Things That You Need to Know About Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Tends be a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Diabetes is a chronic (life-long) condition that can have serious consequences. It is now the leading cause of new blindness in people 20 to 74 years of age. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both.

If your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or if the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can’t get into your cells.

The signs of diabetes are being very thirsty urinating often feeling very hungry or tired losing weight without trying having sores that heal slowly having dry, itchy skin losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet having blurry eyesight.

The good news is: You can reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood sugar levels with modest weight loss and moderate physical activity.

If you’re 45 or older and overweight (Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) you may want to get tested more often. The best way to prevent diabetes is to make some lifestyle changes, maintain a healthy weight.

If your body does not make enough insulin or the insulin does not work right, the sugar can’t get into the cells, so it stays in the blood.

Since glucose cannot enter the cells, it builds up in the blood and the body’s cells literally starve to death. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.

More than 20 million Americans now live with the condition. Tomato juice is an effective blood thinner in persons with type 2 diabetes, suggests Australian research published in the August 2004 issue of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.

People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. It’s a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.

Type 1 diabetes is most common in those younger than 20, although a person could develop it at any age. While it’s not uncommon, it can still be scary if you or your child has just been diagnosed. The disease is most common in overweight people older than 40.

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms and Insulin

While people with type 2 diabetes that is discovered relatively early may be able to hold off the need for insulin shots for a long time, or with proper lifestyle forever, people with type 1 diabetes symptoms generally must begin injections immediately. Some would call these shots a type 1 diabetic’s life preserver. But how much do you know about the history of insulin?

For many people with type 1 diabetes symptoms, the major drawback of taking insulin is the use of needles. While many different inventions have been made to change the way a diabetic’s insulin needle works, it is essentially still a prickly needle that they have to poke themselves with a couple times a day every day forever.

Up until about 30 years ago, the shots used to treat diabetics was obtained directly from an animal’s pancreas. How would you like a dose of pig insulin or cow insulin? This was effective, but not a complete match or replacement for human needs. It was not uncommon for diabetic patients to have extreme immune responses to this insulin because purification processes couldn’t remove every trace impurity. It wasn’t until the 1970s that researchers in a laboratory were able to get bacteria to produce human insulin. About 99% of the those used for diabetics now is human insulin.

Insulin used to come in two strength densities. These were referred to as U40 and U80. These numbers respectively represent 40 units of insulin per milliliter and 80 units of insulin per milliliter. Additionally, there were different syringes that had to be used with each of the different strength densities. Because many patients became confused and suffered serious consequences, the United States adopted a law that standardized strength densities at U100, or 100 units of insulin per milliliter. This has made it easier for doctors to write prescriptions patients will be able to understand and implement. It has also made it so there is just one syringe size so that confusion is avoided on syringes as well.

Diabetes Disease and Fatigue

Your body can experience being tired and worn-down for numerous reasons: stress, pregnancy, medications, and inactivity, just to name a few. After expressing there is pain, tiredness is the second most mentioned general symptom by patients in the doctors’ offices. But fatigue can also be a sign of the diabetes disease.

If you find yourself nodding off repeatedly and used up through your day these signs could be a warning that the diabetes disease is present. If this fatigue is combined with any of the other classic symptoms of diabetes – including excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss even with an increased appetite, blurred vision, irritability, or skin problems – you need to pay a trip to your doctor to have a diabetes screening test.

An imbalance in blood sugar is the main reason for diabetes disease - related fatigue. Your cells make use of glucose – sugar – for fuel. The hormone insulin controls the allocation and use of glucose in the body. In diabetics, due to poor production of insulin, the glucose is not appropriately utilized by the cells; instead, it’s floating around in the bloodstream, where it can’t be used as power.

As a result, you may feel constantly drained. Just like a car that has no gas your body needs the sugar (like gas) to keep it moving. Returning the blood sugar to its normal, healthy levels with proper treatment can alleviate your fatigue. If you’ve discovered your diabetes in its earlier stages, and it’s still considered mild, treatment usually consists of dropping excess body fat, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol through improvement of your diet and exercise habits. Just being more careful with your health in general will focus you in on what to do to address your tiredness. If your diabetes is a more complicated type or at a more advanced stage, it will be treated through oral medication, alternative remedies or injections of insulin.

What else can I do?
Place yourself on a program. This way you can start to train your body when to feel tired. Eat your meals, go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. By waking and retiring on your schedule your body will know when to get tired. To further address this tired issue do some moderate exercise and get enough sleep every day. And most importantly maintain stable blood sugar levels to stay away from energy crashes.

Practice relaxation techniques such as positive visualization, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help lower stress and keep your blood pressure on an even keel. This could be an exciting new page in your life. You are taking responsibility for your condition.

Take a refreshing power nap to re-energize yourself. Twenty to thirty minutes is a good block of time to let your body get a rest. I like doing this because of my late work schedule. Avoid the temporary fix of coffee or over the counter energy boosters. These quicker fixer uppers will quite often make you feel extremely wasted after they wear off. You may also become dependent on the item after using it for a while. Like coffee.

Taking care of your tiredness in a natural way is going to be your best course of action. Fight fatigue with the help of some natural herbs like cinnamon or seek help from your dietician or health care provider.

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Living With Diabetes For Kids - Young and Old

For those who become Diabetic at a young age, they want to and should be able to do just about everything their age group is doing. Overall, they can. Still, there are things they have to watch that other children their age do not have to worry about. For instance, going to parties and eating the same things the other kids are having. At a very young age, there is less of a problem. When they go to a party, you can have the hosting parent keep an eye out. You can make sure there are special treats for special kids. Unfortunately, kids do not stay those cute little things we think about when we think of our kids.

By the time they get to their teens, kids are out asserting their independence and experimenting with this, that, and the next thing. The only hope you have in life is that they have learned a few lessons along the way, and will use common sense.

Along comes college, and there is a whole new world of “real” independence to think about. Now, there is true experimenting going on, and it has nothing to do with Chemistry 101. Again, the only hope you have in life is that they have learned a few lessons along the way and will use common sense.

Now that we have clearly established “common sense” into the picture, think back to when you were a teen in high school, or were setting off to college. Was there a whole lot of common sense anywhere in the picture? Uh, huh.

There seems to be an epidemic of Type 2 these days. Basically, it is because we do not exercise enough, and we eat more than enough. We’re older and wiser, right? Well, let me put it this way, when it comes to common sense, plenty of us seemed to have forgotten where we placed it. For instance, I worked with a lady who happened to be in her 50’s. She was diagnosed with Diabetes in her 40’s. In other words, she had Diabetes for about 10 years. Her sight was going, and her circulation was terrible. About the only thing she did not have trouble with was getting to the head of the line when the sweet things were being doled at out office parties. She even had a candy jar on her desk, but that was just to share, mind you. You could literally hit this woman over the head with a rock solid chocolate bat, and you were not going to dislodge that sweet tooth from her head.

Kids are going to be kids, and old dogs are going to be old dogs. Both need our support. Remember, though, support comes in many different forms. It can be a hug, or it can be a kick in the fanny.

The 5 Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

If you are concerned about the possibility that you have type 1 diabetes, the following list should help provide you with some answers. These are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes. If you have two or more of these symptoms, you should see your doctor. Do not hesitate to see your doctor.

Urinating Too Often

Type 1 diabetics often urinate more frequently than the general population. As your blood glucose levels get too high, your kidneys try to filter the excess glucose out of your bloodstream. Typically, whenever your blood glucose levels are more than 180mg/dl, there will be high amounts of glucose in your urine. Your body will begin to pull more water out of your bloodstream, accompanied by glucose. So your bladder will be full on a regular basis.

Constant Thirst

All of those fluids being removed from your bloodstream will leave your body craving extra fluids. Your body may be dehydrating itself even if you are drinking normal amounts of water. This excess thirst could be symptom of increased blood glucose levels.

Unexpected Weight Loss

People with type 1 diabetes often lose weight without trying to lose weight. As the glucose is excreted in the urine, your body is losing sugars it needs to function. As a result, your body may break down extra muscle tissue to use as fuel.

Constant Hunger

As a result of your body breaking down itself for food, you may have more hunger than usual. Your cells are constantly malnourished when you have type 1 diabetes. The lack of insulin in your blood does not allow your cells to make use of the glucose in your blood. Even after eating, you may still be hungry because your cells cannot use the glucose in the bloodstream.

Chronic Fatigue

As a result of your body’s inability to make full use of the blood glucose, you will suffer from fatigue. Your malnourished cells just can’t function properly without the energy provided by glucose. Your whole body is beginning to break down. Your cells cannot make repairs so it is expected that you will be suffering from a lot of feelings of fatigue.

Symptoms of Diabetes

About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes mellitus, a serious, life-long disorder that is, as yet, incurable. About one-third of these people do not know they have diabetes and are not under medical care. Each year, approximately 600,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes. In Illinois, approximately 500,000 persons 18 years of age and older have diagnosed diabetes.

Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower extremity amputations not related to injuries. Diabetes and its complications occur among Americans of all ages and racial and ethnic groups. The burden of the disease, however, is heavier among the elderly and certain racial and ethnic populations, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

What is diabetes?

The term diabetes refers either to a deficiency of insulin or to the body’s decreased ability to use insulin. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, allows glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be converted to energy. It also is needed to synthesize protein and to store fats. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose and lipids (fats) remain in the bloodstream and, in time, damage the body’s vital organs and contribute to heart disease.

There are two main types of diabetes: non-insulin dependent (type-2) and insulin dependent (type-1). Non-insulin dependent diabetes, which usually appears after the age of 40, is the most common type, affecting 90 percent - 95 percent of those who have the disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes affects the remaining proportion of those with the disease. Although this type of diabetes can occur at any age, it most often appears in childhood or during the teen years.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs of diabetes are frequent thirst, constant urination, unusual hunger, rapid loss of weight, and obvious weakness and fatigue.

Who is most at risk for developing diabetes?

The following have a greater risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes:

• Those with a family history of diabetes (parents or siblings with diabetes).
• Individuals who are obese (20 percent or more over ideal body weight).
• Members of certain racial or ethnic groups. Those who are more likely to develop diabetes are Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans (twice as likely), African Americans (1.6 times) and Cuban Americans (1.5 times).
• Those who are 45 years of age and older.
• Individuals previously identified as having impaired glucose tolerance.
• Individuals with hypertension or who have excessive levels of fat in their blood (hyperlipidemia).
• Women who have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have delivered babies weighing more than 9 pounds.

Can diabetes be prevented?

Non-insulin dependent diabetes often can be prevented through a healthy diet and physical activity. A number of studies have confirmed that regular exercise, especially for those who are at high risk, can prevent this type of diabetes.

Can the complications of diabetes be prevented?

A clinical study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease showed that keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible slows the onset and progression of eye, kidney and nerve diseases caused by diabetes. The study concluded that lowering blood sugar levels reduces the risk of eye disease by 76 percent, of kidney disease by 50 percent, of nerve disease by 60 percent and of cardiovascular disease by 35 percent.

What is a good blood sugar level?

Everyone has some sugar in his or her blood. A good blood sugar range for most people with diabetes is from about 70 to 150. This is before a meal, such as breakfast, or four to five hours after a meal. Blood sugar should be less than 200 about two hours after your last meal. Remember, everyone is different. A good blood sugar range for one person may not be the best for someone else. Ask your physician what the best blood sugar range is for you.

What is the best way to maintain a good blood sugar level?

There are some things you can do every day to maintain a good blood sugar level and to stay healthy:

• Eat healthy food. People with diabetes do not need special foods. Foods on your diabetes meal plan are good for everyone in the family. Try to eat foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fiber, such as beans, fruits and vegetables, and grains. If you use insulin, be sure to take it before you eat, eat at about the same time, and do not skip meals.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise is good for your diabetes. Walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball and bowling are all examples of good ways to exercise. Try to exercise regularly, at least three times a week for about 30 to 40 minutes each time. If you have not exercised in a while, begin slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration. Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to check with your physician.
• Take your diabetes medicine. Insulin and diabetes pills are the two kinds of medicines used to lower blood sugar. If you take insulin, your physician will tell you what kind of insulin to use, how much and when to give yourself a shot. Your physician or diabetes educator will show you how and where to give yourself a shot. Always use your own needles and never share them with anyone else. If you take diabetes pills, ask your physician when to take the pills. Remember, these pills do not lower blood sugar all by themselves. You will still have to follow your diet and exercise to lower your blood sugar. If you do not use insulin or take diabetes pills, follow your physician’s advice about eating and getting enough exercise.
• Test your blood sugar. Ask your physician how often and when you should test your blood sugar. To test your blood, you need a small needle called a lancet, special blood testing strips and a glucose monitor (a special electronic device used to test for blood sugar). Your physician or a nurse can show you how to test your blood and give you information on glucose monitors.
• Two other tests can help you keep track of your blood sugar. You may need a urine test when you are ill or if your blood sugar is above 240 before eating. This test will tell you if you have ketones in your urine. Ketones are present when there is not enough insulin in your blood; they can make you very sick. Call your physician immediately if you find ketones in your urine. The hemogloboin A1c test shows what your average blood sugar was for the past three months. Ask your physician for this test every six months.