Diabetes and Diet

I’m 16 years old and over the Christmas break I went a little overboard with the soda, but I exercise somewhat often, walking 2 miles daily. On Wednesday of last week I got somewhat dizzy, I can almost compare it to being high. I went and laid down and felt fine for the rest of the day. Then the next day I felt dizzy, and started to worry because when I laid down my legs felt kind of numb, I was also pretty restless and felt somewhat weak. The next day I got a sore throat, so I laid in bed for a few days until my throat felt better, then I got up on Sunday feeling dizzy and weak again, after drinking a sip of soda I felt extremely dizzy and was very pale in the face. So I laid down and grabbed an orange, thinking it was no big deal, within 5 minutes I felt and looked normal. On Monday I decided to cut soda, and high-fructose syrup out of my diet completely, eating protein and lots more vegetables and fruits. Tuesday I laid in bed hoping I would get better, then today (Wednesday the 31st) i got out of bed, had an orange, some eggs and bacon, feeling still a little weak but not dizzy or numb in my legs. I went outside for a walk and dug out a fire pit in the backyard, which is for a party tonight. I need to know if I actually do have diabetes, the symptoms seem to fit, considering the amount of soda i consumed of the break. I was hoping that there was nothing wrong with me, because unfortunately I have no health insurance, and since the economy is headed towards a recession, my father isn’t making shit for cash, and cannot afford a visit to the doctor, I need to know if you think there is something seriously wrong with me.

Thanks,
Ben Osborn

Hypoglycemia Symptoms
Because epinephrine, one of the hormones that is activated by hypoglycemia, comes from the central nervous system, the majority of early symptoms of hypoglycemia are related to the nervous system.
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include the following:
Trembling
Clamminess
Palpitations
Anxiety
Sweating
Hunger

Because the brain is deprived of glucose, a second set of symptoms follows:
Difficulty in thinking
Confusion
Headache
Seizures
Coma
Ultimately, death

Eating every 4-6 hours is important to prevent hypoglycemia.
Be adventurous and try something new to liven up your snacks between meals!
Each of the following counts as one starch:

One small apple, orange, peach, pear, nectarine, or tangerine
Eight animal crackers
Four medium fresh apricots or seven dried halves
1/2 of a banana rolled with 2-tablespoons Grape Nuts cereal
1 cup cubed cantaloupe
Twelve Bing cherries
Two chocolate mousse bars (Weight Watchers)
1/2 cup chow mein noodles
Two sugar-free fudgesicles
Three gingersnaps
36 Goldfish (adds 1 fat serving)
Three graham crackers (2 1/2-inch square)
1/2 low-fat granola bar
15 grapes
½ cup fruit juice
Five slices melba toast
1 cup skim milk
Three peanut butter sandwich crackers (adds 1 fat serving)
Two small plums
24 oyster crackers
3 cups popcorn (popped by hot air, or low-fat microwave)
1 slice of angel food cake
1 sugar-free pudding snack cup
Three dried pitted prunes
15 fat-free potato or tortilla chips
3/4 ounce pretzels
2 tablespoons raisins
Two rice cakes (4" diameter)
1 regular Jell-o snack cup
Seven Ritz crackers (adds 1 fat serving)
Six saltine crackers
½ cup canned fruit
15 Teddy Grahams (adds 1 fat serving)
Five reduced-fat Triscuits
Six Vanilla Wafers (adds 1 fat serving)
Six Waverly Wafers (adds 1 fat serving)
12 Original Wheat Thins (adds 1 fat serving)
13 Reduced-fat Wheat Thins (adds 1/2 fat serving)
1 cup nonfat fruit-flavored yogurt (sweetened with sugar substitute)
1/2 cup of sherbet or I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt or TCBY frozen yogurt

Most people I know that have hypoglycemia are THIN.
I think you could just try a low glycemic diet for a period you will find out that you can control this by your self. Heres a website for you to live by:http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

I’m 16 years old and over the Christmas break I went a little overboard with the soda, but I exercise somewhat often, walking 2 miles daily. On Wednesday of last week I got somewhat dizzy, I can almost compare it to being high. I went and laid down and felt fine for the rest of the day. Then the next day I felt dizzy, and started to worry because when I laid down my legs felt kind of numb, I was also pretty restless and felt somewhat weak. The next day I got a sore throat, so I laid in bed for a few days until my throat felt better, then I got up on Sunday feeling dizzy and weak again, after drinking a sip of soda I felt extremely dizzy and was very pale in the face. So I laid down and grabbed an orange, thinking it was no big deal, within 5 minutes I felt and looked normal. On Monday I decided to cut soda, and high-fructose syrup out of my diet completely, eating protein and lots more vegetables and fruits. Tuesday I laid in bed hoping I would get better, then today (Wednesday the 31st) i got out of bed, had an orange, some eggs and bacon, feeling still a little weak but not dizzy or numb in my legs. I went outside for a walk and dug out a fire pit in the backyard, which is for a party tonight. I need to know if I actually do have diabetes, the symptoms seem to fit, considering the amount of soda i consumed of the break. I was hoping that there was nothing wrong with me, because unfortunately I have no health insurance, and since the economy is headed towards a recession, my father isn’t making shit for cash, and cannot afford a visit to the doctor, I need to know if you think there is something seriously wrong with me.

Thanks,
Ben Osborn

Hypoglycemia Symptoms
Because epinephrine, one of the hormones that is activated by hypoglycemia, comes from the central nervous system, the majority of early symptoms of hypoglycemia are related to the nervous system.
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include the following:
Trembling
Clamminess
Palpitations
Anxiety
Sweating
Hunger

Because the brain is deprived of glucose, a second set of symptoms follows:
Difficulty in thinking
Confusion
Headache
Seizures
Coma
Ultimately, death

Eating every 4-6 hours is important to prevent hypoglycemia.
Be adventurous and try something new to liven up your snacks between meals!
Each of the following counts as one starch:

One small apple, orange, peach, pear, nectarine, or tangerine
Eight animal crackers
Four medium fresh apricots or seven dried halves
1/2 of a banana rolled with 2-tablespoons Grape Nuts cereal
1 cup cubed cantaloupe
Twelve Bing cherries
Two chocolate mousse bars (Weight Watchers)
1/2 cup chow mein noodles
Two sugar-free fudgesicles
Three gingersnaps
36 Goldfish (adds 1 fat serving)
Three graham crackers (2 1/2-inch square)
1/2 low-fat granola bar
15 grapes
½ cup fruit juice
Five slices melba toast
1 cup skim milk
Three peanut butter sandwich crackers (adds 1 fat serving)
Two small plums
24 oyster crackers
3 cups popcorn (popped by hot air, or low-fat microwave)
1 slice of angel food cake
1 sugar-free pudding snack cup
Three dried pitted prunes
15 fat-free potato or tortilla chips
3/4 ounce pretzels
2 tablespoons raisins
Two rice cakes (4" diameter)
1 regular Jell-o snack cup
Seven Ritz crackers (adds 1 fat serving)
Six saltine crackers
½ cup canned fruit
15 Teddy Grahams (adds 1 fat serving)
Five reduced-fat Triscuits
Six Vanilla Wafers (adds 1 fat serving)
Six Waverly Wafers (adds 1 fat serving)
12 Original Wheat Thins (adds 1 fat serving)
13 Reduced-fat Wheat Thins (adds 1/2 fat serving)
1 cup nonfat fruit-flavored yogurt (sweetened with sugar substitute)
1/2 cup of sherbet or I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt or TCBY frozen yogurt

Most people I know that have hypoglycemia are THIN.
I think you could just try a low glycemic diet for a period you will find out that you can control this by your self. Heres a website for you to live by:http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

Im 15, and not overweight, and i exercise about 3-4 times a week. But lately i have been feeling very fatigue. i do eat unhealthy food but not over the top, i still eat my fruits and vegetables. i do eat a lot and drink a lot of water but i do have growth spurts. i dont go to the toliet a lot either. Im just concered about the fact that im always tired.

Can someone plz help???

You could have diabetes, or a thyroid problem, or an abundance of other problems.
The ring around the neck as Brittany told you about, is not a common thing in diabetes, it only occurs in some, and other problems can cause it. It also includes darkening in the armpit and groin areas. And most doctors do not use the term being "pre diabetic" or being "boarderline" diabetic anymore…these people are actually diabetics.
Being overweight does not mean you would become diabetic either, most type 2 diabetics are not, or ever have been overweight. Diabetes itself can cause a person to gain weight, though.
Other symptoms that you should watch for are
Constant thirst
Frequent urination
Sweet smelling urine
Fatigue
Constant hunger
Headaches
Irritability
Nausea or vomiting
Leg cramps
Blurry vision
Itching skin with no rash
Reoccurring yeast infections in women
Itching penis and genital area in men (male yeast infections)
Frequent boils
Slow healing wounds
Burning, tingling sensations in hands, arms, feet, or legs.
Make a doctor appointment and get some testing done and put your mind to rest.

For the pregnant woman nothing is more important then the health and well being of her unborn baby. Gestational diabetes is a disease that all soon to be mothers need to be aware of because if left untreated it can have serious health consequences for both the mother and baby. Because of this risk all mothers who are under a doctors or midwives care are routinely screened during their second trimester for gestational diabetes.

The majority of women who have gestational diabetes are unaware of their condition because most of the time the normal symptoms associated with diabetes are not present. The more overt signs include frequent urination, extreme thirst and hunger, and fatigue, all of which can be caused by high blood sugar levels. Whether they show symptoms or not the Glucose Challenge Test given during the second trimester will rule out whether or not diabetes should be a concern during a woman’s pregnancy.

The most effective way to manage gestational diabetes is through a combination of diet and exercise. This only makes sense because these methods are the most easily accomplished help control high blood sugar levels. The first thing that must be done is replacing simple sugars in the diet with complex carbohydrates. This means avoiding high sugar drinks and foods such as soft drinks, fruit juices, candy, and refined bread products. Simple sugars are quickly assimilated into the blood stream and are a major cause of sugar spikes, which can be dangerous for both mother and baby.

Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, from sources such as fruits (which still must eaten in moderation because of their high sugar content) and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes take longer to digest and provide a sustained source of dietary energy, keeping blood glucose levels at a more normal state. It is also important to balance carbohydrate intake with the proper amount of protein and fiber. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is important for all pregnant women, but much more so for those with gestational diabetes.

The other half of managing diabetes during pregnancy is through exercise. The need for insulin is reduced by exercise because the uptake of glucose by muscle cells is increased during exercise resulting in improved blood sugar control. Exercise will also help to reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, reducing the risk of certain cardiovascular problems that are associated with diabetes.

Walking, yoga, swimming, and expectant mother aerobics classes are all good ways to get the exercise you need. Just thirty minutes a day several times a week is a good starting point. It is important to discuss any exercise program with you doctor before you start, but unless there are complications that prevent getting regular exercise staying in shape while pregnant is good for both the mother and baby. Just remember to keep the exercise routine low-impact.

Gestational diabetes can be effectively controlled with a combination of diet and exercise. If you are diagnosed with this condition it is important to work closely with you health care providers to keep it under control, for both the baby’s and your own well being.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/managing-gestational-diabetes-with-diet-and-exercise-747540.html

Cats are beautiful, affectionate animals that bring a lot of love and joy into your home. They are much more independent than dogs, but that does not stop them from showing how much they care about you.

They’ll twine around your legs or rub their face against you while you’re preparing food, just to let you know they are there. They’ll hop into your lap while you watch television or amuse you by chasing and batting around a catnip toy that you give them to play with.

Just like all pets, cats need to be watched for signs of illness, such as feline diabetes. This disease is just as dangerous for cats as it is for humans and if left untreated, could become deadly.

The pancreas not secreting the natural insulin that the body needs to control blood sugar causes diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar will then build up in the blood stream and can cause serious effects such as stroke. It also lowers the immune system and desensitizes the extremities. When your cat hurts its paw, it will be reflected by the way it walks. The combination of the side effects can make your pet unable to feel when they have cuts that need to be treated. By not giving signs of pain, you won’t realize that the cat needs to be treated and infection can occur.

There are signs that may indicate that your cat has contracted diabetes, such as constantly drinking water. Diabetes causes extreme thirst and your cat may be drinking tons of water in an effort to satisfy it. Another sign is a decrease in weight as well as its fur losing its luster. Your veterinarian will be able to determine if the cause of these symptoms is feline diabetes.

The good news is that this illness can be successfully treated with insulin shots and a structured diet. Care must be taken that the shot never be given prior to the cat’s meal. This could result in too much insulin in the blood stream and cause a stroke. Even if you feed your cat before administering the shot, you must still watch it closely, since the prescribed dosage may need adjusting. If you notice that your cat is vomiting and has a low amount of energy, return to the vet because the dosage may not be high enough.

Treating your cat for diabetes will help it to lead a longer life, with less threat for the serious side effects that the disease can cause. If your cat has this disease, keep it inside where there is less chance of injury. Give your cat lots of affection since having to get needles can be traumatizing and be sure to follow the eating plan that your vet prescribes. This way, not only are you helping your cat to live a long and healthy life, you are ensuring that it will continue to twine around your legs and love you for years to come.

Gregg Hall
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-know-if-your-cat-has-feline-diabetes-and-how-to-treat-it-63356.html

Diabetes alters the way your body uses food. The food you eat turns to sugar. Your blood takes this sugar throughout your body. Insulin assists in getting the sugar from the blood into the body to provide the energy your body needs. With diabetes your body does not get the fuel it needs, and your blood sugar stays high. High blood sugar can cause heart and kidney problems, blindness, stroke, the loss of a foot or leg, or even death.

However,you can manage diabetes. Be careful what you eat and get enough exercise, use medications wisely and check your blood sugar often.

There are two types of Diabetes.

Type 1 – The body does not produce any natural insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 – The body does not make enough insulin, or use insulin well. The most prevalent type of diabetes is Type 2.

There is no specific diet for people with diabetes. Work with your doctor to come up with a plan that works for you. You can continue to consume your favorite foods by watching size of the portions.

The foods we eat are made up of: Carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, breads, juices, milk, cereals and desserts) fats,protein,cholesterol,
fiber (fruits, vegetables, beans, breads, and cereals).

Carbohydrates are the the biggest factor and most responsible for raising your blood sugar. Reading the Nutrition Facts label provided on food packaging can help to determine the number of carbohydrates in each serving. You should be aware that most pre-packaged foods contain more than one serving. You can multiply the number of carbohydrates times five to determine the number of calories per serving. The resulting number suprises most people who don’t realize that they are consuming many more calories than they imagine.

You must maintain an exercise program. Try to be active at least 30 minutes a day for 4-5 days of the week. Even moderate exercise helps your body’s insulin work better. It will also lower your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and your cholesterol.

People with diabetes usually need to take medication or administer a shot of insulin each day. Be sure to follow the medications directions explicitly.
Check with your your doctor or pharmacist and ask them what your medication does, when to take them, and if you can expect any side effects.

Check Your Blood Sugar

You can help prevent heart disease and stroke by controlling your blood sugarlevel, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Check your blood sugar using a glucose meter (home testing kit) available by prescription from your doctor. The glucose meter tells what level your blood sugar is so you can make intelligent choices about your diet, determining which foods to eat and which foods to avoid.

Consult with your doctor about getting an A-1-C (A-onesee) blood test. This test measures blood sugar levels over 2-3 month period.

Most people with diabetes do not notice any signs of the disease. It is estimated the there are over 3 million people in the USA with diabetes that are unaware they have the disease.

Visit our website to keep up to date on news and information to help you with your diabetes.

Tom Walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/diabetes-americas-unknown-epedemic-69047.html