Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms Revealed

Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) makes up the majority of diabetes cases. It’s estimated that around 13 million in the USA suffer from Type 2. Unlike Type I, Type II progresses at a slow pace. It can creep along and be unnoticed for years. For this reason, Type 2 diabetes is beginning to be called the “stealth disease.” This type of diabetes can walk around with a person from day to day and they will begin to believe it’s a normal process of their life. Well, I have news for you, it’s not and it’s very lethal if left untreated. If you notice any of the symptoms below, you should visit the doctor immediately. Untreated cases of diabetes account for most of the cases of fatalities of diabetes.

There is amazing technology and medicine today to help you cope with diabetes.

Below is a list of the top symptoms for users that may have Type 2 Diabetes:

Any of the Type 1 symptoms listed above: Any of the symptoms listed above can and probably will be apparent in an individual that has Type 1 diabetes.

Tingling or Numbness in Legs, Feet, or Fingers: You may have a burning sensation or heightened sensitivity in these extremities or on other spots of your skin. Symptoms, such as leg cramps can appear or worsen at night time. These may be signs that circulation is poor or nerve damage is beginning to progress.

Frequent Infections: Diabetes weakens the body’s defenses against invasions of bacteria. Infections of the gums, urinary tract, or skin can keep recurring and take a long time to clear up. This shows that the disease may have begun interfering with the immune system.

Itching of Skin and Genitals : This is the result of an underlying infection or dehydration, a common by-product of diabetes.

Slow Healing of Cuts and Bruises : Diabetes has affects how cells use the nutrients taken from food. The body may have difficult repairing damaged tissue. Diabetes is also known to thicken blood vessels, slowing circulation and preventing wounds from receiving nutrients and oxygen.

The problem millions of people face a year is that these symptoms can be overlooked and even blamed for other conditions. You have to make sure that your blood sugar level is checked yearly, at the very least, and more frequently if there are manifestations of any of the symptoms above.

Below is a list of the top symptoms for women that may have gestational diabetes:

• Many women experience no symptoms at all
• Thirst
• Hunger
• Urination increase
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bladder infection
• Vaginal infection

The symptoms above should be used as a resource to diagnose yourself with diabetes, it should simply be a resource to pre-diagnose yourself. The only way to truly know if you have diabetes or not is to visit the doctor and be tested. If you have any slight assumption in your mind that you may have diabetes, then visit the doctor immediately, do not leave this disease untreated or it could result in a very dangerous and possibly fatal result.

Reference: http://www.diabetessymptomsguide.com/

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms Revealed

The only true way to know if you have diabetes is to visit your doctor and have various tests done. There is a couple of what we call pre-symptoms in order to determine if what you are experiencing may or may not be diabetes.

Here is a list of what you should be looking out for if you think you may have diabetes:

• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Constantly urinating
• Always thirsty
• Always hungry
• Sudden weight loss
• Continued fatigue

Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It’s less common in the US because the most severe cases usually develop within a few days or weeks. With IDDM, the lack of insulin stems from the destruction of beta cells. The symptoms associated with IDDM are very distinct:

Polydipsia : An extreme thirst that is due to frequent urination. The body is signaling for lost fluids to be replaced. Dehydration will occur if the condition is not caught immediately.

Polyuria : Urination that comes frequently and in large doses is a symptom of diabetes. The body rushes fluids through the kidney to dilute the unusually high levels of sugar in the urine.

Polyphagia: This is a feeling of unusual hunger. The body believes it is starving because glucose is not reaching its cells to provide the proper nutrients.

Extreme Weight Loss: There are many Type I diabetes patients that are at or below their ideal body weight. When diabetes begins, they suddenly lose a great deal of weight – as much as 15 or more pounds in a week. Weight loss happens even if the individual has a good diet and is eating correctly. The lack of insulin simply means that calories, in the form of glucose are being sent out through the urine and the body is beginning to burn fat reserves.

Irritability: In young people especially, crankiness, crying, and confusion may warn that diabetes is on the horizon. A child may seem to very inattentive and generally confused about what is going on.

Weakness: Weakness is a symptom because muscle cells are not receiving their usual fuel and energy. Fatigue is a symptom for many illnesses and diseases which is a good reason why diabetes can go unrecognized for a long period of time. You should be concerned if your child becomes restless, tired, or drowsy all of a sudden for no reason. There are many people that report stomach pain, leg pain, chest pain, and having difficulty breathing.

Blurred Vision: Excess glucose can be seeping into the eye, which changes the shape of the lens. The difficult in focusing or changes in eyesight from one day to the next – such as being nearsighted to having normal vision are possible symptoms for diabetes.

Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can happen before ketoacidosis, as poisonous ketone acids build up in the blood and the body must resort to burning fat deposits for energy.

While this list gives you a good indication of Type 1 diabetes symptoms, the only true way to know if you have diabetes is to visit your doctor.

Reference: http://www.diabetessymptomsguide.com/

Type 2 Diabetes: Don't Ignore The Facts

Millions of people around the world are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every year. Many have never heard of the disease, though some know a few facts. If you're one of millions diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this year, arm yourself with knowledge that will help make your diabetes treatment and management easier.

Type 2 diabetes is caused when your body is unable to produce sufficient quantities of insulin or the inability of your own body cells to use that insulin efficiently. The body needs sugars, or glucose, for energy. The human body is a finely tuned machine with different systems and organs working in tandem to maintain normal activities. Much like a vehicle, if one setting is wrong, it affects the behavior of the entire engine. Hormones within the body normally produce adequate supplies of insulin, which is turned into glucose and used as an energy source. When the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use it properly, this affects fat tissues and muscle cells, which in turn causes what is known as 'insulin resistance'. Such a condition is prevalent among those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM). With type 2 diabetes, a decline of what are called beta cells adds to the problem by also serving to elevate blood sugar levels within the body. The bottom line is that if someone is resistant to insulin, the body turns around and tries to increase its production of the substance until it overcomes the resistance. Eventually, if the production of insulin is decreased and insulin is not released at regular intervals, hyperglycemia occurs. This condition causes the elevated blood glucose levels within your body systems to rise. As with many other body system organs and functions, levels of glucose must be strictly maintained to produce normal body function activities.

People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may still be able to produce insulin, but not enough to maintain continuing normal range levels within the system. In such cases, the pancreas kicks in to start producing larger quantities of insulin, which throws the fine chemical balances maintained throughout the body out of whack. Another major factor in the onset of type 2 diabetes is that body cells, especially muscle and fat cells, seem insensitive to this insulin. This may be due to the fact that the insulin being released from the pancreas is inferior, but what results is a downward spiral that is difficult to control until a patient is required to administer daily insulin injections.

It used to be that only older people or certain ethnic groups seemed to develop type 2 diabetes, but more young people are contracting type 2 diabetes than at any other time throughout history. Such a rise in the number of young adults, and even teenagers, developing type 2 diabetes, is blamed on sloppy eating habits, lack of adequate exercise and the intake of huge amounts of fast foods. If this issue isn't seriously addressed, the rise in people developing type 2 diabetes will continue at an alarming rate.

Reference: http://DealWithDiabetes.com.

A Fact-Sheet On Type II Diabetes

About six percent of the population of the US of A is suffering from diabetes.

It is the seventh leading cause of death here.

It is a well-known fact that those living with diabetes are the most probable candidates for blindness, kidney diseases, diseases related to the nervous system, amputation of limbs, heart disorders and brain hemorrhage.

Type II diabetes is very common in the USA and accounts for 95% of the diabetes population.

The very name of type II diabetes presupposes that there is diabetes type I. Fortunately, until this date there is no diabetes type III.

The problem with type II diabetes patients is utilization of glucose in the blood. Glucose must reach the muscle cells or other cells that need glucose to carry out daily activities. But unfortunately, the cells are insensitive to insulin. They do not do their duty- just like workers on strike! Glucose remains in the blood only and this is the root cause of all the problems.

Do not relax if you think that your problem is type II diabetes. It is the stepping stone to diabetes I, therefore utmost care is all the more necessary. In type I diabetes, it is the inability to produce insulin. In type II diabetes, it is the inability to utilize the insulin produced. It is not the problem of production; it is the problem of equitable distribution. The ultimate result of both the problems is the same-high levels of glucose in the blood!

All cells in the body have receptors; these are special proteins. They have something definite to do with insulin, a special bond! They are the lock and key. For glucose to enter the cell, insulin must first fit into the insulin receptor. But type II diabetes is the owner of a duplicate or faulty lock. Entry of glucose is barred. No admission! It is the beginning of all problems! Insulin does not work properly, or it is mutated or built incorrectly.

The next problem is with the beta cells. In the pancreas, they do not produce enough insulin. When it is short of the body's requirements, the glucose level rises and there comes diabetes! Researchers, until this day, are groping in the dark to know the reasons for this.

In fine age, obesity and lifestyle do matter a lot in diabetes type II. Develop absolute control on your diet, in consultation with your family doctor and have a proper exercise schedule. Take early morning walks. Practice meditation and light yoga exercises.

Thank yourself that it is type II diabetes. Type I is waiting in the wings to overpower you, lest you are alert.

Reference: Ashish Jain,: http://www.diabitieslife.com

Who Is At Greater Risk For Type 1 Diabetes?

Some folk are at higher danger than others of developing diabetes. Any individual with a household story of diabetes has increased danger. Diabetes too occurs more often in Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans.

Because it tends to run in families, the major risk factor for type 1 diabetes appears to be genetics. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increase progressively as body fat increases, especially around the midsection. Compared to a normal-weight person, an obese person can have 40 times the risk of type 2 diabetes. Most, but not all, people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are obese when the diagnosis is made.

In new years, scientists have recognized a clump of danger factors dubbed Syndrome X. Like diabetes, Syndrome X involves impaired uptake of glucose by cells, but it too includes higher blood force and higher blood levels of insulin, fat, and cholesterol. Combined, these factors increase the danger of character 2 diabetes and eye disease by several fold. As many as 30 percent of grownup males and 15 percent of postmenopausal women have Syndrome X.

Contrary to popular though, high sugar or high carbohydrate intake does not by itself cause diabetes. In fact, current dietary recommendations for individuals with diabetes emphasize diets rich in complex carbohydrate (including fiber) and low in fat. Although in the past, dietary treatment of diabetes eliminated simple sugars from the diet, current recommendations allow individuals with diabetes include moderate amounts of simple sugars in their diet as long as sugar intake dose not contribute to excess energy intake and obesity.

The best prevention for both type 2 diabetes due to obesity and Syndrome X is healthful diet and regular exercise. Reducing excess body fat will improve glucose tolerance and reduce related risk factors for heart disease. Regular exercise will improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity. In addition, exercise improves blood flow to the extremities, bringing blood pressure down to normal levels and reducing risk of heart disease.

Who is at greater risk for type 1 diabetes?

People with high blood pressure

People with a family history of diabetes

People who are overweight

People who do not exercise regularly

People with low HDL or high tri-glyceride levels in blood

Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., African American, Hispanic Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans)

Woman who have had gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that occurs in about 4 percent or pregnancies, or who have had a baby who weighed 8 pounds or more at birth.

Reference: Online Diabetics Center

How Important Is The Right Diabetes Diet?

There is nothing more important than the right diabetes diet. Diabetes is a serious disease that you need to learn as much as you can about if your or someone that you care about has been diagnosed with it. Eating right and staying healthy is the only way to battle diabetes and knowing what you can and cannot eat is essential. If you have the proper diet you may be able to have some control over your diabetes.

Having diabetes is a balancing act and it is one that you can manage if you take the time to learn how. As long as you are eating the right amount of healthy foods and you are avoiding all of the sugar that you are not allowed to eat you will be well on your way to staying healthy in spite of diabetes.

Keeping an eye on your sugar intake is key to good diabetes diet management. This will mean learning all of the best sugar replacements and sugar free foods. This used to be a lot harder than it is now. These days there are all kinds of great sugar replacements, many are even perfect for baking, and the sugar free products are becoming ever so popular. Even people without diabetes are choosing them over the sugar filled alternatives. Sugar free products taste delicious, which makes the easy to eat and enjoy while still maintaining a good blood sugar level.

You will also need to watch how much food that you eat. Eating too much or too little can have a negative impact on your diet and health. Talk to your doctor about how much food you should be eating each and every day and what times are optimal. Your diabetes diet will have to be set just right if you want to stay in perfect control and health. As long as you eat right every day you will stay feeling good and healthy for years to come.

Reference: Dana Goldberg Weight Free Tips

Type 1 Diabetes In Children

Diabetes in children is also referred to as juvenile diabetes,but the more common name for it is type 1 diabetes. It is the most prominent form of diabetes existing in children with a stunning ninety to ninety-five percent of carriers being under people under the ages of 16.

Juvenile diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. It is an autoimmune disease,which means or is caused when the bodies defense system attacks the body’s tissues or organs.

In the past 30 years the number of juvenile diabetes has increased three folds over and in Europe and the US we are now sadly seeing type 2 diabetes in children for the first time.

Obesity and lack of exercise easily explains type 2 diabetes, but not the staggering increase of type 1 diabetes in children. It is alleged that a mixture of genetics and environmental factors are the triggers for juvenile diabetes. But the majority of children plagued with the ailment do not have a family history of diabetes.

The symptoms for type 1 diabetes in children are much the same as type 2 diabetes in adults. Weight loss, dehydration,thirst, fatigue, frequent urination is typical, but diabetes in children can also increase stomach pains, headaches and behavioral problems.

Doctors should consider the likelihood of diabetes in children who have inexplicable stomach pains for a few weeks, along with the typical symptoms.

If you suspect your child may be experiencing these horrid symptoms, you should schedule them as soon as possible for a thorough examination and alert your doctor about your suspicions on what your child may have. Be sure to inform them about any and all symptoms your child may be experiencing.

It is quite agonising finding out that a precious child is a sufferer of this dreaded ailment. Though the insulin shots religiously provided to the child does help, what most parents crave for most is a total cure. All parents desire and demand that their children lead very normal and exciting lives.

Diabetes can leave the child weak and also encourage excessive sleeping which obviously robs the child of youth. Parents are compelled to keep a regular supply of insulin to prevent full blown diabetes from rearing its ugly head.

Another worry for parents is the long term agony the child may experience in their adult years. One great fear is them becoming parents. This may lead to sad consequences as diabetes can cause birth defects.

Apart from that, diabetes is presently the leading cause of amputations and blindness in the United States alone and there is this worry that as they grow older, they too are bound to be faced squarely with these challenges.

Parents should take things one day at a time. "Do not bother about the next day as each day carries enough of its own anxieties" said the great teacher, Jesus Christ. This is only wise lest the parent develops hypertension which will now be another serious ailment to worry about.

Orthodox science is presently doing all it can to develop not medical solutions for type 1 diabetes but also for type 2 diabetes as well. They will eventually succeed.

Herbal medicine does provide excellent alternatives in this regard. Stories of Asians who never developed this ugly ailment have been documented and is worth looking into now.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It actually accounts for more than 90% of all cases of diabetes. With this disease the body does not make or properly use insulin, a hormone that helps convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy. Eventually a person's body will stop producing insulin if they have this disease. Unfortunately, it is not yet known why this happens. However, genetics and environmental factors do play a role. This is why it is important to have a self-management plan in order to fight this disease. There are classes available though that provide information about type 2 diabetes and teach the skills that are necessary for avoiding the numerous complications of this disease. These classes teach the patient how to monitor glucose, modify their diets, develop exercise regimens, self-inject insulin and many other necessary things.

There is a range of medications available to help you manage your diabetes. Because there is a lot of research going into diabetes, this range is expanding all the time. It is often helpful to look on diabetes medications as a valuable tool you can use in your quest to successfully live with diabetes. Just as sugar or glucose is useful when your blood glucose levels are low, medication is useful when you come to need it. Sometimes you may need medications for other things besides your diabetes. Some medications can affect your blood glucose levels. It pays to know what these medications are. Sometimes there is an alternative medication available that will not have the same effect. Sometimes you may need the medication anyway. But if you can anticipate the effect they may have on your blood glucose levels it will allow you to plan to manage this.

Daily insulin injections can be the most difficult part of type 2 diabetes self-management for some people. A good alternative for this is a medical device that is known as an insulin pump. This is a small, battery operated pump that is worn on the waist and has a reservoir that contains insulin, which is automatically injected into the body by way of a catheter that is embedded under the skin. The pump is easily detached and adjusted. About 90% of people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight. Therefore, exercise and keeping weight under control are vital. Of course, it is also important to keep blood glucose under control in order to prevent the other health related problems that are often related to type 2 diabetes.

Food intake must also be moderated. This does not mean that a person with the disease cannot continue to eat their favorite foods. They can do so as long as their portions are controlled. Of course, the person also needs to eat foods that are high in nutrition with lots of vegetables and fruit. For this reason you will find that many programs have dietitians on staff to help patients develop a plan that works for them. Exercise is also an important way of helping to control type 2 diabetes. Even light exercise such as gardening and walking are beneficial to keeping a person's blood sugar under control. This will also benefit your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Developing diabetes has helped some people become healthier. This is because by sticking to their self-management plan they are no longer obese, they are also able to enjoy the many health benefits that go along with exercise and healthy eating.

Reference: Roger Thompson Leading Portal for health care, medical, biotech and hospital jobs

Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to break down glucose in the blood. That is why people with type 2 diabetes take insulin shots, to help raise their insulin level and break down the glucose. But there are ways to structure your type 2 diabetes diet that can help you manage your diabetes better and even potentially reduce the effects of the diabetes. The first way you can help yourself is to simply lose weight and get more exercise. Type 2 diabetes thrives in larger inactive people. So reducing your mass and increasing your blood flow and help reduce the effects of the type 2 diabetes. But here are some things you can do in a type 2 diabetes diet that can also help reduce the effects of your diabetes.

Simple carbohydrates are really bad to have in a type 2 diabetes diet. Refined sugars and sweets are dangerous and can cause a dangerous rise in the glucose level in your blood. What you want to do is increase your intake of complex carbohydrates and fibers to help reduce the need for your system to produce insulin as quick as it would need to with simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables are ideal for a type 2 diabetes diet because they are broken down slowly by your system and even a person with diabetes will have an easier time digesting complex carbohydrates because the insulin demand on the system is lower. So eat your fruits and vegetables and make sure you also get fiber into your type 2 diabetes diet.

In a type 2 diabetes diet you want anywhere from 10% to 20% of your daily intake of calories to have protein in it. Protein is an essential part of any diet but people on a type 2 diabetes diet especially want to make sure that they are getting their share of protein. Avoid doing much more that 20% as that can potentially lead to problems. Obesity is common in patients with type 2 diabetes and this condition appears to be related to insulin resistance. The primary dietary goal for overweight type 2 patients is weight loss and maintenance. Studies indicate that when people with type 2 diabetes maintain intensive exercise and diet modification programs, many can minimize or even avoid medications. Weight loss medications or bariatric surgery may be appropriate for some patients.

Try and keep your fat intake to less than 30% of your daily calorie count and try to eat as little saturated fats as possible. It is ideal to try and keep your saturated fat intake each day to a level below 10% of your calorie intake.

Various studies have found that women who had regularly consumed the greatest amounts of saturated fats had the least amount of additional atherosclerotic plaque buildup in their arteries. Also, women who ate more saturated fat had a healthier balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol, and more desirable blood serum concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids.

You want to try and make your diet as lean as possible and avoid adding any more fats or carbohydrates to your diet. It is advisable that you consume at least 20 grams of fiber every day which will be beneficial to patients suffer from diabetes.

Reference: Roger Thompson

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Management of diabetes is done through controlling your elevated blood sugar in order to feel healthy and avoid any complications. This is done without causing abnormally lower levels of sugar. There are a few methods in which this can be achieved. The First method is with a diabetic diet to achieve weight reduction, and second with exercise. If this is not successful in controlling the high blood sugars, medications are then introduced.

One of the biggest changes in your life will be the adjustment that you will have to make for monitoring your blood sugar. This task at first will seem burdensome and overwhelming, but in time once you have gotten into the swing of it, it will become a natural part of your day. The one crucial difference with this new habit, is that it is a vital step to feeling good, staying healthy and saving your life.

Testing will tell you exactly where your glucose levels are and If they are within your target range.
You will notice when measuring your levels what makes them rise and what makes them fall, thus readjusting your intake. Blood sugar changes constantly so your awareness and your testing is very important. Knowing what things affect your blood sugar will also help tremendously. Some factors that affect sugar levels include:

• Exercise. When you become more active you begin to lower your blood sugar. Strenuous physical activity such as sports, walking, jogging or even riding a bike will cause your sugars to transport into your cells for energy, thus lowering them.

• Illness. Becoming ill is a special concern when you are diabetic. Extra care and monitoring are required during this time. A simple cold or even flu can become quite serious. Your body when ill begins to produce hormones that raise your sugar levels and helps to promote healing, but this can be problematic for a diabetic. Ensure that you have special instructions at home given to you by your doctor or diabetic clinic to use as reference and aid you through this.

• Alcohol. When planning on having a drink you must do so in moderation. Check your blood sugar before and after to see its affects on you. Each person differs as to their affect. Some sugars rise and others fall. Know that alcohol is to be counted for as a carb.

Medications that you may take for another issue may have an impact on your condition and how you are treating it. Be sure to check with your doctor and pharmacist to be sure that what you take is not going to affect your sugar levels.

MEDICATIONS

If your doctor decides that diet and exercise are not enough to control your blood sugar levels, he or she may place you on medication. The medication is meant to:

1. Increase the insulin output by the pancreas.

2. Decrease the absorption of carbs.

3. Decrease the glucose that your liver releases

4. Aid the cells in response to the insulin.

Various medications are used in the treatment of diabetes. Your doctor will take into consideration many factors in his prescription of your course of treatment.

Some of the medications include:

• SULFONYLUREA DRUGS.

• MEGLITINIDES

• BIGUANIDES

• ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS

• THIAZOLIDINEDIONES

• INCRETIN MIMETICS

• AMYLIN MIMETICS

• DPP-4 INHIBITORS

• INSULIN

• DRUG COMBINATIONS.

Regardless or not, if your doctor puts you on a treatment course of medication, it does not replace proper monitoring, exercise and a good diet. This is the corner stone of a healthy lifestyle.

Reference: http://www.dotdiabetes.com/

An Introduction To Type I Diabetes

When the sugar level in your blood is too high, you have diabetes. In Type I diabetes, the level of sugar is not only high, it is out of control. The reason being the body has stopped the production of the required quantity of insulin. As a result, type I diabetes patient needs two to five insulin shots per day, to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Insulin is a chemical substance in the body that is essential to keep blood sugar levels normal. Its second function is- it assists the body to use fat and protein. An organ near the stomach, pancreas, is the production headquarters of insulin.

The causes of Type I Diabetes can be listed as:

1. Your body just stops making insulin.
2. The pancreas gets damaged.
3. The cells that make insulin are destroyed.

Initially, when a part of the cells in the body are destroyed, you may not know that you have diabetes. When the destruction of the cells is complete, disaster awaits you. Now you suddenly realize what all problems you had were due to some vague reasons. You neglected the early warnings.

But, what were those warnings? You suddenly lost weight and then you thought that you were evolving into a fit personality. You used bathroom a lot, your hunger almost seized you and you were happy about it. When you became very thirsty, you thought that drinking lots of water is good for health. A nature cure fad had advised you about it. You had blurred vision, you got your eyes tested and you bought a glass and sunglass too. You felt tired but you thought that all hard and sincere workers get tired- not once a thought streaked into your mind, that you must have a check up! And you now have a life-long companion, Diabetes Type I.

Is there a cure for Diabetes Type I? NO, there is not!

So, what is to be done? Nothing precisely can cure this problem. But, something that can not be cured must be endured. If you take proper diet, and exercise regularly, you can still live happily, even in the company of diabetes.

There is no cure for diabetes. But, if you work with your health care team, eat right and exercise, you can live a great life and stay healthy.

Reference: http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/

Type 1 Diabetes: How Does It Occur?

Glucose plays a very important role in the functioning of the body. It is the most important carbohydrate, a simple monosaccharide, which helps provide energy to the body. It works with insulin to help build glucose transporters to the body's cells. This glucose in the cells produces energy required for the functioning of the body. When this process is disturbed and the production of insulin is affected, the condition is called diabetes.

The pancreas produces insulin in the body, but when the body is unable to utilize the insulin produced, then this is known as type 2 diabetes. The condition when the pancreas stops producing insulin altogether, is called type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults; therefore it is also called juvenile diabetes. Fortunately this type of diabetes can be controlled and managed more comfortably than type 2 diabetes. However, this does not change the fact that this is a serious condition and if you have the disease, you have to be very careful. Diabetes is not a condition that you can neglect; medical attention is required as soon as it is diagnosed. If left untreated, it will lead to more serious health problems. You have to be careful about what you eat and what you do.

If your family has a history of diabetes, then you have to take extra care as you have a greater chance of getting it than someone who does not have a family history of the disease. Look out for the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes at an early age. It is best to get the right tests done to confirm whether or not you have it. It is advisable to get as much information as you can get on the condition. You can find a lot of information in books, from your physician and, of course, on the Internet.

Some of the early signs of type 1 diabetes that you need to look out for are:

• Increased frequency of urination
• An insatiable thirst
• Severe hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness and malaise
• Blurry vision
• Irritability

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician immediately.

Type 1 diabetes can lead to more complications if it is left untreated. Examples are heart problems, strokes, damage to the kidneys and blurred vision, possibly leading to blindness.

As the pancreas stops the production of insulin in type 1 diabetes, the treatment for this disease would include the introduction of insulin to the body. There are about 20 types of products available which could provide the much needed insulin. Which product should be taken depends on the patient and the physician providing the health care.

There are various insulin products which are made to suit the different needs and lifestyles of the patients. The physician, after examining the patient, will prescribe the insulin product that is the most suitable. Factors affecting this decision are the blood sugar level, how soon the insulin takes effect, the peak times that insulin is required and also how long the insulin is effective in the diabetic's body

Reference: http://DealWithDiabetes.com.

Type Two Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that needs to have medical attention as soon as some symptoms begin to surface. The reason why diabetes is serious is because it will cause the body to shut down and you will go into sugar shock. After sugar, shock the body will go into a coma and a person may never come out of the comatose state. Diabetes, in general, can cause the body to stop circulating the blood flow properly and that’s why many diabetics have to have parts of their body amputated. Diabetics also have a higher change of developing kidney, pancreas, and other organ diseases.

Type two diabetes will usually affect people much older than that of type one. It is the most common type of diabetes and effects thousands of people each day. It is also referred to as adult onset diabetes.

Typically, it is due to being overweight, but there are exceptions to the rule. Type one is where your body lacks insulin and type one is where you body will begin to resist insulin. This type is developed by usually genetics and often is passed down through generations. The insulin levels with type two diabetics are sometimes normal, but the body won’t respond to it. This will create higher blood levels because the body is not using the glucose up. When you have type one you are considered to have symptoms of hyperglycemia, however you will have the opposite reaction with type two and have hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is where you have low blood sugar. It is from the fact that your body cannot provide enough energy for the activities of the body. It will cause you to be hungry much like type one. It will also make you very nervous or shaky. You will perspire more than the average person and you will become dizzy or light headed. You will become over anxious or weak which will cause you to have difficulty speaking or feeling restless. You will also become confused and possibly hallucinate. Because of your anxiety, you may have nightmares or perspire so much during sleep that your entire bed becomes wet or damp. You will often wake up tired, irritable, and confused.

Type two is the most common type of diabetes and exists in all cultures. It is often the result from obesity and it is doesn’t discriminate ethnically or racially. Obesity has become a problem for today’s world and has been found as a tendency to promote diabetes rather it’s genetically enhanced or not.

The causes of the disease have many factors to blame, but genetics seem to be the strongest factor. Obesity is also found to be genetically enhanced and the two could be related somehow. Treatment is simple, it is taken orally to lower the blood sugar which can cause hypoglycemia and at some point insulin injections may be needed.

Reference: http://www.all-about-diabetes-symptom.com/

Type One Diabetes

Type one diabetes is far less common than type two diabetes and it will affect younger individuals. It is most found in people under the age of 40 and mostly under the age of fourteen. There are people who have been diagnosed with it after forty but it is very rare. Diabetes is a serious issues and type one is the worst. It is associated with the lack of insulin. It is a dysfunction of the pancreas where it will just stop making insulin in the amount the body needs to maintain a normal level of glucose in the blood. Many people who have type one diabetes will have symptoms of hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is where your glucose is too high in the blood. Meaning your blood sugar is too high. The common symptoms of hyperglycemia or diabetes type one is frequent hunger, frequent urinating, and frequent thirst. You will also experience blurred vision, fatigue, weight loss, your healing power will be low (meaning it will take you a long time to heal a wound or cut), dry mouth, dry or itchy skin, and you could have impotence for males. Your immune system will become weak and you will be able to pick up infection easily.

The reason why you are always hungry is because your body can not use glucose as an energy source. It is also, why you tire out easily. Since the body can not absorb sugar or glucose into the blood cells you will release it through frequent trips to the bathroom. Since you make many trips a day to the bathroom, your body realizes that it is losing excess water and that’s why you will become thirsty. When it comes to the symptoms, you may experience them all together or it may take some time for your body to go through the process. Most likely though it will be gradual.

The changes of developing type one diabetes is 3.7 to 20 per 100, 000. Over 700,000 Americans have type one diabetes, which adds up to be about ten percent of the total population that has the disorder. It is more common to have type two diabetes. The reason why people develop the disorder is because an autoimmune disorder. The body will start to see it’s own tissue as a foreign object and then it destroys the body’s ability to make insulin. It has been rumored to be a cause from the mumps, rubella, measles, influenza, polio, or other viruses. That’s why it is very common in young children because those epidemics affect younger children more often than older adults. Diabetes is also genetic. You may simply have the disorder because an immediate family member has it.

As for treatment, type one involves injections of insulin. It is absorbed in the blood stream and absorbed by the cells that need insulin and it will then control the levels of sugar in the blood.

Reference: http://www.all-about-diabetes-symptom.com/

Understanding Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

The first type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes that affects people who have high blood pressure, are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. Other causes may be inactiveness, strokes, vascular disease, or high cholesterol levels. People over forty-five are at risk for type 2 diabetes as well. People who have type 2 diabetes do not take insulin because the body produces enough insulin, however the body does not recognize the insulin as insulin and does not use it the right way. As a result, the glucose enters the blood stream and builds up causing the body to malfunction.

The build up of glucose in the blood stream can cause dehydration, diabetic coma, nerve damage, hardening of the arteries and kidney damage. The longer the body goes without proper treatment, more damage is done to the body and can lead to death. Although type 2 diabetes is found in more adults, children are prone to this type of diabetes as well.

Type 1 diabetes usually shows up in children, but can affect some adults. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the pancreas does not make any insulin for the body. The insulin is needed so that the glucose can enter the body cells instead of staying in the blood stream, which leads to a build up of sugar in the blood. If a build up of sugar in the blood occurs, long-term health problems will arise such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to death. If left untreated, type 1 diabetes can lead to kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and other eye problems as well as heart problems.

Type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes for years before being given the current title. Type 1 diabetes was known to affect children more so than it did adults. The different between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that with type 1 diabetes the body does not make insulin and with type 2 the body does not produce enough insulin to sustain the body. For the most part, people who have type 2 diabetes just need a proper diet with exercise and some medication to treat the diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, people have to take insulin shots and watch there sugar counts.

Some symptoms of type 1 diabetes might be an increase in thirst, hunger after eating, dry mouth, increased urination, weight loss and fatigue. Type 2 diabetes may have the same symptoms as type 1 diabetes, however, most of the time you do not experience any symptoms. Some other symptoms you may notice with type 2 diabetes are tingling of the feet or hands, weight gain, itchy skin around the groin or vaginal area as well as yeast infections and sores that heal slowly.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical advice to confirm if it is or is not a form of diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important for people who have diabetes or show any signs of diabetes symptoms. If you discover your diabetes early, you can work to counter it before it becomes too serious. Prolonging a check up can cause more harm to the body.

Reference: http://www.chirondata.com/

What's the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes affects millions of Americans today, but it can take different forms. You may often hear of someone saying that they have “Type 1 diabetes” or “Type 2 diabetes”. But what is the difference between the two types? Isn't it all just diabetes?

The answer is yes and no. While both are forms of diabetes, each type has its own distinct characteristics. This means that treatment differs between the two.

Between five and ten percent of all diabetes sufferers have Type 1 diabetes. You may also hear people refer to this type as “juvenile-onset diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes”. In this case, the body's immune system attacks the cells that release insulin into your body. The immune system destroys these cells, and because of this, insulin production in the body is eliminated. Insulin aids the glucose (sugar) absorption into the blood, so if your body has no insulin, it cannot absorb sugar. Without this process, your body cannot produce energy. Generally speaking, people develop symptoms of Type 1 diabetes during their childhood or young adulthood. They suddenly become seriously ill as a result of sudden symptoms of high blood sugar. Type 1 sufferers are also prone to periods of low blood sugar, called “hypoglycemia”. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented – you are either born with it or you are not.

Type 2 diabetes is the more common ailment of the two – roughly ninety to ninety-five percent of all diabetes sufferers are afflicted with Type 2 diabetes.. This form of diabetes is also called “adult-onset diabetes” or “non-insulin-dependent diabetes”. In this case, the body resists the insulin it produces. It cannot properly respond to the insulin in the body. As you can expect, this also has serious adverse effects on your health. This resistance can be the result of increasing age, obesity, a genetic predisposition, or other factors. People can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age – it generally begins showing itself in adulthood, but there is an increasing number of children who are developing symptoms of Type 2 diabetes today. While certain diabetes medicines and treatments can result in a low blood sugar level, there are no episodes of hypoglycemia that occur naturally in a Type 2 diabetes sufferer. The good news is that Type 2 diabetes is preventable through a healthy lifestyle – eating sensibly and exercising regularly.

Both types of diabetes can greatly increase your risk of developing serious, life-threatening complications. Continuous monitoring and management of the disease can prevent most serious complications, but kidney failure and blindness can still develop for a diabetes sufferer. It also can cause heart disease, stroke, and amputations of the leg and foot.

The best thing you can do to prevent these complications is regular check-ups and examinations with your doctor. As long as you catch your diabetes early, you can diagnose and manage the complications, resulting in your ability to live a full, healthy life.

Reference: http://www.santalsolutions.com/

Every Person Before Developing Type 2 Diabetes Almost Always Has Pre-diabetes

What is Pre-diabetes? This is a fact that before developing diabetes mellitus type 2, almost always that patient develops Pre-diabetes condition. Though we will not diagnose that person as diabetic, but if he or she will not control his or her blood suger level, he will probably have diabetes mellitus in future. In pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are in higher limits, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. In USA only, more than 54 million people have pre-diabetes condition.During pre-diabetes damage to heart and circulatory system may already be occuring.

Various studies have shown that if you control your pre-diabetes condition earlier, then there are very less chances to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, or you can delay it to develop. So always try to manage your blood glucose under control limits when you are in pre-diabetic stage to prevent yourself from developing type 2 diabetes.

Do you have Pre-diabetes Condition, How to Tell? There are two important tests that can tell you that you are having pre-diabetes condition. 1-The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) 2: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Your doctor can do any of these two tests. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test values for pre-diabetes are between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl. If your glucose level is below 100mg/dl, then you have normal metabolism, if above 125mg/dl then you have Diabetes. It means if your level is between 100-125mg/dl, then you will have pre-diabetes. In case of OGTT, if less than 140mg/dl, then normal, between 140-200mg/dl is pre-diabetic condition and above 200mg/dl is diabetic condition.

How you can prevent pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes can be very lethal to your health if you will not manage it seriously. Sooner or later you will probably have type 2 diabetes. There are two simple things that you can do to get rid of this pre-diabetes situation. You can also even get your glucose level within normal limits if you follow these 3 steps. A: Change in your diet habit. Try to avoid sweets in your diet. B: Half hour moderate exercise C: Weight reduction. Just 30 minutes daily moderate physical activity or exercise, along with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, can produce a 58% reduction in diabetes

Who should get tested for pre-diabetes? If you are overweight and above 45 years of age, then you should have your FPG and OGTT. If you are not overweight and above 45, should consult your doctor. If you are below 45 and overweight, you should also check your fasting plasma glucose level.

How often should I be tested? If you are having normal blood glucose levels you should have FPG test every 3 years. If you have pre-diabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every year after your diagnosis of pre-diabetes.

Children pre-diabetes Children have much less chances of developing pre-diabetes condition, however if they are very obese then one must think of pre-diabetes condition and get yourself be checked for pre-diabetes

Reference: Dr. Armughan Riaz, Prediabetes Symptoms Diet Treatment

Six Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that strikes more people every year. It also leads to severe complications such as heart problems, blindness, kidney trouble, and amputation of limbs. Diabetes has a genetic component that may make you more prone to the disease. It runs in families and women who have had gestational diabetes are at risk as well. Can we prevent or delay the onset of diabetes? Yes, there are some simple things you can do now that will allow you to avoid or delay this disease.

1. Look at what you are eating. Eat smaller portions; you can make it look like more by using a smaller plate or a salad plate. Don’t snack while you are cooking. You probably don’t even realize how many calories you take in by snacking while cooking. Don’t be tempted to “clean up” the unfinished food to keep from throwing it away or storing it in the refrigerator. Eat breakfast every day, and make your meal and snack times regular by having them at the same time each day.

2. Limit your meat, poultry, and fish intake to about three ounces a day. This is equal to about the size of a pack of cards. Another good tip is to listen to music instead of watching TV. If you are watching TV while you are eating, you are not aware of how much you are eating.

3. Low salt broth is a good substitute for oil and butter. Drinking a full glass of water before eating will also help reduce your appetite. If you are eating at a fast-food place, try choosing the healthier foods, such as grilled chicken, salad instead of fries, or fruit instead of desserts or shakes. It isn’t necessary to deprive yourself of all your favorite foods, just cut down on portions and eat at regular times and choose healthier foods.

4. Limit your desserts, and when eating out, have a good-sized vegetable salad to take the edge off your appetite. When you receive your entrée, either share it with your dinner companion, or ask for a take-home box immediately after receiving your meal. Have meals that have been stir fried, or make with a nonstick spray.

5. Increase your physical activity! Yes, that means moving out of the chair and spending less time in front of the TV. There are small activities you can do to increase your physical activity. Turn the radio on and boogie while working on your household chores. Teach your kids how to dance the way you did when you were their age.

6. If you are at work, instead of sending e-mail to your co-worker, walk over to their desk and deliver the message in person. Take walks; it’s a great way to keep up with your friends and an enjoyable, healthy way to take a break. Avoid the elevator and take the stairs as much as you are comfortable in doing that. One friend of mine marches in place during each commercial while she is watching TV. Don’t circle the parking lot looking for the closest parking spot, park as far out as you feel comfortable in walking. Not only will it increase your activity level, but it also may save your car from a few dings.

By making of few simple changes like this in your life, you can improve your overall health and wellbeing and of course delay or prevent the onset of diabetes. Even if you can’t completely prevent diabetes, delaying it for a few years or more will go a long way in avoiding many of the long-term side effects of diabetes.

Reference: http://www.diabetesknowhow.com

Prevent Diabetes By Eating Right

An ounce of prevention is always better than cure, particularly if diabetes runs in your family. But this time, people need tons of prevention to keep this chronic disease from further seeping into the mainstream not only of the American society but also of societies all over the world.

Diabetes has become so widespread that the United States spends as much as $100 billion a year for the healthcare of Americans with diabetes. Millions of people all over the world have diabetes. The sad thing is most of them do not know they have it until it is too late.

Diabetes is a devastating disease which can damage the vital organs of the body including the kidneys, heart and the eyes. While diabetes does not really kill people, it can result to more serious and complicated diseases. Diabetes may not kill people as a general rule, but it makes them lose their eyesight, and leads them to kidney and heart problems, and later on, death.

People with diabetes can survive the diseases provided they practice proper health care. Those who do not have the disease, but are in danger of getting the disease due to heredity, can avoid getting the Big D through proper nutrition.

Aside from heredity, the top cause of diabetes is improper diet. Modern man's propensity for leading hectic lives has led them into eating the wrong kinds of food. Man has become so obsessed with wealth creation and pleasure, that he has no more time to prepare a well-balanced meal. Thus, the modern man's diet consists of canned goods, processed fish, meat and vegetables that can be eaten immediately by just popping it inside a microwave. The modern world has convinced man to have a preference for refined food, from sugar to grains.

Most people who are healthy all their lives are getting diabetes and the culprit is the kind of food they eat, and our ignorance as to the nutrient content of the food we eat.

But there are health-friendly foods that are available in the market, one only has to learn how to recognize and eat them. It's just a matter of changing our choice of food, like preferring whole grains over refined grains such as brown rice, whole wheat bread and the likes. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat, sweet and oily food. It also helps to read the labels of processed food, to determine the amount of one's carbohydrate intakes.

Most people shy away from eating right because of the misconception about proper dieting. It is okay to eat certain kinds of food but you need to know how to eat them properly like knowing the proper number of servings, or the better way of cooking such food. If you find vegetables boring, then be creative in your food preparation. Differently-colored salads can encourage your good appetite.

If you can't resist oily food, then avoid going to fast food joints because seeing french-fries hungry people will just make your saliva drop and will make you forget you diet.

So how does one know that he already has diabetes? The common symptoms are frequent urination, fatigue and being thirsty all the time. Diabetes simply means too much glucose in your bloodstream. Too much glucose in the body requires more water, thus making you feel thirsty most of the time. With thirst comes an increased water intake, making urination frequent.

Reference: Ken Cheong., http://www.health-wellness-care.com

Weight Loss Helps Prevent Diabetes

A few months ago (March 2005), the American Diabetes Association announced the findings of the comprehensive Diabetes Prevention Program. The DPP was conducted at over 25 medical centers nationwide and involved thousands of participants who volunteered to have their habits monitored and to follow dietary and exercise recommendations. All participants had been diagnosed with 'pre-diabetes', a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet in diabetic ranges. Untreated, more than half of those people diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop full-blown type 2 diabetes within a decade.

For the study, the participants were divided into two groups. One half were given dietary recommendations. The other half got the same dietary recommendations, plus the recommendation to exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five times a week.

The results? Those who included daily exercise in their routines and followed the diet recommendations cut their risk of developing diabetes by 58%. The reason? Those who made the recommended changes in their lifestyle lost 'a moderate amount' of weight. Even more important, researchers found something that they didn't expect. Those in the treatment group had a substantial chance of reducing their blood sugar level to normal, something that had been assumed was impossible.

Apparently, losing weight not only prevents a worsening of diabetes, it reverses the damage that obesity causes to the cells that produce insulin.

How much weight loss does it take to have an effect on the progression of diabetes? The key is in the definition of 'a moderate weight loss' - 5-7% of your body weight. In other words, depending on your boy weight, a loss of as little as 7-10 pounds can make a difference!

The recommendations suggested by the American Diabetes Society for a healthy diet to prevent diabetes is an ideal diet for steady, gradual weight loss - the kind of weight loss that stays lost. The diet includes the following suggested daily diet allowances:

* Grain - 6-11 servings per day (Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta)
* Vegetables - 3-5 servings per day
* Fruits - 2-4 servings per day
* Milk - 2-3 servings per day
* Meat - 4-6 ounces per day (Meat, eggs, fish, dried beans, nuts and peanut butter)
* Fats, Sweets, Alcohol - Occasional treats

(Recommendations for portions are based on gender and activity level. For instance, a sedentary 40 year old woman needs fewer portions than an active 25-year-old woman.)

Look familiar? It's also the dietary recommendation for the Heart Healthy diet from the American Heart Association, and the recommendations from the USDA's new MyPyramid. The results just keep coming in, but the message is clear: losing weight, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet can help prevent most major health problems. Why wait till you're diagnosed? Start today - and it may never happen

Reference: Kirsten Hawkins,http://www.popular-diets.com/

7 Steps To Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is more prevalent than ever and 95% of cases diagnosed are type 2 diabetes. Although for some the development of diabetes is inevitable, perhaps due to heriditery and other factors, for the vast majority it can be prevented by taking some these 7 simple steps...

Before diabetes type 2 becomes fully developed you go through a stage known as pre-diabetes. This is where you start to show some of the symptoms, which if ignored, can lead to full blown diabetes.

Make these 7 action points part of your daily routine and you could stop this disease happening to you:

1) If you are overweight you risk developing diabetes. Reduce the amount of food on your plate so you gradually eat less and start to lose weight. Drink a glass of plain water or a sugar-free drink before your meal to take the edge of any hunger pains.

2) Reduce the amount of fat you are eating; grill or bake foods instead of frying; use low-fat spreads and reduced fat meals.

3) Check the Glycemic Index of the food you are eating - knowing what each food contains helps maintain your blood-sugars, which in turn can prevent the full onset of diabetes.

4) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. If you keep a bottle of water with you and sip frequently you'll be surprised how much you do drink throughout the day.

5) If you are feeling peckish choose a healthy snack rather than a chocolate bar.

6) Use skimmed rather than full-fat milk in hot drinks.

7) Exercise is good for health. But if you are not use to exercise then start in moderation. 15 minutes gentle walking each day will ease you into a regular exercising pattern.

All of these action points are also the ones that diabetics are advised to take - if you take them now you might possibly prevent irreparable damage to your health.

Reference: Carol Ann, http://www.your-diabetes.com

How You Can Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause a number of complications. These problems can even take your life if not handled properly. But in the case of Type 2 diabetes, you can take certain precautions to avoid this disease, or at least vastly decrease your risk of getting it.

#1. Watch what you eat!

While there are different diets for everyone, certain food sources can open you up for a strong risk of diabetes. Try to eliminate as many processed carbohydrates as possible. Divide up your meals into five or six smaller meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Open up your day with a breakfast that is high in protein.

Pay attention to your oats and grains. The best flour for you is whole-grain flour. When in doubt, try to find and consume grains as least-processed as possible. By doing so, you keep your insulin level in check, which is a major step in diabetes prevention.

#2. Drink lots of water!

You need a strong frame and healthy body. In excess, soft drinks softens your bones and increases your risk of obesity. Water needs to be part of your foundation when it comes to your diet. Keeping your body well hydrated assists in keeping your energy levels up and keeping your blood flowing properly. Drinking more water is a huge aid in fat loss, and obesity is one of the leading causes of Type 2 diabetes.

#3. Exercise regularly and stay in shape!

Build muscle and burn fat. It's that simple. When was the last time you knew anyone that was fit, lean, and was a Type 2 diabetic? Keeping your body in shape is a huge component of your diabetes prevention game plan.

Now that does not mean you need to hire an expensive personal trainer and go to a slick gym for $75 a month to avoid diabetes. It can be as simple as walking to more places. If you walk every day, you will raise your metabolic rate and level out your blood sugar. This means your body will be burning fat all the time – while you sit at your computer or when you sleep at night. Instead of always taking the elevator, take the stairs once in a while. You don't have to run up them and get all sweaty. Just the extra walking will help you burn more calories. Look at all the activities you do and then see where you can add a little extra effort. Small changes like these add up to big changes for your body – for the better!

The important thing to remember is that you are not powerless in this fight. All you need to do is pay attention to living an active, healthy lifestyle. Living in this manner is crucial in promoting a high quality of life. Do that and not only will you feel better physically and emotionally, you will also push away diabetes and keep your body running smoothly.

Reference: Peter Geisheker, www.santalsolutions.com

How to Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is on the rise within the American population today. It is estimated that almost 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes and people with pre-diabetes have a 50/50 chance of developing diabetes within ten years. The medical profession attributes the increase in this disease to the contemporary sedentary lifestyle coupled with high fat intake.

However, diabetes is a very preventable disease and there are strategies you can employ to ensure that you will not develop it. And these involve only simple lifestyle changes.

For instance, an extra hour of sleep each night can do wonders. When you are deprived of sleep, the levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise. Cortisol interferes with the body's attempt to use insulin, a hormone that helps your body regulate blood sugar.

In addition, when people are exhausted they tend to indulge in sweet foods, which can play havoc with blood sugar levels. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night will help keep your blood sugar in balance.

Exercise regularly. A twenty-minute walk each day or three hours of exercise each week will increase your muscles' production of insulin.

Substitute sweet fruits for sweets. Strawberries, grapes, blueberries, melons, bananas all contain soluble fibers. And you need more fiber rich foods to your diet. Bran cereals, wheat germ, beans, and dried peas all help to keep blood sugar levels in check. A bowl of bran cereal topped with fruit is an ideal breakfast to prevent diabetes.

Since magnesium helps your body to process insulin properly, you need to add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. Look for wheat breads, nuts, seeds, and beans. If you don't think you are getting enough magnesium in your diet ask your doctor about a supplement.

Calcium is also important in helping cells utilize insulin. Doctors recommend 1200 mg. of calcium a day or four to five servings of dairy a day. Try milk, yogurt, cheese or cottage cheese.

Calcium is active in preventing diseases other than diabetes, so if you have problems digesting dairy products, definitely ask your doctor about taking a supplement. There are also combination magnesium-calcium supplements available at health food stores.

Another recommended supplement is Vitamin E. Not only does vitamin E increase your body's ability to convert blood sugar to usable energy, it is also a powerful antioxidant that protects your heart and improves the function of your immune system.

Avoid animal fats and opt for plant fats. Cook with sesame oil, olive oil and flax. Incorporate avocados, nuts and peanut butter into your diet. Plant fats improve the body's ability to utilize glucose properly and that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Substitute sugar free drinks for sodas. Researchers have found that tea and coffee, especially if consumed a half hour before meals, increase insulin production. However, you should use an artificial sweetener instead of sugar or drink it without any sweetener at all.

People who are most at risk for diabetes are those over 45 years of age, who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle and have another family member with diabetes.

It is quite possible to have diabetes and not be aware of it, especially in early stages. So people with the above risk factors should definitely request blood sugar tests as part of their annual physical.

Reference: Brenda Williams

How Can I Prevent Diabetes?

Dealing with diabetes can be frustrating, so it's in your best interest to learn how you can prevent this disease. Today there is not yet a cure for this problem, so taking some steps to prevent it can be important, especially since it is the sixth top cause of death in the U.S. today. Some people deal with more risk factors than others for diabetes, but no matter your risk factors, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent dealing with diabetes.

Keep Your Weight Down

First of all, one of the most important things that you can do is to make sure you keep your weight down at a healthy level. Many people today who end up dealing with diabetes are overweight, which is a huge problem. When you are too heavy, your risk of dealing with diabetes can be drastically increased. So, work on keeping your weight at a level that is healthy for you.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising on a regular basis is also important if you want to prevent dealing with diabetes. When you exercise on a regular basis, it helps to keep your weight down and can keep your blood flowing as you should. If you have family members who already have diabetes, then exercising regularly is especially important for you.

Eat Right

Eating right is another thing that you can do to prevent diabetes as well. Your diet should be one that is low in sugar and fat. You should restrict the amounts of starches and glucose that you take in as well, since diabetes includes problems with the body producing or using insulin.

Have a Checkup Regularly

Having a checkup regularly is important as well, since doctors can help let you know whether you have risk factors for diabetes or if you are a borderline diabetic. You should have your blood glucose measured every couple of years, especially after you get over the age of 45. This is especially important if you have a family history or diabetes or you are already overweight.

Eat More Fruits and Veggies

Eating more fruits and vegetables can also help you to prevent diabetes as well. There are studies out there that actually show that the pigments that give veggies their color can help to stimulate the production of insulin in the body.

Keep Blood Pressure Down

Keeping your blood pressure down is imperative if you want to prevent diabetes. Many people who have high blood pressure end up with diabetes, and if you have high blood pressure, you should work on lowering it so you can avoid dealing with diabetes.

Diabetes is a problem that is serious and that you'll definitely want to work to prevent. While you may have some of the risk factors already, you can work to prevent this from happening to you. When you eat right, exercise, keep your weight down, and have regular checkups, you can better prevent dealing with diabetes. So make sure that you follow these simple steps to help prevent diabetes in your life.

Reference: Dr.Eswararamanan VR

How To Prevent Diabetes

How to prevent Diabetes has been a concern for many of us since we were kids. In my own family, my baby cousin was born with diabetes, so she had to have shots—injected once a day by my aunt, who just happened to be a Registered Nurse. Of course, while this many years later we have sub-lingual solutions, we have different levels of Diabetes (those not requiring shots included), and we have do-it-yourself daily blood glucose testing, for those with Diabetes or those with a concern for how to prevent Diabetes from going full speed ahead into full blown stages of the disease.

Besides my cousin on my mother’s side having the disease, on my biological father’s side, my grandfather had it. So my emphasis has always been (as it was taught to me) how to prevent Diabetes from setting in if you are genetically prone to it but don’t yet have it.

Is there a surefire solution for how to prevent Diabetes, though? Yes and no. Evidently, we can “delay” such forms of the illness as Type 2 Diabetes. According to such institutions and studies as NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases) and NIH (National Institute of Health), diet and exercise are found to help stave off the onset and symptoms. These findings are only reinforced by the additional smaller studies by organizations and institutes all over the world: from Finland to China, it has been found that at-risk people can slow the onset or fight the disease with rigorous exercise (with a goal of losing 2 to 7 percent body weight) and balanced, low sugar diets (with a goal of avoiding “trigger” foods). The sugars mentioned include, that is, sucrose, fructose, lactose, and other sugar forms found naturally and synthetically present in most foods.

In addition, from what I understand, Diabetes Prevention programs set up a regime that includes, besides diet and exercise, standard care and the drug metformin. According to CDC (Center for Disease Control), the studies applying such treatment/prevention measures found that participants who included a healthy diet, metformin, and moderate physical activity of 30 minutes a day/5 days a week, reduced their risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 58%!
I used to go every year but now go every two years to get a glucose tolerance test along with a general physical. And since I have Diabetes in my family history, the doc always admonishes me about “dumping great amounts of sugar” into my system. If I can conquer that, and walk at least five days a week, you can too!

Reference: Ann Merier,

Diabetes Completely Explained : Types, Symptoms Of Diabetes, And Prevention

Diabetes is a disease where the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is needed to change sugar, food, and starches into energy that is needed for day-to-day life. There is no clear answer for why diabetes exists, although it seems that genetics and everyday struggles such as lack of exercise and being overweight play significant roles in determining whether or not you will be diagnosed with diabetes. There are an astounding 21 million adults and children in the US that have been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s seven percent of the total population! It’s estimated that 15 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, but about 6 million are unaware that they are living with the disease. How could six million people be unaware that they are living with diabetes? It’s known as a stealth disease in which people are living with it for years, sometimes decades, without knowing it.

Diabetes has quickly been described as a worldwide epidemic. The definition of an epidemic is a disease that affects a large portion of a given population, specifically 3% or more of a population. Diabetes is an epidemic that has joined a short list, but unfortunately growing list of diseases, in which HIV and AIDS is a part of. The World Health Organization predicts that the number of diabetes patients will reach over 240 million people worldwide by the year 2010. With these types of statistics, literally anyone could be at risk to be diagnosed with diabetes. Anyone that is at risk for diabetes due to genetics, obesity, or lack of exercise should follow this guide carefully in order to be completely educated about this growing epidemic.

There are two types of diabetes, including Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the cells in the body that form insulin. The pancreas fails to produce insulin, which leads to a much higher sugar level in the body, which puts a great deal of stress on the kidneys, which leads to complications. For the most part, patients that have symptoms of Type I diabetes start showing the symptoms around the age of 14-15, although they could have already been living with the disease for years. There are many experts that refer to Type I diabetes as “juvenile onset diabetes.” Type II diabetes is quickly becoming alarming due to the amount of juveniles now contracting the disease. Type II diabetes is defined as the body’s failure to process sugar in the bloodstream, despite the fact and insulin is produced by the pancreas. There are two reasons, first the body does not respond well to the insulin, and second, not enough insulin is produced. Type II diabetes is responsible for more than 90 percent of the 300 million cases of this world epidemic.

Diabetes is a deadly disease that is quickly growing and expanding due to America’s new lifestyle. A responsible individual should work on him or herself by practicing good weight management, nutrition, and aerobic exercise in order to deter themselves from ever receiving diabetes.

Reference: Gary Sanders, http://www.diabetessymptomsguide.com/

Gestational Diabetes Diet - Good Pregnancy Nutrition Can Prevent Your Child Developing Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can mean that too much sugar is passed to your developing baby, increasing their risk of becoming diabetic later in life. Following a well planned gestational diabetes diet can reduce this risk by controlling the level of sugar in your blood, and reducing the amount that is passed to your baby via the placenta.

There are other issues that can arise from your baby receiving too much sugar. The main problem will be that your baby could grow exceptionally large, causing difficulties with delivery. Overweight babies have a much higher chance of being born by caesarean section and experiencing birth complications than normal weight babies.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, but usually disappears after the baby is born. The condition can develop when the mother’s body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increasing needs of their developing baby. Insulin levels can also be affected by pregnancy hormones, which can limit its production.

Controlling your condition with a good gestational diabetes diet plan is crucial for the health of mother and baby. Nutritionist Bridget Swinney says;

“When large amounts of glucose accumulate in your blood, it means that your cells aren’t getting the fuels they need. High blood sugar can be harmful for you and your developing baby, so it is important to try to control it”.

Consult a dietician to put together your gestational diabetes diet plan

Your gestational diabetes diet plan will depend on a number of factors so it is important to consult a professional to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby. Your diet plan will be based on the following issues:

- How many calories you need each day

- Your height and weight

- Your level of activity

- The particular needs of your baby

- Your level of glucose intolerance

Another important issue in creating your gestational diabetes diet plan is to include foods that you actually like. Any mother will know that pregnancy is a time when food can provide enormous comfort, and trying to stick to a strict diabetes diet that does not include foods you enjoy will be very difficult.

Here are some general tips for creating a gestational diabetes diet plan:

1. Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of big meals that will suddenly increase your blood sugar levels. Towards the end of your pregnancy small meals will be more comfortable for you to eat anyway.

2. Don’t skip meals, and make sure you eat breakfast, even if you have morning sickness, as your blood sugar levels are at their most irregular first thing in the morning.

3. General pregnancy nutrition advice may recommend fruit juice and flavored teas. These should not form part of your gestational diabetes diet plan as they can increase your blood sugar very quickly.

4. You will need a good source of calcium for your developing baby, but look for alternatives to milk which contains high levels of lactose, a simple sugar which will increase your blood sugar level. Two or three small glasses of milk a day are the maximum for your gestational diabetes diet plan

Reference:Lisa Janse, http://www.sugardiabetes.net

Pre-Diabetes - Are You Susceptible? Discover How To Prevent It Developing Into Type 2 Diabetes

Pre-diabetes means you probably have higher than normal blood-sugar levels but, fortunately, not high enough to be classed as being diabetic.

However it does mean that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease if you do nothing about it.

Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no physical symptoms to warn you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage. So it's worth getting yourself checked out and, if you fall into any of these categories, ask your physician if you are likely to be at risk of pre-diabetes:

* You are overweight and you are aged 45 or older

* Your weight is OK and you're aged 45+. Ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you

* You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight

* You have high blood pressure; low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides

* Your family has a history of diabetes

* There's a history of gestational diabetes in your family

* You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

* You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.

The good news is, if after testing you discover that you do have pre-diabetes; your blood-sugar levels are rather higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

* Reduce the amount on your plate - eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.

* Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy rather than sugar-laden option.

* Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don't overindulge in food.

* Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.

* Take a little more exercise; such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.

* Don't shop for food when you are feeling hungry. You'll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood-sugars; add on weight and generally create a higer risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.

Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.

Reference: Carol Ann Bentley, http://www.your-diabetes.com

New Inhalant Diabetes Medication

Pfizer Global Manufacturing has announced that they are planning to hire almost five hundred new employees and invest up to one hundred and seventy million dollars into the development of their new diabetes drug, Exubera.

The unique factor of this diabetes drug is that it will be inhaled through the mouth, rather than requiring the diabetic to inject the insulin into their body. This will, for all purposes, eliminate the need for needles, one of the more difficult aspects of life for millions of diabetics. Not only are the injections painful, but they are always sources of potential infections. The drug companies and medical professionals have given strong indication that there will be an excellent response to the new form of insulin.

Using Exubera

This drug is a dry powder human insulin that will be taken into the mouth by the use of an inhaler. Users will inhale the medication prior to eating, and whenever else necessary. This is the first inhalable medication for diabetes that will treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults. The only diabetics that should not use the medication Exubera are those people with existing lung disease. The reason that adults with lung disease will not be able to use the drug is due to the decrease in lung capacity that is noted in individuals during the clinical trials. Most adults report that the inhaler is very simple and easy to use, and can even be used in public. It is small, weighting only about four ounces and it about the size of an eyeglass case.

There is a slight decrease in lung function noted in those individuals participating in the trial studies. This was estimated to be approximately one percent lung capacity lost per year, however the results were reversed when the drug was discontinued. Most humans over the age of 25 lose about the same amount of lung capacity per year regardless of using the drug.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes affects between five to ten percent of all diabetics, and this type of diabetes requires that the individual take insulin to stay alive. These people need to have regular injections throughout their lives, and until now there were few options to get away from this painful routine.

Inhalant insulin will eliminate the need for adults to inject themselves on a daily basis, and will allow them more freedoms and less restrictions due to the conditions that liquid insulin has to be stored under.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetics cannot manufacture or use insulin that is in the body properly, so they require supplements of insulin. It is estimate that between ninety and ninety-five percent of all diabetics fall into this category. It is also estimated that there are over 200 million diabetics worldwide, and the number is only growing every year.

Products such as Exubera are needed to help diabetics have options on how to manage their type 1 or type 2 diabetes without the need for injections. Adults will now have the option of using the inhalant form of insulin, and research will continue into this much needed form of the drug.

Reference: Karen Newton, http://www.diabeticdietsecrets.com/diabetictips.htm.

Diabetes Medication

Diabetes is a serious, lifelong disease that hundreds of thousands of people around the world suffer from. Although there is no single known cause of the disease and as of yet no cure, there are a number of different treatment methods that are used to control or manage the disease, one of the most popular being diabetes medication.

Diabetes medication is the most conventional method of treating diabetes, and there are actually a few different types that your doctor may recommend. After diagnosis with your condition, your doctor will usually prescribe you a specific drug regimen, and because every person is different, each diabetes treatment is tailed precisely to their needs in order to produce the best possible results.

Pioglitazone is an anti-diabetic drug (thiazolidinedione-type, also called "glitazones") used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). It works by helping to restore your body's proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Effectively controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems, as well as sexual function problems (impotence). It is one of the most commonly recommended diabetes medications, and it works by helping to restore the body’s proper response to insulin, thereby lowering the body’s blood sugar levels. It has been shown to be very effective when used in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program, and can help to prevent the conditions that are often caused by diabetes, including blindness, strokes, kidney disease, and sexual function problems.

Glimepiride is another popular choice here, and it is typically used in patients that have type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. The drug works by stimulating the release of the body’s natural insulin, although again in order for the drug to be effective the patient needs to be maintaining an otherwise healthy lifestyle as well, namely a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. It Effectively controls high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems, as well as sexual function problems (impotence).

Starlix is a relatively new diabetes medication, one that you only have to take whenever you eat, in order to control mealtime spikes in your blood sugar level. It is an oral type 2 diabetes medication that can lower your overall blood sugar as well as prevent further illness that is caused by the condition. It works by triggering the release of insulin at the start of a meal to reduce those spikes, which over time can help you lower your blood sugar levels.

Taking control of your blood sugar has never been easier, and by working together with your doctor you will be able to come up with a specific diabetes treatment regime that is going to be perfectly suited to you and your condition and help manage the disease and the symptoms caused by the disease as best as possible. Just remember with any medication you will most likely experience certain side effects, and so you should learn about these before starting yourself on any medication so that you can be prepared for them.

Reference: Roger Thompson, Leading Portal for health care, medical, biotech and hospital jobs.