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The only way to know if you have diabetes for certain is to visit a doctor for a blood test. Possible risk factors for diabetes include being of certain ethnicity, having a family history, having high blood pressure and being excessively hungry or thirsty. Get checked out for diabetes if any possible symptoms are noticed with insight from a family nurse practitioner in this free video on diabetes symptoms.
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26 million Americans have diabetes. It’s a dangerous illness, but a new report says that making the right lifestyle choices can dramatically reduce your risk of becoming diabetic.
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Article by Stuart Wimbles
Diabetic complications
Diabetic complications can and almost certainly WILL arise when you do not look after your condition properly, be it type1 or type 2 diabetes. Without a proper diabetic control you can suffer from these diabetic complications. If you take a good control of your blood glucose levels eat right and excercise, these complications of diabetes need not arise. Diabetic complications mainly arise when you do not monitor your blood glucose levels or let them run continuously high. If you disregard your glucose levels, then complications of diabetes will surely appear. By monitoring and eating properly, you can delay these complications, such as damage to your: *Eyes *Ears *Kidneys *Feet *Nerves *Heart *Blood vessels *Sexual function
Eyes – What happens to my eyes and diabetes? Diabetics risk the eye complication called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects the tiny blood vessels that supply your retina and can become leaky, blocked and grow abnormally. You need to avoid diabetic retinopathy as your sight is valuable and with diabetic retinopathy, you could lose your sight.
Keeping your blood glucose levels under control can reduce the risk, although blood pressure and blood fat levels will also affect this.
Each year it is advised to get your eyes screened. This is done by visiting your health centre for a short eye test, this is different from the usual optometrist test, as the screening involves having pictures taken with a digital camera to view the backs of your eyes and the consultant can see the small vessels and look for any problems such as diabetic retinopathy. Many opticians do this when dealing with their diabetic customers and is included with your eye test.
You may need to go and see the specialist at the hospital for them to investigate further. If diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed and bleeding is out of control, you may need laser treatment which will prevent any growth of abnormal blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy laser treatment is different from the one that are widely advertised on T.V, as it cannot restore any vision loss.
Ears – It has been found that hearing loss affects more people who have diabetes than their counterparts. High blood glucose can affect the small vessels and nerves in the inner ear and can affect our hearing over time.
The Kidneys – Diabetes can affect the kidneys by damaging the small blood vessels which can become leaky or even stop working, this is called diabetic nephropathy. By keeping blood glucose levels at 4mmol/l or 72mg/dL and 6mmol/l or 108mg/dL before meals and 10mmol/I or 180mg/dL 2 hours after food can greatly reduce risks of kidney disease such as this diabetic nephropathy.You will be asked to bring a sample of urine (the first that you pass in the morning) to your annual check up. This is to test the urine for protein called microalbuminuria. If you have signs of microalbuminuria in the sample, the doctor is likely to prescribe medication called an ACE inhibitor in tablet form. This medication will help to prevent nephropathy from getting worse. If untreated, this could lead to kidney failure.
Feet/Nerves – The nerves carry messages from our brain to every part of our body, so we see, hear, smell and touch etc.
Diabetic neuropathy – A long term complication of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that results from diabetic micro vascular disease and is increased if you have poor diabetes control. It particularly affects the feet and legs. You may feel numbness, pain or feelings of an altered sensation. This is why you should have your feet checked regularly by your chiropodist or Podiatrists. This type is known as ‘Sensory neuropathy’. It is said that around 15% of all diabetics will develop some sort of problems with their feet and legs at some time and some of these could be of a serious nature. If you do not care for your feet, then you have more chance of joining that 15% with diabetic neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy – This affects nerves that control our automatic activities, such as actions by the stomach, intestines, bladder and penis (Erectile dysfunction), and even the heart.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia or the ‘hypo’ is the most common of diabetic complications that a diabetic will come across at some time. Basically, hypoglycaemia appears when our blood glucose levels go just below 4mmol/l or 72 mg/dL, although this really depends on how controlled your blood glucose levels are. When my sugars have been out of whack, I have felt ‘hypo’ at around 6mmol/l or 108 mg/dl, Really! which is a good reason to test your blood with a meter if possible when you feel a little ‘odd’ to make sure that you really are ‘hypo’ but if you cannot, just treat as a ‘hypo’, as this needs to be treated as soon as possible. If left, you could become unconscious and will require a Clucagon injection to bring you round. If left untreated, you could risk having a diabetic coma. More can be read in the ‘Hypoglycaemia’ section.
Stuart Wimbles
About the Author
I have type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed whan I was 33. I have been diabetic for 20 years now. I am a DAFE graduate and I work in education. I want to educate poeple about diabetes and its effects.
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Question by SereneSerenity: diabetes??
is it possible for a cat to have diabetes? my mom said our cat has it but my mom generally doesnt know what she is talking about.
Best answer:
Answer by ♪♫ Seattle ♫♪
Hi there…in order to confirm if a cat has diabetes there needs to be a blood glucose test done from your vet. If the blood sugar is elevated the vet will then be able to give you the appropriate course of care for the cat. Here are a few website articles on feline diabetes mellitus:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html
http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/83/Feline-Diabetes.html
http://www.felinediabetes.com/newdiag.htm
http://www.netpets.com/cats/reference/diabetes.html
Add your own answer in the comments!
Article by Sara Michaels
Diabetes is increasingly becoming a national health problem, with nearly a tenth of the population of the U.S. having diabetes and many more on track to develop it. With this increase in diabetes, products are being developed to help individuals with the side effects, such as compression socks for diabetics.
A study by researchers Carol B. Feldman and Ellen D. Davis clearly tells us why a diabetic with neuropathic complications – otherwise known as diabetic foot – should use diabetic socks.
Explaining Diabetic Foot
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathic complication, causes pain in the legs and feet and of diabetics. The most probable cause of this condition is injury to the small blood vessels that supply blood to the nerves. Diabetes damages the immune system, thereby reducing a diabetic’s ability to heal injured blood vessels, and tingling foot pain is a part of life for many diabetics.
In addition to neuropathic complication, diabetes can cause a clogging of arteries, which makes them hard and unable to adequately supply blood to the legs, feet and other extremities, also resulting in diabetic foot.
The Benefits of Diabetic Socks
Certain types of socks for diabetics – known as diabetic socks or compression socks – can help reduce symptoms of diabetic feet. Diabetic socks are designed to “fit well, without constricting cuffs, top bands or seams,” and use select materials that cushion the feet against injury and retain less moisture.
Moisture can lead to bacterial infection, which can, in turn, cause ulcers. Compression socks can be constructed out of special synthetic materials that help reduce the chance of foot ulcers by retaining less moisture than normal socks. In addition to bacteria, normal and minor injuries can cause ulcers in diabetics. Diabetics often have decreased pressure sensations which, in conjunction with a decreased ability to heal, can contribute to ulcers. For this reason, socks for diabetics often have heavily padded cushions to reduce the risk of injury.
Shopping for Diabetic Socks
Here are some features to look for when shopping for diabetic socks:
Advanced and improved moisture control. Moisture can lead to infection and ulcers. A good diabetic sock will be made of a material that has a wicking effect, so moisture is pulled away from the skin. With advances in synthetic materials, ideal diabetic socks should be made of a combination of synthetic fabric and wool or cotton.
No constricting cuffs. Diabetic socks should have cuffs and top bands that are not made of constricting elastic material, such as with normal socks. Restrictive cuffs can cause vascular and nerve damage by blocking the flow of blood.
Soft, densely padded cushions. Properly cushioned compression socks reduce the chances of blistering and calluses by decreasing vertical pressure on the feet.
No pressure points or seams. Socks for diabetics should not have seams, which may create pressure points and contribute to foot injury.
Anti-microbial and anti-fungal elements. Certain elements such as spandex and silver fibers are known to help feet “breathe.” These materials are ideal for use in socks for diabetics, as they help reduce moisture and the risk of infection.
Lightly colored. Some researchers and specialists recommend diabetics wear lightly colored socks, so deformation, skin discoloration and wounds are easily noticed and promptly treated.
A comfortable, well fit. Measure your legs before buying compression socks, as whatever socks a diabetic wears should fit well and be comfortable.
About the Author
Diabetes is a common health condition in the U.S. If you are considering a diabetic socks purchase, visit www.LegSmart.com for the best online prices, as well as information and advice on wearing and caring for compression socks.
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Article by Amy Stephens
If you have been recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, or gestational diabetes you are still trying to make sense of what you have been learning. To really understand the diabetes facts and how to manage diabetes, you must first understand how your body’s digestive system works.
For a person diagnosed with diabetes, blood glucose levels are above normal (fasting glucose is greater than 126 mg/dL). Most of the food you eat is turned into sugar (glucose). The pancreas is an organ that lies just behind and under the stomach.
The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that help glucose enter the cells of your body. Your cells change the glucose to energy and cell building material. This is why people with untreated diabetes feel tired and suffer rapid weight loss. Their cells are starving for glucose.
Insulin regulates the various chemical processes that control how your body handles carbohydrates and other nutrients. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin (insufficiency) and/or can’t use its own insulin as well as it should (Insulin Resistance).
This causes sugar (glucose) to build to high levels in your blood stream. This glucose stays in your blood stream and blood vessels, organs like your kidneys, and eyes. Diabetes is sometimes called the “silent killer” for this reason; early on you do not see or feel the damage that is being done.
The digestion process is very complex involving chemistry, physics, biology. Click here to view the digestion process using a Type Free Interactive Learning Module.
To understand diabetes mellitus as high glucose levels in the bloodstream; think of your bloodstream as a race track. Cars (glucose) race around in circles. There is a big entrance for new cars. After a meal many new cars enter the race track. But there is only a small exit (because of resistance)for the vehicles to leave. Normally, the exit gates are unlocked and opened by insulin guards.
With diabetes there are fewer guards to unlock the exit gates. The cars will continue to circle the causing congestion, road wear and tear, and collisions – damaging the walls of the track. As you can see, the role of the track guard is crucial to smooth traffic flow. Without the track guard, the system faces serious effects of Diabetes.
The action of insulin lets glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids into the cells to be broken down into usable units of energy that can power your body throughout the day. And, cell building material to replace old or damaged cells. Remember: your body needs energy to carry out life functions like the pumping of blood by the heart.
In order to ensure that sugar molecules are removed from the bloodstream and turned into energy, individuals with Type 2 Diabetes must increase their physical activity and take Diabetes medication, and decreasing the amount of carbohydrate rich foods that they eat. Take a moment and click here to better understand the role of high glycemic index carbohydrates on diabetes.
Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Catching Diabetes early will help to prevent serious complications that can occur if the diseases goes untreated.
Please check with your doctor if you have some of the following symptoms:
• Frequent urination• Excessive thirst• Unexplained weight loss• Extreme hunger• Sudden vision changes• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet• Feeling very tired much of the time• Very dry skin• Sores that are slow to heal• More infections than usual.
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.
What are the primary types of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Eating nutritious food for diabetes, increasing physical activity, blood glucose testing and insulin injections are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.
Type 2 diabetes account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Eating Nutritious foods for diabetics, increasing physical activity, and testing blood glucose levels are the basic therapies for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.
If you have diabetes you will need to build a health team. This team will include general practitioner who will monitor your long term blood sugar control and help you learn to manage your diabetes.
In addition, you should see:
• an endocrinologist a specialist who treats hormone disorders such as diabetes.• an ophthalmologist for eye examinations;• a podiatrist for routine foot care.• Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.• Your primary care physician can recommend a specialist in any one of these fields to you, should you need it.
Diabetes is a very complex disease, with many complications if it is not aggressively managed. This is the simplified version of the basics. It provides a good foundation for many follow-up questions with your health care providers. Make a choiceto be aggressive about your care if you have been recently diagnosed or are at risk.
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About the Author
TypeFreeDiabetes.com is the premier source for your diabetic needs on-line. At TypeFreeDiabetes.com, you can enjoy a balanced diabetic lifestyle by learning about – how to control blood sugar, lower body fat, diet to prevent diabetes, reduce diabetes medications and reverse diabetes complications.Check out for Sugar Free Cakes and Sugar free candy
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Article by Dr. Sherry Sakariah Chandy
Like all complicated matters there are certain misunderstandings regarding Diabetes.Today I want to dispel some myths regarding diabetes.Here is a list of the questions that I will be discussing:Can I get diabetes from someone else?Eating too much sugar causes diabetesType 2 diabetes is mild diabetesPeople with diabetes eventually go blindIt’s not safe to drive if you have diabetesPeople with diabetes can’t play sportPeople with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnessesPeople with diabetes can’t eat sweets or chocolatePeople with diabetes shouldn
Article by zanial zulkifli
Diabetes… What Should You Know?
Before going to this topics, I’d like to quote a phrase I get from some article, it say “diabetes is an incurable disease and still needs a well developed cure” I made some research by read lots of articles, newsletters about the disease just to deny about the facts that diabetes can be cure! But, I was failed; it still can’t be cured until now.
Here is a list of the questions that will be discussed:
Can I get diabetes from someone else?Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.Is it true that diabetes can affect pregnant women? People with diabetes eventually go blind.People with diabetes can’t play sport.People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnessesPeople with diabetes can’t eat sweets or chocolatePeople with diabetes should eat special diabetic food
Can I get diabetes from someone else?
Although we don’t know exactly why some people get diabetes, we know that diabetes is not contagious – You cannot get it from others. But, there is a chance that a person can get diabetes from genetic factors, particularly Type 2 diabetes. But lifestyle factors also play a part.
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
Eating sugar does not cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a combination of inherited and lifestyle factors. However, eating a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become overweight.
Is it true that diabetes can affect pregnant women?Gestational diabetes, on the other hand, is found on pregnant women. Pregnant women who never had diabetes or never had a history of the disease in the family before were tested and proved to have high sugar content in the blood during their pregnancy period. This condition may lead to Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a set of related diseases in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (specifically, glucose) in the blood. Untreated and undiscovered gestational DM can damage the health of both the mother and the fetus.
People with diabetes eventually go blind
The lenses of your eyes shrink and swell as your blood glucose falls and rises, this causes your vision to blur because your eyes cannot adjust quickly enough to these changes in the lenses of your eyes. Therefore, any person who might have these symptoms must see the doctor immediately, it may cause by diabetes.
People with diabetes can’t play sport
It must be a horrible moment for active person or sportsman, once you know about that fact. Is it true? This works by diabetes damaging the blood vessels and starving the circulation system of needed oxygen. This is where the numbness or tingling arrives from. Sadly this is also due to long term complications of diabetes called neuropathy. Neuropathy actually takes five years or more to develop in a person that is diabetic
People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses
Wrong. People with diabetes are advised to get flu vaccinations. This is because any infectioninterferes with your blood glucose control, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with Type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
People with diabetes can’t eat sweets or chocolate
People with diabetes are also like us, they can eat sweet and chocolate if eaten as part of a healthy diet. Remember that confectionery foods tend to be higher in fat and calories too so for this reason they should be limited especially if you’re trying to lose weight
People with diabetes should eat special diabetic food
Wise food selections are the foundation of the treatment of diabetes. Experts on diabetes recommend meal plans which are flexible, practicing healthy lifestyles and other health necessities into account. You may ask the help of a registered dietitian to design you a healthy meal plan.
All forms of diabetes can be treatable by insulin shots alone. Insulin has been available since 19th century, is known to have treated the disease since then. However, even if Diabetes type needs to be treated by insulin shots, or a disease can be lowered or treated through insulin injection, diabetes remains to be one of the most causes of deaths in the world due to organ infection and complications in other parts of the body.
Well, it is actually true that it is easy to treat through healthy diet, lifestyle, and regular medication. As much as possible, experts would advice proper medication and treatment to avoid certain unexpected complications throughout the human system.
Want to share to the others who care to understand. Go and visit diabetes-info for free website to get plenty of information. Come and visit us at: http://UltimateDiabetesSolution.com/dzanial
About the Author
Capt Zanial Zulkifli M.i.kNLP & Neuro Action Practioneremail: zanial@world-bay.bizwww.aiminlines.my
Check out FightDiabetes2.com for Tips to help you fight Diabetes and Win. Feeling down because you have diabetes? You are not alone. Come see us. I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (www.youtube.com
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Bill from 1HappyDiabetic.com discusses his thoughts on the MTV Series I have Diabetes. Gives some input on what changes could have been made.
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Article by Alexandria Marx
Diabetes is a serious medical condition for seniors. The World Health Organization reports that 200 million men and women worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes.
If you want to know the repercussions of Type 2 diabetes for seniors, first let me explain. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is a sudden onset type, and Type 2 is more gradual often referred to as slow-onset diabetes, because it presents itself over the course of several years.
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when there is recurring elevated levels of blood sugar.
There are three facts everyone should know about Type 2 diabetes, but especially those over the age of 55:
1) What are the affects of uncontrolled diabetes 2) Why Type 2 diabetes is dangerous for seniors 3) Why the age of diabetes adds to the problem
What are the Affects of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Diabetes is not harmless. Uncontrolled diabetes can have severe, life-threatening complications. Here’s why.
Uncontrolled diabetes often causes complications to a person’s vital organs, such as kidney failure, heart problems, possible blindness and damage to nerves (neuropathy).
Diabetes patients over 55 years old are prone to develop coronary heart disease and stroke! The risk of dying from a heart attack is higher for those who have neuropathy, because a heart attack might feel painless and therefore not recognized. When this happens, the patient doesn’t even know they should seek medical assistance. Disaster follows.
Seniors who survive the repercussions from one or more diabetes complications may find themselves in financial difficulties if they don’t have adequate health insurance or medicare with supplemental insurance.
Diabetes is generally identified by a simple test that shows an excessively high blood sugar level. Glucose… defined by the dictionary as a syrup containing dextrose, maltose, and dextrine, obtained by the incomplete hydrolysis of starch in the body. In other words, food is consumed, digested and released into blood in a form known as glucose. The purpose is to provide you with energy. When a person has an excess of glucose, a hormone called insulin converts and stores glucose in the body for future usage.
Uncontrolled blood glucose leads to symptoms such as frequent urination, ongoing thirst, unexpected weight loss, intense hunger, frequent fatigue and more. Since many senior citizens consider these symptoms a normal part of growing old, they are not concerned and do not seek medical attention.
Uncontrolled diabetes patients may become comatose due to very high blood glucose. This is a major concern for seniors because many seniors live alone or are alone for most of the day.
Cholesterol and blood vessel thickening (atherosclerosis) are common complications of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetics may also suffer from high blood pressure caused from atherosclerosis. This presents a bunch more health problems.
Why Type 2 Diabetes is Dangerous for Seniors
Unfortunately, many people including the older generation, are unaware that diabetes is a serious condition. Many seniors don’t know or don’t believe it’s serious. Even with a doctor’s diagnosis, too many refuse to believe they have diabetes, so they don’t change their eating, exercise and lifestyle.
Many older Americans mistakenly think that diabetes can be cured by avoiding sweet food. Not true! Diabetes is not just a sugar problem. Diabetes results from several factors other than too much sugar. Type 2 diabetes comes from one or a combination of genetics, aging, obesity, unhealthy diet, and sedentary lifestyle.
Although many American senior citizens recognize the problem, inaction results because of the lack of attention or the common problem of procrastination. Click Here!
Why the Age of Diabetes Adds to the Problem
Type 2 Diabetes isn’t even 100 years old. It was recognized in 1935 by Dr. Harry Himsworth, so it is a fairly new diagnosis compared to other serious health conditions. Because Type 2 diabetes is less than 100 years old, and it’s not widely publicized (no TV commercials) many people don’t think of diabetes as life threatening, when in fact, it is.
A diabetic crisis can occur with abnormally low blood glucose due to a lack of food or physical activity. During the crisis, the person turns pale, breathes rapidly and is disoriented, cold and trembling. A diabetic crisis is fatal if not treated in time. Since many senior citizens live alone or are alone much of time, there is no one around to help in time to avoid severe consequences.
Type 2 diabetes affects seniors disproportionately because seniors are typically sedentary and/or overweight. But Type 2 diabetes for seniors can be controlled even though it’s affects for the most part can’t be reversed.
Solution: Type 2 Diabetes for Seniors
The answer is simple. A lifestyle change can save your life, and it’s never too late to begin. If you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, take a hard and close look at what you eat and how much activity you have in your life. Just those two things can make a difference, and may even save your life.
Accept your role in the cause and control of the disease. Refrain from repeating the cause of Type 2 diabetes and Get Started Now to control it.
There is a history showing that diabetics can stay healthy if their blood sugar levels are well controlled with proper diet, healthy lifestyle and effective medications.
For seniors with Type 2 diabetes, health and well being developing a mature and realistic mindset toward the cause and control of diabetes is the answer to attaining health and long life.
About the Author
Alexandria Marx is a professional advertising copywriter with two decades of experience helping small business people succeed on the Internet. Working with over a thousand clients while facing injury, illness and diabetes, Marx writes about overcoming challenges to make life the best it can be. Visit DM-Creative.com for help with Web Design and Hosting. Discover Marx’s personal perspective about life’s challenges on her blog Being Grand.
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