Diabetes, a disease characterized by chronic high levels of glucose in the blood, is not the major problem it once was. Prior to the end of the 19th century, it might well have been a death sentence for many. Excess glucose can have a number of ill effects, including poor cut healing or kidney damage, even coma. With the advancement of monitoring and insulin delivery methods, it’s often now little more than another daily task to perform.

Diabetes occurs from either the body’s ineffective use of insulin or its failure to produce sufficient insulin. Type 1 diabetes results from the pancreas’ islet cells failing to produce sufficient insulin to permit blood glucose to enter the cells and be used as energy. type 2 diabetes is termed insulin-resistant diabetes, since cellular resistance to insulin’s action allows excess glucose to stay in the blood.

Although the causes of different types of diabetes are not fully understood, most scientists believe a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors contribute to its development. One factor or the other sometimes dominates. For instance, around 3% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes at about 24 to 28 weeks along. gestational diabetes disappears after delivery. However, Type 1 is primarily genetic and affects mainly children and young people.

Symptoms of diabetes are generally the same, no matter the form of the disease. These symptoms include: extreme thirst, frequent urination, and occasionally stomach pains or dizziness. These symptoms can be caused by numerous diseases. If you suspect you have diabetes you should be tested by a doctor.

A simple blood test is all that is needed to determine if you have diabetes. Normal blood glucose should be close to 99 mg/dL. A glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes. Doctors may double check a high glucose level with a second test before diagnosing diabetes.

Once confirmed, regular blood glucose monitoring is a must. Fortunately, there are today many convenient ways to do that. Testing devices the size of a cell phone are common. A small sample of blood is smeared on a strip fed into the instrument, which delivers a number within seconds. Some recent devices measure glucose level through the skin using an infrared beam.

Though diabetes is still a serious disease, diabetes management is easier today than ever before. Most people with diabetes can ward off serious complications through a proper treatment routine. Diabetes is no longer the disabling problem it was in the past; now diabetics can enjoy the same long, active lives that everyone else does.

Share This

Ask anyone if they have heard of diabetes and they will likely answer yes. Most people have heard of diabetes. They may have a friend or relative who has the condition. However, most people know little about how diabetes affects the body.

Chronic high blood glucose levels characterize the medical condition called diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the cells resist utilizing insulin to absorb glucose or when the system does not produce sufficient insulin.

When too little insulin is produced, Type 1 diabetes occurs. When the cells resist insulin type 2 diabetes occurs. Type 2 is the most prevalent, happening in 90 % of all cases of diabetes. Type 1 is occurs in approximately 7 % of the cases. Diabetes afflicts some 7% of Americans, the majority of whom are 60 or over.

The remaining types of diabetes are less common and generally temporary. For example, pregnant women may develop gestational diabetes- a condition that ceases upon delivery.

All types of diabetes usually produce frequent urination, as the body attempts to eliminate the excess glucose. This attempt results in an unusual thirst. Untreated diabetics may feel their thirst is unquenchable.

Because Type 1 usually affects children and teenagers is has been called juvenile onset diabetes. Type 2 is found mainly in older people and so has been called adult onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused mainly by an autoimmune system malfunction that damages the pancreas. Obesity and other factors may cause Type 2.

Both have genetic components as risk factors. But in either type, and regardless of the cause, the net effect is the same: an inability to clear glucose out of the bloodstream because of inadequate or faulty insulin production or use.

Insulin is the hormone chiefly responsible for regulating the level of glucose in the body. Many foods that contain carbohydrates are broken down by digestion and produce primarily glucose. That glucose is taken up by the body to supply the energy needed for cell repair, muscle movement and a thousand other functions. Insulin helps the glucose make its way into the cells.

When insulin is produced in too low an amount, or the body’s cells resist the intake of glucose by interfering with insulin’s function, diabetes is the result. Since the pancreas produces the overwhelming majority of the body’s insulin, when some condition causes it to malfunction, diabetes can result.

Whether diabetes is Type 1 or Type 2, it is generally chronic. However, much can now be done to reduce the bad effects of diabetes. Either type of diabetes can be managed with appropriate nutrition and fairly easy treatments. Diabetes also varies in its degree of malfunction. Sometimes the insulin used or made is just slightly insufficient; in other instances, the cells are strongly resistance to insulin or the pancreas makes virtually no insulin.

Since excess glucose left in the bloodstream can lead to a range of complications, diabetes can have a number of follow up effects. But how severe those effects are depends on the severity of the insulin deprivation or resistance.

Share This

Examples of possible disruptions of our air supply could be swimming under water or being involved in a house fire. Or, a person who has experienced a heart attack realizes the value of the human heart and its function. In addition, a person who has type two diabetes knows of the dangers associated with the inability of the body’s insulin to process glucose. The proper utilization of glucose is necessary for the cells of the body to receive energy.

Difference Between Type One And Type Two Diabetes

First of all it is important to understand the basic differences between the two types of diabetes. The two types of diabetes are type one diabetes and type two diabetes. Knowing the differences is critical when it comes to treating these two illnesses.

Type one diabetes is defined as that diabetic condition in which the pancreas is producing zero amounts of insulin. Although this malady can develop at any age, it was often labeled as juvenile diabetes because of its frequency amongst children and young adults. Being subject to this type of diabetes requires that the individual receive daily insulin from other manufactured sources.

Type two diabetes generally manifests itself in the later stages of a person’s life. This type of diabetes is defined as the body’s inability to utilize what insulin the pancreas is producing. The condition created by type two diabetes can usually be controlled by diet, exercise and prescription medication.

Manifestation Of Type Two Diabetes

Type two diabetes has its onset when the body begins to oppose the insulin that is being reduced. Specifically, the muscles and tissues of the body do not physiologically respond to the insulin. The pancreas responds to this rejection by increasing the production of insulin. Also in concert with the pancreas, the liver, storage organ for glucose, releases glucose in response.

This process eventually reduces the ability of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. In addition the muscles and tissues become increasingly resistant. This continued process eventually increases the blood sugar level within the body due to the inability of the process to break down the sugar or glucose in the blood.

Who Is At Risk

Those who are primarily at risk in developing type two diabetes are those individuals who are over the age of 40. Another added risk factor are overweight individuals. Specifically, overweight is defined as an individual who has a body mass index of over 25 and who does not maintain an active lifestyle. In addition, a person who is identified as having an apple shape physique, a great amount of fat content surrounding the stomach, have a higher risk of developing type two diabetes.

Of great concern, lately, are the epidemic proportions at which children are gaining weight. This weight gain, due to poor diet and lack of exercise, puts these young children at risk for type two diabetes.

Symptoms

It is important to note that individuals who have type two diabetes do not necessarily exhibit any symptoms of this disease. The symptoms of type two diabetes include increased urination, excessive thirst, feelings of fatigue, weight loss, increase in appetite, general malaise and blurry vision.

Share This

With the explosion of type 2 diabetes and the fact that this disease affects your bodies ability to break down food and hence turn it into energy,. It is important to make sure you stay ahead of the symptoms one of which is excessive sweating.

To help decide if you are in a risk group and need to see a doctor other symptoms are diarrhea, blurred vision, excessive thirst, bad breath, confusion, depression, fatigue, weight loss even buzzing ears.

Healthy Diet a help with diabetes

On average Americans consume about 55 teaspoons of sugar each day this can be divided between average sugar use of 150 pounds of sugar and 600 odd cans of soft drink per year. Knowing this its not hard to understand our countries current problem with stressed out fat people.

Much of the food we eat has massive levels of additives and chemicals as well as sugar. Lots of these junk foods is peppered with toxins like msg and aspartame. While in small doses these maybe ok, imagine the damage when consumed over a year.

Losing weight will help Diabetes Sweating

With today’s increased weight problems and sudden waist enlargement the subject of increased insulin resistance has become more mainstream. By getting a comfortable and tailored exercise regime and sticking to it you will see an improvement. In fact this will promote good sweating and not the bad kind, the type related to diabetes.

Another popular way to loose weight is to become a member of one of those weight loss clubs like Jenny Craig. These programs are good because of the structure they provide, generally assigning points to everything you eat. If you are on these programs don’t allow yourself to get upset if you are not loosing weight fast enough. Try to stay positive and keep relaxed, if you stick to the diet you will succeed.

Work Out Regularly for a Diabetes Sweating Cure

Although exercise helps maintain a good weight, it also uses insulin and blood sugar for energy. In fact the more you work out the more you accomplish and the better you feel. It is important for sanity reasons to build variety in your exercise program, after all you don’t want to stop because of boredom.

Diabetes Sweating Cure - Prescription Medication

Many times diet and exercise cannot reduce your blood sugar level alone, often this is with people predisposed to diabetes. Even some ethnic groups have a higher chance of getting diabetes than others.

Type 2 medications are designed to accomplish four things: increase how much insulin the pancreas makes, decrease insulin resistance, decrease how much sugar the liver makes, and delay how quickly sugar is absorbed. So research your illness and you should be able to get successful results faster.

Share This

Is there a cure for type 2 diabetes? If some herbal supplement manufacturers and natural cure promoters are to be believed, there is. Unfortunately, scientific studies and results say otherwise. Diabetes is still an incurable disease although it can be managed effectively, something that about 15 million people in the U.S. will find relief in.

What is type 2 diabetes?

type 2 diabetes mellitus was once referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes that causes an abnormality in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids in the body. type 2 diabetes is also called the adult-onset diabetes because it often appears in adults as a result of lifestyle choices.

It is a condition that is associated with impaired secretion of and resistance to insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to the advancement of the disease and its complications. Symptoms of this disease develop gradually and people who have type 2 diabetes will usually not recognize that they have the disease until it has progressed.

How is type 2 diabetes ‘cured’ or at least, treated?

Treatment is extremely important when dealing with type 2 diabetes because it can lead to complications that are life-threatening. These complications include kidney failure, heart disease and blindness. In fact, diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of blindness in people between the ages of 20 and 75. Diabetes is also the reason behind 40% of kidney failure cases and has been known to cause cardiovascular problems.

The main thrust of any treatment for type 2 diabetes is to control the amount of glucose found in the blood. This helps prevent symptoms such as pain, tingling, burning and numbness and to prevent other complications. The treatment will not cure these symptoms, but they can be effectively minimized and the complications avoided.

For type 2 diabetes, a semblance of a cure can be produced with the use of a controlled and sensible diet, regular exercise and weight loss. This is usually the first course of treatment, primarily because weight and a lack of physical activity are often lead contributors to type 2 diabetes.

diabetes diet and lifestyle

There is no specialized diet for type 2 diabetes, but portion control and preference for healthier foods should be implemented. Typically, people who have diabetes will work with a nutritionist or dietitian in order to create a diet plan to regulate blood sugar levels. A sensible diabetic meal plan usually involves several types of carbohydrates, a moderate amount of protein and low fat.

Regular physical activity is important to help prevent complications involving the heart and also to promote weight loss. Recently, researchers found that the risk of a person developing type 2 diabetes increases by about 4% with every pound of weight exceeding his or her ideal range. Weight loss, combined with a good diet plan appears to help the body process insulin effectively.

Living a sensible lifestyle, while still not a cure, is usually enough to regulate a diabetic’s blood sugar level. However, this may not be effective as a long-term treatment for type 2 diabetes. Eventually, medication will have to be used. Oral medications are often prescribed as the first course of treatment. These include drugs such as sulfonylureas, metformin, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, troglitazone and repaglinide. These drugs are formulated to bring down blood glucose levels. If taken in controlled doses and monitored, these drugs should be an effective means with which to manage type 2 diabetes.

Oral medications are effective for about 40% of people who have type 2 diabetes while about 40% will need insulin injections. A percentage of these will require a combination of both oral medications and insulin injections while about 10% will do well using just a good diet and exercise regimen.

Beyond the hype

When headlines trumpet that a cure for type 2 diabetes is possible, they’re almost tempting to believe. The only problem is that this news may be misleading and can be quite dangerous because until now, no cure for type 2 diabetes has been discovered. It remains an incurable condition and will have to be managed with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

There will always be hype about a ‘cure’ for type 2 diabetes and somewhere, someone will always have a reason to want to believe in it. However, remember that any scientific breakthrough that will make a huge difference in the lives of millions of men and women all over the world will mean big news. If a ‘cure’ for type 2 diabetes suddenly appears, exercise prudence and common sense when considering it.

The future of type 2 diabetes

Research about type 2 diabetes is ongoing and the main goal is to finally find a cure for this disease. Its exact cause is still unclear, although there is plenty of research being performed on any effects environmental and genetic factors might contribute. As of now, new drugs and methods are probably the nearest we can get to a cure. Until a real solution is found, we will have to rely on these methods and medications in order to ensure that type 2 diabetes is managed and its symptoms and associated complications are minimized.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as cure for type 2 diabetes natural cures for diabetes and diabetic neuropathy treatment that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flor_Serquina

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/120/cure-for-type-2-diabetes-is-it-available-now/feed/ http://understanddiabetes.com/74/type-2-diabetes-and-diabetes-care/ http://understanddiabetes.com/74/type-2-diabetes-and-diabetes-care/#comments Sat, 19 May 2007 03:36:59 +0000 Faith http://understanddiabetes.com/74/type-2-diabetes-and-diabetes-care/ Diabetes does not have to mean the end of an active normal life. It does mean that your lifestyle will need to be healthier. type 2 diabetes can be delayed, and the longer you can delay it, you have less chance of developing severe complications. Heart disease, kidney problems, and blindness are severe complications that can results from untreated diabetes.

A diabetic will need to take extra precautions with their feet. Because diabetes damages circulation, often the feel lose all sensation. They are then more vulnerable to injuries, even small ones that can develop into severe complications that may even cause a loss of a limb.

The American Diabetic Association has several recommendations to prevent or slow down diabetes. Remember, if you can delay the beginning of diabetes, you also will reduce your chance of complications from the disease.

Controlling your weight is one of the first steps in controlling diabetes. Watching your dietary intake, losing weight if you are overweight, and reading the labels of the packages you buy at the grocery store will help you delay the onset of diabetes. Switch to sugar free colas, replacing whole grains instead of pasta, watching your fat intake, and drinking more water will help you to lose weight and be healthier.

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/74/type-2-diabetes-and-diabetes-care/feed/ http://understanddiabetes.com/62/first-year-type-2-diabetes/ http://understanddiabetes.com/62/first-year-type-2-diabetes/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:51:17 +0000 Faith http://understanddiabetes.com/62/first-year-type-2-diabetes/ The First Year type 2 diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)
by Gretchen Becker

ISBN: 1569245460

When it comes to getting a decent review of a book that is essential to anybody with type 2 diabetes and who have just been diagnosed, then I think at this point I would like to leave it to the professionals as I simply think this book is divine. If you want to know what is actually in it read this review from the Library Journal:

This is the first entry in the publisher’s “First Year” series, which seeks to set itself apart from other health advice lines with its authors all “patient-experts.” Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1996, Becker quickly learned that there are many ways to approach diabetes care. She uses appropriate humor and presents basic information to take the reader through each day of the first week, each subsequent week of the first month, and the next 11 months after diagnosis. Emphasizing the self-management skills that all diabetics must master for adequate control of the disease, Becker addresses the questions not always anticipated or answered by healthcare providers. For instance, she covers necessary and optional tests, diet, drugs, weight and stress management, and the emotional strain of the disorder. Her sections on insurance and paying medical bills are excellent. Internet diabetes expert Rick Mendoza has also contributed a chapter on online resources. Other useful features include a glossary, reading list, and further resources. This excellent volume should inspire patients to manage prudently their disease. Recommended for consumer health collections. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hosp., Tampa, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/62/first-year-type-2-diabetes/feed/ http://understanddiabetes.com/13/a-balanced-type-2-diabetes-diet/ http://understanddiabetes.com/13/a-balanced-type-2-diabetes-diet/#comments Thu, 26 Oct 2006 09:38:07 +0000 Faith http://understanddiabetes.com/13/a-balanced-type-2-diabetes-diet/
type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes among the American population. Considering this issue, it’s no surprise that there are so many dietitians in the big cities specializing in this condition. Every person who suffers from this disease knows that they need to follow a strict diet.
If you have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, do not feel as if the world has ended. Many people assume it’s a death sentence, but that isn’t true. An adequately managed type 2 diabetes diet can help you in living a healthy life and without the dangers that imply uncontrolled diabetes.
Should I Look For A Professional For A Type 2 diabetes diet?
It’s a must. Although some people may think that creating a diet is relatively simple (eat a lot of salad and cut the sugar and the fat), in the case of diabetes it isn’t so simple. The dietitian will take into account a series of factors as age, weight, height, physical activity, ethnic group, past medical conditions and your actual physical condition.
If you are overweight, you will receive a different diet from someone who is really healthy. The caloric requirements are very different, besides the amount of minerals and vitamins that you need to ingest. Once the dietitian has made you an evaluation and asked you about your food preferences, he will present you with a type 2 diabetes diet plan.
What Are The Benefits Of A Type 2 diabetes diet?
The main, and best, benefit is that you will be able to live. If you are overweight and continue with your lifestyle, it’s highly probable that you will loose your vision and that one or two limbs will have to be amputated from your body. So consider the diet a vital part of your life and do not dismiss is as a secondary thing. If you want to maintain your life expectancy, you need to be very strict with your type 2 diabetes diet.
One final recommendation. Look for the help of a professional doctor. Do not fall on the false promises of alternative medicine. Diabetes isn’t curable, yet. So any person, medicine or any kind of product that promises to cure diabetes is a scam. Diabetes type 2 is caused by the inability of the body to assimilate insulin. Something so complex can’t be cured with some herbs or a diet. Medicine should be left to professionals.

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/13/a-balanced-type-2-diabetes-diet/feed/ http://understanddiabetes.com/6/adult-type-2-diabetes/ http://understanddiabetes.com/6/adult-type-2-diabetes/#comments Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:26:59 +0000 Faith http://understanddiabetes.com/6/adult-type-2-diabetes/ Many people are not aware that diabetes is actually of three types: (i) type 1 or child diabetes, (ii) adult type 2 diabetes, and (iii) gestational diabetes. All the three types are diabetes and many of the symptoms converge; however, each of these types has a different onset time and development.
What Is Adult type 2 diabetes?
Adult type 2 diabetes is almost always associated with being overweight, though it is not very clear what exactly triggers it. In this case, the insulin becomes lesser and lesser effective and as a result sugar starts to get built up in the blood. This is medically termed as insulin resistance. When this occurs, and this usually occurs in adults, the person is found to suffer of adult type 2 diabetes.
The adult type 2 diabetes is today an extremely common occurrence. It is estimated that 1 in 90 people suffer from the adult type 2 diabetes. Though this type usually develops in older adults, it is observed lately that this trend is more and more blurred.
What Exactly Is Insulin Resistance?
When the insulin normally produced in one’s body fails to regulate the sugar, this failure is termed as insulin resistance. You will find this type of diabetes called as ‘beta cell failure’. Some of the main symptoms are as follows:
” All of a sudden you find that there is a high percentage of glucose in the blood
” There is a sudden raise in the fat levels in the blood, making the arteries susceptible to clogging and hence result into serious heart problems
” You will find a steady increase in blood pressure
” You develop a good deal of gout which is in lay terms the condition of acute joint pain
What Are The Common Symptoms Of This Disease?
Most of the symptoms are common to all the three types of diabetes, i.e. the patient will feel extremely thirsty and urinate often, will feel fatigued all the time, will experience sudden weight loss (though the loss in weight will not be too pronounced), there could be sudden itchiness around the genitalia (caused by yeast infection common with diabetics), get skin infections and irritation very frequently.
What You Can Do When You Find You Suffer From Adult type 2 diabetes
” First of all you will need to control your diet so that sugar will be kept in check.
” You will need to introduce to your diet a great deal of fiber and eliminate fat to the largest extent.
” You will need to learn to measure your blood glucose levels and to inject yourself with insulin when required
” Have a doctor’s number within easy reach so in case of any emergency you can immediately ask for expert advice and get medical help

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/6/adult-type-2-diabetes/feed/ http://understanddiabetes.com/22/type-2-diabetes-symptom/ http://understanddiabetes.com/22/type-2-diabetes-symptom/#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 14:17:15 +0000 Faith http://understanddiabetes.com/22/type-2-diabetes-symptom/ Word Count: 411
Keyword Density: 5/1.22%
Which Is The Most Common type 2 diabetes Symptom?
Diabetes Type 2 is one of the two types of diabetes, and the most common one among patients in the USA. In this kind of diabetes, the body has an over-excess of glucose inside the blood, but why does this happen? Basically, it’s because people who have diabetes have problems assimilating food.
What Causes Diabetes Type 2?
After eating, the normal process inside a human body is to transform the food into energy for its immediate consumption or for future storage. Food is broken into a type of sugar called glucose. This sugar is transported by the blood through all the body. In order to transform sugar into energy, cells require a hormone called insulin.
This hormone is produced by the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the organs in the body can’t use insulin properly. As a consequence, the levels of sugar in the blood increase without being utilized, and what’s worse is the cells in the body starve for energy.
If this condition goes untreated, it starts to take its toll in the body of the victim. The high levels of glucose will start to affect blood vessels and nerves. There are a series of possible complications like kidney disease, blindness, gum infection and it may even require amputation of determined limbs, a very nasty scenario for anyone.
Do I Have A type 2 diabetes Symptom?
So, how do you know if you are having a type 2 diabetes symptom? After all, almost 6 million Americans have type 2 diabetes and don’t even know about it. How is that possible? What may be happening is that they associate the type 2 diabetes symptom as an illness of another kind, or they may be at the beginning stages of the disease.
In case you suspect that you have a type 2 diabetes symptom, there are other things that need to be considered. The most typical kind of symptoms are increased thirst or hunger, weight loss, fatigue, increased urination, blurred vision and sores that do not heal by themselves.
If you are in good physical condition and have less than 45 years of age, it’s quite probable that these symptoms are related to another illness. But, if you are overweight and/or over 45 years of age, you should make an appointment with your doctor and tell him about your worries. It may be nothing, but it’s better to attack diabetes at the beginning.

Share This

]]> http://understanddiabetes.com/22/type-2-diabetes-symptom/feed/