Diabetes: The Three Most Common Symptoms

Diabetes is present in 8% of people in the United States. 90-95% of the people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.



Diagnosis of diabetes depends on laboratory documentation of an elevated fasting blood sugar >125 mg/dl, an elevated 2-hour blood sugar of 200 mg/dl or more 2-hours after a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test, or a random blood sugar of 200 mg/dl or more with typical diabetes symptoms.



An HA1c of 6.5% or more may also be used as another method of diagnosis. The HA1c must be obtained from a laboratory (not one of the mail-order or pharmacy self-test kits).



Before diabetes is diagnosed, many people complain of symptoms which suggest elevated blood sugar levels.



Although symptoms typically appear when blood sugar levels are greater than 200 mg/dl, there is considerable variability.



Some people notice symptoms with sugar levels in the mid-100's, while others may deny complaints even when sugar levels rise well above 200 mg/dl.



Lack of symptoms is especially common when sugar levels have been elevated for prolonged periods of time.



#1)Increased Urination



Increased frequency of urination is the most common reason that people seek medical attention for diabetes.



There is no threshold for diagnosis of increased urinary frequency. It is simply an increase from your baseline.



Increased urinary frequency may also be due to increased fluid intake, a urinary tract infection, or, less commonly an inability of your body to hold on to water.



The different causes of urinary frequency can often be diagnosed in your physician's office by obtaining a careful history and providing a urine sample.



Once blood sugar levels return to normal, urinary frequency also quickly returns to normal.



If increased urinary frequency persists in the setting of normal blood sugar levels, alternative causes need to be considered.



#2)Changes in Vision



Visual changes are another reason people seek medical attention to rule out diabetes.



Changes may include complaints of "double vision", difficulty reading printed materials or watching TV, or a significant change in prescription glasses.



Visual symptoms are due to sugar-induced changes in the shape of the lens of your eye.



Since similar complaints can be caused by eye problems not related to elevated sugars, evaluation by an opthamologist is critical.



Once sugar levels are normalized, visual complaints gradually resolve. Unlike urinary frequency, the return to normal vision may take several weeks.



#3)Numbness



Another common complaint associated with elevated blood sugars is numbness.



The numbness typically occurs in the feet, but may also involve the hands.



Characteristically, the numbness begins in the toes, then "spreads" to the feet. Numbness may later extend to the foot and mid-leg. The thigh is rarely involved.



Numbness is worse at rest (people often complain of symptoms at night when trying to go to sleep), and is almost always bilateral.



The numbness may be accompanied by severe, stabbing pains as well as extreme sensitivity to touch.



Although symptoms typically resolve soon after sugar levels have returned to normal, some people note continued complaints.



Since other nerve-related problems may cause numbness of the feet and hands, careful medical evaluation is needed. Other causes should be considered if the numbness or pain is associated with exercise, if the symptoms are one-sided, or if there is associated back pain.



Other symptoms of high blood sugar include unintentional weight loss, increased hunger, increased frequency of infections (especially vaginal yeast infections in women), slow healing of wounds and unexplained fatigue.



If you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician to schedule further evaluation.



Remember that there can be significant variability in the severity and duration of these symptoms.



Take an active role in the management of your health.



Make a difference in your life, starting today.

Type 2 Diabetes - Three Warning Signs

Thousands of people who develop Type 2 diabetes every year remain undiagnosed because they ignore the symptoms they experience. Diabetes can be controlled under medical supervision, and a diabetic can live a long and healthy life. But if Type 2 diabetes goes untreated, the results can be devastating. To identify diabetes, you need to be honest with yourself and your doctor about any symptoms you may be noticing.



Here are three symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. Look them over very carefully, and see whether any of them sounds like what is happening in your everyday life. If so, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible, and discuss your concerns together. Your doctor can arrange testing to confirm whether or not you do have this disease.



1. Do you find that skin sores or scratches heal very slowly? How about your gums? Have you had frequent urinary infections? This may mean that your white blood cells are not doing their job effectively. White blood cells are specially equipped to help defend us against infections, and heal them when they occur. But in a high-glucose environment, these cells are unable to function properly. As well, urinary infections are caused by bacteria that thrive in a high-glucose environment.



2. Do you feel thirsty all the time, no matter how much water you drink? Do you need to urinate frequently? These are symptoms of both Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes. If your blood glucose level is unusually high, your body can become severely dehydrated because the high-glucose environment prevents it from absorbing the water you are consuming.



3. Have you been diagnosed with heart disease, or do you have a family history of heart problems? Well over 16 million persons in the US are affected by coronary heart disease. One of the biggest risk factors for heart disease is diabetes. Maybe you are already being treated for heart disease, but have not been diagnosed with diabetes. If you are a cardiac patient, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of Type 2 diabetes, and ask to be tested for it. There are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid diabetic complications.

Three Natural Cures For Diabetes

Diabetes and its complications can be cured without taking any drugs. There are Natural cures for diabetes available.



There are three basic Natural cures for Diabetes available,



1. Diet
2. Exercise
3. Nutritional Supplements



Diet



Diet is the first and the best natural cures for diabetes patients. A proper diabetic diet menu must have a low glycemic index which means the food containing low level of carbohydrates, moderate protein and high fiber. This kind of diet will reduce diabetes blood sugar levels; reduce intake of insulin levels, and lesser the need for medications. It will also help to reduce weight, reduce blood pressure; this cures the diabetes and supports body's overall health and energy.



Eating a handful of groundnuts everyday will helps the diabetic patients and taking honey daily basis also will help them to reduce diabetes.



Juices of tomato, Rose apple, Lemon, Cucumber, Bitter gour, Spinach, Carrot, and Cabbage are helpful to cures the diabetes in natural way.



Exercise



Many studies have proven that exercises are great benefit to diabetics and can significantly cures them. The regular Natural physical activity helps diabetes patients to reduce the weight, lower the blood glucose levels, improve the insulin's sensitivity, helps the immune system and strengthen them, helps improve blood circulation, lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and improve the good (HDL) cholesterol . And this is natural way of reduce the risk of heart diseases.



Asanas - Yogic asanas are also helpful to cures the diabetes in natural way. Some of the asanas trainers prefer are Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Shalabhasana, Sarvangasana, Paschitmottasana and some of other asanas are also helps to cures diabetic patients.



A daily walking in the morning or little jogging can also helps to cures diabetics.



Game like badminton also helps reduce the level of sugar in the blood.



Nutritional Supplements



There are many of nutritional supplements that every diabetic should be taking on a daily basis in order to cure diabetes in natural method. These supplements are very good and that really helps to lower blood sugar levels and insulin levels, lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve energy, and lower the risk of heart disease. These supplements are really very natural and these supplements can also protect your tissues (eyes, kidneys, blood vessels) from the damage that diabetes often causes. They also help to cures the lower blood circulations.



The usefulness of these supplements is not at all theoretical, but they do the magic that cures the diabetes in natural way is fact. There are thousands of published studies proving the beneficial effects these supplements have on diabetic patients. Amazingly enough, despite the overwhelming evidence, most of the medical advisors do not recommend nutritional supplements to their diabetes patients.



But Natural way is far better then medications.

Diabetes Types - What You Should Know About the Three Diabetes Types

Diabetes cases were surprisingly doubled within the past ten years. Some are not aware that they are already victims of this traitor disease. There are three diabetes types namely type 1 (known as "childhood", "juvenile" or "insulin-dependent" Diabetes), type 2 (formerly called non-insulin dependent diabetes), and gestational diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease as a result of the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Cases are common among children and early adults. Symptoms may include excessive thirst and hunger and frequent urination, which will later result into weight loss and extreme fatigue. This condition can be considered as life threatening if not diagnosed in an early time. Individuals suffering from this, need adequate insulin supply commonly delivered thru injection. Modified diet and healthy life style would also help.



Of the three diabetes types, type 2 diabetes marks the highest in the list with roughly 90 percent of the cases. Obesity is considered as the main cause of the cases. Some factors that constitute to this are old age, family history, physical environment, and previous history of gestational diabetes. In this case, the human body refuses to use the insulin that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a natural enzyme, which regulate blood sugar. Symptoms include unusual thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, vision impairment, infection and slow healing and swelling of wounds. In some cases there are no symptoms that can be observed in the early stage. Strict diet and proper observation should be given to the victim.



The third one is gestational diabetes, which are experienced by pregnant women. Test shows that women having this are producing an abnormal amount of glucose in the blood during pregnancy. The situation will cause growth abnormalities and chemical imbalance to the babies. Victims have high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Offspring may also ten to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Blood test during pregnancy should be taken to have proper medication if symptoms can be discovered.



Diabetes can be dealt with if diagnosed in an early time. There are appropriate medical procedures given knowing the three diabetes types. Awareness and advances in medicine can reduce the risk that is caused by this condition. Since this disease is incurable at this time, strong self-discipline and a strict healthy lifestyle are undoubtedly the temporary remedy one should take.

Three Common Diabetes Symptoms

As you may be aware, diabetes is often referred to as a silent killer. Even though there are a number of symptoms and warning signs, it is very easy to dismiss them. Unless you have your blood sugar checked each year by a professional lab it will be very hard to make sure that you catch diabetes early enough. That said, if you have any of the following symptoms, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor and demand to have a Hemo A1C test as well as one for fasting blood sugar. Even if your insurance company does not want to pay for the Hemo A1C test, you can talk to them before hand and make sure that you get the help that you need.



Excessive Thirst



When your body cannot digest carbohydrates, the excess will be eliminated through your kidneys. This, in turn, will require more water. Aside from feeling thirsty, you will also wind up urinating more often. Unfortunately, if you are active during the day, you may attribute excessive thirst to many other things. Without a question, if your water consumption levels change, you should check to make sure it is not being caused by diabetes.



Dizziness or Sleepiness After Eating Carbohydrates



If you do not eat too many carbohydrates during mealtime, your body should be able to reduce glucose levels fairly quickly. This is usually accomplished when your pancreas emits a bolus of short acting insulin. Many diabetics cannot make this form of insulin on their own. As a result, blood sugar levels can skyrocket to well over 200 after a meal. Depending on how high it goes, you may feel dizzy or sleepy. In severe cases, you may even go into a coma. Without a question, if you notice dizziness or sleepiness after eating on a regular basis, you should talk to your doctor about it immediately.



Slow Healing of Wounds



Excessively high blood sugar levels cause harm to almost every type of cell in the body. This includes bone marrow cells that are responsible for producing white blood cells and platelets. If you notice that wounds take longer to heal, or they get infected, you may have an underlying problem with diabetes. As with so many other things, this problem may get worse as you get older. That said, as soon as you think something may not be right, it is time to see your doctor. In general, it is better to ask for a simple blood test rather than sit around and wait for things to get worse.



There are many different symptoms that can indicate you may have diabetes. In many cases, you will actually be aware that something is wrong. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of saying something to their doctor because they do not want to appear like a hypochondriac. On the other hand, finding out if you are diabetic is one of the easiest issues to resolve. Your doctor will not judge you for bringing up symptoms that seem perfectly normal. All he/she will do is send you for a simple blood test that will help set your mind at ease, as well as his/hers.

Three Common Feline Skin Diseases

Feline skin diseases are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your cat's skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat's overall health, so it's important to be aware of it. Let's take a look at a few common feline skin diseases.



Acne



One of the most common feline skin diseases is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat's chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough.



If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat's skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your cat is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids.



Ringworm



Ringworm is also one of the most common feline skin diseases. This skin fungus frequently affects young, old, and long-haired cats although any cat can be affected. Symptoms include crusting, redness on the skin, and scaling. Some cats react to the fungus by over-grooming themselves which can cause hair loss. Treatment methods of ringworm include oral medication, shampoo, or clipping the cat's coat. You may also need to get rid of the fungus in the surrounding environment.



Cheyletiella Dermatitis



One of the last common feline skin diseases is Cheyletiella Dermatitis. This condition is caused by parasitic mites that can also be transmitted to humans. Your cat will likely experience various symptoms such as redness of the skin, small swelling spots, and dandruff. You may also notice large numbers of the white mites moving around on the surface of your cat's skin. Treatment for Cheyletiella Dermatitis includes dips in pyrethrin, lime sulfur, or selenium sulphide based shampoos. You will also need to get rid of the mites in the environment through spraying and vacuuming.



These are some of the most common feline skin diseases that can affect your cat. You should always pay attention to your cat's hair and skin as they can indicate how healthy your cat is.

Your Diabetic Cat - Three Tips For Managing Feline Diabetes

Let's face it, if you have a diabetic cat, life will be more complicated for you. Feline diabetes is a complex disease, and you can't understand it all at once. Try to focus on these three areas, and life for you and your kitty will be easier.



Diet Is Important For Managing Diabetes In Cats



Do you know the best diet for a feline diabetic? Surprisingly enough, the dry prescription food your vet sells may not be the answer. Dry pet foods are primarily made from grain, which is high in carbohydrates.



So what's the problem with grains? Kitties are obligate carnivores, which means they need to get their protein from meat, not grains. Feeding your kitty a grain-based diet will more than likely lead to obesity. An obese cat has a much higher risk of developing feline diabetes.



It's suggested to switch your pet over to a high-quality canned food. You'll need to move slowly when doing this with a diabetic kitty, as it's very important that they eat on a regular basis. If your pet walks away from his food, it can lead to serious problems in regulating glucose levels in his blood.



You'll also be feeding your pet three or four times a day. This prevents large amounts of glucose being released into his blood stream at once, which leads to spikes in blood glucose levels. It also prevents the glucose levels from dropping to dangerous levels several hours later.



Home Testing Is Essential For Managing A Diabetic Cat



If you're not testing your kitty's glucose levels at home, you're flying blind in regards to managing his diabetes. You have no idea when to feed him, when to give him insulin, or how much to give him.



This is not difficult to learn. Your vet can show you how to do it. Once you've done it a few times, you and your kitty will be relaxed about it, and home testing will become routine.



Natural Remedies For Cats May Be Helpful In Managing Your Feline Diabetic



Many human diabetics have had great success in using natural remedies to manage their disease. It's only natural that people owned by kitties would wonder if these natural remedies are effective for managing diabetes in cats as well. The answer is yes.



You'll want to look for a remedy that contains fenugreek, astragalus, and goat's rue, as well as chromium. Research has shown that these remedies are very effective in regulating the amount of glucose in your kitty's blood. Fenugreek has the added benefit of promoting urinary tract health, which helps to prevent the feline bladder infections that are common among diabetic cats.



Many cat owners have been successful in reducing the amount of insulin their pet needs, or even eliminating it completely, by using natural remedies for cats. Always check with your vet before making any changes in your pet's treatment plan. Most vets are very open to natural remedies, and will be happy to work with you.



Pay close attention to diet and home testing, and learn more about herbal pet remedies, and you'll find that managing cat diabetes will become much easier.

Diabetes Types - What You Should Know About the Three Diabetes Types

Diabetes cases were surprisingly doubled within the past ten years. Some are not aware that they are already victims of this traitor disease. There are three diabetes types namely type 1 (known as "childhood", "juvenile" or "insulin-dependent" Diabetes), type 2 (formerly called non-insulin dependent diabetes), and gestational diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease as a result of the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Cases are common among children and early adults. Symptoms may include excessive thirst and hunger and frequent urination, which will later result into weight loss and extreme fatigue. This condition can be considered as life threatening if not diagnosed in an early time. Individuals suffering from this, need adequate insulin supply commonly delivered thru injection. Modified diet and healthy life style would also help.



Of the three diabetes types, type 2 diabetes marks the highest in the list with roughly 90 percent of the cases. Obesity is considered as the main cause of the cases. Some factors that constitute to this are old age, family history, physical environment, and previous history of gestational diabetes. In this case, the human body refuses to use the insulin that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a natural enzyme, which regulate blood sugar. Symptoms include unusual thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, vision impairment, infection and slow healing and swelling of wounds. In some cases there are no symptoms that can be observed in the early stage. Strict diet and proper observation should be given to the victim.



The third one is gestational diabetes, which are experienced by pregnant women. Test shows that women having this are producing an abnormal amount of glucose in the blood during pregnancy. The situation will cause growth abnormalities and chemical imbalance to the babies. Victims have high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Offspring may also ten to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Blood test during pregnancy should be taken to have proper medication if symptoms can be discovered.



Diabetes can be dealt with if diagnosed in an early time. There are appropriate medical procedures given knowing the three diabetes types. Awareness and advances in medicine can reduce the risk that is caused by this condition. Since this disease is incurable at this time, strong self-discipline and a strict healthy lifestyle are undoubtedly the temporary remedy one should take.

Canine Diabetes - The Three Things You Need to Know to Manage Diabetes in Dogs

If your pet has just been diagnosed with canine diabetes, you're probably feeling shocked and overwhelmed right now. But don't despair. Managing diabetes in dogs can be challenging at first, but after a few months, you and your pet will be old hands at it. Here are some answers to questions you probably have.



1. Why Are Blood Sugar Levels Important?



Your pet's body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose during the digestion process. Glucose is what fuels the body. It's transported by the blood to all parts of your pet's body.



Blood glucose levels go up after a meal. That's when insulin, produced in the pancreas, is released into your pet's system to keep these levels from becoming too high.



If not enough insulin is being produced, there will be too much sugar in your pet's blood, which causes damage over time to your pet's organ systems. If your pet isn't fed at the right time, or he receives too much insulin, these levels can plummet to dangerously low levels, which can quickly cause death.



Glucose levels are measured by determining how many mg are present in a deciliter of blood. Normally, these levels in dogs range between 75 and 120 millegrams per deciliter (mg/dL). It's normal to have higher readings to rise after a meal. But if they stay above 180 for a long time, the body will try to get rid of excess sugar by excreting it in the urine. This is known as "sugar spilling."



Blood sugar levels below 80 are too low, and if the level drops below 60, this is a crisis situation. You need to get these levels higher right away.



2. What Does "Regulation" Mean For Diabetes In Dogs?



Your pet is considered "regulated" when the supplies of food and insulin are balanced, which results in normal levels of glucose in your pet's blood all day.



If your pet is left alone all day, it can be a challenge to keep her readings from getting too low or too high. You don't want her glucose levels to get too low, because this can be fatal quickly. If levels are too high for long periods of time, ketoacidosis can result, which is a different crisis. Until she's well-regulated, you may need to have someone come home mid-day to take do a check on her.



3. Regulating Canine Diabetes Takes Time



You'll need to establish a routine of feeding your pet at the same time every day. Two meals a day, twelve hours apart, is usually recommended. You'll also need to do a reading with the glucose meter, and give her an insulin injection twice a day, usually at mealtimes.



It's best to give her the insulin shot after she eats. If you give it to her before you feed her, and then she doesn't eat, her blood sugar levels will drop dangerously low, which means an emergency trip to the vet.



Always warm insulin in your hand before you give it to your dog, as injecting it while it's cold is painful for your pet.



Is There A Cure For Diabetes In Dogs?



Unfortunately, no. The best cure is prevention. Since the biggest risk factor for dogs with diabetes is being overweight, putting her on a diet is the best thing you can do for your pet. Plenty of exercise is essential, too. Exercise is a great way to control the levels of glucose in her blood naturally.



Natural remedies for dogs contain herbs and dietary supplements which have been proven to control her glucose levels naturally. Many pet owners have successfully used a combination of diet, exercise, and herbs to prevent diabetes in dogs.



Don't wait for your pet to develop canine diabetes. While it's still fresh in your mind, you'll want to start learning now how you can prevent your pet from becoming a diabetic.

Manage your diabetic dog-three things you need to know

Are feeling overwhelmed trying to take care of your diabetic dog? Canine diabetes is a treatable disease, but it's the pet owner to carry out the treatment plan. If you're struggling, read to learn the three things you need to know to manage diabetes in dogs.



1. diet for dogs with diabetes is very important



In order to avoid peaks and dips in your glucose levels, I'll be feeding your dog twice a day, 12 hours apart. But what feed your diabetic dog?



Avoid foods with sugar would seem to be the obvious thing that should be done. But you realize that more dry and semi-moist pet-foods contain high levels of sugars and carbohydrates? On your pet's body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose-then a diet high in carbohydrates is the last thing one should be animal feed. Even prescription diets that your veterinarian sells are high carb. Get the habit to read pet food labels.



Fats and proteins are broken down into glucose, but happens much more slowly than carbohydrates. This type of diet helps to prevent blood sugar spikes after meals.



A canned dog food of high quality is the best choice. Avoid sneaking your mate table scraps or cakes made with flour and sugar, as this sort of thing will play havoc with his glucose levels.



2. keep up with your dog's diabetes drugs



Your veterinarian will teach you how to monitor your pet. Or will use urine test strips to measure the amount of sugar present in the urine of your pet or a blood sugar monitor how people are using.



More than likely, gives the animal two insulin injections per day. Talk to your veterinarian, but it's probably better to wait to give the shots until after feeding your mate. If you give the shots before a meal, and then he doesn't eat, blood glucose levels may fall to dangerous levels, and can go into hypoglycemia, which can be fatal. You must do this to the vet quickly if this happens.



3. the exercise for a pet with canine diabetes



Always talk to your veterinarian before you set up an exercise plan for your pet, how exercise affects blood sugar levels.



There are two things to remember about exercise and a diabetic dog. Firstly, it must keep him on a program. A 10-minute walk at the same time each day are much better for your pet for a session of vigorous exercise 30 minutes twice a week.



A low-profile activity like walking or swimming is best. Low-key means that your pet won't get gasping for air.



If your friend has not been very active in the past, it's better to start slowly. You'd be surprised how a small amount of exercise will go in regulating blood glucose levels.



The key is to be consistent. If his activity level varies drastically from day to day, can cause your blood sugar to spike.



When going for a walk, take a little sweetener as Karo syrup with you. If you see the symptoms of low blood sugar while you're away from home, rub a little syrup on his gums to bring her back-up levels.



Natural remedies for dogs can help control blood sugar levels



Studies have shown that the goat rue herbs, fenugreek and Astragalus, along with chrome ore, are safe and effective for the regulation of blood glucose levels naturally in pets. The key is to find a remedy that has been specially formulated for companion animals, not people.



The best thing about this solution is that it is safe to use, even if you are already giving your pet insulin. Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes in treatment plan for your canine friend. Your veterinarian may need to make adjustments in insulin dosage of your pet to avoid hypoglycemia.



You may find that using natural remedies for dogs can make managing your dog with diabetes much easier.

Diabetes - Three Natural Ways to Prevent, Control and Treat

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Three Common Diabetes Symptoms

As you may be aware, diabetes is often referred to as a silent killer. Even though there are a number of symptoms and warning signs, it is very easy to dismiss them. Unless you have your blood sugar checked each year by a professional lab it will be very hard to make sure that you catch diabetes early enough. That said, if you have any of the following symptoms, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor and demand to have a Hemo A1C test as well as one for fasting blood sugar. Even if your insurance company does not want to pay for the Hemo A1C test, you can talk to them before hand and make sure that you get the help that you need.



Excessive Thirst



When your body cannot digest carbohydrates, the excess will be eliminated through your kidneys. This, in turn, will require more water. Aside from feeling thirsty, you will also wind up urinating more often. Unfortunately, if you are active during the day, you may attribute excessive thirst to many other things. Without a question, if your water consumption levels change, you should check to make sure it is not being caused by diabetes.



Dizziness or Sleepiness After Eating Carbohydrates



If you do not eat too many carbohydrates during mealtime, your body should be able to reduce glucose levels fairly quickly. This is usually accomplished when your pancreas emits a bolus of short acting insulin. Many diabetics cannot make this form of insulin on their own. As a result, blood sugar levels can skyrocket to well over 200 after a meal. Depending on how high it goes, you may feel dizzy or sleepy. In severe cases, you may even go into a coma. Without a question, if you notice dizziness or sleepiness after eating on a regular basis, you should talk to your doctor about it immediately.



Slow Healing of Wounds



Excessively high blood sugar levels cause harm to almost every type of cell in the body. This includes bone marrow cells that are responsible for producing white blood cells and platelets. If you notice that wounds take longer to heal, or they get infected, you may have an underlying problem with diabetes. As with so many other things, this problem may get worse as you get older. That said, as soon as you think something may not be right, it is time to see your doctor. In general, it is better to ask for a simple blood test rather than sit around and wait for things to get worse.



There are many different symptoms that can indicate you may have diabetes. In many cases, you will actually be aware that something is wrong. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of saying something to their doctor because they do not want to appear like a hypochondriac. On the other hand, finding out if you are diabetic is one of the easiest issues to resolve. Your doctor will not judge you for bringing up symptoms that seem perfectly normal. All he/she will do is send you for a simple blood test that will help set your mind at ease, as well as his/hers.