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Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes

Some people think that just because they have no particular type 2 diabetes symptom that they are protected from diabetes. This May not always be the case if the understanding and the true nature of type 2 diabetes symptom May help save your life.

The figures

If you have the condition, however, it means that the cells of your body does not react properly to the action of insulin which is supposed to open the cells to glucose. Without glucose into the cells you will have no obvious source of energy.

Type 2 diabetes is actually the most common type of diabetes. It is estimated that at least 90% of diabetics belong to the category of type 2. The sad truth is that more than 6% of diabetics are not aware that they have the condition. The lack of awareness May be due to a seemingly harmless dismissal of type 2 diabetes symptoms or a total lack of warning signs.

Different symptoms

Type 1 diabetes is less common than Type 2 May, but it is more difficult to manage because it is the inability of the pancreas to fulfil its task of producing insulin. Despite the difference case, however, both types of diabetes share the same symptoms. A diabetic may begin to feel tired often, thirst and May have sometimes blurred vision and sores that do not heal quickly.

The difference in all the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 is the onset of symptoms. A type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop quickly and worsen within a few weeks. Even with the rapid development of symptoms, however, damages the cells May have already taken place for some time before type 1 diabetes is finally discovered. A type 2 diabetes symptom on the other hand is not as obvious and as bad as a symptom of type 1.

Effects of no symptoms

The type 2 diabetes symptoms must be detected and taken into account immediately. The key to effective management of this chronic disease is early detection. Once you fail to detect type 2 diabetes symptom, however, you can suffer complications that are even more difficult to reverse. Some diabetics do realize that they have type 2 diabetes because of complications such as retinopathy, heart disease, kidney problems and nerve death. One complication is therefore the only type 2 diabetes symptom.

Uncommon risk factors

Even those who are not a unique type 2 diabetes symptom should be particularly cautious if you are overweight and have a family history of type 2 diabetes. However, you should also consider yourself at high risk of developing diabetes if you are over 45 years, had a baby over 9 pounds and has a history of gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes. For undetermined reasons, individuals who are Asian, African Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk of developing diabetes.

What must be done

Seek professional counselor your doctor immediately. There are, however much you have to remind yourself. You should monitor your blood sugar, take your medication as prescribed, follow your diet and exercise plans and view and manage your weight.

Check out these diabetes images:

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is an insulin-related disease that affects nearly 21 million people in the USA. This grave situation is characterized by the bodys inability to produce enough using the services or insulin. It is the hormone, insulin, which is responsible for hot flashes from glucose into the cells of the body. When blood sugar rises, our health suffers greatly.

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), about 14.6 million people in the USA are diagnosed with the disease, while nearly 6 million people have not yet been diagnosed. In a 2005 NDIC report, the total results with regard to diabetes patients of all ages, from those of the elderly to experience toddlers May symptoms of diabetes. Typically, type 2 diabetes who suffer are usually diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 50.

The symptoms of diabetes

There are many signs that alert a person that May be suffering from diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes May occur in bulk or a patient May an exhibition only a few. Whatever the case May, when any of the following diabetes symptoms appear, patients should contact their doctor.

Individuals should be on the lookout for: frequent urination, extreme hunger or thirst, blurred vision, sudden weight loss, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, fatigue, skin too dry, increased infections and slow healing of wounds. People with type 1 diabetes symptoms include nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain.

Different types of diabetes

If you experience symptoms that prove the disease, it will be diagnosed as suffering either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of diagnosed cases of diabetes where the immune system actually destroys the cells in the body that produce insulin. This type of diabetes May also be regarded as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes. Most people with the disease are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which involves the bodys resistance to insulin. Another type of diabetes exists, but only affects 2-5% of pregnant women. It is called gestational diabetes and has the potential to harm the mother and child when they are not treated.

From Diabetes

When accompanied by regular exercise and proper medication, healthy eating habits can relieve the symptoms of diabetes. Thanks to a balanced diet, filled with a healthy mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, good nutrition can be used as a defence against the symptoms associated with diabetes. Acceptable foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, beans, milk 2% and lean meats. The fried foods and very sweet foods should be avoided if diagnosis of diabetes.

Demand for treatment is important

When you think you are exhibiting symptoms of diabetes, an immediate visit to a doctor is required. The reason is that when diabetes is not treated, a host of debilitating health problems follows closely. Since foot problems tend to affect diabetics, there are many concerns in this area, including infection, gangrene and amputation. The eye problems are also common in people with diabetes. When left untreated, blindness May occur. Other health problems associated with diabetes untreated symptoms include heart disease and renal failure. The disease is so serious that it is a major cause of death in the USA.

A few nice diabetes images I found:

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Check out these diabetes images:

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Do You Have a History of Diabetes?

There can be little doubt that diabetes is a growing problem, and more and more men and women are finding themselves faced with the serious health challenges a diagnosis of diabetes carries with it. Diabetics face an increased risk of circulation problems, vision problems, cardiac issues and other serious complications. It is important, therefore, for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, as well as those who have been living with the disease for years, to understand the disease and how it can be kept under control. There may be a history of diabetes in your family, if there is, you need to be regularly tested to ensure you stay healthy.

The testing process for diabetes is straightforward enough, but it is important for patients to understand how the disease is diagnosed as well as what treatment options are available. Diabetes is broken down into type 1 and type 2, with type 1 representing childhood diabetes and type 2 representing the adult onset version. It is important to note that as the developed world continues to struggle with problems related to obesity and poor diet, adult onset diabetes is being seen in younger and younger men and women and increasingly in children and teenagers as well.

No matter what the type, the symptoms that lead diabetics to initially seek treatment are very similar. Typical symptoms that suggest a diagnosis of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms may worsen over time, prompting those affected to seek medical assistance.

Routine screening for adult onset diabetes is recommended as part of the standard medical examination for those with a number of risk factors that may predispose them to the disease. These risk factors include a family history of diabetes, obesity, poor diet and smoking. Those who may be at risk should be sure to share this information with their doctors in order to develop an effective screening program.

There are a number of tests used by medical professionals to screen for diabetes, including the fasting blood glucose test, the glucose tolerance test and random blood glucose testing. It is important for patients to discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods, as well as their specific risk factors, in order to determine the best course of treatment.

The criteria for determining whether or not a particular patient is diabetic is quite specific, but the exact blood sugar reading that indicates a diagnosis of diabetes will be different depending on the exact type of test performed. After the testing has been completed and the results received it is important for each patient to discuss his or her results with their family doctor. A thorough understanding of the underlying disease condition is the first step toward effective treatment.

For many clinicians the fasting plasma glucose test is considered the gold standard of diabetes testing, and many doctors will utilize this test in order to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of diabetes made through the random glucose testing method. A glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher made through a fasting glucose test indicates a diagnosis of diabetes.

Another excellent test for diagnosing diabetes in children and adults is the glucose tolerance test. During this test a 75g dose of glucose is administered orally and the patient’s blood plasma glucose level is taken two hours later. A plasma glucose level at or above 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes is present.

Random blood glucose testing is frequently used to rule a diagnosis of diabetes in or out, as well as to keep track of blood sugar levels in those with a confirmed diagnosis. A random blood glucose level of at or above 200 mg/dL typically indicates that diabetes is present, although the doctor may order one of the other two tests in order to confirm that diagnosis.

This confirmation is particularly important when clinical symptoms such as increased thirst, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination and blurred vision have not been reported. Diabetes is a chronic condition with lifelong implications for the patient, and it is important for physicians to make a confirmed diagnosis before ordering treatment and lifestyle changes. Repeated blood sugar testing may be ordered, particularly if the original readings were borderline.

There is no doubt that a diagnosis of diabetes is a life-changing event, and that is why physicians and others in the medical community are so careful about making and confirming such a diagnosis. Enormous strides have been made recently in both the testing and treatment of diabetes, and additional discoveries continue to be made year after year. While there is still no cure for diabetes, there are more effective ways to control the disease. From diet and lifestyle changes to better medications, there are plenty of avenues for diabetes to explore.

Check out these diabetes images:

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Seale Harris Diabetes Family Camp | Summer 2009


Image by Camp ASCCA
Families come to learn about diabetes. Parents of recently diagnosed diabetics and their siblings all come together for recreation and education at Camp ASCCA. Visit campascca.org/journal/ for more…

Is It Possible To Control Your Diabetes With Nutritional Supplements?

Improper nutrition does contribute to the development of diabetes, but proper nutrition can be a powerful treatment for this disease. (1) This disease is so closely related to diet and nutrition; scientists have studied how nutritional supplements can effectively treat diabetes. In researching vitamin supplements, researchers have found that many vitamins and herbs can effectively help lower blood sugar. Some of these supplements are vitamin C, B vitamins, minerals like chromium and vanadyl sulfate, and herbs like Gymnema Sylvestre can all help lower blood sugar. If one combines these supplements together, they can synergistically work together to lower blood sugar. First let’s look at what diabetes is and then we can discuss how these supplements work.

The foods we eat are digested and broken down into simpler forms; most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar also known as glucose. These sugars are absorbed through the intestinal tract into the bloodstream where it is circulated through out the body to feed cells.

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas. The pancreas is a long skinny organ that sits behind the stomach adding enzymes into the digested food. Insulin helps deliver nutrients and sugar from the bloodstream into cells where it is needed. The sugar supplies energy to various organs such as the heart and lungs; for example the heart beats and lungs breathe which keep us alive as a result of sugar’s energy supply. (2,3)

There are two classes of diabetes type I and type II. Type I diabetes is sometimes called insulin dependent, juvenile or child onset diabetes. This type usually starts at a very early age and the pancreas stops producing insulin. When the body does not make insulin, the sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells where it’s needed. This can be fatal, so a person with type I diabetes needs a shot of insulin every day for his/her body to function properly (to stay alive).

Type II diabetes usually starts in adults and is the most common kind of diabetes in America. Most people who have diabetes have type II, that’s about 90% -95% of all diabetics in America. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas is producing enough insulin but the body doesn’t use the insulin effectively. This is called insulin resistance, cells in the body do not respond to the insulin and so the pancreas produces more and more insulin to over compensate this resistance. When blood sugar starts to raise in the bloodstream in this manner, the medical doctor (MD) will diagnose type II diabetes. Most type II diabetics need a prescription drug to lower the blood sugar because a diet change isn’t enough to control their blood sugar problem. (4)

In both cases, the blood sugar is too high in the bloodstream and will cause several problems. The first problem is cells cannot absorb sugar for energy; they starve and start to die. Secondly an excess amount of sugar in the blood leads to cardiovascular disease, hardening of the arteries, nerve and eye damage, and kidney damage.

Scientists are not exactly sure what causes type I diabetes, but they do know it has something to do with the immune system. A healthy immune system protects us from the common cold and cancer cells (cells in the body that go bad). The immune system can becomes confused and starts attacking good cells, in some cases, the healthy cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, which causes diabetes. (4)

Type II diabetes has been linked to individuals who are overweight. These overweight individuals have high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well which may also lead to this form of diabetes. Being overweight causes the body to become insulin resistant and by dropping some excess weight one could possibly reverse type II diabetes (rare).

If you think you have diabetes, you should look for the following symptoms. Type I diabetics usually have frequent urination because of the high blood sugar; the kidneys are trying to balance the body’s bloodstream. The kidneys are forced to eliminate all the unused nutrients and sugar in the blood over working the kidneys and if left unchecked can lead to kidney damage. If you experience intense thirst, your body is trying to replace the liquids lost from frequent urination. You may experience increased hunger but you will not gain weight when you do eat more. This is because your body’s cells need more nutrients, but since these cells can not absorb the insulin and nutrients the body starves.

With type II diabetes you might not notice any symptoms. Type II diabetes usually happens very gradually and the person doesn’t know about it till diabetic complications occur, then it’s too late. (3,4)

All diabetic complications are caused from high blood sugar. The longer the blood sugar goes unchecked the greater your chances of having complications. High blood sugar causes cardiovascular disease. The blood vessels begin to thicken from excess fat in the bloodstream because high blood sugar elevates the fat circulating in the blood. When the vessels thicken circulation becomes poor and with poor circulation your ability to heal is impaired. Heart attack, heart pain, and stroke are common in diabetics because of poor circulation and blocked arteries form all the fat buildup in the blood vessels.

Nerve damage is another complication of diabetes. Diabetics may notice numbness in their arms and legs because of nerve damage caused from high blood sugar. These nerves can not send signals to the brain relaying pain and touching sensations. Most diabetics will notice numbness in the feet and lower legs before other parts of the body are effected. (3,4)

The next complication is eye damage. A more sever complication because going blind is not pleasant for anyone. The eye has very small delicate vessels in the retina, these vessels help you see when light shines upon them in the eye. When blood vessels are weakened, they can hemorrhage and leak fluid into the eye. This causes swelling and blurs the vision. There is a clear gel in the eye keeping it solid and round, if blood leaks into this gel, your vision can become blurred or completely impaired. As the eye continues to get damaged, the eye will attempt to repair itself by growing new vessels. These new vessels are fragile and can burst. Scar tissue can form and cause the retina to pull away from the eye, worst case causing blindness. (3,4)

Blood vessels network throughout the entire body. Your kidneys are made up of vessels and can become damaged as well. If the vessels in the kidneys become impaired, waste cannot be eliminated from the body and a form of treatment called dialysis might be required. If blood sugar is not kept under control, damage to the kidneys will continue to the point where a transplant might be needed or daily dialysis is required to remove waste from the bloodstream. The good news is practically all of the complications that occur with diabetes can be prevented when the right care is taken.

With proper diet and nutrition one can successfully prevent diabetic complications. Along with diet and nutrition, vitamins, minerals and herbs can also help lower blood sugar and reduce the complications that may occur. The best kind of supplement is one that combines vitamins and herbs together so that they work together synergistically to effectively lower blood sugar. You might be wondering what vitamins, minerals and herbs are good for blood sugar, your in luck here is a list:

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Biotin, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Gymnema Sylvestre, Bitter melon, Fenugreek seed extract, Bilberry berry extract, Bioflavonoids, and Vanadyl Sulfate. Make sure most of these ingredients are in the formula you buy. The frequency at which you take these supplements should be listed on the bottle you buy as well. As a rule of thumb they should be taken at least twice a day. Do not stop taking your normal multiple vitamin supplement; diabetic formulas are a complement to what you currently take not a replacement.

Vitamin C (ascorbic Acid) – keeps diabetics blood vessels and kidneys healthy. Vitamin C works with vitamin E to get sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells.

Vitamin E (Natural Tocopherols) – helps prevent nerve damage, helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, and heart attack. Vitamin E works with the B vitamins to help keep the pancreas healthy.

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine HCL) – works with folic acid to help prevent nerve damage and heart attack.

Folic Acid – works with B-12 to help prevent stroke and the loss of limbs due to diabetic complications.

Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) – works with B-6 and folic acid to help relieve neuropathic pain.

Biotin – helps insulin work better and helps keep the pancreas working well to lower blood sugar.

Magnesium (Krebs Cycle Chelate) – helps insulin work more effectively and relieves neuropathic pain.

Zinc (picolinate, chelate) – helps insulin work better and helps shuttle blood sugar into cells.

Selenium (aspartate) – helps prevent nerve damage and protects blood vessels against elevated blood sugar. Selenium mimics insulin helping blood sugar into the cells.

Copper (picolinate) – helps protect the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Also, copper helps prevent diabetes-related damage to blood vessels and nerves, and lowers blood sugar levels.

Manganese – helps prevent damage to nerves and blood vessels.

Chromium (picolinate) – works with biotin to help bring down blood sugar and keeps the pancreas working well.

Gymnema Sylvestre leaf extract – helps balance blood sugar and may protect us from gaining weight.

Bitter melon whole fruit extract – helps pathways in the liver work more efficiently; lowers blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek seed extract – helps our kidneys and liver metabolize blood sugar more efficiently.

Bilberry berry extract – helps reduce the severity of diabetic cataracts.

Mixed bioflavonoids – helps protect vitamin C and E from becoming damaged. Helps clear and sharpen vision in diabetics.

Vanadyl sulfate – helps muscle and liver cells use insulin more effectively.

These supplements will not lower your blood sugar too much, but help bring them down to a more normal level. Diabetes is a disease that needs to be monitored daily several times throughout the day. When you start taking a diabetic supplement to help equalize your blood sugar, monitor your sugar levels more often at first so you can get a feel for where you sugar levels come down to before taking more insulin. A normal range of blood sugar for diabetics before a meal is 70 – 150 (1,2,5) and ideally 70 – 120.

The diabetic formula you may take for lowering blood sugar is by no means a license to eat any way you want. You still need to eat healthy and see your health practitioner on a regular basis. Diabetes might make you feel overwhelmed, especially if you have recently been diagnosed with it. With proper exercise, diet, and vitamin supplements you can be well on your way to a lower more manageable blood sugar level, and live a longer healthier life.

References:
1. American Diabetes Association. In the news. Available at: www.ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada. Accessed on December 10, 2001.
2. Guven S, Kuenzi J. Diabetes mellitus. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998: 810-830.
3. Guyton AC, Hall JE. Diabetes mellitus. In: Textbook of Medical Physiology. 10th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company;2000: .
4. Grodner M, Anderson SL, DeYoung S. Diabetes mellitus. In: Foundations and Clinical Applications of Nutrition: A Nursing Approach. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2000:540-548.
5. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Do your level best. Available at: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/dylb/chap1.htm#e. Accessed December 31, 2001.

A few nice diabetes images I found:

Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos


Image by billnwmsu
Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos

Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos


Image by billnwmsu
Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos

Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos


Image by billnwmsu
Bearcat Productions Diabetes Production Photos