Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus share the name “diabetes” because they are both conditions characterized by excessive urination (polyuria).

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health disorder. Chronic means that the condition lasts for many years. Diabetes can cause serious health problems. These problems include kidney failure, heart disease, stroke (see stroke entry), and blindness. About fourteen million Americans have diabetes. As many as half of these people do not know they have the condition.

Diabetes Causes : Drugs such as steroids, Dilantin, and others may elevate the blood sugar through a variety of mechanisms. Certain other drugs, such as alloxan, streptozocin, and thiazide diuretics, are toxic to the beta cells of the pancreas and can cause diabetes. Certain syndromes (for example, Prader-Willi, Down’s, Progeria, and Turner’s) may result in a hyperglycemic state; if this state is prolonged, the result can be permanent diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is a condition where people have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Most people who develop type 2 diabetes have pre-diabetes first. Most people who have pre-diabetes are unaware that they have it or that they are at risk of developing diabetes. People with pre-diabetes often develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-Diabetes is also called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is not an autoimmune disease like the type 1. In this type of diabetes mellitus, the body is not attacking itself. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is caused due to malfunctioning of the pancreas, which is incapable of producing the required volume of insulin. The pancreas does produce some insulin, but it is insufficient to meet the total requirements of the body in utilizing glucose.

Diabetes Treatment : The major goal in treating diabetes is to minimize any elevation of blood sugar (glucose) without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is treated first with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, treatment with insulin is considered.

Adherence to a diabetic diet is an important aspect of controlling elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has provided guidelines for a diabetic diet. The ADA diet is a balanced, nutritious diet that is low in fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars. Weight reduction and exercise are important treatments for diabetes. Weight reduction and exercise increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus helping to control blood sugar elevations. For more, please read the Weight Loss and Fitness articles.



Thanks to peterhutch for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

Simply put, diabetes is the inability of the body to properly handle sugars. When we eat or drink our pancreas produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin is released into the blood and helps regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Diabetes is a state where this process is not working properly. This is due to:

– No insulin produced, often called type 1 diabetes, and requires the patient to use insulin injections, or …

– Insulin is produced, but the body becomes resistant to it. What makes ineffective insulin. This is normally called type 2 diabetes and is increasingly common.

Searches latest show that 2 out of 100 people suffer from diabetes. Alarmant of half these people do not even know they have. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it because someone with diabetes appears to be no different than any other person.

Someone may have diabetes for months or even years without realizing they have the condition. The danger is that if diabetes is not immediately life threatening the long-term effects of high blood sugar can be harmful to health. No prolonged diabetes and high blood sugar may, later in life, cause problems in many organs including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart. This May his dark, but the control of blood sugar by a combination of medicine, diet and exercise will largely reduce the long-term complications.

The easiest way to check if you have diabetes is to get a blood sugar check with your doctor. A small sample of blood obtained by pricking a finger is checked using a small electronic tester. A normal blood sugar is generally between 72 - 126 mg / dl or 4 - 7 mmol / l (1 mmol / l = 18mg/dl). Diabetes is diagnosed when the body is unable to maintain the level of sugar in the blood within these limits. The unit of measurement used (mmol / l or mg / dl) will depend on which country you live in.

The diagnosis of diabetes may occur in the blue during a routine check-but more often it results from the person suffering the symptoms of diabetes. These symptoms may be much or little, mild or severe depending on the individual.

The symptoms are as follows:

Nothing at all (???) No it’s not a typo. It is true many people do not feel a different effect and are surprised to discover they have diabetes. However, even if you feel you must end your take diabetes seriously and act on the advice of a doctor.

THIRST (polydipsia) It is a very common symptom. Often, it seems no matter how much you drink your mouth still feels as dry as Death Valley. The problem is compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by patients drinking copious quantities of sugary drinks …! Of course, it only increases the level of sugar in the blood and causes an increase in thirst.

INCREASED urinate (polyuria) Another very common symptom. Patients need to urinate frequently and spend large volumes each time. Moreover, this symptom does not take into account the time for sleep is constantly disrupted by the obligation to visit the bathroom during the night. It is a mistake to think this is caused by increased thirst and drink more. The opposite is true. High level of sugar in the blood to spread in the urine which makes syrupy. To counter this law on water is drawn from the body, causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

WEIGHT LOSS Glucose is the form of sugar which is the principal organ of fuel. Diabetics can not deal properly so it passes through the urine and outside the body. Less fuel, the body’s reserve tissues are broken down to produce energy with weight loss.

Other symptoms include constipation, fatigue, lack of energy, tingling or pins and needles in hands and feet, blurred vision and increased infections.

If you met any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you are diabetic, but it might be advisable to consult your doctor to be sure.

If it does transpire that you have diabetes please do not panic. It may come as a shock and it will result in changes in your life. While (currently) incurable, it can be treated as long-term complications are reduced or eliminated. As a result May actually increase your health and life expectancy compared to before when you do not take care of your body whatsoever. It requires discipline and self-control but there is no reason for anyone with diabetes can live full and perfectly normal life.



Thanks to Jack Stanley for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

How To Lower Blood Sugar

Diabetes can be prevented or, in some cases, delay the start of diabetes by taking charge before it advances from what is known as the pre-diabetic stage to being a full-blown illness. Pre-diabetes refers to the stage where you have higher-than-normal blood glucose, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Pre-diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes if nothing is done to overturn the condition. A recent study called the Diabetes Prevention Program indicates that persons with pre-diabetes can stop type 2 diabetes from beginning, by increasing their physical activity and changing their eating habits.

Changing eating habits and beginning an exercise program has been proven to be an effective method of preventing the growth of pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be reversed that is, sugar levels can be returned to normal with medication, diet, and exercise, meaning you can do something to ward off imminent, full-blown diabetes. What exactly is pre-diabetes? It is the sign to developing type 2 diabetes and refers to higher than usual glucose in the blood.

It is important to know that pre-diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, if left untreated. Fortunately, a recent study has shown that moderate exercise and a change to healthier ways of eating can help prevent pre-diabetes and possibly diabetes itself. Age also plays a role, as the older you are, the more likely you are to develop pre-diabetes

People whose ethic background includes African, Native American, Latino, and Asian are particularly prone to developing diabetes. If you belong to one of these groups and are older than forty-five, it would be a good idea to get tested for pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Doctors can tell if you are pre-diabetic by performing two standard tests, the results of these tests will verify whether you have pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or if you are diabetes-free.

The test is normally done in the morning, and the patient is advised not to consume anything after 10 PM the previous night, you will then have the glucose tolerance test to measure your blood glucose level after an overnight fast, your blood glucose levels are then checked two hours later, if the range is between 140 and 199 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), you will be considered pre-diabetic. These levels are also a sign that you may develop type 2 diabetes soon after.

If your test is positively as having pre-diabetes, it is essential to take annual tests so that you catch developed diabetes in its early stages. Early diagnosis is truly the easiest way to get the disease under control before too much harm has been done to vital organs.

Exercise can return blood sugar levels to normal ranges. Preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes is your responsibility; make the lifestyle changes needed to improve your health today.

Thirty minutes of reasonable activity joined with weight loss is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as the best way of minimizing the risk of becoming pre-diabetic. Even if you are not in the grouping of people that are more subject to pre-diabetes or diabetes itself, appropriate health care and physical activity are very important regardless.

Controlling your health is dependent on the changes you make in your daily way of life. While avoiding serious illness is one motivation to having a physical lifestyle, in general good health and long-lasting mobility are two other good incentives.



Thanks to Lionel Estridge for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Controlling Type 2 Diabetes

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.



Thanks to Jack Stanley for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Controlling Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus can also be referred to as ‘diabetes’. Experts feel that this is a syndrome that can be characterized by abnormal levels of blood sugar and disordered metabolism. The disease results from reduced levels of the hormone insulin with or without resistance of the body towards effects of insulin.

The symptoms of existence of this disease include frequent urination, increase fluid intake, weight loss, blurred vision and lethargy or fatigue. One may not experience these symptoms if the blood sugar is only mildly increased.

A) There are three primary forms of diabetes as mentioned below:

a) Type1 diabetes

b) Type2 diabetes

c) Type 3 diabetes or gestational

All the above mentioned three types of diabetes are caused by different reasons. The main reason for occurrence of the above mentioned three types of diabetes remains inability of pancreas’s beta cells to produce adequate insulin in order to prevent triggering of the condition known as hypoglycemia.

B) The cause, however are different for the occurrence of all three types of diabetes.

a) Type1 diabetes:

This occurs due to destruction of autoimmune tendency of pancreatic beta cells.

b) Type2 diabetes:

The disease can be easily characterized by resistance of insulin in tissues. This results in the requirement for higher amounts of insulin. The final result is diabetes that develops when beta cells are not able to meet the demand of insulin amount.

c) Gestational diabetes:

It is quite similar to type2 diabetes. When it comes to involving resistance of insulin, the hormones of pregnancy can also result in resistance of insulin. This type of diabetes usually gets resolved as soon as the birth of baby takes place.

Type1 and Type2 diabetes are chronic conditions. There is no permanent cure for these conditions.

The treatment of diabetes can be done only via injecting insulin. Experts mean that dietary factors and certain lifestyle changes are also required for better treatment effects. When it comes to Type2 diabetes the management of the disease can be effectively done via combining dietary treatment, injections, tablets and insulin supplements.

The production of insulin is from natural sources like porcine pancreas. However, most insulin widely used these days are produced via genetic engineering. This is either done as a direct copy of human insulin or same insulin in conjunction with modified molecules that provide different onset and action duration. The same insulin can also be obtained via a specialized pump that provides insulin via changeable catheter.

All three types of diabetes have certain signs and symptoms so that one can identify the disease in the body.

C) Here are some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes to facilitate you to detect the traces of this disease as early as possible.

a) Rapid weight loss can be seen in Type1 diabetes.

b) Type2 diabetes can be characterized by changes in the shaped of the lenses of the eyes and blurred vision.

c) People with Type1 diabetes may also suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. It is an extreme state of metabolic dysregulation. It is usually characterized by a typical smell of acetone in the patient’s breath.

d) Other symptoms include polyuria, Kussmaul breathing, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and several states of consciousness or arousal. In certain severe cases, coma may also follow leading to death.

Remember that it is very important to treat diabetes mellitus to avoid serious health complications.



Thanks to Bertil Hjert for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Symptoms Of Type II Diabetes