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

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can be very subtle and difficult to recognize. Many people with hypoglycemia have become so used to their symptoms that often, they don’t even recognize their own abnormality. This is especially true when it comes to behavioral changes.

There is a whole variety of symptoms that can be caused when the body cells are deprived of sugar or when blood sugar drops too quickly. The most common symptom of hypoglycemia is fatigue. When referring to fatigue, the normal kind of fatigue that occurs after hard work or exercise is not what is being discussed. Hypoglycemic fatigue affects the muscles and nerves and usually can’t be relieved with rest or sleep. The brain is extremely dependent on glucose for its energy source. Once blood sugar levels have dropped, hormones kick into action. The release of adrenaline can cause sweating, tremors, hunger, and weakness. It should also be kept in mind that if your blood sugar levels drop at a more gradual pace, the patient may not even recognize the symptoms as those of hypoglycemia. Those experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia may feel dizzy, confused, clouded, and emotionally unstable without any visible tremors. Symptoms such as anxiety or panic attacks can become a part of hypoglycemic mood swings.

Other mental symptoms of hypoglycemia include melancholy, irritability, hostility, confusion, and paranoia.

Along with the above, there are many other symptoms that can result from hypoglycemia. These symptoms include amnesia, anxiety, antisocial behavior, breathing difficulties, confusion, constant worry, crying jags, depression, digestive disorders, drowsiness, emotional instability, exhaustion, headaches, heart palpitations, impatience, inability to cope, insomnia, intense hunger, internal trembling, irritability, lack of concentration, nervousness, dizziness, seizures, severe sweating, fainting, tingling, and tremors.

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels are low at night time, causing insomnia. Eating a whole grain snack or small piece of cheese 30 minutes before going to bed can help to reduce occurrences of this scenario.

There are, unfortunately, hundreds of people that struggle with low-blood sugar symptoms and are unaware as to why. By simply switching for a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates to one that is comprised of protein and complex carbohydrates, one can bridge the gap between a dysfunctional life and a rich one. In order to determine whether you have hypoglycemia, you must first examine your eating habits. Simple facts like what and when you eat can directly affect how you feel. Anyone who has unexplained fatigue, depression, crying spells, anxiety, or apprehension should investigate low blood sugar levels as a potential culprit. You should also look into your family history, as hypoglycemia tends to run within families.

Those people who are chronically stressed and often find themselves on a roller coaster of blood sugar going up and down are especially prone to dips in energy at certain times of the day. These people have adrenals that are not functioning optimally, causing them to want sugar when they hit a real low point. Usually, in the mid-afternoon, adrenal glands are at their lowest level of functioning. If you do, in fact, suffer from hypoglycemia, you will feel good right after you eat and then your mood and physical status will deteriorate from two to six hours after eating.

Keeping your glucose levels stable is important to maintaining good health. Snacking on complex carbohydrate foods can help regulate the amount of sugar that is released into your blood system. Consuming large quantities of fiber can also slow down the absorption of sugar in the digestive tract and level out blood sugar.

Look for great advice and fiber supplements at your local or internet health food store. When purchasing products, always buy name brands to ensure quality and purity of the supplements you buy. Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Lycopene is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.



Thanks to Darrell Miller for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Managing Hypoglycemia

When you are referring to blood glucose levels, it is the amount or concentration of glucose in the human body which should be normally in the range of 4 and 6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). If you are suffering from diabetes you are experiencing levels outside these limits. Higher glucose levels do not always mean you are diabetic, as they may be caused due to several other health reasons. However, whatever may be the cause, it is necessary to maintain the levels within the range as very high or low levels may cause damage to your small blood vessels or develop other risks.

Normal Blood glucose levels:

The total amount of glucose circulating in the human blood is about 3.3 to 7g for an average adult assuming his blood volume to be 5 liters. The blood sugar levels are regulated by the human body as part of a metabolic homeostasis. Glucose which is the primary source of energy for the body cells gets transported via the bloodstream from intestines or liver to the body cells. Blood glucose levels are higher immediately after meals. Ideally the values are 4 to 7mmol/L before meals, less than 10mmol/L immediately after meals and 8mmol/L at bedtime. They are usually the lowest in the morning before you have the first meal of the day. Unless with larger intervals between meals or a substantial carbohydrate content in the recent meal the sugar levels remain within a narrow range of about 3.9 mmol/L or 80 mg/dl to 6.0 mmol/L or 110 mg/dl. It may shoot up temporarily to 140 mg/dl or 141 mg/dl after eating.

Health effects

Failure to keep the blood glucose levels in the normal range may lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. High levels or hyperglycemia is caused when you have sugar levels much higher than the normal range. Persistent hyperglycemia may even lead to diabetes mellitus. Long term hyperglycemia causes health problems like diabetes, kidney damage, nerve damage etc. Low blood sugar level may cause hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are lethargy, irritability, loss of consciousness, impaired mental function, and even brain damage in some cases.

Common tests

There are different tests that can be done to measure blood glucose levels.

* Fasting blood sugar (FBS):

This test is used to measure levels of glucose after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours. This is often the first test done to check for diabetes, though not the only one.

* Random blood sugar (RBS):

RBS measures the blood sugar regardless of when you have last eaten anything. Several tests may be conducted throughout the day. Random testing is useful in healthy people whose level do not vary widely throughout the day. Any variation may indicate a problem.

* 2 hour postprandial blood sugar:

This test is carried exactly 2 hours after you eat a meal.

* Oral glucose tolerance test:

This test is usually used to diagnose pre-diabetes and involves a series of measurements after you drink a sweet liquid which has glucose. It is most commonly use to diagnose gestational diabetes.

* HbA1c test:

This test is carried out to find out the average blood sugar levels over the previous six to eight weeks. It is basically useful to find out how you are controlling diabetes. HbA1c is a compound which is produced as a result of chemical reaction of hemoglobin and glucose in blood. It is also called as glycated hemoglobin. Consistent high levels cause HbA1c to rise. It is 6% of hemoglobin in people without diabetes, 7.5% with fair control of diabetes and 8.5% indicates poor control of diabetes.

Maintaining blood glucose levels in the specified normal range is necessary to keep you healthy and avoid any kind of future complications.



Thanks to Annie Duvall for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Adult Onset Diabetes

The Layman’s Guide To Diabetes

Facts about diabetes that everybody should know

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the commonest but very serious health disorders found all over the world. Approximately one in every 25 person suffers from it and a big population is predisposed to suffer from it. With all the advancements and developments in modern medicine, we have failed to find a cure for it. We do not even know the exact causes of Diabetes. Diabetes today has affected whole world irrespective of peoples’ life styles. Elder or younger, rich or poor, rural or urban; all have equally suffered.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is associated with a hormone called ‘insulin’ which is secreted by a gland known as ‘pancreas’ situated near the lower border of stomach. Diabetes arises either from ‘deficiency of insulin’ or from ‘inability of cells to utilize the available insulin’. It is basically the ‘lack of action’ of insulin that brings about Diabetes. This disorder affects the whole metabolism of the body. Modern sciences have failed to explain with certainty why pancreas stops the production of insulin or why body cells develop resistance to insulin.

The causes of diabetes are still not known but there are certain predisposing factors that considerably increase the chances of developing diabetes. Some predisposing factors are

Obesity

Sedentary life style with very less physical activity

Family history of diabetes

Old age

Eating habits especially when food contains excessive carbohydrates

What actually happens!

When we eat food, it is digested in digestive tract beginning from mouth. Complex food is broken down to simpler foods such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. which can be absorbed in the blood. In a normal human being, the glucose produced in this way is acted upon by a hormone called insulin which helps in taking this glucose to all body cells for their energy needs and converts the ‘left over’ glucose into glycogen. Thus, the chief role of insulin is to regulate the glucose level in the blood. Sometimes, for unknown reasons, either the Pancreas gland stops producing insulin or the body cells develop inability to utilize the available insulin thereby causing glucose level in the blood to rise which eventually results in diabetes. More than 90% of all diabetics suffer from the diabetes that is caused by inability of body cells to utilize the available insulin to regulate the glucose level.

When body cells do not receive glucose for their energy needs, they begin to starve. To supplement the energy needs, body starts disintegrating the stored fats and proteins leading to loss of weight, fatigue, weakness and several other complications.

Symptoms and their reasons explained

Common symptoms of diabetes include

Frequent and excessive urination

As I explained earlier, glucose level in the blood is very high in diabetes. This glucose circulates in blood and reaches

kidneys which filter the blood to form urine. Kidneys ordinarily never let glucose pass into the urine but when glucose level is excessive, this glucose enters the urine and during this, kidneys filter a lot of water also which results in excessive and frequent urination in diabetes.

Excessive thirst and dry mouth

Excessive urination in diabetes leads to shortage of water in the body. This, in turn leads to thirst and dry mouth.

Hunger

Since, the body cells do not get glucose, they begin to starve. Although the glucose is all around yet cells cannot utilize it. This is a case of ‘scarcity amidst plenty’. This starvation of body cells leads to more and more hunger.

Weight loss

When body cells cannot utilize glucose, the stored fat in the body is slowly disintegrated to compensate it. This leads to loss of weight.

Fatigue

Along with stored fat, the protein in the muscles is also disintegrated to nourish the starving cells. This results in fatigue and weakness of the body.

Blurred vision

Our eyes have a fluid inside them that helps in focusing. Due to high concentration of glucose in blood, this fluid also changes its concentration thus leading to blurring of vision and frequent changes in power of eye lenses.

Slow healing of cuts and wounds

Since the blood contains abnormal amount of glucose, it provides an ideal medium for the growth of pus forming micro-organisms. This in turn affects the healing of even small cuts and abrasions and delays the recovery.

Itchy skin and fungal infection

The blood of a diabetic is quite rich in glucose which provides favorable conditions for faster growth of micro-organisms that cause diseases. This is more visible on skin which becomes vulnerable to infections. This excessive glucose also causes itching on the skin.

Complications

There are various complications that may take place due to prolonged presence of glucose in bloodstream.

Some commonly occurring complications include

A. Diabetic Coma

B. Coronary Heart Disease

C. Cerebral Hemorrhage

D. Gangrene

These complications are a result of very complex changes that take place in the body due to excess glucose. Almost all parts of the body are affected by Diabetes and in long run, it ruins all body parts.

Hyperglycemic Coma

This is a commonly occurring complication of diabetes. But how does it happen?

In diabetics, glucose does not nourish the body cells either due to deficiency of insulin or due to inability of body cells to utilize available insulin. As a result, stored fats in the body start disintegrating and chemical compounds called ‘ketones’ are formed which make the blood ‘acidic’. Now the body tries to reduce the acidity and forms more and more urine. But this in turn reduces the fluid content of the body and further increases the acidity of the blood which eventually affects the brain and Coma sets in.

What to do!

There are some predisposing factors that may cause diabetes as explained earlier. Sedentary life style invites the disease therefore one should cultivate a life style full of physical activities and exercises. People working in the offices usually do not get any opportunity to remain physically active. Such people should try to spend some time out of their chairs and do as much physical activity as possible at their work place. Today’s little workout can ward off tomorrow’s great suffering.

Obesity is another big predisposing condition. More than 70% elder people who develop diabetes are obese. Physical exercises and a check on food intake are best things one can do to avoid adding unwanted weight.

Family history plays a role in causing diabetes. When one is aware of occurrence of diabetes in the family, one should prepare against the disease by avoiding other predisposing factors like obesity, sedentary life style, faulty eating habits etc. Remember, a prepared man has half fought the battle!

Foods may also be related to diabetes but it is not known with certainty which foods may cause diabetes or may hamper the activity of pancreas. One should be careful in selecting food. The intake of fast foods and those foods that are quite rich in carbohydrates should be minimized.

Diabetes badly affects all physiological systems of the human body. Majority of the diabetics develops severe complications that shorten the lifespan. Whether there is any history of diabetes in one’s family or not, it is always advisable to take precautions and lead a physically active life. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

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Thanks to anil kapur for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

New Treatment For Diabetes

Learn About Diabetes - Information & Facts

The Diabetes is one of the deadliest diseases in world, one in four people in America have this disease. The diabetes disease touches everybody, kids, young and old. It becomes important for everyone to learn what is Diabetes? The real reason is when body is unable to utilize or accumulate glucose. The Glucose is a form of Sugar. The level of glucose when goes high in bloodstream, it causes blood glucose to rise in individuals body. The Diabetes can be categorized into three stages. The three stages of diabetes are “Pre Diabetes”, “Type 1 Diabetes” and “Type 2 Diabetes”. The diabetes has become so common in people that it is common to find kids, teenagers, young adults diagnosed with Diabetes.

How does Glucose affects body?

It is a disorder in the body that affects the way body utilizes the food for energy. All food contains sugar, the digested food in body is broken into sugar known as Glucose. The glucose is used to produces energy. The individual glucose keeps circulating in blood and enters into body cells, once inside the cell the glucose is used as fuel to developed energy. The Insulin is a hormone, which body uses to push Glucose into body cells, if this process stops working then the blood sugar level rises in body.

 Categories of Diabetes

What is Pre-Diabetes? - This is first stage to being diagnosed as Diabetes, under “Pre-diabetes” category either there is shortage of insulin required for pushing Glucose into body cells or body has become resistant to insulin. The people who get diagnosed with “Pre-Diabetes” are venerable and need precautions and changes in life style to keep out of diabetes diseases. Another pointer is your blood sugar numbers, if your blood sugar readings are above normal and not enough to be classified as diabetes. The “Pre-Diabetes is also known as “Impaired Fasting Glucose” or “Impaired Glucose Tolerance”. The good news is that early sign gives you God sent opportunity to prevent your condition changing from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes. There is no medication required in “Pre-Diabetes” condition, with control over food, exercise and changes in lifestyle will help to keep out of diabetes danger.

What is Type 1 Diabetes? - Juvenile-Onset or Insulin-Dependent

In Type 1 Diabetes, a person’s body can’t produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually occurs in early age but can happen any time is life period. The research is still going on diabetes type one, how it happens. As of now the reasons are that body has little or not enough insulin to use Glucose to make energy.

What is Type 2 Diabetes? - Formerly called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent

In Type 2 Diabetes a person’s body has become resistant to insulin. This type of diabetes happens after 35-40 years of age. This form of diabetes is 90 percent common in people. The reasons for “Type 2 Diabetes” are due to genetic reasons, being overweight, because of lack of exercise are some of the reasons.

 



Thanks to SANJAY KAK for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Blood Glucose Monitoring System