Archive for the ‘Diabetes’ Category

Information About a Diet for Diabetes

For the type 1 and type 2 diabetic the importance of a diet for diabetes cannot be overstated. Used in conjunction with drug therapy a proper diet is considered the single most important part of managing this deadly disease. Those who are newly diagnosed need to be properly educated with regards to diet, exercise, and medication to help avoid and minimize the complications that diabetes creates.

Significant lifestyle changes need to be made by anyone who suffers from this disease and the first person to tell them this will be their doctor when they are diagnosed. The doctor will be the primary point of information and reference for their diabetes care and management. A good doctor will also be able to refer their diabetic patients to a licensed nutritionist who is skilled at helping create a diet for diabetes that is individualized to each of their clients.

The most important aspect of this type of diet is controlling blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can be hard for people who have an inherent sweet tooth but avoiding foods and snacks with large amounts of sugar is a basic necessity for the diabetic. The good news is that there is no shortage of foods available that the diabetic can eat along with plenty of recipes to help prepare tasty meals.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has a website full of dietary information for the diabetic. They also have information about the latest treatments and medical research that those with diabetes need to stay current with. You will also find the Diabetic Food Pyramid on the ADA site. The food pyramid for diabetes is much like the regular food pyramid most people are familiar with except that it breaks down the food groups based on which are the better choices and the daily amounts a diabetic should be eating.

Because diabetes is becoming such a serious and growing health issue for an estimated 17 million people in the United States the food industry in this country has created a large array of food items aimed at people with diabetes. The situation is only going to get worse because the obesity epidemic will continue to create type 2 diabetics at an alarmingly growing rate into the future. Fortunately these products not only help to control blood glucose levels but give those who suffer this disease a variety of foods that will satisfy just about everyone, even those who have a sweet tooth.

A diet for Diabetes is a drastic change for most people diagnosed with this disease, but if they are to successfully manage and live with their condition it is something they must do. Having the support and understanding of family and friends during this transition to a dietary change is also important and will help more quickly deal with their diabetes and the complications it can cause.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/information-about-a-diet-for-diabetes-730247.html


Help us connect people touched by diabetes and raise diabetes awareness

To donate to Diabetes Hands Foundation, visit http://www.donate2dhf.org

Also, learn how can become a Community Fundraiser for DHF and enjoy special benefits while you help us raise much needed funds to support our mission:

http://www.tudiabetes.org/notes/How_to_fundraise_for_DHF

Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to DHF are tax-deductible.

You can read the financials of DHF in our Guidestar page:

http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/26-2274537/diabetes-hands-foundation.aspx

** Video transcription: **
Hello. This is Manny Hernandez, President of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, founder of TuDiabetes and someone who has had LADA (a form of type 1 diabetes) since 2002.

These are words that describe what the Diabetes Hands Foundation and what TuDiabetes mean to some of you. Words like community, people, help and support.

Today I come to ask you to help us translate this words into financial support for the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

If you can afford it, please make a tax-deductible donation to the Diabetes Hands Foundation. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by September 14. This money will be used to continue connecting people touched by diabetes through TuDiabetes and EsTudiabetes and developing diabetes awareness programs such as the Big Blue Test, this coming November 14 (World Diabetes Day).

Depending on the amount of your donation, you will be eligible for very special thank you gifts, including one of ten copies of the No-Sugar Added Poetry book autographed by Dr. Bill Polonsky (for those who donate more than $150). But any donation helps!

If you cannot afford it, please tell others about our campaign and help us fundraise. Click on the link next to this video for details on how you can raise funds to benefit the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers at the Diabetes Hands Foundation and everyone that benefits from our programs around the world, thank you for your generous help and support!

Duration : 0:1:54

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A Sweet Way to Manage Diabetes

Chemical medicine used in the treatment of diabetes is known to carry cause side effects of some sort or the other.  It is for this reason that several patients opt for alternative treatment techniques such as naturopathy to overcome symptoms caused by Diabetes.  Treatment avenues such as naturopathic medicine have shown significant success in helping diabetics cope with the disease.

Diabetes is spreading at an alarming rate across the world.  Diabetes can be a life-threatening disease, and patients suffering form diabetes have a higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by low insulin levels.  Insulin is a hormone required to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy.  A reduced production of this hormone results in the presence of high levels of sugar in the blood stream.

Diabetes accompanies several bodily ailments such as pain in the eyes or even loss of vision, renal anomalies, burning sensation or numbness, frequent loss of strength, dizziness, chest pain, heart diseases and even stroke.  Without proper care, the disease begins to damage vital organs including heart, kidney, eye, feet and skin.  While the symptoms of diabetes cannot be avoided, constant research in various fields of medicine has been made over the years to help diabetics to cope with the disease and overcome the difficulties brought about by diabetes on a day to day basis.

Chemical medicine used in the treatment of diabetes is known to carry cause side effects of some sort or the other.  It is for this reason that several patients opt for alternative treatment techniques such as naturopathy to overcome symptoms caused by diabetes.  Treatment avenues such as naturopathic medicine have shown significant success in helping diabetics cope with the disease.

All about naturopathy:

Naturopathy utilizes the body’s natural ability to heal itself.  Naturopathic treatment relies on gentle, non-toxic and effective treatment techniques based on adopting lifestyle changes to minimize the symptoms of the disease.  Naturopathic medicine helps strengthen the natural healing power of the body with a focus on three main lifestyle changes:  Diet management, weight control and stress relief.

What naturopathy can do in treating diabetes?

•             Firstly, a dietary and exercise routine will be determined for you.  The naturopath will guide you into selecting different foods, preparing them and eating them to make significant difference in your health.

•             The focus of the treatment will be to reduce high levels of glucose in your bloodstream.  Your blood-sugar level will be monitored periodically and necessary lifestyle changes will be prescribed to you.

•             Your naturopath may recommend adjusting the amount of food taken at each meal.  Usually, patients are advised to eat small amounts at frequent intervals rather than a few large meals each day.

•             Many naturopathic doctors have a specialized knowledge of herbal medicine.  Herbs such as fenugreek, bitter melon, garlic, olive leaves and ginseng are generally used for treatment. 

•             Regular exercise is a vital component in preventing or treating diabetes.  Along with diet monitoring, weight management will also be taken care of.   Your naturopath will suggest physical exercise appropriate for your health condition.  Exercise not only lowers blood glucose level, it also promotes healthy metabolic functions and oxygenates tissues.

•             Other therapies such as massage may be suggested to relieve the patient of his stress.  An effort to establish regular, healthy sleeping patterns will also be made.

Diet for you:

The decisions made in selecting food, their preparation and eating can make a significant difference to your health.  With effective nutrition training, a naturopath can help the patient prevent the use of heavy drugs.  Usually a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber is recommended.  Foods containing whole grains, legumes and vegetables are extensively used since they help to avoid rapid rise in blood glucose.  Vitamin supplements are also recommended which vary across different cases of diabetes.  Avoiding sugars, especially refined sugars are highly recommended.  “Junk foods” such as bakery items should be avoided.   Avoiding excessive intake of fatty foods is also important.

In many cases, naturopathic treatments have been able to reduce or even eliminate the diabetic conditions completely.  By making simple lifestyle and dietary changes, one can cope well with the disease.  Switching to alternative methods of treatments is advisable since it is devoid of any kind of side effect, and in the hands of a good naturopath, the body of a diabetic can bounce back to good health.

Ron Knight
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/a-sweet-way-to-manage-diabetes-729759.html


Diabetes Family Guy

wilford brimley from the Diabetes commercial on a family guy sketch

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Diabetes Risk for Men

Men with diabetes face much more several health concerns, that including increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and impotence (not being able to having or keep an erection though).

Above the age of 50 the likelihood of having other difficulties with an erection occurs in an approximately 50-60% of men with the problem of diabetes.  In reality  men over 70, 90% have erectile dysfunction problems so far .

Diagnosed and controlled  diabetes can be effectively managed to minimise its impact on your health and well being. You can  even prevent or delay diabetes complications those like damage to eye sight and nerve damage to the fingers and toes.  However many men do not realise  just they suffer from the disease.  Around one third of the men population with diabetes are not aware of their
illness.

Diabetes Signs and other Symptoms

If you find yourself with any of these following symptoms, it is really important  that you visit your doctor or health practitioner and get tested for diabetes problem:

â?¢  feeling tired often
â?¢  frequent urination (specially at night)
â?¢  being very thirsty most of time
â?¢  weight loss problems
â?¢  blurry eyesight problems
â?¢  recurring skin, other gum, or bladder infections
â?¢  sores that heal comparatively slowly
â?¢  dry, and itchy skin
â?¢  loss of feeling or tingling in that your feet

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There are few other different kinds of diabetes:

â?¢ Type 1 diabetes is generally first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults.
â?¢ Type 2 diabetes is the other most common form of diabetes. People can even develop it at any age, but it is often diagnosed in the  later life and is in much more common found in men who are over weight and do little exercise.

What is Diabetes?

Most of the food that we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to use for energy production . The pancreas makes insulin that  which helps sugar get right into the cells. When you have Diabetes problems then your body either doesnâ??t make enough insulin or just canâ??t use the insulin it does to make. This causes sugar to build up in your blood then. Over the years  high blood sugar leads to other  problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputations problem.

Diabetes-Related Problems in Men

Men with diabetes suffer more from some  other diabetes-related health problems than women. The American Diabetes Association reports that here:
â?¢ In people who develop diabetes before the age of 30 in context  men develop retinopathy (a vision disorder that can lead to  blindness problems ) more quickly than women in either .

â?¢ Having the major symptoms of peripheral vascular disease (pain in the thigh, calf, or buttocks during exercise) is linked to a two- to three-fold increased risk of the coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiac failure in men with diabetes problems.
â?¢ Amputation rates from diabetes-related problems that are 1.4 to 2.7 times higher in men than women with diabetes.

dr rony
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/diabetes-risk-for-men-722820.html

Living with diabetes

According to a recent study by Dr. Mary Steinhardt, professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, type 2 diabetes is becoming the most prevalent health problem in the U.S., affecting more than 20.8 million people at an estimated cost of $132 billion annually.

In her study titled “A Resilience Intervention in African American Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study of Efficacy,” Steinhardt worked with members of the Diabetes Coaching Program. The program is devoted to resilience education, diabetes self-management and biweekly support group meetings. She found that minority groups are affected at higher rates, with African Americans 1.8 times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

Richard Holmes has been living with type 2 diabetes for 10 years. For the past 23 years he has worked as a driver for the Texas State Library Records Management Division. Follow Holmes as he goes to work and his support group.

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Managing Diabetes

Sports icon and Hall of Famer Billie Jean King has always paid close attention to her health.

Four years ago when her blood sugar levels were elevating, her doctor diagnosed her with type 2 Diabetes. As part of her healthy regimen, King eats healthy and exercises. She joins us with Dr. Silvio Quaglia.

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Supplements Supporting Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

The disease and its treatments can cause many complications as it is often detected when a person suffers a problem that is frequently caused by diabetes, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia. 

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes was first identified as a disease associated with “sweet urine,” and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.  

Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed “juvenile” diabetes because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children. This type appears to be triggered by some (mainly viral) infections, or less commonly, by stress or environmental exposure (such as exposure to certain chemicals or drugs). Type 1 diabetics have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females but is more common in whites than in non-whites. Additionally, this type of diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes may also cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or even increased eating) and irreducible fatigue.    

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. Type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced in many cases by making changes in diet and increasing physical activity. However, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes impede a person’s carefree life.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, especially in people who are overweight, and occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise. This type may go unnoticed for years because visible symptoms are typically mild, non-existent or sporadic, and usually there are no ketoacidotic episodes. 

Diabetes insipidus, a rare disorder, is not related to Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Diabetes symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, and fatigue. This type also appears to affect the speed of our thought processes as well. Diabetes is a costly disease associated with severe morbidity and premature death that affects millions of Americans.

Diabetes insipidus includes any of several types of polyuria in which the volume of urine exceeds 3 liters per day, causing dehydration and great thirst, as well as sometimes emaciation and great hunger.

Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.  

It is further the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Diabetes is a condition characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient levels of insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar levels are too high. Diabetes can also create the need to remove a limb. 

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. The disease can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. It is the most common condition leading to amputations. 

Although this disease cannot be cured, it often can be managed with proper medical care, diet, and regular exercise. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in the US. It is a serious disease, but it is controllable. The good news is that diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. 

Treatment need not significantly impair normal activities if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken. 

Treatment for the disease also includes checking blood sugar levels to make sure that the disease is under control. Treatment usually includes eating healthy foods and spreading carbohydrates throughout the day, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar levels often, and possibly taking medicine.

And most of all this disease shouldn’t take all the fun out of shopping, cooking and dining. Diabetes treatment plans consist of a healthy diet, exercise, medications and sleep. 

Diabetes supplements can help you fight the effects of diabetes and help you to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized. Many people find natural diabetic supplements a valuable aid in improving their control of Type 2 Diabetes.

Sharyce Arciaga
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/supplements-supporting-diabetes-723892.html

What are the chances our baby girl could get diabetes?

My boyfriend got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 3 days before our daughter was born, 3 months later I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. I am really worried for our 8 month old baby girl. We are going to watch her carb intake as she gets older but wanted to know what the chances were for her getting it are.

As you know, diabetes does not come from eating too many carbs.
I have a daughter that was dxed when she was 2 yrs old.She is now 20 and doing fine.
I agree with you that not allowing her to eat just McNuggets and cool aid are just healthy habits to get into.
You can’t just sit around and worry every day.The chances are not known.
Enjoy your daughter .

Some Key Details of the Two Commonest Forms of Diabetes Mellitus

The starting point when looking at diabetes is to understand that it is a chronic condition which is typified by a distorted metabolism and raised blood sugar levels which give rise to lower levels of insulin. It is also important to note that the symptoms of diabetes can mask themselves to look like many other disorders and the condition can thus go undetected for years. Screening for this particular condition is important because early diagnosis and prompt treatment greatly improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from this condition.

There are 2 major types of diabetes that those people who are unfamiliar with the condition normally find it difficult to separate and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which itself is the result of an auto-immune attack. It cannot be prevented and accounts for about ten percent of all cases of diabetes in Europe and North America. This type of diabetes can be seen in both children and adults and is what people are referring to when they talk about juvenile diabetes. 

This form of the disease can be very effectively treated by monitoring blood glucose levels and adding insulin to the body. Both types of diabetes can require supplementary insulin and diabetic coma can follow if the body’s insulin level falls too quickly.

In addition to taking insulin, the best form of management for type 1 diabetes is diet and exercise. Individuals with this condition need to be aware of their body glucose level and ensure that insulin is topped up as necessary by injection or use of an insulin pump.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, the type 2 form of this disease occurs because of insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity  and the body’s reduced insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in people who suffer from obesity, are advanced in age, have a family history of the condition and who do not take enough exercise.

Individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes have to take medication because their bodies are unable to create insulin. However, type 2 diabetics have several different choices when it comes to controlling their condition. Exercise and diet might well be sufficient to control type 2 Diabetes although oral medication and insulin might also be part of a treatment plan. 

There are a lot of different treatment plans available but the most important element of the equation is the patient. This may well be a chronic disease but that does not mean that it has to be a lost cause and there are various ways in which you can keep the body healthy when you are a diabetic. In fact, the diabetic himself is the key player when it comes to fighting the side effects of this all too common disease.

Donald Saunders
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/some-key-details-of-the-two-commonest-forms-of-diabetes-mellitus-728887.html