Keep in mind that there are two reasons for anyone to have type 2 diabetes.

1. Their pancreas simply does not produce enough insulin anymore.

2. The cells have become insulin resistant.

Different diabetes medications are used for one of these two categories based on simple blood tests that tell the doctor which category you belong to.

Sulfonylureas

Oral medications such as Amaryl, DiaBeta, Glucotrol, Glynase, Micronase and others are all drugs that help lower blood glucose levels by causing the pancreas to produce and release more insulin.

Biguanides

These types of diabetic medications aid the insulin in moving glucose into different cells. This type of medicine is not for everyone though. If you have kidney problems or a history of heart problems you could be at risk of serious medical issues. Glucophage, Fortament, Glumetza and Riomet are all examples of Biguanides.

Thiazolidnediones

Drugs in this class such as Actos and Avandia work in making your body’s insulin more effective. They block the liver from releasing too much insulin, while making it more effective in muscle and fat.

Although Thiazolidinediones are excellent in type 2 diabetics, your doctor will do periodic blood tests to be sure they are not damaging your liver.

Alpha – Glucosidase Inhibitors

These diabetes medications slow down the increase in blood glucose levels by blocking out enzymes that aid in digesting starches.

A major side effect from these drugs such as Precose and Glyset are gas and diarrhea.

Meglitinides

Meglitinides, including Prandin and Starlix, work by helping the pancreas release additional insulin. This in turn will reduce blood glucose levels.

There are also several different combinations of these medications available that combine two different types into one pill.

This is only a brief overview and only your doctor can help determine the course of treatment that is right for you.

The Diabetes Diet, created by Dr Richard Bernstein, may well be the best diet for everyone, not just diabetics. The reason for this is that it has the potential to not only control diabetic symptoms, but also to reverse them.

The Diabetes Diet has had enormous success – without side effects!

One of the major difficulties people have in recognizing they have the symptoms of diabetes is that they occur gradually. In fact, for the first couple of years, there may be no symptoms at all. Yet, once a person has Type 2 diabetes, they are at serious risk of life threatening complications if they do not carefully follow the low-carbohydrate Diabetes Diet prescribed by Bernstein.

Type 2 diabetes is largely a lifestyle disease and, unfortunately, far too few people understand how extremely dangerous it is. Consequently, patients are often far too casual about getting regular medical check ups to check on blood sugar levels and general health.

Not only do many sufferers find it extremely difficult to radically alter their diet from western convenience foods to the Diabetes Diet containing whole nutritious foods, avoiding sugar and fat as much as possible, they often become depressed and anxious and paralyzed by negative emotions. This can keep them from taking the very actions required to improve their health and keep them alive. It also suppresses the motivation necessary to undertake a regular exercise program.

This diet for Diabetics was created to control blood sugar levels in diabetics, however it clearly benefits everyone. The diet focuses on eating protein, good fat and complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and fruit and vegetables.

By eating this way, people can avoid the fluctuating blood sugar levels caused by a high carbohydrate (simple carbohydrates). Bernstein describes the modern Western diet as SAD (standard American diet) and claims it has directly caused a massive increase in obesity, high blood pressure and damage to the lining of the blood vessels.

Dr. Bernstein, who has Type 1 diabetes, did not experience a healthy life until he devised his own diet to regulate his blood sugar levels. Many diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, have experienced a balancing of blood sugar levels and an overall improvement in health and well being after going on The Diabetes Diet. In fact, Bernstein claims that sticking to this diet for as little as two weeks can provide an enormous benefit. Once you have experienced this, he believes you’ll never want to go back to SAD.

While Type 2 diabetes can be caused by some medications, it is usually a direct result of poor nutrition, inadequate exercise and a diet high in sugar and fat. Therefore, it is probably unrealistic to expect that a person can change the habits of a lifetime overnight.

Yet, this is what must happen to improve the lives and futures of type 2 diabetics. Health must become the top priority. The Diabetes Diet provides an excellent map to reclaiming health.

Change is necessary and must not be avoided. However, neither should it be so overwhelming that the patient can’t cope with the thought of it. The answer is to make gradual, but consistent, changes in lifestyle.

For example, the first step might be to start walking every day. Just go as far as comfortable and try for a little more the next day. Drink more water. Cut out all fast foods. These changes would be radical enough for most Type 2 diabetics but, in fact, they don’t go far enough.

However, doing them will improve health and mood and put the patient in a more positive and hopeful frame of mind so they can take further steps. If they continue, eventually, the patient’s lifestyle will be completely overhauled and internal resistance to these changes will have been limited. It is certainly possible to eat according to this weight loss program without undue suffering.

The answer to positive lifelong change in a person’s lifestyle lies in their own motivation. It is possible to encourage that motivation through gradual, supportive change. The Diabetes Diet provides the guidance and support a lot of people need.

Here is a basic checklist of diabetic medical supplies in order to make sure that your glucose and insulin levels are healthy:

a) Insulin

This is an extreme necessity for people with type1 diabetes. One requires regular in fact daily insulin slots in order to function in a normal way. People with Type 2 diabetes will also require insulin slots in order to manage healthy glucose levels at some point in their life.

You would find more than about twenty types of products related to insulin widely sold on the market these days. However, you should consult your doctor prior to making any decision on purchasing insulin product.

b) Insulin syringes

These are specifically designed needles for insulin use. These hypodermic needles are available on various sizes and the thickness usually depends on the requirement of the user.

It is extremely important to go for the correct needle choice as a wrong choice may lead to painful injections as well as medical complications. Consider purchasing these needles only from a reputed brand to enjoy durability and ensure safety.

c) Insulin test strips

These strips need to be used with diabetic testing meters. Make sure that the two get along with each other very well.

d) Insulin pumps

These pumps are required to be connected to your body via inserting a flexible tube to your abdomen skin. The tube is actually attached to a catheter from which insulin would be dispensed. Proper placement and positioning of this pump is necessary to facilitate insulin flow control in to the body in order to maintain ideal insulin levels.

These pumps require to be programmed in order to benefit you with adequate dosage. Most doctors do not recommend its use when it comes to getting involved in physically strenuous activities.

e) Diabetic testing meter

This is an essential supply when it comes to monitor glucose and blood sugar levels efficiently. It would be a great idea to go for portable kits in order to keep tabs on your glucose levels even while you are traveling.

f) Jet injectors

These are idea for people who need to take daily insulin shots. These use high pressure air to spray insulin in to the skin of the patient.

g) Alcohol swabs

These are necessary to make the injection sites clean and sterilized. With these swabs, you don’t require to worry about contracting bacterial or viral infection.

h) Glucose tablets

These are helpful for people who experience low blood sugar levels. With these tablets, you can ensure immediate, accurate and safe increase in glucose levels.

i) Erection vacuum therapy

It is a safe and effective way to avoid importance as a result of diabetes.

j) Injection supply start-up kit

These kits are available with free syringes and vial adapters you require to maintain healthy glucose and sugar levels in your body.

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.

Treatment for diabetes is made more difficult because a person can have the disease a long time before it is diagnosed. “Because the early symptoms are relatively mild,” notes Asiaweek magazine, “diabetes often goes unrecognized.” Hence, diabetes has been dubbed the silent killer.

Why Serious

Diabetes has been called “a disorder of the very engine of life,” and for good reason. When the body cannot metabolize glucose, a number of vital mechanisms can break down, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. “People don’t die directly from diabetes,” says Dr. Harvey Katzeff, “they die from complications. We do a good job of preventing complications, but a poor job of treating [them] once they occur.”

Diet and Exercise

Although Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, scientists are studying the genetic risk factors and are trying to find ways to suppress an immune attack. “With type 2, the picture is much brighter,” says the book Diabetes – Caring for Your Emotions as Well as Your Health. “Many of those who might be genetically susceptible avoid showing any sign of this disease simply by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, thereby staying physically fit and keeping their weight within normal limits.”

Underscoring the value of exercise, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a large study involving women. The study found that “a single bout of physical activity increases insulin-mediated glucose uptake [by the body's cells] for more than 24 hours.” Hence, the report concludes that “both walking and vigorous activity are associated with substantial reductions in risk of type 2 diabetes in women.” The researchers recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most if not all days of the week. This can include something as simple as walking, which, says the American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes, “is probably the best, safest, and least expensive form of exercise.”

However, exercise by people with diabetes should be professionally supervised. One reason is that diabetes can damage the vascular system and nerves, thus affecting blood circulation and feeling. Hence, a simple scratch on the foot may go unnoticed, get infected, and turn into an ulcer – a serious condition that may lead to amputation if not treated immediately.

Insulin Therapy

Many with diabetes must supplement their diet and exercise program with daily testing of glucose levels along with multiple insulin injections. As a result of improved health through diet and a good routine of exercise, some with Type 2 diabetes have been able, at least for a time, to discontinue insulin therapy. Karen, who has Type 1 diabetes, found that exercise increases the efficiency of the insulin she injects. As a result, she has been able to cut her daily insulin requirements by 20 percent.

If insulin is needed, however, there is no reason for the sufferer to feel discouraged. “Going on insulin does not imply failure on your part,” says Mary Ann, a registered nurse who cares for a number of diabetes patients. “Whatever form of diabetes you have, if you carefully control your blood sugar, you will minimize other health problems later.” In fact, a recent study revealed that people with Type 1 who kept strict control of their blood-sugar levels “had drastic reductions in the occurrence of diabetic eye, kidney, and nerve diseases.” The risk of eye disease (retinopathy), for instance, was cut by 76 percent! Those with Type 2 who keep tight control of their blood-sugar levels enjoy similar benefits.

To make insulin therapy easier and less traumatic, syringes and insulin pens – the most common tools used – have microfine needles that give minimal discomfort. “The first shot is usually the worst,” says Mary Ann. “After that, most patients say they hardly feel a thing.” Other methods of injection include automatic injectors that shoot a needle into the skin painlessly, jet injectors that literally fire insulin through the skin by means of a fine jet blast, and infusers that employ a catheter that stays in place for two or three days. About the size of a pocket pager, the insulin pump has gained popularity in recent years. This programmable device dispenses insulin through a catheter at a steady rate according to the body’s daily needs, making insulin administration more precise and convenient.

Keep Learning

All told, there is no blanket therapy for diabetes. When considering treatment, each individual must take into account a number of factors in order to make a personal decision. “Even though you may be under the care of a medical team,” says Mary Ann, “you are in the driver’s seat.” In fact, the journal Diabetes Care states: “Medical treatment of diabetes without systematic self-management education can be regarded as substandard and unethical care.”

The more those with diabetes learn about their disease, the better equipped they will be to manage their health and increase their prospects of living a longer, healthier life.

The Role of Glucose

Glucose fuels the body’s trillions of cells. To enter the cells, however, it needs a “key” – insulin, a chemical released by the pancreas. With Type 1 diabetes, insulin is simply not available. With Type 2, the body makes insulin but usually not enough. Moreover, the cells are reluctant to let insulin in – a condition called insulin resistance. With both forms of diabetes, the result is the same: hungry cells and dangerous levels of sugar in the blood.

In Type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Hence, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes called immune-mediated diabetes. Factors that can trigger an immune reaction include viruses, toxic chemicals, and certain drugs. Genetic makeup may also be implicated, for Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and it is most common among Caucasians.

With Type 2 diabetes, the genetic factor is even stronger but with a greater occurrence among non-Caucasians. Australian Aborigines and Native Americans are among the most affected, the latter having the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world. Researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and obesity, as well as the way excess fat seems to promote insulin resistance in genetically susceptible people. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in those who are over 40 years of age.

About 90 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2. Previously, this was referred to as “non-insulin dependent” or “adult onset” diabetes. However, these terms are imprecise, for up to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes require insulin. Furthermore, an alarming number of young people – some not even in their teens – are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

The Role of the Pancreas

About the size of a banana, the pancreas lies just behind the stomach. According to the book The Unofficial Guide to Living With Diabetes, “the healthy pancreas performs a continuous and exquisite balancing act, managing to sustain smooth, stable blood-sugar levels by releasing just the right amount of insulin as glucose levels wax and wane throughout the day.” Beta cells within the pancreas are the source of the hormone insulin.

When beta cells fail to produce enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. The opposite – low blood sugar – is called hypoglycemia. In concert with the pancreas, the liver helps manage blood-sugar levels by storing excess glucose in a form called glycogen. When commanded by the pancreas, the liver converts glycogen back into glucose for use by the body

The Role of Sugar

It is a common misconception that eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes. Medical evidence shows that getting fat – regardless of sugar intake – increases the risk among genetically susceptible individuals. Still, eating too much sugar is unhealthy, since it provides poor nutrition and contributes to obesity.

Another misconception is that people with diabetes have an abnormal craving for sugar. In reality, though, they have the same desire for sweets as most others. When it is not controlled, diabetes can lead to hunger – but not necessarily for sugar. People with diabetes can eat sweets, but they must factor their sugar intake into their overall diet plan.