Diabetes, Hypertension, and Heart Disease – What’s the Connection?

Diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease we have been told are somehow connected. How? They are connected, that’s true, but what is one to do when faced with this truth? First of all, learn as much as you can about this. Go and see the doctor and find out what to do to lower the chance of getting any of those three.

When you find out that your blood pressure is 132/88, the LDL level is 180 mg/dL and the blood sugar level is 120 mg/dL, what do you think the doctor will tell you? That’s right, he will tell you that you have prehypertension and prediabetes.

Now some people are relieved when they hear the verdict and think, wrongly may I say, that they are home free because they do not have the real hypertension and the real diabetes. They have this false sense of security that everything is fine due to their limited understanding of these three conditions.

So don’t celebrate just yet because studies have shown that those diagnosed with the evil twins of prediabetes and prehypertension have a higher chance of developing diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. So you have work to do to prevent this from happening. And it is not really work for it is something you should do anyway to be healthy.

The goal is for the blood pressure to go below 140/90 even lower if you already have diabetes. It should be 130/80 then. In the beginning, the treatment for diabetes, hypertension and heart problem is practically the same although I’ve seen more aggressive form of treatment with medication right off the bat along with the lifestyle changes. Here are things you can do to stop these three from making an appearance:

• Maintain ideal weight as this is the keystone for treatment of all three conditions.
• Get enough exercise and do this regularly.
• Eat healthy meals and follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and lower fat intake.
• Limit consumption of salt.
• Quit smoking as this is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Limit alcohol to a daily intake of one ounce of ethanol for men and half of that for women.
• Medication may be added by the health care provider if the lifestyle changes cannot control the blood pressure and lipid levels.

Risk for diabetes of hypertension patients have been found to be reduced by preventing enlarged heart. The physicians at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York-Presbyterian Hospital found that patients with high blood pressure may prevent diabetes when treated for enlarged heart.

Around 20% of patients with high blood pressure or 12 million Americans have enlarged heart. The reduced risk of developing diabetes is down by 38% in patients who have shown regression of LVH while treated for high blood pressure. The lowering of risk is not dependent on the type of treatment and level of blood pressure change.

The body needs a healthy heart in order to be healthy as a whole. Past research demonstrated that treatment of enlarged heart among patients with high blood pressure lessens the risk for a number of cardiovascular conditions. Now there is an added benefit in the reduction of risk for diabetes.

It is too bad though that those who have already diabetes showed that high blood pressure treatment is less effective in reducing the enlarged heart when compared with those who have no diabetes yet. In addition, patients with diabetes did not show any link to the decrease of cardiovascular events.

There is all the more reason to prevent diabetes. So we will keep adopting a healthy lifestyle by eating the right way and moving more. Prevention of diabetes among patients with high blood pressure is therefore a vital goal. And that’s the story on the connection among diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Diabetes – If You Are Diabetic Don’t Eat These Foods

Diabetes is when the body doesn’t produce any or enough insulin, which is responsible for converting sugars and starches into energy. Unfortunately, those with diabetes are often strongly warned to avoid a number of foods with high levels of starch and sugars because of dangerous reactions their body may have. Here’s an overview of some common foods that diabetics should avoid eating.

High glycemic index foods are one of the most important things for diabetics to avoid. White pasta in particular poses a risk to diabetics. Anything made with white flour or white rice should instead be replaced with whole wheat and brown rice and pastas or low-carb pastas, if possible. White rice is one of the worst foods for people with diabetes; wild rice is the most preferable alternative because it isn’t actually a rice, it’s a grass.

Sweets and desserts are another major problem area for diabetics, mostly because they’re made with sugar and white flour. Cookies, cake and candy are dangerous areas for diabetics because not only are they packed with carbs and sugar, they’re also very filling and make the person less likely to eat healthy foods.

Potatoes are yet another food to avoid because they contain a large amount of starch. White bread should also be avoided as much as possible because of the enormous amount of white flour. If you want to eat bread, stick with whole wheat.

Here’s something you may not think of: sodas, juices and sports drinks can be very harmful to a diabetic because they contain vast amounts of sugar and have almost no nutritional content.

In addition to these items, diabetics should also avoid fats because they’re at a great risk of heart attack and stroke. Artificial sweeteners are very common for diabetics to use, although they do still raise blood sugar levels. Alcohol is, lastly, one of the most important thing for diabetics to avoid because it causes high blood pressure, high blood sugar and can increase the risk of diabetic nerve damage and obesity.

Diabetes, the Other Silent Killer

Figures from the American Diabetic Association show that diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S, killing approximately 210000 persons every year. Medical and other related costs can soar over $100 billion a year!

The good news is there is a great deal that you can do to help manage the condition at an early stage. Being informed truly is the best medicine. Learning as much as you can about your diabetes, how to control your blood sugar, complications and how to prevent them, can help you stay healthy. As always, be sure to consult your physician first before implementing or changing diet or exercise routines or taking any over the counter medications or nutritional supplements.

Diabetes is a serious condition. It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism, characterized by fasting elevation of blood sugar level and a greatly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and loss of nerve functions.

There are two major types of diabetes. Type I and Type II.

Type I is also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and often occurs in children and adolescents. Individuals with Type I diabetes need to inject insulin everyday. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin (a hormone which helps deliver sugar from the blood to the body’s cells).

Type II is also known as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) and is usually an adult disease. In type II diabetes, insulin is present but not appropriately available due to insulin-resistance. For a variety of physiological reasons, the hormone (insulin) is unable to do its job. The pancreas produces insulin but the body’s cells do not respond to its action and can’t absorb the glucose from the blood so glucose levels rise in the blood.

There are a number of causes which give rise to diabetes. Some of the causes are listed below; however, they should not be considered a complete list.

Heredity plays a major role. Some individuals or ethnic groups may be genetically susceptible than others.

Experts are convinced that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle also play a major role in the development of diabetes.

Impaired digestion and an overworked pancreas.

Syndrome-X (results from a combination of disorders such as hypertension, high cholesterol, blood clotting abnormalities and insulin resistance)

Chromium deficiency.

Prenatal factors. Recent evidence supports the concept that the nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy plays a role in determining whether the child will develop diabetes later in life.

Food with refined sugars and high glycemic index.

Imbalance between two critical hormones- insulin and glucagon.

Misplaced T7 (thoracic 7) vertebra.

Complications resulting from diabetes can be grave if not controlled.

Some complications include but are not limited to:

Hypoglycemia and diabetic coma.

Cataracts, diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, skin ulcers, gangrene leading to amputation, stubborn skin infections and heart disease.

There are some early warning signs you should be aware of if you suspect development of diabetes such as 1) Frequent urination 2) Constant thirst or hunger 3) Blurred vision 4) Numb or tingling hands or feet 5) Slow healing of cuts and bruises 6) Frequent skin infections.

Proper treatment is often delayed because diabetes is not diagnosed until a patient is already experiencing complications.

Diet is an extremely important part of diabetic therapy. Nutrition is the cornerstone for good health. A couple of diet considerations after consultation with your physician could include complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits of low glycemic index, rather than simple carbohydrates such as breads and pastries.

Complex carbohydrates take longer for the body to break down and absorb and therefore provide a slower or more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. Your physician may even advise you to eat smaller frequent meals throughout the day. Along with diet, exercise is also of equal importance. Exercise will increase tissue levels of chromium and also increases the number of insulin receptors. In many instances, changes in diet and exercise may push borderline blood sugar down to a normal range.

The best prevention is adopting a healthy lifestyle. Because obesity is so strongly associated with TypeII diabetes, weight control is an important element of diabetic management. If you want to lose weight to control diabetes, high blood pressure and reduce the risk for developing heart disease then walk, walk and walk some more.

Insulin injections don’t cure diabetes. They enable you to live with it…..that is if you call injecting yourself multiple times a day, “living”. The key word is HEALTHY LIFESTYLE through diet, exercise and certain herbs and supplements.

Tingling Or Numbness in Hands and Feet – A Warning Sign of Diabetes?

Ask yourself these few questions:

1. Do you wake up each morning with tingling hands?

2. Do your feet tingle every time you sit down?

3. Do you just blame it on “sleeping on” your feet or hands?

If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, then I’m glad you’re reading this. The tingling or numbness in your hands and feet may be a warning sign of diabetes.

This sensation of tingling or numbness has alternative names such as:

* Loss of sensation

* Neuropathy

* Paresthesias

* Restless leg syndrome

* Sensory loss

Type 2 diabetes is gradual and many people aren’t aware that they have it. Diabetes is a condition that causes the blood sugar level to be higher than normal. This high blood glucose, among other things, damages the nervous system causing the sensation of tingling or numbness.

If you’re not sure if you have diabetes, look at these symptoms:

* Blurry vision

* Constant Numbness

* Constant Tingling

* Excessive thirst

* Extreme hunger

* Frequent urination

* Increased fatigue

* Irritability

* Unusual weight loss

Don’t self-diagnose diabetes. You must see a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis. Still, you should keep a log when you notice these symptoms so you will be able to intelligently answer questions your medical professional will need to ask you.

Though not a complete list, some of the medical complications caused by diabetes are:

* Eye Disease

* Heart Disease

* Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

* Kidney Disease

* Kidney Failure

* Stomach Nerve Damage

* Stroke

* Urologic Problems

The reason why tingling or numbness isn’t caught in time before it gets serious is because these sensations are similar to the feeling of having a foot or a hand “fall asleep.”

Tingling and numbness is defined as an inability to feel anything when it touches your skin. Thus, the “falling asleep” sensation.

Tingling or numbness can be serious. Call your doctor immediately

if:

1. You have a rash.

2. You have dizziness, muscle spasm, or other unusual symptoms.

3. You have tingling or numbness has no obvious cause like them “falling asleep”

4. You have tingling or numbness in the fingers and/or wrists.

5. You have tingling or numbness in your legs and it worsens when you walk around.

6. You have pain in your neck, forearms, or fingers.

7. You urinate more often.

These symptoms of tingling and/or numbness will be worse at nighttime.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your life is not over and you definitely aren’t alone. If you want something to help keep your diabetes under control, Diamaxol is a safe and effective product that will help you take control of your diabetes so your diabetes won’t take control of you.

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a disease where the body no longer produces or properly uses insulin. There are many causes of diabetes like genetics and obesity, but why we get diabetes remains a mystery. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s immune system destroys the insulin creating cells in the pancreas. This process quickly leads to a complete lack of insulin in the body, therefore forcing a dependency on insulin injections. There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases in the United States are type 1 diabetes. Onset generally occurs in children and young adults, but can occur in adults. This is called late onset type 1 diabetes. Most who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can no longer absorb and process insulin properly. It also can occur when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Those who are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes are generally:

• Overweight
• Have family history of diabetes
• Had gestational diabetes

If you are like me, and fit one or more of the high risk factors, do not worry. There are ways you can prevent onset! The key to good health is exercise and healthy diet. I am always aware of the symptoms of diabetes so I can figure out what I am doing wrong or go to the doctor.

You can prevent diabetes much the same way it is treated. Eat right and exercise. Always be aware of the three warning signs of diabetes; excess thirst, excess hunger, excess urination. If you are having these symptoms, you should visit your doctor.

High Blood Sugar Symptoms – 5 Warning Signs of Diabetes

There are five symptoms generally associated with high blood sugar, as well as a few other warning signs you should be aware of.

1 — Are you thirsty all the time?

Increased thirst is one of the classic high blood sugar symptoms. There’s a reason for this. Your body is trying to wash the excess blood sugar — also called “blood glucose” — out of your system. Your body needs more fluids to wash the glucose out, so you become thirsty and drink more.

2 — Do you make more visits to the restroom?

Another classic symptom is having to urinate almost as frequently as you get something to drink. This only makes sense, since you’re taking so much fluid in. But remember your body is also trying to wash the blood sugar out — and the fastest way out is to urinate.

Sugar in the urine was one of the earliest tests for high blood sugar and diabetes. It used to be standard to check the urine with glucose test strips, which indicated whether high amounts of glucose were present.

3 — Do you feel generally fatigued or tired?

Fatigue can be a symptom of so many things, even of not getting enough sleep. But if you are thirsty and urinate more frequently, then feeling tired or fatigued might well be associated with high blood sugar symptoms.

The reason for fatigue from high blood sugar is because the blood sugar isn’t going into your cells where you need it for energy. Your cells need glucose for energy to grow and heal, but the glucose isn’t moving into the cells. It’s staying in your bloodstream. When your cells don’t get energy, you aren’t going to feel very energetic either.

4 — Is your eyesight getting blurry?

High blood sugar over time can affect your blood vessels. Some of the more easily affected blood vessels are in your eyes. If your vision changes or becomes blurry for any reason, you should see an eye doctor. Not only for glasses or contact lenses, but their exams can often detect other problems such as high blood sugar.

5 — Do you have changes in your disposition?

I don’t mean the onset of personality disorders or anything like that. But the fatigue that results from high blood sugar is not limited to physical fatigue. It can affect how you feel day-to-day. You can become irritable and touchy. Or emotionally tired and lackadaisical. You may not care as much about things or even people that you ordinarily would feel strongly about.

Some other warning signs to watch out for are:

sudden weight loss —

The reason for this can be the same thing that causes you to feel fatigued. Glucose is not getting into your cells for energy. Your body has to get energy from somewhere, so you start to burn fat for energy. This is usually diagnosed as type 1 diabetes.

Burning fat instead of glucose for energy makes you lose weight, but it also produces toxic by-products known as “ketones”. If your body is producing ketones, you are in what is called the state of “ketosis”. This can become dangerous rather quickly, becoming “diabetic ketoacidosis,”or “DKA”.

The signs of DKA include a flushed appearance, dehydration, exhaustion, shock, and eventual unconsciousness. Severe DKA requires immediate and expert medical care. If you are experiencing these symptoms then see your doctor right away, as in immediately.

overweight, especially around your abdomen —

The unhappy opposite of weight loss is overweight or obesity. Being overweight can be a result of overeating, not enough exercise, and other causes. But if your cells aren’t getting enough glucose, it may be because you are “insulin resistant”.

In simple terms, insulin is the key that unlocks your cells to let the glucose in. If your cells become resistant to insulin, then they remain locked and the glucose doesn’t get in. So your body produces even more insulin to overcome the resistance.

Some of the glucose gets into your cells for energy. But that still leaves a lot of insulin in your bloodstream. And that insulin is used to store energy as fat. Insulin that doesn’t get used by the cells makes you fatter. Worse than that, when you get fatter, your insulin resistance increases. So it takes even more insulin to do the job next time. This is the cycle that is usually diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

As you can see, high blood sugar symptoms can be warning signs of diabetes. It is very important that you see your doctor as soon as you can. He or she can quickly check your fasting blood sugar levels and determine if further tests are needed. High blood sugar and diabetes can be treated and you can live a full and healthy life. But the first thing to do if you are experiencing these symptoms is see your doctor.

Diabetes – Types Commonly Found in People

Diabetes becomes a common disease or a difficulty among most of the people. It is actually an excess variation in the glucose level in the blood of your body. Glucose is an important component in your body to provide energy to the cells. The increased variation of the sugar level happens due to the non production or the insulin resistance in the body cells. Insulin is a hormone which converts the glucose from the food we consume to energy for the cells. There are many symptoms showing the origin of this difficulty such as, frequent urination, excess thirst and intense hunger etc. Earlier, it was only affected to the adults, but scientific studies prove that this disease is affected to the children and started eating their life. The reason for the origin of this disease differs in each person. There are several rumors generating among the people that genetic cause reasons as the beginning of this dilemma in several people. There are mainly three types of diabetes. They are:

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): This is caused when the pancreas does not make the insulin hormone. Thus, the glucose emerged from the food we consume does not convert to energy. It directly elevates the glucose level and demolishes the cells. It is mainly occurred either by birth or during the early childhood ages. Therefore, it came to be known as Juvenile or early onset diabetes. There is no particular cure for this lifelong disease. The techniques of transplantation such as pancreas transplantation, islet cell transplantation, artificial pancreas and gene manipulation are executed as a measure to cure this disease. But, the operation for success recovery of this disease is quite risky and the possibility for its cure is lower. The main symptom indicating this disease is tiredness, confusion, dizziness, anxiety and fever. If you are child showing any of the above signs, never leave it as a natural and common disease.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): This is the main category of the disease in which about 80 percentage of the total patients are affected from. This is caused commonly among the people of adulthood. Therefore, it is known as adult onset diabetes. But, the recent status in the increase of the diabetes in children proves that this type is equally entered in to the life of children. Healthy diet, regular exercise and intake of proper medicines is considered as the three factor to be included in the life of the disease affected one. If any of this get un managed, it would result in this difficulty. This is caused when the insulin is not used properly by the cells or the cells resist the insulin hormone. If this category of the disease is not managed effectively could shorten your lifespan and lead to many complications. Pre diabetes is the early form of this category.

Gestational diabetes: This kind is seen among the pregnant women. It is usually temporary in nature by affecting during the pregnancy and alleviate soon after. If sufficient care is not given, it can result in severe harmful effects either to the mother or the born baby. Therefore maintaining a healthy diet and doing proper exercises related to pregnancy would keep aside this difficulty. It is diagnosed when testing the sugar level during the period of pregnancy.

There is no absolute cure for this disease. Ensuring proper diet and regular physical fitness with sufficient medication is the good option for the proper management of this difficulty. Before taking any step for this, consult the advice of your doctor.

Type 2 Diabetes – Diabetes And Kidney Problems

Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in themselves are a serious matter, but so are some of the complications diabetes can bring on. Kidney problems are one such complication. For people with diabetes of either sex, kidney disease can develop slowly over a number of years, leading to devastating results.

Almost one-third of all new victims of end-stage renal disease are diabetic. Diabetes happens to be the major underlying cause of kidney failure. In end-stage renal disease, or diabetic nephropathy, the main early symptom is increased urinary protein or albumin. It is estimated that up to half of those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes will eventually develop this condition.

High blood sugar is the root of the problem. Excess sugar in the bloodstream causes damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys and impairs the filtering process and may eventually lead to kidney failure. The kidneys contain millions of small blood vessels, known as capillaries, which act as filters. During the digestion of protein, your body creates waste products, which are filtered by the kidneys. Useful substances, like protein stay in the blood but the body cannot store excessive protein. Unfortunately, in people with diabetes, the kidneys are under stress due to the diabetic condition itself.

The first sign of kidney disease is the increased excretion of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine. This can easily be detected with a urine test. You may also experience:

• fluid retention and swelling in the limbs,
• nausea,
• heartburn,
• fatigue,
• headaches,
• high blood pressure,
• itching,
• frequent urination during the night, and
• a metal taste in the mouth.

Individuals will also likely feel tired or sickly and have a decreased appetite.

A big problem of kidney disease is it is slow in progression. It often takes up to a decade for symptoms to really become noticeable. By then, damage has likely occurred. This is why prevention is the only safe measure.

Steps you can take:

1. Have your kidneys checked regularly. Kidney function can be accurately assessed by measuring the amount of protein breakdown products found both in your blood and urine. Blood levels of urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine rise when the kidneys are failing.

2. Keep your blood sugar levels in check. Many studies have shown those who receive intensive insulin therapy are less likely to develop diabetic nephropathy.

3. Keep your blood pressure under control. To help prevent kidney damage, your blood pressure must remain below 130/80. Hypertension is a major cause of kidney problems and can also accelerate the progress of kidney failure.

4. Avoid painkillers. Pills such as aspirin or acetaminophen may also cause damage to your kidneys.

5. Restrict your protein intake. Ingesting large quantities of protein can cause injury to the kidneys and accelerate the development of diabetic nephropathy. A low-protein diet can reduce protein loss in the urine and increase the amount of protein that stays in the blood.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Most People Exhibit few or no noticeable symptoms of diabetes, and tend to be shocked when high sugar is detected in routine blood or urine tests.

In most people who develop diabetes two typical symptoms are present-frequent need to urinate and increased thirst.

Frequent Urination

A patient of diabetes passes large quantities of urine several times a day. There is a frequent urge at night to empty the bladder. When glucose cannot enter the body cells, it accumulates in the blood and starts appearing in the urine. Diabetics are prone to excessive urination because the glucose in the urine draws water with in than is normal.

Increased Thirst

The loss of water from excessive urination generates excessive thirst. A patient of diabetes frequently fells thirsty and drinks larges quantities of water at short intervals.

Extreme Hunger

Diabetics tend to feel hungry most of the time and eat large meals. They eat and too much, but despite this, they continue to experience hunger pangs.

Loss of Weight

Continual loss of weight despite the intake of frequent and large meals is another symptom of the disease. The body is starved of energy, as glucose cannot enter the cells. In a desperate effort to get energy, the starved cells use up fat and protein. This causes loss of weight.

Weakness and Fatigue

Diabetics fatigue quickly even after little exertion. They also feel out of breath easily. The sugar in the blood does not get into the cells where it is converted into energy. This lowers the stamina and resistance levels.

Depression

Inertia and lethargy are also seen in people suffering from diabetes. They avoid doing work and are often feel rundown. Not only there body bit also their moods show a state of depression.

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Diabetes – The Impact Of Illegal Drugs

When you have diabetes, even desserts and fruit juices become health-damaging foods. Anything eaten in excess or that contains refined or concentrated sugars can be of danger. Daily treatments such as insulin shots are there to remind you of the dangers you face. Staying healthy requires daily exercise without exception. It is amazing to think that with your health now being so sensitive to what you take into your body that you could possibly believe that taking illegal, mind and body function altering drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, heroine, and speed would be anything less than devastating to your health.

Additional Ways in Which Illegal Drugs Damage Diabetics

Marijuana, for example, causes an increase in appetite. Eating more sends your blood glucose levels out of control. Eating between meals causes your blood glucose levels to go out of control. Controlling diabetes requires consistency and routine in your diet, which marijuana destroys.

On the other hand, methamphetamines and cocaine can cause the diabetic to lack appetite. So your normal insulin or other blood glucose lowering treatment kicks in and what do you have? Hypoglycemia is what you have. This can cause you to black out or even die.

What makes the impact even worse is that when you have your mind in an altered state, you are less aware of yourself and less attentive to your needs. So if you do enter a state of hypoglycemia you probably won’t even be aware of it. Even if you are aware of it, you may not do anything about it.

This loss of touch with reality may sound appealing, especially when times are rough, but the damage can be permanent for the diabetic. Even if you don’t go hypoglycemic, you might go hyperglycemic when you miss your medications and eat foods you should never eat simply because you’ve induced bad judgment. And its not like you go out for your daily exercise after a snort, inhalation, or injection of the illegal drugs.

But setting aside your mental responses to these illegal, mind-altering drugs, they also can have very real impacts on you physically. Your already reduced insulin sensitivity may reach new levels while taking these drugs. So you become physically more prone to hyperglycemia for chemical reasons even before you make things worse for mental reasons.

Free Diabetic Shoes – Who Qualifies?

Many people with diabetes can benefit from wearing a pair of diabetic shoes. These specially made shoes will reduce the risk of skin breakdown in people who suffer from diabetes. While diabetic shoes are helpful to many who have this condition, they can be expensive. Many people who have diabetes qualify to receive free diabetic shoes but because it’s not widely advertised, they may not even know they could get their shoes for free!

Senior citizens who are receiving Medicare will often qualify to receive free diabetic shoes. For Medicare patients, having diabetes alone is not enough to qualify for free shoes. Those who receive Medicare benefits must also have another condition, such as poor circulation, previous foot ulceration, foot deformity, or a history of neuropathy. Those who have undergone a partial or complete foot amputation will also qualify. Patients with Medicare should check with their Medicare provider or physician to see if they qualify.

In many states, those who are receiving Medicaid benefits will also qualify to receive this special footwear at no cost to them. Whether or not additional conditions must be met depends on the state and the type of coverage, so patients should check with their Medicaid provider to see if they qualify for this coverage.

Additionally, many private insurance companies are beginning to see the advantages of prevention and are starting to cover the cost of diabetic footwear for their customers. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of diabetic shoes for all customers who have been diagnosed with diabetes and others will only cover the cost for those who also are prone to foot problems or disease. People with diabetes should check with their insurance company to learn about the conditions required to have this specialized footwear paid for through their insurance.

It’s also important to note that patients who have diabetes and believe they should qualify for free diabetic shoes should speak to their doctor. Most insurance companies will require a physician to recommend the shoes and essentially write a prescription for the patient to purchase special shoes before they will cover or reimburse the associated costs.

Last, patients who qualify to receive free diabetic footwear through Medicare, Medicaid, or their private insurance company may also qualify for special foot inserts that can be used with shoes that they already own. Conditions to qualify for inserts are typically the same as those required to qualify for diabetic shoes.

Natural Cures For Diabetes – How to Cure Diabetes Naturally

A good diet is the key to good health. While in some cases diabetes is caused due to genetic factors or other triggers, more often than not it is diets rich in sugar that lead to blood sugar problems later in life. Every diet has the scope to be tweaked a little bit so that you can ward off the danger of diabetes. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, low HDL, and eat a lot of processed foods, you fall in the high-risk category.

Everyone ought to slowly wean themselves off highly processed junk food and shift to leaner, more natural alternatives. You can also use the three natural cures for diabetes tips which are listed below: 

Diabetes and magnesium

In a study done in England on 11,000 women in the high-risk category, it was shown that those with a high magnesium intake were 27 per cent less susceptible to diabetes. According to research, magnesium is known to lower blood pressure, relax the heart muscles, and controls homocysteine, which is a known trigger for heart disease and diabetes. Magnesium also catalyzes the enzyme system in the body to convert nutrients into energy. Magnesium also relaxes the muscles and reduces muscle spasms.

Dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, avocados and whole grain are excellent sources of magnesium. 

Diabetes and Cinnamon

Research has shown that using cinnamon in your diet on a regular basis helps reduce blood glucose levels by 18-29%. In addition, it also reduces other diabetes risk factors like triglyceride (which shows a 30% decline) and LDL cholesterol (a 25% decrease).

Cinnamon contains an extract called Cinnulin PF. This extract works at the cellular level and increases the sensitivity of insulin cell receptors by three times. Poor response of insulin cell receptors is often a major problem in diabetics, which makes cinnamon an important diabetes inhibitor. TI is advisable to consume about 500mg of cinnamon extract, twice a day. 

Glucotor 2-a Diabetics’ Formulation

Glucotor 2 is a completely natural formula prepared with the specific needs of diabetics in mind. It contains prickly pear cactus, fenugreek, cinnulin PF, bitter melon and gymnema sylvestre, all of which are very beneficial in diabetes control. Glucotor 2 which follows its very successful predecessor Glucotol 1, has been rendered even more powerful by the addition of cinnulin PF cinnamon extracts. Glucotol 1 has a very illustrious history in battling high blood sugar, with a number of true life testimonies to its credit. Glucotor 2 only improves on it, as it adds Cinnulin PF and magnesium, both of which are effective in controlling diabetes. Both these components have been proved efficacious not just for blood sugar control, but also in preventing heart disease.

So, while you may have actually tweaked your eating habits  to avoid fatty, high processed foods, you should surely also add a daily dose of Glucotor 2 to your diet plan to ensure even better protection against diabetes and cardiovascular problems. And ou need not fear any harmful side effects from Glucotor 2-it is a tried and tested natural remedy that is uses no artificial chemicals in its preparation.

Currently Accepted Values for Normal Blood Sugar Levels in Question – What Is Safe?

From time to time over recent years, questions have arisen regarding the values that determine the threshold between normal and above normal blood sugar levels. Those are important questions because above normal blood sugar levels are characteristic of diabetes and prediabetes. Prediabetes is a related diabetic condition that often develops into diabetes. Both are serious disease conditions that, if left untreated, can lead to additional serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and eye disease.

Measurements of blood sugar levels usually involve a simple blood test that can be self administered and performed with the aid of a small hand-held glucose meter. People who have diabetes do it every day. However, a test carried out in a blood testing clinic and assayed by a laboratory is much more accurate and would be the way a doctor would prescribe it to be done for diagnostic purposes.

Measurements of blood glucose can be taken any time of the day or night but in order to enable comparison with well-known typical values it is most useful to take them as follows:

1. In the early morning, before consuming food or drink, usually after a night’s sleep but at least 8 hours since a meal or snack. This test is referred to as a fasting blood sugar test.
2. 2 hours after eating a meal, a time when the rise in blood sugar levels that occurs after eating food should have subsided. This test is referred to as a postprandial test.
3. There is also a test known as the A1c blood test that provides a measure of long-term blood sugar levels, a test that is carried out less frequently.

When requested by a physician for diagnostic purposes, two test measurements are usually obtained, One to measure the fasting level and the other for the long-term A1c level.

In the United States, blood sugar levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

A milligram is 1/1000 of a gram which is about 1/30 of an ounce. A deciliter is 1/10 of a liter. A liter is the unit of measure for a volume of a liquid and is equal to slightly more than a quart.

Normal values

The widely accepted values set by the American Diabetes Association are:

1. After fasting, blood sugar level should be between 70 to 100 mg/dL.
2. Postprandial, 2 hrs after a meal: blood sugars can be up to 140 mg/dL.

Higher readings might be caused by a diabetic condition, but that would require further testing to confirm or otherwise.

Are current levels too high for safety?

Differing from the American Diabetes Association’s recommended levels, other views have been expressed advocating that blood sugars should not be higher than 85 mg/dL. In separate websites, reference has been made to a study reported in the American Journal of Medicine of 2008, volume 121, pages 519 to 524, in which it was concluded that blood sugar levels in the 95-99 mg/dL range more than doubled the risk of becoming diabetic. The study involved 47,000 participants, and it was also noted that there was increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in those with higher blood glucose levels.

In the January 2011 edition of Life Extension magazine, an article titled “Glucose: The Silent Killer” opened with the statement: “the deadly effects of even slightly elevated glucose are fatally misunderstood”. The article cites a study based on 22 years of measured glucose levels in 2000 males that showed that men with fasting glucose levels over 85 mg/dL had a 40% increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, sometimes referred to as heart disease. To repeat, a 40% increase in risk, that’s shocking. Diabetes is the primary factor leading to heart disease and heart disease is a major cause of death in America.

Conclusion

The American Diabetes Association and the National Institutes of Health are still the main voices for diabetes treatment and prevention and the glucose levels accepted as being safe have changed somewhat over the years. Diabetes is a costly disease that will be an increasing burden on the health care system for many years to come, especially because of the fast growing numbers of Americans being diagnosed as having the disease. And there are also the 79 millions who are estimated to already have prediabetes, that’s according to the U.S. National Diabetes Fact Sheet published January 2011.

The healthcare problem is huge and requires an increased awareness of the need for prevention where possible. It seems prudent to re-examine the established values that represent dangers to health.

Type 2 Diabetes – Not Only Obese People Develop Diabetes

In living things, everything is controlled at the molecular level. Modern research continues to study the molecular workings of Type 2 diabetes in an attempt to learn the nuts and bolts of what is going on. While we usually associate obesity with the development of this form of diabetes, some normal weight individuals have received the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes as well. So, what is the complex mechanism actually responsible for Type 2 diabetes? Researchers at the IDF Centre of Education in Chennai, India, and Emory University in Atlanta, USA, are working on this particular question and beginning to find some answers.

Inflammation is known to be present in Type 2 diabetes, and the condition is often associated with being overweight or obese. Whether inflammation is associated with obesity is unclear. In a study reported on in the journal Endocrinology Practice in July 2015, researchers looked at inflammatory molecules and weight in young people diagnosed with this form of diabetes.

The study included…

• 100 normal-weight people with normal blood sugar levels,
• 50 obese people with normal blood sugar levels,
• normal-weight people with Type 2 diabetes, and
• obese people with diabetes.

It was found…

• the non-obese participants with normal blood sugar levels had the highest levels of adiponectin, a protein that tends to be low in obese individuals and Type 2 diabetics. It is thought to be involved in insulin sensitivity.
• in obese individuals high levels of adiponectin was associated with a 41 percent reduced risk of developing diabetes.
• for non-obese individuals, high levels of adiponectin were associated with a 33 percent reduced risk.
• leptin, a molecule that helps to regulate and energy balance by helping to decrease hunger, was found to be associated with both obese and non-obese people with diabetes.
• tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were also found to be highest in both obese and non-obese individuals with Type 2 diabetes.

As medical science learns more about what causes Type 2 diabetes, we will be better able to prevent and control it. Different genes for different levels of molecules involved in diabetes are likely to be found. Some day genetic testing might be able to predict who will be at risk. Until then, diet and lifestyle are the things we know to help prevent this form of diabetes and keep blood sugar levels and weight normal. So fill up on fruits and vegetables and go for a walk…

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of the body’s sugar-regulation abilities. Most of the time it goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are not very clear. There are many symptoms, but they don’t appear in all cases. The symptoms include frequent urination (polyuria), which occurs because of the high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels result in an overflow of glucose from the kidneys, carrying the fluid along with it. Because there is a constant loss of body fluid through urination there is a constant thirsty feeling (polydipsia).

Diabetes is usually accompanied by sudden weight loss, due to the body not being able to utilize the available glucose to generate energy. This can result in the individual being hungry throughout the day (polyphagia), which leads to weakness and fatigue. In diabetes the high sugar levels do not allow some of the body tissues and cells to work normally; hence, it can result in poor or blurred vision. This also results from the shrinking of the lens of the eye due to excess glucose. A diabetic person is prone to yeast and fungal infections, as these organisms can survive well in tissues, which cannot utilize sugar themselves, and therefore have a large amount of extra food for the yeast and fungi to grow.

There is also a tingling feeling or numbness in the hands and feet, which heightens at night. The skin of a diabetic person becomes very dry and flaky due to excessive loss of water, leading to dehydration. This situation may also lead to the person going into a coma. As the basic body fuel, glucose, cannot be converted into energy, the person seems very tired and lethargic most of the time. Also it takes a long time for any sores, cuts or wounds to heal in a person suffering from diabetes. They are also very susceptible to infections, since the immune system is very weak.

Some patients also experience pain in the legs while walking (claudication). There is also a constant itchy feeling (pruritis) in some diabetics.

Though the symptoms are many, it is very difficult to say for sure that you are a diabetic only on the basis of these symptoms, as these symptoms are not exclusive to diabetics. Therefore, to find out if you are diabetic, it is advisable to approach a medical doctor if any of these symptoms are seen, so that he can guide you in the proper direction.

Type 2 Diabetes – Diabetics Are at High Risk for Both Gout and Atrial Fibrillation

The human heart has four chambers, the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. When the top two chambers, the two atria, fibrillate or make feeble attempts to beat, blood moves through the heart but at a slower rate. Many people live with atrial fibrillation with no noticeable symptoms, others can be aware of an irregular pulse but no other symptoms. But then many people receive a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation due to…

• shortness of breath,
• chest pain,
• weakness and fatigue,
• dizziness and/or fainting with exercise

Hyperuricemia is the presence of too much uric acid in the blood. The condition is known as gout, a type of arthritis characterized by…

• severe pain, and
• joint tenderness

Type 2 diabetics are at high risk for both gout and atrial fibrillation. Researchers at University and Azienda Hospital Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Italy, compared blood uric acid levels and atrial fibrillation in Type 2 diabetics to learn whether a relationship might exist.

Their study, reported on in the journal Endocrinological Investigations in July 2015, included 842 participants with Type 2 diabetes…

• a total of 243 participants, or 28.9 percent had high uric acid levels, and
• 91 diabetic participants or 10.8 percent had atrial fibrillation.

A total of 20.6 percent of the participants with high uric acid levels had atrial fibrillation, compared to 7.1 percent of those with normal levels. To put it another way, individuals with high uric acid levels were 3.41 percent more likely to have atrial fibrillation than those with normal levels. From theses results it was concluded high uric acid levels were associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

High levels of uric acid are…

• more than 7 mg/dl for men, and over
• 6 mg/dl for women.

Gouty arthritis often starts in the big toe. A burning pain at the lower toe joint is often described, worsening within 12 hours of onset. It can also affect the wrists, hands, fingers, knees, ankles, and feet. The joint can become red, swollen, and warm, and can lose its function during a flare-up. Inflammation is caused by uric acid crystals forming in joints. The acid is formed when molecules called purines are broken down by the body…

• seafood,
• steak, and organ meats are especially high in purines.
• alcoholic beverages, particularly beer, and beverages sweetened with fructose, a kind of sugar, also promote high levels of uric acid.

Drugs prescribed to help relieve gouty arthritis include…

• allopurinol and febuxostat are drugs used to decrease the amount of uric acid the body makes.
• anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and cortisone can be used to cut down on inflammation.
• colchicine is effective for reducing pain.
• probenecid helps the kidneys to remove the offending acid from the body.

4 Top Tests For Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin (a hormone that your body relies upon to convert blood sugar into energy) in the body. But how can you test for diabetes and see whether you have contracted the disease yourself? The best way is to go and see your doctor and ask them to test you. They will then be able to give you an accurate diagnosis. In this article I will discuss four of the most popular diabetes tests that your doctor is likely to use.

1) FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST:- The FPG test has become one of the most popular diabetes tests. The main drawback with the FPG test is that it is not suitable to test for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy). However, if you are not pregnant the chances are that your doctor will use this test to make their diagnosis.

To begin you will be scheduled in for a FPG test. Your doctor will require you to eat nothing for at least eight hours prior to the test. During the test they will take a blood sample and measure your blood glucose levels. They will then analyse the blood sample and diagnose you based on the following rules:

– A blood sugar level of 99 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less = Normal.

– A blood sugar level of between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).

– A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater = Type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this instance you will be given another FPG for accuracy. If both FPGs suggest that you have diabetes your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

2) ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT):- This test is similar to the FPG but it can be used to diagnose all types of diabetes. If you are a man or non-pregnant woman your doctor will book you in for an FPG test. Following the FPG test they will then give you a drink containing glucose and take regular blood samples after you have drank it. If you are pregnant you will be given the glucose drink without an FPG test and regular blood samples will be taken following consumption. In both variations the final blood sample will be used to make a diagnosis based on the following rules:

– A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or less = Normal.

– A blood sugar level of between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).

– A blood sugar reading of 200 mg/dL or greater = Type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Otherwise your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

3) RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE (RBG) TEST:- The RBG does exactly what it says and involves a random blood test being taken. RBG tests can be performed without the assistance of your doctor using a glucose meter (a piece of medical equipment that calculates the approximate level of glucose in your blood). The test involves pricking your finger with a lancing device (a device which draws a small amount of blood from your finger), placing the blood on a test strip and then inserting this test strip into your glucose meter to get a reading. If multiple RBG tests show that you have blood sugar levels higher than 200 mg/dL then you may have diabetes.

Although RBG tests are easy to perform they should NOT be used as the only test when diagnosing diabetes. They are approximately 10% as accurate as laboratory tests and therefore any concerns you may have as the result of multiple RBG tests should be followed up with your doctor. Only your doctor will be able to give you a full and accurate diagnosis.

4) GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST:- Glycosylated haemoglobin is the term used to describe haemoglobin that has bound with glucose. Glycosylated haemoglobin cells usually last for between two to four months. If you have diabetes or you are not managing your diabetes effectively the level of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood will increase. To begin the gylcosylated haemoglobin test your doctor will take a blood sample and analyse the glycosylated haemoglobin levels based on the following results:

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels of between 4% and 6% = Normal.

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels below 7% = Diabetes that is under control.

– Glycosylated haemoglobin levels greater than 7% = Diabetes that is not under control.

I hope this article has shown you that there are multiple tests available to determine whether or not you have diabetes. However, you must remember that these tests are useless unless performed under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Many factors can affect your test results and your doctor will be able to look at all the relevant factors and then make an accurate diagnosis. If you think you may have diabetes and want a solid answer then go see your doctor and get yourself tested today.

Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.

4 Common Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition which develops when your body’s insulin (a hormone that helps convert blood sugar/glucose into energy) production becomes inhibited. This has a knock effect on your blood sugar levels which increase due to this lack of insulin. However, the associated symptoms are often difficult to identify. A lot of the time the symptoms are so mild that they are not noticed and in other cases the symptoms take years to develop. In this article I will be discussing four of the top diabetes symptoms that you should look out for.

1) HYPERGLYCAEMIA:- Hyperglycaemia refers to higher than normal blood sugar levels which in most cases are brought about by the lack of insulin in a diabetic person’s body. Insulin usually works as a control mechanism and keeps blood sugar within a normal range (around 80 milligrams per decilitre to 110 mg/dL). Without insulin blood sugar levels can consistently become higher than normal and in diabetics persistent hyperglycaemia is common. Blood sugar levels are said to be hyperglycaemic if they are consistently above 126 mg/dL. With persistent hyperglycaemia comes a number of symptoms which include:

– Blurred Vision.
– Constant Thirst.
– Frequent Urges to Urinate.
– Hunger Pangs.
– Persistent Weakness/Tiredness.

Hyperglycaemia does require your attention. Insulin injections can be used for mild occurrences but more severe occurrences may require medical treatment.

2) HYPOGLYCAEMIA:- Hypoglycaemia refers to lower than normal blood sugar levels. It can be brought about by not eating enough calories on a day to day basis, not consuming enough calories post exercise and excessive alcohol consumption. Although hypoglycaemia can affect all diabetics it is most common in type 1 diabetics when they inject too much insulin. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia include:

– Blurred Vision.
– Dizziness.
– Hunger Pangs.
– Shaking.
– Sweating.

Like hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia will require your attention. Mild occurrences can usually be overcome by eating 10g – 20g of sugar or consuming glucose tablets. However, more serious hypoglycaemia will require glucagon to be injected via paramedics.

3) DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA):- When your body fails to convert blood sugar into energy it starts to use fat and muscle for energy instead. The breakdown of fat causes ketones (fatty acids) to be released into the bloodstream and over time these build up and lead to the onset of DKA. DKA is most prevalent in type 1 diabetics and is usually brought about by a lack of insulin which prevents your body from getting adequate energy from the available blood sugar. However, it can also be linked with illness and infection. The symptoms of DKA include:

– Abdominal Pain.
– Fruity Smelling Breath.
– Dry Skin.
– Vomiting.

DKA is one of the more serious symptoms of diabetes and will require immediate medical attention. In the worst cases it can be fatal.

4) HYPEROSMOTIC NON-KETOTIC ACIDOSIS (HONK):- HONK is most prevalent in type 2 diabetics. It occurs when the body responds to the high levels of blood sugar by passing additional urine. This can then lead to extreme dehydration and HONK for which the symptoms include:

– Dry Skin.
– Excessive Thirst (which does not disappear following fluid consumption).
– Fevers.

Like with DKA, HONK is very serious condition and requires proper medical attention right away.

I hope this article helps you identify the often elusive symptoms of diabetes. The symptoms can range from the mild (which are normally self treatable) to the serious (which usually require professional medical assistance). However, remember that the symptoms are only an indicator of diabetes. For the best results you should go and book yourself in for an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible and get yourself tested for diabetes.

Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.

Diabetes – The Affect of Protein on Blood Sugar Levels

When you eat good quality protein with any meal and snacks this will have a very positive effect on your glucose blood sugar levels. The combination of both protein and carbohydrates will definitely slow the digestion of carbohydrates in your body. By this slowing down process this will prevent the blood sugar from spiking due the result of going over your quota of carbohydrates in your system.

This is not the go ahead to go out and eat more protein than is recommended for the one meal as doing this over time can lead to other problems. Being a diabetic means to get educated from both your doctor and other dietitians that are available for consultation to steer you down the right path. Definitely if you are a diabetic you should not be skipping protein in your diet as this is not a good idea at all. If you are a vegetarian diabetic or you don’t eat much in the way of protein it is vitally important to source out other protein that can be consumed on a regular basis.

There are many other sources of high-quality protein that does not include animal meats. Other protein sources can include:

Fear not as there are lots of protein substitutes such as Tofu which can be prepared in a variety of ways including dessert tofu or in a stir fry when you add nuts to this meal you have a complete source of protein. Though saying this nuts are high in fat, you just need to measure them out so you don’t go over the recommend portion. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with labels so that you can enjoy most foods but in moderation. The use of seeds such as flax, pumpkin, and sunflower can be eaten as a source of protein either on their own or incorporated into meals. Also beans and other members of the legume family go well with most meals. Chilli con carne is a favorite and I always add extra beans to what is in the recipe to sprinkle the beans through a salad for a little bit of color. The use of protein powders sprinkled on cereals or to add to shakes will do the trick. Also fish is an excellent form of protein but be aware that large fish could contain high levels of mercury and should only then be eaten only a few times a week.

When your selecting protein choices look for the leanest cuts of meat possible. The fact that protein has a positive affect on blood sugars excessive fat intake from the meat will cancel out the benefit and turn it into a health risk. So enjoy high fat meats or processed meats on rare occasions and eat a wide variety of proteins daily.

Type 2 Diabetes – Aloe Vera In The Treatment Of Diabetes

A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is usually accompanied by high cholesterol and high blood fat levels. Scientists at the Research Institute of Medicinal Plants in Iran looked at the use of Aloe vera gel in treating high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high fat levels in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

The study, published December 2011 in the journal Planta Medica, included 60 volunteers with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes with high cholesterol and/or high blood fat levels, and treated with the medications metformin and glyburide.

• 30 diabetic volunteers were given Aloe vera gel capsules, and the remaining
• 30 poorly controlled diabetics were given placebos.

At the end of the study the aloe gel group showed:

• lower fasting blood sugar,
• lower HbA1c levels,
• lower total cholesterol, and
• lower LDL levels

than the placebo group. Liver and kidney function tests showed the aloe gel did not do any damage to either organ.

From these results the researchers concluded aloe gel could be a safe and effective treatment for people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who also had elevated cholesterol or blood fat levels…

• total cholesterol levels should be below 100 for good health.
• HDL levels should be 60 or above. Forty or below in men and 50 or lower in women is considered at risk for heart and blood vessel disease.
• optimal LDL is below 100. 130 or over is considered high.
• triglycerides, or fats, should be 150 or less to avoid risking heart and blood vessel disease.
• HbA1c levels ideally should be less than 7 per cent.

Aloe Vera Gel Caplets: If your cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood sugar levels are dangerously high (or low in the case of HDL), Aloe vera gel caplets are something you might want to discuss with your doctor. A look at the internet reveals several companies that manufacture and market Aloe vera gel capsules. Solaray, Nature’s Way, GNC Natural Brand, and New Chapter Organics all offer this product.

Vegan Diets and Exercise: Other methods of controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood fats include vegan diets and exercise. Cholesterol is found in meats and dairy products, so consuming fruits and veggies instead can help to keep cholesterol levels low. A well-planned vegan eating plan is recommended for diabetics by the American Dietetic Association.

Exercising helps to increase HDL, decrease total cholesterol, and control weight. Taking a half hour walk twice a day will burn around 200 calories and help to build up muscles that can take in sugar to burn for energy.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Chart – Normal Blood Glucose Ranges

Monitoring your glucose ranges is very important and must be done on a regular basis (especially if you are a diabetic). One of the best ways to monitor your glucose is to use a diabetes blood sugar level chart.

Glucose is the main fuel that your body uses to produce energy. Without it your body won’t function properly (just like an automobile). The chart that I’m about to show you will be very helpful to you as it will help you monitor when problems occur and if there are any patterns of your readings. The patterns will become very clear to you (as you learn how your own body works) and you will be able to discuss them more clearly and effectively with your health professional. It is crucial that you know kind of events, food, activities, and medications may cause your blood sugar to increase or decrease.

You should work closely with your health care provider to ensure that you are meeting your goals. He will provide a meter tool for you to help you keep track of your levels. You should familiarize yourself on how to use the meter.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Chart – Normal Blood Glucose Ranges

Upon waking up (and before breakfast), your levels should be between 80 and 120. This is considered to be a healthy range.

Before meals your levels should also be between 80 and 120.

Two hours after you eat meals, your levels should be 170 or less.

Before lunch, it should drop back down to 80-120.

Before you go to bed, it is ideal to be between 100 and 140.

At 3am (while sleeping), it is ideal to be between 70 and 110.

While fasting, it is ideal that you stay in the 70 to 100 range.

The numbers from this chart will help give you a good idea of normal blood glucose ranges; however, you may want to ask your health care provider where exactly your range should be at (during each of the above events). It is important to receive frequent testing as this can reduce the risk of having complications from your diabetes.

Diabetes – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Diabetes disease is when the metabolism and sugar level in the body is disrupted from performing its normal function. People with diabetes have high glucose blood levels due to the lack of function of insulin which maintain low blood glucose levels. When the human body system fails to produce insulin this results in diabetes. Insulin is created in the pancreas.

Main Causes of Diabetes

We know that diabetes develops as a result of your body’s cells not getting enough insulin (a hormone which helps convert blood sugar/glucose into energy). This is usually because your pancreas fails to generate enough insulin or because your body’s cells start to resist insulin. Although we know what leads to the development of diabetes we do not currently know why this happens in certain individuals and not others.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s immune system destroys the insulin creating cells in the pancreas. This process quickly leads to a complete lack of insulin in the body, therefore forcing a dependency on insulin injections.

Another factor is the inappropriate diet. If you eat too much sugar, proteins, fats and refined carbohydrates, which transform into sugar, you can unleash the diabetes. Studies have shown that in the poor countries, people are not affected of diabetes in such a large number because they do not overeat.

Recent research has discovered that infections, such as strephylococci, can also lead to diabetes. Age is being blamed as well. As you get older, your chances of developing diabetes increase. Furthermore, just as diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, suffering from hypertension can lead to diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

The level of glucose in your blood stream is going to be high if you are a diabetic patient and this will cause an excessive amount of blood flowing to your kidneys, indirectly increasing the frequency of urination. With this and the symptom of profuse sweating, you risk getting your body into dehydration.

When the glucose in the bloodstream increases, the insulin released by the pancreas regulates the glucose level. But patients diagnosed with diabetes have high glucose levels that can no longer be normalized. This results to the high levels of glucose which often leads to glucosuria or glucose presence in urine.

Insulin resistance occurs as a result of the body continuously producing increased insulin in an attempt to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The body does this because the digestive process converts carbohydrates into sugar that goes directly into the blood stream.

Diabetes is usually accompanied by sudden weight loss, due to the body not being able to utilize the available glucose to generate energy. This can result in the individual being hungry throughout the day (polyphagia), which leads to weakness and fatigue. In diabetes the high sugar levels do not allow some of the body tissues and cells to work normally; hence, it can result in poor or blurred vision.

Treatment for Diabetes

Many natural foods also help with blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes. These include sage, buckwheat, okra, peas, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek seeds, and broccoli and other greens. These foods help because they are high in fiber. Certain herbs also reportedly help, including hawthorn, nettle, ginger, ginseng, and garlic.

Diabetes mellitus is known in Ayurveda as “Madhumeha”. Ayurveda describes the pathology of this disease as resulting from a disturbed “Meda, Kleda and Kapha”. It is believed that all the body tissues lose their vitality because of this condition.

Hands on therapy or massage can improve the well being and health of a person. Soft tissues and muscles are manipulated in this process which affects the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems of the body. Massage had since been used to treat diabetes and other diseases.

Type 2 Diabetes Food List – Recommended and Forbidden Foods For Diabetics

There is nothing in this world that has the impact that food does. At the heart of every celebration lays food. First dates typically revolve around food. Mothers are always trying to make their kids all their food. We need it to stay alive and enjoy it so much that millions of us are overweight, and millions of us now have to watch we eat pretty carefully because we have developed type 2 diabetes.

Doctors, dietitians, and other health care professionals will tell you that there are two main things that make for a healthy body – eating right and getting enough exercise. If you are like me, and like I was when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, you probably want easy answers. You wish you could just get a big magic list labeled “Type 2 Diabetes Food List – Forbidden and Recommended Foods for Diabetics.” Well, for the most part, there is no easy magic bullet that will keep your diabetes in check, and it is definitely important to eat a variety of healthy foods every day and get exercise every day as well.

That being said, we can have a bit of a guide that can serve as a kind of a list of forbidden and recommended foods for diabetics. That list, really, is the diabetic food pyramid put out by the American Diabetes Association. The pyramid divides foods into six categories. At the top – as close to forbidden as possible – are the fats, oils, and sweets. Just like the regular ADA food pyramid, the top area is to be limited. That means that cakes, cookies, doughnuts, and so on are on the forbidden list.

Down on the bottom two levels are grains, vegetables, and fruits. Just like the regular food pyramid, the diabetes food pyramid puts the “best” foods at the bottom. That means that grains, fruits, and vegetables are the recommended part of the list.

Diabetes and Alcohol Abuse

DIABETES

Diabetes is so wide spread in the world that there are hardly any person who does not know what diabetes is. But to recap, there are predominantly two types of diabetes; Type 1 and Type2. Some general information on these types of diabetes is given below.

In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas in the body is not able to produce insulin (the only hormone that reduces the content of sugar in the blood stream) and is common in children but not restricted to them. This type of diabetes is insulin dependent.

Type 2 diabetes is more common and it is estimated that some 95% of all diabetic patients belong to this type. In this case, the body does produce insulin, but either in insufficient quantities or the insulin produced is inefficient. This condition is also known as “Diabetes Mellitus”. This type of diabetes is non-insulin dependent.

Another variety of Type 2 diabetes is “Diabetes Insipidus” where there is excessive excretion of highly diluted urine. Reduction in the amount of fluid intake does not have any effect on this condition. There are also different varieties of Diabetes Insipidus, the most common being “Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus” and the other is “Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus”.

There is another type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women and is known as “Gestational Diabetes” and occurs in women with no history of diabetes but develop such symptoms during pregnancy.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

The symptoms of diabetes varies from person to person and depends on the following factors:

i. Type of diabetes,

ii. The stage of advancement of the disease,

iii. The age of the patient,

iv. The progress of the disease – slow or gradual

v. The history of diabetes in the family of the patient,

vi. The dietary and lifestyle of the patient, and

vii. The presence of other complications.

Based on the above factors the symptoms vary though there is some similarity. Some of the more obvious symptoms are described below:

i. The foremost symptom would be excessive urination, in excess of the quantity of fluid intake; the urine being thin and pale in color.

ii. Excessive thirst.

iii. Significant increase in appetite but no significant weight gain.

iv. General body weakness.

v. Skin problems such as itching, more predominantly in the genital areas.

vi. Slow healing of wounds, a serious condition.

vii. Pain in many parts of the body, especially in the lower back and the limbs.

viii. A sort of side effect would be loss of vision with patients becoming myopic.

ix. Impotence in men.

x. Both the blood and the urine show a marked content of sugar.

Diabetes currently has no known cure and can only be controlled through medication, diet control and regular exercise preferably walking for a minimum of twenty minutes a day; the distance covered does not matter it is the duration of the walking that counts.

COMPLICATIONS

Know that we know, more or less, the details of diabetes and its symptoms we shall move on to the complications of the disease. The most common complications include the following:

i. Kidney function complications. The earliest to occur. More so if the diet contains too much of fat. Narrowness of the arteries leading to the kidney occur and the toxins in the system are not flushed out completely leading to a complication known as “Uremia”.

ii. Cardio-Vascular problems leading to hypertension and heart disease.

iii. Damage to the retina of the eye and resultant blindness.

iv. Nervous damage causing loss or destruction of the senses of the patient. In severe cases may cause paralysis.

v. The most appalling complication is undoubtedly gangrene especially in the toes leading to its amputation.

As such it essential that a specialist in Diabetology is consulted if there is a suspicion that a person is diabetic and find out exactly what type of diabetes he/she is suffering from and follow scrupulously the physician’s advice in the control of the disease.

DIABETES AND ALCOHOL

The adverse effects of the abuse of alcohol is too well known and really does not really require elaboration.

A drink of alcohol in normally associated with 12 oz. (350 ml.) of beer, 5 oz. (145 ml.) of wine or 1.50oz. (45 ml.) of hard liquor. Each of these is equal to some 15 gms. of alcohol. What is the quantity of alcohol that is considered “light or moderate” and what is considered as excessive? Drinking 15 to 30 gms. of alcohol a day is considered as light or moderate and any excess of this quantity is “excessive” drinking. There are some people who should not drink at all. They include:

i. Pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant,

ii. Alcoholics who are recovering,

iii. Individuals who are planning to drive or engage in other activities that need skill or concentration,

iv. Individuals taking certain medicines such as antihistamines, antidepressants and anticonvulsants and

v. Individuals with certain medical conditions such a advanced neuropathy alcohol abuse, pancreatitis and hyper-triglyceridemia.

In respect of individuals with diabetes who have not been drinking it is better not to start.

WHEN IS DRINKING HARMFUL?

Drinking is considered to be harmful for diabetics if they have the following conditions:

i. Damage of the nerves in the arms or legs,

ii. Diabetic related eye disease,

iii. High levels of triglycerides and

iv. High blood pressure.

Alcohol normally damages nerve cells, even light drinking. For those diabetic patients with nerve damage there will be an increase in pain, numbness and burning or tingling sensations.

For those with symptoms of eye disease, drinking can worsen the condition, leading to blindness.

Levels of triglycerides and blood pressure increase with the consumption of drinks, in whatever quantities. Diabetic patients with a high level of triglycerides should not drink at all.

Does this mean that a diagnosis of diabetes is the end to drinking? Well, yes and no. Traditional medical practice advocates the complete cessation of the intake of alcohol. Modern thought differs. Taking a drink is not advised but allowed, but there are some considerations.

– Alcohol can metabolize to produce energy and has dietary consequences.

– Alcohol supports the intake of blood glucose into the liver.

– Many alcoholic drinks contain sugar, especially mixed ones.

– The symptoms of hypoglycemia (drop in blood sugar) and drunkenness are similar and as such alcohol is liable to mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

– Excess consumption of alcohol increases the level of triglycerides.

– Diabetics with drinking habits must remain sober enough to take care of themselves.

What is acceptable in moderation are:

– Red wines,

– Dry sherries,

– Spirits with “diet” mixers,

– Dry light beers (light ales with low residual sugars and lagers) and

– Dry or medium dry white wines.

What can be used with extreme caution because of their high content of sugar include:

– Sherries or sweet wines,

– Ports,

– Wine coolers,

– Liqueurs,

– Cocktails,

– Spirits with normal mixers and

– Stout, Porters etc. that have a high residual sugar content.

What can be used with extreme caution because of their high concentration of alcohol are neat, undiluted spirits

The above are not meant as a substitute for proper advice from a physician. As the complications of consumption of alcohol by diabetic patients are more and severe than the detrimental effects of drinkers without diabetes, proper competent advice is advised.

Diabetes – Symptoms and Treatment

Approximately 8% of all Americans suffer from diabetes. This represents around 24 million Americans and this figure has increased about 15% over the last 2 years. In addition it is estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that around 57 Million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes, which involves blood sugar abnormalities. This represents a significant percentage of the population and, while in most cases treatable, can greatly affect the life of the afflicted.

The main symptom of diabetes is the decreased production and effectiveness of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which is responsible for controlling the absorption of glucose into the body. Glucose, a sugar, is used for energy and when insulin is low or ineffective, the body begins to use fat in place of glucose for energy.

Diabetes can be classified into 3 categories. Type 1 diabetes involves an insufficient production of insulin. Type 2 diabetes involves a resistance to insulin, which is compounded by reduced insulin output. Gestational diabetes is found in 2%-5% of pregnant women and is very similar to Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes often disappears or improves after child birth, but it can adversely affect the baby and a large percent of the women affected will develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

There are several common symptoms of diabetes, but the most common symptoms are frequent urination, thirst, increased fluid consumption, and amplified appetite. In children Type 1 diabetes is most common and often the symptoms can develop in a few months or even weeks. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes is usually much slower to develop. Weight loss is another symptom of Type 1 diabetes, but this is not usually found in Type 2 diabetes.

One common side effect of diabetes is that wounds take much longer to heal. This puts the body at increased risk of infection and often can result in the need for amputation of the foot and lower extremities. Proper foot care is essential, because an open sore on the foot can quickly result in a foot ulcer. The risk of fungal infections, heart attack, and stroke are also increased. Many diabetic people also wear special socks that allow for better breathability, reduce foot sweat, and have no seams or edges that could cause a foot irritation.

Insulin has been used to treat diabetes since the early 1920’s. Shots of insulin are most oft used to control diabetes, but special insulin pumps can be used and recently an oral form of insulin was developed. Drugs that help increase the sensitivity of the body’s tissue to insulin are also commonly used in Type 2 Diabetes.

Maintaining a proper diet and exercising regularly is also very important for the control of diabetes. Often this can be used to effectively treat Type 2 diabetes. Eating the right types of food and sugars is imperative and can mean the difference between life and death.

Diabetes can be effectively treated, but in most cases can not be cured. It affects many Americans and those across the World, but people with Diabetes can still live full and productive lives.

Diabetes – Diabetics Symptoms

Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate the glucose. It is either caused by cells in the pancreas dying off or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol. In some case diabetes is also caused by allergy reactions of cells in our body.

If you have the below symptoms, please check with your family doctor. You might have diabetes:

1. Frequent urination:

If you feel that you are needing to urinate more often than usual or a compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder.

2. Excessive thirst:

The urge to drink too much beyond a certain limit may be a symptom of high blood sugar in your bloodstream , and can be an important clue in detecting diabetes.

3. Increase appetite:

If you are experiencing the drive to eat excessively due to emotional and physical causes then it is an emotion disorder that compels you to eat even after you are full. Increased appetite can be an early symptom of diabetes.

4. Unexplained weight loss:

Loss of body weight can occur due to various conditions ranging from eating disorders to severe metabolic conditions including diabetes. Drastic weight loss of more than 5 to 10 pounds when you’re not trying to, requires medical attention because it may be a sign of diabetes.

5. Blurry vision:

This is a symptom of great concern. If the blood sugar levels are too high, sugar builds up in your eye, This excess sugar also draws in fluid, changing the shape of the lens and making blurry vision. Certain types of blurry vision can be a medical emergency where delay can lead to loss of sight.

6. Increased fatigue:

Unlike the tiredness experienced by a healthy person, sudden increase of fatigue is a bad thing in people with symptoms of diabetes.

Most Type II diabetes are caused by uncontrolled diet that are high in saturated fat. In the case of the cells of the pancreas dying off, experts believe it is caused by excessive drinking of alcohol.

Diabetes – A Degenerative Disease

Diabetes Disease:

In normal individuals food is broken down to glucose in the presence of insulin the glucose present in blood is utilized by body cells with the aid of insulin secreted by pancreas for getting energy to maintain optimal health. Diabetes is a condition which is signified by a higher concentration of glucose levels in the blood because person cannot utilize glucose due to deficiency of insulin secretion by the pancreas of the body.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: The Cells of Pancreas responsible for secretion of Insulin do not function properly or are completely damaged. This type of diabetes is found in children and young persons, hence it is also known as Juvenile Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes: In this type of Diabetes the pancreas cells do make some insulin but the body prevents the insulin to perform it’s function. This type is usually found in elderly obese patientsonly but now a days it is encountered in children and young persons also.

Diabetes is found in the pregnant women also, if it is not treated properly the mother and child can also develop many health disorders.

Diabetes Symptoms:

Diabetes is characterized by:

1. Feeling of exhaustion all the times.

2. Sensation of great thirst (Polydipsia)

3. frequent urination.

4. Blurring of the eyesight.

5. Felling of hunger all the times.

6. Sudden fall of body weight.

7. Non-healing of wounds.

8. Numbness of hands and feet.

Causes of Diabetes:

Definite causes of Diabetes are not known, possibly body lacks a gene which can provide protection at the time of onset of disease. Diabetic patients are usually obese with a sedentary life style, hiving higher levels of triglycerides in thir blood or suffering from hypertension and also having a diabetic hereditary family history

Diabetes a Warning Signal:

The health of the Diabetic patient is on the thresh hold of rapid worsening of the status of his health if not properly taken care of initially and maintaining of care through out his life.

Diabetes affects both rich and poor alike and for a considerable peiod remains undiagnosed, because for minor symptoms the patients donot take medical advise and the disease progresses to a stage when the symptoms become uncomfortable for the patient to bear. Because of this trend of accessing delayed medical advice, India has become the Diabetes World capital with more than 33 million people suffering from type 2 Diabetes representing about 20 % of World Diabetic Population. With the present progression rate it is estimated that by the year 2030, about 80 million Indian population shall be diabetic. A similar progression trend has been noticed in other Asian Countries also.

Diabetes a life long association:

Diabetes patients are destined to live their rest of their life with Diabetes with lot of care to keep the disease under control by regularly taking the advised medication and adjusting their food and lifestyle habits. Patients have to remain regularly under medical care

Diabetes & Future Onset of Serious Complications:

Diabetic patients carry a high risk of exposure to other serious complications, like hypertension, coronary heart disease, Degenerative vascular system and tissues of lower limbs. When there is continued high blood sugar level, the blood sugar generates certain substances, which are potentially harmful to the body cells, which damage delicate organs like heart, Blood Vessels, Kidneys, Nerves, Teeth and lower limbs. If with the passage of time treatment is not initiated serious complications start setting in.

Diabetic Disease Education to patients:

The Diabetic patients need to be educated about their disease and the necessary care and precautions they have to religiously follow in the true sense particularly about the lower limbs. The Diabetic patients are carrying a higher risk of degenerative vascular system of lower limbs resulting in Nerves and Tissues damage progression of which requires amputation of Toe, Foot depending upon the severity of the affected part. Thus they have to lead a life of dependency.

Diabetes & Heart Disease:

Diabetic Patients are 2 to 4 times more prone to suffer from heart attack as compared to normal persons. In the obstructructions developed in the arteries of heart and in the entire circulatory system there is slowing of blood supply resulting in pain in the Chest,difficulty in breathing, swelling of Heels, thickening of the blood vessels all these quickly lead to a Heart Attack

Protection of Heart & Blood Vessels:

The quick onset of serious complications can be reduced by:

1. Bringing down high blood glucose levels to normal.

2. Reducing intake of foods containing high quantities of Saturated fats, Trans Fats and High

Cholesterol foods.

3. Reduction in intake of Common Salt.

4. Keeping blood Pressure and blood Lipids in control.

5. No smoking and no consumption of tobacco.

6. Moderate Exercise.

Kidney Disease:

The filtration membrane gets thickened. The Protein metabolites excretion is reduced, which damages the kidney. The incidence of Renal failure due to Diabetes is in 45 % of the Renal failure cases. Special kidney function tests are performed to ascertain early involvement of kidney complications because no specific symptoms are witnessed in early stages of kidney complications.

Complications of Eyes:

Diabetes can damage the smaller capillaries of the eye. Diabetes can precipitate Glaucoma because of increase of internal pressure in the eye ball. There can be eyesight complication or even complete blindness due to the damage to retinal blood vessels and detachment of Retina.

Amputations of affected foot:

The complication of the foot can be loss of touch sensation, Pain or swelling of foot, Delayed or non-healing of foot, Change in the colour of skin to redness. As a precaution the foot should be protected from any cut, scratch or from any other injury. Wounds because of faulty blood circulation in the feet the Nerves and Tissues get damaged resulting ultimately gangrene development resulting into amputation of toe or foot in diabetic foot damage progression.

Gateway optimal health is with you on your journey to Disease free Healthy Life Styles

Diabetes in Dogs – Canine Diabetes Symptoms, Diet, & Treatment

Diabetes in dogs becomes a common phenomenon. Diabetes Mellitus or type 2 diabetes affects the dogs. Diabetes also affects obese dogs. The study reveals one in five hundred dogs show the sign of diabetes mellitus. Some dog breeds seem to be more risk prone towards diabetes. These dogs breed can be –

1. Keeshond

2. Poodles

3. Samoyed

4. Daschund

5. Alaskan malamute

6. Miniature schnauzer

7. Chow chow

8. Beagle

9. Doberman

10. Labrador retriever

11. Hungarian puli

12. Golden retriever

13. Miniature pinscher

14. Old English sheepdog

15. Springer spaniel

16. Schipperke

17. Finnish spitz

18. West Highland white terrier

19. Cairn terrier

Canine Diabetes

Canine diabetes include diabetes mellitus in comparable to people with diabetes, and diabetes insipidus. Both diabetes belong to endocrine diseases group. The body system that produces the hormone becomes defective causing canine diseases, diabetes. Kidney controls water resorption relating to antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin, lacking of this system, Diabetes Insipidus occurs. Diabetes mellitus is based on insulin deficiency. Hormones play the crucial role in sugar metabolism, and these features are common in two types mostly.

Canine diabetes is categorized in two branches. These are congenital type and acquired type. The congenital type is immature, comparing to type 1 diabetes and the acquired type is mature relating to type 2 diabetes. The canine diabetes mellitus requires insulin and it is comparable to type 2 in human being, terming as IDDM.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dog diabetes can be –

1. Lethargy

2. Excessive water consumption

3. Too much urination

4. Incomprehensible weight gain or loss

Lethargy is a common symptom of many dog diseases but always not for diabetes.

Diet

Some veterinarians like to formulate anti-diabetes diet for young dog. The same diet plan does not include all dogs with diabetes. Dogs suffering from some problems in pancreas had better leave high-fat foods. The canned foods are to be omitted from the diet plan and vet will take care of this dieting. Fiber-rich foods can help dogs digest and absorb carbohydrate better. Carbohydrate reduces the glucose content in the blood. Blood glucose level rises up after the each meal. Feed dogs high fiber foods; it can reduce the high blood glucose level.

Natural herbs and teas can be included in the diet plan of the dogs with diabetic. These can be –

1. Bejak

2. Vinegar

3. Karela

4. Cinnamon

5. Gurmar

6. Grapefruit

7. Herbal extracts

Treatment

Veterinarians prefer Vetsulin for canine diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Vetsulin is composed of 30% amorphous insulin and 70% crystalline insulin. The first thirty percent actively raises high in four hours after the injection, and lasts up to eight hours. The rest 70% acts slowly and raises high in eleven hours.

Glipizide is another option. It uses to control the blood sugar level. To use for animals FDA has not approved it yet. It contains sulfonylurea, an effective anti-diabetic agent. Based on mild cases and severe cases, the diabetes remedies will take place. In mild cases, simple diet moderation and necessary drugs can come, and in severe cases, insulin injections requires.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Special areas in the pancreas gland, the Islets of Langerhans, produce a hormone called insulin. This hormone is a protein of small size. Insulin stimulates muscle cells and other body cells to take up glucose from the blood and convert the glucose to glycogen, a kind of starch, and then store the glycogen. By need the body cells convert the glycogen to glucose and use it as fuel. In this way insulin keeps the glucose level in the blood at a normal size.

By diabetes type 2, the cells in the body do not react properly by stimulation from insulin. Therefore they do not take in enough glucose from the blood to store it or to use it as energy source. This condition is called insulin resistance. The amount of glucose in the blood therefore rises. Also the insulin production can rise to regulate the glucose amount down, but this effort to reduce the blood glucose is not effective enough. If the disease persists for many years, the insulin production may tire out, so that the amount of secreted insulin decreases.

THE CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2

The exact mechanism that causes the disease is not known. There may be an autoimmune response to insulin or to the molecules on the cell surfaces that the insulin connects to. However, these lifestyle factors can cause the disease:

-Too high consume of sugar and fat

-Over-weight

-Too less exercise over many years.

Therefore diabetes type 2 can be prevented by a right diet and with regular exercise.

When the glucose uptake into the body cells is reduced, but glucose instead accumulates in the blood, the following physiological effects occur:

-The body cells do not get enough fuel for the work they shall do.

-The molecular thickness (osmality) of the blood increases. This causes water to be pulled out from the body tissues and into the blood. The tissues thus get dried out and the urine production increases.

-The tissues begin to break down protein and fat to get energy, causing weight loss and muscular reduction.

The symptoms of diabetes type 2 are a consequence of these mechanisms.

THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2

Diabetes type 2 is the most common kind of diabetes, actually 10 times more common than diabetes type 1, where the insulin production is reduced or stopped. The disease usually appears after the age of 50, but the high sugar and fat consume in western countries nowadays also causes young persons to acquire the disease. Symptoms of diabetes type 2 come gradually. The symptoms are.

-Increased urine production

-Dehydration, that is a lack of water in the body

-Abnormal high thirst

-Dry mouth

-Increased appetite

-Slow healing of physical injuries

-Itching in the skin

-Infections caused by yeasts

-Impaired vision

In the long turn, the disease can cause atherosclerosis with blood vessel narrowing, heart disease and stroke.

LIFESTYLE TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2

The treatment of diabetes type 2 is most often diet with a low sugar and fat amount, and with the amount of sugar and carbohydrates strictly controlled. A weight reduction program is a part of the treatment for over-weighted persons. An exercise program is also an important component of the treatment, both in order to get rid of excessive blood sugar levels and to loose weight.

A general healthy diet will also help. Such a diet contains food sources like fish, fouls, seafood, mushrooms, whole corn cereals, whole corn bread and vegetables. The following fat and sugar containing food types are recommended in moderate amounts: Nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, eggs, spawn and fruit.

These fat types are also recommended in moderate amounts: Olive oil, walnut oil, rape oil, sunflower oil. Soy oil, corn oil and butter can be used in small amounts, but these fat types should not be your only fat source. If you only use these fat types, you will not get all essential fatty acids that the body need to work properly. Things to be avoided in the diet are: Snacks, fast food, fat read meat, cookies, margarine, chemically altered fat and sweet beverages.

The listed measures will usually lighten the burden upon the blood sugar control of the body so that it manages to normalize the blood sugar levels.

The listed lifestyle measures will also prevent diabetes type 2, but for prevention the control of the daily carbohydrate intake does not have to be controlled so strictly.

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2

If lifestyle measures do not work good enough, medication to lower the blood sugar is used. There are several classes of medicaments against diabetes type 2 to be taken by mouth and that work in different ways:

-The first class of drugs against diabetes type 2 developed, and which are still in use, are the sulfonylureas drugs like Glucotrol® and Micronase®. These drugs stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Side effects from these drugs that may occur are: Low blood sugar levels, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and allergic reactions. Law blood sugar levels occur more easily if the drug is used together with alcohol.

-The biguanides like Metformin make the liver to slow down the brakedown of stored complex carbohydrates to glucose, and thus lower the blood glucose level. This drug class also help to control weight. Possible side effects form this drug class are lactic acidosis, nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea, abdominal gas and metallic taste.

-Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors like Precose® and Glyset®, inhibit breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the gut to simple sugars and the uptake of sugars from the gut into the blood, and thus lower the content of sugar in the blood. They may give side effects like abdominal gas and diarrhea.

-The thiazolidinediones like Avandia® and Actos® make body cells more sensitive to insulin and thus make skeletal muscle take up glucose form the blood. Side effects that may occur by this class of drugs are anaemia, head-aches, muscle aches, tooth aches, sore throut, increased upper respiratory tract infection rate, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and liver injury.

-Meglitinides like Prandin® are taken by meals and controls the blood sugar levels after meals by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin when the sugar from the meal comes into the blood. Possible side effects are low blood sugar levels, increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection, headache, joint and back pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and weight gain.

If the insulin production is reduced, insulin injections are also used.

There are also natural products in the market that can help to normalize the blood sugar level by diabetes type 2. Those products cannot heal the disease, but they can help the body to regulate the blood sugar. These products contain minerals that are working components of enzymes that stimulate the glucose metabolism in the body. They also contain herbs that have been used for a long time in traditional medicine to regulate the glucose level and have proven their effects in scientific studies.