Diabetes

Tips, Review and Information For Diabetes

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Diabetes Care Begins With Apt Diabetes Diet!

Diabetes people are special people. They need a special diet.

Diet is one of the most important part of your diabetes treatment. Perhaps, more important than the medicine itself. For, if you take proper medicines but neglect the diet, the result would be counter-productive!

It is no exaggeration if you (being diabetic) are advised to take care. Maintain the desirable body weight. Shed it, if in excess. Maintain the level, if you are underweight. Always remember, your blood glucose level should be normal.

The disease diabetes has a team behind it. Blood vessel diseases and heart problems await in its wings. So always take necessary care.

You have to understand your body and health related matters in the proper perspective. You have the services of two doctors—yourself and your family doctor. Both of you have to live like good friends. You have to follow his advice and he will of course understand your difficulties.

A doctor and a dietitian become the permanent friends and advisers of a diabetic patient. You have to understood yourself in a better manner by trial and error methods.

In all the major cities there are Diabetes Associations, who conduct useful services such as conducting camps, holding seminars and discussions and arranging group meeting. They also publish bulletins containing useful and encouraging information.

What you eat is important. For a diabetes patient, how you eat what you eat is also important. Instead of eating one or two heavy meals, it is better to take small quantities of food, several times in a day.

You have perfect understanding of your system, it is okay. But your doctor knows it better. As for the diet, only follow his instructions. That is your role. Do not go by ideas. He knows the facts. Don't be in a hurry to lose weight, though it is very important. If you lose two pounds in a week, it is ideal. Don't be panicky about the weight loss subject.

Fruits, seasonal vegetables help you a lot. Oily stuff needs to be avoided at all costs. Much more fiber must go into your system.

There may not be a permanent cure for the diabetes—but the permanent care can not be avoided. Unfortunately, you have the stamp of diabetes on you! So, take care.

By: Ashish Jain

Reiki Techniques - Becoming a Reiki Master

The symptoms of adult diabetes are symptoms that should be recognized. Recognizing a symptom or sign for diabetes is important because diabetes is a condition that can be life-threatening. Diabetes is a disease where high levels of sugar in the blood exist, creating a symptom or sign for diabetes. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin in the body, by the inability to use insulin or both of these. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels. About 17 million persons in the USA suffer from symptoms of adult diabetes.

Diabetes consist of three main types:

* Type 1 Diabetes - is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes very little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are required to keep the person alive.

* Type 2 Diabetes - accounts for about 90% of all cases of diabetes and usually occurs in adults. The pancreas do not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, frequently because the body does not use the insulin produced very well. Symptoms of adult diabetes and Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common with the increasing number of elderly Americans, with the failure to exercise and increasing obesity rates.

* Gestational Diabetes - is high blood glucose that develops during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.

Here are the most common Type 2 symptoms of adult diabetes:

1. Blurred Vision
2. Fatigue
3. Impotence In Men
4. Increased Appetite
5. Increased Thirst
6. Infections That Heal Slowly
7. More Frequent Urination

How does one know if symptoms of adult diabetes that are being experienced are actually indicating diabetes? The best way is to do a blood test called the fasting blood glucose level test. Diabetes is diagnosed if this test shows blood glucose is higher than 126 mg/dL on two different tests. If levels are between 100 and 126 mg/dL, this condition will be referred to as impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes and should be considered a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

What does one attempt to do for stabilizing blood sugar levels and diabetes? While there is no cure for diabetes, the immediate objectives are to stabilize blood sugar and eliminate any symptom or sign for diabetes and high blood sugar. Long-term, the goals of treatment are to prolong ones life, to relieve symptoms of adult diabetes and prevent long-term complications that may result such as heart disease and kidney failure.

A person with symptoms of adult diabetes should work closely with their physician to keep blood sugar levels within acceptable ranges. In addition, the more you understand a symptom or sign for diabetes and how to treat it, the more proactive you can become in making lifestyle changes that will improve your health. Besides oral medications, the good news is that Type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet improvements and weight management.

By: Olinda Rola
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Friday, November 14, 2008

India battles diabetes 'epidemic'

By Adam Mynott
BBC News, Chennai, India

The latest figures for the prevalence of diabetes are two years old and by common medical consent hopelessly out of date.

It is estimated that up to three million people die from the disease every year, and over a quarter of a billion people are affected.

Both figures are likely to be very short of the mark.

World Diabetes Day is on 14 November and all over the planet events are taking place to draw attention to the threat of what is described as an epidemic that is out of control.

Already it kills more people than HIV/Aids and the prognosis is grim.

India is the nation with most diabetics.

Officially there are 41 million Indians with the disease, but in Chennai, Tamil Nadu as many as 15% of the population suffer.

Elsewhere in the vast country, doctors report diabetes rates of between 9% and 14%.

So, even taking the lower of the two marks, it is clear that India, with its population of 1.1 billion, has upwards of 100 million diabetics and that figure is growing every year.

Diabetes causes myriad medical complications: heart disease, blindness, loss of limbs and death.

Nagabushan has little sight left. He can see light and dark and he can pick out a few shapes, but his vision has deteriorated very rapidly in the past couple of years, a victim of diabetes.

He has come for his monthly check-up on the mobile eyecare truck which has pulled into his home town, Shimoga, for the day.

Shimoga is in the heart of rural India in the southern state of Karnataka.

What worries the health professionals is that type 2 diabetes, which is the variety that is spreading so fast, is on a seemingly unstoppable rise in villages and rural areas.

Type 2 diabetes is known as the "disease of affluence"; it preys on people who, as they become better off, take less exercise and change their diet away from fresh vegetables and fruit.

Professor Ramachandran, a diabetes physician in Chennai says: "Of course people want to be better off. They want to have an easier lifestyle.

"But what many of them don't realise is that as they adjust their lives and become more sedentary and consume more junk food they are opening the door to diabetes."

Nagabushan noticed that his eyesight was weakening, and he started experiencing a loss of sensation in his feet - both classic symptoms of diabetes, but he put these down to advancing years.

He had never heard of diabetes.

Eventually he did go to his doctor, who diagnosed the disease, already at a fairly advanced stage.

In one respect Nagabushan has been fortunate.

He could never have afforded to travel for treatment to the nearest big city - Bangalore, six hours' drive away - but concerned doctors and healthcare professionals, backed by the World Diabetes Forum, commissioned the building of a truck equipped with some of the latest eyecare technology.

It tours round Karnataka taking eyecare to people in remote locations.

Nagabushan has been told that they cannot restore his lost vision, but they can stop it getting any worse.

In many respects it has already too late: Nagabushan's near-blindness has forced him to stop running a stall in the market from which he earned barely enough to keep his family.

He depends now on the charity of others.

In Chennai, KJ Thomas is at the other end of the socio-economic scale.

He is a retired professional and has had diabetes for 25 years.

He can afford to pay for treatment to keep it at bay.

He has been told that a changing lifestyle has probably caused his symptoms, but this puzzles him.

"I am not obese," he said, "and I get up every morning at 4am and have an hour's walk."

Mr Thomas's experience highlights the other huge threat to Indians posed by diabetes.

For reasons that doctors do not fully understand Indians seem to have an unnaturally high risk of contracting diabetes.

So if they stray just slightly into an unhealthy way of living they become very vulnerable.

The Indian government has plans to set up a public awareness programme to warn citizens of the risk.

Diabetes can be averted if the right measures are taken early enough.

Responding early has become critically important, because there are now signs that young people - even those in their early teens - are getting Type II diabetes.

Diabetes used to be a disease of the elderly and middle aged. If it gets a grip on the young, the outlook is very bleak.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Check The Level Of Sugar In Blood!

Killer diseases like hypoglycemia and diabetes develop due to sugar. Although sugar is beneficial in providing a temporary boost of energy, too much of intake can disturb the organs and glands that regulate blood-sugar levels. Even if you do not add sugar to your food, you are still consuming a tremendous amount of it if your diet contains a lot of prepared foods.

You must restrict the consumption of sugar to control your blood sugar level and stay healthy. If you wish to restore your healthy blood-sugar levels then you must refrain from all forms of sugar which includes sucrose, glucose, maltose, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, barley malt, and molasses.

Here are some of the important ways that you can adapt to control blood sugar levels in your body:

• Try to consume more of the unprocessed sweetness of fresh fruits and sweet vegetables such as yams, carrots, and winter squash. This will be a good alternative and your craving for sugar will diminish.

• Refrain from the refined carbohydrates such as breads and pastas made from white flour and white rice. These are rapidly broken down into simple sugars in the body. Stimulants such as caffeine that strain the adrenal glands must also be avoided.

• In order to maintain and check the blood-sugar levels, it is advisable that you eat a diet high in fiber, especially soluble fiber. This slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and therefore controls the rapid rise in blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber also keeps the pancreas from secreting too much insulin. It does so by enhancing the cell sensitivity to insulin and improving the use of glucose by the liver.

• Try to include at least 35 grams and preferably 50 grams of fiber each day in your diet. You can also take one to three teaspoons of a fiber supplement with a glass of water twice daily before meals.

• Protein is also an essential element that helps in the proper functioning of the adrenal glands, pancreas and liver. It also acts as a substitute and prevents the cravings for high-carbohydrate foods. It is safe too as protein does not stimulate the release of insulin as do carbohydrates. It helps in controlling and stabilizing the blood-sugar levels.

• Another good way of stabilizing the blood-sugar levels is eating frequent small meals. Do not skip meals or stay empty stomach for more than 3 hours. Regular and healthy meals will help checking the blood sugar levels in the long run.

By: natishanel

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A Simple Guide To Diabetic Cooking

Diabetes is a very severe disease, but those afflicted with this condition can take precautions to perk up their health. Diabetic cooking is one way that people with this serious disease can improve their health. Those with diabetes do not have to bond to bland food if they have meals prepared with diabetic cooking essentials. Diabetic cooking should focus on healthy meals that are full of nutritious ingredients. Diabetic cooking does not have to leave out all the regular favorites, but it may need some exclusions. Diabetic cooking does not have to be very difficult. Following some basic rules should provide for healthy ingestion.

Healthy cooking involves choosing leaner cuts of meat such as low fat chicken and fish, while some other meats can also be chosen that do not contain high amount of fat. You could choose sirloin and round cuts when selecting your red meats and you should also ensure that you check and buy only meat that has low marbling and the fat content should also be trimmed off before cooking. You should also choose ground beef that is in so far as ninety-five percent lean when moving over to healthy cooking habits.

Diabetic cooking should have lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains for nutritious meals. Some superb planning should make for some delicious yet healthy meals for a diabetic. Good planning can offer for excellent meals that the whole family will enjoy. Diabetic cooking will be good for the diabetic member and great for all of the other family members too. Those people who follow the rules for diabetic cooking will probably lose some weight or sustain their healthy weight.

Diabetics should try to stick to a regular schedule for their meals and snacks if achievable. Each person with diabetes should check with their doctor about their condition and the eating requirements. Some doctors may advise that the diabetic lose weight although others will just have to eat nutritious meals all through the day. Those diabetics that need to lose some weight should obtain some suggestions from their doctor. Most diabetic diets suggest a set number of servings that include the major food groups.

Diabetic cooking should account for the carbohydrates in the meals during the day. There is information regarding carbohydrates on the label of each food product so this should not be difficult to calculate. A cautious balance of the carbohydrates in a meal will help those with diabetes. Plenty of starches are a good addition to keep a diabetic healthy. These can be included to the diet with cereal and bread. Most diabetics will have to cut out the sweets so people will want to think of some inventive desserts. There are so many fruits that can be a fantastic end to a delicious meal.

By: Cindy Heller
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Basic Cooking Tips to learn more about diabetic cooking.

Monday, November 3, 2008

General Rules That Surround The Diabetes Diets, What To Eat And What Not To Eat? Eat A Balanced Diet

The general idea of the diabetic diet is 'sugar-free'; however there really is no strict diet that diabetics must stick to so long as they make sure to manage their condition properly. Sugars must be eaten in moderation but can be enjoyed as much as any other food. There is no one diet prescribed to all diabetics, though there is general advice worth following. Above all you should try to develop meal plans that work for you as an individual.

So what general advice is given to those diagnosed with diabetes? Firstly you can try to eat more fruit and vegetables, which means at least five portions per day. This advice is recommended for anyone, but especially so for diabetics. You can try replacing your usual snack with a piece of fruit, or having fruit as a dessert after your main meal and adding more vegetables to soups, stews and so on.

Eating less saturated fat is also an oft-cited tip for diabetics. Foods that contain a high proportion of saturated fat include butter and other dairy products, meat and chocolate to name a few examples. To cut down on your intake of saturated fat try choosing lean meat and skinless poultry as well as making sure that any dairy products you do eat are of the low fat variety. It is also a good idea to cut down on fat in general which means choosing fat-free or low-fat sauces and dressings as well as using less margarine and oil in your cooking.

By: willyboy
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Remember that these rules are not set in stone and as long as you monitor your diet and eat different types of food (such as fat or sugar) in moderation you should be able to continue to enjoy those meals you love. You can receive free diabetic recipes each and every week for free when you subscribe to my newsletter. If you want to ensure you lead a normal life and can fight diabetes then i recommend this eBook to anyone who wants to star

The Pre-diabetes Prevention Plan To Lower Blood Sugar

Many people struggle to control their weight. However, while they are going on and off various diets, they fail to realize that they are also struggling to control blood sugar. Actually, the cause of blood-sugar problems may be weight problems, as being overweight and having blood sugar problems tend to go hand in hand. Too many blood sugar swings during the day tend to increase hunger jags, snacking, and overeating. When you overeat, you’re much more likely to add on the pounds, setting the stage for obesity, pre-diabetes, and full blown diabetes.

Sadly, both pre-diabetes and overweight have become modern epidemics that are out of control, with two of every three Americans being overweight and over 100 million people having some signs of pre-diabetes. Both of these illnesses are nutritional disorders that result from eating too many unhealthful foods. However, there is good news: you can reverse pre-diabetes and control your weight.

One can self-diagnose pre-diabetes by looking for the most visible symptom: being chubby or fat around the waist. Other clues are cravings sweets and starchy foods, not being hungry at breakfast, and feeling tired or mentally fuzzy after lunch. Many physicians diagnose pre-diabetes when a patient’s fasting blood sugar falls between 100 and 124 mg/dl. There are several dietary factors that significantly increase the risk of overweight. Some of these being: too many calories, too many refined carbs, especially sugars, and too many unhealthful oils.

The average woman needs about 1,600 calories and the typical man needs about 2,000 calories daily, but the average American now consumes 3,900 calories each day, making it difficult to burn off all these calories and causing the accumulation of body fat. Because most excess calories take form of refined carbs and sugars, which are digested rapidly, rapid or extreme spikes in blood sugar levels, elevated insulin levels, and bouts of hunger result, which stimulate low blood sugar. Trans fats, which are found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, interfere with the body’s processing of fats and often lead to weight gain. Most of these problematic calories are found in fast foods, microwave foods, and other types of convenience foods, which are all best if they are avoided.

Even though pre-diabetes can be scary, it’s actually an opportunity to improve your eating habits and regain your health. To improve your health you can emphasize quality protein, emphasize high-fiber vegetables and fruits, include grapefruit in your diet, use more vinegar, and add some cinnamon. Since protein stabilizes and safely lowers blood sugar levels, be sure to start each day with some protein with breakfast and eat a little protein with each meal.

Most veggies and fruits are rich in fiber, which helps to lower blood sugar, so opt for salads and steamed broccoli while avoiding crutons, potatoes, bananas, and pears. Despite the calories, eating fresh grapefruit can help in weight reduction. The acetic acid in vinegar can also help to improve blood sugar and insulin levels, reduce appetite, and help with weight loss. Adding cinnamon has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels. There are also several supplements that have exceptional value in improving insulin function or lowering blood sugar levels. These include lipoic acid, chromium, silymarin, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin D, and Pycnogenol.

You can also enhance the benefits of diet and supplements by increasing your physical activity as it helps build muscle and burn blood sugar and fat. Tackling pre-diabetes can not only reduce your long-term risk for health problems, such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but also can allow you to quickly gain more energy and feel less post-meal fatigue.

By: Darrell Miller-1603
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
More information on blood sugar lowering vitamins is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. vitanetonline.com/