Medications For Type 2 Diabetics

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by insulin resistance. It is a disease that lacks a permanent or perfect cure. For sufferers management is the only option.
Management of this syndrome entails medication, exercise, diet and life style modification.



Applying medications is one amongst the few ways of managing diabetes type2. The medication could be in the form of oral or injectable drugs. People with diabetes type 2 need medicine (medication) because it can help their body in manufacturing more insulin which can help decrease insulin resistance or lower the rate at which their body absorbs carbohydrate.



There are 5 basic classes of medications that can be used in the management of diabetes they are



Sulfonylueas; -



This is an example of an anti diabetic drug that can be used in the effective management and treatment of diabetes. It is mostly applied in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It has some mild side effect like inducing hypoglycemia when insulin production overshoots. This could be corrected by taking sugary foods. Sulfonylueas are greatly ineffective in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or post pancreatectomy where there is absolute deficiency of insulin.



Meglitinides; -



These are drugs that are used in the treatment of diabetes. They treat diabetes by blocking the potassium channel in the beta cell, This closes the ATP dependent potassium channels and opens the cells calcium channel. The resulting calcium influx aids in stimulating the beta cells into releasing more insulin.
One of the side effects of meglitinides is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) which occurs because meglitinides stimulate the beta into releasing insulin.



Thiazolidinediones; -



These are drugs that act as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes type 2. They help in the reduction of the level of glucose produced in the liver, and also help the insulin to function better in the muscles and fat. They are very useful and effective in lowering the level of glucose in the blood
Some of its side effects include increase risk of hepatitis, liver damages, heart failure and fluid retention resulting in edema. Some of these side effects are more pronounced if there is a withdrawal or discontinuation of usage.



Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors;-



These are oral anti-diabetic drugs that are used for the treatment of diabetics type 2. They are useful in the treatment of diabetics type 2 because they help in preventing the digestion carbohydrate by converting it into monosaccharides (simple sugar) which can easily be absorb by the intestines. They also slow the breakdown of certain sugars. After meal, their actions are capable of slowing down the rise in the level of glucose in the blood.
The side effect of this drug include diarrhea and flatulence which are dose related



Biguanides;-



These are oral hypoglycemic drugs which are useful in the treatment of diabetes they help in lowering the blood glucose level by making the tissues of the body especially the muscle tissues more sensitive to insulin It has some side effect which include diarrhea and lactic acidosis.
In applying medications to diabetes type 2, regular check is also advised. This should be done to ascertain the effect the drugs are having on our bodies.

What Are 3 Common Types Of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is now considered as an epidemic disease in most of countries. This article is about risk causes management of 3 most common types of diabetes mellitus



what are types of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes is classified into 3 types.



1-Type 1 Diabetes



2-Type 2 Diabetes



3-Gestational Diabetes



Here we will discuss one by one all three types of diabetes.



Type 1 Diabetes:



Type 1 diabetes is also called Juvenile Diabetes, Insulin dependent diabetes or Autoimmune Diabetes. Person with type 1 diabetes has immune response against his own beta cells of pancreas, so pancreas is unable to produce insulin at-all.That is why it is called as autoimmune diabetes. Juvenile diabetes usually occurs in children but can appear at any age. To live normal life patient has to take insulin and take regular exercise and has proper diet plan. The main cause of this type 1 diabetes are environmental factors like virus, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. In USA 10-15% diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus comprises of type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are increase urination, increase thirst, increase hunger and weight loss. Eyes may also be affected as blurred vision. The person with type 1 diabetes should be diagnosed earlier, otherwise it can lead to a medical emergency situation like diabetic Coma with kitoacidosis.



Type 2 Diabetes:



Type 2 Diabetes is also called as Non Insulin dependent diabetes Mellitus or Adult-onset diabetes.This is most common type of diabetes affecting nearly 80% of all cases of diabetes. It is usually seen in adults. There are two mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. Either there is deficiency of insulin, or there is increase resistance of insulin. Insulin resistance means that body is unable to use available insulin.The main cause of this type of diabetes is genetic however other factors like overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, overeating habits may also affect.About 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes in-contrast to type 1 develop very slowly. There may be fatigue, weight loss, increase urination, blurred vision or delay wound healing.This type of diabetes is treated with exercise, diet control, tablets. However later, you may need insulin injections as well.



Gestational Diabetes:



Some women who develop diabetes during later stages of pregnancy is called as Gestational diabetes. Though their glucose levels returns to normal but even then they have greater chances of developing diabetes mellitus within next 5 to 10 years. Women with gestational diabetes may have no symptoms at all. The cause of gestational diabetes is hormonal imbalance during pregnancy or insufficient Insulin. Child of women who develops gestational diabetes is also at high risk of developing diabetes in later life. Maintaining normal body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient of gestational diabetes.



If you want to know more about Types of Diabetes Mellitus , visit our web site.

Treatment For Type-Two Diabetes - Listing The Options

There are about 17 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes mellitus and 90% of those diagnosed have non-insulin dependent diabetes or Type-Two diabetes. Once diagnosed, the course of treatment for this disease usually involves a controlled and healthy diet and physical regimen and if necessary, medication.



Treating Type-Two Diabetes



The goal of every treatment for Type-Two diabetes is the management of the disease by ensuring that the blood glucose level is regulated and kept within the normal range. If you have Type-Two diabetes, it's important to perform a blood test regularly in order to monitor blood glucose level. This test is referred to as the HbA1c test, commonly performed at least every 2 months by a doctor.



The HbA1c test measures red blood cells, the number of which will indicate your blood glucose level. Your doctor will inform you what your target level should be. A normal or close to normal HbA1c level will help you feel better and lower your risk of developing complications associated with diabetes such as kidney, feet, heart and eye problems.



Your HbA1c and blood glucose level can usually be regulated by following these guidelines:



Eat a Balanced Diet



If you have diabetes, you will probably be working with a nurse and a dietitian to help you design a healthful meal plan. This usually requires that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods that are rich in fiber and low in fat. There is no such thing as "special foods" for people with diabetes, so there's no need for you to try to explore anything more than the usual. Following a sensible and healthful meal plan should suffice.



Maintain a Healthy Weight Range



This means that if you're overweight, you will have to shed a few pounds. This will not only help you lower your blood glucose level, you will also feel healthier and have more energy.



Engage in Regular Physical Activity



Regular exercise is important to keep your blood circulation going and your heart healthy. It will also help you lose or maintain weight. Physical activity also helps reduce your risk of developing heart problems.



Some diabetics also need medication, which includes pills and insulin injections. The combination of medication and lifestyle changes are necessary in order to manage Type-Two diabetes successfully and avoid any complications that might lead to a serious health risk. This is also important to help reduce cardiovascular risk and control hypertension.



Conventional Medicines for the Treatment of Type-Two Diabetes



For most individuals, Type-Two diabetes may be managed by simply making reasonable but controlled changes in their lifestyle choices. This is done for a period of several months and if successful, the same diet, physical regimen and weight control program is maintained for life. If the blood glucose level is too high despite the changes, medication is usually prescribed.



Some of the most common medications used to treat Type-Two diabetes include:



Metformin. This is a biguanide taken in tablet form, usually the first treatment you will receive. It helps decrease the amount of glucose that is released from the liver to the bloodstream. It also helps increase your body's sensitivity to insulin. Unlike other medications that lower glucose levels, there is little risk of metformin causing hypoglycemia. It may also be used with other Type-Two diabetes medications.



The only drawback to using metformin is that it causes nausea and diarrhea in some users, although this can be avoided if a low dose is used initially and gradually built up over a period of several weeks.



Sulphonylurea. These include drugs such as glibenclamide, glimepiride, gliquidone, gliclazide and tolbutamide, which are well-tolerated by patients who can not use metformin. In Type-Two diabetes, this drug treatment helps the pancreas produce more insulin. The dose for this drug may be increased gradually until the blood glucose level can be controlled.



Sulphonylurea can be an effective part of Type-Two diabetes treatment if you have healthful, regular meals and don't take alcohol. Otherwise, it might allow hypoglycemia to set in. Sulphonylurea drugs can also cause nausea, constipation or mild diarrhea.



Thiazolidinediones or Glitazones. As part of a Type-Two diabetes drug treatment, these medications help increase your body's sensitivity to insulin so it is more capable of processing glucose in the cells. This helps lower your blood glucose level. Thiazolidinediones or glitazones are usually taken in conjunction with other diabetes drugs.



Thiazolidinediones or glitazones are quite effective as drug treatment for Type-Two diabetes. The only drawback is that you'll have a slight risk of developing liver damage, so regular blood tests are required for monitoring. Fluid retention is also another side effect.

Diabetes Mellitus - How to Tell If You Have It and What to Do About It

Diabetes mellitus is a horrific illness. It can lead to heart disease, neuropathy, kidney failure, and even blindness. If you think you may have diabetes, you need to take control of it as soon as possible. If you are unsure, you need to visit a physician for a checkup right now. An estimated one out of three Americans has the symptoms diabetes mellitus and does not even realize it. You do not want to be part of the 1/3 statistic. Visit a doctor right now if you have any reason to believe you may be diabetic.



Symptoms and signs of diabetes mellitus



Here are some signs and symptoms that individuals with diabetes may have or experience.
oYou do not exercise more than thirty minutes or so a day (cycling, walking, etc.)
oSome of your family members are or have been diabetic.
oYou are constantly thirsty, and it seems as if you can never get enough water.
oIf you are always feeling weak and fatigued, no matter how much sleep you get.
oYou are visiting the bathroom frequently---much more than what is usual for you.
oYou notice that your vision is becoming somewhat blurry at times.



These are just some of the signs. If you experience any of these, you may have diabetes mellitus. Of course, these signs can be caused by other reasons, and not just diabetes, therefore you should visit a doctor to find out for sure. It is better to be safe than sorry, after all.
Fasting blood glucose test



This is the preferred method of diagnosing diabetes mellitus. You will be required to fast for at least eight hours. A sample of your blood will be drawn and sent to the lab for analysis. This can also be done in a physician's office using a glucose meter.



The results can be as follows:
oThe fasting plasma glucose levels, when normal, are less than 100 mg per dl (deciliter).
oFasting plasma glucose levels of 126 mg/dl or more on two or three tests on different days indicates diabetes mellitus.
oA blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl + indicates diabetes mellitus also. This is especially so if the test is random.



Do not worry or allow yourself to become stressed if you think you or someone you know may have diabetes. Just know that you are not alone, as millions of others have this illness also. While there is no cure, it can be treated through medication, dieting, and exercise. There are also some home remedies that are believed to help treat diabetes.



One of the smartest things you can do is change your diet. It may be hard to do at first, but if you do so, you can lessen the symptoms of diabetes mellitus a great deal. Just look online for a sample meal plan for diabetics. In addition to visiting a physician and getting appropriate medication, you should also visit a dietitian or nutritionist to help you formulate a healthy diet program. There are plenty of good meals and desserts that diabetics can safely eat. In fact, some will even help make you healthier!

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you should be considering your options with regards to treatment. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the body's inability to respond to or process properly the insulin produced by the pancreas. There are several treatment options available to Type 2 diabetes patients to manage and control the disease.



Perhaps the best thing about Type 2 diabetes is that it can be controlled by making changes in your diet and lifestyle. Since some of the risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include obesity and a non-active lifestyle, incorporating exercise into your routine and keeping your weight in control by eating a balanced diet can go a long way towards alleviating the problem. Exercise not only helps you slim down and maintain a healthy weight, it also improves the body's ability to process insulin. Your doctor or health care provider can help you determine a good exercise regimen. Consulting a registered dietitian or nutritionist will help you develop a healthy planned diet for you to follow.



Sometimes, medication can be necessary - may this be oral or through injections, especially for Type 1 diabetics. These are, mostly, for the purpose of keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Some of these medications, though, force the pancreas to produce even more insulin to lower your blood sugar. Some of them help you better use and process the insulin in the body. Some keep the body from converting certain foods into glucose so that your blood sugar does not rise. It is, of course, best to consult with your doctor to help you find the right and suitable treatment for you.

Diabetes

Prologue and Rationale



When the level of blood glucose rises above normal it gives rise to a condition called diabetes. The food we eat gets converted into glucose or fat in our body to provide energy for work. The organ lying near the stomach known as pancreas secretes a hormone, insulin that helps the glucose to get stored in the body cells. When pancreas are not able to produce insulin in required amounts or is not able to use insulin the glucose is not able to get store in the cells, as a result the sugar gets stored in the blood causing diabetes. The cases of diabetes are much higher these days as compare to the past. It occurs in all age groups but the most common sufferers are obese people in middle or older age. The most commonly used screening tests are the determination of the fasting blood glucose level and the blood glucose level tested two hours after a meal. The normal fasting blood sugar content is 80-120mg.per 100 ml of blood, this can go up to a level of 160 mg. per 100 ml of blood two hours after meals. Anything above these levels can be termed as diabetic levels.



Types of diabetes



· Type 1 diabetes



In this type 1 diabetes the body stops producing insulin or produces less to regulate the level of blood glucose. It was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile onset diabetes. The people suffering from types 1 diabetes require insulin treatment daily to sustain life.



· Type 2 diabetes



In this type of diabetes the pancreas secrete insulin but the body is not able to use the insulin. This condition is also referred to as insulin resistance. This insulin resistance results in type 2 diabetes when enough amounts of insulin is not secreted to cope up with the higher demands. It was previously known as non-insulin dependent mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes. It doesn't occur in younger people. It can be controlled with proper diet, weight loss and exercise.



· Gestational diabetes



It usually occurs during the second half of pregnancy. It can cause problems for the mother and babies if proper medication is not done. It disappears after the delivery. The women who suffer from this diabetes in pregnancy have more chances to suffer from type 2 diabetes in the later years of life.



Symptoms



The various symptoms of diabetes are:



· Dry skin



· Slow recovery from an injury



· Frequent urination



· Fatigue



· Blurred vision



· Excessive thirst and hunger



· Sudden weight loss



· Intense hunger



· Weak appearance



· Numbness of hands and feet



· Stomach pains



Causes



Systematic overeating and obesity mainly cause diabetes. This overeating is just not if sugar and refined carbohydrates but also high intake of proteins and fats. Grief, worry and anxiety are also the causes of diabetes that affects the metabolism and cause sugar to appear in the urine. It may also be caused due to some disorders like cancer, tuberculosis and cerebral disease. Diabetes is a heredity disease, which can affect many generations. It can also be caused due to many nutritional deficiencies and use of certain medicines for longer period of time.



Treatment



1. Soybean is a very good source of emery for diabetic patients. It is full of proteins, iron, calcium, vitamin A and fibre



2. Fenugreek seeds are very useful in diabetes. Soak about 90-100 seeds in 250 grams of water and leave it overnight. Mash them in the morning and sieve in a cloth and drink mixture regularly. Use for at least 2 months to cure diabetes.



3. Fruit, leaves, seeds and juice of jamun are also useful. Its seeds prevent conversion of starch into sugar. Drink half cup of water mashed with 3-4 leaves of jamun tree. Take it for 5-10 days.



4. Roast barley, make its powder and eat chapatti made out of it.



5. Bitter gourd ( karela) is one of the best options. These can be simply fried with salt and other condiments and can be taken 2-3 daily.



6. Regular moderate exercise helps to control diabetes.



7. Diabetes can be controlled with specific yogaasana like shashankasana.



8. Juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in equal parts, 2 teaspoons taken twice a day also helps in the reduction of sugar.



9. Half-cup karela juice can also be taken.



10. Regular juice of grape fruit cures diabetes.



11. Patola (snake gourd) and bimbi are also beneficial for diabetic patients



12. Leaves of mango tree also fight diabetes. Boil 3-4 fresh leaves of mango tree in the morning and drink.



13. Chew 3-4 leaves of jamun morning and evening in the early stages.



14. Supplementation of cereals with gram is highly beneficial. Make a chapatti of gram flour and barley flour.



15. Regular intake of two tender leaves each of neem and bilva in the morning reduces blood sugar.



16. Soaked almonds are also beneficial.



17. Take 60 grams of fresh ripe fruit of jamun and dip in 300 grams of boiling water and then cover it. Mash it after half an hour and sieve. Divide into three parts and drink each part thrice a day.
Diet



Celery, cucumbers, string beans, onion and garlic are highly beneficial for diabetes patients. Onion and garlic have been proved beneficial in reducing blood sugar in diabetes. Upon arising the patient must have a glass of Luke warm water with fresh lemon juice. In the breakfast the patients should include any fresh fruit except bananas. Steamed or lightly cooked green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, turnip and mushrooms are the best for the lunch. Cooked starchy foods should be avoided as in the process of cooking the cellulose envelops of the starch granules burst and the starch is easily absorbed in the system. Emphasis should be on raw foods as they stimulate and increase insulin production

Diabetes Natural Treatment - Cures, Remedies For Type 1, 2

Do you know that diabetes mellitus is now the 5th leading cause of death in the United States? The good news is diabetes natural treatments that work are available.



Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood glucose levels are high or above normal. Two things could happen. Your body cannot produce enough insulin or it cannot use its own insulin for cell energy thus causing sugar to build up in your blood.



Recent surveys disclosed that about 17 million Americans are sick with this disease. And the more shocking news is another 5.9 million people in the US do not even know they have it.



There are three types of diabetes. These are type 1 or the insulin-dependent, type 2 or the non insulin-dependent and gestational type which only pregnant women get. Another term for Type 1 is juvenile diabetes, because it happens more in children. The cause of this particular type of diabetes is the pancreas' lack of production of insulin.



Type 2 which is also known as adult-onset diabetes occurs due to the presence of insulin resistant cells in the body.



Although gestational diabetes develops in about 3 to 5 percent of pregnant women, it usually disappears once the pregnancy is over.



The best way to combat this condition is through natural treatment like naturopathy. Naturopathy makes use of water, light, air, heat, the right diet, and ample physical exercise as well as certain physiological measures. These methods do not require medication and surgical procedures which are not just painful but very expensive as well. Such procedures are not necessary with natural treatment because nature gives us the ability to fight diseases. Nature is a natural healer.



The best way to start the natural treatment to fight diabetes is to come up with the proper diet plan. Your diet should mainly consist of vegetables especially the dark green and yellow ones and whole fruits for an increased fiber intake.



Low fat dairy products, up to 3 ounces of cooked fish, poultry or lean meat, one egg, one quarter cup cottage cheese and one tablespoon of peanut butter are also allowed. Stay away from alcohol, sweets and fats.



A diet such as this, when combined with enough exercise can result in weight loss and cholesterol control.



You can use herbs known to cure Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes like Mango leaves, Asian Ginseng, Cinnamon, and Indian Gooseberry among others.



You can also use some of these herbs for natural processes like hydrotherapy, mud therapy, chromotherapy, and regular massages.



Lastly, remember that diabetes natural or green treatments are safe and healthy ways to maintain good blood sugar levels.

Diabetes Diet, Nutrition and Herbal Treatment That Works

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a disease tormenting many these days. The advent of modern technology and craze for high profile life style is the root of several serious ailments including diabetes. The patient suffering from diabetes has an increased glucose level in blood. Our food intake supplies us with carbohydrates which get converted in to glucose. The hormone insulin secreted by pancreas breaks down the glucose and aids the metabolic process by making the glucose enter in to body cells and energizing the body as a whole.



When the cells of the pancreas become incapable of producing sufficient insulin or when body cells become resistant to insulin, glucose collects in blood and soon the level shoots up resulting in diabetes. There are three major types of diabetes: Type1, Type2 and Gestational diabetes. Type1 diabetes occurs when the amount of insulin produced by pancreas falls short of the body's requirement of insulin. Type2 diabetes occurs when body cells become non-responsive to insulin or do not take in insulin in the amount they should have taken in.



Gestational diabetes is the result of pregnancy. Glucose levels in blood rise during pregnancy in some women. Heredity, obesity, stress, over-intake of carbohydrates, nutritional deficiencies, and any other disease causing damage to pancreas are diabetes-triggering factors. Diabetes needs timely diagnosis and treatment, or else it may cause serious damage to heart, kidney, eyes, liver and nervous system.



Symptoms



1. Frequent urination2. Increased hunger3. Increased thirst4. Fatigue5. Loss of weight6. Blurry vision7. Palpitation8. Constipation9. Yellowish urine with a sweet acidic odor10. Itching around genitals



Herbal treatment for diabetes



Nature gives us a wide range of herbs that may be used to treat diabetes the natural ways. Some of the herbs may be listed as follows.



1. Onion and garlic have excellent sugar-reducing properties.



2. Bitter melon or balsam pear juice supplies the body with insulin like polypeptide-p and thereby lowers blood sugar.



3. Fenugreek seeds, rich in nicotinic acids and alkaloid trigoneline, prove very effective in treating diabetes.



4. The holy basil is a highly beneficial herb in treating diabetes.



5. Ivy gourd leaf extracts are quite effective in treating retinal disorders due to diabetes.



6. Fully grown curry leaves are an effective cure for congenital diabetes and obesity.



7. Indian gooseberry juice is a pancreas stimulating drink. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.



8. Butea leaf extracts are useful in lowering sugar levels in blood.



9. Cinnamon is an effective herb for managing diabetes.



10. Powdered, dry mango leaves may be taken in empty stomach for controlling diabetes.



11. Indian plum seeds regulate the metabolic process and also stimulate pancreas.

Treatment And Symptoms Of Cat Diabetes Mellitus

Cat diabetes mellitus affects cats the same way it does with people. A lack of insulin due to insufficient hormone secretion causes this condition in cats. This type of diabetes is call type one. The other type of cat diabetes mellitus is type two, which is caused by insufficient hormone insulin response by the cat's body cells. This health problem is not as common in cats as in humans.



Some Symptoms your Cat has Diabetes



Diabetes in cats is caused by the body's inability to use glucose the way the body needs to. The result is the accumulation of glucose in the blood causing hyperglycemia. Onset of this condition needs monitoring very closely.



Excessive urination also called polyuria is an early symptom of feline type 1 diabetes. Excessive thirst may also accompany the condition, which is called polydipsia. Diabetes in cat's often causes weight lost even if they continue to eat healthy and regularly due to the improper utilization of glucose because of a lack of hormone insulin.



As the cat diabetes mellitus progresses, the cat will experience vomiting, weakness, lack of appetite and dehydration. Feline diabetes affects older cats more than it does younger cats and generally, male cats become prone to cat diabetes more so than females. No one set cause of feline diabetes has been diagnosed, but it is believed that the pancreatic disease and improper hormone levels, overweight and genetic predisposition may cause the onset of cat diabetes.



How to Treat Cat Diabetes Mellitus



Although no cure for feline diabetes exists, the treatment depends on how bad the diabetes is and how fast you determine your cat has a health concern. If your cat requires ketoacidosis care, which is countering the dehydration with the administering of fluids and insulin. Some times cats with diabetes need to receive up to two shots a day preferably by way of the subcutaneous way.



As an alternative to insulin injections, the oral hypoglycemic drug may work on the cat with feline diabetes. Many drug manufactures have different types of oral hypoglycemic available for use under a veterinarians advice. The proper diet for feline diabetes requires cutting the sugar intake in the food. As you see, caring for a cat with diabetes requires some of the same conditions as a person would have to follow.



Living with a cat that has diabetes may require some strict dedication to ensure the health of the cat. Veterinarians offer many suggestions has to how to treat the cat diabetes mellitus and do explain how to care for your cat in case injections need to be administered. Cat diabetes needs special attention to food, water and medication, along with urination and bowel movements to keep the cat healthy. With all the proper care, a cat will live a long and healthy life. The onset of cat diabetes mellitus will have some affects on the older cat, but if caught early, the cat remains healthy throughout the treatment.

Diabetes - The 6 Points That Will Explain it to You

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which patients present with absolute or relative insulin deficiency. It affects about 6% of western populations and is a major contributing factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes mellitus is also the leading cause of new blindness without a cure.



1. Types of Diabetes
There are four forms of the disease, classified as: types 1 and 2, gestational and other specific types.



a. Type 1 Diabetes
In people with type 1 diabetes the pancreas is not producing insulin, so blood glucose levels are higher than normal. People with this form of diabetes require daily insulin therapy to survive. This form is further split into idiopathic diabetes and immune mediated diabetes.



Type 1 accounts for around 10% to 15% of all people with diabetes. It is one of the most serious and common chronic diseases of childhood, with about half of the people with this form of diabetes developing the disease before age 18. It is also known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes.



b. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is marked by reduced levels of insulin (insulin deficiency) and/or the inability of the body to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). This form of the disease is most common among people aged 40 years and over and accounts for 85% to 90% of all people with diabetes. Most people with type 2 diabetes are obese.



c. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in about 3% to 8% of females not previously diagnosed with diabetes. It is a temporary form of diabetes and usually disappears after the baby is born. However, it is a marker of much greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Screening tests for gestational diabetes are usually performed around the 24th-28th week of pregnancy.



d. Other Specific Diabetes Types
This includes people who have diabetes as a result of a genetic defect, or exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.



2. Causes of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is caused by resistance to, or deficient production of, the hormone insulin, which helps glucose move from the blood into the cells.



In type 1 immune mediated diabetes, pancreatic beta cell destruction results in failure to release insulin and ineffective transport of glucose. There is no known cause for idiopathic diabetes.



In type 2 diabetes, the beta cells release insulin but, receptors are insulin resistant and glucose transport is variable and inefficient. Some people may have conditions that can cause diabetes, such as Cushing's syndrome, pancreatitis or liver disease.



Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include;



a. Obesity
b. History of Gestational diabetes
c. Lack of physical activity
d. Hypertension
e. Age 45+
f. Ethnic groupings other than anglo-saxon
g. Low HDL cholesterol levels
h. Impaired glucose tolerance
i. Family history



3. Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include; dehydration, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent need to urinate, fatigue, lethargy, severe irritation and itching, excessive hunger, blurred vision, skin and urinary infections and vaginitis.



4. Diagnosis
Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance may be detected on routine blood tests as part of a general health check up or investigation for other symptoms or diseases. Diabetes tests check blood glucose levels. Someone with a random non fasting blood glucose level greater than 200mg/dl accompanied by other symptoms, or someone with a fasting blood glucose level greater than 126mg/dl can be diagnosed with diabetes.



Because symptoms can be mild, diabetes is often detected when a person suffers a problem that is caused by diabetes, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia.



5. Diabetes Treatment
Effective treatment endeavors to normalize blood glucose and reduce complications using insulin replacement, diet and exercise. For those with very mild diabetes, diet plus weight loss plus exercise may be enough to keep blood glucose within reasonable levels.



Dietary changes should focus on the ideas of weight loss and blood sugar regulation by keeping the blood sugar levels relatively stable throughout the day, avoiding big peaks or troughs. Interestingly a number of people have experienced considerable benefit from the use of Lifewave acupuncture patches.



The principal treatment of type 1 diabetes, even from its earliest stages, is replacement of insulin combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors.



Type 2 diabetes may require oral anti-diabetic drugs to stimulate the body's insulin production and increase insulin sensitivity. Various forms of natural supplements for diabetes treatment have also been postulated as effective.



People with unstable diabetes, or those requiring many injections a day, may benefit from an insulin pump which is worn on the body and delivers a continuous infusion of insulin via a needle implanted into the body.



Gestational diabetes is fully treatable but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy. Even though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can damage the health of the fetus or the mother.



Treatment for all forms of diabetes need not significantly impair normal activities, if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken



6. Complications
Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of adult kidney failure worldwide in the developed world. If undetected or poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, heart attack, stroke and impotence.

How to Manage Diabetes Treatment - The Ongoing Process

Diabetes treatment is necessary to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Self management is the most important part of this process because your doctor can test you and tell you what to do, but it is up to you to carry it out. You will do the meal planning, physical exercise, and blood sugar monitoring.



Type 1 diabetics must eat a healthy diet, get the proper amount of exercise, and take insulin either through self injection or with an insulin pump. They must closely monitor their blood sugar through out the day.



Type 2 diabetics must adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating a proper diet, being active with exercise and daily chores that require moving around. Frequent glucose testing is a help in keeping check on your progress. You may need oral medication or even insulin.



A diabetic on oral medication or insulin must watch out for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can cause you to be nervous and shaky. Fainting can occur if this is left unchecked. It is good practice to keep a candy bar handy just in case this happens. If the blood sugar rises too high a person can also become ill, this is called hyperglycemia. Medical attention is required right away in this case.



A good daily plan to manage diabetes treatment would include the following steps.



1 - Plan out your meals for the day following your doctor or dietician's advice.



2 - Plan to get at least 30 minutes of some type of exercise every day.



3 - Check your blood glucose every day and keep a record of the reading for your doctor.



4 - Check your feet every day for blisters, swelling, or any cuts. Keep your toenails trimmed.



5 - Take good care of your teeth and gums.

Diabetes and Depression Treatments Are Proving to Be Very Effective

What is the correlation between diabetes and depression and what are the contributing factors? Or is it that diabetes causes depression, what is the link between them? These are only a few of the questions on most people's mind who might be depressed or suffering from diabetes.



What I can tell you as a person who watched his father suffer from the debilitating effect of diabetes and depression for many years and eventually losing his battle, is that I see a connection, but I am not a Doctor so I can't say what it is.



In my humble opinion and as a first-hand witness to the dreadful effects of diabetes, I tend to believe that depression is as a result of the person's inability to cope with the disease psychologically in a rational way.



However, this is not to say that a person cannot have depression first, as they will eventually become frustrated and fed up at the fact that they are basically helpless.



My father was a proud man, independent and self-assured, but became depressed when he had to go the Doctor for treatment; also because he had to go on a diet, he had a sort of sweet tooth.



Diabetes and Depression connection



As far as the experts in the field go, they are not even sure what is the relationship between diabetes and depression, but they are certain that there is a connection.



They suggest that with 30% of diabetes patients suffering from depression, that there must a be link somewhere, investigations are still on going to find the connection.



The fact is that most illnesses will have a physiological effect on the person who is suffering, especially if they have to be constantly monitoring their food intake and having to constantly check their blood sugar levels.



This will only put them in a depressed state of mind, not to mention causing an emotional drain on their physical body, if they are suffering from both diabetes and depression.



This negative emotional state of diabetes and depression can even exact a higher price from someone suffering from diabetes, in that this emotional state can make it harder to focus on the job at hand, which is trying to control their blood sugar levels.



This paradox can even leave the person at an even great risk of developing other diabetes complications, like heart disease for example.



Diabetes and Depression have experts baffle



According to reports from Clinical Psychiatry News, one in five people suffering from type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus were suffering from some form of depression before showing symptoms of diabetes.



This realization has cause experts to ask the question of whether it wasn't depression that triggered the diabetes in the first place?



The Johns Hopkins University did a study of 2000 people over a 13 year period to answer this particular issue about diabetes and depression and they findings were alarming to say the least.



They study showed that people who are depressed are more than two times more likely than others who are not depressed to develop diabetes mellitus.



However, contrary to this, a study carried out in Canada by researchers who had examine the health records of around 90,000 people lasting over 12 years, found that because of new diagnoses criteria for depression of diabetics and non-diabetics, the result were the same.



The conclusion of the study was quite promising, in that it suggests that because a person had type 2 diabetes mellitus, it did not mean that they were at risk of developing depression.

What Is Diabetes Mellitus Type 2?

Chronic hyperglycemia is the main characteristic of type 2 diabetes. This means that there is a high level of glucose (sugar) in the person's blood. Type 2 diabetes generally occurs in adults as they grow older. Obese or overweight people are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.



Type 2 is a result of insulin resistance. In this type of diabetes, a person's body cells are unable to use and manage insulin effectively. Insulin facilitates the entry of sugar into body cells so that it can be used as a fuel. This is more pronounced in the muscles and liver. In a person diagnosed with type two diabetes, the body is unable to regulate blood sugar. As a result, the blood sugar levels rise. When this happens the condition is called hyperglycemia. Person's with type 2 diabetes must reduce their blood glucose levels with treatment. If the blood glucose levels remain untreated or not lowered, it can lead to serious health problems, especially cardiovascular problems.



This is a chronic disease and needs a personalized treatment plan with close monitoring by the individual together with the physician. A healthy lifestyle and diet changes are the main foundations of a diabetes treatment plan. Medications may also be prescribed if the blood glucose levels stay dangerously high.



There are basically 2 major forms of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Both these diabetes types are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Type 1 diabetes occurs in younger people and often appears in childhood. It is caused by an autoimmune destruction of the pancreas when it no longer produces insulin. The cause is unknown and there is no possible prevention now.



As for type ii diabetes, which accounts for 90% of cases of diabetes, it occurs later in life. It is mainly due to a state of insulin resistance and is associated with being overweight. The number of people with this kind of diabetes is constantly increasing and this trend is attributed to unregulated and unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Physical inactivity, obesity and aging are the main causes of type two diabetes. Globally, the International Diabetes Federation predicts that the number of diabetics could grow from 285 million in 2010 to 438 million. In addition, many cases of diabetes are unknown because they are not detected. So, the actual numbers could be even higher than estimated. Type ii diabetes usually occurs in people over 40, but it is now affecting an increasing number of children and adolescents.



Diabetes can be managed and controlled effectively with a healthy lifestyle and diet changes. Sticking to a regular exercise regimen can help immensely. Most importantly it is vital to understand and diagnose diabetes at its earliest stage, which is called prediabetes. If you experience any prediabetes symptoms, you must get yourself diagnosed at the earliest.

Diabetes - A High Risk Factor For Coronary Heart Disease

It is alarming to know that every year diabetes mellitus kills more than 70,000 United States residents and about 20 million people in U. S. alone suffer from this disease. Five in hundred people in the U. K. are affected with diabetes. In Canada about 6 per cent of their population are with diabetes mellitus which invariably accounts for about 20,000 deaths annually according to experts. In addition, diabetes is a contributory factor in heart diseases and other related health conditions.



Diabetes is caused by the body resistance to, or deficiency of the hormone insulin which helps in removal of excess sugar from the blood stream into the body cells so that it can be used as a source of energy.



If this hormone insulin is deficient or ineffective, blood sugar rises causing excessive urination, hunger and thirst. Apart from excess urine, additional symptoms may include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, irritability, weakness and fatigue.



There are two main types of diabetes:



Type 1: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM) or otherwise known as juvenile onset diabetes, this type normally starts at childhood or early adulthood and has a very strong genetic components. This type is characterized by a complete lack of insulin as the name implies and must be treated with regular insulin injections.



This type 1 diabetes is also an autoimmune disease ( that is a condition whereby the body disease fighting immune system attacks the healthy tissues and cells). In this case the immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas.



Type 2: Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity onset diabetes tends to develop in middle age or older individuals particularly those who are obese.



In this case the pancreas secrets enough insulin, but the body cells seem resistant to the effects making the body to release more insulin in the blood by trying to overcome the resistance.



Most cases of type 2 diabetes can be managed with a combination of diet, exercise and oral medication. Symptoms includes repeated infections or skin sore that heals slowly or not at all, numbness in the hand or feet, tiredness and nausea.



For women, it is particularly important because diabetes seems to affect the female hormone and as a result, many women with diabetes develop coronary heart disease. Diabetes may cause blockage of large blood vessels that can lead to severe cardiovascular problems.



Studies have shown that some environmental factors can trigger type 1 diabetes in people with genetic predisposition for the disease.



Researchers attributes type 2 diabetes to obesity. So every pound of excess weight you gain increases your chance by 5 per cent at least.



Treatment includes controlling the amount of glucose in your blood stream depending on the type of diabetes, physical exercise, controlled diet and medication makes it less common. Most importantly, check your blood sugar regularly and see your physician for a more qualified advise.



A couple of drugs like, Glucophage, Actos, Precose, Avandis and many others have been developed to help with type 2 diabetes. Consult your doctor for a detailed and proper form of treatment.



To learn more about diabetes and heart diseases click here



Knowledge is power, so Learn and Live!



Reprinting this article is allowed provided all references and acknowledgment to the author, the website, and the URL remain intact.

Diabetes Mellitus

The word diabetes is taken from the Greek word diabainein which literally means ?passing through.? This is in direct reference to excessive urination, a major symptom of diabetes. Mellitus, on the other hand, is from the Greek word mel meaning ?honey? and was added to diabetes when Thomas Willis noted that a diabetic?s blood and urine has a sweet taste as a result of too much sugar in both.



Diabetes mellitus is a medical disorder that is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels as a result of defective insulin secretion. Diabetes is further classified into two forms, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both types can be treated through medicine or lifestyle changes. The main risks that come with having diabetes are cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal failure, retinal damage, nerve damage, and gangrene.



Diabetes Mellitus Type 1



Formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes, diabetes mellitus type 1 is marked by a decrease or the absence of insulin production in the body. This is commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents and leads to absolute insulin deficiency. When diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus type 1, the body destroys its beta cells in the pancreas, which, in turn, reduces insulin production. Diabetes mellitus type 1 is treated with insulin shots and lifestyle adjustments. Blood glucose levels must also be monitored carefully using blood test kits that may be used at home. Insulin may also be administered using insulin pumps that allow insulin infusion 24 hours a day in optimum levels.



Diabetes Mellitus Type 2



Adult onset diabetes, or diabetes mellitus type 2 is more common than diabetes mellitus type 2 and is characterized by the body's resistance to insulin. The symptoms related to type 2 diabetes may go unnoticed for years because they are quite mild and occur irregularly. Although type 2 diabetes is more complicated than type 1 diabetes, it is easier to treat. Type 2 diabetes may be managed by proper diet, weight reduction, proper exercise, and oral medication.

Diabetes Mellitus Complication - Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that may lead to irreversible blindness. Almost 80% of diabetic patients who suffered for 10 and more years are affected by this grave complication. But more recent research indicates that there are still a lot of things that can be done to treat diabetes and avoid the incidence of retinopathy. With adequate and attentive eye treatment and monitoring at least 90% of new cases of retinopathy can be reduced.



The retina is the most important inner part of the eye constructed by very specialized cells that function to receive light and convert it into an image. The retina then sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain where it is interpret accordingly.



The damage lies in small blood vessels (microvascular) of the retina. In type-1 diabetes retinopathy rarely develops before puberty, while in adults with type-1 diabetes, the incidence of retinopathy is also uncommon to appear before the fifth year of diabetes suffering. The progress of untreated diabetes goes inline with the damage of the retina. Hence it is very important to keep control on your blood sugar levels, since proper diabetes control will reduce the risk of developing retinopathy.



The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), a large medical study conducted on patients with type-1 diabetes by the United States National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) concluded that 50% - 75% of the respondents are less likely to develop diabetes microvascular complication that includes retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. This successful group was provided with tight blood sugar control combined with the administration of insulin either through an insulin pump or multiple daily injections



Eye problems in patients with type-2 diabetes are mostly detected during a diagnosis of diabetes. In such cases routine control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol level is of major importance in anticipating the incidence of retinopathy and other eye problems



Types of diabetic retinopathy:



Background retinopathy is a damage of the retina blood vessel but it does not impair vision. At this stage you should vigilantly manage your blood sugar levels to avoid the progression to a more serious eye problem.



Maculopathy is a damage of the macula, a critical part of the retina that plays an important role in our vision ability. Since the damage affects the macula vision problem will be a major sign of the condition. In serious cases, vision is reduced significantly.



Proliverative retinopathy occurs when the retina blood vessels start thinning and occluded due to insufficient oxygen supply to the retina. New vessels will then be built to compensate the damage vessels. This condition may lead to retinal detachment which will seriously impair vision.



It is necessary to be aware of other risk factors that may deteriorate the obstructed vessels. Quit smoking, routine control of hypertension and blood sugar level, and cholesterol management are good attempts to stop the development of new vessels.



Treatment of diabetic retinopathy may include laser procedures or surgery. In a study of diabetic patients with an early stage of retinopathy, laser therapy to burn the fragile vessel was showing a result of a 50% reduction of blindness.



The prevention of diabetic retinopathy is through a routine eye screening on an annual basis. Diabetic women who later become pregnant should undergo a comprehensive eye examination during the first trimester and under a close supervision of an eye doctor during the rest of their gestation to avoid serious eye impairment. Just to remind you that this does not apply to women with gestational diabetes, since they are not at risk for retinopathy

The Best Foods for Those Who Suffer of Diabetes

It is well known that diabetics have to follow a strict diet to maintain under control their level of sugar in the blood, and they don not have many alternatives when talking about food.



Here you can find some of the indicated vegetables in treating the diabetes, which are easy to find on the market, and do not taste awful.



The French bean, also known as common or kidney bean is one of the most frequently vegetable used in the whole world.



For controlling diabetes it is indicated to eat beans because they are high in carbohydrates and fiber.



A great remedy for diabetes is the bean decoction. You need 60 grams of fresh bean pods, weighed after removing their seeds, you boil the pads for four hours on a slow fire in four liters of water, then you strain this decoction through fine muslin cloth and then you let it rest for eight hours. During the day it is recommended that you drink one glass of this decoction every two hours for a period of 4 to 8 weeks. You must prepare this decoction every day and drink it fresh, because it looses its medicinal properties after 24 hours.



Another useful natural product is the juice extracted from the French beans, combined with the juice of Brussels sprout, which stimulates the production of insulin.



Studies managed by Dr. James Anderson of the Human Nutrition Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture concluded that foods that lower cholesterol and prevent heart diseases, along with beans that are high in soluble fiber and reduce the level of sugar in the blood, are suitable for diabetics who develop a high risk of heart disease.



Lettuce can also be used freely by diabetics as it contains 3% or less of carbohydrates.



Tomato is useful for those who want to lose weight, is low in carbohydrates too and it is said to control the level of sugar in the urine.



A great nutritious food used in the diet of diabetics is the Soya bean. It is rich in quality proteins and fat, and poor in starch. Studies on Soya bean have been performed since 1910 and have proved the utility of this vegetable in reducing the quality of urinary sugar in diabetes patients.



One of the eldest used vegetable in treating diabetes is the onion. It is not important whether it is eaten raw or cooked, the most important thing is that onion can lower the blood sugar level in diabetes and the greater the dose, the faster the blood response.
In the 1960's scientists discovered anti-diabetic compounds in onion, similar to the anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals that are used in stimulating insulin synthesis and release: allyl, propyl, disulphide and allicin.



An equilibrate diet, based on vegetables, fruit and juices, and with less fats and sweets, associated with an active lifestyle, quitting smoking, self measuring the level of sugar in the blood and losing weight could control the diabetes and allow the patients to live a normal life.



For more information about diabetes diet, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Conventional Medical Treatment for Diabetes

Description



Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels. The condition can be caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin or by the body's resistance to the action of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which enables the body to regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in a person's blood.



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million Americans have diabetes-and approximately half of them suffer from the disease unknowingly. Many people are unaware that they have the condition because mild diabetes can continue for years with virtually no symptoms.



There are two types of diabetes. Insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1) most often strikes children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. In noninsulin dependent diabetes (Type 2), the pancreas does produce insulin, but the person's body is unable to process it. Most people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes are over the age of 40; many are overweight or even obese.



There is no one definitive factor known to cause diabetes. Heredity does playa part: Approximately two-thirds of all people with diabetes have one or more family members with the disease. Environmental toxins, autoimmune disorders, and viruses (such as mumps or hepatitis) are believed to cause Type 1 diabetes. Obesity significantly raises your risk for Type 2 diabetes.



If not treated, both types of diabetes can result in serious complications. Vision problems, caused by a weakening of the capillaries that supply blood to the eye, are common among people with diabetes and can result in blindness. Kidney disease, also caused by a deterioration of the small blood vessels is another common malady. In addition, people with diabetes are at high risk for developing coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, skin infections, and gangrene (because of poor circulation in the legs).



Signs and Symptoms



Increased thirst and urination



Fatigue



Weight loss despite an increased appetite



Recurrent skin infections



Frequent vaginitis (in women)



Nausea and vomiting



Blurred and/or weakened vision



Loss of consciousness or confusion



Numbness in hands or feet



Conventional Medical Treatment



To diagnose diabetes, your physician takes urine and blood samples and tests both samples for high blood sugar levels. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to adjust your insulin levels. Since insulin cannot be taken orally, people with Type 1 have to receive daily insulin injections. Your doctor will teach you how to give yourself the necessary insulin injections. At first, this might sound unpleasant, but it quickly becomes part of your daily routine. Some people with Type 2 diabetes are able to control the condition through diet and exercise. Others may require an oral hypoglycemic medication to stimulate the production of insulin.



For either type of diabetes, a diet of complex carbohydrates (brown rice and whole grains), fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and dairy products is also prescribed. Moderate exercise is also a necessity for people with diabetes. Because obesity exacerbates diabetes, overweight individuals are advised to regulate their weight through a sound regimen of low-fat foods and moderate physical activity.

Clinical Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus

Clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is suspected from the symptoms and signs like:



Frequent urination
Excessive thirst.
Craving for sweets and starches
Weakness.
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision
Itching of the skin
Drowsiness
Tingling or numbness in feet,
Nausea
Vomiting
Slow and poor healing of cuts and wounds
Infections, Diabetes greatly reduces ones ability to resist infections
Vaginal infections



The laboratory confirmation of diabetes mellitus is based on the following tests:



1. Fasting and random blood glucose estimation
2. 2 hour glucose level after food
3. Urine test for glucose
4. Oral glucose tolerance test.



The interpretation of the above test states that a high fasting blood sugar associated with detection of glucose in urine in conjunction with symptoms suggestive of diabetes mellitus should confirm this disease.



Every suspected cases of diabetes, therefore, is strongly advised to see a qualified medical practitioner for proper investigation and diagnosis of this disease.



There can be long term complications of diabetes mellitus and these complications can be in terms of health effects. From narrowing of the large arteries, leading to heart attacks, strokes and gangerene. Sometimes, there are problems in the blood vessels behind the eye, leading to retinopathy and sometimes blindness. And the kidney where it may progress to renal failure.



Health experts have observed that the debilitating effects of diabetes mellitus are many and reported that epidemiology studies are involved in the disease and obesity are the risk factors for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis has been identified as the most common complication of diabetes and responsible for the death of 75 percent of diabetic Americans. Available results also show that atherosclerosis leads to heart attacks, strokes and gangrene.



Diabetic patients have always been bothered by possible easy diabetes control measures that will enable them get on with their life.



Below are few sure diabetes control, prevention and management tips that will help you put the problem of diabetes to a reasonable level, if not cured entirely:



- Dietary management. In general principle, dietary measures are required in the treatment of all diabetic patients in order to achieve the overall therapeutic goal.



- Endeavor to exercise yourself as much as possible.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Special areas in the pancreas gland, the Islets of Langerhans, produce a hormone called insulin. This hormone is a protein of small size. Insulin stimulates muscle cells and other body cells to take up glucose from the blood and convert the glucose to glycogen, a kind of starch, and then store the glycogen. By need the body cells convert the glycogen to glucose and use it as fuel. In this way insulin keeps the glucose level in the blood at a normal size.



By diabetes type 2, the cells in the body do not react properly by stimulation from insulin. Therefore they do not take in enough glucose from the blood to store it or to use it as energy source. This condition is called insulin resistance. The amount of glucose in the blood therefore rises. Also the insulin production can rise to regulate the glucose amount down, but this effort to reduce the blood glucose is not effective enough. If the disease persists for many years, the insulin production may tire out, so that the amount of secreted insulin decreases.



THE CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2



The exact mechanism that causes the disease is not known. There may be an autoimmune response to insulin or to the molecules on the cell surfaces that the insulin connects to. However, these lifestyle factors can cause the disease:



-Too high consume of sugar and fat



-Over-weight



-Too less exercise over many years.



Therefore diabetes type 2 can be prevented by a right diet and with regular exercise.



When the glucose uptake into the body cells is reduced, but glucose instead accumulates in the blood, the following physiological effects occur:



-The body cells do not get enough fuel for the work they shall do.



-The molecular thickness (osmality) of the blood increases. This causes water to be pulled out from the body tissues and into the blood. The tissues thus get dried out and the urine production increases.



-The tissues begin to break down protein and fat to get energy, causing weight loss and muscular reduction.



The symptoms of diabetes type 2 are a consequence of these mechanisms.



THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2



Diabetes type 2 is the most common kind of diabetes, actually 10 times more common than diabetes type 1, where the insulin production is reduced or stopped. The disease usually appears after the age of 50, but the high sugar and fat consume in western countries nowadays also causes young persons to acquire the disease. Symptoms of diabetes type 2 come gradually. The symptoms are.



-Increased urine production



-Dehydration, that is a lack of water in the body



-Abnormal high thirst



-Dry mouth



-Increased appetite



-Slow healing of physical injuries



-Itching in the skin



-Infections caused by yeasts



-Impaired vision



In the long turn, the disease can cause atherosclerosis with blood vessel narrowing, heart disease and stroke.



LIFESTYLE TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2



The treatment of diabetes type 2 is most often diet with a low sugar and fat amount, and with the amount of sugar and carbohydrates strictly controlled. A weight reduction program is a part of the treatment for over-weighted persons. An exercise program is also an important component of the treatment, both in order to get rid of excessive blood sugar levels and to loose weight.



A general healthy diet will also help. Such a diet contains food sources like fish, fouls, seafood, mushrooms, whole corn cereals, whole corn bread and vegetables. The following fat and sugar containing food types are recommended in moderate amounts: Nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, eggs, spawn and fruit.



These fat types are also recommended in moderate amounts: Olive oil, walnut oil, rape oil, sunflower oil. Soy oil, corn oil and butter can be used in small amounts, but these fat types should not be your only fat source. If you only use these fat types, you will not get all essential fatty acids that the body need to work properly. Things to be avoided in the diet are: Snacks, fast food, fat read meat, cookies, margarine, chemically altered fat and sweet beverages.



The listed measures will usually lighten the burden upon the blood sugar control of the body so that it manages to normalize the blood sugar levels.



The listed lifestyle measures will also prevent diabetes type 2, but for prevention the control of the daily carbohydrate intake does not have to be controlled so strictly.



MEDICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2



If lifestyle measures do not work good enough, medication to lower the blood sugar is used. There are several classes of medicaments against diabetes type 2 to be taken by mouth and that work in different ways:



-The first class of drugs against diabetes type 2 developed, and which are still in use, are the sulfonylureas drugs like Glucotrol® and Micronase®. These drugs stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Side effects from these drugs that may occur are: Low blood sugar levels, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and allergic reactions. Law blood sugar levels occur more easily if the drug is used together with alcohol.



-The biguanides like Metformin make the liver to slow down the brakedown of stored complex carbohydrates to glucose, and thus lower the blood glucose level. This drug class also help to control weight. Possible side effects form this drug class are lactic acidosis, nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea, abdominal gas and metallic taste.



-Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors like Precose® and Glyset®, inhibit breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the gut to simple sugars and the uptake of sugars from the gut into the blood, and thus lower the content of sugar in the blood. They may give side effects like abdominal gas and diarrhea.



-The thiazolidinediones like Avandia® and Actos® make body cells more sensitive to insulin and thus make skeletal muscle take up glucose form the blood. Side effects that may occur by this class of drugs are anaemia, head-aches, muscle aches, tooth aches, sore throut, increased upper respiratory tract infection rate, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and liver injury.



-Meglitinides like Prandin® are taken by meals and controls the blood sugar levels after meals by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin when the sugar from the meal comes into the blood. Possible side effects are low blood sugar levels, increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection, headache, joint and back pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and weight gain.



If the insulin production is reduced, insulin injections are also used.



There are also natural products in the market that can help to normalize the blood sugar level by diabetes type 2. Those products cannot heal the disease, but they can help the body to regulate the blood sugar. These products contain minerals that are working components of enzymes that stimulate the glucose metabolism in the body. They also contain herbs that have been used for a long time in traditional medicine to regulate the glucose level and have proven their effects in scientific studies.

Diabetes Mellitus - 6 Steps to Accurate Diagnosis

Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus requires that certain tests be carried out on the patient before you can conclude whether or not he/she has the problem. The steps to take to get an accurate diagnosis include:



1. History: The personal history from the patient coupled with physical examination and the classical signs of diabetes - polyuria (glucose in urine), polydipsia (abnormal thirst) and polyphalgia (excessive hunger) are often diagnostic. However, for the purpose of confirming the diagnosis, some laboratory tests have to be conducted, and they include:



2. Fasting Blood Glucose: The normal fasting blood glucose level in an adult without diabetes is 70-110mg/dl (4.5-5.6mmol/l). With diabetes mellitus this value becomes higher. Before the test is carried out the individual abstains from food for at least 8 hours. The individual is only allowed to take water, but other things capable of stimulating metabolism e.g. cigarette, tea, coffee, etc. should be avoided. Value above 110mg/dl is indicative of diabetes.



3. Post-Prandial Blood Glucose: An oral glucose load is administered to the patient and the serum glucose level is checked after 2 hours. In normal adult, serum glucose is expected to be less than 140mg/dl 2hours after ingesting the meal. But in diabetes mellitus the level returns to normal very slowly. If the value is above 180mg/dl after 2hours, this signifies that the individual is diabetic.



4. Glucose Tolerance Test: Prior to the test the patient is given a high carbohydrate meal of 150g for 3 days. Specimen of blood and urine are then collected at intervals of 1, 2, and 3hours and their sugar levels evaluated. A high level usually indicates the presence of diabetes. The nurse or the lab technician should however be sure that the patient is not having any physical illness, emotional stress or physical stress as these may interfere with the result since hormones secreted under these conditions influence blood sugar levels. All drugs that can influence blood glucose tolerance (oestrogen, steroids, salicylates, diuretics, etc.) should be stopped at least 3 days prior to the test. The test should be carried out in the morning because glucose tolerance decreases later in the noon. Specimen should as well be collected to serve as control.



5. Intravenous and Oral Tolbutamide Response Test: Tolbutamide stimulates endogenous secretion of insulin and indicates the pancreatic function; hence it is used as a confirmatory test for suspected diabetes mellitus. The patient abstains from food the night before the test. In the morning following the fast, a baseline fasting blood sugar is then taken. Tolbutamide is thereafter given to him and the blood specimens are taken 20 and 30 minutes after. The result shows a slower rate of decrease of blood glucose in the diabetic.



6. Urinalysis: Urinalysis may also be done to have an idea of the sugar level in the urine. Though this test is not diagnostic, it serves as a guide. The urine should be tested for the presence of glucose, albumin, white blood cells, casts and organisms to rule out glomerulosclerosis and urinary tract infection.

Type 2 Diabetes - Treatment

Unlike many illnesses that are put down to a "Western Lifestyle" these days, diabetes has been around for thousands of years, with the disease referred to in writings in China and India 2,000 years ago.



The full name for the disease is "diabetes mellitus" and is a combination of Greek and Latin words. "Mellitus" means "sweet" and refers to the sweet taste of the urine of someone with the disease; the Romans actually tasted the urine of a suspected sufferer.



"Diabetes" is the Greek word for "siphon" and refers to the need of an untreated diabetic to urinate frequently combined with a raging thirst, making the person act like a siphon.



There are 3 main treatment s for type 2 diabetes.



1. Diet.



Because diabetes is a disease resulting in high levels of glucose in the blood, it is important to eat a balanced diet and avoid eating those foods containing empty carbohydrates and sugars. There is much debate these days over what constitutes a healthy diet, however, it is a fact that 4 out of every 5 people who contract diabetes 2 are overweight.



Therefore, in the majority of cases, consulting a dietician with a diet that's right for you to help you lose weight is a good idea. The author of this article uses a low carbohydrate diet, which, whilst controversial, works for him and his doctor approves.



2. Exercise.



Basically, given that most people are overweight when diagnosed with diabetes, the goal of exercise is to combine with diet to help lose weight. But it's more than that.



When you exercise, you use energy. In a type 2 diabetic, that has the effect of lowering blood glucose levels.



Exercise also releases endorphins into the brain which are the "feel good" hormones. This also helps people maintain a positive mental attitude in dealing with their diabetes.



3. Medication.



Medication consists of various oral drugs which may include those which make the insulin you produce work harder, or stimulate the production of insulin, or they may be drugs to help lower "bad" cholesterol.



Leading on from those is insulin. This is usually a last resort, and involves the patient injecting themselves several times a day.



The key with diabetes treatment is to keep a close monitor on blood glucose levels and act accordingly. Over time you will discover what effects different foods and levels of exercise have on your blood sugars, but only if you monitor yourself frequently.

Diabetes Mellitus Disease Is an Opportunity to Become Healthier People

Diabetes mellitus is nothing new.



Diabetes mellitus is not a new disease and contrary to this it has been around since ancient times and at that time they considered it as having a death sentence. All throughout history many nations have been battling with this disease, mostly with varying degrees of success.



The very first detailed description of diabetes had been published in the canon of medicine and produced by Avicenna, sometime between the year 980 and 1037 in medieval Persia. This detailed account described the symptoms of diabetes as the sweet taste of urine, abnormal appetite and sexual dysfunction.



Avicenna is also known to have treated diabetes patients using a mixture that reduced the levels of sugar being excreted in the urine.



You might be interested in knowing that this treatment is still around today, but not widely used by the general diabetic public. Many treatments for diabetes have been used throughout the ages and they varied from region to region, however, the pathogenesis of the disease had not been explored until the 1900s.



Diabetes mellitus disease



When my father and I discovered this piece of valuable information, we embarked on further research to learn all about diabetes mellitus, despite the fact that it had been in the late stages of his illness.



It became important that we continue with the research to learn more about diabetes mellitus. We considered it important because we discovered early that in some cases you can also inherit the disease.



Embarking on a new quest can be an exciting thing, and our quest for more information brought some added benefits as well, like bringing us closer together for example.



We searched throughout the ages for effective treatments in curing the disease or at making life with the disease more bearable and in this quest we learned all about diabetes mellitus that we could.



As an example we discovered that although the word diabetes is mostly used to refer to a person suffering from diabetes, the correct terminology of the word is 'Diabetes Mellitus'. The word mellitus is said to mean millite, which means sweeten with honey and honey sweet, this in turn comes from mill meaning honey, sweetness or pleasant things.



Are you seeing a relationship here, do you see that the ancients have given us the clues and the means to effectively combat this ailment?



Diabetes mellitus introduction



Sometime in 1675 Thomas Willis introduced the word mellitus to the word diabetes; this was after he noticed that the urine of his patients had a sweetness about it and as a result of this observation it gave a designation to the disease.



This sweet taste of urine has been recognized by many nations throughout the history of the disease as being an indicator of the presence of diabetes, these included the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Indians and the Persians.



These ancient people used many effective remedies that are still being used today, but only by people who know where to look for them. Unlike the pass, today anyone who want to learn about diabetes mellitus only have to search on the internet, where they will find a wealth of information on the subject.



However, they are many myths associated with diabetes, so you have to be prudent and consistent about the research. You should also try to make sure to corroborate your findings before acting on them or it could backfire on you.

Alternative Treatments For Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder in which a person experiences a surge of blood sugar, which, in the long term, can lead to organ and tissue damage. Often referred to as diabetes mellitus, this disease is characterized by uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, and wounds that take a long time to heal. Diabetes is also expensive to treat. This has prompted people to look for alternative treatments for diabetes that are just as good as available medications.



There are two common types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, happens when the body's cells no longer respond to changes in insulin levels. There are alternative treatments for diabetes of either type.



Aside from alternative treatments for diabetes, patients are cautioned to follow their doctors' orders and go by the traditional insulin route, along with a strict diet. Because diabetes has no known cure, any alternative treatments for diabetes are designed as palliative care; that is, they ease the symptoms and keep the body from accumulating dangerous levels of glucose.



Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method that involves inserting needles into specific points on a patient's skin. This supposedly redirects the body's energy field, so that the body heals itself; scientists believe that acupuncture can prompt the body to release its own painkillers. There are also stress reduction methods, such as biofeedback, where patients with diabetes are taught to relax, which might allow their diabetes to be less painful.



Also included in alternative treatments for diabetes [http://diabetes-care-treatment.blogspot.com/2007/09/diabetes-care-and-treatment.html] are dietary supplements, such as chromium, ginseng, magnesium, vanadium, co-enzyme Q10, garlic, and omega-3 fatty acids. For more information, talk to your doctor about alternative therapies that might be suitable for your diabetes case.



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Herbal Supplement For Diabetes - Top 5 Common Ingredients

Herbal supplement for diabetes mellitus has gained popularity among patients. This is because diabetes is a serious health problem. In fact it is one of the top leading diseases that cause death. The severity of this ailment pushes people to look for treatment that is effective in preventing diabetes. Anyone can have diabetes especially if it runs in the family. Now, there are three major types of diabetes. These are the type 1, type 2 and Gestational diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes is commonly called juvenile diabetes because patients diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 are children. Patients of this type of diabetes lack insulin in their system which results to increased blood glucose and urine glucose.



Type 2 diabetes is an adult-onset diabetes. Obviously, patients are in their middle age. Most patients who have this type of diabetes are obese, or have hypertension, or high cholesterol levels, and other factors.



Gestational diabetes mostly happens to pregnant women who have high blood glucose level. This type of diabetes though temporary may lead to type 2 diabetes in later period. Babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes have higher risk of other health related problems.



Herbal Supplement for Diabetes



These types of diabetes may take diabetic food supplements under the supervision of their attending physicians. It is always wise to consult your doctor first if you plan to incorporate herbal supplements in your treatment.



Although modern medicine has done a great job in arresting the symptoms of diabetes, still, it can not be denied that herbal supplements can have positive effects. This is due to active ingredients containing essential nutrients without the threat of any adverse effects.



What are common herbal supplements that are especially formulated for people with diabetes?



There are so many dietary supplements for diabetics. Most of these supplements have the ability to lower the blood sugar or govern the insulin production in your body. The ingredients are either herbs, spices or other vegetations.



Here are the top 5 common ingredients:



• Bitter Gourd, also know as bitter melon, has been used for many centuries. In fact, people can cook it. It is categorize as an herb. It contains Charantin, a very powerful hypoglycemic agent. The effectiveness of bitter gourd is comparable to any hypoglycemic drugs.



• Bilberry is similar to blueberries but is famous in regulating insulin levels which is due to the presence of Anthocyanins, a form of flavonoids effective in controlling blood sugars.



• Fenugreek is another herb that has alkaloids, individually known as gentianine, trigonelline, and carpaine. These substances in Fenugreek are responsible in lowering the blood sugar levels.



• Gymnema Sylvestre is an herb found in India which has glycosides called Gymnemic acids. The acid is known to have the ability to defy glucose, thus lower the blood sugar levels.



• Basil leaves, specifically the holy basil or locally called "Tulsi" in India, is also very effective in assisting the pancreas to produce a good amount of insulin.



There are other plants that have curative effects for diabetes. But before taking any of it, you have to make sure that you discuss it with your doctor and ask them what they think of the herbal supplement for diabetes.

Symptoms and Treatments of Diabetes Type 1

Diabetes Mellitus type I is also known as juvenile diabetes. It is a kind of diabetes mellitus that result from autoimmune damage of insulin-producing beta cells of pancreas. The successive lack of insulin is the cause of elevated glucose in the blood and urine. The result of this increase can be polyuria (frequent urination), polyphagia (increased hunger), polydipsia (increased thirst) and weight loss.



Type I diabetes is deadly unless cured by insulin. The best method of administering insulin is through injection. Inhaled insulin and insulin pumps had been available at several times. Transplants of pancreas have been used also to cure type I diabetes; however, this process is still currently being experimented.



There are no preventive measures against the expansion of type I diabetes. A lot of people who have developed type I are otherwise in a good state of life or healthy. Type 1 can be differentiated from type II diabetes through a C-peptide assay, which measures the production of endogenous insulin. Treatment of this type is continued in all cases forever. However, treatment is a burden for plenty of people.



Complications can be associated with both high and low blood sugar levels. Low glucose will lead to spasms or episodes of losing consciousness and needs emergency treatment. High glucose can lead to tiredness and can also lead to long term destruction to some parts of the body like the eyes an joints.



Causes of Type 1 Diabetes:



- Environment - this factor strongly influences the appearance of type 1. Some studies showed that for identical twins, if one had type 1, the other twin only had type I 30% - 50% of the time. In spite of having the right similar genome, 1 twin had the illness, and the other didn't get the disease; this suggests that factors from the environment, in addition to factors from genetics, can influence the prevalence of the disease.



- Genetics - type 1 diabetes is polygenic in nature because of the different genes that contribute to its appearance. It depends on the locus or mixture of loci, it could be leading, recessive or somewhere in between. The strongest genetic material, IDDMI, can be seen in MHC Class 2 region in chromosome VI, at staining region VIp21. This is responsible for the histocompatibility disorder trait of type 1: pancreatic cells which produce insulin display antibodies that hit these beta cells. Weaker genes can be seen also on chromosomes 11 and 18.

Diabetes Information - Understanding Diabetes Mellitus as a Serious and Common Disease

When we hear a physician diagnose someone as having diabetes (without any limiting modification), he is, in all probability, referring to 'diabetes mellitus.' This condition is characterized by superfluities of glucose in the blood and urine resulting from an abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.



Diabetes mellitus is a serious and common disease. In the United States, medical records show that it occurs in about two percent of males and close to five percent of females. Its onset is possible at any stage of life. In most cases, diabetes mellitus manifests itself after some serious infection or injury. It may also become evident due to emotional strain. Persons who are overweight are known to suffer from this disease more than those who are within the normal weight range.



Symptoms of diabetes mellitus are almost the same for cases that commence during childhood and during the adult years. These include an excessive production of urine, an ardent desire for liquids, a feeling of weakness, and itchy skin. A medical examination of a person who has diabetes mellitus will reveal the presence of glucose in the blood in an amount that is much higher than the normal volume. This excess blood sugar is caused by the inability of the body to use up glucose as quickly as it is stored and released by the liver. Consequently, rather than being utilized for energy production, glucose that builds up in the blood gets washed off along with the urine.



Certain secondary conditions are likely to develop if diabetes mellitus remains untreated. One such serious complication is kidney disease. The loss of bladder control - resulting in the urge to urinate frequently - is also possible. Likewise, the skin and other body tissues become more prone to infections. In more serious cases, losing consciousness is almost always a certainty.



A lot of medical experts point to diet as probably the most vital factor in the successful handling of diabetes mellitus. A person with this disease can enjoy a normal diet, taking care that he or she neither eats to excess nor consumes too little of the needed nutrients. Controlling the blood-sugar level by means of administering insulin is another important factor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. For the millions of diabetics out there, wouldn't it be a great relief for you to know that there is actually a sure way to banish your particular case of diabetes mellitus for good?



For the millions of diabetics out there, wouldn't it be a great relief for you to know that there is actually a sure way to banish your particular case of diabetes mellitus for good? Visit How to Play the Diabetes Game to Win! at Great Relief for Diabetes Mellitus

Etiology and Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus

Etiology
Heredity is unquestioned as a prominent factor in the etiology of diabetes mellitus, although the mechanism of inheritance is unknown. Diabetes may be actually a syndrome rather than a specific disease. A variety of genetic mechanisms have been proposed, but most favor a multifactorial inheritance or a recessive gene somehow linked to the tissue-typing antigens, the human lymphocyte-A (HLA) system. However, the inheritance of non-insulin-dependent diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes appears to be different. Nearly 100% of offspring pf parents who both have non-insulin-dependent diabetes develop that type of diabetes, but only 45% to 60% of the offspring of both parents who have insulin-dependent diabetes will develop the disease. There is also an increase risk of diabetes with obesity. The incidence of the disease doubles with every 20% of excess weight and this figure applies to the young as well as to the older diabetic person. Diabetes is now the sixth leading cause of death by disease in adults and the first leading cause of of new cases of blindness between 20 and 75 years of age. Viruses have been implicated on the etiology of diabetes. The viral theory states that the Beta-cells of some individuals (most specialists believe that the Beta-cells are genetically susceptible because of the defects in the HLA system) are attacked by certain viruses, causing cell damage or death. The body reacts to this damaged or changed tissue in an autoimmune phenomenon, forming antibodies that "attack" the Beta-cells, resulting in cell death. When there are not enough available Beta-cells to supply sufficient insulin to meet the needs of the body, insulin-dependent diabetes results. Tumors of the pancreas, pancreatitis, stress drugs as steroids, stress diseases that involve other endocrine organs such as acromegaly, heredity and viral diseases are now believed to play a part in causing diabetes.



In non-insulin-dependent, or type II, diabetes disturbed carbohydrate metabolism may be a result of a sluggish or insensitive secretory response in the pancreas or a defect in body tissues that requires unusual amounts of insulin, or the insulin secreted may be rapidly destroyed, inhibited, or in-activated in affected persons. A lack of insulin because of reduction in islet cell mass or destruction of the islets is the hallmark of the person with insulin-dependent, or type I diabetes.



Pathophysiology
Insulin is needed to support the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, primarily by facilitating the entry of these substances into the cell. Insulin is needed for the entry of glucose into the muscle and fat cells, for the prevention of mobilization of fats from fat cells, and for storage of glucose as glycogen in the cells of liver and muscle. Insulin is not needed for the entry of glucose into nerve cells or vascular tissue. The chemical composition and molecular structure of insulin are such that it fits into receptor sites on the cell membrane. Here it initiates a sequence of poorly defined chemical reactions that alter the cell membrane to facilitate the entry of glucose into the cell and stimulate enzymatic systems outside the cell that metabolize the glucose for energy production.



With deficiency of insulin, glucose is unable to enter the cell and its concentration in the bloodstream increases, the increased concentration in the bloodstream increases. The increased concentration of glucose (hyperglycemia) produces an osmotic gradient that causes the movement of body fluid from the intracellular space to the extracellular space and into the glomerular filtrate in order to "dilute" the hyperosmolar filtrate. When the glucose concentration in glomerular filtrate exceeds the threshold (180mg/dL), glucose "spills" into the urine along with an osmotic diversion of water (polyuria), a cardinal sign of diabetes. The Urinary fluid losses cause the excessive thirst (polydipsia) observed in diabetes. As might be expected, this water washout results in a depletion of other essential chemicals.

What Causes Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease which affects millions of people all over the world and is a leading cause of death. Diabetes is caused when the body fails to produce and use insulin which is incredibly valuable for the human body. The body uses insulin to convert sugar, starches and food byproducts into energy. There are three main forms of the diabetes which can affect everyone at any time in their life.



Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes are all on the increase, and unfortunately, more children than ever before are suffering with some form of diabetes. The exact cause of diabetes is still un-known; however, there are typical symptoms, which will point, towards this disease. If you are suffering from fatigue, weight loss, extreme thirst and hunger and frequent urination it may be an idea to check that you are not suffering from some form of diabetes.



Pancreas transplants have been attempted in the past; however, they have proved to be unsuccessful, and for some people, they will need to be treated with insulin for the rest of their lives. Your diet and lifestyle may be affecting your diabetes. Often doctors will advise losing weight, giving up smoking, alcohol and eating a healthy diet to improve the diabetes. You will need to learn how to monitor your blood sugar levels and alter your diet to ensure that you are receiving the right amounts of sugar.



People who suffer from Type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin every day, and this will need to be injected. Children who suffer from this form of diabetes will soon learn how to administer the insulin themselves, and it will become a part of everyday life. Type 2 diabetes is often easier to control and will fluctuate depending on your diet and lifestyle.



Obesity is often the largest cause of Type 2 diabetes and losing weight and keeping fit will help you to keep the disease under control. Although some people will need to have insulin every day, other people will only need it when their blood sugar is low. Pregnant women with often suffer from diabetes during their pregnancy and this form is known as gestational diabetes. If the diabetes is monitored well, and a healthy diet and lifestyle remains the diabetes should go away once the baby is born.



Some people feel that diabetes is genetic, and you are more likely to suffer from diabetes if there is a family history of the disease. However, some children and family members never suffer from the disease at all; therefore, it is still unknown if there is a connection. Diabetes is an extremely serious disease which can lead to a huge number of other health problems and conditions. In severe cases, people have lost limbs due to poor circulation, suffered from strokes and heart disease.



If you are suffering from any of the symptoms relating to diabetes, you must ensure that you seek professional medical assistance. The sooner you can be diagnosed and a treatment found the more likely you are to remain as healthy as possible. You should ensure that you eat well and exercise daily, both of which will help your body to deal with any illness or disease.