Common Symptoms of Diabetes and the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Sometimes, the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify because many of the common symptoms may not be present in all cases and they can appear and then disappear again. Additionally, some of the symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions making it more puzzling.



However, there are some classic symptoms or characteristics that are unique to diabetics. Frequent urination, extreme thirst and sudden severe weight loss for no reason are some examples of classic symptoms that suggests the possibility of diabetes. But sometimes no symptoms appear in Type 2 diabetes.



One distinctive attribute of diabetes is characterized by excessive levels of blood glucose from deficiencies in insulin production. But, there are differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes (a.k.a. juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) often develops in children and young adults, whereas Type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. non insulin dependent) often develops in adulthood.



Another marked symptom of diabetes (both Type 1 and 2) is continual fatigue. Glucose is the major source of energy for our body, it powers the body's functions from cell repair to major muscle movements. Since insulin is unable to perform its function properly by regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream, the diabetic will feel lethargic.



Other symptom of diabetes is blurred vision. However, blurred vision can also due to aging such as presbyopia (age-related problem with near vision). It typically starts at middle age, and is due to age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. But the cause in the case of diabetes can lead to blindness. This is because higher blood sugar levels can start to damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye in the retina over time.



People with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. Cuts (particularly on the feet) are slower to heal. The effect of diabetes on wound healing is not yet fully understood and continues to be a focus of further research. Diabetics need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer.



Tingling or numbness in hands and feet is also a warning sign or symptom of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections of insulin and blood glucose tests are needed, Type 2 diabetes can often be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Type 2 is relatively easier to manage than Type 1 diabetes.



Since so many of these symptoms can also be produced by other medical conditions, the best thing to do in order to confirm whether you have diabetes or not, is to seek a professional help for proper diagnosis. Just a simple blood test will do the job.

Swine Flu, The Common Cold, and Influenza - How Can You Tell the Difference?

As we rapidly find our way approaching fall and winter, seasonal influenza and colds are bound to start manifesting themselves quickly. In its latest Swine Flu update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said twenty one states are already reporting widespread flu activity.



Physicians state they're afraid the two flu strains (H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu) could merge together creating additional complications to an already frightened society. If you then add in the common cold, which is the most common virus this time of the year, there is a chance that immune systems can be compromised by a one two punch.



How can people figure out if the sniffles and runny nose they are having are something that they should be worried about? Infectious disease experts explain that the public should to be cognizant of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious-disease medical specialist at Washington Hospital Center, states the cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu are each respiratory diseases, but they are induced by dissimilar viruses.



Symptoms of the common cold are consistent with most people and may cause the patient to be quite miserable for three to five days. A person will commonly suffer from a stuffy nose, congestion, aches and pains, and in some instances a cough will develop.



As reported by the CDC they state that seasonal flu and H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms are fever, severe aches and pains, dry coughing, diarrhea and fatigue or lethargy. It can be almost impossible without and examination or test to differentiate the seasonal form of flu from the H1N1 Swine Flu that is currently being studied.



"People should acknowledge once they start to feel bad. Whenever they begin to have respiratory troubles, or are dehydrated because of illness, they need go to see their doctor. It could be Swine Flu or seasonal flu," says Shoham. "A few people with influenza could become very ill and may end up in the hospital if it has not been attended to."



Most at Risk



The population at the largest risk for catching H1N1 Swine Flu include adolescents and young adults up to twenty five years, pregnant women, and people with prolonged health conditions similar to asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. The CDC has advocated that these groups as well as health care workers are first on the vaccination list.



The seasonal flu vaccination is particularly crucial for anyone that has a chance for serious flu complications, reported by the CDC, including adolescents, anyone with a weak immune system, women who are planning a pregnancy during the influenza season, people that are fifty years or older, and health care professionals like nurses and doctors.



Prevention is the Best Medicine



Other than flu shots there are additional ways to remain healthy and have a high chance of resisting these illnesses. Physicians will tell you to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or a hand sanitizer and keep your fingers away from your face. If you need to sneeze you should sneeze into your elbow so that you don't spread your germs to your hands or everyone and everything else in the immediate area.



Whenever you become sick and have severe symptoms you should call your health care practitioner. Your family doctor may recommend antiviral drugs that will address the flu. Antiviral drugs are prescriptions (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that battle the flu by keeping the virus from multiplying throughout your system giving your immune system a better chance to fight off the infection.



Most importantly, stay away from other people. If you have the flu, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you remain home for at the very least 24 hours after your fever is gone. This is the best way to keep other people from contracting the seasonal or H1N1 Swine Flu virus



Keep your immune system strong and healthy. The best way to do this is by eating a healthy selection of foods including many fruits and vegetables. Get a lot of sleep or rest and remain active as well. Some of the best vitamins to begin taking are Vitamin D, Vitamin C. Add these to your daily nutritional plan to begin building your immune system now. Don't wait for and outbreak, start today!

Symptoms of Swine Flu - Know the Difference Between H1N1 Flu and Regular Flu

Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before H1N1 flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.



Risk factors of Swine Flu
Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for H1N1 flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk.



Symptoms of Swine Flu
In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration
4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever



In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever



The symptoms of H1N1 is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of this flu, also known as Influenza A.



How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth.



How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?
Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.



How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against the flu:



1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.



2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.



3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.



4. Avoid contact with people who are infected. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.



5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.



6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.



7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.



8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu.



How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?
According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of H1N1 can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract the virus.



What are the medicines and treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.



How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.



Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.



How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.



Home remedies for swine flu:
There are no home remedies, especially when you have to figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water.
2. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes and the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Sometimes, the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify because many of the common symptoms may not be present in all cases and they can appear and then disappear again. Additionally, some of the symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions making it more puzzling.



However, there are some classic symptoms or characteristics that are unique to diabetics. Frequent urination, extreme thirst and sudden severe weight loss for no reason are some examples of classic symptoms that suggests the possibility of diabetes. But sometimes no symptoms appear in Type 2 diabetes.



One distinctive attribute of diabetes is characterized by excessive levels of blood glucose from deficiencies in insulin production. But, there are differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes (a.k.a. juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) often develops in children and young adults, whereas Type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. non insulin dependent) often develops in adulthood.



Another marked symptom of diabetes (both Type 1 and 2) is continual fatigue. Glucose is the major source of energy for our body, it powers the body's functions from cell repair to major muscle movements. Since insulin is unable to perform its function properly by regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream, the diabetic will feel lethargic.



Other symptom of diabetes is blurred vision. However, blurred vision can also due to aging such as presbyopia (age-related problem with near vision). It typically starts at middle age, and is due to age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. But the cause in the case of diabetes can lead to blindness. This is because higher blood sugar levels can start to damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye in the retina over time.



People with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. Cuts (particularly on the feet) are slower to heal. The effect of diabetes on wound healing is not yet fully understood and continues to be a focus of further research. Diabetics need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer.



Tingling or numbness in hands and feet is also a warning sign or symptom of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections of insulin and blood glucose tests are needed, Type 2 diabetes can often be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Type 2 is relatively easier to manage than Type 1 diabetes.



Since so many of these symptoms can also be produced by other medical conditions, the best thing to do in order to confirm whether you have diabetes or not, is to seek a professional help for proper diagnosis. Just a simple blood test will do the job.

Borderline diabetes-is there a difference between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?

If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes, then this is the stage to get into action! There is no way that you could get in on the action without awareness of the problem.



The first step begins with awareness.



What is Borderline diabetes?



Borderline diabetes or prediabetes is when blood sugars are out of normal range, but not in the range for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.



The clinical name for this is called fasting glucose.



Borderline diabetes or prediabetes is important because it serves as a warning sign. This is the time to make major changes in lifestyle. Or increases the risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic.



How is prediabetes diagnosed?



The quickest way to diagnose prediabetes is a fasting blood sugar. I usually recommend an overnight fast for at least 8 hours and if possible up to 12 hours.



Blood glucose levels normal for diabetes are among 70-99 mg/dL. Substantially less than 100 mg/dL.



When your blood glucose is between 100-125 mg/dL, this indicates prediabetes or borderline diabetes.



If the level is above 126 mg/dl that indicates diabetes type 2.



Another test that can be used to diagnose prediabetes is called the glucose tolerance test (OGTT) oral.



This is a more detailed tests. Firstly, a fasting blood glucose level. Once a fast 8-12 hours is required.



Then you are given a very sweet liquid to drink. This is equivalent to 75 G glucose or the amount of sugar in a can of Coca Cola for example.



Two hours after taking this, I did another blood test. If this is between 140 and 199 mg/dL.



When your blood sugar is over 200 mg/dL, then this indicates type 2 diabetes.



Borderline diabetes have symptoms?



There are symptoms associated with borderline diabetes. So don't expect to have the common signs of diabetes.



What are the risks associated with prediabetes?



The main risk is the development of type 2 diabetes. However people with prediabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke and hypertension.



Get more information on how diabetes and hypertension are linked.



Remember that the same risks that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes also can put you at risk of prediabetes.



What can you do to prevent prediabetes from becoming diabetes type 2?



As noted earlier in this article, diagnosed with prediabetes should serve as a warning sign to make changes in your lifestyle.



In other words does not mean that inevitably will become a type 2 diabetic.



Patients diagnosed with prediabetes should be closely monitored. This is one of the times that, with a commitment to a healthy life, progression to diabetes can be reversed.



The hallmark of success reversing prediabetes is diet and exercise. If you are overweight or obese, commit to losing weight.



Just losing 10% of your current body weight could reverse these effects.



It is important to work with your doctor during this critical phase. By monitoring your blood tests, you and your doctor are better aware of the corrective action to be taken.



Sometimes the doctor may choose to put on a drug called metformin. When this happens, many times patients may get confused because they don't understand enough because I'm on a medication for diabetes even if you don't have diabetes. But research shows that the metformin helps reduce the chances of developing full-blown diabetes.



So next time you hear someone say that they have been diagnosed with borderline diabetes or prediabetes, do a favor to them and educate them about it.



Let them know that this is the time to begin to make changes in their lifestyle.

Diabetic Diets and Diets, What Is the Difference?

When people decide to start a diet they assume that all you really need to do is cut back on fattening foods. This also holds true for people who are diagnosed with diabetes. Most dieter doe not realize that there is a difference between diets ans a diabetic diet.



Yes you are trying to control your sugar by regulating the food you take. Personally I have found the treadmill or the stationary bike good for me to regulate my sugar. The foods that a diabetic take are foods that breakdown starches and carbohydrates and proteins into sugar at a more controlled rate. The idea is not to have a big spike in sugar by drinking or eating foods that dump sugar into the bloodstream quickly.



When a person is given a diabetic diet it should be with the help of a nutritionist. The amount and the type of foods are important as you want to control your sugar through the intake of food rather than drugs. A diabetic needs to spend a little bit more time in learning which foods and what is in them before putting them in your system.



With the amount of foods available diabetics need to keep their sugar levels as even as they can to the normal standards. You want to keep the sugar from spiking every time you eat. The body needs to break down the different compounds and the compounds whether they be proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. These compounds are broken down by the body at different rates so you need to be able to regulate them by both portion and when you eat them.



One of the easiest ways to regulate the sugar is through activity and losing weight. With the excess weight gone the body will use the new additions of sugar from the food eat rather than adding it to the already large stores of fat in the body if you are obese. By losing the weight your organ will work more efficiently and with less strain on them.



It is good to remember that you do not want to do exercises after you eat. You should wait an hour or so because if you exercise immediately your body will use the sugar that your body is making from the food you eat and the muscle tissue rather than the stored fat in your body. With a combination of the correct diet and exercise diabetes can be controlled and put in remission. You need to lose weight and keep it off.