Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use the sugar called glucose to fuel our bodies for energy and growth the body needs. Virtually all of the food we consume is broken down into glucose sugar that enters into the bloodstream. The pancreas produces insulin which takes the glucose from the bloodstream into body cells, where it is then used for body fuel. If the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulins or the cells don’t use insulin properly, the glucose builds up in the bloodstream while the cells that fuel the body are starved of energy. Overtime, if not treated diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as risk for heart disease, kidney renal disease, blindness, and nerve problems.

There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 and 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes:

Type 1 of diabetes is more serious than type 2 diabetes, in that the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, which control blood sugar (glucose) resulting in having to take insulin shots or other medication for diabetes. Sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes, although developing most often in children and teenagers, type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. Early diagnosis is crucial in preventing other serious complications brought about by diabetes disease and the effects of diabetes, such as heart disease, chronic kidney disease, being blind, nerve damage, and high blood pressure level. Some symptoms for diabetes are:

*Loss of weight

*Fatigue-no energy

*Excessive thirst

*Increase in appetite

*Vision eyesight blurred

*Frequent urinating

Type 2 diabetes:

Type 2 of diabetes is the more common form of diabetes and although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes it can usually be controlled by losing weight and getting rid of excess fat, exercise, and eating healthy foods. Those with type 2 diabetes are able to create insulin; however, the pancreas can’t create enough insulin for a healthy blood sugar level or a normal glucose range to enter body cells to be used for self energy. Some of the diabetes risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes are:

*Genetic ancestry: If a parent or sibling has diabetes two the risk is higher for another family member of getting the disease.

*Being overweight

*Type 2 diabetes increases with age 45 and up

*Race or ethnic background. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in Africans, Latin Americans, Native Americans and Asians

*Non active. Health and fitness exercise is important for keeping type 2 diabetes under control

*Elevated blood pressure

Gestational diabetes: what is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes, sometimes called glucose intolerance pregnancy, affects women who have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Usually, for most women there are no signs of symptoms. Most women are routinely screened between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy with a gestational diabetes testing glucose screening test. Screening is usually done by what’s known as the oral glucose tolerance test. This test measures blood sugar glucose to see if the body is handling the breaking down of blood sugars. Controlling gestational diabetes consist of diet & nutrition and exercise.

With any one of these diabetes types, controlling diabetes with diet, exercise and keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible is crucial for a diabetic.



Thanks to Lamar Dean for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Implantable Insulin Pump

Sugar is part of a whole slew of meals. The carbohydrates that we eat are later on converted into sugar or glucose while it undergoes the processes inside our body. These sugars are what we use for energy. However, there are really foods that are pure sugar or contain a lot it, which can cause the sugar level in our blood. When this sugar level increase, we may suffer diabetes and other ailments.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease resulting from the increase of blood sugar level above its normal values. The sugars in the blood are supposed to be transported to the cells of the body. But if a person has diabetes, the sugar build up in the blood. The build up of sugar is caused one of the following reasons: either the pancreas is not producing enough hormones called insulin that helps the glucose get into the cells or the body can not make use of the insulin as it is supposed to be.

Diabetes is a disease that exists not only on its own but could trigger a lot of complications and other diseases to surface. These diabetes complications include heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. It has become one of the major causes of death all over the world.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Like any other sickness, diabetes surface symptoms that should be monitored. These are physically manifested symptoms that could easily diagnosed so if anyone is suffering from the following, seeing a physician is recommended. Diabetes have the following signs: extreme hunger and thirst, excessive drying of the skin, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, slow healing sores, tingling or numbness of hands or feet, sudden vision blurredness.

When the diabetes is insulin-dependent, other symptoms include nausea, vomiting or stomach pains.

Types of Diabetes

There are three kinds of diabetes that could be developed to specific age range or condition of people. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or the type 1 diabetes is commonly developed among children while non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or the type 2 diabetes is developed among adults. There is also the kind of diabetes that only pregnant women can acquire. The gestational diabetes, though, is not permanent because it disappears as soon as the pregnancy is over; however, if it is not treated it can cause a threat to both the mother and the baby.

Type 2 diabetes is affected by old age, obesity, family history of the ailment, history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, lack of physical activities and race or ethnicity.

Causes of Diabetes

Though researchers have found out what are the things that causes the acquisition of diabetes, the determination of the exact causes of the disease is yet to be discovered. They say that the causes of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different. Type 1 seemed to be developed from environmental triggers like unidentified virus that attacks the pancreas and causes it to malfunction in producing insulin.

Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is closely associated with being obese and regular physical activities can help prevent the development of which.

Therapies and Treatment for Diabetes

When a person has developed type 1 diabetes, his or her blood glucose levels should be closely monitored through regular glucose tests. Since most food intake contains sugar or substances that will later on be converted to sugar, it is necessary that the food to be eaten is also monitored or measured. Healthy diet, exercise and insulin injections are the basic treatments for type 1 diabetes. However, the insulin should be balanced with metabolism of the body in terms of physical activities and food intake.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes is almost the same with that of type 1. Blood glucose should also be closely monitored; however, some people are required to take some oral medications to avoid blood sugar to increase beyond normal parameters. Since this type of diabetes is not insulin-dependent, insulin injections are not required.



Thanks to Dr John Anne for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Cure For Type 1 Diabetes

Millions of people around the world are inflicted by diabetes mellitus, or more commonly called diabetes. You may be suffering from this chronic disease without even knowing you have it. Even though it an incurable disease, you can lead a long, normal healthy life if the diabetes is properly controlled by following the proper treatment method.

Causes Of Diabetes

Diabetes is the result of failure of your pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin is necessary to help glucose enter into the cells of your body where it is used to release energy. When insulin is not available or is not functioning like what it’s supposed to be, glucose will not be able to penetrate into the cells. It will remain in your blood and when the blood glucose level is too high it will result in a condition called pre-diabetes or diabetes. A pre-diabetes condition is a situation where the blood glucose level is higher than normal, but below the level where it would be classified as diabetes. If both this condition is left untreated, it will lead to other health problems such as renal failure, blindness, heart disease and even liver failure. Persons diagnosed with a diabetes condition should get immediate medical attention to avoid further complications because diabetes can be managed quite easily by the patient himself.

Diabetes can be generally classified into 3 categories, i.e. Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is generally suffered by children or young adults. The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which is experience by most adults and older people. Gestation diabetes is when a pregnant woman experiences a high blood glucose level although prior to her pregnancy, she does not have this condition. This condition may also disappear after she delivers her child.

Is Diabetes An Inherited Disease?

The answer is not too clear. Statistics have shown that 10 percent of children suffering from Type 1 diabetes have a close relative with this type of disease. Scientist and medical researchers have recently identified that when a muted gene (SUMO-4) is present, the risk of getting Type 1 diabetes in children increases. However for Type 2 diabetes, the role of genetics is unclear.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Most people do not know they are suffering from diabetes because the symptoms can be quite obscure without actually screening for the disease. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include the following:

* frequent urination especially at night

* feeling thirsty and hungry frequently

* blurred vision

* loosing weight without trying

* feeling tired or fatigue easily

* bruises and cuts which are difficult to heal

* numbness or tingling sensation in your hands and feet

* gum, skin or bladder infection that keeps coming back

Some of these symptoms are too obscure and leads to delayed diagnosis of diabetes. Some patients do not even show these symptoms. When in doubt, consult your family doctor and have the screening process for diabetes done.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects many people. More than 6 million Americans do not know they are suffering from Type 2 diabetes. As a precaution, persons above the age of 45 should undergo screening for diabetes, especially if you are overweight. If it is confirmed that you have diabetes, do not feel as if your life is ending soon. Get medical attention fast and you will lead a long normal life.



Thanks to Elsie Shan for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Diabetes Blood Glucose Levels

Diabetes is not contagious. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes means a disease where people have too much sugar in their blood. Diabetes mellitus is a disease where people have too much glucose (a kind of sugar) in the blood. Diabetes is likely to be underreported as the underlying cause of death on death certificates. About 65 percent of deaths among those with diabetes are attributed to heart disease and stroke. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are 20.8 million children in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. The three main types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes , type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

Type-2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes worldwide. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is often associated with obesity and hypertension and elevated cholesterol , and with the condition Metabolic syndrome. People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. It is also associated with acromegaly, Cushing’s syndrome and a number of other endocrinological disorders. About 90–95% of all North American cases of diabetes are type 2, and about 20% of the population over the age of 65 has diabetes mellitus type 2. The fraction of type 2 diabetics in other parts of the world varies substantially, almost certainly for environmental and lifestyle reasons, though these are not known in detail. Family history and genetics play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist) significantly increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is more prevalent among Hispanics, Native Americans, African Americans, and Asians/Pacific Islanders than in non-Hispanic whites. Type-2 diabetes is a lifelong illness, which generally starts in middle age or later part of life, but can start at any age. People who are overweight and inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t develop overnight. It usually begins with insulin resistance, where the body’s cells can’t use insulin properly. Glucose builds up in the bloodstream. The pancreas keeps on producing insulin to try and get the blood glucose level down. Over time the pancreas loses its ability to secrete insulin. This can sometimes result in the person with type 2 diabetes having to inject insulin every day. Obesity, aging, and lack of exercise can all play a role in developing insulin resistance and heightening the risk for diabetes. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and, sometimes, diabetes medications or insulin therapy.

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Tips

1. Type 2 is initially treated by adjustment in diet and exercise, and weight loss.

2. Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount of food, and eating meals at the right time.

3. Regular exercise helps control the amount of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight.

4. Exercise improves overall health by improving blood flow and blood pressure.

5. Oral sulfonylureas (like glimepiride, glyburide, and tolazamide) trigger the pancreas to make more insulin.

6. Biguanides (Metformin) tell the liver to decrease its production of glucose, which increases glucose levels in the blood stream.

7. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose) decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive tract, thereby lowering the after-meal glucose levels.

8. Thiazolidinediones (such as rosiglitazone) help insulin work better at the cell site.

9. Wear a diabetes identification bracelet and carry change or a cell phone for a phone call in case of emergency.

10. Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.

11. Protect feet with comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

12. Stop smoking because it worsens blood flow to the feet.



Thanks to Juliet Cohen for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Diabetes Diets

Learning to deal with diabetes is never easy. It is bad enough we have to live in a greed-based world filled with confusion, violence, media junk, and so on. Still, those with diabetes can live healthy providing they adhere to diet, medications and exercise. Diabetes is a serious condition. The disease is the mother of all disease in the world and it is a killer.

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that you can get if you do not eat right or take care of your body. Genetics play a part in diabetes as well. In fact, hereditary is a hard cause of the problem. The disease can cause blindness. The disease can lead to amputation of legs, or feet. Diabetes is a disease that when your body does not produce enough insulin to break down sugar in the bloodstream. Diabetes includes two types, yet various levels are considered. Diabetes includes Diabetes Insipidus and Mellitus.

The first diabetes is where your body is incapable of producing enough insulin to do what its supposed to do. This type of diabetes is treatable. You will need medications, exercise and strict diet to maintain your health. Diabetes Mellitus has five types. Each type results from insulin interruptions whereas the system is disrupted. The disruption causes chaos within the body’s ability to function. The body cannot act naturally and it takes insulin shots to treat this condition depending on the type.

How would I know that I have this disease called diabetes? If you go to your doctors on a regular basis, your doctor will monitor your health. If you have family history of diabetes, let your doctor know so he/she can conduct random testing. A glucose test is necessary to find diabetes. Blood lab tests are useful also to spot diabetes.

What you should watch for? Drinking but not filling your thirst quench. If you feel fatigue often and don’t know, then you should be tested. Diabetes, depending on the type makes a person feels weak, endure pain, lose weight, gain weight, etc. The disease is so confusing to the bodily functions that it doesn’t know the direction to head.

What can I do to help me not to get this disease? No one has control over disease but you. If you adhere to regular checkups, the doctor can spot the disease at an early stage, which the disease then can be managed. You need to eat right and do excises daily to help maintain your weight, since diabetes takes delight in feeding the disease to the point of death.

What happens to those with diabetes? Unfortunately, the disease is not partial. The disease targets young and old alike. Once the disease develops it puts the person at risk of blindness.

Some people lose their legs or other limbs resulting from diabetes. Most people with diabetes are at risk of kidney failure. If you already have diabetes then listen to your doctor and follow all instructions. One of the top recommendations to diabetes patients is to consume much fluids. Your body is losing fluids as diabetes drains your bodily organs of its natural elements. You will also need to avoid saturated fat foods and basic sugars. In addition, your doctor will need to test you regularly to control your illness.

You want to take care when diabetes is present since it can lead to meningitis, headaches, tachycardia, dehydration, muscle weakness, pain, and so on. In addition, you may endure blurred vision, sexual dysfunctions, slow healing, and so on. Again, diabetes is a killer; so take care of your health.



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

Natural Cure For Diabetes