Diabetes and Diet

Diabetes type 2 also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which appears when the insulin produced by the pancreas can not reduce the blood level of glucose. Sometimes diabetes appears when insulin is not produced in a sufficient quantity by the pancreas. The role of insulin is to take the glucose from the blood and lead it inside the body cells which use it to produce energy. If the level of glucose is too high in blood it will be eliminated by the kidneys in urine.

Diabetes type 1 is known to occur during childhood and was named as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The pancreas is not able to produce the insulin any more as the cells responsible to this process have been destroyed by the body. These patients require insulin injections permanently.

Diabetes type 2 occurs mostly during adulthood and is found in 90% of the diabetic patients. In this case the insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or it is not effective on the body cells. This type of diabetes occurs mostly in obese people and in those who have high levels of cholesterol in blood. Elder people can get affected of this type of diabetes too.

There is another type of diabetes called the gestational diabetes which sometimes occurs in women who are pregnant.

Genetics and family history also have an important role in determining whether diabetes type 2 will install or not. Also, having a sedentary lifestyle, eating junk food will only increase the risk of developing this affection.

Some other risk factors are: the age over 45, high blood pressure, HDL less than 35 mg/dl, triglycerides more than 250 mg/dl and a previous history of personal impaired glucose tolerance.

Most of the diabetes type 2 cases do not present any symptoms at all. In some cases increased thirst, appetite and urination might occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, infections, and erectile dysfunctions.

Diagnosing diabetes is made after the doctor sees the results of some tests. He will ask for fasting blood glucose level (it has to be higher than 126 mg/dl in order for the patient to have diabetes); non-fasting blood glucose level which leads to a suspicion of diabetes if higher than 200 mg/dl and along with symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue; and positive oral glucose tolerance test (if found higher than 200 mg/dl after 2 hours).

The treatment of diabetes focuses on eliminating the symptoms and keeping the blood glucose levels under control.

At first the doctor will recommend the patient to exercise daily and to keep a diet. Also, monitoring regularly the level of glucose in blood is essential for further treatment measures. If weight is being reduced type 2 diabetes can be managed quite easily along with keeping a diet and exercising. The doctor will help the patient to test his level of glucose in blood by its own; will let him know what he is allowed to eat and what he must avoid; will advise him what to do when he feels sick and will tell him where he can procure his diabetes supplies.

Testing the level of glucose in blood can be done by the patient without the doctor’s help. These tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime. The patient will monitor its level of glucose in blood with the help of a glucometer. This device shows quickly the results, in about 30 seconds. All the patient needs to do is prick his finger with a small needle attached to the glucometer and a drop of blood will appear on the finger. This drop of blood will be then placed on the glucometer’s test strip and the results will appear in no time. By keeping a record of the values obtained in several days by the glucometer the doctor will be able to set a more adequate treatment scheme for the patient.

Keeping a diet is very important along with exercising as it can help the overweight patient reach a satisfying weight and reduce the glucose level in blood in this way. The diet will be also set by the doctor and a nutritionist who will choose healthy foods for the patient, in adequate amounts, and will also set a schedule for taking meals.

So, if you want to find out more about diabetes or even about diabetes treatment please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/essential-tips-in-managing-diabetes-type-2-symptoms-121319.html

I am 15, 5 10 and weigh about 160, so I am not overweight. I don’t eat very well, I don’t eat very much fruits or vegetables at all, and I have about 1.5 cokes every weekday. I am white and my family has little to no history of diabetes. Lately, I have lost my appetite, but that went away after a while, now I am feeling a little more thirsty than often, but I think this may be because I am looking too far into info on the internet about diabetes sympotms, based on my personal factors, what chance do I have of having diabetes if I continue living the way I do, or may I already have it.

That is a very hard question to answer. There are so many factors at stake. The only way you can really find out if you have it is not is to do blood tests. No one here can probably give a reliable answer sorry.

I’m 16 and about a year ago my dad found out he had diabetes. I’m always thirsty, tired and constantly have a headache. I weigh 140 pounds and 5′ 4" I don’t really exercise I just watch tv all the time. I eat terrible. I don’t eat any fruits or vegetables. I only eat junk food.

I’m scared that I might have diabetes but I don’t want to tell my parents because they’ll take me to the doctor. I don’t want to poke my finger to take my blood sugar, change my diet, and worry about all the problems that diabetics worry about.

What if I do have diabetes and I don’t go to the doctor to do something about it. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

High blood sugar can cause organ damage (heart, kidneys), blindness, and circulation problems that could lead to amputation. Those are just some of the more common problems.

Ignoring it won’t go away and catching the disease early can really improve your overall outlook. The longer you let it go, the harder it’ll be to control your blood sugar when you do get serious.

The thirstiness is concerning, but tired and headache are common symptoms of many conditions. You might just be thirsty because you eat a lot of salty and sugary junk food. Your diet may be poor and you may not exercise, but you’re still very young and not very overweight. Because your father is diabetic, your chances of becoming diabetic are higher, so you should work to improve these areas, but I would be surprised if you were diabetic this young.

Still, you need to get checked. If you’re not diabetic, let this experience scare you a little into changing.

How to Deal with Diabetes Mellitus – (Sweet Disease)  – Homoeopathic Approach

     According to recent survey reports about 5% of the total world population is suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. The incidence rate is also reasonably high in India. Currently about 20% of Indian Population is at High risk to develop Diabetes Mellitus in future i.e. they are having abnormal glucose Tolerance test. Studies have revealed that diabetic women suffer more than men. A male who is diabetic has double the chances of a heart failure. In case of women it grows to almost 5 times and it is 8 times more if the patient is a young female.

    Diabetes is associated with long term complications that affect almost every major part of the body. It contributes to Blindness, Heart Disease, Stroke, Kidney Failure, Amputations, and Nerve Damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy.

What is Diabetes?

     Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the human body either does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is required to convert Sugar , Starches and other food into Energy .The human body has to maintain the Blood Glucose level within a very narrow range, which is done with insulin and glucagons.  Diabetes is defined as abnormally High sugar level in blood and presence of sugar in urine due to lack or decreased proportion of  Insulin in human body. The Normal Blood Sugar levels should not exceed more than 100 mg% in Fasting state and 140 mg% , 2 hours after food in take which is called PP ( Post Perandial).

Types of Diabetes

                               Type I : This occur in young people, usually before the age of 20 years. Insulin is essential for its treatment.

                               Type II : It may occur at any age group but usually diagnosed after the age of 40 years. Oral hypoglycemic agents are the choice of treatment. Insulin is required only occasionally for the treatment of Type II diabetes.

                               Gestational Diabetes : It is detected during pregnancy. Treatment is usually not required. Blood sugar levels come down to the Normal after delivery of the baby.

DIABETES (Type – I) Also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM ).

     Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome ( group/set of symptoms) characterized by increased level of sugar (glucose) in the blood due to deficiency or inactivity of hormone “Insulin” that is absolutely necessary to monitor glucose metabolism of body. It occurs when Pancreas no longer produces any or very little Insulin. The immune system attacks the insulin producing Beta Cells in the pancreas and destroy them. Insulin is needed in the body to use sugar for producing energy. Approximately 10% of people with diabeteshave Type-I diabetes. Someone with IDDM needs daily injections of Insulin.

            Diabetes is a worldwide disease and if not attended properly leads to serious complications.

IDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) or Type 1 diabetes is result of decreased production of hormone ‘”Insulin” by the pancreas (the organ that synthesizes insulin). Various factors including viral infections, stress, certain foods are known to trigger or aggravate the condition. But the root cause is disturbance of immune system where the defense mechanism of own body starts attacking the organs of own body and tissues. Some genetic factors and inborn errors are at the basis of this alteration in the immunity. Type I Diabetes is a constitutional disorder as it is an offshoot of constitutional defects (genetic factors, altered immunity) having an impact on the entire constitution of an individual. Hence it calls for an in-depth constitutional approach for its management.

DIABETES (Type II) or NIDDM ( Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)

          The remaining 90% are  Non Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II Diabetes .It occurs when the Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when  the body does not use the insulin though it is produced effectively. It is more frequently observed in individuals who are obese. These are the individuals who have normal or less than normal production of insulin, but more importantly some body mechanism poses obstacle to the action of Insulin. The risk factors for this disorder include age, lifestyle (overeating with inactivity), pregnancy etc. But the most important factor is genetic defect that make one prone to this condition. Diabetes is a constitutional disorder as it is an offshoot of constitutional defect (genetic factors) having an impact on entire constitution of an individual. Hence it calls for an in-depth constitutional approach for its management.

GESTATIONALL DIABETES

          It is a temporary condition which occurs during pregnancy. It affects 0.5%  of pregnant women, with 40% of those cases developing into Type-II Diabetes later in life times. Treatment is usually not required. Blood sugar levels come down to the Normal after delivery of the baby.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

          In both types of Diabetes , Signs and Symptoms are more likely to be similar as the Blood Sugar is High, either due to less or no production of Insulin, or Insulin resistance.

Diabetes can also be asymptomatic, however, the common symptoms are Increased Thirst, Appetite, Increased Urination, Sudden Loss of Weight or Increase in Weight, Easy Fatigability, Pruritis (Itching) – usually around Genital Organs, Numbness of Limbs, Non Haling of Cuts and Wounds, Frequently Changing Vision Power, Recurrent Skin Infections ( Fungal and Pyogenic). Few people are diagnosed only at the time of routine screening test before tooth extraction, operations or before starting the L.I.C. policies. Therefore people suffering with the above mentioned symptoms must go for blood sugar Testing.

Diabetes Type-I

            In type-I the pancreas stops producing insulin due to an autoimmune response or possibly, a viral attack on the pancreas. In the absence of insulin body cells do not get the required glucose for producing ATP( Adenosin Triphosphate) units, which results in primary symptoms in the form of nausea and vomiting. In later stages, which lead to breaking down the muscle tissue and fat for producing energy causing fast weight loss.

Diabetes Type – II

-         Increased Fatigue :- Unexplainable weakness, due to inefficiency of the cell in the metabolizing Glucose the reserve fat of the body is metabolized to gain energy.

-         Polydipsia :- As the concentration of Glucose increases in the blood the brain receives signals for diluting it and in its counteraction patient feels Thirsty.

-         Polyuria :- Increased in urine production is due to excess glucose present in the body, which gets rid of the extra sugar in the blood by excreting it through urine. This leads to dehydration because along with sugar a large amount of water is also excreted out of the body.

-         Polyphagia:- The hormone insulin is also responsible for stimulating  Hunger. In order to cope up with high sugar levels in blood the body produces insulin which leads to increased hunger.

-         Weight Fluctuation :- Factors like loss of water (polyuria), glucosuria, metabo;ism of body fat and protein may lead to weight loss.

-         Blurry Vision :- Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome is the condition when body fluid is pulled out of tissues including lenses of the eye, which affects its ability to focus resulting in blurry vision.

-         Poor Wound Healing :- High blood sugar constrain the flourishing of WBC,(White Blood Cells) which are responsible for the body’s immune system. When these cells do not function properly wounds do not heal properly.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

             Homoeopathy is based on the principle that disease is a total affliction of body. Moreover homoeopathy recognizes importance of root cause such as genetic and inherited factors as a root of any ailment of the body. The homoeopathy medicines prescribed on such strong footings plays a crucial role in management of many deep-rooted, chronic, difficult diseases; one amongst them being Diabetes. Diabetes cannot be cure completely but can effectively controlled. People with diabetes can lead a healthy life if their blood glucose level is under control. The decrease in life span of a diabetic is restored to normal by maintaining good blood glucose control( 90 – 120 mg/dl Fasting and with less than180mg/dl as PP(2 Hrs. after meals).

     Homeopathic treatment: When we talk about diseases like diabetes, we talk in terms of management rather than cure. Homoeopathy can be a major player in the management of Diabetes. Timely-administered homoeopathy medicines not only assist in maintaining levels of sugar, protein and fat metabolism, but also helps in preventing further progress and hence complications of the disease. The precipitating factors of diabetes like BP, Obesity etc. can be helped by homoeopathic medication. The complications of Diabetes also can be helped tremendously with homoeopathy. If homoeopathic treatment is opted earlier far less number of case would go to the stage of Amputation etc. Even the cases of Non Healing Diabetic Ulcers have been cured with homoeopathy in our AKGsOVIHAMS Medical Center Clinic.We have been able to help the patients of  long standing Diabetes to whom their Antidiabetic medicines stopped affecting anymore and needed the change in group of medication with persistent symptoms and threatening complications , after the proper Constitutiona Homoeopathic medicines ,the same medicines started affecting them once again with no persistence of symptoms and over all relief and comfort in their quality of life. Homoeopathy does help the person in regaining his health.

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

         To keep your blood sugar in control through out the day  you need diet modification, regular exercise and medicine and change in lifestyle by including  yoga, pranayam ,meditation , mental relaxation etc. into your daily schedule.  

Prof.Dr.A.K.Gupta,MD(Hom.)

I’m 19
I weight 100Ibs
I eat a lot of sugar. I rarely eat fruits or vegetables, I just hate it. I eat lot’s of cupcakes, chips, chocolate, sugary cereals, waffles, churros. Anything sugary and sweet.
Also, it runs in our family.
I’m scared I’ll get it. Will I? How do I know if I will? How can I prevent it?
I read the symptoms and one of them is frequent urination, which I have.

If you don’t get obese and stay active you may not get diabetes.
One thing for sure is that you can get use to Veggies. It probably due to your mother not being able to cook properly.
Green beans with ham or bacon is tasty. Peas with butter is great. Salads tickle the tonsils. Carrots and butter. All with salt and pepper. A boiled dinner with cabbage is out of this world. Potato’s and gravy or with butter , Oh my God , us diabetics would die for one.
Your not a baby anymore. You can change !
This unhealthy eating habits lead to all kinds of disease. So start today . You don’t have to have a plate full to start , just a small portion to start. Asparagus is a Vegetable of the God’s.

Take care
At least you won’t become a Vegatarian !!!
TIN

I weigh 250 pounds, I want to get rid off them to get healthier. Is it possible to diet on no more than fruit and cooked vegetables?

Also, is there any risk of getting diabetes in the process? I mean, considering fruits contain sugar.

By going all natural and unprocessed with fruit and vegetables you will be doing your body a great favor! It sounds like a very healthy diet but you are missing protein which is really important for a healthy body. It might be good for you to add in a small portion of brown rice and piece of tofu or fish each day just to make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need.

You should also make sure that you eat at least 1,200 calories otherwise you risk slowing down your metabolism and gaining weight as soon as you stop eating just fruit and vegetables.