Your Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is, more often than not, a short-term type of diabetes in which your body is unable to create adequate insulin to regulate glucose amounts during pregnancy. All mothers-to-be are checked to see if they have gestational diabetes in the course of their pregnancy.



Expectant women who are over 35, obese, or have got a family background of diabetes, might be tested more regularly.



Between 2 - 5 percent of expectant mothers will probably experience this specific form of diabetes. The number rises to 7 to 9 percent in case the expectant mother has got a couple of the high-risk features mentioned above. Diagnostic exams for this disorder normally takes place anywhere from week 24 and week 28 of the pregnancy.



Tests are conducted during this time since the placenta is actually producing massive volumes of hormones that may lead to insulin resistance. If the exam indicates increased volumes of blood glucose, more medical tests are likely to be necessary so they can substantiate diabetes.



Treatment for Gestational Diabetes



The goal is to try and maintain glucose levels within a healthy range during the pregnancy, and also to make sure the developing baby is actually in very good health.



Your physician should closely check out you and the little one in the course of your pregnancy. Fetal observation, when it comes to checking out the baby's size in addition to its physical condition, normally includes an ultrasound scan along with a non-stress exam.



The best way to help manage your blood sugar levels is actually by consuming a wide array of healthful meals. In most cases, your daily diet ought to be modest in proteins and fats in addition to featuring monitored levels of carbohydrates by eating food products like fruits and vegetables in addition to complex carbohydrates. On top of that, you ought to cut down on foods which feature lots of sugar, such as juices, sodas as well as pastry products.



You're going to be advised to try and eat three medium-sized meals as well as three snacks every day. You must not miss daily meals or even snacks. Maintain the same quantity and variety of carbohydrates, fats and proteins each day.



In case maintaining your diet is unable to lower your blood sugar levels, you could potentially be prescribed diabetes drugs by way of insulin injection therapy or perhaps orally. On top of that, you need to monitor your blood glucose amounts during treatment.



Almost all women that acquire gestational diabetes do not need to have prescription drugs or even insulin injection therapy, then again some do.



Primary Complications of Gestational Diabetes



When diagnosed and treated successfully, there is minimal potential for other health problems. But, when this is not looked after properly, difficulties for mom and her child can include:



• A very big baby
• Premature childbirth
• Greater likelihood of a cesarean delivery
• Increased possibility of fetal or even neonatal fatality



With care, as well as proper treatment, everyone who has gestational diabetes could have a healthy child, and the mom's diabetes is likely to vanish entirely right after the birth.



It is advisable to watch for any warning signs which indicate you could possibly be battling diabetic issues after the baby's birth. These warning indicators include:



• Urinating very often
• Continuous thirst
• Frequent food cravings



Testing may well go on for 3-4 months following your child's arrival to ensure your blood glucose amounts have returned back to normal levels.



In summary, gestational diabetes is usually a short-term variety of diabetes which most of the time vanishes as a result of giving birth, and leads to no problems for the new mother or infant when managed the right way, but can result in horrible consequences if it is not.

Gestational Diabetes

A good number of women suffer from gestational diabetes around the country. Age, family or personal health history before pregnancy, weight problems and race often increase the risk of certain groups of woman. According to experts, pregnant women who are older than 25 years are more likely to develop gestational diabetes than their younger counterparts. The risk of contracting this disease during pregnancy increases as women get older. Accordingly, women who are already about 35 years triple their chances of suffering from gestational diabetes. For this reason, a lot of healthcare providers advise that women who want to get pregnancy should have their babies before they turn 35 to avoid possible complications.



Aside from age, family or personal health history before pregnancy as well as obesity exposes women to a higher risk of gestational diabetes. Studies show that women whose parents have history of type 1 or type II diabetes are at risk of suffering from this type of ailment. When it comes to weight, women who exceed their ideal weight by around 30% before the onset of pregnancy are said to be highly susceptible to gestational diabetes. Rapid weight gain during pregnancy can also trigger this type of ailment. Moreover, for some unknown reasons, Hispanic, Black and Asian women are more likely to contract this type of disease during pregnancy as compared to their counterparts.



Early Signs Of The Disease



In most cases, pregnant women who have gestational diabetes do not manifest symptoms of the disease. Studies show that this type of disease happens gradually and women who are normally healthy before pregnancy may contract this ailment without even knowing it. Early signs of the disease such as frequent urination, fatigue and thirsts are more or less the same as the symptoms of pregnancy that most women assume that they are just going through the normal pregnancy process.



Effect Of The Disease On The Unborn Child



Although untreated gestational diabetes rarely causes fetal death, it can cause a lot of complications during and after pregnancy. According to experts, gestational diabetes cause extra glucose to cross from the mother's bloodstream into the placenta. Once the glucose reaches the placenta, it causes the pancreas of the fetus to produce extra amounts of insulin. The extra amount of insulin can trigger excessive growth on the part of the baby. As the baby gets too large inside the womb, it may be impossible for the mother to deliver the baby naturally. More often than not, too large babies are delivered through cesarean section.



Aside from growing too large while inside the womb, babies whose mothers are diabetic are at risk of being born too early. Babies who are delivered too early are more likely to suffer from respiratory distress syndrome. Babies severe respiratory problems will need help to breathe and some of them may have to be hooked to respirators after birth. Although most babies who have respiratory problems at birth do not suffer from other forms of lung problems, some babies do suffer from complications.



Aside from possible problems during birth, babies who are born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at risk of suffering from long term developmental problems. According to experts, babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may suffer from attention deficiency problems and delayed motor skills development. Moreover, some babies may suffer from type 1 and type II diabetes later in life.



Effects Of The Disease On The Mother



Gestational diabetes does not only pose dangers to the fetus, it can also threaten the mother's life. A lot of women who have diabetes suffer from preeclampsia, a medical condition that is characterized by excessive amounts of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. This condition usually happen around the 20th week of pregnancy and onward.



Always consult your doctor before using this information.



This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Diabetes - How to Lose Weight If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the curses of the 21st century. Type2 diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin to absorb the glucose levels in the blood. As a result, the level of sugar in the blood is higher than the permissible levels. Prolonged high levels of blood sugar can damage all the internal organs of the body. Type 2 diabetes, if uncontrolled, can lead to a number of deadly diseases.



Most people do not seem to realize the relationship between diabetes and food habits. Not surprisingly, more than 90% of people diagnosed with Type2 Diabetes are overweight! Recent food habits combined with easy, sedentary lifestyle is considered to be at the root of Type 2 Diabetes.



Diabetes has no cure. But, it can be managed very effectively. Since there is a close relationship between food habits and diabetes, it is obvious that changes in diet can help you manage diabetes. In fact, people with borderline diabetes can easily get rid of the excess blood sugar levels simply by losing enough weight. Even if you are diabetic, you can bring blood sugar levels under control by losing weight. According to the American Diabetes Association, reducing your weight by a mere 10 pounds can drastically change your blood sugar levels.



However, people with diabetes may find it extremely difficult to change their food patterns and control their calorie intake. This is because they have to strike a delicate balance in their food intake. Too many calories and they will put on weight, too little and they can easily slip into hypoglycemia. So, the diabetic diet must have all the required nutrients that the patient needs, in the right proportion. At the same time, it must also cut enough calories to help the diabetic patient lose enough weight.



One of the best ways in which people with diabetes can control their weight, eat in a healthy manner and still lose weight is by increasing their fiber intake. Vegetable and fruits are the best sources of natural dietary fibers. So, people with diabetes are often advised to take in plenty of fresh vegetables. However, diabetics cannot take in high amounts of fruits because fruits contain fructose, which in turn gets converted into glucose in the blood. Thus, diabetic patients cannot get their full supply of fiber from food alone.



That is why more than one-third of diabetic patients turn to natural fiber supplements. Guar gum is a natural, water-soluble fiber supplement that can be taken in without any side effects. It bulks up in the stomach, reduces hunger pangs and regulates blood sugar levels.

Symptoms to Know If You Have Diabetes

Symptoms of diabetes can develop quickly within weeks or just days. However, for some, may not show any sign at all or they may seem very common such that they won't even think it can be diabetes. Surprisingly, these symptoms may occur to someone who doesn't have diabetes. to be on the safe side and avoid any doubt you need go for screening for at least every 3-4 years if you are 45 years and above or any other person who have exposed to any risk factor.



When you have hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) your symptoms may seem similar to someone who have skipped a meal or fasting and if you drink alcohol while starving. Hypoglycemia can be managed or controlled by eating or drinking something sugary. If it patient doesn't get this control he/she may appear confused with garbled speech which you may not understand what he/she is saying. In extreme can become unconscious .following are symptoms that you look for:



-feeling shaky and irritable,
-sweating,
-tingling lips,
-feeling weak,
-hunger, and
-nausea (feeling sick).



If patient have Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), which occur when there is no insulin produced by pancreas to remove glucose from your bloodstream. Hence glucose level becomes so high. If not urgently treated it can lead to ketoacidosis, where in extreme cases can cause coma or death. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition when body starts breaking down fat rather than glucose to produce energy. Symptoms include:



-extreme thirst,
-a dry mouth,
-blurred vision,
-drowsiness, and
-a frequent need to pass urine.



Other general diabetes symptoms include following;
-feeling unusual thirst -signal to dilute blood is translated by brain as thirst
-frequent urge to urinate -body trying to get rid of excess sugar in the blood.
-unintentional weight change either gain or loss
-extreme tiredness, loss of energy or feeling weak
-blurred vision due to eyes becoming very dry
-wound such as cuts and bruises taking long to heal since white blood cell are not functioning properly.
-frequent infections such as skin, yeast and urinary tract due to low immune system caused by diabetes.
-itchy and lack of feeling in hands and feet
-trouble getting or maintaining an erection for men thus sexually inactive
-constipation
-Excessive eating -insulin is the one that stimulate hunger, so more insulin the more hungry you will be.

Borderline Diabetic - Cut Out the Sugar

Take Heed--Pre-diabetes IS reversible



The Mayo Clinic states that chronic diabetes includes type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include pre-diabetes (borderline diabetes)-when the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes-and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.



Diabetes Can Maim and Kill



Recently a family friend-a type 2 diabetic for many years-had one leg amputated due to diabetic complications. His doctors have indicated that the other leg may have to be amputated too. Another friend failed to heed the many warnings and died a short time ago with congestive heart failure, liver and kidney problems. He too had long ago been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and failed to loose weight or adjust his diet..



Perhaps you yourself have been diagnosed or have a family member, friend or acquaintance riding in this same leaky boat. You are not alone! It is estimated that nearly 19% or over 23 million people in the U.S. are diabetic. Add to this about 5.7 million undiagnosed cases and 5.7 million listed as borderline. Most sources generally agree that diabetes is caused by either the total failure of the pancreas to produce insulin (type 1) or it produces insufficient amounts and/or the body cells reject it. The task of the pancreatic insulin is to convert carbohydrates from sugar into glucose. Glucose is the fuel that provides energy to the body's cells.



Once a full blown case of this disease has been confirmed, serious treatment-insulin injections or radically adjusting the diet is indicated. If, in your case, you or someone close to you is still in the pre-diabetic stage-this condition can be reversed.



Cut Out The Sugar



The best advice from most medical sources tells us to cut out the sugar. No, this won't be easy, but consider the alternative. Are you willing to risk a leg because of the satisfaction you get from drinking sugar-loaded soft drinks and eating candy bars. Start reading the labels on the things you buy. Most processed foods contain large amounts of carbs-mostly from sugar. Start gradually by limiting the sugar intake-but DO get started.

Control your Diabetes by Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Many of the vitamins like Vitamin B complex, Thiamine or Vitamin B1 and Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 are great controller of diabetes. Other vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E also works great in controlling diabetes. Have a look on the benefits how they can help you controlling your diabetes.



Vitamin C - Vitamin C is considered highly beneficial in treating diabetes. Because of stress, urinary losses and destruction by artificial sweeteners, the vitamin C requirement is usually high in diabetics. Large amounts of this vitamin sometimes bring very good results. Dr. George V Mann in Perspective in Biology and Medicine recommended extra vitamin C for diabetics. Natural insulin output increases in diabetics with supplementary doses of vitamin C.



The intake of vitamin C in the form of dried Indian gooseberry (amla), the richest known source of vitamin C, or tablets of 500 mg or from natural sources of vitamin C besides amla, are citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, sprouted Bengal gram and green grams.



Vitamin E - This vitamin reduces considerably the devastating vascular damage accompanying diabetes. Dr. Willard Shute in The Complete Book of Vitamins recommends 800-1600 IU of vitamin E a day to prevent arterial degeneration in diabetes.



A Swedish study also supports vitamin E therapy for treating diabetes. Vitamin E helps diabetics decrease their insulin requirements. It would be advisable for a diabetes patient to take a daily dose of 200 IU of this vitamin for a fortnight at a time.
Rich Sources of Vitamin E. Valuable natural foods sources of this vitamin are wheat or cereal germ, whole grain products, fruits and green leafy vegetables, milk and all whole raw or sprouted seeds.



Other rich sources of vitamin E are cold pressed crude vegetable oils, especially sunflower seeds, safflower, and Soya beans oils, raw and sprouted seeds and grains, alfalfa, lettuce, almond, human milk etc.



Vitamin A - Diabetics are unable to convert beta-carotine to vitamin A. A supplement of this vitamin, therefore, becomes necessary. A dose of 15000 IU on alternate days is considered adequate by some authorities.

Type 2 Diabetes And The Diagnosis of Prediabetes!

In the world of diabetes, there are many different terms that are commonly thrown around in normal conversation amongst health professionals.



Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes are the labels used for different types of conditions related to blood sugar.



1. Type 1 diabetes is a term reserved for those whose pancreas stops making insulin at levels needed for their body. Those with Type 1 Diabetes are given insulin to try to correct the imbalance in the body.



2. Type 2 diabetes is a type of diabetes whereby blood sugar levels are higher than normal levels; insulin just doesn't get the job done. If extra measures are not taken at this point through diet, exercise or oral medication, the diabetes will continue to worsen, making that person susceptible to diabetes complications of all sorts.



3. Prediabetes is a term that refers to the situation where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not as high as in Type 2 diabetics.



Rates of people being diagnosed with diabetes are increasing worldwide. In fact, there are 57 million people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prediabetes... and at least half that many are walking around without the knowledge they are on their way to this condition. Epidemic is not too strong a word to apply to this growing medical crisis



The problem with high blood sugar levels is that the extra sugar in the blood circulates throughout the body and causes damage everywhere it goes. When it gets to the skin, it causes the proteins to clump. Every time a protein clumps, then that protein essentially is disabled. It can't work any more and is really just a skeleton of a protein that just sits there and does nothing at all. In the skin, the more protein clumps you have, the more you look aged.



This happens with every organ in the body when the blood sugar levels are high. And that's why prediabetes is definitely a health issue that needs to be solved.



You would think either you have Type 2 diabetes, or you don't. But it's not quite that simple. Like many health problems, this condition develops slowly over many years. You probably don't notice anything different, the symptoms creep up on you one at a time. But inside your body, changes in how your body produces and uses insulin and sugar are occurring. And it is these changes that are setting you up for problems in the future. This phase is what is referred to as prediabetes.



The amount of sugar in your bloodstream varies throughout the day. Levels are lower prior to eating (fasting) and higher after you have eaten. For people who have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, daily blood sugar levels look something like this:



Prediabetes... 100 to 125mg/dL (5.5 to 6.9mmol/L)



Type 2 diabetes... 126mg/dL (7mmol/L) or higher



The fasting blood sugar test is usually the preferred test for diagnosing whether or not you have diabetes. A Glucose Challenge Test will be the next step if your levels are in the above range. Levels in the following range confirm a diagnosis of prediabetes or Type 2:



Prediabetes... 140 to 199mg/dL /L (7.8 to 11mmol/L)



Type 2 diabetes... 200mg/dL (11.1mmol/L) or higher



Many people don't take prediabetes seriously but this is the best time for you to take action to reverse the condition and prevent the development of full-blown 2 diabetes.

How to Own the Blood Glucose Normal Range - Turn Back the Symptoms For Diabetes

So, you'd like to get back to the blood glucose normal range?



Good for you. You've probably heard the horror stories about diabetes - blindness, kidney failure, amputation. That was pretty common years ago. Today, you have far more control over your destiny, if you choose to.



Here are some key tips:



1. Get off the fence about diabetes.



Don't buy into "borderline diabetes".  it doesn't help to think of diabetes as a "kind of" thing. That's a way for you to let your blood glucose stay too high for too long, and that's an invitation to all the complications you don't want to think about.



If you're hemoglobin A1c is high (go get it checked). You've got diabetes.  If you're outside the blood glucose normal range, in other words, if your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl or higher, you've got diabetes. If your blood glucose is over 200 mg/dl after eating on at least two occasions you have it.



2. Next, take action - don't get scared, get movin'.



If you're diabetic, start making the small changes that can add up over time to change your life.



If you're readings aren't that high, but you think you're headed there - take action any way. All the recommendations you'll get will only make you healthier and give you a more active lifestyle - which is why you want to avoid diabetes anyway.



3. There are two general things you should do right now to get back to your blood glucose normal range.



First, calculate the number of calories you should be eating to stay at your ideal weight (not the weight you're at today). Eat that many and no more, every day.



Second, add 5,000 steps to your day, every day. You'll need those extra steps to burn off sugar (and to lose weight if you calculated that your ideal weight is lower than where you are now).

Dealing With Diabetes - Detecting Prediabetes

Despite what many think, diabetes doesn't just show up without previous warning signs appearing. Full blown Diabetes can take up to ten years to manifest itself. While you may not qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes, you aren't operating in normal state either. You have what's know as prediabetes.



The good news here is that people with prediabetes normally don't have any type of eye disease, kidney disease or any type of nerve damage that you could end up with full blown diabetes. Don't think you are off the hook if you "only" have prediabetes because you are not. You are far more likely to have heart disease and brain issues than someone else that has completely normal blood glucose levels.



Before you start thinking that this is some type of unknown disease, know that well over 50 million people in the United States have prediabetes. But most have no clue that they in fact have it.



So, how do you know if you should be tested for prediabetes? Well, as a general rule, you should be tested once you reach 45. You should also be tested if you are under 45 and are overweight and have one or more of these risk factors:



1. You belong to a to a higher risk ethnic group such as African American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.



2. If you have high blood pressure, or it runs in your family.



3. If you have low HDL or what is referred to as "good" cholesterol.



4. If you have high triglycerides



5. If there is a family history of diabetes



6. If you have diabetes during pregnancy or if your newborn baby weighed more than 9 pounds



A study conducted by Diabetes Care back in 2007 indicated that folks who are overweight or obese over age 45 should be tested for prediabetes without delay as it can be extremely cost effective to do so - especially if they begin an immediate lifestyle change and begin taking any prescribed medication.



The test for prediabetes is a simple blood test. The test will determine what your blood glucose level, which is simply the amount of sugar in your blood. Prediabetes is diagnosed when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not so high that it meets the standard for regular diabetes. If it is found that a random capillary blood glucose level is hither than 100md/dl, a second test is conducted, referred to as a fasting glucose (or oral) tolerance test.



So, what are the blood glucose levels that indicate you either have or don't have prediabetes?



Here are some good guidelines:



Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Normal = Less than 100 mg/dl



Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Normal = Less than 140 mg/dl



Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Prediabetes = 100-125 mg/dl



Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Prediabetes = 140-199 mg/dl



Some look at a prediabetes diagnosis as bad news. Quite the contrary, actually. It could be the best thing that has ever happened to you as it can provide the wake up call that you need to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle. Changes such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis. Both of these are areas that can prevent the onset of diabetes in folks that have prediabetes. Why not make the changes necessary now instead of ending up with diabetes later on? If you are one of those who doesn't respond to lifestyle changes, medication may be able to do the same thing for you.



If you don't find yourself motivated enough to fend off diabetes - and you will more than likely become a diabetic if you don't make changes - perhaps the fact that you will save upwards of $10,000 in future costs associated with the treatment of diabetes. Your call. You can sit and do nothing, or take the bull by the horns and be one of the 20% of folks who have prediabetes that successfully fend of diabetes itself.

Glucose Tolerance Test, a Tried and True Way to Diagnose Diabetes

The glucose tolerance test is the best way to diagnose prediabetes or gestational diabetes because it shows how your body is reacting to sugar.It will be done at your doctor's office, and it can warn you of the onset of diabetes, or detect borderline diabetes (prediabetes).



Obstetricians use it to check for the presence of gestational diabetes, which only happens during pregnancy. It is also called the oral glucose tolerance test or OGTT.



It measures hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood) but it cannot be used to diagnose hypoglycemia (too little sugar in the blood) even if a fasting blood sugar is unusually low. There is really no test doctors can use right now to diagnose hypoglycemia, making it harder to pin down.



Preparing For the Glucose Tolerance Test



It is very important to eat just as you normally would in the days before the test, and to keep your activity level the same, too. Eating an unusually large meal the day before, or not eating normal meals can affect the results, making them inaccurate.



And if there is any illness going on, that will mess up the test too. You'll need to let your doctor know all the medications you are on, because some of them may affect the results of the test as well.



Other things that might make the test a false positive for diabetes are stress, trauma, heart attack or stroke, and anything that would affect your pancreas, such as pancreatitis. For that reason the American Diabetic Association recommends doctors do the GTT twice if it comes up positive, just to be sure it is giving accurate results.



What To Expect The Day of the Test



You must fast the night before the test and not eat breakfast that morning. No juice, nothing but water. You should have been fasting for 8 hours before the test begins. At your doctor visit, the nurse will give you a fingerstick blood test, which might hurt on the fingertip for a second.



The reading will be recorded. Then you will be given an 8-ounce cup of syrupy liquid to drink, and you should finish it within a 5-minute window. You'll wait for an hour, and then they'll give you another fingerstick blood test.



After a second hour of waiting you'll get a third fingerstick test. Some doctors continue for a third hour and do another fingerstick test, but the second one will tell them what they need to know.



What Do the Numbers Mean?



A normal fasting blood sugar should be below 110. If it is between 110 and 125 you will be considered a borderline diabetic or prediabetic. A fasting number above 125 gives you a diagnosis of diabetes if it is consistent over at least two fasting readings.



Assuming your fasting number is normal, if after 2 hours your blood sugar has dropped below 140 you do not have insulin resistance. If the number is between 140 and 200, you have impaired glucose tolerance. That means insulin resistance or prediabetes. If you are a woman that number may mean you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, which presents as prediabetes, and it would be a good idea to check this with your gynecologist.



Testing for for gestational diabetes is a little different, and the test might only take one hour instead of two or three. If you have gestational diabetes, your doctor will simply suggest ways to lower your blood sugar over the rest of your pregnancy. You will be treated as a higher risk pregnancy and your blood sugar will be watched closely. Most of the time blood sugars return to normal after delivery.



For the regular GTT, if the fingerstick test two hours after taking the glucose drink is above 200, you will receive a diagnosis of diabetes. Many times a doctor will ask for another oral glucose tolerance test to verify the diagnosis, especially if there are other things going on that make him or her suspect the test is not accurate, or if it is borderline.



You will be given suggestions for things to do to lower your blood sugar, such as limiting sugary and processed carbohydrates, starting an exercise program and losing a few pounds. Even small changes can make a difference in the numbers.



Some doctors like to start patients right away on metformin before they've even begun to try the diet and exercise route. Maybe they have little faith in patients changing their habits, and it's easier to just start the pills. And some of us have such high numbers already that we need treatment right away to bring the blood sugar down quickly.



The glucose tolerance test is a reliable first diagnostic tool for smoking out prediabetes, and that's great because those lifestyle changes can begin before you become diabetic. That's a great gift if you can recognize it and use it wisely.

Diabetes Control, Can You Control Diabetes Once It's Been Diagnosed?

As someone diagnosed as diabetic, I know how scary it can be when you are first told you are diabetic. When I was informed some six months ago I had no idea how it would change my life. What I did know was that I was going to find out as much as I could about this illness and beat it.



Of course, I have found out since that you cannot beat it, you can only control it by exercise, diet and a change in lifestyle. However, don't despair, this is very doable. Since being diagnosed I have lost 18lb that I have been trying to shift for years, good news after all.



So, exercise is one topic, food is the other. Below is a short description of what food you can eat to help control both your weight and your diabetes.



Diabetes and diets, what can we eat:



What about meat, fish, nuts, pulses and eggs
These are usually known as protein foods and are needed for the growth and repair of body tissues. Some of them also contain a lot of fat. To get the nutrients you need without too much fat, try to:



• Make meat and fish the smaller part of your meals. Fill up on starchy foods and vegetables instead.
• Buy the leanest meat you can afford and trim off any excess fat before cooking. The valuable nutrients are found in the lean part of the meat.
• Cook your meat without adding fat by grilling, roasting, or braising. Drain or skim casseroles, stews or mince.
• Cut down on meat or make a meal go further by adding more pulses and vegetables. Lentils, a tin of kidney beans or butter beans can be added to casseroles, pasta and rice meals.
• Remove the skin from chicken, as this is high in fat.
• Scramble, boil or poach eggs instead of frying.
• Eat fish frequently, especially the oily varieties. Salmon, herring, trout, kippers, mackerel, pilchards. Fish oil supplements are not recommended.
• Use tinned fish in water, tomato sauce or brine rather than oil.
• Do not eat nuts as snacks or nibbles, especially if you are overweight, they are high in fat and calories.
• Avoid meat products such as sausages and burgers as they are high in fat.
• Do not eat luncheon meat, pate and salami as they are very high in fat.
• Look out for the lower fat ready meals and cook in sauces if you use convenience foods.



What about dairy products:
Milk, cheese and other dairy products contain protein and calcium. However, they can contain a lot of fat, so try to:
• Choose low fat plain yoghurt or fromage frails instead of cream
• Remember, cheese is high in fat. Use cottage and low fat curd cheese or low fat soft cheese.



Of course this is just a brief explanation or description of foods you can eat, there are lots more and some very interesting recipes out there that can make life so much more interesting. Did you know you can still drink alcohol? Look out for more articles with interesting ways to control this illness together.

Nab Your Blood Glucose Normal Range - 5 Strategies to Stop Your Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

You want your blood glucose in the normal range, right?



You know as well as I do what the alternative is.



Diabetes has a bad reputation that is well-deserved. It's the leading cause of blindness of kidney failure and the seventh leading cause of death in America. And it's on the rise.



But a growing number of people are beating it back. And you can be one of them. All it takes is concerted action, not good intentions, concerted action.



Here are 5 great ways to get started stopping your diabetes signs and symptoms:



1. Do the 10 K everyday.



I don't mean that you should run 6 miles. I do mean that you need to walk 10,000 steps every day. And that's 5,000 more than you're walking now. That means if you want to stay in your blood glucose normal range, you need to add a 2 1/4 mile walk (30 to 45 minutes) to your routine every day. Maybe walk the parking lot a few times with a friend.



2. Examine your feet every night before bed.



I'm not kidding. One of the diabetes signs and symptoms is distal neuropathy (losing the feeling in your extremities). It can start with very fine nerve fibers in your feet.



Every night before bed, look for anything unusual. If you see something, go to your doctor immediately.



3. Care for your eyes almost as diligently.



If you're not hitting your blood glucose normal range, your eyes are swelling with water. They get mis-shapen and they can get damaged. See your optometrist or ophthalmologist every year.



4. Make diabetes a black or white decision.



Don't buy into "borderline diabetes". You have it or you don't. If you're A1c is high (if you don't know, you need to get it checked) or if your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl or higher, or your blood glucose is over 200 mg/dl after eating on at least two occasions you have it. It's time to switch into action (don't get scared, get activated).



5. Use a meter, not your gut.



If you think you're out of your blood glucose normal range, get a meter and test. Don't try to guess. Even people with diabetes guess wrong about 50% of the time, and then they're often 50 mg/dl off. Which is way too much. Measure. Better yet, ask your doctor to test your hemoglobin A1c.



Warnging:  If you're outside your blood glucose normal range, high blood sugar effects are damaging your body.



And here's the tough part. About 1/3 of people with diabetes right now, don't know. In fact, in a 2007 study, better than 4 of 10 people with high blood glucose reported no signs.

Memory Loss and Diabetes

There are many issues one can face when they have been diagnosed with diabetes. One of the most frustrating is memory loss. Memory loss can occur in most people as they age. But sometimes, memory loss can be due to circulatory problems and hormonal changes in the body. When this happens, one may feel inadequate and insecure.



To prevent memory loss when a person has diabetes, one should change their diet to include foods with fiber, protein, and calcium that will stimulate blood flow and also help replace some of the nutrients lost. Exercise will also promote blood flow.



Stimulating the brain by reading, solving crossword puzzles, and finding new hobbies are ways to keep the brain alert. Many times, it is the short term memory that will be affected. By stimulating the brain, one can minimize the damage that may be caused. Since memory loss can also be caused by other diseases, it is important to have a check up yearly to determine if diabetes is present.



Memory loss is one effect of diabetes that can be improved when diabetes is detected in its early stages. Although diabetes is a life long illness, this does not mean that a person has to suffer from all of the side effects that could occur. Memory loss can occur at any time during one's life. While a person may be upset, they should not worry too much about it. By altering one's lifestyle and staying busy both physically and mentally, one will be able to lead a long, healthy life.

Hypoglycemia and Its Relationship with Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for the whole family. A new baby is about to be born, and there's no knowing what that baby would look like and grow up to be. Pregnancy however is also an unfortunately dangerous time for both the mother and the unborn child. Pregnant women are more vulnerable than usual to illnesses, and they need to take extra precaution to guarantee not only personal health but also the well-being of the child inside their wombs.



Pregnancy and Diet
Pregnant women often feel that their present condition gives them the license to eat whatever they want and as often as they wish. Although it's safe for most of the women to do so, such an outlook isn't exactly farsighted because overeating will lead to extra weight. Consequently, there'll be more pounds to burn once they've given birth.



If a pregnant woman wants to be on the safe side, however, there is a proper diet prescribed for women in this condition. Such a diet however may have to undergo several changes if a pregnant woman has been proven to be diabetic or hypoglycemic as well.



Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
While most people are aware of the conditions of diabetes, not all of them are equally cognizant of the facts about hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition wherein an individual's glucose level becomes abnormally low. Glucose or blood sugar is needed by the body to function properly.



At times, however, hypoglycemia is the result of an overproduction of insulin by the pancreas. As you know, insulin is one of the medicines used to treat diabetes. Insulin can help transform sugar into energy.



Also, hypoglycemia can be caused by stress, the wrong diet, critical problems with the pancreas or the liver, and of course, pregnancy.



The Links between Pregnancy and Hypoglycemia
Insulin resistance increases as a woman reaches the latter stages of her pregnancy. If the woman is suffering from Type II diabetes, she may find it necessary to take insulin intravenously to normalize the situation.



Oral medication for diabetes is very dangerous for pregnant women. If you haven't informed your ob-gyn about this yet, you should do so as early as possible because oral medication has been known to cause birth defects.



Pregnant women should constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. It's imperative that they make the necessary adjustments right after they find out that their glucose level is either too low or high. This will ensure that the health of the unborn child will not be affected. If left untreated, hypoglycemia has been known to cause a pregnant woman to faint. If she loses consciousness alone and worse, in a place where no one will be able to check on her periodically, this can cause further complications for her and the baby.



While regular exercise is certainly good for pregnant women, this will be made slightly more complicated if a pregnant woman happens to be diabetic as well. As such, she must test her glucose level prior and after her workout. It's also better to always have a medical kit and some light snacks with her at all times, in the event that she has a sudden attack of hypoglycemia.



If you or your loved one is pregnant and diabetic, you or she must be always accompanied by someone who's fully aware of both of your conditions, and what should be done if you suffer from hypoglycemia. When you're pregnant, it's not only your weight that's doubled...the risks you face are twice as high as well. Take care and have a blessed birth!

Natural Diabetes Treatment - Are Natural Methods Something Weird? (This Really Surprised Me)

My family is full of diabetics so I am always on the lookout for new information about treating diabetes. While searching the Web I had many times come across a natural diabetes treatment and I wouldn't even waste my time reading about that.



In my mind I envisioned "natural treatment" being a healer making me drink some kind of a potion or dancing around me sprinkling dust while mumbling in a language that I did not understand. That sort of a treatment just did not appeal to me.



Then one day I was surfing the Internet again looking for information on diabetes when I came across the natural diabetes treatment again. I do not know if it was out of curiosity, boredom or both, but I actually read it and was I surprised. Natural healing is not at all what I thought it was. This stuff was actually making sense to me.



After finding out what natural treatment for diabetes really was, I felt kind of foolish. Treating disorders and diseases the natural way has been done for hundreds of years. It works by focusing on natural remedies and the body's ability to heal and maintain itself. Who knew?



Natural treatment for diabetes mainly consists of eating the right foods and staying away from bad foods, making sure that you stay active by getting enough exercise and making some lifestyle changes. I could not believe what I was reading. No dancing men, no weird potions and I understood every word of it.



If you are having trouble controlling your diabetes, are a borderline diabetic or want to find out how you can balance your blood sugar, you should really find out for yourself about a natural diabetic treatment. You will be pleasantly surprised at how easy and effective this method really is for treating diabetes, minus the dancing men.

Pre Diabetes Symptoms

What is pre diabetes?
Before diabetes especially Type 2 develops, first there are symptoms of pre diabetes. This can also be referred to a 'borderline diabetes' or 'impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose'. This means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes and not high enough to be treated.



Pre diabetes affects millions of people worldwide and besides being the pre runner of full blown diabetes it has the ability to do more damage to the heart and circulatory system than diabetes does. Yet there are ways to determine if diabetes is developing and in doing so can prevent diabetes taking hold. Preventative measures include a pre diabetes diet and losing between 5% to 7% body weight. Exercise plays a vital role too and should encompass 30 minutes a day five days a week.



It is not usual for people under the age of 45 to be tested for pre diabetes, yet if you are overweight it is a good idea or if you have a history of diabetes in the family. There are also other health conditions that can contribute to diabetes. Testing should be done about every three years but if you have been diagnosed with pre diabetes you should be tested annually.



Symptoms
It is a sad fact that most people don't know they have pre diabetes until they are dangerously close to diabetes. Pre diabetes symptoms include an elevated blood sugar level higher than normal.



Most people don't show symptoms of pre diabetes though, but it is scientifically known that apart from elevated blood sugar levels unusual thirst, extreme tiredness, frequent urination and blurred vision can be telling signs.



For your doctor to determine whether or not you have pre diabetes he or she will conduct two different tests. One is called the 'fasting plasma glucose test' and the other is the 'oral glucose test'. Fasting glucose test or FPG can only be tested after total abstention of food or drink other than water, for a period of 8 hours. If your levels are abnormal after this fast, then it means your body is not able to metabolize glucose correctly.



The oral glucose test measures your response to sugar and is conducted only after the FPG test has been done. A glucose solution is administered orally and after a period of about 2 hours blood sugar levels are tested. Normal levels are less than 140mg/dL while levels between this amount and 199mg/dL suggest pre diabetes. If your levels are higher than 200mg/dL you may already have developed full blown diabetes.



Who should be tested?
If you are overweight with a body mass index over 25
If you have a family history of diabetes
If you are over the age of 45
If you fall in to high risk ethnic groups which are Native Americans, Africans, Pacific Islanders or Latinos
If you have given birth to a baby weighing in excess of 9 lbs
If you have had gestational diabetes
If you have previous had an abnormal blood sugar reading
If you have high cholesterol, hypertension or high triglycerides or
If you lead a sedentary life



Pre diabetes is a warning sign
Medical practitioners use the term pre diabetes to explain the warning signs of diabetes yet also explain it as being an impaired tolerance of glucose which is found in type 2 diabetes mellitus.



It is a misconception that because you have a family history of diabetes that you will develop it yourself. Everyone's behavior, lifestyle and habits differ which means it can be prevented. Diabetes is not a gene. The key is in prevention rather than reaction. Changing eating and lifestyle habits is not easy and it is for this reason that many blame hereditary factors.



Early symptoms such as pre diabetes although alarming can be misleading. It is possible to suffer from extreme thirst, excessive fatigue and frequent urination without being at risk of diabetes as these symptoms also relate to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However prevention Is better than cure. If you exhibiting symptoms it makes sense to have them checked out. In doing so you will either put your mind at rest or be given the opportunity of changing your lifestyle before full blown diabetes takes hold.

Diabetes Diagnosis What To Do Next

Diabetes is a very serious disease, but it is controllable. Approximately 16 million people in the United States have this disease, a serious, life-long disorder that is, as yet, incurable. This disease can, and will, lead to a wide range of other serious health complications.



It is a silent killer that kills one person every 10 seconds. It is a global problem with devastating human, social and economic impact. It is a growing epidemic threatening to overwhelm global healthcare services, wipe out some indigenous populations and undermine economies worldwide, especially in developing countries.



This disease can occur any time, even in the first year of life. If you are at risk or have pre-diabetes, you can take some small steps to prevent the disease. About one-third of these people do not know they have this disease and are not under medical care. Anyone with this disease is at increased risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower extremity amputations



The symptoms of this disease are frequent thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, rapid loss of weight, and obvious weakness and fatigue. Obesity, especially in the abdomen and at the waistline, greatly increases the risk of this illness. A very good way you can help to prevent type 2 is by maintaining your ideal body weight, especially if you have a family history of this disease.



Diet and exercise have been shown to delay the onset of this disease in people who are in the early stages of insulin resistance, identified by borderline blood sugar levels. After the first few years of treatment, the majority of people with type 2 require more than one medicine to keep their blood sugar under control.



Around one out of three people with type 2 diabetes requires insulin. Four to six out of every 100 people with type 2 diabetes become dependent on dialysis treatments because of kidney failure. Treatment will always include taking insulin and may include taking other drugs to prevent kidney damage or to treat disease related conditions such as high blood pressure.



Treatment may include taking oral medicines to decrease insulin resistance or increase insulin secretion and taking other drugs to treat any condition that is related to this disease and may also include taking insulin. The goal for the treatment of this condition is to keep blood glucose and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. Therefore it is imperative to self-monitor blood glucose levels which will provide the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding your daily diabetes care.

Childhood Diabetes is Becoming More Common

When a child gets diabetes then it is named either juvenile diabetes or type 1 diabetes, most of the time. This disease causes the pancreas to not be able to produce insulin or affects the body's ability to use the insulin it produces, correctly. Insulin is a chemical which allows the body to use starches, carbs and sugars. Kids who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are also considered to be insulin-dependent. They will have to take insulin for the rest of their lives.



Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults over the age of 40. A recent development has caused much confusion in the science community. More and more children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because of unhealthy diet and lifestyle. In the case of type 2 diabetes, the body produces the insulin but the body is not able to use it correctly. Therefore, medication or additional insulin must be supplemented in order to stay healthy.



Diabetes cannot be diagnosed at home. You will have to seek the advice of the family doctor, naturopath, endocrinologist or a homeopath. If there is any question in your mind about your child's health, especially if they are obese, you should seek an opinion as soon as possible. Diabetes tends to run in families so if there is a history then this is a cause for added concern. Diagnosis is easily done by use of a blood test. The levels of glucose are carefully measured.



Symptoms that you should be looking out for include: blurry vision, frequent urination, excessive urination, recurring infections (like athletes foot and UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)), chronic fatigue, tingly or numb hands and feet, loss of weight while not dieting and abnormally slow healing cuts and scrapes.



Science has not determined exactly what causes diabetes to happen in children. Many believe that a virus or auto-immune response might be responsible. It is a myth that it is caused by consuming excessive amounts of sugar or a result of obesity, alone.



Unfortunately, children must take daily doses of insulin if they are plagued by type 1 diabetes. It cannot be taken as a pill because the stomach acid breaks it down too much. A new and healthier diet must also be followed. The amount of food and time in between meals should be monitored closely.



Some herbs and minerals are also helpful for those suffering with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Gymnema Sylvestre, Galega Officinalis, Bilberry and Chromium Picolonate all can help your child if he/she has been diagnosed. Talk with a naturopath, homeopath as well as your doctor before starting them on a natural regimen.

Diabetes and White Foods - Should Diabetics Avoid All White Foods?

Are carbohydrates "Public Enemy No. 1" for diabetics?



Many published sources have told us that carbohydrates are at the root of many of our health problems including diabetes. Carbohydrates come in two forms:



1. Complex carbohydrates consist of substances that contain three or more molecules of sugar that are bonded together forming larger molecules we know as starches. When eaten, the body's digestive system breaks down carbohydrates to form much needed energy.



A second type of complex carbohydrates are the cellulose forms that constitute dietary fiber. Foods heavy in complex carbohydrates include various kinds of beans (legumes), and high starch content vegetables such as potatoes and corn, rice and most grains.



Vegetables with lower starch levels include green beans, broccoli and spinach, which contain smaller amounts of starch, but they have more fiber. The best complex carbs from a health standpoint come from the very foods that should be minimized in a diabetic's diet-if not totally eliminated: legumes, breads, pasta and cereals.



2. Simple carbohydrates are those that are quickly broken down in the body. Simple carbohydrates are used as energy. They are found in foods like fruits, and dairy products. They are also found in processed and refined sugars such as candy, table sugar, syrups, and soft drinks. Among the most deadly form of a sugar is high fructose corn syrup, which has replaced refined sugar in many everyday prepared foodstuffs and drinks.



The majority of carbohydrates in our diet should come from complex carbohydrates (starches) and naturally occurring sugars rather than processed or refined sugars. But when speaking of diabetics, simple carbs, which find their way into the bloodstream with lightning speed, must only constitute a fraction of the daily diet.



Some carbohydrates are necessary for overall good health, but a diet of NO-CARBS will be more harmful over the long haul. Strike a bargain with your diabetes by eating very small amounts of simple carbs.



Now... let's get back to the main subject in this article by taking a look at the good and bad of eating "white" foods.



Much of the current literature often makes a blanket statement that the white foods are an unhealthy way for diabetics and the population at large, to eat.



Let's clarify that by showing you the good and the bad and what white foods are beneficial



Starting with the bad: cut out white potatoes (regardless of skin color), refined sugars, refined white flour and white rice. That isn't too complicated-is it? And yes that includes a few of my favorites: french fries, sweet tea, pastries, donuts and rice pudding. But on the good side, here are some "White Foods" you may be over-looking.



Onions: Onions come in two primary colors-white and yellow; under the skin they are white. Onions are an abundant source of phytonutrients and vitamins. Here also is a source of micro-nutrients like quercetin, chromium and allicin.



Garlic: Many consider garlic a "Wonder Food." It has been touted as a cure-all for many ailments like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, cardio-vascular problems and more. It contains many of the same beneficial substances as onions.



Cauliflower: This isn't a very attractive food but it is right up there in health value with broccoli and cabbage. It is a great source for vitamin C, fiber and minerals, and helps to combat the effects of steroidal estrogens that find their way into our drinking water.



Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a good source for unique nutrients and antioxidants. The portabella mushroom is a good source for vitamin D-a vitamin that we get mostly as a result of exposure to sunlight. Some members of medical science say that diabetes is a "lifestyle" condition. We bring this dreaded illness upon ourselves by the way we live-and in particular, the way we eat.

The Long-Term Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition known as having a higher than normal blood glucose in the body. When insulin was discovered in 1922 it was then thought to be a cure for diabetes. However, it was realised that over a long period of time it could lead to stiffening of the blood vessels and reduction in oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. There is no cure but only prevention of complications.These long-term complications include heart attacks, stroke, poor circulation in the legs, problems with the eyes, kidney and nerves.



Heart Attack and Stroke



This is a complication of enlarged vessels known as Atherosclerosis. Deposits of fats and fibrous tissue in the vessel's walls can build up and sometimes lead to rupture or damage. This can be slowed by reduced intake of cholesterol, stopped smoking, reducing blood pressure and adopting a healthy lifestyle.



Smoking is very addictive and carries with it an additional risk of cancer. It kills one out of every two who smoke and takes away 10 years of life expectancy. It only exacerbate the condition of diabetes. One of the signs of stiffening of blood vessels is an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause the blood vessel to burst ( stroke ) and damage organs over the years especially true of the kidney.



Blood fats - cholesterol and triglycerides levels are important indicators for the control and prevention of diabetes. Cholesterol itself are classified as HDL ( high-density lipoprotein ) and LDL ( low-density lipoprotein ). Ideally, one should have a HDL of 1.2mmol and LDL of 3.5 or lower. High triglycerides increase the risk of atherosclerosis development and it is advisable to keep in the range below 1.5mmol/l.



The heart is the blood pump of the body. It needs a blood supply of its own to provide its muscle cells with oxygen and energy. There are three main vessels that supply the heart and any narrowing or damage of these vessels will cause a starvation of oxygen in the heart muscle. This is painful and is called angina. Over a long period this will result in heart attack. Angina produces a feeling of tightness in the chest. Heart attacks are usually more severe chest pain, breathlessness, sweating and pain spreading to the neck, jaw or down the left arm.



Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) are temporary interruptions of blood supply to part of the brain. Symptoms include severe headache, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty in talking or swallowing, confusion or difficulty in talking, change or loss of vision in one or both eyes or dizziness or difficulty in co-ordination.A stroke is a result of permanent damage to areas of the brain by a reduction or stoppage in blood supply.



Nerve Damage ( Neuropathy )



Foot problems are associated with diabetes because it causes nerve damage and poor circulation. There are three types of nerve damage- sensory, autonomic and motor.



Sensory nerve damage or also known as a gradual loss of sensation to temperature, pain, pressure, vibration or positioning of the foot.Some may feel a tightness and stiffness of the skin and in more acute cases a painless feet failed to detect a sensation stepping on a nail or a cut by a sharp object.



Autonomic nerve damage are nerves that control the function of sweating. It will result in dry skin and loss of its elasticity- splitting and cracking of skin. Motor nerve damage is the third set of nerves that control the movement through muscles. It will lead to wasting of muscles and an alteration of the foot leading to deformity.



Eyes - Retinopathy



High levels of blood glucose found in diabetic patients can result in the narrowing or blockage of the vessels at the back of the eye. If left unchecked will lead to vessel rupture of the eyeballs and may result in loss of vision.



Kidneys - Nephropathy



It is a medical term for kidney ( renal ) disease. The kidney functions as a filter to capture the glucose, salts and other watery components of the blood and what is left is the urine which then passes out from the kidneys to the bladder. If excess glucose is present in the kidneys it will become less effective as a filter and that will result in protein leak. Typical symptoms are tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite, itchy skin and swelling of ankles, hands and eyelids.



Want to know more on diabetes and weightloss please go to http://blog.learnmoreaboutyourhealth.com

Diabetes - Three Natural Ways to Prevent, Control and Treat

Almost everyone knows someone with diabetes. From 1980 through 2004, less than one-quarter of a century, the total number of Americans with diabetes more than doubled! Estimates show that about six percent of the American population or about 18.2 million Americans suffer from this life-long illness. And about 6 million of those people haven't been diagnosed yet.



The causes of diabetes are well known. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body has lost its ability to regulate the levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This is usually due to some interruption in the production of insulin. Insulin is the hormone in our body that lowers blood sugar levels. Without the hormone in our body, our blood sugar levels increase to dangerously high levels. Since all the organs in our body rely on a steady supply of glucose so they can function properly, any disruption blood sugar levels can have dire consequences. Diabetes often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage.



There are two major types of diabetes - Type 1 which is often called juvenile diabetes and Type 2 which is often called adult diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. Although diabetes can strike at any age, Type 1 diabetes usually strikes children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, cells in the pancreas called beta cells, these are the ones that make insulin to control blood sugar levels in our body, do not function. So in order to maintain or manage blood sugar levels, people with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin or have it delivered by a small pump into their body. In effect, they must supply the insulin that the beta cells in their pancreas are not supplying. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about five to ten percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.



Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1. Type 2 diabetes generally affects adults. Type 2 adult diabetes usually begins as the body starts to resist the effects of insulin - sometimes called insulin resistance. The body just doesn't use the insulin it makes effectively or efficiently. This inefficiency puts extra demands on the pancreas where insulin is made by the beta cells. Over time, the pancreas and beta cells can't keep up and gradually begin to lose the ability to make insulin at all.



The American Diabetes Association estimates that nearly 6 million Americans are currently living with undiagnosed diabetes. The effects of an adult with diabetes may first appear as problems with their vision, nerves, kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke. It isn't until these life threatening conditions occur that they realize they have been living with the chronic disease of diabetes. The symptoms of an adult with diabetes and the symptoms of a child with diabetes are recognizable: excessive thirst, craving for sweet foods, passing urine frequently, tiredness and weight loss. Although the onset of Adult Type 2 diabetes is gradual, the onset of Juvenile Type 1 diabetes is usually very rapid and sometimes life threatening when they first appear.



Why would anyone develop Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? Can diabetes be passed down? The answer is maybe. Genetics and other family histories are being examined to determine whether Type 1 or Type 2 are hereditary, but the cause of Type 2 diabetes is more associated with lifestyle habits. Type 2 diabetes is often seen in people who don't exercise, are obese, have a poor diet, and lead stress-filled lives.



Diabetes is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States but may be underestimated. The reason is that more than 60 percent of those with diabetes often die as a result of heart disease or stroke. And it is the heart disease or stroke that is listed as the cause of death. Because the causes of Type 2 diabetes are associated with lifestyle habits, there may be a NATURAL TREATMENT for Type 2 Adult Diabetes. There may be a natural treatment for the CONTROL of diabetes.



Here are three natural lifestyle habits to prevent, control, and treat diabetes.



1. Maintain a healthy weight. 90 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes are overweight. According to the American Diabetes Association, even 5 to 10 percent reduction in body weight can result in a tremendous reduction in the risk or severity of diabetes. For most people, that's only a loss of 10-20 pounds.



2. Exercise. Physical activity can lower your blood sugar (glucose) and help insulin work better for your body. That means your body is less susceptible to the development of diabetes. If you're trying to lose weight as a natural way to prevent, control, or treat your diabetes, a combination of physical activity and wise food choice can help you reach your target.



3. Nutrition. Eating habits contribute significantly to the current increase in diabetes. Over the past 50 years, people have been eating more and more carbohydrates and sugar-filled foods. Eating a lot of carbohydrates each day puts stress on the pancreas which must work harder to maintain blood sugar levels. As the pancreas degrades, and you continue to eat the carbohydrates, you make yourself prone to Type 2 diabetes.



Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and proper nutrition are important. They are three natural lifestyle habits that you can do today to prevent, control and treat diabetes. Eating healthy and getting the proper nutrition means a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and taking a nutritional supplement. Taking a nutritional supplement on a regular basis ensures you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, including your pancreas, to rebuild, regenerate, and operate at peak performance levels.

Diabetic Women - What You Should Look Out For

Diabetes symptoms in women are not a matter to worry, if they are detected and diagnosed at an early stage. Generally, women are taken as weak and scary persons in society. However, some people believe that women are more sensible and strong mentally. It is a fact that living a diabetic life is tough for women like any other person, however still you can enjoy the life. All that is required is some patience and proper diagnosis as soon as this problem is detected.



If you take proper diagnosis for diabetes as soon as it is detected, then you can avoid severe stage of diabetes. Diabetes has emerged out as a common disease among people around the world because of hectic lifestyle. During recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of women affected with diabetes. Different women have different symptoms of diabetes. Common problem that women face due to diabetes is sexual and hormonal disorders. Along with it, they also face problems like frequent secretion of white cells, yeast infection in vagina, complication during menstrual cycle as well as problems related with sexual organs.



Three different types of diabetes can affect women: diabetes type1, type 2 as well as gestational diabetes. Women who have diabetes type 1 or 2 need to be extra cautious about what they eat. The thing that should be given more importance is the timing and quantity of the diet that should be taken in diabetes. Certain types of foods should not be taken if a person is affected with diabetes. It is important to take right quantity of diabetes diet at right time. The two main causes of diabetes are poor eating and obesity. Other causes of diabetes are poor lifestyle, stress, no exercise, inadequate sleep and lack of nutritional food.



The third type of diabetes that is gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It is cured naturally after the delivery of baby. Type 1 diabetes is detected at an early stage whereas type 2 diabetes shows its symptoms at slow pace. Generally, patients of mild diabetes do not show any symptoms for many years. Their diabetes problem is detected after many years. It is therefore important for women to get knowledge about the diabetes symptoms in women. Following are the symptoms that you should be aware of:



Sudden loss of weight



Dry and itchy skin



Swelling of gum, heels and feet



Recurrent hunger



Excessive thirst



Blurred vision



Frequent urination



Irritation



Infections affecting women sexual organs



Slow healing process



The above stated were diabetes symptoms in women that every women should be aware of. You should visit your doctor if you find any such symptom in you.

COPD - Definition, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

What does COPD mean? COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It encompasses two types of disease processes namely chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Quite often, people who suffer from COPD show a combination of features of both disease processes. In lay person's term, COPD means persistent lung disease with features of airway narrowing. To be more specific, bronchitis means inflammation of the bronchi or the larger airways of the lungs whereas emphysema means destruction to the smaller airways and alveoli or airsacs of the lungs. Thus COPD is commonly used to describe chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.



Is COPD a common condition? It is one of the commonest conditions that require hospital admission during period of flare-ups. According to one epidemiology study in the US, approximately eight million people have chronic bronchitis whereas 2 million people have emphysema. As we can see, chronic bronchitis is more common than emphysema.



What are the causes of COPD? Smoking. Smoking is the number 1 cause of COPD. More than 90 percent of COPDs are caused by smoking, cigarette or otherwise. About 30 percent of long term smokers will eventually show symptoms of COPD of varying degrees. Other causes include air pollution and inherited enzyme deficiency namely alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.



How does smoking cause COPD? Smoking inadvertently damages the lining of the airways. As with any other part of the body in response to injury, inflammation occurs. Inflammation stimulates the damaged lining to secrete mucus in an abnormal amount and also causes the airway to constrict (narrow).



What are the symptoms of COPD? The two main symptoms are cough and breathlessness. COPD sufferers commonly complain about breathlessness and cough that develop gradually over a long period of time. The cough that COPD sufferer gets are usually productive which means they commonly cough up phlegm. The cough usually comes and goes initially but tends to become persistent as time passes. Breathlessness is usually intermittent and only occurs with exertion in the beginning, however if you continue to smoke, the breathlessness persists even when you are at rest, this can be quite distressing! Other symptoms are chronic sputum production, where you constantly cough up phlegm all day and recurrent chest infection. People with COPD are more prone to chest infection for obvious reasons, as the lining in the lung looses its normal defense mechanism against intruding bugs.



COPD sounds like asthma, are they any different? Yes. Both COPD and asthma cause similar symptoms, however, they are different in certain ways. COPD causes permanent damage to the airways. The obstruction is 'fixed', hence it is irreversible in general terms. However, airway narrowing in asthma is intermittent and reverses quite easily with medication. Having said that, both COPD and asthma is common, people who suffer COPD can have an asthmatic component and vice versa.



What tests are needed to diagnose COPD? A test called spirometry is often performed to diagnose COPD. Bronchodilators (drugs that cause the airway to dilate) are usually added to confirm the diagnosis. If the test result does not show improvement with bronchodilators, then COPD is very likely.



What are the treatments of COPD? First of all. Stop smoking. This cannot be stressed enough. Smoking cessation is the first thing you have to do if you want to get better. As the underlying mechanism of COPD is irreversible, medications are used with an aim to slow down it's progress. Drugs that are commonly used to treat COPD include short-acting bronchodilator inhalers (i.e. salbutamol), long-acting bronchodilator inhalers (i.e. tiotropium), steroid inhalers and tablets are all available drugs for treatment of COPD. Again, no treatment is more important that stop smoking. Lung transplant is the last option and should be reserved for people with severe COPD.

Natural Treatment For Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes is a serious illness where the body loses its ability to utilize insulin, a chemical our pancreas makes to control the level of glucose in the blood. Type 2 often develops in overweight adults. Insulin tablets are sometimes used for type 2 diabetes although insulin is given in injections in more severe cases.



Type 2 diabetes is a condition usually brought on by lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and too much sugar or carbohydrates in the diet. Because it is lifestyle related, this condition is easier to control and may even be reversible with the natural remedies.



One herb that is most beneficial in the management of diabetes alone is herb golden seal (Hydratis canadenis). Golden seal is a bitter herb that has an antibiotic effect on the body and is used by many to fight infections. It is used by diabetics to lower the blood sugar. Pre-diabetics/ borderline diabetics have used golden seal with success before using insulin to lower sugar levels. Many diabetics have used golden seal herb along with other herbs to eliminate the need for insulin.



A combination of any of the following herbs will help to bring down and regulate blood sugar: cedar berries, burdock, horseradish, golden seal, and Siberian ginseng.



Psyllium hulls are also an excellent bulk fiber to use when suffering from diabetes. The fiber swells in the digestive tract and slows the absorption of sugars, which help keep blood sugar from spiking up and down rapidly. Taken before each meal, psyllium hulls are a positive addition for diabetics, especially those who lack fibrous foods in their diet.



Diabetes has been highly associated with a chromium deficiency, largely due to a top soil deficiency where our foods are grown. Herbal sources of chromium include kelp, licorice, and spirulina. Sugar and refined foods deplete chromium.



Trace minerals and zinc are other helpful supplements for diabetics of either type. Zinc is an important nutrient to diabetics because this mineral influences the digestion of carbohydrates in the body. Pumpkin seeds are one of the richest sources of zinc from nature.



Circulatory Herbs such as cayenne pepper are useful. They improve the circulation, balance the glands and strengthen the kidneys.



Exercise lowers the blood sugar levels as well incorporating a regular exercise program into our life is important either one is diabetic or not but if one is diabetic its important because he is suffering from high blood sugar. Walking is the most natural and comfortable form of exercise, it reduces blood sugar, improves circulation, cleans lymph nodes, increases the heart rate, gets the lungs pumping, and is a wonderful and safe exercise that every diabetic can enjoy.

Diabetic Diets Helps Diabetes Symptoms and Help You to Lose Weight!

Have you been trying to lose extra weight, but the fad diets and diet pills just make things worse? You may never have been told this, not even by your doctor, but a diabetic diet can help you lose up to thirty pounds in sixty days, if followed and planned properly!



Overweight people run a statistically higher risk of contracting Type II diabetes. This disease is controllable and even potentially curable with proper dieting and regimenting of caloric intake. It in no way needs to be a lethal disease, but it is by far no laughing matter either. Many documented cases of limb loss due to this illness occur. The diabetes epidemic in our modern age has forced the hand of many private pharmaceutical and nutritional companies to release more strictly planned diabetic diet plans to prevent, control, and help eliminate this terrible disease afflicting so many people.



It is a fact that all major diet and weight loss plans are based around diabetic dieting plans, and medication is not enough to prevent, control, or cure it. Diet is absolutely key, and the value of it can in no way be overlooked. Medication alone is merely a band-aid that will never cure the symptoms, and your doctor may never volunteer this information to you.



This is why knowing the symptoms, causes, and treatment plans for diabetes, especially Type II, is crucial. In a world that has plunged into the information age, information is crucial in all aspects of life, and this is truly no exception to the rule.



Fortunately for all, many places offer strictly planned diabetic diets at no cost to you. If you want to prevent this disease from making your life miserable, costing you limbs, and potentially killing you, then it is a wise idea to research professionals near you who can provide this information. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, especially Type II, this is even more tantamount. A lot of free information abounds on the internet that can direct you to help right away.



This disease does not need to afflict you, cripple you, or kill you. Find out what a proper diabetic diet plan can do for your quality of life, health, and longevity today.

Diabetes - Buckwheat to the Rescue

As I was surfing the web researching information relevant to my web site where I sell buckwheat pillows, I stumbled upon some information that grabbed my attention. Two things I am greatly interested in. One is buckwheat, and the other is diabetes. The first interest would be obvious, because of my inter net business, but the second is a more recent interest, or should I say, concern?



I have just been diagnosed as being borderline diabetic, so when I came across this information, I was all ears, or should I say all eyes? What are the chances of finding one article which combines both subjects which are the most important to me? "University of Manitoba researchers find links between buckwheat consumption and absence of diabetes in remote geographical area," or something to that effect.



Researchers had become aware of this area that had virtually no diabetics. They sent researchers to the area to see if they could isolate the factors that might be the cause of this. They had already ascertained that when people moved away from this area, they soon became subject to diabetes in about the same numbers as the prior local residents, so they knew it had to be some factor peculiar to that particular area.



After spending some time there they found one fairly obvious difference. The only flour that was consumed in the area was milled from buckwheat. Every conceivable food that would contain flour, was made from it. They simply did not use any other form of flour. Whether they were making bread, noodles, pancakes, pastries, biscuits, or gravy, it was made with buckwheat flour.



The university then conducted a test using diabetic mice. Apparently, mice react to things pertaining to diabetes, sugar, and insulin, in much the same way that humans do. Giving buckwheat to half of the diabetic mice, and not to the other half, resulted in the half given the buckwheat recovering very quickly from their diabetes. They then ran a small experiment with human diabetics, which resulted in a dramatic lowering of blood sugar levels in those given fairly small amounts of buckwheat every other day.



Being greatly encouraged by these results, they are proceeding with setting up full scale scientifically controlled studies on humans, indicating that based on the experiments with both the mice and the diabetic people, they are quite expectant of achieving possibly dramatic results from these studies.



Having just been diagnosed as being borderline diabetic, I thought I would start eating some buckwheat for breakfast, and see what results I might get.. I went to the local health food store (couldn't find anything except buckwheat pancake mix at the local grocery store) and bought some buckwheat groats (raw buckwheat).



I concocted a couple of recipes. For one I cooked about a third of a cup of groats in a bowl of apple cider. I knew that making oatmeal in apple cider was really good. Then I threw in a handful of raisins. I boiled that about ten minutes, tossed in some frozen berries, which helped cool it down so I could eat it. Sometimes I pour a little low fat milk on it. Pretty good. Next I made some with a third of a teaspoon of beef bullion powder, added some dried chives, some parsley, a little garlic powder, a little lemon pepper, two teaspoons of ground flax seed, a third cup of the groats, a shake or two of sea salt,and boiled that ten minutes in a bowl of water. As soon as this was cooked I dropped in an egg, and quickly stirred it up in the "soup". The heat of the soup cooks the egg, and I really like that recipe.



My results were very encouraging, but of course, anecdotal. I had had a blood test a couple of months before I started eating my buckwheat breakfast. I had weighed 261 lbs., and my hemoglobin A1c (measures your average blood sugar over the last 2 - 3 months) was6.9. After about 3 weeks of eating my buckwheat concoctions, my A1c was 6.1, and my weight was 243. I had not been aware that eating buckwheat also can cause weight loss because it is very high in fiber, and causes you to feel fuller, so you eat less.



Now I'm not saying that other people will get results like I have, and I'm not advocating this as what anyone should do, but I am saying that this research being conducted by the University of Manitoba bears watching. As for me, though, I'm going to keep on eating buckwheat for breakfast. They have found out, in the process of their research, that buckwheat has a whole lot of other very nutritious advantages, One article I read declared that buckwheat was likely destined to become the next super food. I'm sure it's better for me than scrapple with syrup on it, or a bowl of frosted flakes and a doughnut.

Living With Borderline Diabetes

Being told by your doctor that you have borderline diabetes can be a scary thing. It's a life changing situation. But, every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are being told just that as the number of diabetes cases continually rises. Currently, there are over 18 million known case of diabetes in the U.S. that have diabetes. It's estimated that there's approximately 6 million more people that have diabetes and don't know it. And it remains a serious health problem costing patients billions of dollars in health care every year.



Borderline diabetes, also known as pre-diabetes, is a condition where a person has higher glucose levels than normal, but not enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. For many people this is a symptom-free disease, so most people with pre-diabetes are unaware that they have. In a person without diabetes, the body will produce insulin to help the cells break down food into energy. In diabetics and pre-diabetics, however, either the body is unable to create insulin or it is unable to utilize the insulin. This is one reason why people with borderline diabetes tend to be tired much of the time. They are eating, but their body is unable to break down the food into usable energy.



Many doctors have stopped using the term borderline diabetes to describe this condition as, in their minds, a person who exhibits the symptoms of pre-diabetes is, in truth diabetic. and they see no real medical reason to obfuscate the diagnosis. They also feel that telling a person that he or she has borderline diabetes will cause the person to not take the diagnosis seriously - since it is only borderline. Others feel that the condition of these patients is more accurately described as insulin resistant or impaired glucose tolerance. Other doctors, however, still use the term and find it useful to keep the distinction between pre-diabetes and diabetes.



For medical care physicians that continue to use the term, borderline diabetes is diagnosed when a person's glucose level, as determined by glucose tests, fall between 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter.



Unfortunately, in most cases, a person who has borderline diabetes will see the disease progress to diabetes. In some cases, however, with a change of eating habits and other healthy lifestyle changes, the disease will be reversed.



Many health experts believe that pre-diabetes is a preventable disease. Studies have shown a distinct correlation between the increase in the amount of fast foods that we eat and the new incidences of type II diabetes. Likewise, there is a correlation between our increasingly sedentary lifestyles with increases in the number of people diagnosed with diabetics. Making the defeat of diabetes even more urgent is that a person with pre-diabetes or diabetes is at greater risk for a host of other diseases including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and more.



Luckily, researchers have begun to identify and catalog the many risk factors that predispose one towards developing diabetes. Hopefully, in the near future, diabetes will be looked upon as a long forgotten disease of the past.

Diabetes Treatment - You Might Not Need Medication If You Can Control Your Diet

Times were when being diagnosed as having diabetes was the end of the world though today, however with great advances in technology and medical science there's less reason to be worried as there are a variety of different diabetes treatments to look after the issue including taking medicines while it's also feasible to do without them. However, after you are diagnosed as having diabetes you must straight away talk to a physician who will then prescribe the best diabetes treatment for your personal case.



Though it is feasible to take diabetes treatment without turning to medicines and injections, the final straw would be the sort of diabetes that affects you and its causes as well as your present state of being. Among the other diabetes treatments that you need to think about using is performing lots of exercise while chalking out a correct diet has additionally proved to be extraordinarily effective.



Since you form certain habits that are a consequence of your diet and exercise program, this is one superb way of improving your diabetes problem as it helps to reduce the chance of complications while also brings blood sugar levels to controllable levels. And, if that is not enough, this sort of diabetes treatment can also help in preventing the illness under certain circumstances.



Diet is a terribly effective diabetes treatment that means changing your way of life to bring raised blood sugar levels down to ordinary, and it'll prevent you from suffering from other complications too. In truth, obesity is among the number one reasons for turning into a diabetic, which needs shedding weight so that it will help you become less of a diabetic, figuratively speaking.



When you factor in diet as your system of diabetes treatment, you may only take a meal which has less of sugar and also the least of saturated fat as is possible and eat more of fibrous content that is much more healthy. Another aspect to diet as your technique of diabetes treatment is being consistent with your diet which needs eating the same quantity of calories in the day that will so not cause any issues with blood sugar and keep it in the standard range too.



But, diet alone may not be adequate as your diabetes treatment, and it's got to be accompanied with correct exercise that will do wonders for your diabetes condition. Actually, you need to make it a point to exercise thrice in a week for approximately twenty minutes for each exercise which should do you well, and jogging and also walking is also advantageous to your contentment.



Other diabetes treatments that you might also think about for your diabetes condition are using medicines or perhaps insulin injections though you should also study your blood sugar at regular intervals so that you can control the dose. The final analysis is you need to take all of these needed steps to guarantee that your diabetes treatment provides you with maximum benefits.

Treating Diabetes Naturally - Cure Diabetes in Weeks

Treating diabetes naturally is often a 'touchy' subject. On one hand, the ADA (American Diabetes Association) has yet to announce a cure for diabetes. On another hand, there are thousands of diabetics who claim they have been cured of diabetes and all of its symptoms.



Who is right? By the end of this article, you will be able to decide for yourself if there is a cure for this disease and you will also learn some simple remedies that many diabetics are using to reverse diabetes.



Get ready to write some information down because you could cure diabetes in weeks.



How to Cure Diabetes in Weeks?



In America alone, about 1 in 10 people are considered diabetic or borderline diabetic. Yet, in some countries diabetes are only a small percentage of the population.



Obviously, we are doing something wrong in America. Our diets and lifestyles are becoming more and more conducive to diabetes. Fortunately, the human body is still one of the miraculous things we do not fully understand.



By the time you read this sentence, your body will have generated 60,000 new cells. If you are diabetic, most of those cells are pre-diabetic cells. However, if you learn how to control your blood sugar and live healthier, your body will begin to make healthier cells which accept insulin.



Here are some remedies you may wish to try to control your blood sugar and treat diabetes naturally.



Treating Diabetes Naturally



Here are 3 common remedies you may wish to try to begin your natural treatment.



1. Many of our customers have tried a remedy using apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has often been touted as a miracle remedy and it could prove true for diabetes. It has been shown that the compounds in a quality batch of apple cider vinegar help control the rise of blood sugar levels when you eat a meal.



Before your next meal, take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and add a pinch of salt. Mix with a warm glass of water and drink up. You can do this before any meal.



2. Repairing and making healthier cells is extremely important to cure diabetes. And this flaxseed oil remedy has been shown to repair cellular membranes which will eventually accept insulin again.



All you need to do is combine 4 ounces of cottage cheese with 1.5 ounces of flaxseed oil and 1 ounce of milk into a blender. You can add your favorite fruits for a sweeter taste. Consume this shake daily.



3. Lastly, you should also try a remedy using alfalfa. Alfalfa is a common remedy for an assortment of diseases and you can also use it for diabetes. Because alfalfa is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, Alfalfa has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels.



All you need to do is take one teaspoon of alfalfa seeds and sprinkle them on every meal you eat. You can also take alfalfa capsules which are very convenient.

Eight Diabetes Symptoms - Important Points You Should See

The hidden disease. Diabetes, often a surprise to the individual, can live within you and you don't even know it. Because there are no aches or pains associated with the illness in the beginning stages it can cause damage as it exists whether you know about it or not. In the USA over 20.8 million have diabetes. About one third of this crowd are unaware they have the ailment. It is very important that these pre-diagnosis tests are done regularly so that early detection may help prevent serious problems of the disease.



Some of the symptoms of diabetes include, but are not limited to:



1. Frequent bathroom trips



2. Excessive thirst



3. Extreme hunger



4. Unusual weight loss



5. Increased fatigue



6. Irritability



7. Blurry vision



8. It is in your family tree



If any of the above diabetes symptoms concern you then you will need to get yourself tested. Obtain a fasting diabetes test to check on your blood sugar level. If you are pre diabetic or diabetic then some changes need to take place.



You will need to alter your diet. Concentrate on eating fiber, vegetables and proteins. Do this while you are decreasing your high sugar, high carbohydrate foods, and high fat foods. You want to create a good balance. Even though it may seem intimidating at first, you can make the proper choices with some effort and smart planning.



Even people already diagnosed with diabetes and taking medication can sometimes revert to proper blood sugar levels with the addition of more, or consistent, physical activity and proper diet in their lives. Some studies have shown, in fact, that these two situations of diet and exercise can work as well as medications. Of course, you should not go off any medications unless you check with your physician first and have the proper normal readings on tests associated with diabetes levels.



Another important item to consider is an eye exam. This should be done every year to allow your doctor to catch any upcoming or progressing diseases, including diabetes. Early detection is very important as mentioned above. You have more of a chance to offset the disease by specific measures if you know you can keep control of your situation by simple problem solving techniques.



Conclusions to this article then are:



1. Consult with a nutritionist, your health care provider, your loical hospital, or someone you trust that can give you the real deal on what foods to eat and how to prepare them.



2. Do not gain any weight. If anything, lose 10% (if this is appropriate) of your weight to start reaping the benefits of a better you. Keep your weight at a standard level for your age and height. Imagine if you achieved the ideal weight for yourself.



3. Even if you show no diabetes symptoms, if the disease is inherent in your family tree get yourself tested on a regular basis. Can you be too cautious? I do not think so.



4. Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding the medications and take them regularly until you do not have to. Have the diet and exercise under control first. Then, maybe, you will be able to reduce or eliminate the medications.



5. If you notice any of the diabetes symptoms listed above, please get a fasting diabetes test as soon as possible to prevent the onset of any serious medical conditions that can be elevated or heightened by diabetes such as stroke or joint problems.



If you research the diabetes problem in the United States just a little bit you will see why everyone should be aware of this dangerous, misunderstood and often indiagnosed disease.



In summary: This article was written to give you an overview of diabetes. Show you some diabetes symptoms and address those diabetes symptoms. If you want to take care of a problem like reducing blood sugar or a potential problem go to the resource box