Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is an insulin-related disease that affects nearly 21 million people in the USA. This grave situation is characterized by the bodys inability to produce enough using the services or insulin. It is the hormone, insulin, which is responsible for hot flashes from glucose into the cells of the body. When blood sugar rises, our health suffers greatly.

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), about 14.6 million people in the USA are diagnosed with the disease, while nearly 6 million people have not yet been diagnosed. In a 2005 NDIC report, the total results with regard to diabetes patients of all ages, from those of the elderly to experience toddlers May symptoms of diabetes. Typically, type 2 diabetes who suffer are usually diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 50.

The symptoms of diabetes

There are many signs that alert a person that May be suffering from diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes May occur in bulk or a patient May an exhibition only a few. Whatever the case May, when any of the following diabetes symptoms appear, patients should contact their doctor.

Individuals should be on the lookout for: frequent urination, extreme hunger or thirst, blurred vision, sudden weight loss, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, fatigue, skin too dry, increased infections and slow healing of wounds. People with type 1 diabetes symptoms include nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain.

Different types of diabetes

If you experience symptoms that prove the disease, it will be diagnosed as suffering either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of diagnosed cases of diabetes where the immune system actually destroys the cells in the body that produce insulin. This type of diabetes May also be regarded as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes. Most people with the disease are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which involves the bodys resistance to insulin. Another type of diabetes exists, but only affects 2-5% of pregnant women. It is called gestational diabetes and has the potential to harm the mother and child when they are not treated.

From Diabetes

When accompanied by regular exercise and proper medication, healthy eating habits can relieve the symptoms of diabetes. Thanks to a balanced diet, filled with a healthy mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, good nutrition can be used as a defence against the symptoms associated with diabetes. Acceptable foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, beans, milk 2% and lean meats. The fried foods and very sweet foods should be avoided if diagnosis of diabetes.

Demand for treatment is important

When you think you are exhibiting symptoms of diabetes, an immediate visit to a doctor is required. The reason is that when diabetes is not treated, a host of debilitating health problems follows closely. Since foot problems tend to affect diabetics, there are many concerns in this area, including infection, gangrene and amputation. The eye problems are also common in people with diabetes. When left untreated, blindness May occur. Other health problems associated with diabetes untreated symptoms include heart disease and renal failure. The disease is so serious that it is a major cause of death in the USA.



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

Want to find out about gestational diabetes symptoms and diabetes facts? Get tips from Diagnosing Diabetes.



How To Lower Blood Sugar

Learning to Cope With Diabetes

There are three different types of diabetes that are very common today. Diabetes effects millions of people around the world and it can be a life threatening disease if it is not properly treated or treated in time. Many people may not even know that they have diabetes. That is why it is so important to talk to your doctor about your family history and get regular checkups with your doctor.

Getting the right medications for your health conditions is very important. With the right medicines and a good exercise program, along with a good diet, you should be able to take care of yourself with only some limitations. You can lead a very normal life if you have diabetes. Of course you do have to take the right care of it.

Some people are choosing to only try natural remedies, which can benefit your diabetes symptoms almost as well as a prescribed medicine, but others may not have a choice but to have insulin injections, sometimes as often as six times per day. Listening to your health care physician is vital after being diagnosed with diabetes. He will be able to assist you on what types of medicines that you will need. He will also talk to you more about which kind of exercise program you will need to start on. And, of course, your diet which is vital to maintain.

After being diagnosed with diabetes you will have to monitor your blood sugar levels every single day. Your doctor might even ask you to keep a journal on these daily readings so that he will have the ability to view them upon your follow up visits. This will keep him informed on your progress and allow him to make any slight adjustments that may be needed to your medications. He will be able to determine by these daily readings if your medications,diet and exercise program are helping you as much as they should be. If not, then he will know what needs to be done from there. It is important to keep up with this kind of information for him so you will have the proper treatments.

Different Types of Diabetes

There are three different types of diabetes that are very common today.

Type1 Type2 Gestational

When a woman becomes pregnant she will find that during the last trimester of her pregnancy her doctor will be checking her for what is called gestational diabetes. Usually if a woman is diagnosed with this type of diabetes during pregnancy, after giving birth, their glucose levels will go back to normal. The risk of diabetes is still there, up to 10 years after delivery or if she has a family history of diabetes. If a woman develops this type of diabetes during her pregnancy, her child will be at higher risk of becoming diabetic sometime throughout their life.

The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. This is the kind of diabetes where the patient is not dependent on insulin shots. Being overweight has a lot to do with someone getting this type of diabetes, however, that is not the only thing to blame for it. With some people it may be genetic while with others it is caused by a high blood pressure level. Becoming physically active can help when treating this type of diabetes, along with a proper diet and medicine that your doctor will prescribe. He can give you an exercise program to follow along with the right kinds of food you should be eating. Number one rule is-follow your doctors orders fully.

The other kind of diabetes is Type 1 diabetes. This type is usually caused by pure genetics or your diet. This type of diabetes means that you are insulin dependent. Depending on the severity of this type of diabetes will determine how many shots you will need each and every day. As with the other types of diabetes it is vital that you put yourself on a regular exercise program along with a proper diet. Always get regular check ups with your family doctor. The patients pancreas is not producing any amount of insulin at all and that is the reason it is called autoimmune diabetes. If not treated properly and promptly, this can be the most dangerous one of all.

Enjoying Sweets With Your Diabetes

Many people believe that people with diabetes can not, in any way, have the enjoyments of indulging occasionally or ever, in getting to eat sweets. Those of you who are suffering with diabetes, if you do not already know, will be very happy to hear that you can in fact enjoy those sweet pleasures once in awhile. It is all about moderation, not just for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. The problem with any foods that are bad for us, is that so many of us eat entirely too much.

Studies have shown that people with diabetes that do enjoy the occasional sweets do have to worry about their blood sugars rising a little bit too quickly, but that also happens with any kinds of fatty carbohydrate foods that a diabetic might eat. I am not telling all diabetics to go out and get sweets anytime they please but just that if you choose to, if you crave it, if you feel like you need it, go for it, just do not over indulge yourself too much ok. It is important to keep your blood sugar in check at all times when you have diabetes.

If you do decide you want sweets one evening, just plan for the occasion, eat less carbohydrates throughout the day to give your body a fair shot at a tasty treat. Just remember to watch your portions. If you are creating your own special sweets then perhaps you could consider substituting the real sugar for one of the new substitues . That is very helpful when trying to watch your weight and also keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels. Having diabetes does not mean that you are going to suffer from now on with cravings that you can not ever satisfy.

Drinking Coffee For Diabetes

Now for the really good news for coffee drinkers. It has been discovered that drinking caffeine coffee actually reduces your risks of becoming a diabetic and it also helps in the many types of treatments for people who have type 2 diabetes. Many people may not be aware of this, so you should all consider doing a little research on the ways that coffee can actually help your health and talk it over with your family doctor. Several studies have been done on whether or not this is really accurate and the results are overwhelming in the ways that coffee can actually help your health. Usually women have more of a resistance to insulin than men do, so women may benefit from this knowledge more than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that with these studies, they have actually found that the risks for diabetes is going down somewhat with the increase of coffee consumption. Many people might be really happy with these findings because drinking coffee is something that many people all around the world enjoy, usually on an everyday basis.

If you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, drinking coffee several times a day will help with your insulin secretion because of the effects coffee has on your gastrointestinal hormones throughout your body. You can lower your glucose absorption rate and lessen your chances of futher complications by having a cup of coffee daily. Not only does your consumption of caffeine coffees help reduce your risks of diabetes and helps in treating some diabetes, it will also help in controlling a woman’s cholesterol levels.



Thanks to Janice Lockeby for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Janice Lockeby is a published author of many health related articles. Most of them about diabetes since she has dealt with it with her family members for many years. You can visit her at http://www.newbloodsugar.com



Early Warning Signs Of Diabetes

Diabetes a Health Hazard

DIABETES

Definition as stated by Dr Miriam Stoppard

Types of diabetes

1- Type 1

2- Type 2

Causes

1- Lifestyle

2- Disorders

3- Gestational diabetes

DIABETES MELLITUS



Long term complication

1-Heart problem

2-Eye

Treatment

1-Insulin Prevention

2- Good lifestyle 1-healthy diet

3- Monitoring blood glucose 2-blood pressure measurement

3- healthy lifestyle

Symptoms

1-excessive urination

2- weakness

3- weight loss

Notes from readings

- pancreas either produces insufficient amounts of insulin or body cells become resistant to the hormone’s effects.

- Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

- Although dietary measures are also important, it must be treated with insulin injections. About 60,000 people in the UK have this type of diabetes.

- The pancreas continues to secrete insulin but cells in the body become resistant to its effects.

- Diabetes mainly affects people over the age of 40 and is more common in overweight people.

- Condition may be treated with dietary measures only.

- Diabetes mellitus can sometimes develop during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes and is usually treated with insulin to maintain the health of the mother and baby.

- Type 1 diabetes is usually caused by an abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas.

- Type 2 diabetes are less well understood, but the genetics and obesity are important factors.

- The symptoms of type 2 may not be obvious or may go unnoticed until a routine medical check-up. The main symptoms of both forms may include:

- Excessive urination

- Thirst and a dry mouth

- Insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

- Lack of energy

- Blurry vision

- Weight loss

Symptoms of type 2 may go unnoticed until routine medical check up.

The main symptoms of both forms may include:

- excessive urination

- thirst and a dry mouth

- insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

- Lack of energy

- Blurry vision

- Weight loss

The main symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

- nausea and vomiting, sometimes with abdominal pain.

- Deep breathing.

- Acetone smell to the breath (like pear drops or nail polish remover)

- Confusion.

Living with diabetes:

- A healthy diet

- Drinking and smoking

- Special care for your feet.

- Exercise and sports.

- Strenuous exercise

- Moderate exercise

- Medical check up

- Eye examination

- Blood pressure measurement.

Treatment for:

Type 1

Insulin can be injected into any fatty area, such as upper arm.

Source: Dr Miriam Stoppard , Doling Kindersley Ltd 2002 ‘Family Health Guide’, pages 504 to 507.

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

- Diabetes is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide.

-A considerable proportion

of people either have impaired glucose tolerance with a significant

risk of development of diabetes, or have undiagnosed Type 2

diabetes.

-Pivotal to reducing the risk of morbidity and the development

of complications and mortality is the normalisation of both fasting

and postprandial blood glucose levels.

-diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions

worldwide, with between 5 and 10% of the world population

affected.

- People with diabetes have approximately twice

the prevalence of hypertension compared with non-diabetic

patients

-40% of subjects were defined as hypertensive on entry

(receiving antihypertensive treatment or with a mean systolic

blood pressure ? 160 mmHg and/or a mean diastolic blood

pressure ? 90 mmHg)

-People with diabetes are 17 times more prone to kidney disease,

with diabetic nephropathy being the most common

complication [11]. Diabetic nephropathy may eventually

lead to end-stage renal disease and thus significant mortality.

-Approximately 30-40% of people with diabetes develop

retinopathy, and diabetes is the most common cause of blindness

in the working years of life in developed countries

-According to a 1997 estimate [12], 120 million people

have Type 2 diabetes (approximately 2% of the world population)

and an additional 4 million have Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 85% of all cases of

diabetes in developed countries and almost all cases in developing

countries. It appears to be epidemic (affecting a high

and increasing proportion of the population) in many parts

of the world, and represents a serious and growing global

health challenge primarily as a result of increased obesity,

ageing populations, increasing urbanisation and a more sedentary

lifestyle [34, 35]. However, data from many parts of

the world with high and increasing prevalence (Asia, Latin

America, China) are not broadly based, and so this estimate

is likely to be markedly low.

-Type 1 diabetes

is one of the most common childhood diseases in developed

European countries and the incidence has increased dramatically

in some newly prosperous countries

-The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in particular is expected

to increase considerably as developing countries become

more Westernised in terms of availability of healthcare and

modernisation of existing resources, as well as a result of

substantial improvements in diabetes surveillance and

screening. Growth is projected to be greatest in Asia and

Africa, where diabetes could become 2-3 times more common

than it is today [12]. By 2025, more than 75% of people

with diabetes will be from developing countries, compared

with 62% in 1995

-Type 2 diabetes suggests a need for continuing

attention to control of blood glucose, blood pressure

and blood lipids through medication, diet and exercise.

People with Type 1 diabetes, and increasingly those with

Type 2 diabetes, have the additional burden of subcutaneous

insulin injections, self-monitoring and care of their insulin

supplies and equipment.

Direct Quote

Dr Miriam’s definition of diabetes is:

“the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Paraphrase

The body uses glucose as energy in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin (which is essential for the absorption of glucose) or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

Summary

Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by- products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Plan

1- Introduction

a- Definition

b- Types of diabetes

c- Brief description of each diabetes

2- Causes

a- Causes of Type 1 diabetes more frequent in children

b- Causes of Type 2 diabetes more frequent in adults

3- Symptoms

a- Both short term and long term consequences in case of non treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

4- Treatment

a- The use of insulin to control diabetes in both Type 1 and Type 2

5- Short Term and Long Term complications.

a- Short term and long term effect in Type 1 diabetes

b- Short term and long term effect in Type 2 diabetes

6- Conclusion

a-healthy diet

b- healthy lifestyle

7- Bibliography

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is developing in epidemic proportions in today’s world with 5 to 10% of the worldwide population affected. This disease is defined by Dr Stoppard, “as the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin”. Which means that the body uses glucose in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes:

1- Type 1 which is caused by the abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin secreting cells in the pancreas. It is more common in childhood.

2- Type 2 which causes are less understood. However, genetics and overweight are important factors.

Causes

Diabetes of Type 1 is usually caused by some viral diseases which affect the immune system of the child, though the genetic factor of one parent suffering from type 1 diabetes may have some effect, however most children who develop type 1 diabetes do not have parents with diabetes. As for Type 2 diabetes it is the increase in food intake which leads to overweight and obesity as well as the living of a sedentary lifestyle and it mostly affects adults.

Symptoms

Both types of diabetes have the same symptoms where there is excessive urination which account for the thirst and dry mouth but also for the insufficient sleep at night because of the need to go to the toilet. This state is paralleled by the lack of energy; blur vision and quick weight loss, abdominal pain, deep breathing and acetone smell breath may also consist of symptoms of diabetes.

Treatment

While the Type 1 diabetes have to submit themselves to the burden of insulin injection, self monitoring and the care of their insulin supplies and equipments, though the Type 2 diabetes have the need to control their blood glucose, their blood pressure and their blood lipids these may be done through medication, diet and exercise but sometimes in addition the Type 2 diabetes have to make insulin injections as the Type 1’s diabetes with all the inconvenience attached to it. As for treatment by insulin Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by-products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Hence, no complete cure of diabetes exist, for it is a chronic disease but it can be controlled so as not to cause more severe damage to the body which is affected by it. For that a healthy diet with special attention to avoid excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Special care should also be taken with the feet and the eyes. Medical check up as well as blood pressure measurement should be regular. While sports should be practiced excessive strenuous exercise should be avoided.

Short Term and Long Term effect

If left unattended the diabetes mellitus may give rise to both short-term and long term complications. In case of Type 1 neglect of treatment may lead to nausea and vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain and deep breathing, while an acetone smell breath is noted. If left untreated the subject quickly enter in a confusion state where dehydration may lead to coma and death. As for the Type 2 diabetes if left untreated as is often the cause long term diseases like cardiovascular diseases occurs which may end up in a stroke. These are consequences of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol in the blood. There is an increase risk of cataracts in the eyes and symptoms of dizziness upon standing and poor circulation because of nerve damage may lead to ulcers and gangrene.

Conclusion

In conclusion it can be said that the Diabetes mellitus is a disease that compel the one suffering from it to adopt a healthier lifestyle so as to control the devastation that the disease may cause to the body and to avoid the shortening of one’s life.

(810 words)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1- http://www.e2med.com/dm

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

2- Dr Miriam Stoppard, 2002, Family Health Guide, Doling Kindersley Ltd, England



Thanks to Noorjahan DAUHOO for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Mother of two.



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