Archive for the ‘Types of Diabetes’ Category

Looking at the Type of Diabetes Drugs

Posted by diabeticssource on November 6th, 2009


When people hear the diagnosis of diabetes, they tend to assume that insulin injections are the only current treatment available to them. With type 2 diabetes is not the case, and there are many treatments for diabetes medications as your doctor recommend May before you try to make use insulin. Some treatment of diabetes medications available today, and their possible side effects.

One of the most common treatment of diabetes medications taken in tablet form is sulfonamides, taken once or twice a day. It works by increasing the natural production of insulin in the body, so insulin injections are not necessary. The types of sulphonylureas available glibenclamide, glimepiride, and chlorpropamide, and they can cause various side effects. Sulfonamides work over a long period of time so that they can cause levels of blood sugar to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. They are also known to cause nausea, stomach pain and weight gain excessive. On rare occasions, diabetics can take sulfonamides experience lumpy red rash on their skin.

Biguanide, otherwise known as metformin, a diabetes drug taken two to three times a day. It prevents the liver to produce new glucose and insulin also assists in the exercise of glucose to cells of the body. Side effects of this treatment are mild and include a stomach ache, nausea or diarrhea. Side effects decrease over time, and may be limited by taking tablets biguanide with food.

A recent addition to the list of medicines for treating diabetes is thiazolidinediones, which has two types, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. This type 2 diabetes treatment is to reduce the body’s resistance to insulin, allowing diabetics to use insulin produced naturally more efficiently. There are side effects associated with thiazolidinediones, which include weight gain, increased incidence of pain, headaches, and some water retention. On rare occasions, May diabetics develop respiratory tract infections when taking the thiazolidinediones.

If you are at high risk of hypos when taking sulphonylureas, your doctor recommend May prandial glucose regulators who also increase production of insulin in the pancreas, but only over a short period of time. These can cause side effects such as nausea and stomach pain, but they are minimal when tablets are taken with meals. Diabetics taking prandial glucose regulation May also experience weight gain, but a flexible dosage can usually solve this problem.

A different approach in the fight against hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes, is to take an inhibitor of alpha glucose. These reduce the speed at which carbohydrates are taken in the bloodstream so that your blood sugar levels do not increase too rapidly. The usual dose for alpha inhibitors glucose, such as acarbose is three tablets per day. However, your doctor May suggest a low dose to begin to minimize side effects as diarrhea, bloating and wind.

The human body naturally produces a hormone called incretin, which regulates the amount of insulin that we make, and limits manufacture of glucose in the liver. DPP-4 inhibitors are a type of diabetes treatment drug that increases incretin levels, helping to control diabetes type 2. These tablets can be taken alongside other drugs treating diabetes, such as thiazolidinediones, but should not be taken by patients who are also using insulin.

At some point most Type 2 diabetics is that they need to switch to insulin to treat their condition. This is often because, after many years of treating diabetes drugs pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Although the idea of insulin injections can be terrifying for some, needles used are very small that the injection occurs just under the skin. Insulin is injected into the stomach, buttocks or thighs, and injection sites are varied to reduce insulin build. For those who can not cope injections, the passage form of diabetes drugs to insulin can be facilitated by the use of an inhaler or insulin pump.

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Managing and Coping With Type 2 Diabetes Disease

Posted by diabeticssource on November 5th, 2009


Numerous individuals are examined and diagnosed with type  diabetes each and everyday. Diabetes has unfortunately become one of the most prevalent diseases to affect individuals in the world today. When an individual is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes they might get a feeling of being bewildered and overpowered because of the diagnosis. It is crucial then for individuals who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to understand and comprehend that with some rudimentary alternations in their life style and with careful monitoring coping and living with the disease is totally achievable.

Learning About Type 2 Diabetes

The initial consideration an individual that has type 2 diabetes needs to do is to start to become educated and familiar with their disease and it effects on their body, different complications and ways to get it under control to as much extent as possible. The doctor should assist the patient by starting with some rudimentary instruction and be ready to recommend additional resources of information for the individual. The diabetic should talk to a dietician that is registered and with a diabetes educator that is certified to further educate themselves about the disease.

Changes In Diet

The person who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes will have to get counseling through a registered dietician. The dietician can guide the type 2 diabetic to educate themselves in regards to the foods that they eat and what necessary modifications can be made for the best result to their body functions. There are also many different types of cook books as well as websites that offer recipes for diabetics that will enable a person to consume healthy tasty meals. The diabetic will need to address their dietary changes seriously.

Watching Blood Sugars

The type 2 diabetic will have to get a glucometer so they will be capable of monitoring their blood sugar on a day to day basis within there home. There are numerous different types of glucometers that you can get on the open market today that are highly accurate provided that the person uses them in a correct way. The majority of insurance companies will furnish a monitor with the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. By monitoring closely their own blood sugar levels an individual can in a relatively easy manner see what kinds of foods as well as their activities are giving the biggest effect and make any needed changes accordingly.

Type 2 Diabetic and Exercises

A very helpful thing for any individual, particularly a type 2 diabetic to do is to establish some kind of exercise program. One of the direct results of exercise is the decrease of the levels of blood sugars. You do not have to have a highly complex type of exercise routine to accomplish what you need to. The person with diabetes can just start out with walking, biking or a swimming regimen. Going for a walk around the neighborhood several times each week will be very beneficial to the overall health of the diabetic in addition to lowering their blood sugar levels.

Taking Medications

The type 2 diabetic should follow all of the advice of their doctor and take their medications as they are prescribed to them. There are numerous types of excellent medications that function very well to control diabetes when working in conjunction with exercise and dietary changes. Type 2 diabetics have to take any and all medication that are necessary in their individual circumstances to stabilize the blood sugars and maintain a high quality of life.

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The Second Type of Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on November 4th, 2009


There are two important types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The last is more common than the diabetes type 1, which is mostly found in younger persons. The second diabetes type develops mostly in people that are over 40 years old. Because it develops this late in ones life, this kind of diabetes is also known as “adult diabetes”. The typical person that suffers from diabetes type 2 is overweight, but there are always exceptions. The symptoms in this type of diabetes are more gradual than in the other kind of diabetes. There is also another big difference between these two diabetes type: the type 2 diabetes is caracterized by resistance to insulin, rather than the absence of it in the case of type 1 diabetes. This disease is mostly hereditary in almost all patients. What happens in the case of diabetes type 2 is that the body produces insulin, but the cells do not respond to it. As a result, the patient has a higher glucose level in his/ her blood.

This type 2 of diabetes is the most common one. This also have a bigger tendency of being hereditary than the first. Results have shown that one of three children with a least one parent that has diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes as well. Obesity is also another factor in developing diabetes.

There are many causes for diabetes, which means that are many reasons why a person can develop diabetes type 2. The most common of all the factors that cause diabetes is genetics. Almost a half of the people who suffer from diabetes type 2 are brothers and sisters and one in three children of the same family will eventually suffer from diabetes. The second strongest cause of developing diabetes is obesity. That and an intake of many calories are the second and third of the diabetes causes. Almost a third of all people that suffer from diabetes type 2 have antibodies to the islet cells, which produce insulin. These cells so vital in diabetes can be detected in the blood. If the islet cells do not work properly, your body will not get enough insulin. As a result you will be more than likely to suffer from diabetes. Studies have shown that such people will respond much sooner to oral medication than other people who suffer from diabetes. However, people who are like that

and have diabetes will probably need insulin at one moment in their life in order to treat diabetes.

So, if you want to find out more about type 1 diabetes or even about symptoms of diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

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The Truth About Type 2 Diabetes Cure

Posted by diabeticssource on November 3rd, 2009


Have you just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? Are you looking for a type 2 diabetes cure? Find out the truth about type 2 diabetes cure.

The Type 2 Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is considered to be more critical because people with this ailment do not produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels. It is believed that genetic factors may play a big role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Type 2 on the other hand is characterized by insulin resistance. A type 2 diabetic’s pancreas may be fully functional but the body’s cells are resistant to the influence of insulin and do not take in as much glucose for cell energy production.

What is most common in Americans is the type 2 diabetes. Although it is as devastating as type 1, it can be easier to manage especially when detected early because it does not involve a defective pancreas.

The Type 2 Diabetes Cure

Science has fallen short in providing a type 2 diabetes cure. At present there is no type 2 diabetes cure. Even insulin shots in severe type 2 cases are not considered a cure because an individual would still have to rely on external sources of the hormone to regulate glucose. Some researchers are now currently exploring the possibility of pancreas transplants for type 1 sufferers which may also work for severe type 2 patients. Even transplant research however has not yielded a suitable type 2 diabetes cure. Transplants could be rejected by the host’s cells or still end up failing to supply insulin.

People suffering with type 2 diabetes simply have to content themselves, for the moment, with some preventive measures and treatments that don’t really cure. With proper treatment, individuals can lead lives that are close to normal even without a type 2 diabetes cure.

Risk Factors

The most practical thing to do is to treat the condition in its first few stages before it develops into more severe type 2 diabetes stages. Most people would even consider early treatment as a type 2 diabetes cure. Treatment however relies on recognizing the symptoms early. Millions of Americans however do not show any diabetic symptoms until complications that affect the heart, eyes and skin have developed. One way to detect diabetes without the symptoms is to look at the risk factors. A family history of diabetes is most certainly a sign that you should watch over your blood glucose level or at least have it checked regularly. You should also be worried if you are heavier than the ideal weight for your age and height.

Prevention

Prevention is the best thing to do when there is no type 2 diabetes cure. Not much can be done if you are genetically predisposed to diabetes. Genetically inherited diabetes can simply be regulated through diet, exercise and medication. A lot can be done however if you have diabetes because of your weight and your lifestyle.

Some studies show that people can actually delay or prevent the development of the type 2 diabetes condition. Prevention lies mainly in strictly maintaining a planned diet and exercise program. Ask your doctor to teach you how to count your carbohydrates and come up with planned meals to keep your blood sugar level constant.

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Types of Diabetes-all About Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on November 3rd, 2009


As most people already know, diabetes is on an incredible increase in the United States. While most people have heard the term diabetes, few really understand what diabetes is, and more importantly, the symptoms to look out for. Over 25 million people have diabetes and 6 million more have it and don’t even know it. Diabetes has become a very serious health issue. There is no cure for Type 2 Diabetes at this time.

How does one get diabetes?

Whenever we eat our food, the body goes to work in its natural process of taking the food and changing it into energy. It does this by turning it into sugar, or glucose, while digesting it. This is what gives us energy. During this process, the pancreas releases insulin which controls the amount of sugar in our bloodstream. This is what keeps us healthy. Without this insulin, the sugar remains in our bloodstream, creating several health related problems. Among them are possibility of blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other organ function problems. If diabetes is left untreated, it will cause death. That’s why it’s so important to be tested on a regular basis and know what your blood sugar levels are.

Discover how to fight Type 2 Diabetes and win! Managing Diabetes

What are the different types of diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes – You may have heard of this form of diabetes as “juvenile” diabetes since it is usually found in young children. Type 1 Diabetes is found in only 5-10% of all diabetic cases. It is diagnosed when the pancreas fails to produce any insulin at all, or too little of an amount to do the body any good.

With Type 1 Diabetes, patients must have a daily injection of insulin medicine. Without these daily injections of medicine, they will not survive.

Type 2 Diabetes – This form of diabetes is the most common, with 90-95% of all forms of diabetes being Type 2.

With Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t continue to produce enough insulin in a natural way, or the cells no longer respond to the insulin any loner. In many cases, Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise. If this fails to produce the necessary results, oral medication can be prescribed.

Gestational Diabetes – This form of diabetes is found only in women who are pregnant. Similar to Type 2, it usually strikes 2-7% of all pregnancies. It is caused by the pancreas not being able to keep up in delivering insulin to control the glucose level. This form of diabetes will most always go away after pregnancy, but there is an increased risk of both mother and baby becoming diabetic later on in life.

Doctors will generally test for Gestational Diabetes around the 26th week of pregnancy, which is when insulin resistance usually starts.

Pre-Diabetes – Also known as borderline diabetes, this is diagnosed when patients are showing signs of increased levels of blood sugar and are beginning to have difficulty in keeping them down. Pre-diabetes affects over 40 million people, which is incredible when you stop to think about it. If left untreated, pre-diabetes will turn into Type 2 Diabetes in most cases. Those with pre-diabetes are urged to alter their diets and begin to get on an exercise routine of some kind. In addition, they should have their blood sugar levels tested at least every 3 months.

As mentioned earlier, there is no known cure for Type 2 Diabetes. The only cure available for those patients with Type 1 Diabetes is to receive a pancreas transplant. Of course, this can lead to other problems such as rejection by the body, and the effects of the surgery itself. Science is continuing to work on other ways to treat and prevent diabetes including the transplanting of insulin producing cells within the pancreas, and even making an artificial pancreas.

Other medical programs going on to prevent and treat diabetes include producing an inhalation device that will put out insulin. This would take the place of daily insulin injections. These, and many more advancements are on the horizon for those who suffer from this awful disease. I would encourage you to monitor your blood sugar level at least once a year. By knowing what it is you can help prevent the onset of diabetes.

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Type 1 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms – are you at the Risk

Posted by diabeticssource on October 29th, 2009


Juvenile Diabetes

For many years, Type 1 Diabetes has been referred to as Juvenile Diabetes. Most often, the people who are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes are children and young adults. Insulin is a natural hormone found in your body that helps the body to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into the energy that is needed to sustain life. People are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when their body fails to produce enough insulin to properly convert the intake of sugars and starches into energy.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease – a disease that results in the body’s failure to fight infections naturally. Autoimmune diseases cause the body to begin attacking its own cells. In Type 1 Diabetes, the cells that are attacked are the beta cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin that turns sugars and starches into the energy needed for your body to function properly.

Cause and Length of Illness

Though the cause of Type 1 Diabetes is unclear, there are several things that we do know about this disease. Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong, yet often manageable disease. Lifestyle and genetics play a large role in the onset and diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. It is not contagious like a cold; therefore Type 1 Diabetes cannot be passed from one person to another. Diabetes is not caused from eating sweets. One symptom of diabetes is that the body fails to produce the hormone that turns sugars and starches into energy – but consuming sugars and starches do not cause the disease.

What To Do if You Are Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, the first thing that you should do is to avoid panicking. Type 1 Diabetes is a serious and lifelong illness, though in many cases it can be successfully managed with the proper care and diet. Maintaining your overall health is the first step to successfully managing diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes can sometimes lead to other, more serious health conditions – such as heart attack and stroke. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle may not prevent the onset of these other illnesses, it may increase the onset of the illnesses and can help to lessen the effects of these illnesses dramatically. Skin disorders can also be caused by diabetes; therefore, it is important to maintain a routine regimen of skin care that may help to delay or even avoid the onset of skin diseases associated with diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes could place you at a higher risk for contracting gum diseases and other mouth-related problems. It is important to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen in order to reduce the risks of illnesses associated with the mouth. Proper eye care and early detection of problems can contribute to saving your sight. Blindness is often associated with diabetes. Nerve damage or poor blood flow associated with Type 1 Diabetes can cause a diabetic to develop many different types of foot problems. It is important that you follow some basic guidelines that will help you protect your feet and avoid the onset of foot-related problems.

Lifestyle choices can help or hinder your management of Type 1 Diabetes. It is very important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle, complete with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper hygiene. In that fashion, there are some things that you should completely avoid or limit.

Smoking is a habit that contributes to the deterioration of your health, especially if you have been diagnosed with a disease that already affects your health, such as Type 1 Diabetes. Smoking is definitely something that should be avoided – and is a good idea even if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes.

While alcohol consumption should be limited, it is not completely necessary to avoid all consumption of alcohol. If your diabetes is under control and if you are free of any of the health problems associated with diabetes that can be made worse by alcohol consumption, such as nerve damage or high blood pressure, it is often okay to have the occasional social drink. Stress is also something that can contribute to increasing the affects of Type 1 Diabetes. While stress cannot always be avoided, it is essential to both your physical and your mental health to learn how to handle stress in a healthy manner.

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Type 1 Diabetes – How This Type of Diabetes is Treated

Posted by diabeticssource on October 28th, 2009


Read this article to know about Type 1 Diabetes Causes and Type 1 diabetes Treatment

We can call Type 1 diabetes an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys or damages insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Once those cells are destroyed, they won’t ever create insulin again. This type of diabetes usually occurs under the age of 30 and often in childhood.

Type 1diabetes may also be known by a variety of other names, like insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), juvenile diabetes, brittle diabetes, sugar diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all identified cases of diabetes in the US.

Type 1 diabetes normally develops in children or young adults, but can found at any age. Type 1 diabetes can cause many problems. It is a life-long disorder that can happen in children or adults. It is a totally different disease than Type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs normally in children, adolescents or young adults, and most often at puberty. This type of diabetes is also called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes symptoms:

Type 1 diabetes often appears abruptly. However, each individual may experience symptoms in a different way. Type 1 diabetes symptoms may include:

” high levels of sugar in the blood and urine when tested

” unusual thirst

” frequent urination

” extreme hunger but loss of weight

” unclear vision

” nausea and vomiting

” extreme weakness and tiredness

” bad temper and mood changes

In children, type 1 diabetes symptoms may be alike to those of having the flu.

Type 1 Diabetes Complications:

Type 1 diabetes can cause different problems, but there are three key complications:

1. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar; also called an insulin reaction) occurs when blood sugar drops too low level.

2. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) occurs when blood sugar is too high, and can be an indication that diabetes is not well forbidden.

3. Ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) is loss of consciousness due to untreated diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Causes:

Type 1 diabetes is the result of the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide fuel. Insulin is a protein that is speedily broken down in the digestive area. In type 1 diabetes, the body can no longer create insulin, so the glucose can’t acquire into the body’s cells.

Although no one knows for certain why this occurs, scientists think it has something to do with genes. But just getting the genes for diabetes isn’t usually sufficient. A person most likely would then have to be exposed to something else – like a virus – to get Type 1 diabetes

It’s important to also be alert of the different myths that over the years have arise about the Type 1 diabetes causes. Eating sweets or the wrong kind of food does not cause diabetes but it can cause obesity which is the cause of Type 2 Diabetes.

Stress does not cause diabetes, although it may be a cause for the body turning on itself as in the case of Type 1 diabetes. It does, however, make the signs worse for those who already have diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment:

Type 1 Diabetes Patient need to monitor and control their glucose levels. They need to:

” test blood sugar levels a few times a day by testing a small blood sample

” give themselves insulin injections or use an insulin pump

” eat a balanced, healthy diet and pay special attention to the quantities of sugars and starches in the food they eat and the timing of their meals

” get habitual exercise to help manage blood sugar levels and help avoid some of the long-term health problems that can cause diabetes like heart disease

Insulin therapy is the origin of type 1 diabetes treatment. When insulin was first discovered and made accessible for people with diabetes, there was only one type of fast-acting insulin and this required several injections in a day. Today, there are a variety of insulins that can be selected and/or combined to help you best control your diabetes.

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Type 2 Diabetes Information

Posted by diabeticssource on October 25th, 2009


Are you looking for reliable type 2 diabetes cure data? Do you have questions about type 2 diabetes cure that you need answers to? Find out the truth about type 2 diabetes cure.

The Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes may be classified as either type 1 or type 2. A type 1 diabetes is a more severe condition because people suffering from this condition do not produce adequate insulin to regulate glucose levels. It is believed that genetic factors may play a big role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Type 2 on the other hand is characterized by insulin resistance. A type 2 diabetic’s pancreas may be fully functional but the body’s cells are resistant to the influence of insulin and do not take in as much glucose for cell energy production.

What is most common in Americans is the type 2 diabetes. Although it is as devastating as type 1, it can be easier to manage especially when detected early because it does not involve a defective pancreas.

The Type 2 Diabetes Cure

Science has fallen short in providing a type 2 diabetes cure. At present there is no type 2 diabetes cure. Even insulin shots in severe type 2 cases are not considered a cure because an individual would still have to rely on external sources of the hormone to regulate glucose. Some researchers are now currently exploring the possibility of pancreas transplants for type 1 sufferers which may also work for severe type 2 patients. Even transplant research however has not yielded a suitable type 2 diabetes cure. Transplants could be rejected by the host’s cells or still end up failing to supply insulin.

Most individuals who hope for a type 2 diabetes cure simply have to be contented with prevention and treatment. With proper treatment, individuals can lead lives that are close to normal even without a type 2 diabetes cure.

Risk Factors

The most practical thing to do is to treat the condition in its first few stages before it develops into more severe type 2 diabetes stages. Most people would even consider early treatment as a type 2 diabetes cure. Treatment however relies on recognizing the symptoms early. Millions of Americans however do not show any diabetic symptoms until complications that affect the heart, eyes and skin have developed. One way to detect diabetes without the symptoms is to look at the risk factors. A family history of diabetes is most certainly a sign that you should watch over your blood glucose level or at least have it checked regularly. You should also be worried if you are heavier than the ideal weight for your age and height.

Prevention

Prevention is the closest thing you can ever get to a type 2 diabetes cure. Not much can be done if you are genetically predisposed to diabetes. Genetically inherited diabetes can simply be regulated through diet, exercise and medication. A lot can be done however if you have diabetes because of your weight and your lifestyle.

Some researches have shown that development of the type 2 diabetes condition can actually be delayed or prevented if treated in its early stages. Prevention lies mainly in strictly maintaining a planned diet and exercise program. Ask your doctor to teach you how to count your carbohydrates and come up with planned meals to keep your blood sugar level constant.

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How To Delay Or Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on October 16th, 2009


Diabetes is a disease caused by the inability of the body to properly produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body convert food to energy. In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin at all. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood. In type 2 diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin or it produces insulin which is ineffective in regulating the body’s blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed later in life and is commonly called adult onset diabetes.

Diabetes is an important health concern because incidence of the disease worldwide is increasing. It is also associated with other health risks and is expensive to treat and control. Also, diabetes is a major cause of death worldwide.

The number of cases of diabetes is increasing around the world. The incidence of diabetes in 1995 numbered about 135 million worldwide, about 4.0% of the population. Diabetes affected 170 million people in 2000 and is projected to affect about 300 million people by 2025, about 5.4% of the population. India, China, and the United States have the largest number of cases.

In a recent year direct medical expenses in the United States for diabetes totaled $92 billion, up from $44 billion five years earlier, according to the American Diabetes Association. Another $40 billion was spent on permanent disability expenses. Care for diabetes represents about 11% of the total health care expenditures in the United States. In 1997 annual health care costs for a person with diabetes averaged $10,071 and increased to $13,243 by 2002. That annual rate is more than 5 times greater than the average annual health care costs for a person without diabetes. Also diabetes accounted for an annual loss of about 88 million disability days.

The mortality rate for people with diabetes runs about 5.2% of all deaths according to the World Health Organization. In 2000 about 2.9 million deaths worldwide were caused by diabetes. In another 4.5 million deaths diabetes was a contributing factor.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented from ever developing. Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they nearly always develop the condition known as “pre-diabetes.” This condition occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Studies have shown that people with a pre-diabetic condition can control the condition with lifestyle changes or with medicine. With reasonable treatment they can greatly increase their chances that they will never develop diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association created a publication called, “The Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes.” The following are some of the findings and recommendations from the ADA.

About 41 million Americans have the pre-diabetic condition. There are two tests commonly used by physicians to determine whether a person has pre-diabetes. One test is called the fasting plasma glucose test, or FPG, and the other is called the oral glucose tolerance test, or OGTT. Both tests have a normal range and a diabetic range. The range in between indicates the pre-diabetic condition.

The FPG test is more convenient to patients, less expensive, and easier to administer than the OGTT test. On the other hand the OGTT will detect more cases of glucose intolerance and undiagnosed diabetes than the FTP test. Either test should be repeated in 3 year intervals.

Once a diabetic or pre-diabetic condition has been diagnosed, a person has two choices of treatment. One strategy is to use lifestyle modifications such as a change in diet and an increase in physical activity, and the other strategy is to use glucose-lowering drugs that have been approved for treating diabetes. Studies indicate that the drug therapy is about half as effective as the diet and exercise therapy in delaying the onset of diabetes. Lifestyle changes have been proven effective as a way to prevent type 2 diabetes from developing from the pre-diabetic condition. Diet and exercise, in many cases, are able to return the blood glucose levels to the normal range.

Lifestyle changes include a combination of losing 5% to 10% of body weight, reducing total fat calorie intake, reducing saturated fat calorie intake, increasing fiber intake, and exercising at least 150 minutes per week. One study, called the Diabetes Prevention Program study, showed that a treatment using the combination of 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity and a 5% to 10% reduction in body weight resulted in a 58% reduction in the incidence of diabetes.

The type of physical activity recommended by the ADA includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises. The goal of the aerobic exercise is to increase heart rate, raise the breathing rate, and exercise the muscles. The goal is to exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week. The 30 minutes can be split into 10 minute intervals. This type of activity includes brisk walking or running, dancing, swimming or water aerobics, skating, tennis, bike riding, gardening, and house cleaning. Strength training, performed several times a week, helps to build more muscle, making everyday chores easier, and helps to burn more calories, even at rest. Flexibility exercise, simple stretching, helps to keep joints flexible and helps to reduce chances for injury during other activities.

Dietary changes are an important part of a pre-diabetes treatment. A body mass index test (BMI) can be administered and calculated easily. A BMI test result that is greater than 25 means that a person is above their ideal weight and a person with a BMI result greater than 30 is considered obese. The goal in the first instance is to decrease body weight by 5% and in the second instance by up to 10%. It is recommended that a person consult a physician who can help to develop a dietary plan that will achieve the desired weight loss.

The effects of type 2 diabetes are expensive and dangerous to one’s health. Fortunately, diabetes can be delayed or prevented by adopting a reasonable program of diet, weight control, and exercise.



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Type 2 Diabetes Causes – How Symptoms Can be Managed

Posted by diabeticssource on October 14th, 2009


Adult Onset Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is often referred to as adult onset diabetes for the simple reason that most Type 2 Diabetes diagnoses occur in the adult years. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes is not an autoimmune disease. Rather than destroying the cells that produce insulin, in Type 2 Diabetes, the body shows a resistance to this insulin and the cells ignore the insulin that is produced.

Risk Factors

Like Type 1 Diabetes, there is no known cause for Type 2 Diabetes and there is no known cure. Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition, which means that it is a long-term disease that cannot be cured, but that can be managed. Once you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, it is important that you begin a plan to successfully manage the symptoms of the disease as quickly as possible in order to avoid or delay other complications and illnesses that can derive from untreated diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes can in people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds. However, there are some groups that are at higher risk for Type 2 Diabetes, such as African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos.

Obesity is one of the many factors that can contribute to the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. While obesity does not cause the disease, the presence of more fatty tissue can cause the cells to become more resistant to the insulin that your body naturally produces.

Inactivity can also make the risk of contracting Type 2 Diabetes higher. Exercise and physical activity helps you to control your weight as well as uses up glucose as energy, which helps to make your cells more sensitive to insulin.

Family history and age can also play an important role in the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. The risk of Type 2 Diabetes increases if you have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The risk also increases as you age, simply because people tend to get less exercise, lose muscle mass, and gain weight all of which contribute to the cells becoming more resistant to the insulin that your body produces.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

There are many contributing factors to Type 2 Diabetes. Even if diabetes runs in your family, there are certain lifestyle choices that can help to reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes or to help reduce the risk of other complication and illnesses that can be a result of Type 2 Diabetes.

One of the most important prevention tools is a healthy diet. A healthy diet consists of foods that are low in fat and calories and includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Sweets do not have to be totally avoided, however should be consumed in small quantities and should be a part of a diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Regular exercise is also an important prevention tool. Since obesity is one of the most common risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes, a regular exercise routine combined with a healthy diet not only reduces your risk of obesity and the onset of Type 2 Diabetes symptoms, it also reduces your risk of other illnesses and diseases. Regular exercise also helps to maintain good muscle tone and good blood flow, both of which help your body to function properly and aid in the prevention and recovery of many illnesses and diseases.

While Type 2 Diabetes is a serious and long-term illness, and can result in life-threatening complications, a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes does not have to be a death sentence. Proper education and management of the disease can increase your chance of living a long healthy life and it starts with maintaining a healthy lifestyle as early in life as possible. Type 2 Diabetes is a serious, yet manageable disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do in the prevention and management of Type 2 Diabetes.



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Type 2 Diabetes – are you Sure it is not Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms?

Posted by diabeticssource on October 14th, 2009


Read this Article to know all about the Type 2 Diabetes

In Type 2 diabetes the body does not create enough or sufficient insulin. Insulin is the hormone which is important for the body to be able to use sugar. In Type 2 Diabetes the body doesn’t react to the insulin normally.

Glucose is less able to enter the cells and do its work of providing energy. This causes the blood sugar level to go up, making the pancreas produce even more insulin. Finally, the pancreas can wear out from working overtime to produce extra insulin. Then, the pancreas may no longer be able to create enough insulin to keep a person’s blood sugar levels within a normal range.

Children and teens with type 2 diabetes use diet, exercise, and medicines that recover the body’s response to insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Although no one knows exact causes Type 2 diabetes, there appears to be a hereditary component to developing it. In fact, it’s expected that 45% to 80% of children with type 2 diabetes have at least one parent with diabetes and may have a significant family history of this ailment.

Most children and adults who develop type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Excess fat makes it difficult for the cells to react to insulin. And being inactive (lack of physical movement) further decreases the body’s capability to act in response to insulin.

Many years ago, doctors called this type of diabetes adult-onset diabetes because it almost exclusively affected the adults who are overweight. Today, that explanation is no longer correct. Today more kids and teens are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, possibly because more kids and teens are overweight.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms:

The following symptoms are the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes. But the symptoms may differ from one person to another. Symptoms may include:

* frequent infections that are not simply healed

* high levels of sugar in the blood and urine when tested

* abnormal thirst

* frequent urination

* intense hunger but loss of weight

* blurred vision

* extreme weakness

* irritability and mood changes

* tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet

Some people who have type 2 diabetes show no symptoms. Type 2 diabetes Symptoms may be mild and almost invisible, or easy to confuse with signs of aging.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always discuss with your physician or doctor for a diagnosis.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes:

Precise treatment for type 2 diabetes will be determined by your physician or doctor based on:

* your age, overall health, and medical records

* level of the disease

* your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

* your attitude or preference

The goal of treatment is to keep normal blood sugar levels.

Importance is on control of blood sugar (glucose) by observing the levels, habitual physical activity, meal planning, and regular healthcare. Treatment of diabetes is an enduring process of management and education that comprises not only the person with diabetes, but also healthcare experts and family members.

Often, Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through losing weight, improved nutrition, and exercise only. Though, in some cases, these procedures are not sufficient and either oral medications and/or insulin must be used. Treatment often consists of:

* right diet

* weight management

* a suitable exercise program

* regular foot examination

* Oral medications and/or insulin replacement therapy, as directed by your physician

There are a variety of types of medications that may be used to cure type 2 diabetes when the way of life changes such as diet, exercise, and weight loss. Oral medications of numerous dissimilar types exist, with each type working in a different mode to lower blood sugar. One medication may be united with another medication to improve blood sugar control. When oral medications are no longer useful, insulin may be needed.

New medications for treating diabetes are in progress. GLP-1 agonists are one of the latest kinds of medications. GLP-1 agonists work by stimulating insulin production by the pancreas, slowing the emptying of food from the stomach, and reducing the production of glucagon in the pancreas (glucagon is a hormone developed by the pancreas that stimulate release of glucose by the liver).

Regular monitoring of the hemoglobin A1c levels

The hemoglobin A1c test (also called HbA1c test) shows the average amount of sugar in the blood over the previous three months. The outcome or result will indicate if the blood sugar level is under control. The frequency of HbA1c testing will be determined by your doctor. It is recommended that testing occur at least twice a year if the blood sugar level is in the objective range and stable, and more commonly if the blood sugar level is unsteady.

Untreated or inappropriately-treated diabetes can cause troubles with the kidneys, legs, feet, eyes, heart, nerves, and blood flow, which could lead to kidney failure, gangrene, amputation, blindness, or stroke. Thus, it is important to pursue a strict treatment plan.

The question is who is at risk of type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes or insulin resistance often goes side by side with central obesity (excess body fat that is concentrated around the waist), high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This group of disorders is occasionally known as syndrome X or metabolic syndrome.

Factors that amplify the person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes consist of:

* Person elder than 55;

* Person overweight or fat;

* Having an family member with diabetes (may be parent, brother or sister);

* having had gestational diabetes during pregnancy;

* Having had a borderline blood glucose outcome; and having had a heart attack, or having heart ailment or high blood pressure.



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Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on October 7th, 2009


I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about six years ago. I was at the doctor’s office because my thyroid was swollen, and he said my bloodwork showed very high sugar levels. My mother has diabetes, which started later on in her life, and doctors have said to me, “Well, either you, your sister, or your brother will have diabetes,” and I thought, “That will be me!” My sister’s is perfect, my brother’s is perfect, and of course I have it.

I went to a new doctor about three years ago and she changed my medicine entirely, because she wasn’t happy with my sugar levels and wanted to try something different. We tried one that made me feel really sick, but I’m on something different now that controls my sugar but doesn’t make me sick.

I test my blood sugar every day, once a day, usually in the morning before I take my medicine. I just had my A1C level tested and my doctor told me it was 6.1 — she said it’s perfect. I’m really happy about that because for so long my numbers weren’t where they were supposed to be. So I think the medication has really done it.

Besides taking medications, though, my life hasn’t changed that much. My diabetes is well managed and the medication pretty much takes care of it. Since my diagnosis, I’m not drinking sodas with sugar, you know, things like that, and not eating sweets. I look for sugar-free now, everything I get.

Sheila

My type 2 diabetes was diagnosed because I kept urinating. I couldn’t work; every five or ten minutes I was running to the restroom. I can’t say I was totally surprised because everyone on my dad’s side of the family has it – his mother, his siblings, and now me and my younger sister.

I knew that food habits had to change when I got diagnosed. My grandmother was a diabetic for 40 or 50 years, and she really took care of herself. When I would visit her in the summer she would teach me how to cook. She would say, “Fix my plate,” and she would hand me a cup, a drinking cup like a tea cup, and she would say “Put my peas in the cup. Don’t fill the cup up.” That’s how she measured her servings. And she was really good about it.

I test my blood sugar every morning. Some days I take it twice a day and I alternate from the lunch to the dinner time.

At the beginning of the year I lost 20 pounds. I don’t believe when people say, “If you lose weight, you can do without the medicine.” I know people who have lost weight — a lot of weight — and they still need medicine for their blood sugar. But I do know that taking care of yourself is important. I have been doing more physical activity, and I’d have to say I do feel good.

Sharon

I had a brother with diabetes, and I was aware of the symptoms. So when I started being thirsty all the time and waking up quite a few times in the night to go to the restroom, I thought that I better get tested. Sure enough, my doctor told me that I definitely had type 2 diabetes. And, of course, nobody wants to be a diabetic, but he pretty much told me that it’s controllable if you do what you need to do. Then he started me on medicines right away.

Some weeks are harder than other weeks. When I was first diagnosed, I thought, “Oh, there goes everything. I can’t eat this. I can’t eat that. I can’t have sweets.” That was the biggest thing. But I learned that I can have a sweet every now and then, just as long as I don’t go overboard.

I changed my activity level after I found out that I had diabetes. I love sweets and I wasn’t as active as I needed to be. I was taking medicine and changed my eating habits, and now I try to walk more. When I go shopping I park further out so that I have to walk in. When it’s feasible, I’ll take the steps instead of the elevator. So I have increased my exercise, but even at that sometimes I fall off. Right now, it’s down to twice a week, but I’m trying to do more again.

I hear about people who stop taking their diabetes medicine, but I wouldn’t do that. My blood sugars are good. I may have missed a day of medicine because maybe I forgot, but never two or three days because I just know that I feel good and I’m too afraid to go the other route. I don’t want to develop diabetic retinopathy or neuropathy or anything like that.

I hate that I have diabetes, but I’m awfully glad that I have something that treats it. I don’t think I’ll ever be a person who say, “Oh, I’m glad I have diabetes and I can work out all the time” — never that! But my future, I think, looks pretty good to me right now.

Troy

I had my doctor test me for diabetes every time I went for a checkup, because my mother and her father both had type 1 diabetes. Between my sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits, I thought I’d better keep an eye on my blood sugar.

One of those days he came in and said “Well, I think we better start treatment.” So I wasn’t really surprised. I figured it would come along eventually with my family history and my lifestyle. But I knew it was time to be more serious about dealing with it.

Not long ago, my new doctor gave me a really thorough physical and decided to increase the dose of the medicine I was taking, and she added a second medicine. She said the two together would help to control my blood sugar better, and it has.

I have not made a lot of changes to my diet, but I have cut down on sugars and I don’t eat desserts any more. Actually, my diet was never really that bad – there was just too much of it! So I have cut back on the portions, too I’d thought that giving up desserts would be a lot harder than it was. I discovered quickly that I didn’t miss it at all, but I miss rice a lot.

At first, my diagnosis didn’t change my exercise habits. I started to do more exercise a few years ago, when my doctor increased the dose of my medicine. She told me, “You need to start changing the way you live because at some point these medicines may not work for you and then we’re going to have to look at insulin injections.” It was kind of a surprise to me that I might be headed in that direction, because I didn’t think that could happen with type 2 diabetes. So I decided to start working out.

I think I’m living with diabetes very well. It’s not something that consumes my thoughts most of the time, because doesn’t really impact my life much. I just have to be sure and take my medicines. I think about exercise as something I do for my general health and to lose weight – something I’d do with or without diabetes. I know that losing weight will help my diabetes, too, but I didn’t go into it with a goal of improving my diabetes, really. I feel like as long as I’m in regular contact with my doctor to keep an eye on things, that I’m not going to let it rule me.

Lauren

I expected to get type 2 diabetes. When I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, my physician told me it’s not a matter of if, but when. I’ve heard about diabetes all my life because my grandmother and my aunt both died from diabetes-related issues.

One summer I was drinking a lot of sugary drinks. My vision started getting blurry, and I just knew. So I saw my doctor, and my blood sugar numbers were off the charts. So I cut out the sweet drinks and when I went on medication, my numbers came back down.

After my diagnosis, I started eating healthier. Not eating fast food as much. We always ate a lot of fast food, but now if we go out to eat, I make healthier choices.

I checked my blood sugar a lot when I was first diagnosed, but not as much now – maybe four times a week, just to make sure I’m on target. I do it mornings to get a fasting blood sugar level, and then sometimes to see how I react to a certain food or something, like, an hour after I eat.

I try to walk more places than usual or just get out and walk the dog – basically, just be more mobile instead of sedentary.

I’m hopeful that I can keep myself healthy and not have circulatory problems or other diabetes complications, but I know that have to be a part of it. My mom had a massive stroke nine years ago and was paralyzed on her left side. She had just been diagnosed two years before that with diabetes, and she stopped taking her medicine. So I could see what the future could hold for me if I don’t take care of myself.



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Type 1 Diabetes Treatment – Find Right Treatment for you

Posted by diabeticssource on October 6th, 2009


Types of Diabetes Treatments

The most important part of a Type 1 Diabetes Treatment plan is managing blood glucose levels. When if you diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, you should work closely with your physician in order to find a plan of treatment that is right for you – treatments may vary according to religious beliefs or other health problems involved. There are different types of medical treatment as well as natural treatments and management plans.

The best Type 1 Diabetes Treatment is understanding the disease, the affects that it can have on other areas of your health, and what you can do to prevent the onset of Type 1 Diabetes symptoms. Management of your diabetes may require certain changes in your lifestyle, such as cessation of smoking, reducing your intake of alcohol, beginning a healthy regimen that includes both a healthy diet and regular exercise. A healthy diet and regular exercise not only help you to manage the symptoms, but also helps your body to fight off other illnesses and diseases and to delay illnesses and diseases that are caused by diabetes.

Medicines

Some people may choose a Type 1 Diabetes Treatment plan that involves medications. The most common form of medication is insulin (used to treat hyperglycemia, which occurs when your body does not produce the proper amount of the hormone naturally). Insulin is available in both pill and injectable form. Glucagon is an injectable medicine that is used in the treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).

Before you decide that a Type 1 Diabetes Treatment involving medications is the right treatment plan for you, you should discuss with your physician any possible side effects of the medication that you will be taking and any lifestyle changes that you may need to make in order to ensure that the medication works as intended. Some side effects may be mild enough that you think the risk is worth taking in order to control your diabetes, while other side effects, such as the onset of other serious illnesses, may cause you to look for a more natural Type 1 Diabetes treatment plan.

Natural Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

For some, the risks and side effects of a Type 1 Diabetes treatment plan involving medication is just too great. There are alternative and natural ways in which you can manage your diabetes. The one thing to keep in mind when choosing a natural treatment plan is that the management of your diabetes is in your hands and your success is dependent upon how well you stick to the treatment plan. Some natural products that aid in Type 1 Diabetes treatment include bitter melon, ginseng, magnesium, chromium, cinnamon, zinc, Indian Kino, Indian gooseberry, and Gymnema Sylvestre.

The Best Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

The best Type 1 Diabetes treatment involves beginning and maintaining a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen early in life, even before you are diagnosed with an illness such as Type 1 Diabetes. A healthy lifestyle not only helps to prevent the onset of diabetes symptoms, it also helps to prevent or delay many other illnesses and diseases. A healthy diet and exercise allows your body to work as it should, and helps your body to fight off the effects of illnesses.

The most important aspect of a healthy diet involves eating a variety of foods in the correct portions. Your Type 1 Diabetes treatment should not feel like a form of punishment. Contrary to popular belief, people who suffer from diabetes can, in fact, consume a certain amount of sweets as part of a nutritious diet. Eating regular meals is also an important factor in a healthy diet – instead of 2 large meals each day, it is better to eat 4 small meals at approximately the same time each day. A healthy diet should include whole-grain foods such as wheat breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids found foods such as cold-water fish, and carbohydrates in healthy portions.

Also an important part of your Type 1 Diabetes treatment, a regular exercise regimen should be maintained whether you choose a treatment that involves medications or a treatment that involves more natural products. Regular exercise helps you to maintain a healthy weight and helps to keep your body in proper working order. This will aid your body in fighting off the effects of Type 1 Diabetes, as well as other diseases.



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Type 2 Diabetes Treatment – Know About the Plan to Follow

Posted by diabeticssource on October 6th, 2009


Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of Diabetes. Although this is a chronic disease that can lead to other more serious, and sometimes life-threatening illnesses and diseases, there are Type 2 Diabetes treatments that work successfully in the prevention and management of the disease.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Type 2 Diabetes treatment requires a life-long commitment. The goal of a Type 2 Diabetes treatment plan is to control the blood sugar level in your body and to help make the cells in your body less resistant to insulin. If you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, or even if you are at a higher risk of the onset of the illness, it is important that you begin a Type 2 Diabetes treatment and prevention plan as soon as possible. A successful Type 2 Diabetes treatment plan will involve monitoring your blood sugar level as well as doing things that will minimize the onset of symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, the first step in your Type 2 Diabetes treatment plan is educating yourself and learning as much as you can about the prevention and management of the disease. The disease is a chronic, life-long disease that can result in the onset of more serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease and stroke.

There are certain things that can cause changes in your blood sugar levels. These include foods, lack of physical activity, medications, other illnesses, consumption of alcohol, stress, and fluctuation in hormone levels experienced by women during the menstrual cycle. Knowing the factors that can contribute to changes in your blood sugar levels and monitoring your blood sugar levels on a regular basis can help to greatly reduce the risks of increased blood sugar levels.

An extremely important part of a Type 2 Diabetes treatment program is healthy diet. There are many foods that contribute to the increase in blood sugar levels, and while it may not be necessary to completely avoid these foods, it is necessary to balance these foods with a healthy diet of that is high in nutrition and low in fat. A healthy diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole-grain foods. Not only will a healthy diet give you more energy and an overall good feeling, but a healthy diet combined with a regular exercise regimen can help to eliminate obesity, one of the leading factors in the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.

Regular exercise along with a healthy diet can help to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes symptoms. Regular exercise helps to maintain your muscles, cardiovascular system, and nervous system – all of which work together to make your cells less resistant to the insulin that your body creates naturally.

For some people, a Type 2 Diabetes treatment plan that includes a healthy diet, regular exercising, and close monitoring of blood sugar levels may not be enough to prevent the disease from worsening and causing the onset of more serious complication. In these cases, your physician may recommend that your Type 2 diabetes plan include medications or insulin therapy. Before you begin a treatment that involves medication, be sure to discuss with your physician any possible side effects and any interactions with other drugs or foods that may occur.

Lifelong Commitment  

A successful Type 2 Diabetes treatment plan requires a lifetime commitment that involves leading a healthy lifestyle, monitoring blood sugar levels, and working to prevent or delay any serious complications that may be caused by Type 2 Diabetes. As with most anything that you embark on in life, education is going to be the key to your success. And, in the case of Type 2 Diabetes, the saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is right on spot. Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle as early in life as possible. Not only does this decreases the risk of contracting Type 2 Diabetes, but decreases your risk of many other illnesses that may be more serious and life threatening. Remember, healthy is as healthy does.



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What Causes Type 2 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Posted by diabeticssource on October 1st, 2009


Type 2 diabetes can be a “silent” disease, which means that you may have it and not know you do. One of the most common things that occurs with type 2 diabetes is that you may begin to experience symptoms such as tingling in your fingers or toes (neuropathy), blurred vision, or chest pains or shortness of breath. Again, as with any troublesome symptoms, you should see your doctor.

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Some people are born with this condition or has the onset of diabetes at an early age. This is called juvenile diabetes or type 1. Type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin injections. The onset of diabetes later in life is called type 2. Type 2 diabetes can be treated and in most cases prevented with simple lifestyle changes.

The chronic condition associated with the way the body metabolizes glucose (sugar) is called diabetes. When the disease surfaces in adults or involves non-insulin dependency, this form of the condition is known as type 2 diabetes. Although type 2 diabetes is often preventable, an increasing amount of people is developing diabetes symptom and signs, as a result of a growing obesity problem throughout the United States.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be a “silent” disease, which means that you may have it and not know you do. One of the most common things that occurs with type 2 diabetes is that you may begin to experience symptoms such as tingling in your fingers or toes (neuropathy), blurred vision, or chest pains or shortness of breath. Again, as with any troublesome symptoms, you should see your doctor.

Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age however is most common to appear during adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an insulin resistance; basically the body is unable to react properly to insulin. This resistance to react is caused by many factors which include age, obesity and having a high blood sugar throughout a long period of time.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

There are many causes for diabetes, which means that are many reasons why a person can develop diabetes type 2. The most common of all the factors that cause diabetes is genetics. Almost a half of the people who suffer from diabetes type 2 are brothers and sisters and one in three children of the same family will eventually suffer from diabetes. The second strongest cause of developing diabetes is obesity. That and an intake of many calories are the second and third of the diabetes causes. Almost a third of all people that suffer from diabetes type 2 have antibodies to the islet cells, which produce insulin. These cells so vital in diabetes can be detected in the blood. If the islet cells do not work properly, your body will not get enough insulin.

Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of defective insulin secretion and insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity. Although the exact cause for type 2 is unknown, it seems that central obesity predisposes people for insulin resistance, possibly because of hormone secretions that impair glucose tolerance. Fifty-five percent of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese. Aging and family history also seem to play a role in the onset of this type. Type 2 diabetes is first treated by diet and exercise, which can restore insulin sensitivity. Some diabetics can control their glucose levels just by these natural methods. If this doesn’t work, the next step is treatment with oral ant diabetic drugs. If the oral medications fail, insulin therapy will be implemented.



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How to Deal With your Type 2 Diabetes Symptom

Posted by diabeticssource on September 26th, 2009


Some people think that just because they do not show any particular type 2 diabetes symptom that they are safe from diabetes. This may not always be true though and understanding the true nature of a type 2 diabetes symptom may help save your life.

The Figures

When you have Type 2 Diabetes condition, it means that the cells in your body are not reacting properly to the work of insulin which is supposed to open up the cells to glucose. Without glucose in your cells you will have no clear source of energy.

More people suffer from Type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes . It is estimated that at least 90% of diabetics belong to the type 2 category. The sad fact though is that more than 6% of diabetics are not aware that they have the condition. The lack of awareness may be due to a dismissal of seemingly harmless type 2 diabetes symptoms or a total lack of warning signs.

Different Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 but it may be more difficult to handle because it involves the inability of the pancreas to perform its job of producing insulin. Despite the difference in cause however, both types of diabetes share the same symptoms. A diabetic might begin to feel frequently tired, thirsty and may have occasionally blurry vision and wounds that do not heal quickly.

The difference in the set of symptoms in types 1 and 2 is the onset. A type 1 diabetes symptom can develop rapidly and worsen in the span of a few weeks. Even with the rapid symptom development however, cell damage may already have been occurring for some time before type 1 diabetes is finally discovered. A type 2 diabetes symptom on the other hand is not as obvious and as bad as a type 1 symptom.

Effects of No Symptoms

Effects of not detecting or not having a type 2 diabetes symptom may be drastic. The key to effectively managing this chronic disease is early detection. Once you fail to detect a type 2 diabetes symptom however, you can suffer from complications that are even more difficult to reverse. Some diabetics only realize that they have type 2 diabetes because of complications like retinopathy, heart ailments, kidney problems and nerve deaths. A complication is therefore their only type 2 diabetes symptom.

Uncommon Risk Factors

Even those individuals who do not experience a single type 2 diabetes symptom should be cautious especially if you are overweight and have a family history of type 2 diabetes. You should however also consider yourself at high risk of developing diabetes if you are over 45 years old, had a baby over 9 pounds and had a history of gestational diabetes or pre diabetes. For undetermined reasons, individuals who are Asian, African, Hispanic and American are at greater risk of developing diabetes.

What Has to be Done

Needless to say, you need the professional advice of doctors to help you manage your condition or your type 2 diabetes symptom. There are however basic things you should remember on your own. You should monitor your glucose levels, take your medication as prescribed, follow your diet and exercise plans and watch and manage your weight.



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Types of Diabetes – Type 1, 2 and Gestational

Posted by diabeticssource on September 23rd, 2009


Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to naturally turn sugars ingested into your body into energy. There are three major types of diabetes.

Type-1 Diabetes

This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease – which is a result of the body’s failure to fight infection. As a result, the body begins to attack its own cells – in this case the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The body destroys the beta cells and no insulin is produced. People with type-1 diabetes have to take insulin shots daily in order to live.

The causes of type-1 diabetes are not known, however autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are believed to play a role in the onset of type-1 diabetes. This type of diabetes can affect people of any age, but most often is found in children and young adults. Symptoms of type-1 diabetes include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. An early diagnosis of type-1 diabetes is very important. Without daily injections of insulin, a person with this type of diabetes is at a high risk of lapsing into a diabetic coma, a life-threatening condition.

Type-2 Diabetes

This type of diabetes is the most common type. Type-2 diabetes usually affects adults who are obese, have a family history of diabetes, or have a previous history of gestational diabetes. Type-2 diabetes is not caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin, but rather by the body’s inability to use the insulin it creates effectively. This causes the blood to have higher levels of sugars than normal.

The symptoms of type-2 diabetes include frequent thirst and urination, nausea, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections, wounds and sores heal slowly, and fatigue.

This type of diabetes can often be prevented or controlled with certain lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some patients need to take medications and many use natural treatments to effectively control the symptoms of type-2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant women and is caused by an intolerance to carbohydrates, which causes blood sugar levels to increase. It is very important for a woman who has gestational diabetes to control the disease in order to prevent the baby from being affected at birth. If the blood sugar levels in the pregnant woman are not under control, there is a risk of the baby going into insulin shock at birth.

Gestational diabetes risk factors include a family history of diabetes, increased maternal age, and obesity. While the symptoms of gestational diabetes usually disappear after the birth, there are significant risks to both the mother and child. The mother is at a higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes at a later time and the child is at a higher risk of being obese or developing diabetes later in life.

Preventing the Onset of Diabetes

Many times, diabetes can be prevented or the onset can be delayed.

All three types of diabetes can be controlled effectively by changes in your lifestyle. A healthy diet is the most important change – eating healthy foods on a normal schedule allows your body to perform the tasks necessary to sustain life. A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Once a person has been diagnosed with any type of diabetes, the intake of carbohydrates should be monitored and the intake of sugars should be greatly reduced.

Regular exercise is also important for your overall health. Keeping your body in good working order by keeping muscles toned and blood flowing correctly also helps your body to perform its normal tasks. It is important for early diagnosis and effective treatment of diabetes in order to avoid more serious illness and diseases that can be associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing many other diseases and illnesses, but the most important thing to remember is that if you work with your body, your body will work for you.



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Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on September 22nd, 2009


Some people think that just because they have no particular type 2 diabetes symptom that they are protected from diabetes. This May not always be the case if the understanding and the true nature of type 2 diabetes symptom May help save your life.

The figures

If you have the condition, however, it means that the cells of your body does not react properly to the action of insulin which is supposed to open the cells to glucose. Without glucose into the cells you will have no obvious source of energy.

Type 2 diabetes is actually the most common type of diabetes. It is estimated that at least 90% of diabetics belong to the category of type 2. The sad truth is that more than 6% of diabetics are not aware that they have the condition. The lack of awareness May be due to a seemingly harmless dismissal of type 2 diabetes symptoms or a total lack of warning signs.

Different symptoms

Type 1 diabetes is less common than Type 2 May, but it is more difficult to manage because it is the inability of the pancreas to fulfil its task of producing insulin. Despite the difference case, however, both types of diabetes share the same symptoms. A diabetic may begin to feel tired often, thirst and May have sometimes blurred vision and sores that do not heal quickly.

The difference in all the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 is the onset of symptoms. A type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop quickly and worsen within a few weeks. Even with the rapid development of symptoms, however, damages the cells May have already taken place for some time before type 1 diabetes is finally discovered. A type 2 diabetes symptom on the other hand is not as obvious and as bad as a symptom of type 1.

Effects of no symptoms

The type 2 diabetes symptoms must be detected and taken into account immediately. The key to effective management of this chronic disease is early detection. Once you fail to detect type 2 diabetes symptom, however, you can suffer complications that are even more difficult to reverse. Some diabetics do realize that they have type 2 diabetes because of complications such as retinopathy, heart disease, kidney problems and nerve death. One complication is therefore the only type 2 diabetes symptom.

Uncommon risk factors

Even those who are not a unique type 2 diabetes symptom should be particularly cautious if you are overweight and have a family history of type 2 diabetes. However, you should also consider yourself at high risk of developing diabetes if you are over 45 years, had a baby over 9 pounds and has a history of gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes. For undetermined reasons, individuals who are Asian, African Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk of developing diabetes.

What must be done

Seek professional counselor your doctor immediately. There are, however much you have to remind yourself. You should monitor your blood sugar, take your medication as prescribed, follow your diet and exercise plans and view and manage your weight.



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Managing You Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by diabeticssource on September 21st, 2009


Representing more than ninety percent of all cases, type 2 diabetes is the type most frequently diagnosed. Insulin is a hormone that makes energy from sugar and other food we eat. The first stage of diabetes is insulin resistance. When the body ceases to produce or properly use insulin, diabetes develop ourselves. As the body needs insulin increases, the pancreas ceases to be done. Although genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise are believed to be the key, the exact cause is unknown. Type 2 diabetes self-management plans become a necessary controls.

Type 2 diabetes self-management, there are programs that provide training on proper nutrition, exercise regimes, monitoring of glucose, insulin and self-injection and many other subjects. The patient learns to control glucose, modify their diet, exercise regimes develop, how self-injection of insulin, taking oral medication and much more to reduce the risk of complications. Other topics May be addressed as alternative medicine, dental health, emotional and sexual health.

The injection of insulin with oneself is one of the least pleasant of diabetes self management treatment. A good alternative is the insulin pump, a small device worn on the size that supplies insulin around the clock by a catheter implanted under the skin. These are pumps are an excellent choice because they are easy to adjust your blood sugar changes and easy to detach for the shower or strenuous activity.

The American Diabetes Association has estimated that nearly 90 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight when they are first diagnosed. Essential to good type 2 diabetes self-management plan are diet, exercise and keeping weight under control.

In keeping blood sugar under control is the first line of defense in preventing other problems related to health often associated with type 2 diabetes. Using a glucose monitor blood with blood glucose test strips will provide important information to help you control the disease.

Moderate intake is essential to control type 2 diabetes. A person with the disease can continue to eat their favorite foods if parts are controlled. Ingestion of foods rich in nutrition with lots of vegetables and fruits is necessary. The car had diabetes management programs Dietitians of staff who can help develop a plan that works for each individual.

Exercise is an integral part of type 2 diabetes self-management. In addition you feel better physically and mentally, exercise is essential to manage your weight and reduce your blood sugar. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, common in people with diabetes. In the exercise, the muscles of sugar for energy. This causes a reduction in blood sugar. The workout harder you, the greater the effect lasts. And if you have type 2 diabetes, exercise can increase your sensitivity to insulin which means that your body needs less insulin to transport sugar into cells. Combined with a good diet, could reduce or eliminate completely the need for medication to lower glucose.

Successful implementation of a type 2 diabetes self-management plan is in fact to adapt to a new healthier lifestyle. Other than having to take medication every day, which we all face anyway as we age, which means taking care of ourselves. And should not we do that anyway

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What Are 3 Common Types Of Diabetes

Posted by on September 20th, 2009

Diabetes Mellitus is now considered as an epidemic disease in most of countries. This article is about risk causes management of 3 most common types of diabetes mellitus

what are types of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes is classified into 3 types.

1-Type 1 Diabetes

2-Type 2 Diabetes

3-Gestational Diabetes

Here we will discuss one by one all three types of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is also called Juvenile Diabetes, Insulin dependent diabetes or Autoimmune Diabetes. Person with type 1 diabetes has immune response against his own beta cells of pancreas, so pancreas is unable to produce insulin at-all.That is why it is called as autoimmune diabetes. Juvenile diabetes usually occurs in children but can appear at any age. To live normal life patient has to take insulin and take regular exercise and has proper diet plan. The main cause of this type 1 diabetes are environmental factors like virus, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. In USA 10-15% diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus comprises of type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are increase urination, increase thirst, increase hunger and weight loss. Eyes may also be affected as blurred vision. The person with type 1 diabetes should be diagnosed earlier, otherwise it can lead to a medical emergency situation like diabetic Coma with kitoacidosis.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 Diabetes is also called as Non Insulin dependent diabetes Mellitus or Adult-onset diabetes.This is most common type of diabetes affecting nearly 80% of all cases of diabetes. It is usually seen in adults. There are two mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. Either there is deficiency of insulin, or there is increase resistance of insulin. Insulin resistance means that body is unable to use available insulin.The main cause of this type of diabetes is genetic however other factors like overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, overeating habits may also affect.About 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes in-contrast to type 1 develop very slowly. There may be fatigue, weight loss, increase urination, blurred vision or delay wound healing.This type of diabetes is treated with exercise, diet control, tablets. However later, you may need insulin injections as well.

Gestational Diabetes:

Some women who develop diabetes during later stages of pregnancy is called as Gestational diabetes. Though their glucose levels returns to normal but even then they have greater chances of developing diabetes mellitus within next 5 to 10 years. Women with gestational diabetes may have no symptoms at all. The cause of gestational diabetes is hormonal imbalance during pregnancy or insufficient Insulin. Child of women who develops gestational diabetes is also at high risk of developing diabetes in later life. Maintaining normal body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient of gestational diabetes.

If you want to know more about Types of Diabetes Mellitus , visit our web site.

Dr. Armughan (Consultant Cardiologist) Manitaining following sites Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms Causes Treatment High Blood Pressure Symptoms Diet Treatment

Author: Armughan Riaz
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

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