Early Stage, Signs and Symtoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic ailment, characterized by an increased sugar level in the blood. It is caused due to abnormal metabolism of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin regulates the metabolic process of sugar in the body. It induces the body cells to take up glucose from the blood, for using it as a source of energy. This function of insulin is disturbed in a diabetic patient. Hence, sugar remains in the blood, resulting in high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) and associated symptoms.

Three Types of Diabetes

It is estimated that about 8.3 percent Americans have diabetes. In fact, it is identified as one of the leading causes of death, after cancer and heart disease. Diabetes is classified into three major types, depending upon the etiology, viz. type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. While the health effects accompanied with high blood sugar remain the same, actual symptoms differ slightly according the type of diabetes. Hence, to get a better understanding about the same, a brief explanation about the three diabetes types is given below.

Type 1 Diabetes

About 10-15 percent of diabetes patients are diagnosed with this type. Type 1 diabetes is caused due to damage of beta cells of the pancreas, which results in little or no production of insulin. Previously, it was thought to affect only children and hence, it is referred to as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes. Since a patient of type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections daily, it is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

In contrary to the type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is known as insulin-independent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes, accounting to about 85-90 percent of all the cases. In this diabetes type, either the body cells do not respond properly to insulin (though hormone secretion is normal) or there is insufficient insulin. It is often associated with obesity and a less active lifestyle.

Gestational Diabetes

This form of diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, but occurs exclusively in pregnant women. Also known as carbohydrate intolerance, it is caused either due to hormonal changes or shortage of insulin during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar level becomes normal or near normal after the birth of the baby. In case, the symptoms persist then there is a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes in a later period.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

A few symptoms of diabetes are manifested in the early stage (or prediabetes phase). Hence, about one-third of people who have diabetes remain unaware of the high blood sugar level. When the early signs of diabetes are present, they are often confused with symptoms of other health problems. Let's look into some of the warming signs of diabetes.

• A common sign exhibited in the early stages of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is frequent urination (polyuria). Since the glucose in the blood increases above the normal level, filtration by kidneys is incomplete. This also hampers water absorption by the kidneys, resulting in frequent urination.
• Due to increase in the frequency of urination, the body losses excessive fluid. Ultimately, dehydration occurs, causing increased thirst (polydipsia). If one is drinking more fluid than the usual amount, and the number of urination is increased, either type 1 or type 2 diabetes is suspected.
• Another warning sign of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is increased appetite. One of the functions of insulin is stimulating hunger. Since, the body starts secreting more insulin to lower glucose level in the bloodstream, it is obvious to experience increased hunger (polyphagia).
• A patient who is in the prediabetes stage suffers from unusual weight loss, even without trying. This is caused due to excessive loss of sugar in the urine. The body starts using muscular proteins and fats as its source of energy, resulting in weight loss. This symptom is typical of type 1 diabetes.
• In a person with prediabetes, excess sugar is found in the blood and not in the cells. As the body cells are deprived of the main energy source - glucose, the patient feels increased fatigue at most of the time. Physical ability is lowered and the patient gets tired very easily.
• Vision problem is reported in patients of type 2 diabetes. Increase in the blood sugar levels leads to change in the shape of the eye lenses. Over time, this results in poor focusing power and blurred vision in patients.
• A type 2 diabetic patient suffers from frequent yeast and skin infections. Unchecked high sugar brings about damage to the nerves, causing neuropathy symptoms (numbness in the extremities). In addition, cuts and wounds take longer period to heal.

It has been found that the immune system of a diabetic patient is low, as compared to a healthy person. This may be due to presence of elevated glucose in the blood, which in turn hampers the proper functioning of white blood cells (leukocytes). Thus, overall defense mechanism of the body gets disturbed and the person experiences frequent yeast infection, skin infection, accompanied with slow healing of bruises. As far as early signs of gestational diabetes are concerned, it seldom produces notable signs. The expecting mother rarely feels polyuria and polydipsia.

In case, a person experiences any of the above mentioned warning signs, he/she should go for blood glucose test right away. Seeking advice from a health specialist for proper diagnosis is necessary. Doing so will help in delaying the onset or even control this chronic ailment. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and diet modification to keep the blood sugar level under control.

Remember that an untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease and kidney failure. Impotency in men and vaginal dryness in women afflicted with type 2 diabetes are also not uncommon. Along with changes in the lifestyle and diet, regular checking of blood sugar is a must. This helps in confirming, whether the treatment approaches are working or not.

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The Lack Of Magnesium In The Body And Diabetes

An Endocrinologist says that Diabetes is a condition that occurs when insulin is not produced, or is not utilized, properly in the body. Insulin is essential to keep the blood sugar level under control. Therefore, absence or improper functioning of insulin, increases the blood sugar level in the body, resulting in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although the exact cause for the lack of production of insulin, or its inactivity, is not known, there are several risk factors like obesity, family history, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can give rise to this condition. Now, according to studies conducted recently, it has been found that magnesium deficiency, or low magnesium levels, can also cause diabetes.

Deficiency of Magnesium and Diabetes

Magnesium is one of the major minerals required by the body to carry out several functions. Its health benefits include prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, treatment of high blood pressure, migraine and depression. However, studies have also claimed that magnesium plays an important role in prevention of diabetes mellitus (type 2), and also aids in preventing it from turning severe. According to research conducted by Swedish scientists, it was found that there was a considerable decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes in people who had regular intake of magnesium, or whose intake was increased by 100 milligrams. So, how does this happen?

One of the major functions of magnesium is that it aids in carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it stimulates the activity of insulin which indirectly helps in controlling the blood sugar levels. Magnesium also plays an important role in energy production and utilization in the body. When the levels of magnesium drop, we can see the onset of metabolic disorders like diabetes. On the other hand, if the person is already suffering from diabetes, there are high chances of him developing complications like eye disorders or cardiovascular diseases. All these conditions grow worse if a person suffers from magnesium deficiency.

But, what causes magnesium deficiency in diabetics? You may be aware that frequent urination is one of the common symptoms of diabetes. This frequent urination leads to mineral loss in the body, and hence, magnesium gets depleted from the body, leading to deficiency. This deficiency of magnesium exacerbates the complications caused due to diabetes. Therefore, we find that magnesium deficiency and diabetes are closely related to each other.

Treating Magnesium Deficiency

We can say that the risk of diabetes mellitus can be reduced to a great extent by treating deficiency of magnesium. Therefore, it is essential to know symptoms of magnesium deficiency, and consult the doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Magnesium deficiency can be treated by including magnesium rich foods in your diet. Foods like spinach, bananas, halibut, almonds, yogurt, wheat bran and soy beans contain good amounts of magnesium and hence, these foods should be included in your daily diet. Secondly, the doctor may even advise the person to have magnesium supplements to cure the deficiency. It has been found that magnesium supplements are beneficial for people who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes. Supplements should be taken only on the doctor's recommendation, as their intake is based on the age, gender of the person; and severity of the condition.

It is wise to treat and prevent magnesium deficiency as early as possible because of its apparent relation to diabetes. Following simple measures like having a balanced diet every day will help in prevention of nutritional deficiency.

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Diabetes No Excuse For Men Regardless Of Ages

Diabetes is a medical condition that is characterized by an abnormal rise in the level of blood sugar or glucose due to an inability of the body cells to absorb and utilize glucose from the bloodstream. The body cells require a hormone, known as insulin to absorb glucose from the bloodstream, and insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. A shortage of insulin, as well as failure of the body cells to respond to insulin can manifest in the form of high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of Diabetes in Men

Though diabetes can produce a number of symptoms, many of its early signs can look quite similar to the symptoms of certain other health conditions. This can make it difficult to recognize this condition. But it is important to identify and treat it early, as untreated diabetes can lead to some serious health complications. Knowledge about the symptoms of this condition is immensely important for preventing such complications. The symptoms in men are explained below.

Excessive Thirst and Urination

Excessive thirst and urination are considered as some of the most common symptoms. Both men and women can experience frequent urination or 'polyuria' and excessive thirst or 'polydipsia'. Frequent urination is caused by a high level of glucose, which adversely affects the filtering capacity of the kidneys. The kidneys start to draw more water from blood, as a result of which the affected person experiences an increase in the frequency of urination. Frequent urination causes the loss of excess fluid from the body or dehydration, which manifests in increased thirst.

Unusual Weight Loss and Fatigue

Unexplained weight loss can result due to the fact that the body cells fail to absorb and utilize glucose from the bloodstream effectively. The cells of the body need glucose to produce energy and so, an inability to absorb glucose can also result in unusual fatigue.

Increase in Appetite

Diabetic patients experience constant hunger or an increase in appetite, if the body produces a high level of insulin in an attempt to bring down the level of blood sugar. Presence of a high level of insulin in the body can increase hunger, for which some diabetic patients can start eating more. An increase in appetite can sometimes result in weight gain. However, some of the affected individuals could lose weight in spite of eating more than usual.

Nerve Damage

Nerves, especially the nerves of the peripheral nervous system can be damaged by consistently high levels of glucose. This is termed as diabetic neuropathy. Damage to the peripheral nervous system can manifest in tingling and numbness in legs, feet, hands and the fingers and toes.

Recurrent Infection and Slow Healing of Wounds

A high level of blood sugar can also slow down the healing of wounds. Along with this, some men can get recurrent infections. These two are considered as the warning signs of a high level of blood sugar.

Vision Changes

Blurred vision or vision changes can be a common complaint among individuals with high blood sugar level. When the level of blood sugar is consistently high, sugar can accumulate in the lens of the eye and damage the blood vessels of the retina. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy, which if left untreated can lead to blindness.

Erectile Dysfunction

Diabetes and a high level of blood glucose can slowly damage the nerves and the blood vessels of the penis. This eventually can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Other Symptoms

Apart from the above mentioned symptoms, a few additional symptoms can be observed in some individuals. These symptoms include dry mouth, headaches, swollen, red and tender gums and development of dark skin patches on the neck, armpit, and the groin (acanthosis nigricans).

Causes

Diabetes can be caused by an insufficient production of insulin or due to the failure of the cells of the body to respond to insulin. It is mainly of two types, type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the shortage of insulin. The condition usually results from an autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas.
• Type 2 diabetes or insulin independent diabetes is associated with an inability of the body cells to utilize insulin effectively. Another type is gestational diabetes, which some women develop during pregnancy. Development of this condition can be influenced by a number of factors including genetics and environmental factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyle, age, polycystic ovarian syndrome, a poor diet and/or infections.

Treatment

Diabetes is treated or managed with medications and lifestyle and dietary changes.

• Insulin is the conventional treatment option for type 1 diabetes.
• For type 2 diabetes treatment, medications like, sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, D-phenylalanine derivatives can be recommended, along with insulin.
• One should follow a healthy diet that includes fiber-rich foods and fruits and vegetables, and exercise regularly, along with taking the medications recommended by the physician. At the same time, it is important to reduce the amount of sugary foods and animal fats in the diet.

Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes can lead to serious complications, so recognizing the symptoms is beneficial so you can opt for medical treatment right away.

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Symptoms And Signs Of Diabetes

Medical experts says that Diabetes is often referred to as the silent killer -- because so many of its symptoms can be easily overlooked. Find out the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin for the body (Type I) or when cells in the body become resistant to the insulin and cannot use as much of it at one time (Type II), can affect people at any age. However, Type II diabetes is more commonly found in older adults, usually those over age 40, and particularly in adults that are overweight.

Type II diabetes is considered somewhat preventable with proper diet, exercise, and weight management. Individuals with a family history of diabetes and individuals of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Island, or Native American heritage are at greater risk for developing Type II diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), these ethnic groups are at significantly higher risk for the disease, and diabetes affects 10.8% of all African Americans, 10.6% of Mexican Americans, and 12.2% of Native Americans, while the overall prevalence of diabetes in the general population is about 5.2%. As a rule, individuals who are over 40 years old and those who weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight or more are also at higher risk of developing the disease, and within these specific ethnic groups, the percentage of individuals with diabetes increases even more when combined with these factors.

While it's very easy to test for diabetes, a simple blood glucose test is the determining factor, diabetes may not be easily recognized at first since so many of its symptoms are also common complaints for people who do not have diabetes. For this reason, diabetes may often go undiagnosed for a period of time before it is discovered and treated, if it is discovered in time to prevent complications.

Frequent urination, particularly at night, can also be a symptom of diabetes, but this symptom alone would not necessarily suggest the disease either. This symptom would also have to become pretty annoying and recurrent before it would prompt most people to consult a doctor.

Unexplained weight loss is another possible sign of diabetes but again, not a significant indication that the individual necessarily has diabetes. In many cases, people who want to lose weight would consider this an unexpected blessing and might not consult their doctor unless they had lost a considerable amount of weight over a period of time.

Fatigue is a classic symptom of the disease. However, fatigue also accompanies many, many other conditions, some of which are serious and others of which may be just simple virus bugs. So fatigue alone, unless it become debilitating, is unlikely to send someone to the doctor for a blood test.

Difficulty with erections in men may be a sign - although this difficulty certainly doesn't conclusively indicate diabetes - but since it is an often-embarrassing subject for some men to talk about, this symptom may not lead to a prompt diagnosis and treatment. In fact, many men will avoid drawing attention to this problem at all.

Skin infections, wounds that are slow to heal, particularly sores on the feet and ankles, and recurrent vaginal infections (in women), are signs of possible diabetes that are somewhat more likely to draw attention and result in a diagnosis.

Blurred vision and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet are also possible indicators of diabetes, and since these symptoms can be troublesome, are more likely to result in medical attention and diagnosis.

Individuals who experience several of the above-mentioned symptoms may have good reason to suspect diabetes, particularly if they are in any of the higher risk categories, and should contact their physician to request a simple blood glucose test which can either confirm or rule out diabetes.

According to the ADA, 15.7 million people in the United States currently have diabetes. That's nearly 6% of the population. Unfortunately, the ADA estimates more than one third of those individuals are not aware they have the disease and may go untreated.

Untreated or uncontrolled, diabetes can cause comas, blindness, kidney disease and kidney failure, nerve disease and amputations, heart disease, and/or stroke.

Among diseases, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and may also contribute to many more deaths.

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Treatment for Diabetes With Popular Herbs

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough use of insulin. The cause of diabetes then continues to be a mystery, and although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise so appear to play roles. It is a metabolic disorder that characterized by hyperglycemia and other signs just as distinct from a single illness or condition. Diabetes can cause many complications and plant derivatives to help in the treatment of diabetes that should certainly not be discounted.

Although numerous "miracle herbal cure" companies exist, and champion the ability of herbal compounds to supplement insulin as a treatment; these should not be seriously taken at face value without thorough research and consultation with experts. That is not enough to say that some of the following herbs really do not have properties that some diabetics will find beneficial. The herbs and plant derivatives listed just below have largely been employed traditionally by native people in the treatment of diabetes, in the areas in which they grow.

Indian gooseberry, a rich source of vitamin C just serves as the best home remedy for diabetes. Take 1 tbsp of gooseberry juice and mix it with a cup of bitter gourd juice. Consume the mixture daily for about 2 months.

Yemeni med: Soak 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds (Hilba) in 1 cup of water at night. Drink the water in the morning on an empty stomach and eat the seeds. Very good for diabetes because it works like insulin.

Bitter Gourd - Make a watery juice of a small Bitter Gourd (remove seeds) and drink every morning. Bitter Gourd also helps to clear pimples and maintain a good skin, and is good for de-worming the intestines.

The fenugreek plant has been used as a treatment for diabetes for around hundreds of years. Fenugreek is a proven hypoglycemic in numerous studies performed on animals, though not enough studies that have been done on humans to definitively prove the hypoglycemic effect. Fenugreek contains three compounds: rigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, and fenugreekine. The trigonelline works by slowing glucose absorption from the intestinal tract and so preventing spikes in patient blood levels after meals. The 4-hydroxyisoleucine, on the other hand, directly just appears to stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas.

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Keeping Diabetes Under Check

Diabetes is one of the most dreaded and feared diseases. It is one of the few diseases for which there is still no permanent cure plus it leads to other health problems like blindness, loss of sexual powers, gangrene and other grave problems. The one ray of hope for diabetes sufferers is that although their no cure for it but it can be kept under control through some lifestyle changes and intake of some herbs mentioned in ayurveda. Let us discuss about some of the ways through which diabetes can be controlled.

Dietary Changes

For diabetes patients keeping a check on their diet is very important. The following things should be always kept in mind while dealing with diabetes:

1. Sugar should be avoided in any form like rice, potatoes, bananas and other fruits which have high sugar content.
2. Do not eat which has high fat content.
3. Vegetables like bitter gourd, garlic and karela are very good for the health of diabetics.
4. Fruits like grape fruits and Indian gooseberry are also recommended.
5. Try to have raw vegetables and herbs as they help in stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin.

Ayurvedic Herbs Helpful in Diabetes

Ayurvedic system of medicine which is the oldest system of medicine known to mankind. In ayurveda diabetes is referred to as ''madhumeha''. There are some effective herbs which are highly helpful in controlling diabetes like neem, karela, pterocarpus marcupium. These herbs work by triggering the regeneration process of islet cells which help in production of insulin in the body.

Exercise and Yoga

Physical activities are very important to keep your body fit and helping in some resistance against other diseases. Yoga asanas like cobra and locust are a must for every diabetic.

If you follow this lifestyle of exercising regularly, taking herbs, and keeping a check on your eating habits you can easily keep diabetes under control. All you need is a will and desire to keep yourself healthy.

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Defining Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of human body. The pancreas of a person suffering with diabetes is not able to secret the insulin hormone properly. The insulin hormone is responsible for converting sugar, starch and other food into energy.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is mainly of two types – type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

• Type 1 Diabetes
  
  
  Type 1 diabetes is insulin dependent diabetes. The defense system of the body of diabetic starts killing insulin producing cells. The diabetic person needs frequent insulin injections.

• Type 2 Diabetes
  
  
  Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. The sugar levels are controlled by regular exercise and balanced diet. Insulin injections are rarely necessary. Type 2 diabetes needs early identification and control or it can develop into serious complications.

Other type of diabetes are also there which are less common or temporary.

How is a Diabetes Test Done?

During diabetes, the body stops producing energy from sugar, it goes for other options like fats and proteins. Excess consumption of fats and proteins in the human body can lead to weight loss in a diabetic. Diabetes in a person is known by measuring sugar level in blood. If the sugar level is higher than normal, the person is considered as diabetic.

Normally, the sugar level in blood varies with the food intake throughout the day. Thus, it becomes necessary to conduct multiple tests to detect diabetes. While the stomach is empty, normal blood sugar range is between 80 to 120 mg/dl.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

General identifiable symptoms in a diabetic person are:

• getting tired easily: Because fat and proteins are consumed and not the sugar, the body cannot make up for the required energy thus resulting into fatigue in a person suffering with diabetes.
• increased urination: A person suffering from diabetes feels need to urinate more frequently than a normal person. The reason is the excess glucose in the body which is not consumed due to diabetes.
• weight change: Some diabetics can lose weight because of the consumption of fat and body to produce energy while others can gain weight because they eat more to compensate energy loses.
• sensory and behavioral change: Due to insufficient supply of energy to brain, the senses of a diabetic person may not work properly and the diabetic person may feel dizzy, uneasy and irritated.
• infections and wounds that don’t heal: In diabetes, high blood sugar does not allow body to make white blood cells which are responsible for immunity. So, a diabetic may fall prey to infections.

What Causes Diabetes?

Diabetes is mainly caused by the following factors.

• heredity: Heredity is one of the causes of diabetes. If a father or mother has diabetes, then there is an increased chance that the children will also have diabetes.
• mental stress: Emotional or mental stress is also believed to be a prominent cause of diabetes.
• poor diet: Diabetes can happen when a diet is not balanced. Excess weight can lead to obesity which can cause diabetes. Malnourishment can also lead to diabetes.
• age: Increasing age can cause lack of production of insulin hormone in a person which can cause diabetes. This is the reason of 80 percent cases having diabetes are over 50 years of age.

What is the Treatment to Control Diabetes?

Unfortunately, diabetes cannot be cured but it can be controlled to a great extent. It is important to prevent diabetes by proper exercise, balanced diet, no consumption of alcohol, no smoking and mental peace.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, diabetes in a person can be controlled by having proper exercise, balanced diet and mental peace along with medications. It is important to follow doctor’s advice at any cost to prevent diabetes from worsening. Some of the ways to control diabetes are given below:

• keeping check of blood sugar level: Diabetes is caused by low insulin level and high sugar level in blood. Keeping a record of both can help in controlling diabetes.
• eating a healthy diet: Some foods help in stabilizing blood sugar levels like fenugreek, onion and garlic. Vegetables should be abundant, proteins in adequate amount, and carbohydrates and sugar should be low. Other than this alcohol, smoking, caffeine, sweeteners and refined grains should be avoided.
• regular exercise and cleanliness: Diabetes affects the immunity of the body most. To prevent body from falling prey to infection, regular exercise and proper care of body is must. Diabetic shoes should be used to prevent feet from peripheral neuropathy. Body, feet and teeth must be cleaned regularly.
• following your doctor's advice: Diabetics need proper care and regular medication. Medication of diabetes also involves insulin shots. These should be administered properly.
• becoming socially active: Many times, people become socially inactive when they suffer from diabetes. This should be avoided. Becoming socially active helps in reducing mental stress. Thus, diabetics should be involved in social activities and occasions. They can be given special gifts made specially for diabetics.

Diabetes can be Controlled

Diabetes is a disease with serious side effects but it is the result of unhealthy lifestyle. If lifestyle can be turned healthy diabetes can be tackled easily and overall health can be improved. What is needed is true belief in oneself. Once lifestyle is changed and all precautions are followed properly diabetes becomes easy to control.

This article is written by Manoj Yadav Manoj Yadav and posted by blogger guest.

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Preventing the effects of diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people throughout the world today. In many countries, it is one of the leading causes of blindness and end stage kidney failure - and also contributes to the vast majority of deaths due to heart attacks and strokes.

Throughout the world, the incidence of new cases of diabetes is steadily rising - and it is predicted that by 2030, Type 2 diabetes will affect about 366 million individuals - that is 4.4% of the world's population!

There are four areas that governments worldwide are focusing on today

• Prevention: reducing the number of new people developing diabetes
• Detection: diagnosing the condition early - and commencing appropriate treatment
• Motivation: ensuring long term care so patients with diabetes continue with their treatment
• Education: so patients know why they will benefit from self-management

Preventing Diabetes

Nine out of ten people who develop diabetes get Type II Diabetes. Doctors describe the aetiology as "Multifactorial" - which simply means that there are many factors that can contribute to a patient developing the condition. Genetic and ethnic factors play an important role - for example, Native Americans, Indigenous Australians and people from the Indian subcontinent are at greater risk of developing Diabetes as they get older compared to other ethnic groups.

A family history of diabetes - in other words, if one or both of one's parents have the disease - puts one at greater risk. Environmental factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle also increase the likelihood of developing this disease. It has been shown that improving one's lifestyle - such as reducing weight and increasing the amount of regular physical exercise that one does - can drastically cut the risk of developing Diabetes.

The 2003 Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study showed that an intensive lifestyle intervention produced long-term beneficial changes in diet, physical activity and reduced diabetes risk. This type of intervention is a feasible option to prevent type 2 diabetes and can with benefit be implemented in the primary health care system.

Early Detection and Treatment

Diabetes is not just a disease where there is too much sugar in the body - it is a condition which damages the large and small blood vessels of the body. Reducing these Macro vascular (large vessel) and Micro vascular (small vessel) effects is critical - so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential.

For patients with risk factors (a family history of the disease, being overweight, maintaining a sedentary lifestyle without any exercise), diligent screening for the onset of diabetes is important. Getting a blood test for blood sugar at least once a year is a good plan. If diagnosed with the disease, it is important that these new patients receive appropriate Diabetes Education and motivated to undertake appropriate treatment of what will be a lifelong condition.

Community health centers can play a valuable role in running group based programs to teach patients about diet, regular blood sugar testing and motivating them to take their medications at the correct times.

Continuity of Care

Since Diabetes is a lifelong disease, there will inevitably be times when diabetic patients will lose motivation to continue with taking their medications every day and regularly pricking their fingers for blood testing. As a consequence, they inevitably suffer from setbacks and complications. This is having access to a good diabetes educator, dietitian or doctor can help. Diabetic patients are also liable to develop depression - and may benefit from counseling and psychological support.

Self Management

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that needs ongoing management - which ideally requires an informed and motivated patient as well as a proactive team of health professionals.

Self-management is the key to this ideal - since it involves the patient being disciplined - monitoring his blood glucose level, modifying his diet, undertaking adequate physical exercise and taking his medications at the correct dose and time.

All these skills require awareness of the disease, motivation to undertake behavior change and discipline to stick to these changes so as to reduce complications and maximize health and well being in the long term.

This article is written by Sanjiva Wijesinha and posted by blogger guest.

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How to Deal with Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects up to 5% of all pregnancies. Such condition arises for the first time during pregnancy, usually during the second or third trimester. Women who are overweight, have close family members with diabetes, or had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies are at higher risks than others to develop this condition. Needless to say, it is important to treat gestational diabetes properly to ensure the health of yourself and your baby.

Choose the Right Food and Eat Regularly

Having gestational diabetes does not mean you have to starve yourself. A change in your diet patterns and on the type of food intake can normally bring about obvious improvements. In order to maintain your blood glucose on a steady level throughout the day, it is recommended that you eat regularly. Three small meals and three snacks (or even more), preferably at similar times every day, are advisable. It is also important not to miss any meal, as missing one meal would easily lead you to eat more in the next one and this can make your blood glucose level rocket.

As carbohydrate foods have the greatest impact on blood glucose levels, choosing the right type of foods is of paramount importance. The key here is to choose ‘slow-release’ carbohydrate foods whenever possible, as they are helpful in stabilising blood glucose levels. For example, swap white bread with wholegrain varieties such as granary or multigrain bread. Choose wholegrain rice or basmati instead of other varieties, and stick to high-fibre breakfast cereals such as porridge or oat flakes. In general, you should go for starchy, wholegrain foods that are high in fibre as much as possible. A smarter choice of food means you should not feel starved and can keep your sugar level under control.

While carbohydrate foods are the kind of food you need to pay particular attention to when you have gestational diabetes, it is important to bear in mind that you need to have a balanced diet so that the developing baby can get sufficient nutrients necessary for growth. The food pyramid provides a helpful guide on the recommended intake of different food groups and is particularly useful when you are pregnant.

Close Check on Blood Glucose Level

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your midwife or obstetrician would advise you to closely check your blood glucose level before and after meals. A blood glucose meter, such as One Touch Verio Pro, is needed. By keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels before and after meals, you would be able to identify the types of food that are right for your body. If your blood glucose level is exceptionally high after one particular meal, it could be that the food you have just eaten has greater impact on you. You can then alter your diet and avoid that particular type of food the next time and see if your sugar level improves. Of course, if your blood sugar level remains consistently high, it is important to seek professional help from your midwife, obstetrician, or dietician.

Be Active

Apart from choosing the right kind of food, one effective way to keep your glucose level in control is to be more physically active. It is understandable that pregnant women might not have great stamina to engage in a lot of physical activities, especially in late pregnancy. However, you would be amazed to find out that even a little bit of moving about would help with your glucose level. Walking is the best – not only that it is said to be able to ease or even shorten your labour process, but also that a short walk of 15 to 20 minutes would help lower your sugar level.

Try to walk around for a short time after every meal, but if you are unable to do it, either because you are too exhausted or are at work in the office, attempt to move about or stand for some time after a meal. For example, you can go up the stairs instead of taking the lift when you go back to work after lunch, or do some washing up and household chores after dinner at home. The key thing to remember is: do not lie down or sleep right away after a meal.

Be Relaxed

Your mental state does have an impact on your glucose level. Evidence has shown that when you are stressed, it is more likely that your blood sugar would rise. It is because stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol would kick in when you are stressed, and one of their main functions is to raise blood sugar to boost energy when it is needed. While it is natural to feel concerned or stressed about the health of yourself and your baby, try to be relaxed and not worry too much. It is after all always best for mothers-to-be, whether they have gestational diabetes or not, to feel relaxed and optimistic.

This Article is written by Fiona H.W. Wong and posted by blogger guest.

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