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.



By: Roger Thompson

About the Author:

Diabetes is common around the world. There may be several people who may not be even aware that they may be suffering from diabetes. It is a disease not just limited to adults; it can also affect toddlers as well. It is becoming common with growing children as well. This type of diabetes is called as juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes. Children may not be even aware that there is something wrong with them. But, there are certain signs that parents and elders should be aware of, to recognize the signs of diabetes in toddlers. You can start medical treatment at early stage and ensure that their blood sugar levels remain stable and they live a healthier life.

There are different symptoms that can be seen in toddlers. However, there are few signs which should ring the warning bells in the minds of elders. Amongst children suffering from diabetes, whenever they eat, the food is broken down and sugar is released and absorbed into the bloodstream. It is carried to the cells to be used as energy for the different activities. However, the pancreas does not respond with insulin which leads to cells being unable to use the sugar. The cells are starved for energy and the sugar builds up in the blood. The children feel tired and fatigued due to lack of energy.

When there is excess sugar in the blood, the kidneys sense its level and start getting rid of it through urine. The point when kidneys allow sugar to enter the urine is called renal threshold. When the kidneys flush out excess sugar, it also takes the water in which it is dissolved. Thus the most common symptom is the excessive need to urinate. This is called polyuria. This in turn leads to dehydration. The body demands more water and the child feels increasingly thirsty. This is called as polydipsia. Children may also get the feeling of a dry sticky mouth or sore dry throat. Such children need huge quantity of water or any other fluids. Even if there is reduction in the amount of fluids there is excess *********. To avoid dehydration you should allow them to have fluids.

Some children may even start wetting the bed. The loss of sugar, dehydration and the inability to use blood sugar leads to weight loss even if they may be experiencing increase in appetite. It may be followed by tiredness, drowsiness and weakness. You may also notice diaper rash that is not ready to heal in spite of using various creams. There are other serious signs of diabetes among toddlers like stomach pain, feeling of nausea, vomiting and labored breathing.

If you notice any of these signs you should immediately approach your doctor for future action. You have to ensure that you monitor the blood sugar levels regularly. It may be a very traumatic experience for toddlers to get insulin shots regularly. Learn the proper way to provide adequate medication and care for your child. Create schedules for providing them with appropriate diet and medication.

Diabetes can be frightening for anyone but when it affects toddlers it causes great anxiety as the little ones are unable to tell what is happening to them. Make schedules for your child and stick to them if you want to control diabetes. The health of your kids is your priority and by being aware you can ensure that you child does not suffer from the ill effects and gets relief to the maximum possible extent.

Drink lots of water because it is calorie free and helps to flush away the toxins. Did you know that flavored carbonated water has no calories, sugar, body, sweetener, color or preservatives?

Want to know more about carbonated flavored water?

Check out carbonatedseltzerwater.com



By: Ann Nelson

About the Author:

Proper diet is very important for people suffering from diabetes. It is recommended that the diet of diabetes patient should be high in fiber and low in fat. Diabetes diet is not a special food that is packaged by a pharmaceutical company and can be purchased off the shelf. Neither is it a complicated dieting plan. It is just a healthy eating habit which emphasizes on fruits, vegetable and whole grains. Diabetes diet can also be practiced by healthy people who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

History Of Diabetes Diet

During the early days before the discovery of insulin, doctors would recommend diabetes patient to consume a low-calorie diet. It is more to prevent ketoacidosis, which is caused by high concentrations of ketone bodies. This was due to the breakdown of amino acids and deamination of amino acids by our body. The low-calorie diet didn’t actually cure diabetes but it did prolong the life of the patient quite a bit.

Establish A Good Eating Habit

You should establish a regular eating habit for your meals and snacks. As far as possible, avoid ad hoc eating habit because it is difficult to control what goes into your stomach. Always eat the healthiest food in the right amount. Excessive amounts are also not good for the body.

If you are taking diabetes medication or insulin, your eating habits will have to be stricter. Eat only the right amount of servings from each food group. You could talk to your doctor if you have difficulty with your diabetes diet. He will probably recommend a dietitian who can tailor your diabetes diet to your lifestyle.

Carbohydrates In Your Diabetes Diet

The American Diabetes Association recommends that carbohydrates should form 60% to 70% of the total caloric intake. This is somewhat controversial because some studies have suggested a low carbohydrate diet. It is best to work out your diabetes diet with your dietitian. Try to plan your diabetes diet to have the same amount of carbohydrate at each mealtime to maintain an ideal blood sugar level right through the day.

Exchange List In Diabetes Diet

The “exchange scheme” was introduced in the 1950 by the American Diabetes Association. The purpose or intent is to allow patients to swap or exchange food of the same caloric value with another of similar value. For example, you may eat more cake and reduce on the potatoes at dinner time. The exchange list is not so popular with current dietitians. They are more likely to introduce diabetes diet that includes a wide range of fruit, vegetables and one that has a high fibre content and low in sugar and saturated fat.

Conclusion

To minimize the risk of diabetes complication, we must practice a healthy eating habit. This is the most logical way to maintain an ideal blood sugar level. Your diabetes diet need not be bland and boring. You could include your favorite food by balancing it with other healthy nutritious items. Be creative at your meal plan and at the same time mindful of the effects it brings to your diabetes diet.



By: Elsie Shan

About the Author:

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

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

* constantly feels hungry and thirsty and some degree of dehydration

* ********* frequently especially at night

* getting blurred vision over a short period of time

* easily feels tired and exhausted even while not doing anything

* takes a long time to heal cuts and bruises

* unexpectedly loose weight without going through weight reducing program

* numb feeling in your hands and feet

* continue getting gum or skin or bladder infection

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

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

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

Research has shown that the risk of diabetes can reduced when there is appropriate weight management – eating what is appropriate according to needs. This means eating a healthy balanced diet inclusive of leafy green vegetables. It also delays the onset of diabetes in families that have a history of diabetes. It is also possible that people with diabetes do not show any of the symptoms of diabetes which makes detection too late.

Conclusion

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



By: Elsie Shan

About the Author:

105 What is the best medication to treat diabetes?

There are many factors that help you and your doctor decide which is the best medication for you. People with type 2 diabetes who are overweight often release adequate amounts of insulin from their pancreas, but their muscle and fat cells are unable to respond normally, and their liver manufactures large amounts of excess glucose. For these people, metformin may be a good choice for initial therapy because it is very effective and doesn’t cause weight gain.

Patients who have insufficient amounts of insulin may respond better to sulfonylureas. Other people may have problems with their blood sugar rising immediately following meals. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors or meglitinides may be good choices for these people. These factors, along with your current blood-sugar levels and the potency, or strength, of the different medications, help you and your doctor select the most appropriate medication for you. While there may be several possible medications to control your blood sugar, other factors, such as the cost of the medication, the times per day you have to take it, preexisting health problems (called “contraindications”), and possible side effects, also help determine which medication is best for you.

The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

The above is an excerpt from the book What to Expect When You Have Diabetes

by The American Diabetes Association

Published by Good Books;  June 2008;$9.95US; 978-1-56148-630-4

Copyright © 2008 The American Diabetes Association

Author Bio

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is the leading publisher of comprehensive diabetes information. Its huge library of practical and authoritative books for people with diabetes covers every aspect of self-care-cooking and nutrition, fitness, weight control, medications, complications, emotional issues, and general self-care.



By: The American Diabetes Association

About the Author:

Learn About Diabetes – Information & Facts

The Diabetes is one of the deadliest diseases in world, one in four people in America have this disease. The diabetes disease touches everybody, kids, young and old. It becomes important for everyone to learn what is Diabetes? The real reason is when body is unable to utilize or accumulate glucose. The Glucose is a form of Sugar. The level of glucose when goes high in bloodstream, it causes blood glucose to rise in individuals body. The Diabetes can be categorized into three stages. The three stages of diabetes are “Pre Diabetes”, “Type 1 Diabetes” and “Type 2 Diabetes”. The diabetes has become so common in people that it is common to find kids, teenagers, young adults diagnosed with Diabetes.

How does Glucose affects body?

It is a disorder in the body that affects the way body utilizes the food for energy. All food contains sugar, the digested food in body is broken into sugar known as Glucose. The glucose is used to produces energy. The individual glucose keeps circulating in blood and enters into body cells, once inside the cell the glucose is used as fuel to developed energy. The Insulin is a hormone, which body uses to push Glucose into body cells, if this process stops working then the blood sugar level rises in body.

 Categories of Diabetes

What is Pre-Diabetes? – This is first stage to being diagnosed as Diabetes, under “Pre-diabetes” category either there is shortage of insulin required for pushing Glucose into body cells or body has become resistant to insulin. The people who get diagnosed with “Pre-Diabetes” are venerable and need precautions and changes in life style to keep out of diabetes diseases. Another pointer is your blood sugar numbers, if your blood sugar readings are above normal and not enough to be classified as diabetes. The “Pre-Diabetes is also known as “Impaired Fasting Glucose” or “Impaired Glucose Tolerance”. The good news is that early sign gives you God sent opportunity to prevent your condition changing from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes. There is no medication required in “Pre-Diabetes” condition, with control over food, exercise and changes in lifestyle will help to keep out of diabetes danger.

What is Type 1 Diabetes? – Juvenile-Onset or Insulin-Dependent

In Type 1 Diabetes, a person’s body can’t produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually occurs in early age but can happen any time is life period. The research is still going on diabetes type one, how it happens. As of now the reasons are that body has little or not enough insulin to use Glucose to make energy.

What is Type 2 Diabetes? – Formerly called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent

In Type 2 Diabetes a person’s body has become resistant to insulin. This type of diabetes happens after 35-40 years of age. This form of diabetes is 90 percent common in people. The reasons for “Type 2 Diabetes” are due to genetic reasons, being overweight, because of lack of exercise are some of the reasons.

 



By: SANJAY KAK

About the Author:

Type II diabetes is one of today’s most common health conditions. As the rate of obesity has increased in this country, so has the incidence of diabetes.

It’s becoming more and more important to understand how to prevent diabetes, as well as the best ways to treat it if we discover that we’re already affected.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone that converts sugar and other food into energy. The most common type of diabetes seen today is Type II, where insulin is produced (though sometimes not in a high enough quantity), but is not used properly.

This results in a higher than normal level of blood glucose in the body. Type I diabetes is diagnosed in childhood, and results from an inability to produce insulin.

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes diabetes, but we do know that family history plays a part. In addition, we know that people who are obese and who do not get regular exercise are at a much greater risk of developing Type II diabetes than those who exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

Today, there are about 20.8 million people in the US with diabetes. Nearly one third of these people don’t realize they have the disease. In addition, about 54 million people in the US are pre-diabetic, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Complications from diabetes include blindness, kidney problems, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and foot and skin problems.

Prevention is critical when it comes to diabetes, and even many people who are already pre-diabetic can reduce their blood glucose levels naturally to prevent their pre-diabetic state from turning into diabetes.

In addition, some patients who already have Type II diabetes are able to control their condition with lifestyle changes.

To protect yourself from diabetes, it’s critical to maintain a healthy weight. Eat natural unprocessed foods that are rich in fiber and nutrients. Avoid sugar and white flour, because both of these foods tend to leave us with an excess of insulin.

Exercise every day.

Not only can exercise help you keep your weight in check, but it can help your body more effectively use the food you consume, helping to prevent your blood sugar levels constant.

Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are the two most important ways to prevent diabetes, and to help control your insulin even if you’ve already been diagnosed. But, scientists are also discovering that there might be a secret weapon in the fight against diabetes, and it’s safe and simple.

Drink tea. Both green and black teas have been shown to help control blood sugar levels. One study, in particular, performed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in Calcutta, India, showed that tea had a significant effect on the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice.

When the mice were given tea, their blood sugar levels stayed consistent and did not rise above normal levels.

Tea, particularly green tea, has been shown to be effective in preventing, and even treating, many forms of disease. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.

And, some studies have shown green tea to even be an effective adjunct to traditional cancer therapies. Some researchers have found that traditional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, are more effective when green tea is used in conjunction with the treatment.

Tea helps keep insulin levels constant in the blood, helping to regulate it naturally. Though most studies showing tea as an effective health protector have recommended green tea over black, this study on diabetes found no difference between the two. So, whether your preference is green tea or black, it may be helpful in the fight against diabetes.

For some pre-diabetics who are trying to ensure that their problems don’t progress, adding tea to your diet may be an easy way to help get your blood sugar levels back to normal. Of course, you will need to continue with your healthy diet and exercise routine, as well.

And, even for those who already have Type II diabetes, a regular regimen of tea may help you keep your blood sugar regulated with less medication, when used along with proper diet and exercise.

Of course, as with any other alternative therapy, talk with your doctor. Tea is not designed to replace any medications you’re already taking, and should not be used as a substitute for diet and exercise.

Beware of drinking highly sweetened tea. Adding sugar to the tea may negate any benefits the tea offers. Use a doctor approved artificial sweetener if you like your tea sweetened.

So, add some tea to your diet. Whether hot or cold, black or green, tea is good for you. And, particularly if one of your health goals is to prevent or treat Type II diabetes, tea may be a simple and effective way to help meet those goals.



By: Marcus Stout

About the Author: