Mellitus Tips

Diabetes mellitus frequently referred to simply as diabetes

(Greek: ????????), is in fact a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) resulting from the insufficient levels of the hormone insulin.[

2] The characteristic symptoms are as excessive urine production (polyuria) due to high blood glucose levels, excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia) those attempting to compensate for increased urination, blurred vision due to the high blood glucose effects on the eye's optics, unexplained weight loss, and lethargy. These symptoms are most likely to be less apparent if the blood sugar is only mildly elevated.


[edit] Other types


There are several rare causes of the diabetes mellitus that do not fit into type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes; attempts to classify all them remain controversial. Some cases of diabetes are actually caused by the body's tissue receptors not responding to the insulin (even when insulin levels are normal, which is what separates it from the type 2 diabetes); this form is very uncommon. Genetic mutations (autosomal or mitochondrial) can lead to others defects in beta cell function.

Abnormal insulin action may also have been hereditarily determined in some cases. Any disease that causes extensive damage to the pancreas may also lead to diabetes (for example, chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis). Diseases associated with the excessive secretion of insulin-antagonistic hormones can basically cause diabetes (which is typically resolved once the hormone excess is removed). Many drugs impaired by insulin secretion and some toxins damage pancreatic beta cells. The ICD-10 (1992) diagnostic entity,

malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM or MMDM, ICD-10 code E12), was then deprecated by the World Health Organization when the current taxonomy was introduced in 1999.[3]


[edit] Signs and symptoms


The classical triad of diabetes symptoms just these is polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, which are, correspondingly, frequent urination; increased thirst and consequent increased fluid intake; and increased appetite. Symptoms may get develop quite rapidly (weeks or months) in type 1 diabetes, particularly in children. However, in type 2 diabetes the symptoms also develop much more slowly and may be subtle or completely absent. Type 1 diabetes may also get cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or even increased eating) and irreducible fatigue. All of these symptoms get except weight loss can also manifest in the type 2 diabetes in patients whose diabetes is poorly controlled.


When the glucose concentration in the blood is raised just beyond the renal threshold, reabsorption of glucose in the proximal renal tubuli is incomplete, and part of the glucose remains here in the urine (glycosuria). This increases the osmotic pressure level of the urine and inhibits the reabsorption of water by the kidney, resulting in increased urine production (polyuria) and increased fluid loss. Lost blood volume will also be replaced somatically from water held in body cells, causing dehydration and increased thirst.


A rarer but evenly severe possibility is hyperosmolar nonketotic state, which is more general in type 2 diabetes and is mainly the result of dehydration due to loss of body water. frequently, the patient has been drinking extreme amounts of sugar-containing drinks, leading to the a vicious circle in regard to the water loss.

Reference: drrony Karela for Diabetes

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Cause and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which in this century is commonly heard among many people. Researches have done on diabetic patients show a strong inheritance of this disease over many generations.


Diabetes is no longer a dreaded disease; a well-managed diabetic has a good life expectancy. Neglect, on other hand produces irreparable damage to arteries over the years. It is said that there is no disease, which provokes greater thought on diet than diabetes.



What is Diabetes mellitus?


Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.


There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don't respond to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.



Insulin Resistance. Insulin is necessary for the transport of blood glucose (sugar) into the cells of muscle and fat (which is then used for energy). By transporting glucose into cells, insulin keeps the blood glucose levels in the normal range. Insulin resistance (IR) is the condition whereby the effectiveness of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) into cells is diminished. Fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; therefore, one important cause of IR is obesity. The pancreas initially responds to IR by producing more insulin. As long as the pancreas can produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, blood glucose levels remain normal.

This IR state (characterized by normal blood glucose levels and high insulin levels) can last years. Once the pancreas can no longer keep up with producing high levels of insulin, blood glucose levels begin to rise, resulting in type 2 diabetes, thus IR is a pre-diabetes condition. In fact scientists now believe that the arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) associated with diabetes likely develops during this IR period.

Reference: Alliance Services">http://www.lifecentury.com/our-services.php">Services

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Diabetes Mellitus Treatment - Keep Your Blood Glucose Level Normal

The goal of diabetes mellitus treatment is just keeping blood glucose level as close to normal as possible in most safe way without interrupting any other body systems. In addition, as diabetes might greatly increase a person's risks for cardiac disorders, preventative measurements for effectively controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been now considered as most important part of diabetes mellitus treatment.

People suffering from diabetes should take care for their day-to-day routine. The care includes monitoring the blood glucose level, dietary pattern and restriction, maintaining physical workout, keeping their weight and stress within limits i.e. under control, regularly taking their oral medications and, if required, supplying insulin through injections or pump.

Let us learn some important ways for diabetes mellitus treatment as stated or advised by health care providers:

Dietary Pattern and Physical Workout

The modification in patient’s eating pattern and increasing physical workout is generally few of the first steps toward betterment of blood sugar levels. In many health care centers the diabetics work with their doctors and/or certified dieticians to develop a dietary pattern that help in controlling blood glucose levels.

Insulin Therapy

People diagnosed with Diabetes Type I need multiple insulin injections regularly, every day, in order that maintains safe insulin levels. Insulin may also be prescribed for treatment of patients suffering from Diabetes Type II. Latest technology includes usage of a device (an insulin pump) as an alternative to injections for better control. The pump is about the size of a small cell phone and is generally worn on the belt. Insulin is introduced through a small tube (called as catheter) which is placed under the skin (generally the site is abdomen).

There are mainly four kinds of insulin:

· Rapid-acting

· Short-acting

· Intermediate-acting

· Long-acting

It is the health care provider who determines the dosage and how often you require taking insulin. There is no any fixed insulin dose since it depends upon many factors like body weight, the meal timings, how often you exercise and how much insulin is normally naturally produced by the body.

Oral Medications – OHD (oral hypoglycemic drugs)
Sometimes blood glucose levels remain high in patients suffering from Diabetes Type II even though they eat a healthy diet and do regular exercising. When this happens, medicines in the form of capsules form might be advised to help controlling the blood glucose levels. The medicines work by various mechanisms such as they improve the utilization of the body's natural insulin, reduce blood glucose production, increase insulin reuptake and inhibit blood glucose absorption. Oral diabetes drugs are sometimes taken in combination with insulin.

Herbal or natural diabetes mellitus treatment

Herbs such as fenugreek, Karela, turmeric are known for their glucose lowering properties. One can also practice pranayama and yogasana to keep body glucose level under control. In Ayurveda, pills like arogyavardhini vati, haridra khand etc help in controlling the blood glucose level and also enhance body’s natural insulin production. One has to do some exercises in order to keep body in harmony.

Reference: Bryan Len http://www.herbal-supplements-for-you.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Complete Information on Diabetes Mellitus With Treatment and Prevention

Diabetes mellitus is the blood sugar level is high is unusual chaotic because the body does not produce the enough insulin. Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates, insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia. Diabetes is the most significant cause of adult blindness in the non-elderly, the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in adults, and diabetic nephropathy is the main illness requiring renal dialysis in the united states. Therefore deficiency of insulin or the insensitivity of its receptors plays a central role in all forms of diabetes mellitus.

Severe or recurring pancreatitis and other diseases that directly damage the pancreas can lead to diabetes. As outlined above, in patients with diabetes, the insulin is either absent, relatively insufficient for the body's needs, or not used properly by the body. All of these factors cause elevated levels of blood glucose. People with diabetes may experience many serious, long-term complications. Some of these complications begin within months of the onset of diabetes, although most tend to develop after a few years. Most of the complications are progressive. Elevated levels of blood glucose lead to spillage of glucose into the urine. People with diabetes often develop bacterial and fungal infections, typically of the skin. When the levels of sugar in the blood are high, white blood cells cannot effectively fight infections.

The diabetes can cause a lot of complications. The sharp complications can prevent if the sickness is not sufficiently checked. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood sugar resulting from either low levels of the hormone insulin or from abnormal resistance to insulin's effects coupled with inadequate levels of insulin secretion to compensate. Diabetes is also an important factor in accelerating the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, leading to strokes, coronary heart disease, and other large blood vessel diseases. This is referred to as macrovascular disease. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production, excessive thirst and increased fluid intake, and blurred vision. These symptoms are likely to be absent if the blood sugar is only mildly elevated. Poor healing of wounds, particularly of the feet, can lead to gangrene, which may require amputation.

The diabetes mellitus present is one kind of old disease, has not treated, and the medical service must be essential with emphasis is avoiding the possible short-term as well as long-term with diabetes related problems. Diabetes screening is recommended for many people at various stages of life, and for those with any of several risk factors. The screening test varies according to circumstances and local policy, and may be a random blood glucose test, a fasting blood glucose test or an even more formal glucose tolerance test. Adequate treatment of diabetes, as well as increased emphasis on blood pressure control and lifestyle factors, may improve the risk profile of most aforementioned complications. Another treatment option is the use of the insulin pump with some of the most popular pump brands being: cozmo, animas, medtronic minimed, and omnipod.

Reference: Juliet Cohen health care blog

Monday, April 13, 2009

All About Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that causes higher than normal blood sugars in its sufferers. It is of two types: (1) Type I diabetes, which normally affects young people. It occurs when the body doesn't make enough insulin to rid the body of excess sugar. The only way to treat that disease is to provide insulin to make up for the lost insulin from the pancreas. (2) Type II diabetes generally affects older people and is a condition where the body makes insulin but the cells of the body don't respond to the insulin in the body.

The disease of diabetes mellitus affects 20.8 million people in the US or 7% of the total population. Nearly 6 million of them do not know they have the disease. Both genetics and environment and heredity play a role in who gets diabetes and who doesn't. Poor dietary habits and obesity play a large role in the development of type II diabetes.

There are many people who don't have diabetes mellitus but who are suffering from prediabetes, also sometimes called insulin resistance. Their body doesn't respond well to the insulin made by the pancreas but the situation isn't bad enough to raise the blood sugar levels yet. The body has higher than normal amounts of insulin in the system but it is enough to compensate for the blood sugar. Eventually, however, many prediabetics go on to develop diabetes in a few years.

There are several tests for diabetes mellitus. The first is a fasting blood sugar. This is normally less than 100 mg per deciliter. In prediabetes, the number is often between 100 and 120 mg per deciliter. In diabetics, the number is often above 120 milligrams per deciliter and is often much higher than that.

The other test for diabetes mellitus is called the "three hour glucose tolerance test" or "3 hr GTT". This involves getting a fasting blood sugar and then giving the individual a small bottle of highly sugared liquid to drink. Then the blood sugar is tested at one hour, two hours and three hours after drinking the sugared liquid. If any number is above 200, then diabetes is diagnosed.

Another test for diabetes mellitus is to check the glycosylated hemoglobin level. This is a measure of the amount of "sugar coated" blood cells in the body. The normal level is 6.0 and numbers above that is felt to be diabetes.

The treatment for diabetes mellitus is different depending on the type of diabetes the person has. Type I diabetes is almost always treated by insulin shots. This is because there is no insulin being put out by the pancreas and so insulin must be replaced. Type II diabetes is often treated with diet and medications. The medications are those that make the cells of the body respond better to the insulin being provided by the pancreas. There are also medications that act to lower the blood sugar directly.

Those with diabetes mellitus must check their blood sugars frequently with a glucometer or blood glucose meter. This may need to be done as often as six or more times per day for type I diabetes and the values reached determine the amount of insulin the person needs per dose. Insulin shots are given before each meal and sometimes at bedtime. Type II diabetics don't often need to check their blood sugars that often. Sometimes it is just checked in the morning and then after the evening meal.

Reference: Michael Webb http://diabeteswelfare.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Diabetes Mellitus - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both. Diabetes is a chronic condition. DM exhibits wide geographic variation in incidence and prevalence Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, an anabolic hormone. Diabetes mellitus is defined as a fasting blood glucose of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more. There are two basic forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus—formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes or also known as juvenile diabetes, is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. It should be noted that there is no known preventative measure that can be taken against type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes appears most often in middle-aged. Diabetes causes many changes in the body. Neuropathy (damage to the nerves) affects sensation to the feet, so that pain is not felt. Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. In addition, an estimated additional 12 million people in the United States have diabetes and don't even know it. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer. Males are at greater risk in regions of high incidence, particularly older males, whose incidence rates often show seasonal variation. People with diabetes often develop bacterial and fungal infections, typically of the skin. When the levels of sugar in the blood are high, white blood cells cannot effectively fight infections. Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease, which includes heart attack.

Serious medical illness and surgery produce a state of increased insulin resistance. Controlling your blood sugar is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of diabetes. Diet, exercise and weight reduction should be the cornerstone of management. The treatment of markedly symptomatic patients with newly discovered type 2 diabetes and glucose levels >400 mg/dL is controversial. Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin. Medications such as thiazides, used to control high blood pressure, and niacin, used for high cholesterol, also may increase blood sugar. Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people with diabetes are no exception. The good news is that the same exercises that are good for your heart and lungs also help lower your blood sugar levels. Drugs and foods known to affect the CYP3A4 system need to be used cautiously in patients treated with atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin because these agents are largely metabolized through that system.

Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus Tips

1. Serious medical illness and surgery produce a state of increased insulin resistance.

2. Controlling your blood sugar is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of diabetes.

3. Diet, exercise and weight reduction should be the cornerstone of management.

4. Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin. Medications such as thiazides, used to control high blood pressure, and niacin, used for high cholesterol, also may increase blood sugar.

5. Drugs and foods known to affect the CYP3A4 system need to be used cautiously in patients treated with atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin because these agents are largely metabolized through that system.

Reference:Juliet Cohen online medical clinic