Diabetes Early Signs

Diabetes is an insidious disease that's reaching near epidemic proportions here in the united states of America in the twenty first century. Doctors and scientists attribute a confluence of factors to this event, most notably an increase in the intake of processed sugar (high fructose corn syrup in particuarly) and a lamentably sedentary lifestyle. So if you're looking for diabetes early signs, you'll want to look there first. Before you start showing any symptoms at all, you can take a good, hard look at your diet and lifestyle and see diabetes early signs for yourself. If, however, it's too late and the disease is already upon you, then there are some diabetes early signs you can look for and find with relative ease. First, you should note how often you use the bathroom. If you're visiting it more - much more, actually - then you may have early onset diabetes. You'll urinate all the time when you have too much glucose in the blood (which is what diabetes actually is - a build up of glucose in the bloodstream and a lack of glucose in your body's cells. Type 2 diabetes is the more common type, though the end result is the same). The reason your peeing all the time is one of diabetes early signs is that your kidneys can't get glucose back to your blood if your insulin doesn't work properly. Your kidneys respond by leeching extra water out of your bloodstream in an effort to dilute the glucose, thereby keeping your bladder full and sending you to the bathroom all the time. A secondary diabetes early signs related to this is that you'll always be thirsty because you'll always be dehydrated. This is part and parcel of the first of the diabetes early signs mentioned above. Be aware, though, that this unquenchable thirst happens much more rapidly and is more pronounced with Type 1 diabetes (where your insulin producing cells are actually destroyed) than in Type 2 (where your insulin producing cells are ineffective or impeded). So on top of peeing all the time and your unquenchable thirs, you'll also be pooped. This is because glucose is what gives us our energy, and if you've got no insulin to help transition it to your cells, then you'll get no energy. You'll end up being tired, a veritable slug, nearly all the time. There are other, lesser diabetes early signs such as numbness in your extremities, blurred vision, and dry skin. Keep an eye out for any or all of them, and make sure to eat a proper diet and see your doctor!

Posted on: 3 July 2010 | 3:11 pm

Knowing the type 2 diabetes risk factors may prevent you from ever developing this devastating disease!

Type 2 diabetes is now so common in this country, that you probably know several people with this condition. The type 2 diabetes risk factors come down to two basic categories: genetic disposition and diet. Knowing what these risk factors are can prevent you or other family members from ever developing this disease. Once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it's far more difficult to manage and avoid the many complications of this progressive and painful disease.It's irrefutable that there is a genetic factor involved. Native Americans, Eskimos and African Americans have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes. This is probably due to the fact that both these ethnic groups have adopted a Westernized diet in a relatively short period of time. Their native diets did not include the highly refined and sugar laden diets most Americans eat today. While other ethnic groups may have a genetic advantage of centuries of the Western diet, gradually adapting over hundreds of years, no one is exempt. It may just take longer to develop.Obesity is no longer confined to older folks. Due to poor dietary habits, we now find children who are both obese and afflicted with diabetes. This makes the connection to the effects of poor food choices and diabetes clear. It's the food you eat, as well as the amount, that made you overweight in the first place. No matter what your age, if you're overweight, lose it!Genetics and obesity are clearly two important type 2 diabetes risk factors.With poor dietary habits, you're a sitting duck! It's time to change your diet to more healthful foods. Knowledge is power. Knowing the specific type 2 diabetes risk factors in food choices can literally save your life.Insulin resistance develops when you overload your pancreas with large meals of refined, high carb foods and lots of sugar, leading to compromised pancreatic function, reducing your body's ability to metabolize sugar. Pancreatic exhaustion is unequivocally, a type 2 diabetes risk factor. If, instead of eating the traditional three squares a day, you divide your food intake into several smaller meals a day, reduces the load on your pancreas, keeping it in good shape.In addition to eating several small meals, make sure they are low in refined sugar, high in fiber and include complex carbohydrates, which slowly break down into sugars your pancreas can deal with at a moderate pace. A can of soda provides an instant rush of sugar into your bloodstream, whereas a plate of fruits or veggies is broken down over time.Most fruits and veggies are also high in fiber, which flushes toxins from your body and keeps your digestive system healthy. People with type 2 diabetes are always told to include plenty of fiber in their diet, as one way to manage their condition and avoid complications. It stands to reason that a lack of fiber is another type 2 diabetes risk factor.You've heard it said that drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is essential to a healthy diet. Water flushes a variety of toxins from your kidneys, keeping them fit and healthy. Patients with type 2 diabetes usually suffer a deterioration of the kidneys, so help yours stay healthy with a daily intake of as much water as possible.To top off your healthy eating program, stay active and get sufficient exercise. Your heart will thank you. A lack of exercise is also a type 2 diabetes risk factor, as cardiovascular problems go hand in hand with diabetes. Understanding these risk factors and implementing a good anti-diabetic lifestyle puts you ahead of the curve!

Posted on: 29 March 2010 | 11:12 pm

Diabetes Treatment

Having been Type I diabetic for over 14 years, I am always looking to improve my diabetes treatment. I have gone through teenage hormonal changes, two pregnancies and general illness all without much incidence, and I would like to keep it that way. Diabetes can be a very scary thing but with the proper diabetes treatment, it is most certainly a manageable disease.There are two types of diabetes; Type I which is usually diagnosed during childhood, and Type II which is generally diagnosed after the age of 18. Each require a different set of diabetes treatment, mainly because a person with Type I does not produce any insulin on their own while a person with Type II is just extremely insulin resistant or makes very little insulin.Type I diabetics basically have to take insulin in some form. There are now several options of diabetes treatment, though, which can make the process much more manageable especially for those weary of needles. The standard treatment is to use insulin by needle self injection as little as once per day and as much as six to eight times per day. There are both short and long acting insulins and most likely a person with Type I diabetes will need to take a mixture of both. If you are not fond of the idea of needles, there is now an insulin inhaler that has just been introduced to the market. It is not widely used yet, but when discussing your diabetes treatment with your doctor be sure to ask about it. In addition, the most cutting edge diabetes treatment is the use of an insulin pump. An insulin pump site is inserted once every three days and acts like an external pancreas, giving the patient continuous short acting insulin to keep the constant blood sugar levels in normal ranges. When eating, the patient self administers insulin through the pump rather than giving shots. Realistically, I have found this to be the best diabetes treatment for myself because I have been able to adjust my insulin rates down to the half hour rather than taking shots and waiting for the insulin to react. While on the pump, I have been able to take my A1C levels (a three month overview of sugar levels) from 7.1 to as low as 4.2 during pregnancy. Normal ranges are 4.0 to 7.0, so my doctors were quite pleased with this as was I.Be sure to check out all of your options and take an active role in your diabetes treatment. The disease is quite manageable, especially if you take control and ask questions.

Posted on: 29 March 2010 | 10:01 pm

Is it True that when you take Avandia for Diabetes Heart Failure often soon Follows?

Do you know anyone who takes Avandia? The rate at which diabetes seems to occur among the population, it is possible you know someone who struggles with the disease, and takes this controversial drug. It is controversial because, as well as good as it is on diabetes, it gives dozens of people heart attacks every single month; and the FDA is trying to find a way to break the news, and ban the drug. This is a drug for Type II diabetes, and it has been long suspected that it can damage the heart. The government believes that in the last six months alone, some 500 people died taking this drug.So why would the friendly folks at GlaxoSmithKline hold off for so long on withdrawing the drug? There is an alternative, and it is just as effective with diabetes, without killing you. Even in the FDA, there is not enough agreement that this drug is capable of hurting you. In fact, on a website that advertises legal services for those injured by the drug, it is claimed that GlaxoSmithKline completely denies that there is a connection between its formulation and the deaths. But Avandia is not a new drug; it's been around for years. Why should all of this erupt over the diabetes heart failure that it is causing, right now? Right now is a good time because the Senate decided to investigate right about now, and there has been new research out, that seems to confirm everyone's worst fears.That's an unfortunate state of affairs for one of the most highly hyped drugs ever. They've been selling billions of dollars worth of these for years. Around three years ago, a study by an individual American heart specialist, pointed out how there was something fishy about all the diabetes heart failure cases involving this drug, that they were seeing. Right away, the FDA put out a warning, and it was the end of the party for Avandia. There have been studies one on top of the other, and FDA panels on the subject too. Most of them seem to feel that there might be still a chance that the drug isn't lethal. But around the world, lots of diabetes specialists, have stopped prescribing the drug, although many still do take it. The Senate's findings, don't look very good for GlaxoSmithKline. They suggest that the company, instead of turning its energies to doing something about the problem, decided to do something about the physicians who said it was a problem that it was giving people with diabetes heart failure rates in alarming numbers. It appears that the company is not entirely in touch with itself. On the one hand, it did go along with the government's recommendations, and put out some damning studies that did confirm some fears. And on the other hand, it has always been vigorously promoting its drug. And these are the people we trust our livesto.

Posted on: 24 March 2010 | 2:49 am

How to simplify menu planning for the type 2 diabetic

When your doc gives you the news that you are a type 2 diabetic, this is a traumatic moment. Although you might not have given the possibility and consequences much thought, up until the point of diagnosis, most of us are familiar with this typically degenerative condition, including the kidney and heart problems that may ensue, as well as deteriorating vision and circulatory problems. To many a type 2 diabetic, this pronouncement may seem like a death sentence.Unfortunately, medical professionals, on the whole, may unconsciously or unwittingly reinforce this perspective on the patient.You are given a booklet, much like a calorie counter book, detailing the carbs contained in a stated portion of a variety of foods and beverages. In addition, you're prescribed medications that help protect your heart and kidneys. You may also be scheduled to see a nutritionist to orient you to your new nutritional program. Many patients find this process confusing, counting ½ cup of this and ¼ cup of that, choosing whole grains only and adapting to a whole new beverage regimen. Counting carbs is the main name of this diet planning project.The nutritional restrictions and confusion over 'food exchanges' and the proper balance of ingredients often proves more than many a type 2 diabetic can manage on a daily basis.The good news for any type 2 diabetic is that, while your diet must be modified and monitored, the bottom line is to severely curtail your consumption of simple carbs and to dramatically increase your consumption of green, leafy veggies and brightly colored produce, which are generally high in fiber and antioxidants. Stick with lean meats and low fat dairy products.Cook books for type 2 diabetics are readily available. If one or two ingredients in your recipe are not foods you enjoy, make some comparable (in carb content) substitutions that are more to your taste.Here's the best news: many formerly type 2 diabetic patients, with high blood sugar readings when diagnosed, have been able to bring their blood sugar levels into the normal, non-diabetic range in the space of just a few months of careful meal planning, eating foods that are tasty and 'good' for you. So don't let your diagnosis put you in a tailspin – you'll grow to love your new diet as you start feeling better and more energetic than ever.The truth is that, with a good diet plan – and exercise – your type 2 diabetes can be controlled admirably, even to the point of reversing your diabetes. It's all up to you! Good luck!

Posted on: 6 February 2010 | 1:37 am

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

November is American Diabetes Month, during which efforts are made to spread awareness about the danger of developing diabetes, and people and organizations join together to fight the disease and to prevent it. The leading organization in actively combating type 1 diabetes is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which supports diabetes research internationally. Type 1 diabetes is a disease whose onset occurs immediately, and whose symptoms last for a lifetime. It often develops in childhood and persists into adulthood, but individuals can also develop type 1 diabetes when they are adults. People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes suffer from insulin deficiency because their bodies are attacking the cells that produce it. Insulin is necessary to regulate blood sugar, so patients must inject insulin regularly. However, insulin itself isn’t enough to get rid of diabetes, and the ultimate goal of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is to find a cure for juvenile type 1 diabetes.The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation arose in 1970, formed by parents of children with type 1 diabetes in order to raise money for diabetes research. As of today, it has raised more than $1.3 billion to fight diabetes. This money is distributed worldwide and it has helped fund major advancements in scientific diabetes research. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation also puts this research into practice by distributing treatments that help the immune system work properly, replace islet cells and regenerate beta cells that are important for insulin, and control metabolism. And while the organization has largely to do with the scientific aspect of fighting diabetes, it includes people from all over who are personally invested in finding a cure. Academic researchers, industry researchers, businesspeople, volunteers, donors and supporters all work together in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to advance research, to provide charity efficiently, and to bring together a community. We can support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through a number of ways. We can donate, take part in fund raisers, participate in clinical trials, buy merchandise, work in the organization, and spread the word about what’s going on with diabetes and what can be done. In the way that diabetes research aims to prevent diabetes as soon as possible in childhood, we should take action right away in doing our part. With 24 million child and adults suffering from diabetes in the US and 1 out of every 3 children born today at risk for diabetes, we can’t afford to let this disease run rampant.

Posted on: 16 January 2010 | 8:22 pm

The history of diabetes

Unlike conditions like aids autism and ADD, diabetes isn't a 'new' disease. You could be surprised to learn that Egyptian doctors, 3500 years back, were the 1st to see that folk with the condition we all know today as diabetes, habitually manifested the hallmark indication of frequent pissing, therefore marking the start of the history of diabetes. With the syndrome of frequent pissing, others noted that ants swarmed around an area where these folks had urinated.Though diabetes, yet unnamed, was known to become an enfeebling condition, the doctors of the time were confused as to the cause and had no treatment. The history of diabetes took a long hiatus, with no progress made past this point for another 1500 years. At that point, the highly regarded Greek physician Galen, incorrectly concluded this condition came from the kidneys. By the year one thousand AD, this now famous condition was named : diabetes mellitus, so named due to the sweet personality of the pee of those people that were tormented with this condition. The history of diabetes, while virtually 2500 years old, was sporadic on facts and absent excellent treatments. Doctors of the time used aides to sample examples of the piss to pinpoint the degree of sweetness and therefore make a diagnosis. Apart from spotting diabetes as a health condition, no progress was made in deciding the cause or inventing treatments for diabetes. It wasn't till the 16th century that diabetes was announced, by Paracelsus, as a life-threatening disorder. Another 2 hundred years passed in the history of diabetes, with no new heavy findings.Then, in the 1800s, a medically trustworthy test was created to gauge the quantity of sugar in the pee of patients, leading to a conclusive diagnosis. Treatments were nearly hit-or-miss, from huge treatments of sugar to just about jailing the patients to enforce a prescribed experimental diet. Doctors across Europe, across the 1800s, started paying more notice to the poser of diabetes. A couple of discovered that the pancreas appeared to be implicated. At the turn of the 19th century, a spotlight on diet produced maybe the first of the trend diets. Diabetics received advice to eat potatoes, oats, milk or rice.Starving the patient was one of the most prescribed and radical treatments.While patients was hoping these assorted injunctions by their doctors would produce a cure, there wasn't a single case that was relieved. Not till the discovery of insulin, in 1921, was there any heavy progress in the history of diabetes. Following experiments with insulin on animals, a young man was successfully treated with insulin. This marked a major turning point in the history of diabetes, with quick progress in both identifying and treating diabetes.In the 1940s, scientists ultimately made the link between diabetes and eye and kidney problems. In the 30 years that followed, much progress was made in devices , for example home testing devices that authorized diabetic patients to exactly measure blood sugar levels. Oddly enough, it wasn't till 1975 that any excellence was made between diabetes types one and two.In 1974, the US Congress created the nation's Diabetes Commission, whose mission was to coordinate research of diabetes with coaching programs for medical pros, with patient education. With state funding and research grants in a coordinated effort, it's now feasible to control diabetes with a spread of medicines that aid in avoiding or at least delay the commencement of problems. The history of diabetes has come a ways over the last 3500 years. With modern drugs and systematic research, hopefully this devastating condition may shortly be treatable.

Posted on: 2 January 2010 | 3:25 pm

Diabetes Cause

Diabetes Mellitus affects over 16 million Americans and in the last few decades, its prevalence has increased and will likely continue to rise. There are however 3 types of diabetes; type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cause occurs when the pancreas cells that make insulin are destroyed due to a lack of insulin. This may occur due to a reaction known as autoimmune reaction. The body starts attacking and destroying its own cells in the pancreas eventually destroying most if not all of the insulin manufacturing cells. While it is not yet clear why this happens, a number of explanations have bee proposed. These include; an infection with a specific bacteria or a virus can make this happen, exposure to chemical toxins from food or even exposure to cow’s milk as an infant has also been shown to trigger the autoimmune reaction in the body. Type 2 diabetes cause occurs when the receptors on body cells that normally respond to insulin fail to be stimulated, a reaction called insulin resistance. When this occurs, the body produces more insulin eventually resulting in over-production and the insulin-manufacturing cells fail. Alternatively, this type of diabetes can develop when there is simply not enough insulin or when the insulin that is available is abnormal and therefore does not work. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to occur in people advanced in years, those who are obese and in those who are not physically active. There are also other rarer causes of diabetes that have also been documented. These include certain medicines, during the pregnancy, in what is called gestational diabetes and as a result of disease that damages the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insulin. A good example of such a disease is pancreatitis. Another diabetes cause is the heredity. If both parents have type 2 diabetes, there is a chance that their children will have it too. In identical twins, if one of them develops type 2 diabetes, the chance of the other developing diabetes is nearly 100 percent as well. Drugs such as steroids and Dilantin have also been shown to have a bearing on diabetes cause. Drugs such as alloxan, thiazide diuretics and streptozocin are also toxic to the pancreas and can cause diabetes as well. To reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, regular exercise and healthy dietary habits will go a long way in doing this and thus avoid the risks that come with developing this disease.

Posted on: 20 December 2009 | 6:49 pm

Diabetes, the other silent killer

Figures from the North American Diabetic organisation show that diabetes is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S, slaughtering roughly 210000 folks each year. Medical and other related costs can soar over $100 bill a year!! The excellent news is there's a great deal that you can do to help manage the condition at an initial stage. Learning as much as you can about your diabetes, the best way to control your blood sugar, complications and the way to forestall them, will help you keep healthy.As usual, be certain to talk to your doctor first before implementing or changing exercise or diet routines or taking any over the counter medicines or nutritive additions. Diabetes is a major condition. It's a lingering disorder of carbs, fat and protein metabolism, identified by fasting elevation of blood sugar level and a seriously raised risk of coronary disease, stroke, kidney illness and loss of nerve functions. There are 2 major sorts of diabetes. Type I and Type II.Type I is AKA Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ( IDDM ) and regularly happens in kids and teenagers.People with Type I diabetes need to inject insulin everyday. It happens when the pancreas stops manufacturing insulin ( an activating chemical which helps deliver sugar from the blood to the body's cells ). Type II is often referred to as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ( NIDDM ) and is generally an adult illness. In type II diabetes, insulin is present but not reasonably available due to insulin-resistance. The pancreas produces insulin but the body's cells don't make a response to its action and can't soak up the glucose from the blood so glucose levels rise in the blood. Some of the causes are noted below they shouldn't be considered a total list. Heredity plays a majorrole. Up to date proof supports the idea the nutritive standing of the ma when pregnant performs a part in figuring out whether the kid will develop diabetes later in life.Food with processed sugars and high glycemic index.Inequality between 2 imperative hormones- insulin and glucagon. Misplaced T7 ( thoracic seven ) vertebra. Complications springing from diabetes can be grave if not controlled. Some complications include but aren't restricted to : Hypoglycemia and diabetic coma. Cataracts, diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, skin ulcers, gangrene leading to amputation, determined skin infections and coronary disease. Correct treatment is sometimes delayed because diabetes isn't diagnosed till a patient is experiencing issues. Diet is a crucial part of diabetic care. Nutrition is the foundation for good health. Two diet points to consider after consultation with your doctor include complicated carbs that are loaded in fiber, fresh veg and fruits of low glycemic index, instead of straightforward carbs like bread and pastries. Complicated carbs take longer for the body to smash down and absorb and so offer a slower or more steady increase in blood sugar levels. Your doctor may even counsel you to eat smaller frequent meals during the day. Together with diet, exercise is also of equal significance. Exercise will increase tissue levels of chromium and also increases the amount of insulin receptors. In numerous examples, changes in exercise and diet may push borderline blood sugar down to a standard range. The best prevention is adopting a healthy way of life. Because obesity is so strongly related to TypeII diabetes, weight control is a very important component of diabetic management. If you would like to shed pounds to control diabetes, raised blood pressure and decrease the risk for developing coronary disease then walk, walk and walk some more. The key word is healthful way of life thru diet, exercise and certain herbs and additions.

Posted on: 7 November 2009 | 1:45 pm

Is There Self Test For Diabetes?

African American citizens, Hispanics and Local USA citizens have a raised rate of developing diabetes during their lifetime.Diabetes has potential long-term complications that can have an effect on the kidneys, eyes, heart, veins and nerves. A number of pages on this internet site are dedicated to the prevention and treatment of the complications of diabetes. ( see Diabetes Symptoms ) In diagnosing diabetes, consultants primarily rely on the result of precise glucose tests. test results are just part of the data that goes into the diagnosis of diabetes.Doctors also take into consideration your physical examination, presence or lack of symptoms, and medical history. Some folks who are seriously unwell will have transitory issues with raised blood sugars that may then revert to normal after the illness has resolved. Also, some medicines may alter your blood glucose levels ( most usually steroids and certain diuretics ( water tablets ) ).The TWO main tests used to gauge the presence of blood sugar issues are : 1. Direct measurement of glucose levels in the blood in an overnite fast two. Measurement of the body's capability to reasonably handle the surplus sugar presented after drinking a high glucose drink. More frequent testing could be required when you're sick or under pressure. There are several kinds of devices. Generally, you prick your finger with a little needle called a lancet, which gives you a miniscule drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip, and put the strip into the device. A medicare supplier or diabetes teacher will help set up a suitable testing schedule for you. You will be taught the best way to make a response to different ranges of glucose values got when you self-test. The outcome of the test can be employed to adjust meals, activity, or medicines to keep blood sugar levels in a suitable range. Accurate record keeping of test results will help you and your healthcare provide plan a way to best control your diabetes.

Posted on: 7 November 2009 | 1:40 pm

5 Diabetes Travel Tips

Planning ahead when you travel decreases stress. These five diabetes traveling tips are straightforward to carry out and vital to your diabetic management. Confirm your A1C blood sugar levels, your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels are OK. Get the suitable shots for any country you intend to visit. Two ) Wear a diabetes medical ID. Ideally it should be in the language spoken in the country you are visiting. Not everybody speaks your language and you do not want medical issues through misunderstandings. Three ) Keep your medicine and glucose nibbles in your hand-luggage. Check-in bag does, sadly, go astray. Four ) Keep your medicine in its original box, complete with drugstore labels. It'll forestall misunderstandings about why you are carrying drugs and, if you're on insulin, syringes. 5 ) be conscious of time area changes, particularly when changing your watch. Remember when you travel east your day becomes shorter, if you travel west your day becomes longer. Traveling needn't be dire. A reasonable perspective and a little bit of pre-travel planning can make things go much more smoothly.

Posted on: 7 November 2009 | 1:38 pm

Causes and treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes is caused when the body produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the organ known as the pancreas and is used to regulate the sugar in the bloodstream. In the case of someone having diabetes, the blood sugar does not get absorbed inside cells due to a lack of insulin and as a result, this causes a number of problems. There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 or diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes. In case of a type 1 sufferer, the organ pancreas is completely unable to make insulin. Some evidence have suggested that this may be caused, in part, by a viral infection. In type 2, the problem occurs when there is not enough insulin made by the pancreas and whatever is made is soaked up in fat cells. Type 1 diabetes usually has its onset with young people under the age of 30 while type 2 diabetes, sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes, usually occurs in people over 30 years. To avoid the complications of diabetes, type 1 sufferers must take measures to regulate the blood sugar. Treatment can either involve taking preventive maintenance or through insulin replacements. In preventive measures, the sufferer must watch the food he or she eats as this will determine the blood sugar. Having a well-regulated diet is essential. Such a person also avoids sugar, honey, sweets and soft drinks that are packed with sugar. If a sufferer of type 1 diabetes does not watch what he or she eats, this can result in blood sugars getting out of control that this can have long-term complications and can result in quick and severe illnesses. In the case of the type 2 diabetes, the sufferer has to control what he or she eats as this type of diabetes is usually worsened by excess weight. Usually with a good diet, it is possible to regulate this type of diabetes. While some doctors recommend use of pills to make the pancreas produce more insulin, there is a limit to this. In both of these two types of diabetes, it is essential to ensure that a balanced diet is maintained and that regular exercising is undertaken. A positive outlook is also essential and so is following medical direction to the letter. Having a positive outlook will help a sufferer to maintain a regular balanced schedule that can go a long way in ensuring that he or she lives a happy productive life.

Posted on: 18 October 2009 | 12:48 am

Baby Diabetes: an Overview

Baby diabetes is a common problem that comes across as a shocker for most of the parents. The disease has the ability to rob the precious childhood out of your child. The unfortunate fact is that parents sometimes fail to recognize the symptoms and do not seek medical help. Being naïve, they tend to attribute the lethargy of the one year old to an array of common nutritional factors or influence of the idiot’s box. Baby diabetes can turn into a life threatening situation at times. The most challenging part is that the baby cannot tell you when it is sick. If the parents try to treat vomiting or flu with the earlier prescribed or commonly available medicines, they might involuntarily overlook the possibilities of baby diabetes. Unlike grown up kids, babies are entirely dependent on the parents for their survival. Since the baby lack the ability to convey its ailments in a comprehensive way, the parents shouldn’t take any chance with its health. Even if it is correctly diagnosed, unflinching dedication is instrumental in keeping the blood sugar in place and aiding the baby in living a healthier life. There are three common types of diabetes – type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. A forth type of diabetes can be caused by some genetic disorders or rare medical conditions. But this is not a prevalent type of diabetes. Baby diabetes usually falls under the type 1 category. Half of the people affected by type 1 diabetes are children. Therefore, it is also known as Juvenile diabetes. The appalling fact is that the symptoms will be displayed only after the diabetes has severely affected the body, preventing an early detection. Most of the victims of baby diabetes need to take insulin injections several times a day. The only way to avoid a critical and potentially lethal situation is timely diagnosis and insulin supplements. Just like adults, babies also experience the usual symptoms like blurry vision, fatigue, tingly feet, or itchy skin; they obviously can’t communicate it. But parents can watch out for other visible behavior. Some of the patterns that should keep the parents’ antenna up are frequent urination, extreme thirst, sudden weight loss, lethargy etc. It is always better to get a simple medical test done and be sure about the situation. There aren’t any proven methods to prevent the baby diabetes. The parents can still practice some common caveats with the food habits. If your family has a history of celiac disease, the baby may also have the same digestion problem. Starting solid food in the early months can turn out to be a bad decision. It is not advised to start solids until the baby is at least 4 months old. Some babies might not be ready for solid food till they are 7 months old. A safer alternative would be to avoid wheat and other grains and start with fruits and vegetables. With lot of medical help available and the state focus on infant and baby health, seeking a consultation before the decision can be immensely helpful. Baby diabetes is a prevalent condition and the only way to deal with it to be alert and seek medical intervention at an early stage.

Posted on: 11 October 2009 | 4:43 am

The components of a healthy diet for diabetes type 2 patients

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that, if not managed properly, can lead to severe complications. A well managed diet for diabetes is essential to controlling this disease. Your physician may prescribe medications to help regulate your blood sugar levels, as well as medications that help protect your heart and kidneys. Understanding how to manage your diet can be complex. Here we try to put it all in plain language, to help you make sense of all the charts in the standard booklet of counting your carbs.At first glance, it seems that carbs are your enemy. The usual proscription from the medical people is that you limit your intake of carbs to no more than 195 per day. The trouble starts when you see that two pieces of sandwich bread runs around 30-40 carbs, while one plain bagel is almost 50 carbs! If you've been a sandwich eater all your life, this is dismal news indeed.What you want to do, to set up a healthy diet for diabetes, is to start reading those food labels carefully. When buying bread, look for whole grain breads. You'll notice two things. Whole grain breads have fewer carbs and more fiber. Some newer brands on the market have added fiber, in addition to that contained in the whole grain flour. Whole grains are complex carbohydrates, which is a good thing in a diet for diabetes patients. Complex carbohydrates break down slowly, so you never get a sugar spike, whereas refined flours contain little fiber and often, more simple sugars.To arrive at the total number of carbs per serving, subtract the fiber grams from the total carbs. Your physician or nutritionist has doubtless emphasized the importance of getting a sufficient amount of fiber in your diet. Why? Fiber helps keep your digestive tract clean and free of toxins, which in turn, helps protect your kidneys from damage. This makes the picture a lot better, in terms of what you can eat and how much, while having a perfectly healthy diet for diabetes management.Don't shy away from eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. When you see that a half cup of chopped onions has about 15 carbs, you may feel that you'd rather use up your carb allotment on that sandwich! However, when you picture putting a half cup of onions on a salad, you realize that a sprinkling appropriate for a salad probably adds up to just a few carbs. Not a big deal.Most produce are heavy on the antioxidants too, leading to better overall health and packing a preventative punch for all of your organs, a definite plus in a healthy diet for diabetics.Foods that are encouraged in a diet for diabetes patients include meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. This means that you can make a meal of a big juicy burger on a whole grain roll, loading it up with lettuce, tomatoes, a couple of sauteed mushrooms and a fat chunk of Swiss to top it all off, all for less than 40 or 50 carbs. Not a bad deal.In a nutshell, it's simple sugars you want to avoid. A single soda or candy bar can wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels. In fact, a healthy diet for diabetes can be a healthy diet for non-diabetics as well.

Posted on: 3 October 2009 | 12:43 am

What Causes Diabetes

Learn what causes Diabetes Many people have become aware at what a terrible disease diabetes is. Thousands of people die every year from diabetes-related illness and complications. Diabetes can affect anyone, and, as of today, there is no cure. Most people know all of this, but they still struggle with some of the basic information about diabetes, such as what causes diabetes and how to prevent it. Here is so basic information about what causes diabetes and some advice on how you can change your life today to make it much easier to prevent diabetes. First of all, not all of diabetes is created equal. There are actually two types of diabetes, and what causes diabetes varies with both.Diabetes itself is directly related to a chemical your body naturally creates called insulin. What insulin does is assist your blood in carrying sugar (used as fuel by cells all over your body). Without insulin, blood sugar levels skyrocket, causing a variety of serious, and in some cases, fatal results. If you are a grown adult and do not yet have diabetes, you cannot get the first type, Type 1 diabetes. What causes diabetes in children? There is a genetic disorder. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable, and is generally the more severe of the two types of diabetes.If you do not already have type 1 diabetes, you will most likely not get it. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a malfunction in your liver; it no longer is able to produce insulin. There is no cure, but regular insulin shots. The more common type of diabetes that can be prevented is type 2 diabetes. This is also commonly called on-set diabetes, meaning it is something that is developed over time. In this case, prolonged and excessive blood sugar overwhelms the body's ability to produce insulin and that part of your liver "breaks", and this is what causes diabetes for most people. Scientists are working on a method to "fix" your liver, so that it can begin producing enough insulin again on its own, but until then, type 2 diabetics must also take regular insulin shots and closely monitor and restrict their diets for sugar. An unhealthy diet is the main culprit in what causes diabetes.An excess of processed sugars, found in cookies, cakes, soft drinks and other "junk food", as well as a non-active lifestyle are the main problems. To prevent diabetes, you should work hard to have better cardiovascular health; regular exercise and a better diet. Knowing what causes diabetes is simple, and, now that you do, there is no excuse for you to not take steps today to improve your health and reduce your risk at getting diabetes.

Posted on: 25 September 2009 | 3:33 am

Adult Diabetes Symptoms

Are you aware of the adult diabetes symptoms? You should. Diabetes is a disease that affects close to 8% of the US population. However, there are a growing number of people who don’t even know that they have diabetes. Going unchecked, diabetes can lead to some serious health complication. Thanks to advances in treatment and prevention, diabetes has become a manageable disease. There are several adult diabetes symptoms that should serve as a “red flag.” One of the most common adult diabetes symptoms is fatigue. This isn’t your normal end of the day run down. Diabetes causes a break down in your metabolism. You can no longer properly process glucose as an energy source. Therefore the body turns to your fat cells for fuel. Although that might sound like a great diet, it is actually harmful when diabetes is the cause and you become constantly weaken as the result. Unexplained weight loss is another one of the adult diabetes symptoms to be on the look out for. “Unexplained” means you haven’t changed your diet but are still losing weight. This is because you are unable to process the amount of calories you take in. The unexplained weight loss ties into excessive thirst and excessive urination as two more adult diabetes symptoms. With diabetes you’ll have high blood sugar levels that will kick your kidneys into overdrive as they try to reabsorb the excessive sugar in your bloodstream. The kidneys send an S.O.S. to the brain to help dilute the blood which means drinking more. Obviously when you drink more you have to expel that. The body tries to get rid of the build up of sugar through excessive urinating. Although you might not always be able to see this in action, another one of the adult diabetes symptoms is poor wound healing. If you have a cut that takes a very long time to heal this could mean that high blood sugar levels are blocking white blood cells from doing their healing duty. This suppression of your immune system can also lead to an increase in infections.You can also add blurred vision and alter mental status to this list of adult diabetes symptoms. Becoming easily irritated, losing focus or having blurred vision could mean that diabetes is causing your body to malfunction. If you feel that you persistently have one or more of these adult diabetes symptoms, check in with your doctor.

Posted on: 20 August 2009 | 2:25 am

Who's at risk for type 2 diabetes? The answer may surprise you

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body has been overloaded with sugar, in all of its forms, usually for many years. This causes your pancreas to be taxed to the point where you might describe it as being 'worn out'. This results in sugar going directly into your bloodstream, instead of being metabolized over time. In severe cases, the diabetic may suffer dizziness, blackouts or stroke.In the past, people who developed type 2 diabetes were generally genetically disposed to the condition. Certain ethnic groups, such as Native Americans, Hispanics and Blacks were more prone to type 2 diabetes, probably because their indigenous diets did not include much sugar. When people of these ethnic groups took up the Westernized diet, their bodies were not equipped to handle the large amounts of sugar and thus were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.While these ethnic groups are still at risk for type 2 diabetes, it's somewhat of a medical puzzle that today, even people without a hereditary predisposition are at risk for type 2 diabetes. If we take a common sense look at the everyday American diet, absolutely loaded with hidden sugars and poor dietary habits, it becomes easier to understand why we are all at risk for type 2 diabetesRates of type 2 diabetes have skyrocketed in the last couple of decades, regardless of ethnic backgrounds and even age. While type 2 diabetes is still commonly referred to as 'adult onset' diabetes, now the number of children not even yet into their teens, who are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, is rising at an alarming rate.Let's take a look at the dietary factors and 'hidden' sugar that puts all of us at risk for type 2 diabetes.Most of us rely, at least occasionally, on ready to eat foods, in the form of frozen entrees and canned meals, such as chili and spaghetti sauce. All of these 'convenience' foods have added sugar, as well as salt. Why do the manufacturers add these ingredients? To enhance the taste. They are playing to our sweet tooth, subtly but effectively. Next time you pick up one of these processed, ready to eat meals, check the label for the sugar content. If you make such meals a regular part of your diet, you're increasing your chances of being at risk for type 2 diabetes.The same is true of canned fruits. You've probably noticed that canned fruits are now available in 'no sugar added', 'lite syrup' and 'made with Splenda(TM) versions. While fresh fruits are your best choice, when you pick up canned fruits, check to see what the differences are between all of these choices.When you pack the kid's lunch boxes, avoid the prepared snacks. There are more hidden sugars lurking there. Replace candy bars with a granola bar and soda with a fruit juice. Growing kids can ingest huge amounts of food to keep them going. Make sure their sugar intake is minimized. Focus on healthy foods which help them grow, while reducing their susceptibility for being at risk for type 2 diabetes.We're told by our doctors about the value of fiber in our diets. You may wonder what's so great about fiber. The simple carbohydrates, such as are contained in that spongy, nutrient deficient, white bread, translate into an almost instant sugar rush into your bloodstream, again increasing your chances of being at risk for type 2 diabetes, when consumed on a regular basis. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, which break down more slowly, for a measured conversion and metabolizing of the resultant sugars in your blood stream. In addition, the fiber content keeps your digestive system in good order as a bonus. Adequate fiber in your diet flushes toxins from your system, an important preventative component in reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes.That old adage, 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' may sound dated, but it's nonetheless true when it comes to an anti-diabetic diet. Cold water fish should be on your menus frequently, full of those Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to favorably regulate cholesterol levels, keep blood pressure in line and provide adequate levels of selenium, a trace mineral of which most diabetics are deficient, resulting in skin rashes and dryness.So, who's at risk for type 2 diabetes today? All of us! Good nutrition is your best weapon in avoiding developing this devastating disease. Keep your weight in check and exercise regularly. Type 2 diabetes is no joke. Protect your kids and yourself!

Posted on: 1 August 2009 | 3:34 am

The incidence of childhood diabetes is rising: how to help prevent it

Not so long ago type 2 diabetes, also known as 'adult onset diabetes', afflicted mostly older folks. In fact, diabetes was almost unheard of in children. Today, there are many kids, not even out of grade school, who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and now carries the moniker 'childhood diabetes'. While doctors previously theorized that older people had an accumulated lifetime of excessive sugar consumption, causing their pancreas to be taxed to a dysfunctional state, where it could no longer satisfactorily manage the amount of insulin in the bloodstream.Many adult diabetics are overweight and don't get sufficient exercise. Doctors tell their adult patients to lose excess weight and implement a regular program of exercise.What's confusing about the rise of cases of childhood diabetes is that these children should be too young to have accumulated organ damage to the point of acquiring diabetes. So what's different today than say, 50 years ago?For one thing, today, kids are far more sedentary than kids of 50 years ago. In some schools, P.E. Is not even required. Kids today are far more likely to take the bus home from school than ride a bike. At home, computers, video games and TV are the standard entertainment venues. As for snacks, well, they've come a long way, baby! While a glass of milk and a cookie or piece of fruit was what Mom handed out 50 years ago, kids today are more likely to have a soda and something heavy on the sugar. Even regular meals are often the 'pop it in the nuke' variety, highly processed, with plenty of sugar and salt added. If you compare the typical profile of the adult diabetes patient with the parameters described above, it's probably worth a look to see how childhood diabetes fits the diet and lifestyle of the adult diabetes patient.All the extra calories probably have much to do with the high rate of overweight kids we see today. A recent study, conducted at a prestigious health institute, sought to isolate the factors most important in the prevention of diabetes. One of their conclusions was that being overweight exponentially increases the odds of acquiring diabetes and that excess weight was perhaps a greater risk factor than lack of exercise!Today's kids are used to fast food and ready-made meals, in many cases preferring this type of food to the old-fashioned meals Grandma might prepare. They're fast and easy and they taste good. The problem with this type of eating plan is that, consumed as a steady diet, you will gain weight. Combine this with sodas as the beverage of choice and sweet snacks and you've got a recipe for childhood diabetes.So what can we do to help prevent childhood diabetes? First, sit down with your kids and talk with them about diabetes. Ask them if they know anyone at school with childhood diabetes. If you have an adult family member with diabetes, discuss some of the health problems that that person has to deal with, including heart and cardiovascular problems, painful nerve damage, kidney dysfunction, vision problems and having to monitor blood sugar levels several times a day. Let them know that you'll be making some gradual changes to their diet. This disease is too serious to ignore. With the incidence of childhood diabetes reaching epidemic proportions, it's just common sense to take steps to prevent this insidious disease with lifelong implications. If you present your information as a scientific lesson and not as a 'punishment', they may be more willing to go along with the program.Kids want to be healthy. It's up to you to help them stay that way.

Posted on: 29 July 2009 | 1:19 am

Create Delicious, Healthy Meals for a Diabetic Diet Plan

Being diagnosed with diabetes often leads to a very stressful period of worry and uncertainty. You obviously are concerned about the far-reaching health ramifications of such a diagnosis, as the disease can lead to some extremely serious medical complications. In addition, you're probably uncertain about what the future holds. You'll likely need to make numerous lifestyle changes to cope with the disease, including taking insulin or medication on a daily basis. An overhaul of your eating habits is in order as well, which is why it's very important to create a custom diabetic diet plan to suit your condition.Most often, the goal of a diabetic diet plan is to control the amounts and varieties of the foods you consume, which in turn helps your body regulate blood sugar. This is critical for most diabetics, and is not something to take lightly. In fact, your doctor probably gave you a sample diabetic diet plan along with your diagnosis. That's a good place to start, and you can simply add to the basics from there.The biggest complaint that people seem to have about adhering to a diabetic diet plan is the lack of variety. They feel that they have to give up too many of their favorite items and have to eat the same things over and over again. But this is a misconception that is easily remedied in several ways. First, you can head to your local bookstore and thumb through a few cookbooks specially designed for those with diabetes. Doing this can give you ideas for several new meals to add to your diabetic diet plan. Just make sure you follow the recipes precisely so that the nutrition information remains accurate.Another way to create healthy meals to fit into your diabetic diet plan is to consult with a professional nutritionist. Nutritionists work with all kinds of people who have strict food limitations, including those coping with diabetes. All you have to do is explain your condition, and alert the nutritionist to any food allergies you might have. From there, she'll be able to customize a diabetic diet plan full of delicious, healthy meals that you'll love to eat.You can also find free sample plans on the Internet, but you have to be very careful about following these. Some of the websites are maintained by regular people who don't have any relevant qualifications at all, so you can't be absolutely certain that the information they're presenting is accurate. When in doubt, be sure to run things by your doctor first.Just because you have to follow a diabetic diet plan doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of bland, boring breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. There are plenty of tasty dishes out there that are perfectly safe for diabetics. All you have to do is find them and file them in your own persoal recipe collection!

Posted on: 18 July 2009 | 5:06 am

Learning about diabetes

The disease diabetes in the United States has reached almost epidemic levels in the past 40 years. Our diets, our lack of physical activity, and food additives have made the US populace into a breeding ground for the disease.So what's it important to learn about diabetes? First, you need to know exactly what the disase is. According to the American Diabetes Association, "Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life."So the first thing you need to monitor is your sugar intake, as letting your blood sugar get too low or too high can lead to a diabetic coma. These comas can range from light dizzyness, to passing out entirely, to an actual coma that ends with fatality. If you're diabetic or pre-diabetic, it's important to take the threat of the disease seriously.A not necessarily intuitive fact about diabetes is that not all sugar effects the system equally. Take, for example, high gructose corn syrup. This is a manufactured sweetender that began to be used in place of sugar in American foods in the early 1970s. Not coincidently, this coincides almost linearly with the diabetes boom in US society. There are many studies out now that show that large concentrations of high fructose corn syrup is much more likely to effect your body's insulin levels, as well as its responses to sugar and other forms of glucose, than is a natural sweetener.Does this mean high fructose corn syrup is the cause of the spike in diabetes? It seems that way, certainly, but it doesn't necessarily follow. There could, repeat COULD be other causes, unlikely as that may be.However, it does seem likely that high fructose corny syrup is the culprit. Check your bottle of soda, or your breakfast cereal. Even nominally "healthy" brands use high fructose corn syrup instead of regular sugar now. Check your catsup - it'll be in there, too. Check almost any pre-processed food and you'll find that it contains corn syrup. This product has altered our body chemistry rapidly, and we haven't been able to keep up biologically. You want a solid step about diabetes prevention? Don't eat any pre-processed foods. If you can leave it out on your countertop for a week and it doesn't go bad, you don't want that in your system.It's important to be aware of that. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have diabetes of some sort now, and it's in your best interest to avoid becoming a part of that group. And if you are a part of that group, it's in your best interest to watch closely everything you put into your body.Read More about Diabetes

Posted on: 16 July 2009 | 8:03 pm

The American Diabetes Association

In the United States alone over 23 million adults and children have been diagnosed with diabetes. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association is a support and advocacy group that has been on the leading edge of providing up to date information for those afflicted by this disease. They have also led the charge of fundraising for diabetes research. Thanks to their website, the American Diabetes Association is now able to reach millions of diabetes patients and their families on a daily basis. All of their valuable information and resources are now just a mouse click away. Not only can the American Diabetes Association offer information for people who have recently been diagnosed but they can also help you identify any risk factors you may have in your current lifestyle. Diabetes can be managed but you have to detect it early. Last year, their call center (1-800-DIABETES) helped over 350,000 Americans who needed personal guidance with nutrition and lifestyle choices. Although the call center counselors are strictly non-medical, they can assist you with the pertinent information to help find a doctor in your area. The American Diabetes Association website also recommends great nutrition tips and diet plans. Even though there are many restrictions to a diabetic’s diet there are just as many tasty and innovative recipes. They also make available information regarding staying healthy through exercise programs that fit into your daily life. Throughout the year, the American Diabetes Association sponsors many fundraising and awareness events. Among the ongoing annual programs is the Tour de Cure, a bicycle marathon held in over 70 cities across the nation. There is also the School Walk for Diabetes which encourages schools to set up marathon walks. All of these events depend upon participants finding generous sponsors. These events have helped raised million of dollars that all goes towards the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Sadly, the disease of diabetes doesn’t discriminate when it comes to infecting children. The American Diabetes Association is there to supply helpful information to parents of recently diagnosed children. The initial news can be devasting but thanks to the support provided through the American Diabetes Association, parents are never alone. You’ll soon discover that through the American Diabetes Association there is a thriving and helpful community of supporters who are willing to help; all you need to do is ask.

Posted on: 26 June 2009 | 8:29 pm

Baby Diabetes

Baby diabetes is a common problem that comes across as a shocker for most of the parents. The disease has the ability to rob the precious childhood out of your child. The unfortunate fact is that parents sometimes fail to recognize the symptoms and do not seek medical help. Being naïve, they tend to attribute the lethargy of the one year old to an array of common nutritional factors or influence of the idiot’s box. Baby diabetes can turn into a life threatening situation at times. The most challenging part is that the baby cannot tell you when it is sick. If the parents try to treat vomiting or flu with the earlier prescribed or commonly available medicines, they might involuntarily overlook the possibilities of baby diabetes. Unlike grown up kids, babies are entirely dependent on the parents for their survival. Since the baby lack the ability to convey its ailments in a comprehensive way, the parents shouldn’t take any chance with its health. Even if it is correctly diagnosed, unflinching dedication is instrumental in keeping the blood sugar in place and aiding the baby in living a healthier life. There are three common types of diabetes – type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. A forth type of diabetes can be caused by some genetic disorders or rare medical conditions. But this is not a prevalent type of diabetes. Baby diabetes usually falls under the type 1 category. Half of the people affected by type 1 diabetes are children. Therefore, it is also known as Juvenile diabetes. The appalling fact is that the symptoms will be displayed only after the diabetes has severely affected the body, preventing an early detection. Most of the victims of baby diabetes need to take insulin injections several times a day. The only way to avoid a critical and potentially lethal situation is timely diagnosis and insulin supplements. Just like adults, babies also experience the usual symptoms like blurry vision, fatigue, tingly feet, or itchy skin; they obviously can’t communicate it. But parents can watch out for other visible behavior. Some of the patterns that should keep the parents’ antenna up are frequent urination, extreme thirst, sudden weight loss, lethargy etc. It is always better to get a simple medical test done and be sure about the situation. There aren’t any proven methods to prevent the baby diabetes. The parents can still practice some common caveats with the food habits. If your family has a history of celiac disease, the baby may also have the same digestion problem. Starting solid food in the early months can turn out to be a bad decision. It is not advised to start solids until the baby is at least 4 months old. Some babies might not be ready for solid food till they are 7 months old. A safer alternative would be to avoid wheat and other grains and start with fruits and vegetables. With lot of medical help available and the state focus on infant and baby health, seeking a consultation before the decision can be immensely helpful. Baby diabetes is a prevalent condition and the only way to deal with it to be alert and seek medical intervention at an early stage.

Posted on: 25 June 2009 | 9:41 pm

Maintaining the 1200 calorie diabetic diet

Diabetes is reaching near epidemic status here in the United States, so chances are you, or someone you know, will be afflicted with this horrible disease. Once diagnosed, it's important to manage as best as you can, and that starts with your diet. Since portion control is an huge part of the problem in the US, it might be a good idea to start counting calories. A healthy number to begin with is 1200 total calories per day.A typical 1200 calorie diabetic diet will focus strongly on maintaining your blood sugar level, so as not to go into diabetic shock. The easiest and best way to do this is to make sure you sugars you take in are the natural sugars found in breads, fruits and vegetables, rather than processed junk like High Fructose Corn Syrup, which many doctors, researchers and dieticians feel is the cause of the diabetes epidemic.So I hope you like carrots, because they're a big part of the 1200 calorie diabetic diet. They have a gentle sweetness that your body is designed to crave, as it regulates your insulin level. Make sure you eat a handful of carrots for lunch, and feel free to snack on them during the day as well.That's another big part of the 1200 calorie diabetic diet - constant grazing. It's better to get your calories and sugars in small doses throughout the day rather than skipping meals and then gorging afterwards. In fact, it's downright dangerous for you to skip meals. You have to regulate your blood-sugar on an ad-hoc basis, so don't think it can be done all at once.Another helpful tip is to eat balanced meals when you do sit down to eat. Don't just have cereal for breakfast; have cereal, an egg, and piece of fruit. You could also have something like cottage cheese instead of the egg, if that is to your liking. You'll want to count calories, of course - low-fat cottage cheese may fit the 1200 calorie diabetic diet better than regular cottage cheese - and it's up to you to talk to your doctor and figure out which foods work best. But in general, keep it balanced and you'll be fighting the disease in the most effective manner.Remember, a balanced meal consists of a protein (meat, cheese, etc), a carb (bread, cereal, etc), a fruit or vegetable, and some fats. Make sure not to overdo it on any of those, especially the last, and the 1200 calorie diabetic diet can be your path to a healthy, long life.

Posted on: 23 June 2009 | 7:38 pm

A Brief History of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that has plagued Americans for decades, but the history of diabetes goes back much further than that. In fact, the history of diabetes reaches back as far as Ancient Egypt! A physician there mentions a disease that has frequent urination or polyuria as a major symptom. Ancient Greek doctors thought the disease caused a melting of limbs and flesh into urine. The ancient medical diagnostic tool for determining diabetes was, strangely, for a doctor to sample a bit of the patient's urine. If the taste was sweet, diabetes was diagnosed. Clearly, malpractice suits had not been invented yet.The history of diabetes went largely unchanged through the Middle Ages until a French doctor suggested eating large amounts of sugar as a proscription for diabetes patients during the middle of the 19th Century. Quickly following that, French and Italian doctors began to instead more about the digestive system and linked diabetes to glycogen levels in blood and finally advised individualized diets for those diagnosed with diabetes. French and German scientists also experimented on the pancreas at this time, going so far as to removing it from dogs to understand how the digestive system functions (or doesn't) without it. Clearly, the history of diabetes and the understanding of the disease still had a long way to go.A huge turning point in the history of diabetes happened in Germany in 1908 when a scientist introduced the first injectable pancreatic extract to treat glycosuria (low blood sugar). This practice had mixed results and vicious side effects but was an important first step in the history of diabetes and treatment.Finally, in 1921, a crucial year in the history diabetes, insulin is 'discovered'. A couple of Canadian scientists were able to keep alive a dog lacking a pancreas several months with a steady dose of insulin injections. This was a break-through as now there was substantial evidence lacking diabetes with a malfunctioning pancreas. Scientists and doctors alike began work on insulin treatment for human patients with diabetes.Throughout the rest of the 20th century, the history of diabetes is marked with further sophistication and development of other advances. A standardized insulin delivery syringe was created in 1944. Other advances include insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, biosynthesized human insulin, and the insulin pen delivery system. The history of diabetes continues to be written as more and more is learned about the disease.

Posted on: 23 June 2009 | 1:08 am

Learning About Diabetes Can Save Your Life

Here are the simple facts about diabetes: your body either isn’t getting enough insulin or does not effectively use the insulin that it does produce. Insulin is the hormone that converts sugar, starches and other foods into the energy you need for daily life. Think of it this way; if your body is an engine, then diabetes is what is clogging up your fuel lines. Although there isn’t a cure yet, there are treatments and affective measures you can take to life a healthy and normal life. Do you know enough about diabetes to determine if you have the disease? Too often diabetes goes undetected because the symptoms are considered harmless. The common warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. Taken alone those symptoms aren’t unique but add them together and the warning signs are clear. A doctor can determine your diabetic status by administering a Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG) or a Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Type 1 diabetes refers to people whose bodies can’t produce insulin while Type 2 denotes people whose bodies can’t properly use insulin. There is also the state of pre-diabetes which actually affects close to 57 million Americans. If gone unchecked pre-diabetes can turn into Type 1 or 2. If you think you are at risk, see your doctor. Although the exact cause of diabetes remains a mystery there are two important risk factors to be aware of: family history and weight. Genetics plays a key role in determining if you are susceptible to diabetes. The same can be said for those who are overweight. Knowing if you are in the high risk category will provide guidance towards the steps you can take to avoid becoming diabetic.One of the myths about diabetes is that if you are diagnosed you can no longer have sweets or chocolate. The truth is that taken within the confines of a healthy meal plan and exercise program, there is no reason why diabetes can’t feed their “sweet tooth.” Another falsehood about diabetes is that because you are diabetic you have to strictly eat diabetic foods. The truth is, like the rest of us, a diabetic’s diet should consist of meals low in salt and sugar and high in whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables. Educating yourself about diabetes can help you and your family to enjoy healthy and long lasting lives.

Posted on: 20 June 2009 | 4:58 am