by: Dr Robert Gamble
You know, it’s not everyday a fellow like me gets to announce a major paradigm shift, much less concerning diabetes …or any other medical condition.
You don’t know what a paradigm shift is? Well, if I mentioned events and names like: Gutenberg, Copernicus, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Louis Pasteur, and Werner von Braun …you would probably guess a paradigm shift is major shift in thinking…and you would be right.
Back in the 1960’s, Thomas Kuhn wrote a famous book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. In it, he destroyed the common misconception so many of us have about science.
We tend to think scientific progress is ushered in by a slow, line upon line, piece by piece development of thought over time.
Thomas Kuhn showed that, historically, scientific progress occurs in leaps …and is always confronted by a struggle with an “old guard.” The old scientific theorists hold tenaciously to their (usually tenured or profitable) positions and array themselves against the new discovery, attempting to drive it away.
But, the new guard – the new discoverers, inventors, explorers– takes the new discoveries and advances it over the thinking of the old establishment. Rarely is the old guard converted to the new patterns of thinking (new discovery). They just die off. The new position wins by attrition …truth…and perseverance.
Diabetes: The $132 billion dollar pandemic
Diabetes is on the front edge of such a paradigm shift.
Diabetes afflicts over 18 million Americans. That is double the number of people with diabetes just since 1991 alone.
According to the CDC, one in every three Americans will develop diabetes in their life*time. Let that sink in…one in every three Americans will develop diabetes in their life*time.
It is estimated over 40 million Americans can be classified as “pre-diabetes” meaning they have blood sugar levels higher than normal but still below the type 2 diagnosis level which helps to define diabetes.
By anyone’s standard that is pandemic (goes far beyond epidemic proportions). The cost for this carnage is over $132 BILLION DOLLARS. So much expense, grief and sorrow…and unnecessary.
Diabetes: A reflection of our culture.
We are a fast food, sedentary, “get-our-fix-now” generation. More than one in every two Americans are overweight. We don’t exercise as we should. All of which affects glucose levels. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease…and we’ve got the lifestyle.
Diabetes: The important announcement
That said, diabetes is a condition which CAN be turned around. Glyconutrition is the new discovery shaking the medical and scientific worlds. There are four Nobel Prizes and MIT testifying to the fact that glycobiology is one of the 10 technologies/discoveries which will shape our world.
Glyconutrition is more than just a promising new treatment for diabetes. Many are starting to whisper “VICTORY” over diabetes in their approach to disease.
Whether that is the case, time will tell.
Oh no… The problem is not a failure of glyconutrition. It is the building block VITAL to healthy cell*ular function and it is extremely vital to the proper functioning of the IMMUNE system. Those are known facts.
Diabetes is an auto-immune disease meaning, your body’s immune system gets misguided messages. Thus, it starts attacking the islet cells in the pancreas which produces insulin. Voila...diabetes!
But, the problem is NOT whether glyconutrition really works. Anecdotal evidence (market buzz!) is already overwhelming in favor of glyconutritional therapy for diabetes. As is the professional research.
No…the actual science is NOT the problem. The problem is the old guard again. Thomas Kuhn’s book is almost prophetic. The old guard, the medical and pharmaceutical establishment, just can’t accept the findings of (their own) research… “What! A nutrient… to treat diabetes?” “Hogwash,” one can almost hear them say.
Actually, I wish they were saying that out loud. The reality is, they just ignore the issue. You see, too much is at stake. Like billions of dollars…uh…a $132 billion dollars. All of that mon*ey (read, “business”) disappears if glyconutrition continues to “pan out” the way the research shows us. But, for no^w, the only thing “panning out” is a diabetes pandemic.
Yet, glyconutrition gets shunned as an official diabetes treatment approach.
A study published in the 1997 issue of the Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research showed that people with type 1 diabetes who were given glyconutrients “…reported a dramatic improvement in their health, including a decrease in vision problems, better wound healing, less infections, and lower blood pressure.” (Miracle Sugars, by Rita Elkins, M.H., Woodland Publishing, p. 26)
“Glycobiology has achieved critical breakthroughs in the medical field, primarily by addressing what could be the greatest plague in health care today -- auto-immune diseases. Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and colitis are just a few of these diseases.” - Dr. Neecie Moore, Ph.D. (cf. Rita Elkins, M.H.
Miracle Sugars, Woodland Publishing, p. 18.)
Also, mannose (one glyconutrient) can stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin “…thus lowering the amount of insulin needed to control this disease.” (Miracle Sugars, p. 27).
Reality Check: The lives of 1 out of every 3 Americans are affected directly by diabetes and there is a $132 billion dollar diabetes pandemic running amuck in our midst. So, I sure hope this paradigm shift - glyconutrition - gets less opposition from the “powers that be” (the “old guard”), and is given its rightful place in the sun…soon.
But, with the mon^ey being made by the pharmaceuticals and their drugs, and the astoundingly simplistic view of disease treatment (“Blast that disease with technology and drugs!”) it is doubtful if Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigm shift” will work out any differently for diabetes across the land.
The old guard will attack and ignore the discovery — arguably, the greatest in medical history in over a hundred years — and, a la Kuhn, they will simply go the way of the Dodo Bird and diabetes treatment will receive its due.
About The Author
Dr. Robert Gamble is retired from a very successful medical/surgical career. His articles are designed to encourage people about the exciting discoveries surrounding glyconutrition. Visit www.glycoshare.com or write sharethegift@glycoshare.com or… call toll free: 1866.735.5871
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Reversing Diabetes Means Making Tough Choices In Foods, Nutrition And Exercise
by: Mike Adams
In past articles I've talked about how dietary sugars (white flour, corn syrup, table sugar, etc.) alter blood sugar levels, and how the body tries to regulate blood sugar through glycogen storage, insulin secretion and body fat creation.
Now let's explore the causes of adult-onset diabetes, and how people can both prevent and even reverse diabetes by applying fundamental knowledge of how the human body deals with dietary sugars and refined carbohydrates.
This process of storing sugar as glycogen or converting it to body fat is initiated by a hormone produced by the pancreas. This hormone, of course, is called insulin. If you consume refined carbohydrates on a regular basis, your pancreas will become overstressed. It's just like if you run your car 24 hours a day and keep revving the engine—eventually something's going to wear out and break. This is what happens with the pancreas, and people who have adult onset diabetes often have an overstressed pancreas. You could call it a worn-out pancreas, although technically that's not an accurate metaphor.
The other problem is that type 2 diabetics have decreased insulin sensitivity in the cells of their body. That means that even though insulin is being produced and circulating through the bloodstream, the cells in the body aren't responding to it. That's why reduced insulin sensitivity is a physiological marker that indicates a person is about to become diabetic. If your insulin sensitivity is reduced, you are on the track to diabetes. In the medical community this is called pre-diabetes. And once again, it is not a genetic disorder—it is something that is directly caused by the foods you choose to consume and the level of physical activity you choose to pursue.
If you are pre-diabetic, that means you have reduced insulin sensitivity, but haven't yet been diagnosed with full-blown adult onset type 2 diabetes. In most cases, you can directly reverse this condition and return to a healthy metabolic state by making new choices in your foods and physical exercise. Remember, diabetes is a disease that is quite easy to reverse if you catch it early enough. And if you're pre-diabetic, you have an opportunity to reverse the situation right now.
Reversing it means making some tough choices in your life. It means, first of all, getting out and engaging in physical exercise on a regular basis. That's 45 minutes a day of walking, or something more strenuous if you can handle it. If you can't walk 45 minutes a day, walk 30 minutes a day. If you can't walk 30 minutes a day, walk 5 minutes a day. If you can't walk 5 minutes a day, just get up out of your chair 3 times—do something to increase your exercise stamina, and work towards walking 45 minutes a day. Everybody can do something. Sitting around doing nothing is no excuse, and it will directly lead you to full-blown diabetes. (Diabetics are really good at making excuses. I know, I used to be pre-diabetic. I would find every reason in the world to avoid physical exercise.)
The second thing people can do is give up all foods that promote diabetes. This means foods that contain ingredients like refined white sugar, sucrose, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, white flour, enriched flours, and so on. So that means getting rid of all ice cream, cakes, cookies, sweets, desserts, candy bars, etc. These foods are causing your diabetes. Now, you won't hear this from the American Diabetes Association, because that organization is, to put it bluntly, actually thriving on the skyrocketing trend of diabetes in the United States. I've never found the ADA to actually give beneficial nutritional advice that would help people reverse diabetes. Remember, they are funded in large part by pharmaceutical companies, who would actually lose customers if people reversed their diabetic conditions. It's not a conspiracy: it's just plain old corporate greed.
If you want to reverse diabetes, and you want to know the truth about it, keep reading articles like this one, because I'm going to give it to you straight. I'm telling you that you've got a make a list of all the foods and food ingredients to avoid for the rest of your life. And then you must commit to avoiding those foods. No exceptions.
By the way, another side effect of all of this sugar consumption is, of course, rampant weight gain. If you're suffering from obesity (or a very high level of body fat), chances are you got that way by consuming refined carbohydrates. This is why the Atkins diet has been so successful for people who are willing to stick with it. I'm not a huge supporter of the low carb lifestyle as practiced by most Americans, although I do support the avoidance of all processed carbohydrates as recommended by the Atkins program and other low carb dieting systems such as the Hamptons Diet.
Consuming refined carbs and added sugars will put weight on your body faster than any other nutritional strategy. The way to take it off is to avoid these foods for the rest of your life. By the way, if you're serious about reducing your sugar and refined carb intake, be sure to check out my book How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days, at www.TruthPublishing.com, which contains even more straight talk about sugars and their effects on your metabolic condition.
Here's one last interesting point in all of this — when your body adds fat during this process of converting blood sugar to body fat, it has a blueprint of where to put that fat. For most women, the fat goes on the buttocks and the hips, potentially on the breasts, and eventually under the arms. For men, most of the that weight goes right to the belly, the gut, and only later will it move up to the chest area, the bottom of the neck, and maybe the buttocks and legs as well. The point is, your body has a blueprint of where it is going to store fat, and that blueprint is unique to you. You cannot change this blueprint.
Some people foolishly believe that if they do a bunch of sit-ups, they are going to somehow remove body fat from their abdomen. That's not true at all. Your body decides where to put it on and where to take it off. Other people, who are just as foolish, think that if they go get liposuction, they're going to remove all the body fat from their thighs or their stomach or some other area where it's not cosmetically appealing.
But what happens is now they're missing those fat cells that have been ripped out of their torso through liposuction, but they keep on eating the way they've been eating that made them fat in the first place. They keep on eating all those sweets and ice creams and sugars and other refined carbohydrates. So what happens? Well, the body has to put the fat somewhere, so now all of a sudden, the body is putting this fat in strange places where the fat cells still exist. A woman might end up with massive deposits of fat hanging off of her arms, or the back of her legs and thighs might balloon in size even though her midsection is now apparently much thinner because she doesn't have fat cells there. Liposuction is one of those surgeries that looks good at first, but if you don't change your lifestyle, you're going to look like some sort of Frankenstein monster in the long run.
You're going to have to change your diet sooner or later if you want to try and reverse the effects of diabetes. If you make the decision to change your diet early, you won't need radical surgeries like liposuction in the first place.
Copyright 2006 Truth Publishing
About The Author
Mike Adams, "The Health Ranger," is chief contributor and editor of the NewsTarget Network, a leading independent news source for natural health, nutrition, medicine and other wellness topics. NewsTarget and Webseed.com are leading information resources for consumers seeking independent information on natural health and nutrition. More than 12,000 searchable articles are available at http://www.newstarget.com.
In past articles I've talked about how dietary sugars (white flour, corn syrup, table sugar, etc.) alter blood sugar levels, and how the body tries to regulate blood sugar through glycogen storage, insulin secretion and body fat creation.
Now let's explore the causes of adult-onset diabetes, and how people can both prevent and even reverse diabetes by applying fundamental knowledge of how the human body deals with dietary sugars and refined carbohydrates.
This process of storing sugar as glycogen or converting it to body fat is initiated by a hormone produced by the pancreas. This hormone, of course, is called insulin. If you consume refined carbohydrates on a regular basis, your pancreas will become overstressed. It's just like if you run your car 24 hours a day and keep revving the engine—eventually something's going to wear out and break. This is what happens with the pancreas, and people who have adult onset diabetes often have an overstressed pancreas. You could call it a worn-out pancreas, although technically that's not an accurate metaphor.
The other problem is that type 2 diabetics have decreased insulin sensitivity in the cells of their body. That means that even though insulin is being produced and circulating through the bloodstream, the cells in the body aren't responding to it. That's why reduced insulin sensitivity is a physiological marker that indicates a person is about to become diabetic. If your insulin sensitivity is reduced, you are on the track to diabetes. In the medical community this is called pre-diabetes. And once again, it is not a genetic disorder—it is something that is directly caused by the foods you choose to consume and the level of physical activity you choose to pursue.
If you are pre-diabetic, that means you have reduced insulin sensitivity, but haven't yet been diagnosed with full-blown adult onset type 2 diabetes. In most cases, you can directly reverse this condition and return to a healthy metabolic state by making new choices in your foods and physical exercise. Remember, diabetes is a disease that is quite easy to reverse if you catch it early enough. And if you're pre-diabetic, you have an opportunity to reverse the situation right now.
Reversing it means making some tough choices in your life. It means, first of all, getting out and engaging in physical exercise on a regular basis. That's 45 minutes a day of walking, or something more strenuous if you can handle it. If you can't walk 45 minutes a day, walk 30 minutes a day. If you can't walk 30 minutes a day, walk 5 minutes a day. If you can't walk 5 minutes a day, just get up out of your chair 3 times—do something to increase your exercise stamina, and work towards walking 45 minutes a day. Everybody can do something. Sitting around doing nothing is no excuse, and it will directly lead you to full-blown diabetes. (Diabetics are really good at making excuses. I know, I used to be pre-diabetic. I would find every reason in the world to avoid physical exercise.)
The second thing people can do is give up all foods that promote diabetes. This means foods that contain ingredients like refined white sugar, sucrose, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, white flour, enriched flours, and so on. So that means getting rid of all ice cream, cakes, cookies, sweets, desserts, candy bars, etc. These foods are causing your diabetes. Now, you won't hear this from the American Diabetes Association, because that organization is, to put it bluntly, actually thriving on the skyrocketing trend of diabetes in the United States. I've never found the ADA to actually give beneficial nutritional advice that would help people reverse diabetes. Remember, they are funded in large part by pharmaceutical companies, who would actually lose customers if people reversed their diabetic conditions. It's not a conspiracy: it's just plain old corporate greed.
If you want to reverse diabetes, and you want to know the truth about it, keep reading articles like this one, because I'm going to give it to you straight. I'm telling you that you've got a make a list of all the foods and food ingredients to avoid for the rest of your life. And then you must commit to avoiding those foods. No exceptions.
By the way, another side effect of all of this sugar consumption is, of course, rampant weight gain. If you're suffering from obesity (or a very high level of body fat), chances are you got that way by consuming refined carbohydrates. This is why the Atkins diet has been so successful for people who are willing to stick with it. I'm not a huge supporter of the low carb lifestyle as practiced by most Americans, although I do support the avoidance of all processed carbohydrates as recommended by the Atkins program and other low carb dieting systems such as the Hamptons Diet.
Consuming refined carbs and added sugars will put weight on your body faster than any other nutritional strategy. The way to take it off is to avoid these foods for the rest of your life. By the way, if you're serious about reducing your sugar and refined carb intake, be sure to check out my book How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days, at www.TruthPublishing.com, which contains even more straight talk about sugars and their effects on your metabolic condition.
Here's one last interesting point in all of this — when your body adds fat during this process of converting blood sugar to body fat, it has a blueprint of where to put that fat. For most women, the fat goes on the buttocks and the hips, potentially on the breasts, and eventually under the arms. For men, most of the that weight goes right to the belly, the gut, and only later will it move up to the chest area, the bottom of the neck, and maybe the buttocks and legs as well. The point is, your body has a blueprint of where it is going to store fat, and that blueprint is unique to you. You cannot change this blueprint.
Some people foolishly believe that if they do a bunch of sit-ups, they are going to somehow remove body fat from their abdomen. That's not true at all. Your body decides where to put it on and where to take it off. Other people, who are just as foolish, think that if they go get liposuction, they're going to remove all the body fat from their thighs or their stomach or some other area where it's not cosmetically appealing.
But what happens is now they're missing those fat cells that have been ripped out of their torso through liposuction, but they keep on eating the way they've been eating that made them fat in the first place. They keep on eating all those sweets and ice creams and sugars and other refined carbohydrates. So what happens? Well, the body has to put the fat somewhere, so now all of a sudden, the body is putting this fat in strange places where the fat cells still exist. A woman might end up with massive deposits of fat hanging off of her arms, or the back of her legs and thighs might balloon in size even though her midsection is now apparently much thinner because she doesn't have fat cells there. Liposuction is one of those surgeries that looks good at first, but if you don't change your lifestyle, you're going to look like some sort of Frankenstein monster in the long run.
You're going to have to change your diet sooner or later if you want to try and reverse the effects of diabetes. If you make the decision to change your diet early, you won't need radical surgeries like liposuction in the first place.
Copyright 2006 Truth Publishing
About The Author
Mike Adams, "The Health Ranger," is chief contributor and editor of the NewsTarget Network, a leading independent news source for natural health, nutrition, medicine and other wellness topics. NewsTarget and Webseed.com are leading information resources for consumers seeking independent information on natural health and nutrition. More than 12,000 searchable articles are available at http://www.newstarget.com.
Diabetes: Cause And Prevention
by: Robert Thatcher
An individual may get diabetes when the pancreas can no longer secrete the needed hormones that produce insulin. The insulin maintains the glucose in the blood to be normal. Low insulin means that the level of glucose, which is sugar in the blood, may get high and may lead to diabetes.
The autoimmune reaction is a type 1 diabetes where the cells in the pancreas organ that produces the needed insulin are destroyed. This results to the total loss of insulin in the hormones. This happens because the body has its own hormones that protects and destroys its own pancreas cells.
Although there is no scientific proof why this occurrence in the pancreas happens, some studies have some theories that may possibly be related in this kind of reaction. Some say that this happens when there is exposure of a newly born to a cow’s milk, the infection from viruses and bacteria, and the exposure from food-borne chemical toxins. There is not enough evidence yet to prove some theories that may trigger the cause of diabetes.
The type 2 diabetes is said to progress when there is lack of insulin that is needed to maintain the blood sugar in the body. Another reason is believed to be that the needed insulin not be effective effective to control the blood sugar because of abnormalities in composition. The last reason is said to be that the receptors in cells no longer respond and fail to stimulate the organ that produces the needed insulin.
An individual is likely developing the type 2 diabetes when a person is overweight or obese. The increase of age of an individual is also considered a factor in acquiring this type of diabetes. Some few cases that may lead in this type of diabetes may include when a woman is having her pregnancy, or when a person have some intakes of medicines and drugs. In addition, any sickness or infectious decease that can alter the pancreas production of insulin.
There are some basic treatments for diabetes. These ways can serve an individual its important role in treating diabetes. Here are some ways on how a person can treat diabetes problems.
1. An individual must work thoroughly in obtaining his ideal body weight. Every individual must have a regular exercise and physical endurance tests. People who suffer from diabetes are recommended to be physically fit if possible. Exercises for the lungs and heart may help the person lessen the sugar that causes diabetes.
2. An individual must follow a diabetic diet program. Not being on the proper diet can be a great factor in acquiring type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that a person must lose weight if he is an overweight person. It is advisable that a person must be conscious of the food that he takes. Eat foods that do not have sugar content.
3. The option of the individual to have medication and seek the help of a doctor. Every diabetes patients that have type1 and type 2 diabetes can take insulin daily to sustain the insulin production of the pancreas. There is also the new insulin pump that continuously provides the much-needed insulin. There are also new medications that treat diabetes like the synthetic human insulin, Sulfonylurea drugs, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Alpha-glucosidase, and other drug combinations.
Diabetes can be prevented with the proper awareness and information regarding this illness. What is important is that a person must have a healthy diet and regular exercise to have a healthy body. Responsibility and discipline is needed to help oneself in overcoming this disease.
About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides diabetes resources on http://www.your-diabetes-resource.info.
An individual may get diabetes when the pancreas can no longer secrete the needed hormones that produce insulin. The insulin maintains the glucose in the blood to be normal. Low insulin means that the level of glucose, which is sugar in the blood, may get high and may lead to diabetes.
The autoimmune reaction is a type 1 diabetes where the cells in the pancreas organ that produces the needed insulin are destroyed. This results to the total loss of insulin in the hormones. This happens because the body has its own hormones that protects and destroys its own pancreas cells.
Although there is no scientific proof why this occurrence in the pancreas happens, some studies have some theories that may possibly be related in this kind of reaction. Some say that this happens when there is exposure of a newly born to a cow’s milk, the infection from viruses and bacteria, and the exposure from food-borne chemical toxins. There is not enough evidence yet to prove some theories that may trigger the cause of diabetes.
The type 2 diabetes is said to progress when there is lack of insulin that is needed to maintain the blood sugar in the body. Another reason is believed to be that the needed insulin not be effective effective to control the blood sugar because of abnormalities in composition. The last reason is said to be that the receptors in cells no longer respond and fail to stimulate the organ that produces the needed insulin.
An individual is likely developing the type 2 diabetes when a person is overweight or obese. The increase of age of an individual is also considered a factor in acquiring this type of diabetes. Some few cases that may lead in this type of diabetes may include when a woman is having her pregnancy, or when a person have some intakes of medicines and drugs. In addition, any sickness or infectious decease that can alter the pancreas production of insulin.
There are some basic treatments for diabetes. These ways can serve an individual its important role in treating diabetes. Here are some ways on how a person can treat diabetes problems.
1. An individual must work thoroughly in obtaining his ideal body weight. Every individual must have a regular exercise and physical endurance tests. People who suffer from diabetes are recommended to be physically fit if possible. Exercises for the lungs and heart may help the person lessen the sugar that causes diabetes.
2. An individual must follow a diabetic diet program. Not being on the proper diet can be a great factor in acquiring type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that a person must lose weight if he is an overweight person. It is advisable that a person must be conscious of the food that he takes. Eat foods that do not have sugar content.
3. The option of the individual to have medication and seek the help of a doctor. Every diabetes patients that have type1 and type 2 diabetes can take insulin daily to sustain the insulin production of the pancreas. There is also the new insulin pump that continuously provides the much-needed insulin. There are also new medications that treat diabetes like the synthetic human insulin, Sulfonylurea drugs, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Alpha-glucosidase, and other drug combinations.
Diabetes can be prevented with the proper awareness and information regarding this illness. What is important is that a person must have a healthy diet and regular exercise to have a healthy body. Responsibility and discipline is needed to help oneself in overcoming this disease.
About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides diabetes resources on http://www.your-diabetes-resource.info.
Coping with Diabetes
by: Amanda Baker
Every day, in the United States, more than 2000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed. Type II diabetes, the most prevalent form of diabetes worldwide, often shows few or even no symptoms!
After eating, food is broken down into what is known as glucose, a sugar carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Using a hormone known as insulin, made in the pancreas, cells process glucose into energy.
Because cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly in the body of a person with type II diabetes, they have problems converting food into energy. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body's needs. The amount of glucose in the body increases, and the cells are starved of energy.
This starvation of the cells, paired with the high blood glucose level can damage nerves and blood vessels. This leads to complications such as kidney disease, nerve problems, blindness, and heart ailments.
There are a lot of factors that can help to attribute to diabetes cases - lifestyle, environment, heredity - and those who are at risk should be screened regularly to prevent diabetes. Those that are already diagnosed with diabetes should aim to keep their glucose level under control.
But how do you know if you have type II diabetes? After all, it has few symptoms, often no symptoms in some patients. However, if you notice an increased thirst or hunger, a change in weight, or blurred vision, getting tested for type II diabetes is necessary, as only your doctor will be able to help you find the treatment steps necessary to being able to manage your life with diabetes.
Simple changes such as eating right, managing your weight, and keeping your blood sugar level under control may be enough. However, you doctor may prescribe diabetes-regulating medications to assist you in controlling your type II diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious ailment with extreme consequences if it isn't treated properly. But if you follow your doctor's advice and maintain both your lifestyle and blood sugar levels, you can help to prevent the more serious consequences from occurring.
This article is for information purposes only and is not meant to treat, diagnose or prevent any ailment or disease. See your physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
About The Author
Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com - a website for health, fitness and wellness.
Every day, in the United States, more than 2000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed. Type II diabetes, the most prevalent form of diabetes worldwide, often shows few or even no symptoms!
After eating, food is broken down into what is known as glucose, a sugar carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Using a hormone known as insulin, made in the pancreas, cells process glucose into energy.
Because cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly in the body of a person with type II diabetes, they have problems converting food into energy. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body's needs. The amount of glucose in the body increases, and the cells are starved of energy.
This starvation of the cells, paired with the high blood glucose level can damage nerves and blood vessels. This leads to complications such as kidney disease, nerve problems, blindness, and heart ailments.
There are a lot of factors that can help to attribute to diabetes cases - lifestyle, environment, heredity - and those who are at risk should be screened regularly to prevent diabetes. Those that are already diagnosed with diabetes should aim to keep their glucose level under control.
But how do you know if you have type II diabetes? After all, it has few symptoms, often no symptoms in some patients. However, if you notice an increased thirst or hunger, a change in weight, or blurred vision, getting tested for type II diabetes is necessary, as only your doctor will be able to help you find the treatment steps necessary to being able to manage your life with diabetes.
Simple changes such as eating right, managing your weight, and keeping your blood sugar level under control may be enough. However, you doctor may prescribe diabetes-regulating medications to assist you in controlling your type II diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious ailment with extreme consequences if it isn't treated properly. But if you follow your doctor's advice and maintain both your lifestyle and blood sugar levels, you can help to prevent the more serious consequences from occurring.
This article is for information purposes only and is not meant to treat, diagnose or prevent any ailment or disease. See your physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
About The Author
Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com - a website for health, fitness and wellness.
The Charcot Foot Condition - A Little Known Diabetes Complication
by: Belver Ladson
Charcot Foot disease is a little known complication that can affect anyone who has diabetes. This condition also occurs in non-diabetic patients too, but diabetics can be more prone to this disease due to a diabetic complication known as neuropathy (nerve damage) Nerve damage can stop someone from feeling pain, so the foot can get injured without the person being aware that something is wrong.
The Charcot Foot condition is a very serious condition. Joints and bones can literally be crushed without being known to the sufferer. Imagine breaking your foot and not knowing that it’s broken due to no pain being felt. As time wears on, those broken bones (and sometimes joints) can suffer irreparable damage, with the person walking on the foot normally instead of the foot being in a cast and trying to heal.
Once this damage happens the foot can become misshapen, become dislocated, warm to the touch, and the arch of the foot can literally collapse. The Charcot condition is often called a “silent” disease since a sufferer might not know there is a problem until massive damage has occurred.
Treatment for this condition, traditionally has been to apply a cast so the fractures and dislocations can heal. The foot would be immobilized for a long period of time (often a year or more). Surgery, although done in some cases is ruled out for many patients due to an increased risk of the foot not healing properly.
Some patients must wear a special brace on their foot/leg in order to be able to walk with the Charcot condition present. It’s extremely important for the foot to stay as stable as possible in order to avoid future additional damage such as ulcers, infection and amputation.
A Charcot Foot (also called a Charcot Fracture) can bring devastating changes to a person’s life. Day-to-day activities can be limited and the person might find themselves immobilized for long periods of time, sometimes having to use a wheelchair to get around. Often people can go back to work after treatment with limitations and/or corrective shoes/braces.
About The Author
Belver Ladson has been a diabetes educator for the past ten years and has strived to help people with diabetes live long, fulfilling lives. Belver's life goal is to help others see the goodness in life and to let them know that hope is always present. Belver can be reached at http://www.dfandiabetes.com.
Charcot Foot disease is a little known complication that can affect anyone who has diabetes. This condition also occurs in non-diabetic patients too, but diabetics can be more prone to this disease due to a diabetic complication known as neuropathy (nerve damage) Nerve damage can stop someone from feeling pain, so the foot can get injured without the person being aware that something is wrong.
The Charcot Foot condition is a very serious condition. Joints and bones can literally be crushed without being known to the sufferer. Imagine breaking your foot and not knowing that it’s broken due to no pain being felt. As time wears on, those broken bones (and sometimes joints) can suffer irreparable damage, with the person walking on the foot normally instead of the foot being in a cast and trying to heal.
Once this damage happens the foot can become misshapen, become dislocated, warm to the touch, and the arch of the foot can literally collapse. The Charcot condition is often called a “silent” disease since a sufferer might not know there is a problem until massive damage has occurred.
Treatment for this condition, traditionally has been to apply a cast so the fractures and dislocations can heal. The foot would be immobilized for a long period of time (often a year or more). Surgery, although done in some cases is ruled out for many patients due to an increased risk of the foot not healing properly.
Some patients must wear a special brace on their foot/leg in order to be able to walk with the Charcot condition present. It’s extremely important for the foot to stay as stable as possible in order to avoid future additional damage such as ulcers, infection and amputation.
A Charcot Foot (also called a Charcot Fracture) can bring devastating changes to a person’s life. Day-to-day activities can be limited and the person might find themselves immobilized for long periods of time, sometimes having to use a wheelchair to get around. Often people can go back to work after treatment with limitations and/or corrective shoes/braces.
About The Author
Belver Ladson has been a diabetes educator for the past ten years and has strived to help people with diabetes live long, fulfilling lives. Belver's life goal is to help others see the goodness in life and to let them know that hope is always present. Belver can be reached at http://www.dfandiabetes.com.
Know The Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes
by: Tom Capizzi
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRFI), “every year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” There is no known cure for this stealthy disease that attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin. Symptoms present themselves suddenly and progress rapidly. Knowing what symptoms to look for, if you suspect juvenile diabetes has gripped your child, will lead you to seek the medical counsel of a physician.
Know the Symptoms:The need to urinate often. If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.
Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.
A need to eat often and complaints of being hungry.
Eyesight problems such as blurred vision.
Irritable.
Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.
Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.
Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)
It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.
Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.
A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.
About The Author
Tom Capizzi owns http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com .Get more details about Diabetes Symptoms at http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/.
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRFI), “every year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” There is no known cure for this stealthy disease that attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin. Symptoms present themselves suddenly and progress rapidly. Knowing what symptoms to look for, if you suspect juvenile diabetes has gripped your child, will lead you to seek the medical counsel of a physician.
Know the Symptoms:The need to urinate often. If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.
Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.
A need to eat often and complaints of being hungry.
Eyesight problems such as blurred vision.
Irritable.
Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.
Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.
Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)
It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.
Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.
A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.
About The Author
Tom Capizzi owns http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com .Get more details about Diabetes Symptoms at http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/.
Hypoglycemia- Know diabetes to control it-
by: Nilutpal Gogoi
Hypoglycemia is a common problem of the diabetics. The most common sign of hypoglycemia is scarce blood sugar in the body. Actually, hypoglycemia causes the blood sugar to pass out via urine. This is notwithstanding the fact that different persons suffering from this dysfunction may have different types of symptoms. Mentionably, hypoglycemia retraces its steps the moment the blood sugar level turns normal.
Sugar is a good slave but a very taxing master. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy or fuel for the body. Now, our body extracts sugar from the meals we have. Sugar can be carbohydrates which is a complex form of this stimulating source or just plain sugar. It is rather interesting to note that our body always keeps a buffer stock of sugar in the liver. This vital storehouse of sugar is called glycogen. This storage of sugar provides ready backup of sugar during exigencies when the body badly needs to look for sugar reinforcements. Mention may be made of some really trying times as too much of physical labor or during long periods of fasting. Further, the body releases the requisite additional quota of sugar via a complex biochemical procedure. This method is known as gluco-neo-genesis. Its simplest meaning is to produce new sugar. What is more, the process changes the glycogen into sugar.
So we see how important sugar is for our body. Hypoglycemia happens whenever the body fails to regulate or supply such emergency sugar reinforcements. These problems appear due to malfunctioning of our pancreas. During such times, the natural capacity of the body to produce insulin gets affected. Our body’s blood sugar level is automatically kept under control by insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas carries out the job by lowering the blood sugar level the moment it crosses the danger stage. In a normal human being, the pancreas is the sentinel ever on vigil against the attacks of excessive blood sugar. The method is akin to the radiator fan in your car which starts automatically whenever the engine gets heated up beyond the requisite level.
Hypoglycemia is intimately connected with the typical metabolic ailment known as Diabetes mellitus. The ailment, diabetes, can definitely be kept under control but cannot be cured by the modern-day medications. It is a medical state that is chronic. In simple words, diabetes or hypoglycemia remains a person’s lifetime mate.
The diabetics usually posses high levels of sugar in their blood stream. Incidentally in the good olden days, diabetes was initially identified with ‘sweet urine’ and too much loss of muscles. Such sweet urine is the result of hypoglycemia when the body produces glucose more than its requirement. What is more, the excess glucose gets circulated in the blood. Only when the pancreas is functioning normally can its insulin hormone control the high level of blood sugar.
Patients suffering from diabetics (Types 1 and 2) complain of hypoglycemia. A person suffering from hypoglycemia generally encounters problems in controlling the blood sugar level. This again results because that person’s pancreas failed to either produce the sufficient quantity of insulin or totally failed to produce any insulin. The consequence is hyperglycemia.
There are many causes of hypoglycemia. Diabetics undergoing long periods of fasting can have hypoglycemia. This happens because their levels of insulin circulate fast. And, the fasting phase suddenly brings down this high circulating level. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger off hypoglycemia. Even those persons who have inbuilt resistance to insulin may complain of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused also by certain tumors which produce insulin. Such tumors are called insulinomas.
About The Author
Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children. For more information log on to http://www.mywellbeingcenter.com/ http://www.carehealthguide.com/ http://www.healthinesssite.com
Hypoglycemia is a common problem of the diabetics. The most common sign of hypoglycemia is scarce blood sugar in the body. Actually, hypoglycemia causes the blood sugar to pass out via urine. This is notwithstanding the fact that different persons suffering from this dysfunction may have different types of symptoms. Mentionably, hypoglycemia retraces its steps the moment the blood sugar level turns normal.
Sugar is a good slave but a very taxing master. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy or fuel for the body. Now, our body extracts sugar from the meals we have. Sugar can be carbohydrates which is a complex form of this stimulating source or just plain sugar. It is rather interesting to note that our body always keeps a buffer stock of sugar in the liver. This vital storehouse of sugar is called glycogen. This storage of sugar provides ready backup of sugar during exigencies when the body badly needs to look for sugar reinforcements. Mention may be made of some really trying times as too much of physical labor or during long periods of fasting. Further, the body releases the requisite additional quota of sugar via a complex biochemical procedure. This method is known as gluco-neo-genesis. Its simplest meaning is to produce new sugar. What is more, the process changes the glycogen into sugar.
So we see how important sugar is for our body. Hypoglycemia happens whenever the body fails to regulate or supply such emergency sugar reinforcements. These problems appear due to malfunctioning of our pancreas. During such times, the natural capacity of the body to produce insulin gets affected. Our body’s blood sugar level is automatically kept under control by insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas carries out the job by lowering the blood sugar level the moment it crosses the danger stage. In a normal human being, the pancreas is the sentinel ever on vigil against the attacks of excessive blood sugar. The method is akin to the radiator fan in your car which starts automatically whenever the engine gets heated up beyond the requisite level.
Hypoglycemia is intimately connected with the typical metabolic ailment known as Diabetes mellitus. The ailment, diabetes, can definitely be kept under control but cannot be cured by the modern-day medications. It is a medical state that is chronic. In simple words, diabetes or hypoglycemia remains a person’s lifetime mate.
The diabetics usually posses high levels of sugar in their blood stream. Incidentally in the good olden days, diabetes was initially identified with ‘sweet urine’ and too much loss of muscles. Such sweet urine is the result of hypoglycemia when the body produces glucose more than its requirement. What is more, the excess glucose gets circulated in the blood. Only when the pancreas is functioning normally can its insulin hormone control the high level of blood sugar.
Patients suffering from diabetics (Types 1 and 2) complain of hypoglycemia. A person suffering from hypoglycemia generally encounters problems in controlling the blood sugar level. This again results because that person’s pancreas failed to either produce the sufficient quantity of insulin or totally failed to produce any insulin. The consequence is hyperglycemia.
There are many causes of hypoglycemia. Diabetics undergoing long periods of fasting can have hypoglycemia. This happens because their levels of insulin circulate fast. And, the fasting phase suddenly brings down this high circulating level. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger off hypoglycemia. Even those persons who have inbuilt resistance to insulin may complain of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused also by certain tumors which produce insulin. Such tumors are called insulinomas.
About The Author
Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children. For more information log on to http://www.mywellbeingcenter.com/ http://www.carehealthguide.com/ http://www.healthinesssite.com
Key Tips About A Diet For Diabetes
by: Annie Beal
Diabetes is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. More and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes and need to learn a proper diet for diabetes to keep their disease under control. Following the right diet is essential to prevent serious complications.
A diet for diabetes focuses on maintaining a proper intake of foods with a special concentration on the amount of carbohydrates consumed. The reason for the focus on carbohydrates is that carbohydrates make your blood glucose levels go up.
In someone with diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels is the main goal. A site with useful information for diabetics is: http://4medicaltips.com
Most often a doctor will give a patient a diet for diabetes to follow based upon their particular type of diabetes and glucose level. There is a general diet, that usually is fine as a starting point for diabetic patients.
This diet is also recommended for people who may be at risk for developing diabetes. It can help prevent or slow down the onset ofdisease.
In general, a diet for diabetes mainly involves portion control and eating from all the food groups. It also focuses on limiting sweets and fats.
It also stresses that you should eat meals and snacks around the same time each day. Doing so helps your body to keep your blood glucose levels stable.
A good diet for diabetes consists of breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks daily. The food pyramid guidelines should be followed.
This includes: 3-5 servings of vegetables, 6-11 servings of grains, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of meat and 2-3 servings of dairy. It is important to remember to keep fats and sugars down.
Eating lean meats and low fat dairy will help. The servings from each food group ought to be spread out throughout the day. And, it is best to not eat too many carbohydrates at one time.
The best advice a person can get when planning a diet for diabetes is to pay attention to your body. A diabetic will be able to tell when they are not eating correctly.
Because their body will give them signs, like tiredness or excitability. If a diabetic begins to feel bad, they can adjust their diet.
Most often your body will give you clues to let you know you should eat something or something you ate was not good. Being aware is just as important as the diet itself.
While there is no one diet for diabetes, these general guidelines should be followed. Some people are capable of designing their own diet, while others may need extra help from your doctor.
The entire idea of a diet for diabetes is to prevent spikes or dips in blood glucose levels. By keeping your diet under control you ought to be able to maintain good health.
By following a consistent diet and listening to your body, a diabetic can maintain their health without needing to be overly concerned by their diet. After a while following a diabetic diet becomes second nature and the person will no longer have to think much about what they are eating.
About The Author
Annie Beal is a healthcare writer who makes it easy for people to learn about treatment options. She is a contributing author at http://MedicalNuggets.com. For more of her work go to: http://medicalnuggests.com.
Diabetes is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. More and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes and need to learn a proper diet for diabetes to keep their disease under control. Following the right diet is essential to prevent serious complications.
A diet for diabetes focuses on maintaining a proper intake of foods with a special concentration on the amount of carbohydrates consumed. The reason for the focus on carbohydrates is that carbohydrates make your blood glucose levels go up.
In someone with diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels is the main goal. A site with useful information for diabetics is: http://4medicaltips.com
Most often a doctor will give a patient a diet for diabetes to follow based upon their particular type of diabetes and glucose level. There is a general diet, that usually is fine as a starting point for diabetic patients.
This diet is also recommended for people who may be at risk for developing diabetes. It can help prevent or slow down the onset ofdisease.
In general, a diet for diabetes mainly involves portion control and eating from all the food groups. It also focuses on limiting sweets and fats.
It also stresses that you should eat meals and snacks around the same time each day. Doing so helps your body to keep your blood glucose levels stable.
A good diet for diabetes consists of breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks daily. The food pyramid guidelines should be followed.
This includes: 3-5 servings of vegetables, 6-11 servings of grains, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of meat and 2-3 servings of dairy. It is important to remember to keep fats and sugars down.
Eating lean meats and low fat dairy will help. The servings from each food group ought to be spread out throughout the day. And, it is best to not eat too many carbohydrates at one time.
The best advice a person can get when planning a diet for diabetes is to pay attention to your body. A diabetic will be able to tell when they are not eating correctly.
Because their body will give them signs, like tiredness or excitability. If a diabetic begins to feel bad, they can adjust their diet.
Most often your body will give you clues to let you know you should eat something or something you ate was not good. Being aware is just as important as the diet itself.
While there is no one diet for diabetes, these general guidelines should be followed. Some people are capable of designing their own diet, while others may need extra help from your doctor.
The entire idea of a diet for diabetes is to prevent spikes or dips in blood glucose levels. By keeping your diet under control you ought to be able to maintain good health.
By following a consistent diet and listening to your body, a diabetic can maintain their health without needing to be overly concerned by their diet. After a while following a diabetic diet becomes second nature and the person will no longer have to think much about what they are eating.
About The Author
Annie Beal is a healthcare writer who makes it easy for people to learn about treatment options. She is a contributing author at http://MedicalNuggets.com. For more of her work go to: http://medicalnuggests.com.
Diabeticine And Diamaxol: The FDA And Diabetes Medication
by: Vivian L. Brennan
You might be wondering about Diabeticine, which has recently changed its name to Diamaxol. Diabeticine claimed to cure “99 % of type II diabetes, and 64% of type I diabetes.” It was approved as a supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Diabeticine, however, claimed to target the root of diabetes. Diabeticine claimed that it was a hypoglycemic agent. The FDA looked at Diabeticine’s advertising campaign and declared that it was a drug, not a supplement. This seems to be fair reasoning on the part of the FDA. (The name, Diabeticine, also implies that it is a medicine).
There appears to be mixed feelings about Diabeticine (now Diamaxol). Some people praise it for lowering their blood sugar, without them having to change their diet or exercise. Others claim that taking a pill is not the solution to managing diabetes and that lifestyle changes are the only truly healthy way to maintain the sought blood sugar levels. Those who laud the drug sometimes claim that they have tried diet, exercise, and even other diabetes medicines, but that they were not effective.
Online testimonials generally support Diabeticine, though there are also some testimonials that claim Diamaxol and Diabeticine do not work. A major complaint is that Diabeticine and Diamaxol are too expensive. There are generic options with the same ingredients.
Diamaxol is licensed as a supplement by the FDA. As such, it cannot claim to cure diseases. Diamaxol still claims to lower blood sugar, just like Diabeticine. Diamaxol has a 30 day 50 point lower guarantee, as well as a long term one year claim.
Diamaxol has the same ingredients as Diabeticine, and it claims to be all-natural. A partial list of the ingredients, according to the manufacturer includes Bitter Melon, Licorice extract, Cinnamon herb powder, Yarrow, Cayenne, Juniper Berries, Huckleberry, and Vanadyl Sulfate.
The bottom line is that the helpful effects of Diamaxol are as yet unproven. Though the manufacturer claims to have clinical proof, many sceptics dismiss this as marketing. Because the FDA has approved Diamaxol as a supplement, at least we know that it can’t hurt. If you have tried all of your other options, consider this one, but only after talking with your health care team
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an expert on diabetes. She likes to keep abreast of new treatments and research. For information on diabetes medicine, treatment, research, and more, visit http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/diabetes_medications/. This site includes many informative articles, and even recipes!
You might be wondering about Diabeticine, which has recently changed its name to Diamaxol. Diabeticine claimed to cure “99 % of type II diabetes, and 64% of type I diabetes.” It was approved as a supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Diabeticine, however, claimed to target the root of diabetes. Diabeticine claimed that it was a hypoglycemic agent. The FDA looked at Diabeticine’s advertising campaign and declared that it was a drug, not a supplement. This seems to be fair reasoning on the part of the FDA. (The name, Diabeticine, also implies that it is a medicine).
There appears to be mixed feelings about Diabeticine (now Diamaxol). Some people praise it for lowering their blood sugar, without them having to change their diet or exercise. Others claim that taking a pill is not the solution to managing diabetes and that lifestyle changes are the only truly healthy way to maintain the sought blood sugar levels. Those who laud the drug sometimes claim that they have tried diet, exercise, and even other diabetes medicines, but that they were not effective.
Online testimonials generally support Diabeticine, though there are also some testimonials that claim Diamaxol and Diabeticine do not work. A major complaint is that Diabeticine and Diamaxol are too expensive. There are generic options with the same ingredients.
Diamaxol is licensed as a supplement by the FDA. As such, it cannot claim to cure diseases. Diamaxol still claims to lower blood sugar, just like Diabeticine. Diamaxol has a 30 day 50 point lower guarantee, as well as a long term one year claim.
Diamaxol has the same ingredients as Diabeticine, and it claims to be all-natural. A partial list of the ingredients, according to the manufacturer includes Bitter Melon, Licorice extract, Cinnamon herb powder, Yarrow, Cayenne, Juniper Berries, Huckleberry, and Vanadyl Sulfate.
The bottom line is that the helpful effects of Diamaxol are as yet unproven. Though the manufacturer claims to have clinical proof, many sceptics dismiss this as marketing. Because the FDA has approved Diamaxol as a supplement, at least we know that it can’t hurt. If you have tried all of your other options, consider this one, but only after talking with your health care team
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an expert on diabetes. She likes to keep abreast of new treatments and research. For information on diabetes medicine, treatment, research, and more, visit http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/diabetes_medications/. This site includes many informative articles, and even recipes!
Your Child Has Diabetes
by: Jay Chirino
Diabetes in your child affects the entire family. It can change your life and your child’s life for the worst. But that doesn’t mean that diabetes should prevent your child from enjoying a fulfilling life full of health, joy and happiness. Knowing what to do, doing research on the disease and working closely with your health care team will help you and your child overcome diabetes.
Diabetes in Children
Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in children. In recent years, type 2 diabetes has also been diagnosed, probably because of the spike of unhealthy habits and obesity in more developed countries.
Causes
The cause or causes of childhood diabetes are still not known, but the factors are believed to be much the same as with adults: viruses, genetics and the environment play a role in childhood diabetes.
Symptoms are also similar to adults: Increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Behavioral problems may also be a symptom of diabetes in a child.
Treatment
Most diabetic children are treated with insulin. Insulin shots are the most common way of administering the insulin. Older kids also use insulin pumps for treatment.
As with adults, control of blood glucose levels is important, and an essential part of doing this is by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Talking to a trained dietician will help you come up with healthy eating habits for your child.
What You Must Do As a Parent
You play an important role in your child’s life with diabetes. The very first thing you must do is understand what your child is going through, and learn how to deal with the situation in beneficial way. Educate yourself and find out what you must do to help your child face the challenges of diabetes, both emotionally and physically.
Become familiar with your child’s treatment
About The Author
Jay Chirino is webmaster of Your Life with Diabetes, a website dedicated to providing free diabetes information and resources.
yourlifewithdiabetes.com
admin@yourlifewithdiabetes.com
Diabetes in your child affects the entire family. It can change your life and your child’s life for the worst. But that doesn’t mean that diabetes should prevent your child from enjoying a fulfilling life full of health, joy and happiness. Knowing what to do, doing research on the disease and working closely with your health care team will help you and your child overcome diabetes.
Diabetes in Children
Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in children. In recent years, type 2 diabetes has also been diagnosed, probably because of the spike of unhealthy habits and obesity in more developed countries.
Causes
The cause or causes of childhood diabetes are still not known, but the factors are believed to be much the same as with adults: viruses, genetics and the environment play a role in childhood diabetes.
Symptoms are also similar to adults: Increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Behavioral problems may also be a symptom of diabetes in a child.
Treatment
Most diabetic children are treated with insulin. Insulin shots are the most common way of administering the insulin. Older kids also use insulin pumps for treatment.
As with adults, control of blood glucose levels is important, and an essential part of doing this is by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Talking to a trained dietician will help you come up with healthy eating habits for your child.
What You Must Do As a Parent
You play an important role in your child’s life with diabetes. The very first thing you must do is understand what your child is going through, and learn how to deal with the situation in beneficial way. Educate yourself and find out what you must do to help your child face the challenges of diabetes, both emotionally and physically.
Become familiar with your child’s treatment
About The Author
Jay Chirino is webmaster of Your Life with Diabetes, a website dedicated to providing free diabetes information and resources.
yourlifewithdiabetes.com
admin@yourlifewithdiabetes.com
Cookies And Diabetes
by: Ann Krause
In this day and age of high tech I need to stop and wonder what is happening to the population of the U.S. it seems that a large number of its citizens are becoming ill with diabetes.
“According to the American Diabetes Association there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. With so many people affected by diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has compiled diabetes statistics on the impact of the disease and its complications. Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002. Studies indicate that diabetes in generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiples chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be much higher than officially reported.”
I don’t believe that cookies and baked goods are the culprits for this terrible disease, back in the 50’s and 60’s our parents and grandparents baked cookies on a daily basis and we as children had eaten dozens of cookies almost on a daily basis, there were cookies and milk after school, cookies in your lunch bag, and a snack before bedtime of cookies, we had cookies of every shape and form that anyone can imagine.
During the Christmas and Easter Holidays I went to my grandparents home and usually upon arrival we were offered cookies and milk for the children and cookie and coffee for the adults, during this period in time people would swap cookie recipes like children would swap baseball cards. Now that we are in the 21st Century no one can say that because they are diabetic that they cannot eat cookies, with all the new sugar free and diabetic cookie recipes that you can find and all the diabetic cookies on the market no one should say I cannot eat cookies.
About The Author
Ann Marie Krause has been making cookies for over 30 years, at persent I am retired, for over 23 years I owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at http://www.annsgoodies.com
NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).
In this day and age of high tech I need to stop and wonder what is happening to the population of the U.S. it seems that a large number of its citizens are becoming ill with diabetes.
“According to the American Diabetes Association there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. With so many people affected by diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has compiled diabetes statistics on the impact of the disease and its complications. Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002. Studies indicate that diabetes in generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiples chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be much higher than officially reported.”
I don’t believe that cookies and baked goods are the culprits for this terrible disease, back in the 50’s and 60’s our parents and grandparents baked cookies on a daily basis and we as children had eaten dozens of cookies almost on a daily basis, there were cookies and milk after school, cookies in your lunch bag, and a snack before bedtime of cookies, we had cookies of every shape and form that anyone can imagine.
During the Christmas and Easter Holidays I went to my grandparents home and usually upon arrival we were offered cookies and milk for the children and cookie and coffee for the adults, during this period in time people would swap cookie recipes like children would swap baseball cards. Now that we are in the 21st Century no one can say that because they are diabetic that they cannot eat cookies, with all the new sugar free and diabetic cookie recipes that you can find and all the diabetic cookies on the market no one should say I cannot eat cookies.
About The Author
Ann Marie Krause has been making cookies for over 30 years, at persent I am retired, for over 23 years I owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at http://www.annsgoodies.com
NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).
Diabetes And Your Child's School
by: Vivian L. Brennan
If your child has diabetes, it is probably type 1 diabetes, which means that your child is insulin-dependent. Even if your child has type 2 diabetes, you will want to tell the school so that your child is supported during their learning process. You want your child to get the most of their education, and that means helping to make sure that your child gets the proper care at school.
1. Meet with the School
You will want to have a meeting with your child’s teacher, every year. This will probably take about 30 minutes to an hour to discuss the teacher’s questions and your child’s needs. Bring along information about diabetes. There are even pamphlets on diabetes aimed at teachers that you can bring with you.
Your child’s teacher is going to wonder, “Do I have to give insulin treatments?” The answer is that no, teachers are not responsible for giving injections. Many children manage their diabetes without ever getting insulin injections at school. Others get their injections at school, and are supervised by the teacher while they do this.
Help the teacher understand the blood glucose monitoring system that your child uses. It might be helpful to create a chart that explains what the different levels of blood glucose are, and what action should be taken for each one.
It is important to determine what policies the school has in place for diabetics. If there are no pre-existing policies, you can help your child’s school create thoughtful and inclusive policies.
2. Ally yourself with the Teacher
Especially with younger school-aged children, they might not understand the importance of eating their regular snacks. Ask the teacher to help remind your child to eat these snacks.
Your child’s teacher is the best person to observe your child during the day. A common occurrence for children with diabetes is that they develop low blood sugar before lunch. Have the teacher monitor your child to see if there are patterns of lethargy that should be noted and altered (possibly with an extra snack). The teacher can help remind the child to do blood testing as well.
3. Prepare your child
Before your child goes to school, be sure that they understand diabetes. You will want them to know what their responsibilities are.
Remember that as your child grows up, you are transferring the responsibility of monitoring and regulating their own blood sugar from your hands to their hands. During this transition period, you might find that your child makes a mistake, and occasionally misses snacks. This is a normal part of the growing up experience. Help your child overcome these mistakes, but allow your child to make these mistakes in the first place.
Consider getting a medic alert bracelet for your child, or similar piece of identification that explains that they have diabetes so that emergencies can be averted or cared for properly.
4. Help pack the lunch.
When your child is young, you will probably be the one packing their lunch to take to school. Be sure to pack extra snacks in case your child gets low blood sugar at school. Or leave some extra snacks with the teacher if you are worried that your child would eat them all at once. Pack some snacks that are quick to eat, such as carrot sticks instead of an apple, so that your child won’t have to
5. Know your rights.
Even though your child is diabetic, your child has a right to participate in every athletic event, field trip, and class outing that is planned. Your child has a right to monitor their blood sugar when necessary, and to eat snacks when they are needed. Your child also has a right to free access to water and to the bathroom. Your child will also be allowed to take as much time as necessary to eat the needed snacks. These rights are mandated by federal law in Canada, and by state law in the United States. If you feel these rights are being violated, begin by contacting your teacher to discuss how you can solve the situation. If this does not work, speak to your school principal, and take it further if necessary. Most times diabetes education will help the school meet your and your child’s needs.
The teachers, facilitators, and administration all want your child to succeed in school. Help them by giving them the salient information about diabetes. This can be an experience in ongoing education for you, your child, and the school staff. Let your child help in this education. If your child wants to do a presentation or project on diabetes, encourage them to share their knowledge. If your child prefers to keep quiet about diabetes, respect that right as well.
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an editor of http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/living_with_diabetes/. For tips on how to deal with diabetes at any age or stage, check out the The Guide to Diabetes.
If your child has diabetes, it is probably type 1 diabetes, which means that your child is insulin-dependent. Even if your child has type 2 diabetes, you will want to tell the school so that your child is supported during their learning process. You want your child to get the most of their education, and that means helping to make sure that your child gets the proper care at school.
1. Meet with the School
You will want to have a meeting with your child’s teacher, every year. This will probably take about 30 minutes to an hour to discuss the teacher’s questions and your child’s needs. Bring along information about diabetes. There are even pamphlets on diabetes aimed at teachers that you can bring with you.
Your child’s teacher is going to wonder, “Do I have to give insulin treatments?” The answer is that no, teachers are not responsible for giving injections. Many children manage their diabetes without ever getting insulin injections at school. Others get their injections at school, and are supervised by the teacher while they do this.
Help the teacher understand the blood glucose monitoring system that your child uses. It might be helpful to create a chart that explains what the different levels of blood glucose are, and what action should be taken for each one.
It is important to determine what policies the school has in place for diabetics. If there are no pre-existing policies, you can help your child’s school create thoughtful and inclusive policies.
2. Ally yourself with the Teacher
Especially with younger school-aged children, they might not understand the importance of eating their regular snacks. Ask the teacher to help remind your child to eat these snacks.
Your child’s teacher is the best person to observe your child during the day. A common occurrence for children with diabetes is that they develop low blood sugar before lunch. Have the teacher monitor your child to see if there are patterns of lethargy that should be noted and altered (possibly with an extra snack). The teacher can help remind the child to do blood testing as well.
3. Prepare your child
Before your child goes to school, be sure that they understand diabetes. You will want them to know what their responsibilities are.
Remember that as your child grows up, you are transferring the responsibility of monitoring and regulating their own blood sugar from your hands to their hands. During this transition period, you might find that your child makes a mistake, and occasionally misses snacks. This is a normal part of the growing up experience. Help your child overcome these mistakes, but allow your child to make these mistakes in the first place.
Consider getting a medic alert bracelet for your child, or similar piece of identification that explains that they have diabetes so that emergencies can be averted or cared for properly.
4. Help pack the lunch.
When your child is young, you will probably be the one packing their lunch to take to school. Be sure to pack extra snacks in case your child gets low blood sugar at school. Or leave some extra snacks with the teacher if you are worried that your child would eat them all at once. Pack some snacks that are quick to eat, such as carrot sticks instead of an apple, so that your child won’t have to
5. Know your rights.
Even though your child is diabetic, your child has a right to participate in every athletic event, field trip, and class outing that is planned. Your child has a right to monitor their blood sugar when necessary, and to eat snacks when they are needed. Your child also has a right to free access to water and to the bathroom. Your child will also be allowed to take as much time as necessary to eat the needed snacks. These rights are mandated by federal law in Canada, and by state law in the United States. If you feel these rights are being violated, begin by contacting your teacher to discuss how you can solve the situation. If this does not work, speak to your school principal, and take it further if necessary. Most times diabetes education will help the school meet your and your child’s needs.
The teachers, facilitators, and administration all want your child to succeed in school. Help them by giving them the salient information about diabetes. This can be an experience in ongoing education for you, your child, and the school staff. Let your child help in this education. If your child wants to do a presentation or project on diabetes, encourage them to share their knowledge. If your child prefers to keep quiet about diabetes, respect that right as well.
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an editor of http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/living_with_diabetes/. For tips on how to deal with diabetes at any age or stage, check out the The Guide to Diabetes.
Breastfeeding And Diabetes
by: Vivian L. Brennan
If you are a diabetic and have a baby, there are certain things to keep in mind while you are breastfeeding. Firstly, studies have proven that breastfeeding a baby can help to prevent type 1 diabetes development. Babies who breastfeed until at least six months will be at a lower risk for type 1 diabetes. Doctors generally recommend that mothers breastfeed their children until nine to twelve months.
Doctors are unsure if the positive effects of nursing come from special nutrients in the colostrum (the special milk from mothers) or if it because babies who are breastfed often grow at a more regular pace than those who are fed from cow’s milk. Babies weaned on cow’s milk often experience growth spurts rather than the steady growth associated with mother’s milk. If you are a diabetic, consider breastfeeding to help lower your child’s chances of diabetes due to genetic predisposition.
Breastfeeding is not only positive for the babies, but also for the mothers. Breastfeeding can help maternal weight loss, and it is particularly important for diabetic women to maintain a healthy weight. Some breastfeeding mothers find it easier for them to manage their diabetes because their glucose levels stay more constant and they have a remission of some symptoms while breastfeeding.
Just like during pregnancy, breastfeeding requires much blood sugar level monitoring from the mother. You will probably find that your need for insulin is lower than before your pregnancy. Insulin will not enter your baby’s body because it is too large to be carried on the breast milk. However, if you have type 2 diabetes and are taking diabetes medication, talk with your doctor to make sure that you are on a type of medication that will be healthiest for both you and for your baby.
Breastfeeding means that you have to be extra careful of your nutrition, so be sure to see your doctor or dietitian to create a meal plan that will work for you. It is important to eat regular snacks when you are breastfeeding because you want to keep your blood glucose levels constant. You will need to increase your caloric intake by about 500 calories a day to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. You can do this simply by drinking a glass of milk each time you breastfeed, which will keep you both hydrated and full of vitamins.
In order to maintain a balanced diet, experts suggest that mothers eat 20% of calories from protein, 40-60% from carbohydrates, and 30-40% from fruits and vegetables. Keeping up with all of these food groups will ensure that your body has the nutrients to provide for the baby.
As a breastfeeding mother, low blood sugar is an increased risk. However, by eating a healthy diet full of legumes, whole grains, other healthy foods, you will be able to keep low blood sugar at bay. Drinking lots of fluids is also an important part of having a healthy blood sugar level. Most importantly, monitor your blood glucose levels and record the results frequently. Having a newborn baby around will mean that you are very busy, but it is also the time when it is most important to take care of yourself so that you will be able to care for your baby.
When the baby is born, often it is a good idea to immediately allow the baby to breastfeed, which will prevent low blood sugar. Some hospitals will try to take babies away for observation. You can ask politely, and firmly insist that you baby stays with you for the first feeding and for some initial bonding time. If you are hospitalized after the baby is born, ask to bring your baby with you so that you will still be able to breastfeed. Diabetic mothers are not often hospitalized, but since breastfeeding is even more important for diabetic mothers, it is important to keep this in mind.
Some diabetic mothers may find that their milk comes in late, between two days to two weeks. In the meantime, use a breastpump and speak to your doctor to establish the best solution for you and your baby. Even babies who are too weak to breastfeed can be fed breastmilk that has been pumped.
Breastfeeding is a bonding experience for mothers and babies. Diabetics can breastfeed and gain even more benefits than the emotional closeness, such as lowered diabetes risk for the baby, and improved diabetes control for the mother.
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an expert on diabetes, and is currently an editor at http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/living_with_diabetes/ She is also a mother of two. She believes in educating people about diabetes to help people improve their lives.
If you are a diabetic and have a baby, there are certain things to keep in mind while you are breastfeeding. Firstly, studies have proven that breastfeeding a baby can help to prevent type 1 diabetes development. Babies who breastfeed until at least six months will be at a lower risk for type 1 diabetes. Doctors generally recommend that mothers breastfeed their children until nine to twelve months.
Doctors are unsure if the positive effects of nursing come from special nutrients in the colostrum (the special milk from mothers) or if it because babies who are breastfed often grow at a more regular pace than those who are fed from cow’s milk. Babies weaned on cow’s milk often experience growth spurts rather than the steady growth associated with mother’s milk. If you are a diabetic, consider breastfeeding to help lower your child’s chances of diabetes due to genetic predisposition.
Breastfeeding is not only positive for the babies, but also for the mothers. Breastfeeding can help maternal weight loss, and it is particularly important for diabetic women to maintain a healthy weight. Some breastfeeding mothers find it easier for them to manage their diabetes because their glucose levels stay more constant and they have a remission of some symptoms while breastfeeding.
Just like during pregnancy, breastfeeding requires much blood sugar level monitoring from the mother. You will probably find that your need for insulin is lower than before your pregnancy. Insulin will not enter your baby’s body because it is too large to be carried on the breast milk. However, if you have type 2 diabetes and are taking diabetes medication, talk with your doctor to make sure that you are on a type of medication that will be healthiest for both you and for your baby.
Breastfeeding means that you have to be extra careful of your nutrition, so be sure to see your doctor or dietitian to create a meal plan that will work for you. It is important to eat regular snacks when you are breastfeeding because you want to keep your blood glucose levels constant. You will need to increase your caloric intake by about 500 calories a day to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. You can do this simply by drinking a glass of milk each time you breastfeed, which will keep you both hydrated and full of vitamins.
In order to maintain a balanced diet, experts suggest that mothers eat 20% of calories from protein, 40-60% from carbohydrates, and 30-40% from fruits and vegetables. Keeping up with all of these food groups will ensure that your body has the nutrients to provide for the baby.
As a breastfeeding mother, low blood sugar is an increased risk. However, by eating a healthy diet full of legumes, whole grains, other healthy foods, you will be able to keep low blood sugar at bay. Drinking lots of fluids is also an important part of having a healthy blood sugar level. Most importantly, monitor your blood glucose levels and record the results frequently. Having a newborn baby around will mean that you are very busy, but it is also the time when it is most important to take care of yourself so that you will be able to care for your baby.
When the baby is born, often it is a good idea to immediately allow the baby to breastfeed, which will prevent low blood sugar. Some hospitals will try to take babies away for observation. You can ask politely, and firmly insist that you baby stays with you for the first feeding and for some initial bonding time. If you are hospitalized after the baby is born, ask to bring your baby with you so that you will still be able to breastfeed. Diabetic mothers are not often hospitalized, but since breastfeeding is even more important for diabetic mothers, it is important to keep this in mind.
Some diabetic mothers may find that their milk comes in late, between two days to two weeks. In the meantime, use a breastpump and speak to your doctor to establish the best solution for you and your baby. Even babies who are too weak to breastfeed can be fed breastmilk that has been pumped.
Breastfeeding is a bonding experience for mothers and babies. Diabetics can breastfeed and gain even more benefits than the emotional closeness, such as lowered diabetes risk for the baby, and improved diabetes control for the mother.
About The Author
Vivian Brennan is an expert on diabetes, and is currently an editor at http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/living_with_diabetes/ She is also a mother of two. She believes in educating people about diabetes to help people improve their lives.
Need Help With Diabetes? Get Rid Of Toxins and Lose Weight Fast
by: Ralph Morton
Weight Loss Matters
Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are overweight? If you are overweight, losing some weight could help you better manage your diabetes. Weight Loss Matters is an American Diabetes Association program that will help you lose weight and take care of your diabetes. You can lose weight and keep it off.
Your first step is to talk with your doctor about losing weight. It can be hard to talk about weight loss. But Weight Loss Matters will help you get started.
Diabetes and Metabolic Health
People with diabetes are more likely to be overweight and to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. At least one out of every five overweight people has several metabolic problems at once, which can lead to serious complications like heart disease.
Are You at Risk for Obesity?
One way to find out if your weight puts you at risk for diabetes is to look at your body mass index, or BMI, which is based on a calculation of your height and weight. Use our BMI calculator to find out.
Getting Motivated
Getting motivated to lose weight can be hard, especially if you have tried to lose weight in the past. Find out whether you are ready to begin a weight loss plan and get inspired to take the first step.
Getting Started
Learn what you can do to lower your risk.
Small Steps for Your Health
Changing to a healthier lifestyle can be tough. Get ideas and tips for making small steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Also, find out what the ingredients are for success.
Healthy Weight Loss
Reality is that losing weight in a healthy way and learning how to to keep it off for years is not easy. It takes a new way of thinking. Are you ready?
Be Active! But How?
Being active is a big part of living a healthy lifestyle.
Check out the benefits of being active, how much activity is best for you, and get a few tips to be more active now.
Copied from the American Diabetes Association web site
As you can see 9 out of 10 of people are overweight when suffering from type 2 diabetes, therefore, it is imperative that body weight must be controlled.
One must look at the percentage of people overweight on this continent today; it wasn’t like that 40 years ago was it? A person doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know why this is so, we live in a different world today.
Our whole atmosphere, soil conditions, eating habits, are so different. The toxins we collect in our bodies which effect our organs do not allow our systems to work as the should.
I recall, a couple of years ago a show on Oprah Winfrey. Oprah had as a guest some sort of specialist, what he was doing was cutting up cadavers. Not the best subject for a show I think you will agree. The whole thing wasn’t very pleasant.
The specialist opened the subjects stomach and took out I would suggest about 10 lbs of pure fat. Right in the middle of the fat was the liver.
We have to ask ourselves how apart from the man carrying all this extra weight around all his life, how ever did his liver or his kidneys work to full efficiency.
You can well understand, Oprah had a lot to say about this as you can well understand.
They went into a long discussion as to why this was happening way more than it ever did.
They brought things up how thousands and thousands of people were suffering with so many different illnesses, which included diabetes due mainly to the toxins.
I quote from another article I wrote, “Why we have to get rid of toxins”
Victims of a Toxic Colon
Have you ever considered this simple question: Are you clean inside? We shower, brush our teeth and wash our hair on a daily basis, but we tend to ignore cleansing our insides until some form of disease sends us a wake-up call. Believe it or not, our insides, especially the colon which functions as the “sewer system” of our body, also requires regular cleaning.
Constipation, parasites, IBS, gas, bloating, stomach pain, chronic fatigue, digestive problems can all be signs of a toxic colon. Don’t be a victim, suffering silently from these painful and often embarrassing health conditions. Find out the truth about colon cleansing and how it can help you.
Why Is Colon Cleansing So Crucial?
We are all exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals on a daily basis at work, in the home, through the air we breathe, our food and water supply, and through the use of pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, we are eating more sugar and processed foods than ever before in human history and regularly abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives.
"Death Begins in the Colon"
These toxins and “dead” foods lead to poor digestion, constipation, toxic colon build-up, weight gain and low energy.
These common symptoms are more than just an inconvenience – they can lead to long-term health problems and serious disease.
The combination of environmental toxins, an unhealthy diet and parasites poses a grave danger to humans. “In fact, parasites have killed more humans than all the wars in history”, reported National Geographic in its award-winning documentary, The Body Snatchers.
In order to rid ourselves of these toxins it was required someone came up with a body cleanse which would be able to clean out the fat particles, and the toxins from the colon, liver, kidneys and lungs,plus all the other organs. I am happy to say I used John Anderson's natural cleanse, after I used it I felt 100% better.
Hear what the experts are saying. visit http://theteam.isagenix.com Please click on the ISAVIDEOS on the left, listen to Dr Becky Natrajan, M.D.For full information why we have to get rid of Toxins.You can also take the opportunity to see what ABC and FOX television thought of this cleanse.
These Television giants felt that Isagenix was so far ahead in their thinking and their results, and were impressed enough to give this company the best advertising anyone could ever receive and that is free advertising.
For further information Ralph Morton 604-536-6813 or email noviorbis@telus.net
About The Author
Ralph Morton is the author of"Need Help With Diabetes? Get Rid Of Toxins and Lose Weight Fast" he has helped thousands of individuals to lose a lot of weight. Visit his site to find out how you can do a cleanse plus you will be able to listen to to the Gastroenterologist, the good Doctor Becky Natrajan will explain the toxins, and why they must be removed from your system, Visit http://theteam.isagenix.com ,after it loads, on the top left click on ISAVIDEOs, and hear what she has to say. Next to that video are one each from ABC and FOX news, explaining the ISAGENIX cleanse. Don't miss these.Any Questions Call 604-536-6813 or Email: noviorbis@telus.net
Weight Loss Matters
Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are overweight? If you are overweight, losing some weight could help you better manage your diabetes. Weight Loss Matters is an American Diabetes Association program that will help you lose weight and take care of your diabetes. You can lose weight and keep it off.
Your first step is to talk with your doctor about losing weight. It can be hard to talk about weight loss. But Weight Loss Matters will help you get started.
Diabetes and Metabolic Health
People with diabetes are more likely to be overweight and to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. At least one out of every five overweight people has several metabolic problems at once, which can lead to serious complications like heart disease.
Are You at Risk for Obesity?
One way to find out if your weight puts you at risk for diabetes is to look at your body mass index, or BMI, which is based on a calculation of your height and weight. Use our BMI calculator to find out.
Getting Motivated
Getting motivated to lose weight can be hard, especially if you have tried to lose weight in the past. Find out whether you are ready to begin a weight loss plan and get inspired to take the first step.
Getting Started
Learn what you can do to lower your risk.
Small Steps for Your Health
Changing to a healthier lifestyle can be tough. Get ideas and tips for making small steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Also, find out what the ingredients are for success.
Healthy Weight Loss
Reality is that losing weight in a healthy way and learning how to to keep it off for years is not easy. It takes a new way of thinking. Are you ready?
Be Active! But How?
Being active is a big part of living a healthy lifestyle.
Check out the benefits of being active, how much activity is best for you, and get a few tips to be more active now.
Copied from the American Diabetes Association web site
As you can see 9 out of 10 of people are overweight when suffering from type 2 diabetes, therefore, it is imperative that body weight must be controlled.
One must look at the percentage of people overweight on this continent today; it wasn’t like that 40 years ago was it? A person doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know why this is so, we live in a different world today.
Our whole atmosphere, soil conditions, eating habits, are so different. The toxins we collect in our bodies which effect our organs do not allow our systems to work as the should.
I recall, a couple of years ago a show on Oprah Winfrey. Oprah had as a guest some sort of specialist, what he was doing was cutting up cadavers. Not the best subject for a show I think you will agree. The whole thing wasn’t very pleasant.
The specialist opened the subjects stomach and took out I would suggest about 10 lbs of pure fat. Right in the middle of the fat was the liver.
We have to ask ourselves how apart from the man carrying all this extra weight around all his life, how ever did his liver or his kidneys work to full efficiency.
You can well understand, Oprah had a lot to say about this as you can well understand.
They went into a long discussion as to why this was happening way more than it ever did.
They brought things up how thousands and thousands of people were suffering with so many different illnesses, which included diabetes due mainly to the toxins.
I quote from another article I wrote, “Why we have to get rid of toxins”
Victims of a Toxic Colon
Have you ever considered this simple question: Are you clean inside? We shower, brush our teeth and wash our hair on a daily basis, but we tend to ignore cleansing our insides until some form of disease sends us a wake-up call. Believe it or not, our insides, especially the colon which functions as the “sewer system” of our body, also requires regular cleaning.
Constipation, parasites, IBS, gas, bloating, stomach pain, chronic fatigue, digestive problems can all be signs of a toxic colon. Don’t be a victim, suffering silently from these painful and often embarrassing health conditions. Find out the truth about colon cleansing and how it can help you.
Why Is Colon Cleansing So Crucial?
We are all exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals on a daily basis at work, in the home, through the air we breathe, our food and water supply, and through the use of pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, we are eating more sugar and processed foods than ever before in human history and regularly abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives.
"Death Begins in the Colon"
These toxins and “dead” foods lead to poor digestion, constipation, toxic colon build-up, weight gain and low energy.
These common symptoms are more than just an inconvenience – they can lead to long-term health problems and serious disease.
The combination of environmental toxins, an unhealthy diet and parasites poses a grave danger to humans. “In fact, parasites have killed more humans than all the wars in history”, reported National Geographic in its award-winning documentary, The Body Snatchers.
In order to rid ourselves of these toxins it was required someone came up with a body cleanse which would be able to clean out the fat particles, and the toxins from the colon, liver, kidneys and lungs,plus all the other organs. I am happy to say I used John Anderson's natural cleanse, after I used it I felt 100% better.
Hear what the experts are saying. visit http://theteam.isagenix.com Please click on the ISAVIDEOS on the left, listen to Dr Becky Natrajan, M.D.For full information why we have to get rid of Toxins.You can also take the opportunity to see what ABC and FOX television thought of this cleanse.
These Television giants felt that Isagenix was so far ahead in their thinking and their results, and were impressed enough to give this company the best advertising anyone could ever receive and that is free advertising.
For further information Ralph Morton 604-536-6813 or email noviorbis@telus.net
About The Author
Ralph Morton is the author of"Need Help With Diabetes? Get Rid Of Toxins and Lose Weight Fast" he has helped thousands of individuals to lose a lot of weight. Visit his site to find out how you can do a cleanse plus you will be able to listen to to the Gastroenterologist, the good Doctor Becky Natrajan will explain the toxins, and why they must be removed from your system, Visit http://theteam.isagenix.com ,after it loads, on the top left click on ISAVIDEOs, and hear what she has to say. Next to that video are one each from ABC and FOX news, explaining the ISAGENIX cleanse. Don't miss these.Any Questions Call 604-536-6813 or Email: noviorbis@telus.net
Coffee Intake Linked To Lower Diabetes Risk
Drinking coffee, especially when it is decaffeinated, will be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the Sept 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The link between coffee and diabetes risk appears to be very consistent across different ages and body weights; in addition, most research has found that the more coffee an individual drinks, the lower his or her risk for diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether it is the caffeine or any other ingredient in coffee, which may confer a protective effect.
by: Adam Akelis
Mark A. Pereira, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, had studied coffee intake and diabetes risk in the 28,812 postmenopausal women in Iowa over a 12-year period. At the beginning of the study, in 1986, the women answered questions about the risk factors for diabetes, including age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and other smoking history. They also reported how often they consumed a variety of foods and these beverages over the previous year, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Based on this information reported in the initial questionnaire, about half of the women (14,224) drank one to two cups of coffee per day; 2,876 drank more than six cups; 5,553 four to five cups; 3,232 less than one cup; and 2,927 none. Over the following 12 years, 1,417 of the women reported on surveys, which they had been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After adjusting the data for some of the other diabetes risk factors, women who drank more than five cups of any type of coffee per day were 21 percent less likely than those who drank no coffee to be diagnosed suffering from diabetes; those who drank more than five cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 32 percent reduction in risk compared with those who drank none.
Overall caffeine intake did not appear to be much related to diabetes risk, further suggesting that some other ingredient in coffee was also responsible. "Magnesium, for which coffee is a good source, can explain some of the inverse relation between coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus through known helpful effects on the carbohydrate metabolism," the authors write. However, the study found no relation between Magnesium and diabetes risk. Other minerals and nutrients found in the coffee bean including compounds known as polyphenols, which have also been shown to help the body process carbohydrates and antioxidants, which might protect cells in the insulin producing pancreas can contribute to its beneficial effects and needs to be examined in future studies.
About The Author
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his all time favorite drink. Not only Adam, there are lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (such as gourmet coffee, Instant Coffee, Cains Coffee, Costa Coffee, Alterra Coffee, Cappuccino,...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/. And to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
by: Adam Akelis
Mark A. Pereira, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, had studied coffee intake and diabetes risk in the 28,812 postmenopausal women in Iowa over a 12-year period. At the beginning of the study, in 1986, the women answered questions about the risk factors for diabetes, including age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and other smoking history. They also reported how often they consumed a variety of foods and these beverages over the previous year, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Based on this information reported in the initial questionnaire, about half of the women (14,224) drank one to two cups of coffee per day; 2,876 drank more than six cups; 5,553 four to five cups; 3,232 less than one cup; and 2,927 none. Over the following 12 years, 1,417 of the women reported on surveys, which they had been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After adjusting the data for some of the other diabetes risk factors, women who drank more than five cups of any type of coffee per day were 21 percent less likely than those who drank no coffee to be diagnosed suffering from diabetes; those who drank more than five cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 32 percent reduction in risk compared with those who drank none.
Overall caffeine intake did not appear to be much related to diabetes risk, further suggesting that some other ingredient in coffee was also responsible. "Magnesium, for which coffee is a good source, can explain some of the inverse relation between coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus through known helpful effects on the carbohydrate metabolism," the authors write. However, the study found no relation between Magnesium and diabetes risk. Other minerals and nutrients found in the coffee bean including compounds known as polyphenols, which have also been shown to help the body process carbohydrates and antioxidants, which might protect cells in the insulin producing pancreas can contribute to its beneficial effects and needs to be examined in future studies.
About The Author
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his all time favorite drink. Not only Adam, there are lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (such as gourmet coffee, Instant Coffee, Cains Coffee, Costa Coffee, Alterra Coffee, Cappuccino,...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/. And to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
Feline Diabetes
by: Anita Hampton
Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes mellitus ("sugar" diabetes) is a complex and common endocrine disorder in the cat. It is caused either by insufficient production of the hormone, insulin, by the pancreas (type 1 diabetes) or by inadequate response of the body's cells to insulin (type 2 diabetes).
Because diabetic cats are not able to utilize glucose properly, they ultimately develop hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) and subsequent glucosuria (sugar in the urine).
The glucosuria leads to polyuria (excessive urination) and polydipsia (excessive thirst). In spite of maintaining a good appetite, diabetic cats lose weight because the body's tissues are unable to utilize glucose properly.
Progression of the disease ultimately leads to further metabolic disturbances and causes vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and dehydration.
Although affecting cats of any breed, sex, or age, diabetes mellitus most often occurs in older, obese individuals; males are more commonly afflicted than females.
The exact cause of the disease in cats is not known, although genetic predisposition, obesity, pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications have all been incriminated.
After a period of time, a small percentage of diabetic cats lose their requirement for specific therapy with either insulin or hypoglycemic medications.
Signs of Diabetes Mellitus
Polyuria, polydipsia, increased appetite, and weight loss are hallmark signs of diabetes mellitus in cats. In the earlier stages of the disease, cats remain active and alert with few other signs of disease. However as the disease progresses, poor skin and haircoat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections become more common.
An infrequent disorder called diabetic neuropathy may cause cats to become progressively weaker in the rear legs and assume a unique, plantigrade stance. A dangerous condition called ketoacidosis may develop in some cats. Signs of ketoacidosis include a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and breathing abnormalities.
Without proper and prompt treatment, this condition ultimately proves fatal.
Diagnosis
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed based on the cat's clinical signs, physical examination findings, laboratory test results, and the persistent presence of abnormally high amounts of sugar in the blood and urine.
Treatment
Proper treatment of diabetes mellitus is based on the severity of the disorder. Cats with ketoacidosis require intensive care.
Treatment includes fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities, and short acting insulin. Diabetic cats that are not ill usually require insulin injections to be given once or twice daily under the skin, and a carefully controlled diet. As an alternative to insulin, treatment with an oral hypoglycemic drug (see below) may be attempted.
Insulin
Adequate control of most diabetic cats requires long- acting insulin injections to be given once or twice daily.
Each cat responds differently to insulin, so the proper choice of insulin type, dose, and frequency of administration needs to be individually determined.
Selection of the appropriate insulin type, dose, and frequency of administration for an individual diabetic cat is ideally based on 18- to 24-hour blood glucose profiles.
In order to perform a glucose profile, the cat is hospitalized, and following insulin administration, frequent determinations of blood glucose values are made throughout the day. The proper dose of insulin may change with time and may need to be adjusted based on blood glucose profiles, intermittent blood and urine sugar measurements, and response to therapy.
Overdosage of insulin causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Signs of this potentially dangerous complication include weakness, listlessness, incoordination, convulsions and coma.
Left untreated, death may result. If hypoglycemia develops, the cat should immediately be offered its normal food if it is able to eat. Alternatively, a tablespoon of Karo syrup should be rubbed on the gums or, if the cat can swallow, given slowly by syringe into the mouth.
Never force fingers, food, or fluids into the mouth of a convulsing or comatose cat. Your veterinarian should be contacted immediately if your cat experiences an episode of hypoglycemia so that further treatment instructions can be given and a modification of insulin administration, if necessary, can be made.
Cats requiring excessively high insulin doses (greater than one to two units of insulin per pound per day) should be evaluated further. Other diseases may be underlying or complicating the diabetes mellitus and as a result, necessitate high insulin dosages.
Problems with insulin injection, poor absorption or too rapid metabolism of insulin, or even insulin overdose are potential causes of an apparently excessive insulin requirement.
Oral Hypoglycemic Medications
Healthy diabetic cats can sometimes be successfully treated with a hypoglycemic medication, glipizide. Glipizide acts by lowering blood glucose, but unlike insulin, it is given orally. Adverse side effects are not common but include vomiting, loss of appetite, and liver damage. If hyperglycemia persists after one or two months of therapy, or if the cat becomes ill or ketoacidotic, glipizide therapy should be discontinued and insulin therapy instituted.
Diet
Obese diabetic cats should lose weight gradually, with no more than 3 percent of their body weight lost per week. Your veterinarian will help in tailoring a safe weight-loss program for your cat. High fiber, high complex carbohydrate diets are useful, not only by assisting in weight loss, but by helping to control blood glucose levels after eating.
Underweight diabetic cats should be fed a high fiber diet only after reaching their ideal body weight after being fed a high calorie diet.
Cats receiving insulin once daily should be fed half the daily food requirement at the time of the injection and the remaining half at the time of peak insulin activity (as determined by a blood glucose profile).
If receiving twice daily insulin injections, cats should be fed half the daily ration at each administration. Cats receiving oral hypoglycemic medication should be fed a high fiber diet, but ideally as multiple small meals consumed throughout the day.
Home Care
Topics to be thoroughly discussed with your veterinarian include:
Insulin storage and handling Insulin administration Signs and treatment of hypoglycemia Diet Monitoring at home Prognosis
Managing a diabetic cat requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. A diabetic cat may live many healthy years with owners who are willing to put forth the effort of monitoring the cat's condition daily.
Cats tend to be difficult to maintain on the same regimen for long periods of time, and increases or decreases may need to be made in drug dosages.
Prepared by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401.
The ultimate purpose of the Feline Health Center is to improve the health of cats by developing methods to prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing continuing education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of that work is made possible by the financial support of friends. ©1996 by Cornell University. All rights reserved. Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.
http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
About The Author
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes mellitus ("sugar" diabetes) is a complex and common endocrine disorder in the cat. It is caused either by insufficient production of the hormone, insulin, by the pancreas (type 1 diabetes) or by inadequate response of the body's cells to insulin (type 2 diabetes).
Because diabetic cats are not able to utilize glucose properly, they ultimately develop hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) and subsequent glucosuria (sugar in the urine).
The glucosuria leads to polyuria (excessive urination) and polydipsia (excessive thirst). In spite of maintaining a good appetite, diabetic cats lose weight because the body's tissues are unable to utilize glucose properly.
Progression of the disease ultimately leads to further metabolic disturbances and causes vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and dehydration.
Although affecting cats of any breed, sex, or age, diabetes mellitus most often occurs in older, obese individuals; males are more commonly afflicted than females.
The exact cause of the disease in cats is not known, although genetic predisposition, obesity, pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications have all been incriminated.
After a period of time, a small percentage of diabetic cats lose their requirement for specific therapy with either insulin or hypoglycemic medications.
Signs of Diabetes Mellitus
Polyuria, polydipsia, increased appetite, and weight loss are hallmark signs of diabetes mellitus in cats. In the earlier stages of the disease, cats remain active and alert with few other signs of disease. However as the disease progresses, poor skin and haircoat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections become more common.
An infrequent disorder called diabetic neuropathy may cause cats to become progressively weaker in the rear legs and assume a unique, plantigrade stance. A dangerous condition called ketoacidosis may develop in some cats. Signs of ketoacidosis include a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and breathing abnormalities.
Without proper and prompt treatment, this condition ultimately proves fatal.
Diagnosis
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed based on the cat's clinical signs, physical examination findings, laboratory test results, and the persistent presence of abnormally high amounts of sugar in the blood and urine.
Treatment
Proper treatment of diabetes mellitus is based on the severity of the disorder. Cats with ketoacidosis require intensive care.
Treatment includes fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities, and short acting insulin. Diabetic cats that are not ill usually require insulin injections to be given once or twice daily under the skin, and a carefully controlled diet. As an alternative to insulin, treatment with an oral hypoglycemic drug (see below) may be attempted.
Insulin
Adequate control of most diabetic cats requires long- acting insulin injections to be given once or twice daily.
Each cat responds differently to insulin, so the proper choice of insulin type, dose, and frequency of administration needs to be individually determined.
Selection of the appropriate insulin type, dose, and frequency of administration for an individual diabetic cat is ideally based on 18- to 24-hour blood glucose profiles.
In order to perform a glucose profile, the cat is hospitalized, and following insulin administration, frequent determinations of blood glucose values are made throughout the day. The proper dose of insulin may change with time and may need to be adjusted based on blood glucose profiles, intermittent blood and urine sugar measurements, and response to therapy.
Overdosage of insulin causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Signs of this potentially dangerous complication include weakness, listlessness, incoordination, convulsions and coma.
Left untreated, death may result. If hypoglycemia develops, the cat should immediately be offered its normal food if it is able to eat. Alternatively, a tablespoon of Karo syrup should be rubbed on the gums or, if the cat can swallow, given slowly by syringe into the mouth.
Never force fingers, food, or fluids into the mouth of a convulsing or comatose cat. Your veterinarian should be contacted immediately if your cat experiences an episode of hypoglycemia so that further treatment instructions can be given and a modification of insulin administration, if necessary, can be made.
Cats requiring excessively high insulin doses (greater than one to two units of insulin per pound per day) should be evaluated further. Other diseases may be underlying or complicating the diabetes mellitus and as a result, necessitate high insulin dosages.
Problems with insulin injection, poor absorption or too rapid metabolism of insulin, or even insulin overdose are potential causes of an apparently excessive insulin requirement.
Oral Hypoglycemic Medications
Healthy diabetic cats can sometimes be successfully treated with a hypoglycemic medication, glipizide. Glipizide acts by lowering blood glucose, but unlike insulin, it is given orally. Adverse side effects are not common but include vomiting, loss of appetite, and liver damage. If hyperglycemia persists after one or two months of therapy, or if the cat becomes ill or ketoacidotic, glipizide therapy should be discontinued and insulin therapy instituted.
Diet
Obese diabetic cats should lose weight gradually, with no more than 3 percent of their body weight lost per week. Your veterinarian will help in tailoring a safe weight-loss program for your cat. High fiber, high complex carbohydrate diets are useful, not only by assisting in weight loss, but by helping to control blood glucose levels after eating.
Underweight diabetic cats should be fed a high fiber diet only after reaching their ideal body weight after being fed a high calorie diet.
Cats receiving insulin once daily should be fed half the daily food requirement at the time of the injection and the remaining half at the time of peak insulin activity (as determined by a blood glucose profile).
If receiving twice daily insulin injections, cats should be fed half the daily ration at each administration. Cats receiving oral hypoglycemic medication should be fed a high fiber diet, but ideally as multiple small meals consumed throughout the day.
Home Care
Topics to be thoroughly discussed with your veterinarian include:
Insulin storage and handling Insulin administration Signs and treatment of hypoglycemia Diet Monitoring at home Prognosis
Managing a diabetic cat requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. A diabetic cat may live many healthy years with owners who are willing to put forth the effort of monitoring the cat's condition daily.
Cats tend to be difficult to maintain on the same regimen for long periods of time, and increases or decreases may need to be made in drug dosages.
Prepared by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401.
The ultimate purpose of the Feline Health Center is to improve the health of cats by developing methods to prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing continuing education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of that work is made possible by the financial support of friends. ©1996 by Cornell University. All rights reserved. Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.
http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
About The Author
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
Is Your Type 2 Diabetes Really Under Control?
by: Dr. Tina Marcantel
If you are among the growing number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes, here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies including education, a personalized meal plan,nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring and support can reduce the amount of insulin and oral medications needed to manage the disease and decrease the symptoms and complications of diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge, you can learn to effectively manage this potentially devastating disease.
Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are "under control" because they are taking insulin and other oral medications that help keep their blood sugars within acceptable levels. Medications are, of course, critical in the treatment of the disease. However, if the patient does not commit to an active role in addressing the causes of problems, then the result may be an ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other medications, which have their own negative side effects over time. For instance, did you know that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic patients? That weight gain can then lead to other problems such as high blood pressure or joint problems.
In my own work with patients, I stress four important factors. The first is education about the disease process. It is critical to understand what diabetes is and what the effects can be on your body. Without proper treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the feet, and damage to vital organs can occur. Learning about how the disease affects the body to cause these problems is the first crucial step in your treatment plan.
The next factor is developing a personalized meal plan. "You are what you eat" was never truer than when talking about diabetes. By understanding how certain foods affect your body and your blood sugars, it is possible to enjoy good meals while still controlling blood sugars and decreasing your weight. As an example, eating a piece of fruit alone can cause blood sugars to rise, but taking a protein such as nuts or cheese with the fruit will prevent a spike in the blood sugars.
Targeted nutritional supplements or botanical treatments can also be very helpful. Recent studies have shown these alternative therapies to be effective in decreasing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood sugars, thus reducing potential organ damage.
Perhaps the most important factor in a treatment plan is an ongoing monitoring and support program. Working with a healthcare provider who will spend time discussing your progress and modifying your treatment plan on a regular basis is critical to successfully managing the disease.
You don't have to be a "victim" of type 2 diabetes. By being proactive and working with a knowledgeable physician, you can control your diabetes without letting it control you.
About The Author
Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field including diabetes management, women's health, weight loss, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.com
If you are among the growing number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes, here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies including education, a personalized meal plan,nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring and support can reduce the amount of insulin and oral medications needed to manage the disease and decrease the symptoms and complications of diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge, you can learn to effectively manage this potentially devastating disease.
Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are "under control" because they are taking insulin and other oral medications that help keep their blood sugars within acceptable levels. Medications are, of course, critical in the treatment of the disease. However, if the patient does not commit to an active role in addressing the causes of problems, then the result may be an ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other medications, which have their own negative side effects over time. For instance, did you know that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic patients? That weight gain can then lead to other problems such as high blood pressure or joint problems.
In my own work with patients, I stress four important factors. The first is education about the disease process. It is critical to understand what diabetes is and what the effects can be on your body. Without proper treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the feet, and damage to vital organs can occur. Learning about how the disease affects the body to cause these problems is the first crucial step in your treatment plan.
The next factor is developing a personalized meal plan. "You are what you eat" was never truer than when talking about diabetes. By understanding how certain foods affect your body and your blood sugars, it is possible to enjoy good meals while still controlling blood sugars and decreasing your weight. As an example, eating a piece of fruit alone can cause blood sugars to rise, but taking a protein such as nuts or cheese with the fruit will prevent a spike in the blood sugars.
Targeted nutritional supplements or botanical treatments can also be very helpful. Recent studies have shown these alternative therapies to be effective in decreasing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood sugars, thus reducing potential organ damage.
Perhaps the most important factor in a treatment plan is an ongoing monitoring and support program. Working with a healthcare provider who will spend time discussing your progress and modifying your treatment plan on a regular basis is critical to successfully managing the disease.
You don't have to be a "victim" of type 2 diabetes. By being proactive and working with a knowledgeable physician, you can control your diabetes without letting it control you.
About The Author
Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field including diabetes management, women's health, weight loss, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.com
Heart Disease Prevention - The Diabetes-Heart Disease Connection
by: Diana Benzaia
If you saw a tiger, you’d run for your life. But what if you didn’t see it? For those of you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease is that unseen tiger. You’re two to four times more likely to develop a heart condition than people without diabetes? Even more shocking, those individuals are more likely to die from heart disease or other cardiovascular ills than from the complications of diabetes itself. Yet surveys show that 68 percent of Americans with diabetes are unaware of their increased cardiovascular risk.
If you have diabetes, now is the time to take steps to protect your heart.
“High blood glucose alters cell metabolism,” says Richard Kahn, Ph.D., chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). When the function of platelet cells changes, the likelihood of blood clots increases and the risk of heart attack rises. Cells that line the artery walls are also affected; the ability of blood vessels to dilate is impaired, which can lead to high blood pressure.
One pivotal phenomenon underlying these changes is inflammation, already known to promote heart disease. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, for example, found high blood glucose linked to chronic inflammation in the blood vessel walls of mice.
Prevention Works
The first step to protecting your heart? Control your glucose. In the groundbreaking Diabetes Control and Complications Trial to determine the effects of glucose on complications, type 1 patients underwent intensive glucose control. A later study found these participants were 57 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease over the next 16 years.
Although the findings haven’t been confirmed in those with type 2, high blood glucose levels have been proven to increase the risk of heart disease in both kinds of diabetes. Says David Nathan, M.D., professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-chair of the type 1 study, “The major difference is that people with type 2 are generally older, heavier and more likely to have hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels, all of which puts them at much higher risk for heart disease.” For them, prevention is even more urgent.
Keep your heart healthy by following the ABCs of diabetes prevention: Aim for A1C levels below 7 percent, blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg and LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dl.
“Everyone with diabetes should know their numbers and goals, and get checked regularly,” says John Buse, M.D., lead author of the ADA and American Heart Association’s new joint statement on preventing cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes. Start with a healthy lifestyle:
* Nutrition
Eat less fatty red meat, cheese, butter, processed foods and fast food; instead, choose more beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, along with lean meats and poultry, seafood, low-fat dairy and nuts. If you’re overweight, cut some 250 to 500 calories a day until you’ve lost about 7 percent of your weight. “To do this right, ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian,” Dr. Buse says.
* Exercise
Each week, be sure to do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity—swimming, biking, walking briskly. Exercise at least every other day.
Even if your doctor prescribes medication, don’t give up on diet and exercise: A healthy lifestyle not only has broad positive effects on blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, says Dr. Buse, but also helps you fight depression, function at your best and maintain your energy.
Sources: "Journal of the American College of Cardiology," November 20, 2002; "Journal of the American Medical Association," November 27, 2002, and January 21, 2004; "Arthritis and Rheumatism," 2005 supplement, Abstract 149; "New England Journal of Medicine," December 22, 2005.
If you have diabetes, you can stem your risk for heart disease by controlling your glucose levels and adopting a healthy lifestyle——and enjoy the years ahead in better health.
Writer: Diana Benzaia
©MDminute: Diabetes Issue 1, 2007
About The Author
Diana Benzaia
Get a FREE 2-year subscription to the award-winning health magazine, REMEDY--http://www.healthisnow.com Sign up today! Also, check out http://www.HealthyUpdates.com --a health education website produced by MediZine, LLC.
If you saw a tiger, you’d run for your life. But what if you didn’t see it? For those of you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease is that unseen tiger. You’re two to four times more likely to develop a heart condition than people without diabetes? Even more shocking, those individuals are more likely to die from heart disease or other cardiovascular ills than from the complications of diabetes itself. Yet surveys show that 68 percent of Americans with diabetes are unaware of their increased cardiovascular risk.
If you have diabetes, now is the time to take steps to protect your heart.
“High blood glucose alters cell metabolism,” says Richard Kahn, Ph.D., chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). When the function of platelet cells changes, the likelihood of blood clots increases and the risk of heart attack rises. Cells that line the artery walls are also affected; the ability of blood vessels to dilate is impaired, which can lead to high blood pressure.
One pivotal phenomenon underlying these changes is inflammation, already known to promote heart disease. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, for example, found high blood glucose linked to chronic inflammation in the blood vessel walls of mice.
Prevention Works
The first step to protecting your heart? Control your glucose. In the groundbreaking Diabetes Control and Complications Trial to determine the effects of glucose on complications, type 1 patients underwent intensive glucose control. A later study found these participants were 57 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease over the next 16 years.
Although the findings haven’t been confirmed in those with type 2, high blood glucose levels have been proven to increase the risk of heart disease in both kinds of diabetes. Says David Nathan, M.D., professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-chair of the type 1 study, “The major difference is that people with type 2 are generally older, heavier and more likely to have hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels, all of which puts them at much higher risk for heart disease.” For them, prevention is even more urgent.
Keep your heart healthy by following the ABCs of diabetes prevention: Aim for A1C levels below 7 percent, blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg and LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dl.
“Everyone with diabetes should know their numbers and goals, and get checked regularly,” says John Buse, M.D., lead author of the ADA and American Heart Association’s new joint statement on preventing cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes. Start with a healthy lifestyle:
* Nutrition
Eat less fatty red meat, cheese, butter, processed foods and fast food; instead, choose more beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, along with lean meats and poultry, seafood, low-fat dairy and nuts. If you’re overweight, cut some 250 to 500 calories a day until you’ve lost about 7 percent of your weight. “To do this right, ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian,” Dr. Buse says.
* Exercise
Each week, be sure to do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity—swimming, biking, walking briskly. Exercise at least every other day.
Even if your doctor prescribes medication, don’t give up on diet and exercise: A healthy lifestyle not only has broad positive effects on blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, says Dr. Buse, but also helps you fight depression, function at your best and maintain your energy.
Sources: "Journal of the American College of Cardiology," November 20, 2002; "Journal of the American Medical Association," November 27, 2002, and January 21, 2004; "Arthritis and Rheumatism," 2005 supplement, Abstract 149; "New England Journal of Medicine," December 22, 2005.
If you have diabetes, you can stem your risk for heart disease by controlling your glucose levels and adopting a healthy lifestyle——and enjoy the years ahead in better health.
Writer: Diana Benzaia
©MDminute: Diabetes Issue 1, 2007
About The Author
Diana Benzaia
Get a FREE 2-year subscription to the award-winning health magazine, REMEDY--http://www.healthisnow.com Sign up today! Also, check out http://www.HealthyUpdates.com --a health education website produced by MediZine, LLC.
Does Stress Lead to Increased Diabetes Risk?
by: Jacob Gan
It is believed that improperly unmanaged stress is a major determinant in almost all illness conditions. Does stress also leads to diabetes? Let us investigate.
There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also known as juvenile diabetes because it starts in children and young adults. It is due to insufficient amount of insulin being produced (known as insulin deficiency). Since it does not start later in life, we can safely conclude that type 1 diabetes mellitus is unlikely to be caused by stress.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because
1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.
Discussion on what insulin is and what the roles it plays is in order.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism (and to some extent fat metabolism as well). Insulin helps the body to use sugar. Sugar is the basic source of energy for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When we say blood sugar, we refer to glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood. Our body needs to have glucose level controlled to within a narrow range (0.7-1.1 mg per ml). Below 0.7 mg per ml is termed "hypoglycemia", and above 1.8 mg per ml is termed "hyperglycemia". Both can result in problems as we shall see later.
When there is more glucose in the blood, more insulin is secreted into the blood, resulting in cells (muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells) absorbing the glucose out of the blood, thus reducing the blood glucose level.
When there is less glucose in the blood, more glucagon (counter part of insulin) is secreted into the blood, stimulating liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing blood glucose. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to produce glucose out of protein.
If the glucose does not go into cells, instead it builds up in the blood, two problems arise. Firstly, if the cells do not get the glucose they need, they die. Secondly, prolong period of high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Insulin is used to treat this "hyperglycemia" aspect of diabetes.
"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach to be acted on. This often happens when a patient injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.
Now that we understand the mechanics of diabetes, is there anything to suggest that stress can cause diabetes (type 2)?
The usual reason explaining where stress lead to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, diabetes is not caused by weak immunity system.
Psychological stress caused by the death of a spouse, a financial crisis or other life-altering event has been associated with higher risk of developing diabetes in middle age. Many studies have shown that the abovementioned types of major life events were associated with type 2 diabetes regardless of family history of the disease, exercise or alcohol use. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.
There is a theory that says that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of sex steroids such as testosterone, which have been shown to influence the action of insulin.
Some researchers have tried to determine whether stress, which can be measured using the ratio cortisol:testosterone, affects insulin resistance. In the prospective study by George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, cortisol:testoterone ratio was positively associated with IHD (ischemic heart disease) mortality and incidence. Adjustment for potential socioeconomic and behavioral confounding variables had little influence on these associations, but they appeared to be mediated by components of the insulin resistance syndrome (elevated blood pressure, triglyceride levels, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and impaired glucose tolerance). This suggests that methods of reducing the cortisol:testoterone ratio may improve insulin resistance and reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). But, it does not suggest that reducing stress can reduce the risk of diabetes.
More conclusive research findings will be needed before we can conclude that stress does indeed lead to diabetes.
About The Author
Jacob Gan PhD (Michigan) has more than 20 years of teaching experience in a university and 8 years of business/industrial experience. He writes for http://succezz.com, http://JacobGan.com, http://JacobEducation.com and http://jacobLearning.com.
It is believed that improperly unmanaged stress is a major determinant in almost all illness conditions. Does stress also leads to diabetes? Let us investigate.
There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also known as juvenile diabetes because it starts in children and young adults. It is due to insufficient amount of insulin being produced (known as insulin deficiency). Since it does not start later in life, we can safely conclude that type 1 diabetes mellitus is unlikely to be caused by stress.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because
1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.
Discussion on what insulin is and what the roles it plays is in order.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism (and to some extent fat metabolism as well). Insulin helps the body to use sugar. Sugar is the basic source of energy for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When we say blood sugar, we refer to glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood. Our body needs to have glucose level controlled to within a narrow range (0.7-1.1 mg per ml). Below 0.7 mg per ml is termed "hypoglycemia", and above 1.8 mg per ml is termed "hyperglycemia". Both can result in problems as we shall see later.
When there is more glucose in the blood, more insulin is secreted into the blood, resulting in cells (muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells) absorbing the glucose out of the blood, thus reducing the blood glucose level.
When there is less glucose in the blood, more glucagon (counter part of insulin) is secreted into the blood, stimulating liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing blood glucose. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to produce glucose out of protein.
If the glucose does not go into cells, instead it builds up in the blood, two problems arise. Firstly, if the cells do not get the glucose they need, they die. Secondly, prolong period of high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Insulin is used to treat this "hyperglycemia" aspect of diabetes.
"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach to be acted on. This often happens when a patient injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.
Now that we understand the mechanics of diabetes, is there anything to suggest that stress can cause diabetes (type 2)?
The usual reason explaining where stress lead to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, diabetes is not caused by weak immunity system.
Psychological stress caused by the death of a spouse, a financial crisis or other life-altering event has been associated with higher risk of developing diabetes in middle age. Many studies have shown that the abovementioned types of major life events were associated with type 2 diabetes regardless of family history of the disease, exercise or alcohol use. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.
There is a theory that says that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of sex steroids such as testosterone, which have been shown to influence the action of insulin.
Some researchers have tried to determine whether stress, which can be measured using the ratio cortisol:testosterone, affects insulin resistance. In the prospective study by George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, cortisol:testoterone ratio was positively associated with IHD (ischemic heart disease) mortality and incidence. Adjustment for potential socioeconomic and behavioral confounding variables had little influence on these associations, but they appeared to be mediated by components of the insulin resistance syndrome (elevated blood pressure, triglyceride levels, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and impaired glucose tolerance). This suggests that methods of reducing the cortisol:testoterone ratio may improve insulin resistance and reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). But, it does not suggest that reducing stress can reduce the risk of diabetes.
More conclusive research findings will be needed before we can conclude that stress does indeed lead to diabetes.
About The Author
Jacob Gan PhD (Michigan) has more than 20 years of teaching experience in a university and 8 years of business/industrial experience. He writes for http://succezz.com, http://JacobGan.com, http://JacobEducation.com and http://jacobLearning.com.
The Hidden Side of Type 2 Diabetes
by: Alice Greene
Type 2 Diabetes continues to be in the headlines as a health crisis because more people are getting the disease and not enough of them are doing what it takes to minimize the complications that come with it. This is hard for those around them to understand. Friends, family and co-workers can’t grasp why it is so hard to get a healthier lifestyle if it means less suffering and pain. They wonder why those with cancer or other life-threatening diseases take action, while those facing diabetes seem stuck and unwilling to take better care of themselves. Are you one of those asking this question?
Unfortunately many of those at risk or who already have diabetes don’t understand it themselves. They don’t know why it is so hard to make changes or maintain better habits. It just is. But what so many of them do know is they feel misunderstood, frustrated and sick of dealing with the disease. The result is that millions of them simply give up trying and shut off their feelings, which leads to resignation and a denial of their situation.
I have worked with enough pre- and diagnosed type 2 diabetics (people with insulin resistance) struggling with lifestyle changes to understand their mental state, why it is so hard to take action and what can help them turn things around. And I will admit right up front that not everyone can be helped, but many can by understanding that diabetes is often a personal crisis for the individuals involved. They just can’t see it.
The typical person diagnosed with insulin resistance has not lived a healthy lifestyle, is often overweight, probably suffers from low self esteem (due to their weight, feeling out of control around food or other issues) and may be depressed. Upon diagnosis their life changes immediately. They must change the way they eat, monitor their carbohydrate intake and blood sugar levels throughout the day, and take an insulin sensitivity medication at specific times. The guidelines are very specific and rigid. They must also lose a certain amount of weight and given a deadline for when their blood sugar levels should get into the normal range. Many leave their appointments overwhelmed, in shock and frightened.
Initially people follow the guidelines fairly well and attempt to do what is asked of them, but it is a dramatic change from what they are accustomed to doing. As with dieting, they inevitably have days when it is too hard to do. This makes them feel guilty, believing they are bad and failing, further impacting their self esteem and depression. The more often this happens, the lower they feel. And the lower one’s self esteem or depression, the less likely they will take care of themselves. This becomes a downward spiral. If you have ever been depressed, you can appreciate this.
For most it is also challenging to comply with the exercise requirements. Many try, but it is tough to create a regular routine, especially if they’ve been sedentary. So despite their initial efforts to eat right and get exercise, the majority can’t keep it up and they discover something interesting. It doesn’t seem to make much difference in how they feel when they don’t exercise or eat so well. Sure their blood sugar levels go up or down too much, but it doesn’t seem so urgent or important when there aren’t obvious ramifications. What they can’t see or feel is the damage building up and the slippery slope of no return when they get past a certain point. But that can be several years from the initial diagnosis.
As an onlooker, what we see is their denial and refusal to do more. What they are actually experiencing is something far deeper: the repression of their emotions. They are dealing with feelings (many that contributed to their eating habits, lifestyle and diagnosis) such as shame, unworthiness, not being good enough or perfect enough. Add to that fear, stress, and all their other painful feelings that are pushed down and out of reach. Hiding beneath the surface is a personal crisis driving their behaviors.
The way to address it is with a non-judgmental approach to lifestyle intervention that is flexible and slowly rebuilds confidence through small goals and successes and provides a place for feelings to be released and beliefs to be changed. It can be done, but it may take about a year of weekly coaching and lots of patience. Even if they don’t believe it at first, those struggling with insulin resistance are worth it. This week reconsider what it is like to be struggling with this disease and understand that there is more than meets the eye.
About The Author
Alice Greene, founder of Feel Your Personal Best, is a Healthy Lifestyle Coach, who has helped many people feel great. Alice is co-host of Living Your Personal Best radio show. She provides a unique perspective on how to succeed at making lifestyle changes that facilitate making all your life dreams come true. Sign up for her free report, "9 Life-Changing Secrets Every Woman Must Know" and confirm what you already know deep in your soul to be true. Ignite something in you that changes your perception of yourself and gives you permission to put self care on equal par with the other priorities in your day and week. To receive your free copy, visit http://www.feelyourpersonalbest.com.
Type 2 Diabetes continues to be in the headlines as a health crisis because more people are getting the disease and not enough of them are doing what it takes to minimize the complications that come with it. This is hard for those around them to understand. Friends, family and co-workers can’t grasp why it is so hard to get a healthier lifestyle if it means less suffering and pain. They wonder why those with cancer or other life-threatening diseases take action, while those facing diabetes seem stuck and unwilling to take better care of themselves. Are you one of those asking this question?
Unfortunately many of those at risk or who already have diabetes don’t understand it themselves. They don’t know why it is so hard to make changes or maintain better habits. It just is. But what so many of them do know is they feel misunderstood, frustrated and sick of dealing with the disease. The result is that millions of them simply give up trying and shut off their feelings, which leads to resignation and a denial of their situation.
I have worked with enough pre- and diagnosed type 2 diabetics (people with insulin resistance) struggling with lifestyle changes to understand their mental state, why it is so hard to take action and what can help them turn things around. And I will admit right up front that not everyone can be helped, but many can by understanding that diabetes is often a personal crisis for the individuals involved. They just can’t see it.
The typical person diagnosed with insulin resistance has not lived a healthy lifestyle, is often overweight, probably suffers from low self esteem (due to their weight, feeling out of control around food or other issues) and may be depressed. Upon diagnosis their life changes immediately. They must change the way they eat, monitor their carbohydrate intake and blood sugar levels throughout the day, and take an insulin sensitivity medication at specific times. The guidelines are very specific and rigid. They must also lose a certain amount of weight and given a deadline for when their blood sugar levels should get into the normal range. Many leave their appointments overwhelmed, in shock and frightened.
Initially people follow the guidelines fairly well and attempt to do what is asked of them, but it is a dramatic change from what they are accustomed to doing. As with dieting, they inevitably have days when it is too hard to do. This makes them feel guilty, believing they are bad and failing, further impacting their self esteem and depression. The more often this happens, the lower they feel. And the lower one’s self esteem or depression, the less likely they will take care of themselves. This becomes a downward spiral. If you have ever been depressed, you can appreciate this.
For most it is also challenging to comply with the exercise requirements. Many try, but it is tough to create a regular routine, especially if they’ve been sedentary. So despite their initial efforts to eat right and get exercise, the majority can’t keep it up and they discover something interesting. It doesn’t seem to make much difference in how they feel when they don’t exercise or eat so well. Sure their blood sugar levels go up or down too much, but it doesn’t seem so urgent or important when there aren’t obvious ramifications. What they can’t see or feel is the damage building up and the slippery slope of no return when they get past a certain point. But that can be several years from the initial diagnosis.
As an onlooker, what we see is their denial and refusal to do more. What they are actually experiencing is something far deeper: the repression of their emotions. They are dealing with feelings (many that contributed to their eating habits, lifestyle and diagnosis) such as shame, unworthiness, not being good enough or perfect enough. Add to that fear, stress, and all their other painful feelings that are pushed down and out of reach. Hiding beneath the surface is a personal crisis driving their behaviors.
The way to address it is with a non-judgmental approach to lifestyle intervention that is flexible and slowly rebuilds confidence through small goals and successes and provides a place for feelings to be released and beliefs to be changed. It can be done, but it may take about a year of weekly coaching and lots of patience. Even if they don’t believe it at first, those struggling with insulin resistance are worth it. This week reconsider what it is like to be struggling with this disease and understand that there is more than meets the eye.
About The Author
Alice Greene, founder of Feel Your Personal Best, is a Healthy Lifestyle Coach, who has helped many people feel great. Alice is co-host of Living Your Personal Best radio show. She provides a unique perspective on how to succeed at making lifestyle changes that facilitate making all your life dreams come true. Sign up for her free report, "9 Life-Changing Secrets Every Woman Must Know" and confirm what you already know deep in your soul to be true. Ignite something in you that changes your perception of yourself and gives you permission to put self care on equal par with the other priorities in your day and week. To receive your free copy, visit http://www.feelyourpersonalbest.com.
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