Diabetes and Diet

Most of us think of diabetes as a disease caused by eating a lot of sugar. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, diabetes is a grave condition which affects the composition of our blood, the very element of life. Diabetes is the condition where the body’s ability to regulate the amount of glucose in the body is seriously impaired. The basic composition of the blood is highly altered and this affects almost every aspect of our health and life. It cannot be stressed enough that you should look out for the early warning signs of this horrible, life-altering condition. The sooner you recognize diabetes, the sooner you can get it treated, and the easier it will be on all concerned.

One of the early warning signs of diabetes is thirst, frequent and powerful thirst. The body tries to compensate for the altered blood composition by copious drinks of water. Another early warning sign is violent nausea. The stomach-turning nausea is not due to eating anything disagreeable or toxic. Attendant symptoms are a feeling of breathlessness, dizziness, and anxiety.

The abnormal blood composition damages the nerve fibers. This leads to a secondary condition known as neuropathy. Though neuropathy attacks the entire nervous system, the damage to the optic nerves is the first to get noticed. Often, the neuropathic attack damages the retina to such an extent that the patient suffers from lifelong vision problems.

The digestive system is very susceptible to diabetes-induced neuropathy. Flatulence, hyperacidity, diarrhea, and constipation are warning signs of diabetes. The nerves that control the bladder may also suffer functional impairment, leading to frequent urgent urination, with embarrassing consequences at times.

The natural healing that takes place is badly affected. Actually, the blood is the connective tissue which is vital to the healing process and to general health. Certain constituents of the blood generate the fibrin which clots the blood, preventing bleeding from most injuries and wounds. The blood forms a scab over wounds, protecting them from infection. None of this happens when a person has diabetes. A small nick while shaving just won’t stop dripping blood. A small playground injury will remain open for weeks on end, turning red and sore and festering all the while. These are sure-shot signs that diabetes is present.

So what prevents us from waking up to the presence of diabetes early enough? Unfortunately, there are common explanations for all the signs I’ve described. We tend to go for the common explanation to a sign rather then getting all alarmist about it and suspecting diabetes. So when we have the runs, we tend to suspect that especially pungent curry we had a week ago. Vision problems are attributed to staring at the computer monitor. And so on and so forth… The main thing is that diabetes gets itself entrenched and no one suspects a thing!

Do yourself and your family a favor! Do not take any of these signs lightly. At the most, the doctor will prescribe a routine test for diabetes. If it comes out clear, you’ll have the positive satisfaction that yes, you know it isn’t diabetes! On the other hand, if the test does indicate diabetes, then you’ll thank yourself for acting on those early warning signs! Take care; this is really a matter of health!

Ned D’Agostino
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/the-early-warning-signs-of-diabetes-680251.html

Diabetes is a very serious medical condition. It occurs when your body does not produce and use enough insulin (which controls glucose levels). Diabetes can be categorised as either Type 1 or Type 2 and is a condition which is on the rise. You therefore need to know what to look out for.

If you have diabetes you may not notice any symptoms but there are two main signals; hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar/glucose) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). If you are hypoglycaemic then your insulin has lowered your glucose levels too much and this may lead to dizziness, shaking, hunger pangs and sweating. On the other hand if you are hyperglycaemic this can result in weight loss, nausea, dizziness and/or light headedness.

Some more extreme symptoms you may notice as a diabetic are peripheral neuropathy (the loss of nerve functions in the arms and/or legs) and diabetic retinopathy (when the blood vessels of the eyes change, limiting or even eliminating vision). If you notice any of these extreme symptoms you should seek emergency medical care immediately. This will reduce the chances of permanent damage to your body.

If you start to recognise any of the symptoms listed go and see your doctor immediately. They will discusss your family’s medical history, any history of diabetes in the family, any medication you are taking and any medication you are allergic to. Your doctor is then likely to recommend one of the following tests to you:

FINGER STICK TEST:- This involves pricking your finger to draw a single drop of blood, placing this drop on a disposable test strip and then analysing the concentration of glucose in your blood using a small glucose meter machine. This test is the easiest but has approximately 10% of the accuracy of a laboratory test.

FAST PLASMA GLUCOSE TEST:- You cannot eat for 8 hours before this test. Before you arrive you will have blood drawn and tested. Once tested your blood reading should not be above 126 mg/dl. Otherwise, you could be diabetic and will need to confirm through either a Glucose Tolerance Test or Glycosylated Haemoglobin Test.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes as a result of the tests do not be alarmed. The majority of diabetes cases can be managed by improving your diet and using natural remedies. Even if you feel completely normal you should still get yourself tested by a professional doctor. It’s the only way to identify the problem and if neccessary start taking preventatory measures.

Tom Parker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/testing-yourself-for-diabetes-241210.html

What is Pre-diabetes? This is a fact that before developing diabetes mellitus type 2, almost always that patient develops Pre-diabetes condition. Though we will not diagnose that person as diabetic, but if he or she will not control his or her blood suger level, he will probably have diabetes mellitus in future. In pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are in higher limits, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. In USA only, more than 54 million people have pre-diabetes condition.During pre-diabetes damage to heart and circulatory system may already be occuring.

Various studies have shown that if you control your pre-diabetes condition earlier, then there are very less chances to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, or you can delay it to develop. So always try to manage your blood glucose under control limits when you are in pre-diabetic stage to prevent yourself from developing type 2 diabetes.

Do you have Pre-diabetes Condition, How to Tell? There are two important tests that can tell you that you are having pre-diabetes condition. 1-The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) 2: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Your doctor can do any of these two tests. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test values for pre-diabetes are between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl. If your glucose level is below 100mg/dl, then you have normal metabolism, if above 125mg/dl then you have Diabetes. It means if your level is between 100-125mg/dl, then you will have pre-diabetes. In case of OGTT, if less than 140mg/dl, then normal, between 140-200mg/dl is pre-diabetic condition and above 200mg/dl is diabetic condition.

How you can prevent pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes can be very lethal to your health if you will not manage it seriously. Sooner or later you will probably have type 2 diabetes. There are two simple things that you can do to get rid of this pre-diabetes situation. You can also even get your glucose level within normal limits if you follow these 3 steps. A: Change in your diet habit. Try to avoid sweets in your diet. B: Half hour moderate exercise C: Weight reduction. Just 30 minutes daily moderate physical activity or exercise, along with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, can produce a 58% reduction in diabetes

Who should get tested for pre-diabetes? If you are overweight and above 45 years of age, then you should have your FPG and OGTT. If you are not overweight and above 45, should consult your doctor. If you are below 45 and overweight, you should also check your fasting plasma glucose level.

How often should I be tested? If you are having normal blood glucose levels you should have FPG test every 3 years. If you have pre-diabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every year after your diagnosis of pre-diabetes.

Children pre-diabetes Children have much less chances of developing pre-diabetes condition, however if they are very obese then one must think of pre-diabetes condition and get yourself be checked for pre-diabetes.

If you want to know more about Prediabetes Symptoms Diet Management , visit our site.

Armughan
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/every-person-before-developing-type-2-diabetes-almost-always-has-prediabetes-70369.html

DIABETES EXERCISES

How does exercise help diabetes?

Exercise is a great way to help control weight and it also lowers the blood sugar level. It also lowers a person’s risk of heart disease – a condition that is very common in people who have diabetes.

Exercise can also help you feel better about yourself and increase your overall health.

What kind of exercises to be done?

There are no specific exercises for one to do. Choose any cardio exercise (walking, running, cycling, aerobics, skating, warm-ups and cool-downs, tennis, etc.) – anything that increases the heart rate.

Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and keeps the exerciser’s muscles warm. Strength training builds stamina, while improving both joints and muscles. Warm-ups and cool-downs are essential for the safety of the exerciser.

No matter what kind of exercise one does, make sure to warm up before starting, and cool down when done. To warm up, spend 5 to 10 minutes doing a low-intensity exercise such as walking.

Then gently stretch for another five to ten minutes. Repeat these steps after exercising to cool down.

When you start an exercise program, go slowly. Gradually increase the intensity and length of the workout as one gradually gets more fit.

Consult a doctor about what kind of exercise is right for you, depending on whether one has any other health problems.

1. Aerobic exercise -

Aerobic exercise helps increase heart rate, as well as breathing rate. This makes one breathe more deeply and also makes the heart work harder. It is best to aim for a total of about 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. Here are some examples of aerobic exercises:

· Take a brisk walk either outside or on a treadmill

· Dance classes

· Swimming

· Jogging

· Roller-skating

· Tennis or badminton

· Indoor stationary bicycle

2. Strength training -

Strength training, done several times a week, helps build strong bones and muscles. Some ways to do it:

· Join a gym to do strength training with weights.

· Lift light weights at home

3. Flexibility exercises -

Flexibility exercises, also called stretching, helps keep joints flexible and reduces the chances of injury during other activities. Gentle stretching for 5 to 10 minutes helps the body to warm up, as well as get ready for aerobic activities.

4. Be on the move throughout the day -

Being active helps burns calories. The more you move around, the more energy one will have.

« Walk instead of driving whenever possible.

« Take the stairs instead of the elevator

« Work in the garden or do some housecleaning every day

« Walk to the market; park your car ½ kilometer before the market.

Are there any risks associated with exercising for people with diabetes?

There are some mild risks, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. So, its necessary to moderately exercise daily the right way.

Exercise changes the way in which the body reacts to insulin. Regular and strenuous exercise makes the body more sensitive to insulin, and thus, the blood sugar level may suddenly get too low after exercising.

Therefore, it is important to check the blood sugar level before and after exercising, and follow the doctor’s advice as suggested for low blood sugar.

If the blood sugar level is too low or too high right before one starts exercising, it is better to wait until the level improves, and normalizes.

It is also important to keep a check on blood sugar level if exercising in extreme hot or cold conditions, because temperature affects how the body absorbs insulin.

Should one drink plenty of fluids during exercising?

Yes. While exercising, our body uses more fluid to keep the body temperature cool. Therefore, by the time one feels thirsty, he may already be getting dehydrated. Dehydration can seriously affect the blood sugar level in the body.

Drink plenty of fluids, water before, during and after exercise.

What safety tips to follow while exercising?

Exercise can affect and lower the blood sugar level, so pay attention to possible warning signs during workout such as:

· Sudden change in heartbeat

· if one starts sweating more

· feels shaky, anxious or hungry

· feeling weak or dizzy

If you feel this way, stop exercising and check out on a doctor. It might be hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. It is normally recommended to keep candy, glucose biscuits or juice nearby to treat hypoglycemia.

Exercise tips for people with diabetes:

· Talk to the doctor about the right exercise for you.

· Check blood sugar level before and after exercising.

· Wear the proper shoes and socks, so as to avoid infection and blisters.

· Drink plenty of fluid before, during and after exercising.

· Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward.

· Have some juice handy in case blood sugar level drops too low.

For diabetes information, diabetes diet, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-exercises-99914.html

Diabetes is a disease that develops, due to a problem with the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas. Insulin, controls the glucose in the blood, and how much glucose is absorbed by the cells; which in turn use glucose to produce energy. When insulin is not present, or the body is not using it properly, glucose can’t enter the cells, and stays in the bloodstream producing hyperglycemia, or excess of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Mango leaves are very useful in controlling diabetes. Take some mango leaves and soak them in water. Keep it overnight then in an empty stomach take this solution. You can also take them in powder form. Dry the leaves of mango tree and make its powder in a grinder. Mix one tablespoon of the dry powder of mango leaves in a glass of water and drink it everyday.

Consume 1 tablespoon juice of bitter gourd (karela) every morning, It may not instantly give results, but will definitely reduce the intensity of the condition.

Fenugreek is a seed used to spice up Indian food. It has also been used as a medicine to treat symptoms that indicate diabetes. The side effects of fenugreek to watch out for are diarrhea, flatulence, and allergic reactions. It has also been said to interact with Coumadin and should be avoided by people who take it. Careful monitoring is necessary and the recommended dose is one or 2 grams of seeds, 3 times a day but also can be taken as a tea.

Tulsi leaves, ten Neem leaves and ten Belpatras taken with a glass of water daily in the morning in an empty stomach work wonders in keeping the blood sugar levels in the body under control.

Natural Diabetes Treatment with Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is helpful for preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition common in diabetics that can cause blindness. Bilberry helps to strengthen the small blood vessels and prevents breakage. The active compounds in bilberry, called anthocyanosides, are especially beneficial for the blood vessels of the eye and improve circulation to the retina. Take between 80 and
160 milligrams of an extract standardized for 25 percent anthocyanidins three times per day.

Cinnamon is also beneficial in lowering sugar levels in the blood. Add three tablespoons of cinnamon in one liter boiling water; simmer for twenty minutes and strain. Consume one liter of this mixture everyday as a part of your home remedy for diabetes.

Take 400 mcg. a day of chromium picolinate makes insulin more efficient helping keep sugar level low. Chromium maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization and can be helpful for people with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia.

Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in equal parts for natural remedy of diabetes. Take two teaspoons of it twice a day.

John mathew
http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/home-remedies-for-diabetes-diabetes-information-466332.html

Juvenile Diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, is a disease that affects nearly 210,000 children and young adults under the age of 20 with approximately 15,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Diabetes in children commonly occurs during puberty between the ages of 10 to 12 in girls and 12 to 14 in boys and it is also important to note that children whose parents or other siblings have diabetes are at a greater risk of developing the disease themselves.

The sudden onset of juvenile diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to manufacture insulin. It is thought that genetic predisposition and autoimmune dysfunction destroy the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, rendering them unable to produce insulin, which is needed to control blood sugar levels.

Many times the parents are caught unaware and off guard that their child has diabetes. They have many questions asking how this could happen or what they could have done to prevent it. Unfortunately there is no known way to prevent the onset of juvenile diabetes but if the parent is able to catch the tale-tell symptoms early and their child is positively diagnosed there is less chance of long term complications.

The symptoms of juvenile diabetes are much the same as for adults but children may not recognize that something is wrong because they can be subtle. The early warning signs that parents should be on the lookout for include.

1. Frequent bathroom trips – High blood sugar increases the amount of blood that is filtered through the kidneys, leading to an increase in urinary output.

2. Being thirsty all the time – Dehydration caused by the high urine output leads to an increased thirst.

3. Increased hunger and eating – The lack of insulin keeps the sugar in the blood, starving the cells for the energy they need to function. Because of this perceived energy deficit the body responds with hunger pains.

4. Weight loss – Despite the fact that the child is eating more the body will start to break down it own muscle and fat stores to make up for the perceived loss of energy sources, namely blood glucose.

5. Fatigue – The inability of glucose to cross from the blood stream into the cells causes a loss of energy leading to chronic fatigue. The irregularity in protein and fat metabolism can also lead to fatigue.

6. Increased irritability and depression.

7. Vision problems – High blood glucose levels cause an increase in blood volume which can cause the lens of the eye to swell.

These symptoms can occur alone but because diabetes is a disease that affects entire bodily functions there is a good chance that these symptoms will start slowly but will occur as a group. If one is noticeable it is a good idea to ask your child if they are experiencing any of the other known signs.

The sooner the symptoms of juvenile diabetes are recognized the sooner the child can be taken to the doctor for the proper tests to diagnose this disease. Diabetes in children, while incurable, can be managed successfully with a combination of insulin therapy and diet. Left untreated diabetes can cause a whole host of complications that can seriously affect any diabetics ability to live a normal life.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/the-symptoms-of-juvenile-diabetes-do-you-know-what-they-are-746323.html