My Life with Type 1 Diabetes
Source: Uploaded by princesslolasluv on Jun 8, 2011 to YouTube
My life as a type 1 diabetic has been an incredible, stressful, inspiring, and empowering journey. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998, and my dad was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a few years later. These are some snapshots of my life with the disease (as well as my new PINK insulin pump!) and all of the support I get from my friends, family, and God.
A cure would be amazing, but I never regret being diagnosed with it because I know it has made me a much stronger, caring, patient, and determined person. I may have type 1 diabetes, but it doesn’t have me.
The Diabetes Epidemic Among Hispanics/Latinos
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES?
Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) results when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes – increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue – usually develop over a short period of time. If type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed and treated, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, (formerly called adult-onset diabetes) occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 but is becoming more prevalent in younger age groups – including children and adolescents. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes – feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds – may develop gradually and may not be as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
A person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they:
o have a family history of diabetes
o are a member of an ethnic group like Hispanics/Latinos
o are overweight or obese
o are 45 year old or older
o have had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
o have high blood pressure
o have abnormal cholesterol (lipid) levels
o are not getting enough physical activity
o have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
o have blood vessel problems affecting the heart, brain or legs
o have dark, thick and velvety patches of skin around the neck and armpits (This is called acanthosis nigricans.)
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 40 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes, mostly type 2, in the next five to 10 years.
HOW MANY HISPANICS/LATINOS HAVE DIABETES?
10.4 percent of Hispanics/Latinos ages 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes.
Among Hispanics/Latinos, diabetes prevalence rates are 8.2 percent for Cubans, 11.9 percent for Mexican Americans, and 12.6 percent for Puerto Ricans.
WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes – about two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
The risk for stoke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
About 75 percent of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure.
Smoking doubles the risk for heart disease in people with diabetes.
WHAT CAN HISPANICS/LATINOS DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE OR STROKE AND OTHER DIABETES COMPLICATIONS?
Diabetes is a self-managed disease. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. The chances of having diabetes complications can be reduced or delayed significantly by keeping blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (called the ABCs of Diabetes) in the target range.
The National Diabetes Education Program recommends the following targets for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke for most people with diabetes:
A1C (Blood Glucose)
Less than 7 percent**
(check at least twice a year)
Blood Pressure
Less than 130/80 mmHg
(check every doctor’s visit)
Cholesterol (LDL)
Less than 100 mg/dl
(check once a year)
**Targets should be individualized – less stringent targets may be advised with severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, other medical conditions, or longstanding diabetes.
People with diabetes can manage their disease by eating healthy foods, being physically active, taking diabetes medicine as prescribed and testing blood glucose levels.
Community education and support programs can help people with diabetes and their families to manage their diabetes.
CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE PREVENTED?
YES! The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an important trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and the DPPOS, the 10 year follow up study to the DPP, showed that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in overweight adults with pre-diabetes, including Hispanics/Latinos. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those listed for type 2 diabetes.
To prevent diabetes, the people who participated in the DPP study:
Lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds).
Were physically active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Most participants chose brisk walking.
Made healthier food choices and limited the amount of calories and fat in their diet.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes, call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) or visit the National Diabetes Education Program website at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) , National Institute of Health (NIH)
Sugar Is A Drug: How to Overcome Sugar Cravings, Lose Weight & Stabilize Mood
Source: Uploaded by PaulChekLive on Apr 12, 2009 to Youtube
CHEK HLC, Sean Croxton of http://www.undergroundwellness.com explains why its better to see sugar as a drug rather than a simple food item.
Can Diabetes be Cured?
Types Of Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes includes individuals dependent upon insulin to prevent ketosis (abnormal accumulation of ketones in the body as a result of a deficiency or inadequate utilization of carbohydrates). A keytone is an organic compound having the group -OH- linked to two hydrocarbon radicals.
This category (Type 1) of diabetes is also known as the insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) subclass and was previously called juvenile-onset diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes deals with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
These categories of diabetes were conveniently and strategically created by the National Diabetes Data Group of the National Institute of Health. When you see or have the word institute, you should see the connection to the word institution. When you want to perpetuate a thing, you institutionalize it. That’s why the United States is full of institutes (research centers and foundations) for various degenerative diseases.
Diabetes is predicated upon lack of insulin secreted by the cells of the pancreas. Knowing this alone can help us to heal from diabetes. So, what is insulin? Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood. Now look at this truth hidden in the medical definition of insulin. Insulin is naturally occurring. Naturally pertains to Nature! So-called diabetics have deviated.
The following are the components to the disease called diabetes: 1. Insulin (a hormone) 2. Hormonal or endocrine system 3. Pancreas (gland, organ) 4. Digestion, 5. Digestive enzymes 6. Sugar in the blood (blood sugar level) 7. Conversion of sugar into heat and energy.
The major problem with diabetes pertains to the gland called the pancreas, which in so-called diabetics does not secrete insulin. This is a hormone secreted into the bloodstream along with digestive enzymes which regulates blood sugar levels and aids in digestion.
All internal glands that are secretory (function of secreting) in nature have a duct. That duct in so-called diabetics is clogged! Why? Because of the hardened mucus around it! The pancreatic duct is covered with dried and hardened boogers (mucus) that prevents secretion of insulin. So-called diabetics are eating things with sugar (unnatural, man-made sugar to be specific) or things that break down into sugar (i.e. complex carbohydrates). Because the pancreas is unable to secrete insulin into the bloodstream to regulate the sugar in the blood and it is also unable to convert the sugar into energy, the blood sugar levels go very high and the unconverted/unburned sugar converts into FAT. This explains the obesity factor in diabetes. What medical doctor with a college degree can or will elucidate diabetes to the degree as explained above? The word doctor derives from the Latin word docçre which means to teach.
Most medical doctors will never teach you what causes your health problem or pathology and how to fix it for fear of losing a good-paying client. Because the so-called diabetic cannot convert sugar into energy, they convert the sugar into fat causing obesity. This is linked to a nonfunctioning colon that is compacted with excessive fecal matter and waste that causes the colon to protrude, even to the point of now pressing against the already nonfunctioning pancreas. The problem is now exacerbated.
In addition, excess fat in the body greatly hampers bodily circulation, which is why so-called diabetics have poor circulation. The condition of poor circulation prevents blood, oxygen, and minerals from circulating throughout the body, mainly to the extremities (hands and feet), especially in the feet, which causes the legs of so-called diabetics to turn gangrene blue. And what does your beloved and entrusted doctor do for the poor circulation? He/she prescribes pharmaceutical grade drugs! And what do these drugs do? They make the body MORE acidic than it already is. These pharmaceutical drugs, especially the synthetic insulin these doctors prescribe, greatly inhibit circulation, even to the point of thinning the blood (i.e. the drug Coumadin) causing a STROKE!
I know what I’m talking about People because I have dealt with many so-called diabetics and when they began dealing with me, their condition got a lot better and most of them got off of drugs altogether and completely healing from diabetes in a matter of weeks. Yes, for me, it’s that simple! Diabetes is easy to heal. Any disease is easy to heal when you know what the cause of the disease is.
When a so-called diabetic’s circulation is cut-off to the legs and feet and the legs turn swollen blue, what does the doctor suggest for this situation? AMPUTATION! Amputate. n. To cut off (a part of the body), esp. by surgery. [Latin. Amputâre, cut around] SOURCE: American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition
That’s right! Instead of reviving the so-called diabetic’s leg, the doctor will recommend amputation. Do you know why? Because amputation calls for surgery and surgery is BIG MONEY in America! This is the only reason for amputation. Doctors, most of them, don’t care about “people” – God’s children, who strayed and became sick (law of cause and effect). The motivation of money blinds a doctor’s heart (4th Chakra, seat of love and compassion) and therefore NO allopathic doctor heals or will tell you that he/she healed (or assisted in healing) a person with diabetes or any other disease. Doctors don’t heal or cure! They TREAT symptoms and MANAGE disease. That’s all! Who wants to manage or treat genital herpes, AIDS, diabetes, or cancer instead of healing from it entirely?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Djehuty_Ma’at-Ra
Natural Cures For Diabetes –Treat it the Natural Way
By Marilyn Reid
Frequent urination, unquenchable thirst, weakness, fatigue, tingling, numbness of extremities, and sudden weight loss. These are the common symptoms that a person suffering from diabetes experiences. Are you experiencing the same thing? If you are, then it’s high time you pay your doctor a visit and have your blood sugar checked.
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disorder on which the body is not able to regulate the amount of sugar, particularly glucose, in the blood. Glucose plays a vital function in the body as it provides you with the energy to perform daily activities like brisk walking, working, jogging, and many others. It is regulated by the insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas, and allows it to move from the blood to the muscle, liver, and fat cells to be used for fuel. Now, if a person’s body does not produce enough insulin, also known as type 1 diabetes, or produce enough but does not use it properly, referred to as type 2 diabetes, then he or she should find diabetes treatment at once.
What are some natural cures for diabetes? When you are diagnosed with diabetes, perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind is to know what medications to take in order to treat it. Although it’s true that there are prescribed medicines for this disorder, you can always treat it the natural way just by knowing what the natural cures are. Natural cures for diabetes could range from regular exercise, good eating habits, and including raw foods in your diet.
Make sure that you get enough physical exercise to burn off the extra energy producing glucose. It can also help prevent complications that may arise from diabetes like poor circulation in the feet and legs and nervous disorders. Good eating habits, on the other hand, means managing what you eat, how much you eat, and when during the course of the day you sit down to eat. People suffering from diabetes should commit to keeping their diet varied and include a large amount of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and they should see to it that they do not eat too much or too little during every meal.
A raw food diet can also do a lot to treat diabetes the natural way. People who have tried a diet of raw and organic foods revealed that it had helped reverse diabetes without the need for pharmaceutical medication. Although it can be difficult to change your diet, especially from cooked meals to raw, the little sacrifice can be worth it in the end as it helps you achieve a healthier you.
Diabetes may be a serious disorder but it can be easily managed and treated if done the right way. Regular exercise, good eating habits, and eating raw foods can certainly do a lot. The first two may be easy for you to follow, but the third could be not. Why not learn more about rawfood nutrition and sunfoods from David Wolfe for you to be enlighten further as to what it can do to treat diabetes?
For the past 10 years Marilyn Reid has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies, with an emphasis on healthy living and raw food diets. Marilyn has been fascinated with the work of the Healthy Lifestyle Nutritionist and Guru, David Wolfe and has a blog which keeps up with the latest in the world of Healthy Lifestyles. See more facts about Diabetes.
Source:www.isnare.com
Diabetes: A Guide for African American Families, Parts 1,2 & 3 – Time: 27:54
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
Source: aacepr on YouTube
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Glucose monitoring helps people with diabetes manage the disease and avoid its associated problems. A person can use the results of glucose monitoring to make decisions about food, physical activity, and medications. The most common way to check glucose levels involves pricking a fingertip with an automatic lancing device to obtain a blood sample and then using a glucose meter to measure the blood sample’s glucose level.
People with diabetes typically use a lancing device to obtain a blood sample and a glucose meter to measure the glucose level in the sample.
Many types of glucose meters are available, and all are accurate and reliable if used properly. See the American Diabetes Association’s annual resource guide at http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/features/consumer-guide-2010 for more information. Some meters use a blood sample from a less sensitive area than the fingertip, such as the upper arm, forearm, or thigh.
__________________________________________________________________________
What is continuous glucose monitoring?
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems use a tiny sensor inserted under the skin to check glucose levels in tissue fluid. The sensor stays in place for several days to a week and then must be replaced. A transmitter sends information about glucose levels via radio waves from the sensor to a pagerlike wireless monitor. The user must check blood samples with a glucose meter to program the devices. Because currently approved CGM devices are not as accurate and reliable as standard blood glucose meters, users should confirm glucose levels with a meter before making a change in treatment.
CGM systems provide glucose measurements as often as once per minute. The measurements are transmitted to a wireless monitor.
CGM systems are more expensive than conventional glucose monitoring, but they may enable better glucose control. CGM devices produced by Abbott, DexCom, and Medtronic have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are available by prescription. These devices provide real-time measurements of glucose levels, with glucose levels displayed at 5-minute or 1-minute intervals. Users can set alarms to alert them when glucose levels are too low or too high. Special software is available to download data from the devices to a computer for tracking and analysis of patterns and trends, and the systems can display trend graphs on the monitor screen.
Additional CGM devices are being developed and tested. To learn more about such monitors and new products after approval, call the FDA at 1–888–INFO–FDA (463–6332) or check the FDA’s website section titled “Glucose Meters & Diabetes Management” at www.fda.gov/diabetes/glucose.html.
People who use CGM systems can download data to a computer to see patterns and trends in their glucose levels.
_________________________________________________________________________
What are the prospects for an artificial pancreas?
To overcome the limitations of current insulin therapy, researchers have long sought to link glucose monitoring and insulin delivery by developing an artificial pancreas. An artificial pancreas is a system that will mimic, as closely as possible, the way a healthy pancreas detects changes in blood glucose levels and responds automatically to secrete appropriate amounts of insulin. Although not a cure, an artificial pancreas has the potential to significantly improve diabetes care and management and to reduce the burden of monitoring and managing blood glucose.
An artificial pancreas based on mechanical devices requires at least three components:
- a CGM system
- an insulin delivery system
- a computer program that “closes the loop” by adjusting insulin delivery based on changes in glucose levels
With recent technological advances, the first steps have been taken toward closing the loop. The first pairing of a CGM system with an insulin pump—the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System—is not an artificial pancreas, but it does represent the first step in joining glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems using the most advanced technology available.
_________________________________________________________________________
Points to Remember
- Glucose monitoring helps people with diabetes manage the disease and avoid its associated problems.
- The most common way to check glucose levels involves pricking a fingertip to obtain a blood sample and using a glucose meter to measure the glucose level in the sample.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems use a tiny sensor inserted under the skin to check glucose levels in tissue fluid. A transmitter sends glucose measurements to a wireless monitor.
- An artificial pancreas based on mechanical devices will consist of a CGM system, an insulin delivery system, and a computer program to adjust insulin delivery based on changes in glucose levels.
_________________________________________________________________________
Hope through Research
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have encouraged and supported research that has helped researchers explore and develop improved glucose sensing technologies. NIDDK support was instrumental in the development of two CGM devices. One device is on the market and the other is under review by the FDA. Research supported by the NIDDK and NIH is contributing to the development of an artificial pancreas that will combine continuous glucose sensing with insulin delivery in a “closed-loop” system.
Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.
The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
______________________________________________________________________________
For More Information
National Diabetes Education Program
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20814–9692
Phone: 1–888–693–NDEP (6337)
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndep@mail.nih.gov
Internet: www.ndep.nih.gov
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 1–800–DIABETES (342–2383)
Email: AskADA@diabetes.org
Internet: www.diabetes.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
26 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1–800–533–CURE (2873)
Fax: 212–785–9595
Email: info@jdrf.org
Internet: www.jdrf.org
Source: 
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
Phone: 1–800–860–8747
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
What I Need to Know About Diabetes Medicines
What I need to know about Diabetes Medicines
On this page:
- What do diabetes medicines do?
- What targets are recommended for blood glucose levels?
- What happens to blood glucose levels in people with diabetes?
- Medicines for My Diabetes
- Types of Diabetes Medicines
- What do I need to know about side effects of medicines?
- For More Information
- Acknowledgments
Inserts:
- Insert A: My Diabetes Medicines
- Insert B: Questions to Ask about Your Diabetes Medicines
- Insert C: Types of Insulin
- Insert D: Glyset and Precose (Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors)
- Insert E: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, and Riomet (Biguanides)
- Insert F: Starlix (D-Phenylalanine Derivative)
- Insert G: Januvia (DPP-4 Inhibitor)
- Insert H: Prandin (Meglitinide)
- Insert I: Amaryl, DiaBeta, Diabinese, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, Glynase PresTab, Micronase, tolazamide, and tolbutamide (Sulfonylureas)
- Insert J: Actos and Avandia (Thiazolidinediones)
- Insert K: Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Avandaryl, Duetact, Glucovance, Janumet, and Metaglip (Combination Diabetes Pills)
- Insert L: Symlin (Amylin Mimetic)
- Insert M: Byetta (Incretin Mimetic)
- Insert N: About Low Blood Glucose
What do diabetes medicines do?
Over time, high levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can cause health problems. These problems include heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, nerve damage, digestive problems, eye disease, and tooth and gum problems. You can help prevent health problems by keeping your blood glucose levels on target.
Everyone with diabetes needs to choose foods wisely and be physically active. If you can’t reach your target blood glucose levels with wise food choices and physical activity, you may need diabetes medicines. The kind of medicine you take depends on your type of diabetes, your schedule, and your other health conditions.
You may need diabetes medicines to reach your blood glucose targets.
Diabetes medicines help keep your blood glucose in your target range. The target range is suggested by diabetes experts and your doctor or diabetes educator. See below for more information about target levels for good health.
What targets are recommended for blood glucose levels?
The National Diabetes Education Program uses blood glucose targets set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for most people with diabetes. To learn your daily blood glucose numbers, you’ll check your blood glucose levels on your own using a blood glucose meter.
Target blood glucose levels for most people with diabetes
My targets:
Before meals:
70 to 130 mg/dL*
1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal:
Less than 180 mg/dL
* Milligrams per deciliter.
Also, you should ask your doctor for a blood test called the A1C at least twice a year. The A1C will give you your average blood glucose for the past 3 months.
Target A1C result for people with diabetes
My targets:
Less than 7 percent
Your personal A1C goal might be higher or lower than 7 percent. Keeping your A1C as close to normal as possible—below 6 percent without having frequent low blood glucose—can help prevent long-term diabetes problems. Doctors might recommend other goals for very young children, older people, people with other health problems, or those who often have low blood glucose.
Talk with your doctor or diabetes educator about whether the target blood glucose levels and A1C result listed in the charts above are best for you. Write your own target levels in the charts. Both ways of checking your blood glucose levels are important.
If your blood glucose levels are not on target, you might need a change in how you take care of your diabetes. The results of your A1C test and your daily blood glucose checks can help you and your doctor make decisions about:
- what you eat
- when you eat
- how much you eat
- what kind of exercise you do
- how much exercise you do
- the type of diabetes medicines you take
- the amount of diabetes medicines you take
What happens to blood glucose levels in people with diabetes?
Blood glucose levels go up and down throughout the day and night in people with diabetes. High blood glucose levels over time can result in heart disease and other health problems. Low blood glucose levels can make you feel shaky or pass out. But you can learn how to make sure your blood glucose levels stay on target—not too high and not too low.
What makes blood glucose levels go too high?
Your blood glucose levels can go too high if:
- you eat more than usual
- you’re not physically active
- you’re not taking enough diabetes medicine
- you’re sick or under stress
- you exercise when your blood glucose level is already high
Some diabetes medicines can also lower your blood glucose too much. Ask your doctor whether your diabetes medicines can cause low blood glucose. SeeInsert N for information about low blood glucose.
The results of your blood glucose checks can help you make decisions about your diabetes medicines, food choices, and physical activity.
Medicines for My Diabetes
Ask your doctor what type of diabetes you have and write down your answer.
I have:
- type 1 diabetes
- type 2 diabetes
- gestational diabetes
- another type of diabetes: ____________________
Medicines for Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, once called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first found in children, teenagers, or young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin because your body no longer makes it. You also might need to take other types of diabetes medicines that work with insulin.
Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, once called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It can start when the body doesn’t use insulin as it should, a condition called insulin resistance. If the body can’t keep up with the need for insulin, you may need diabetes medicines. Many choices are available. Your doctor might prescribe two or more medicines. The ADA recommends that most people start with metformin, a kind of diabetes pill.
Medicines for Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs for the first time during pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin can cause gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes control it with meal planning and physical activity. But some women need insulin to reach their target blood glucose levels.
Medicines for Other Types of Diabetes
If you have one of the rare forms of diabetes, such as diabetes caused by other medicines or monogenic diabetes, talk with your doctor about what kind of diabetes medicine would be best for you.
Types of Diabetes Medicines
Diabetes medicines come in several forms.
Insulin
If your body no longer makes enough insulin, you’ll need to take it. Insulin is used for all types of diabetes. Your doctor can help you decide which way of taking insulin is best for you.
- Taking injections. You’ll give yourself shots using a needle and syringe. The syringe is a hollow tube with a plunger. You will put your dose of insulin into the tube. Some people use an insulin pen, which looks like a pen but has a needle for its point.
- Using an insulin pump. An insulin pump is a small machine about the size of a cell phone, worn outside of your body on a belt or in a pocket or pouch. The pump connects to a small plastic tube and a very small needle. The needle is inserted under the skin and stays in for several days. Insulin is pumped from the machine through the tube into your body.
- Using an insulin jet injector. The jet injector, which looks like a large pen, sends a fine spray of insulin through the skin with high-pressure air instead of a needle.
If your body no longer makes enough insulin, you’ll need to take it.
What does insulin do?
Insulin helps keep blood glucose levels on target by moving glucose from the blood into your body’s cells. Your cells then use glucose for energy. In people who don’t have diabetes, the body makes the right amount of insulin on its own. But when you have diabetes, you and your doctor must decide how much insulin you need throughout the day and night.
What are the possible side effects of insulin?
Possible side effects include:
- low blood glucose (for more information, see Insert N)
- weight gain
How and when should I take my insulin?
Your plan for taking insulin will depend on your daily routine and your type of insulin. Some people with diabetes who use insulin need to take it two, three, or four times a day to reach their blood glucose targets. Others can take a single shot. Your doctor or diabetes educator will help you learn how and when to give yourself insulin.
Types of Insulin
Each type of insulin works at a different speed. For example, rapid-acting insulin starts to work right after you take it. Long-acting insulin works for many hours. Most people need two or more types of insulin to reach their blood glucose targets.
Look at the list of types of insulin on Insert C. Check off the names of the kinds of insulin you take. Then print and write the names of your insulins under My Insulins in the chart on Insert A.
Diabetes Pills
Along with meal planning and physical activity, diabetes pills help people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes keep their blood glucose levels on target. Several kinds of pills are available. Each works in a different way. Many people take two or three kinds of pills. Some people take combination pills. Combination pills contain two kinds of diabetes medicine in one tablet. Some people take pills and insulin.
Diabetes pills help people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes keep their blood glucose levels on target.
Your doctor may ask you to try one kind of pill. If it doesn’t help you reach your blood glucose targets, your doctor may ask you to:
- take more of the same pill
- add another kind of pill
- change to another type of pill
- start taking insulin
- start taking another injected medicine
If your doctor suggests that you take insulin or another injected medicine, it doesn’t mean your diabetes is getting worse. Instead, it means you need insulin or another type of medicine to reach your blood glucose targets. Everyone is different. What works best for you depends on your usual daily routine, eating habits, and activities, and your other health conditions.
For information about the different kinds of pills and what they do, see the inserts. You’ll see the brand name and the generic name—the scientific name—for each medicine. Find your diabetes pills and check off the names. Then print and write the names of your diabetes pills under My Pills and Injected Medicines in the chart on Insert A.
Injections Other Than Insulin
In addition to insulin, two other types of injected medicines are now available. Both work with insulin—either the body’s own or injected—to help keep your blood glucose from going too high after you eat. Neither is a substitute for insulin.
See the cards in the pocket of this booklet for more information about these injected medicines. Check off the kinds you take. Then write the names of your injected medicines under My Pills and Injected Medicines in the chart on Insert A.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your diabetes medicines. Do not stop taking your diabetes medicines without checking with your doctor first. See Insert B for a list of questions to ask your doctor about your medicines.
What do I need to know about side effects of medicines?
A side effect is an unwanted problem caused by a medicine. For example, some diabetes medicines can cause nausea or an upset stomach when you first start taking them. Before you start a new medicine, ask your doctor about possible side effects and how you can avoid them. If the side effects of your medicine bother you, tell your doctor.
For More Information
To find diabetes educators—nurses, dietitians, and other health professionals—near you, call the American Association of Diabetes Educators toll-free at 1–800–TEAMUP4 (1–800–832–6874). Or go to www.diabeteseducator.org and see the “Find a Diabetes Educator” section.
For additional information about diabetes, contact
American Diabetes Association
National Service Center
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311–1742
Phone: 1–800–DIABETES (1–800–342–2383)
Fax: 703–549–6995
Email: AskADA@diabetes.org
Internet: www.diabetes.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
26 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1–800–533–CURE (1–800–533–2873)
Fax: 212–785–9595
Email: info@jdrf.org
Internet: www.jdrf.org
National Diabetes Education Program
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20814–9692
Phone: 1–888–693–NDEP (1–888–693–6337)
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndep@mail.nih.gov
Internet: www.ndep.nih.gov
This publication may contain information about medications. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information.
Acknowledgments
Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This booklet was reviewed by Stuart T. Haines, Pharm.D., University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore.
The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
Source
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
Phone: 1–800–860–8747
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1978, the Clearinghouse provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about diabetes.
This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
NIH Publication No. 11–4222
October 2010
Insulin Pump Therapy
Dr. Steven Edelman discusses how insulin pump therapy works, who can benefit from using an insulin pump, and common concerns people have before starting.
Source: UCtelevision on YouTube
Sample Diabetes Diet Menu
By Denchi Minh
When a person is diabetic they are advised to go to a licensed dietician in order to provide them with a diabetes diet menu.
The diabetes diet menu is a specialized kind of diet that aims to help a diabetic lose weight and reduce their blood sugar levels. A reduction 500 calories in a daily basis can result to a pound of weight lost in a week’s time.
The diabetes diet menu gives you an option in choosing the meal that would complement the required calories you need each day. Each menu that is given by the dietician provides calories in such a manner than 50 percent are for calories, 20 percent are from proteins and 30 percent coming from fats.
Each meal is complimented by a snack so you wouldn’t have to go hungry at all. These meals are to be complemented by exercise in order for you to achieve the goal you need, which is of course reducing your weight.
Below is a sample diabetic diet menu that covers for an entire day.
• Breakfast sample menu
o 2 4½-in waffles laced with 2 tsp margarine
o 4 Tbsp. light syrup
o 1 cup yogurt
o ¾ cup blackberries
o A cup of Coffee or tea
• Lunch sample menu
o 1 cup chili with beans
o 12 crackers
o ½ cup broccoli or ½ cup cauliflower
o 1 apple
o A diet soda
• Dinner sample menu
o 4 oz. hamburger in a 1 hamburger bun. It is laced with 1 tablespoon ketchup, 2 lettuce leaves and 2 tomato slices
o 1 cup of celery sticks
o 1 cup of watermelon
o 2 tablespoon of peanut butter for the sticks
o Skim milk
Diabetics are required to lose weight in order for their body to improve its tolerance to insulin. Insulin is used by the body in order to effectively convert sugar into energy. The body cannot properly transpose sugar into energy because of the high levels of fats in the system.
The body becomes tolerant to the insulin it secretes and by then the body cannot effectively use the glucose in the blood. When this happens the body needs to inject higher dosage of insulin in order to counter act the amount of glucose in the blood.
We should take note that a diabetes diet menu doesn’t mean they will have to stop eating sweets or their favorite dishes. The diabetic only needs to reduce them in a minimal level.
For more diabetes diet menu information, visit Diabetes Diet Menu Guide and Start Reversing the Effects of Diabetes though a proper diet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denchi_Minh
Diabetes and Pregnancy
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Diabetes and Pregnancy
Diabetes is often diagnosed in women during their childbearing years and can affect the health of both the mother and her unborn child. Poor control of diabetes during pregnancy increases the chances for birth defects and other problems for the baby. It can cause serious complications for the woman, also. Proper healthcare before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects and other poor outcomes.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot use the sugars and starches (carbohydrates) it takes in as food to make energy. The body either makes no insulin or too little insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes to change those sugars and starches into energy. As a result, extra sugar builds up in the blood.
The three most common types of diabetes are:
Type 1
The pancreas makes no insulin or so little insulin that the body can’t use blood sugar for energy. Type 1 diabetes must be controlled with daily insulin.
Learn more about type 1 diabetes and pregnancy here:
Type 2
The body either makes too little insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes to use blood sugar for energy. Sometimes type 2 diabetes can be controlled through eating a proper diet and exercising regularly. Many people with type 2 diabetes have to take diabetes pills, insulin, or both.
Learn more about type 2 diabetes and pregnancy here:
Gestational
This is a type of diabetes that is first seen in a pregnant woman who did not have diabetes before she was pregnant. Often gestational diabetes can be controlled through eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Sometimes a woman with gestational diabetes must also take insulin.
For most women with gestational diabetes, the diabetes goes away soon after delivery. When it does not go away, the diabetes is called type 2 diabetes. Even if the diabetes does go away after the baby is born, half of all women who had gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later. It’s important for a woman who has had gestational diabetes to continue to exercise and eat a healthy diet after pregnancy to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes. She should also remind her doctor to check her blood sugar every 1 to 3 years.
Learn more about gestational diabetes and pregnancy here:
Related Pages
- Diabetes
- Before Pregnancy
- Healthy Pregnancy
- Birth Defects
- CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
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Contact Us:
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1600 Clifton Road
MS E-87
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
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TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
- Content source: Division of Birth Defects, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day – cdcinfo@cdc.gov
The Diabetes Epidemic Among African Americans
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES?
Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) results when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes – increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue – usually develop over a short period of time. If type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed and treated, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults.
Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset diabetes) occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 but is becoming more prevalent in younger age groups – including children and adolescents. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes – feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds – may develop gradually and may not be as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults.
A person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they:
o have a family history of diabetes
o are a member of an ethnic group like African Americans
o are overweight or obese
o are 45 year old or older
o had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
o have pre-diabetes (glucose levels are elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes)
o have high blood pressure
o have abnormal cholesterol (lipid) levels
o are not getting enough physical activity
o have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
o have blood vessel problems affecting the heart, brain or legs
* have dark, thick and velvety patches of skin around the neck and armpits (This is
called acanthosis nigricans.)
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 35 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes, mostly type 2, in the next 10 to 20 years.
HOW MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE DIAGNOSED AND UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES?
4.9 million; 18.7 percent of all non-Hispanic blacks ages twenty and older have diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes
12.6 percent had diagnosed diabetes according to age adjusted 2004-2006 national survey data
WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes – about two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
The risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
About 67 percent of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure.
Smoking doubles the risk for heart disease in people with diabetes.
WHAT CAN AFRICAN AMERICANS DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE OR STROKE AND OTHER DIABETES COMPLICATIONS?
Diabetes is a self-managed disease. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. The chances of having diabetes complications can be reduced or delayed significantly by keeping blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (called the ABCs of Diabetes) in the target range.
The National Diabetes Education Program recommends the following targets for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke for most people with diabetes:
A1C (Blood Glucose) Less than 7 percent **
(check at least twice a year)
Blood Pressure Less than 130/80 mmHg
(check every doctor’s visit)
Cholesterol (LDL) Less than 100 mg/dl
(check once a year)
**Targets should be individualized – less stringent targets may be advised with severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, other medical conditions, or longstanding diabetes.
People with diabetes can manage their disease by eating healthy foods, being physically active, taking diabetes medicine as prescribed and testing blood glucose levels.
Community education and support programs can help people with diabetes and their families to manage their diabetes.
CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE PREVENTED?
YES! The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an important trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and the DPPOS, the 10 year follow up study to the DPP, showed that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in overweight adults with pre-diabetes, including African Americans. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those listed for type 2 diabetes.
To prevent diabetes, the people who participated in the DPP study:
Lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds).
Were physically active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Most participants chose brisk walking.
Made healthier food choices and limited the amount of calories and fat in their diet.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes, call 1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337) or visit the National Diabetes Education Program website at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
Source: Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.
Updated January 2011
Why You Should Be Using Cinnamon As A Natural Remedy
Posted October 24, 2009
By Keith Henry
Keith Henry is the Director of Phase 3 ministries Inc. He is a medical missionary herbalist and Naturopathic Doctor Candidate. Grab his amazing free report “Emergency Herbal Medicine” at http://www.phase 3 Ministries.com
Cinnamon the botanical name being Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, is a small, bushy green tree. The dried leaves and/or dried bark of this tree form a constituent of many spice mixtures and medicines. Both add to the taste and flavor of food in addition to its medicinal value.
Cinnamon is purported to be a natural insulin sensitizer without any known adverse events. Both in vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that cinnamon is an insulin sensitizer.
Studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood glucose, making it particularly advantageous for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Studies also indicate that merely 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
In other studies, cinnamon has revealed an astounding ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. Cinnamon had an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given one-half a teaspoonful of cinnamon powder mixed with one tablespoonful of honey each morning prior to breakfast had considerable relief in arthritis pain after just one week and could walk with no pain at all after a month’s time.
When added to food, Cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and development as well as food spoilage,
hereby making it a natural food preservative.
An additional study determined that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function as well as memory. Moreover, researchers at Kansas State University discovered that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in juices that are unpasteurized. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
Cinnamon has also been used in “brain tonics” to improve memory. Additionally, it is considered useful for anxiety, depression and mental tension. Cinnamon is also regarded as a very effective remedy for irritating cough, common cold, allergic rhinitis, and acute and chronic sinusitis.
Gynecologists that practice Ayurvedic medicine recommend cinnamon in menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menses) and there have been medical trials that have supported this recommendation.
Women suffering from the condition known as menorrhagia are usually treated by the use of birth control pills in conventional medication. The failure to control the excessive monthly bleeding by use of contraceptive pills when it occurs is replaced with another so called “cure”.
The woman may sometimes be offered the unhappy choice of undergoing a hysterectomy in such cases-this being the second so called cure of conventional medication. So Cinnamon is at least a viable option.
So cinnamon can be a very potent natural “medicine” that lends help in digestive, respiratory and gynecological problems. Thus when used correctly the benefits just might be above what you expected.
Source: Keith Henry
Caffeine Causes Glucose Level Spikes in Type 2 Diabetes
By Brenda Skidmore
Brenda Skidmore has spent the five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. It is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit http://www.mywater4life.com
Did you know that nearly 18 million Americans have been diagnosed as having diabetes, and this figure continues to rise? Of those diagnosed, 95 percent have adult-onset (or Type 2) diabetes, and only about half of them are even aware that they have the disorder. Adult-onset diabetes used to be a rare occurrence, developing in an individual around the mid-forties. Now, however, it is becoming increasingly more common at younger ages, and even among children.
Although there have been some research studies that have shown how caffeine (from coffee consumption) can stabilize insulin levels in Type 2 diabetes, a recent study conducted at Duke University, headed by James D. Lane, PHD. shows quite the opposite effect. This small study focused only on 14 individuals who had Type 2 diabetes, which is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. The results revealed that when caffeine was ingested together with meals it caused their blood glucose levels to spike wildly, and insulin levels swung out of control.
What is interesting about this study is, that the effects of caffeine on blood sugar levels is not new, or breakthrough scientific news. This has been known for decades, and a commonly learned concept by most first year biochemistry medical school students.
When a Type 2 diabetic ingests caffeine from coffee, or any other caffeinated product, it almost always produces an elevation in their glucose levels, throughout the day, by about 8 percent. Researchers think that caffeine interferes with the glucose transporting process in moving glucose out of the bloodstream and into body cells and muscle tissue where it is burned for fuel.
Caffeine consumption also triggers the release of the hormone and brain neurotransmitter, adrenaline, which raises blood sugar levels. When caffeine is consumed in combination with refined sugars such as white sugar and artificial dairy creamers that many people put in their morning coffee, it will intensify the effects on blood sugar levels. Long-term use of the two can lead to hypoglycemia. Caffeine plus refined sugars, or sugar substitutes, can be a deadly combination for anyone with diabetes, no matter which type.
It would seem to go without saying that a diabetic would would be well-advised to avoid this combination for life, or plan to be fighting their daily control of their insulin levels. Consider this as well, daily and heavy caffeine consumption reduces insulin sensitivity-the effects of which can last up to 12 hours after last ingesting a source of caffeine.
Dehydration is a common effect of drinking too much caffeine. Although you may think you are getting plenty of water in these type of drinks, caffeine, however, works against your body in two ways, it dehydrates body cells, by increasing urination. And, dehydration inhibits insulin secretion in the pancreas.
According to Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., author of “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water”, when adequate water level amounts are denied to the pancreas, by you not drinking enough, the body will adapt by clinging to what water reserves it has left to act upon the most important function it must perform at the time. Digestion of a meal you just ate by breaking it down and neutralizing acid in the intestines comes before proper insulin secretion.
Dr. B explains,in chapter 10, page 125, “As it happens, when insulin secretion is inhibited, except for the brain, the metabolism of the body is severely disrupted. In a dehydrated state, the brain benefits from insulin inhibition. The brain cell itself is not dependent on insulin for its functions. The cells in most other parts of the body are totally dependent on the properties of insulin for their normal function. If we think about it, there is a natural logic to the ultimate production of insulin-independent diabetes in severe chronic dehydration. Why is it called insulin-independent diabetes? Because the Body can still manufacture insulin, although it takes the influence of some chemical agents to promote its secretion.”
“This phenomenon of insulin inhibition with dehydration shows that the primary function of the pancreatic gland is directed at the provision of water for food digestion. The insulin inhibition is an adaption process of the gland to the dehydration of the body.”
Although controlling Type 2 diabetes is, clearly, more complicated than just reducing, or eliminating, one’s caffeine intake, further reading and investigation of this chapter in this book will open some eyes, also, into the important role amino acids play in this disease as well. Diabetes seems, to me at least, to be a disease brought on by the over eating of processed food, the wrong type of fats, and drinking the wrong type of fluids. It’s more than just genetics. A, highly, controllable condition when one maintains the eating of a proper diet.
Source: Brenda Skidmore
How Diabetic Cooking Can Save A Person’s Life
By Sean Tan
Sean is a health freak who also loves to write on topics pertaining to health. He has currently written a flurry of diabetes mellitus self-help articles including articles on Diabetic Cooking. You can read more articles from him at:http://www.diabetic-cooking.org
When people are diagnosed with diabetes, the first thing that comes to their mind is the severe restriction that they will have to face in their food. They may have to give up on most of the things that they like to eat. This becomes a very forbidding proposition. However, this is quite a wrong assumption in reality. Agreed that there will be a lot of restrictions in the diet of diabetic persons, and that they will have to eat certain kinds of food only, but that doesn’t mean it is the end of the food tether for them.
There are two types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 diabetes mellitus (known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, IDDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (known as Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, NIDDM). In the first type, people have a genetic problem that prohibits them from manufacturing insulin naturally in their bodies. It’s not their fault; they haven’t caused any damage to their insulin system. However, the food restrictions remain the same.
In people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the power of insulin to keep blood sugar in control is affected. When this happens in excess, the body insulin can no longer control sugar and needs a supplement from outside for the body to survive. This is when the person will need insulin supplementation. Now, the person needs to monitor what he or she is eating. In many cases, people overload themselves with a lot of inappropriate food, like too many sweets etc. They need to be wary whether the food is contributing to the blood sugar level or increasing the body fat, which can further hamper the proper metabolism of insulin.
That is the cause why food recipes need to be different from normal cooking. Cooking recipes can actually save a patient’s life. This sort of cooking focuses more on fibers and the healthy nutrients and less on the fatty stuff which will accumulate in the body and cause harm. An integral part of this cooking will be to stop oil in the diet as much as possible. In recipe favorite food, healthy and nutritious food definitely scores over palatability.
When starting with a diabetic diet, the first real advice would be to visit your dietician. Depending on your body type, he or she will suggest what the right kind of diabetes food for you will be. There are certain foods like bitter gourd and neem (Azadirachta indica) which can help to bring the blood sugar level down. Though these are not very appealing to eat, you will need to include them in your diet. Your dietician will tell you in what measure you need to take them. You will also have a lot of delicious options in your healthy recipes.
Being with the condition you are, a diabetic diet will give you mental peace. You will have the satisfaction of having started on a healthy way of life. You will be happy you are eating right and actively controlling your health condition. No wonder, doctors handling diabetes believe in the adage ‘control over the palate is the best control over diabetes’.
Source: Sean Tan
Why Do We Need the Glycemic Index?
By Jimmy Woodall
Posted July 16, 2009
Jim Woodall has 49years business exp. is an affiliate marketer. problems with Diabetes? visit his Glycemic website for much helpful info located onsite at http://jwoodl.com/glycemic also get three free ebooks located at http://freegiveaways.jwoodl.com/index.html no obligation
The Glycemic Index is a concept developed in the University of Toronto in 1981. The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to measure the effect carbohydrates have on blood glucose levels. The Glycemic Index is imperative for anyone who needs to monitor their glucose level due to diabetes or hyperglycemia.
With diabetes reaching more than epidemic levels in the United States, the development of the Glycemic Index could not have been introduced at a better time. Each year, more people are diagnosed with this potentially life threatening disease that can cause all sorts of serious complications. It is very important for anyone who has this condition to become familiar with the Glycemic Index so they can empower themselves and learn foods that should be avoided.
Carbohydrates are a diverse group of foods and all break down in different ways in the system. People with diabetes have a difficult time breaking down certain foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, in their system. Digestion is slow and sugars and starches are absorbed into the blood stream, causing an excess in blood glucose.
Diabetics are often warned to limit their carbohydrate intake because it takes a long time for most carbohydrates to digest. However, this is easier said than done and it is not easy, in fact almost impossible, for many diabetics to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet. This is one of the reasons many diabetics are non-compliant in their treatment. Because diabetes does not often cause serious complications at onset, many patients refuse to take their medicine and continue eating foods that are high in sugar and starch.
The Glycemic Index is very helpful because it rates different carbohydrates based upon their effect on the different levels of blood glucose. Those foods that digest rapidly cause the less harm to the system and have a low glycemic index. The carbohydrates that take a longer time to digest have a higher rate as they cause more harm to the blood glucose level.
The Glycemic Index ranges from one to one hundred. A low food in the glycemic index has a rating of below 55. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and some pastas. Foods that fall between the 56 to 69 range are considered “medium” in the Glycemic Index. They include candy bars, croissants and some rices.
Surprisingly, although a candy bar scores in the medium classification of the glycemic index, it is not as harmful as those carbohydrates that score in the high glycemic index range. These include corn flakes, white rice, white bread and baked potato. In other words, it is easier for a diabetic to digest a candy bar than a baked potato.
Knowledge of the glycemic index is imperative for anyone who has diabetes or who has been diagnosed as borderline diabetic. To be able to understand which foods have the most impact on blood glucose levels is crucial for anyone fighting this potentially life-threatening condition.
If you or a loved one suffers from diabetes, you need to get familiar with the Glycemic Index so that you learn about the different categories of carbohydrates and which groups should be avoided. There are many substitutes for carbohydrates that rate high in the Glycemic Index and are available at most grocery stores. While diabetes is currently without a cure, there are many different ways that people with this disease can live long, productive lives.
Source: Jimmy Woodall
How to Use Insulin Pens: video 6:16 min.
Source: postcare.com on YouTube
Uploaded by postcarecom on Nov 8, 2007
http://www.PreOp.com
This program will demonstrate the use of insulin pens.
The goal is to inject the insulin into the subcutaneous tissue between the top layer of the skin, the dermis and the underlying muscle layer.
Insulin pens are devices that can provide an easy way to carry and give insulin when away from home. Also, for people who are not comfortable working with syringes and bottles to draw up and measure individual doses, the pens provide a convenient and accurate alternative.
There are two types of insulin pens: * those that are completely disposable after providing a single dose of insulin * and those that use disposable cartridges to provide multiple doses. * If you use more than one type of insulin, you must use a separate pen for each type. The basic method of use is similar for both pens and there are four main steps to be learned.
An insulin pen has three components. * A base which contains the mechanism for measuring the correct dose. * A holder for the cartridge of insulin * and a cap, which is removed and replaced by the needle prior to the injection.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove the cap, separate the base from the cartridge holder by unscrewing it.
Rewind the base dose regulating mechanism back to zero and put down the base.
Pick up the cartridge holder. Shake out the used cartridge.
Check that the new cartridge contains the correct insulin and insert it, metal end first, into the holder.
Screw the cartridge holder back onto the base. * Keep a record of all your injections and also record when you begin a new cartridge. * Subtract the total insulin used in previous injections from the total of 150 units in each cartridge to be sure you have enough insulin left for the next dose.
Clean the end of the cartridge holder and the projecting cartridge with an alcohol swab.
Remove the seal from the end of the new needle unit. Don’t touch the exposed needle or allow it to touch any other object.
Screw the needle unit onto the end of the cartridge holder.
Pull the outer shield off the needle. Do not throw it away. You will need it later to remove the needle unit from the pen.
Pull the inner shield off the needle and discard it. Hold the pen upright and tap the cartridge holder to enable air bubbles to escape through the needle.
Dial the dose knob so that #1 is in the dose scale window and prime the pen according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Hold the needle upright. Press in the injection button at the end of the unit and check that insulin comes out of the tip of the needle. If no insulin is seen, continue to dial up one unit at a time and press the injection button until insulin is seen. A new cartridge may take 4-6 units before insulin flows.
Dial in your dose of insulin in addition to the units needed to produce the insulin flow. For example, if it took 4 units to start the insulin flow and your insulin dose is 20, the total in the dose scale window will be 24. * Choose and clean the injection site as usual.
Pinch the skin and insert the needle through the skin at a 90Ë? angle. Press the injection button at the end of the needle and wait 5 seconds for the injection to be completed before removing the needle from the skin. * The needle must be removed from the pen immediately after the injection is finished.
Place the outer needle shield that you had saved on the counter top with the opening facing up.
Without holding onto the shield, insert the pen needle carefully into the shield and push down firmly. Grip the shield and unscrew the needle from the pen.
Dispose of the shielded needle into the puncture proof container that you have reserved for your needles. Store all pens that are in use at room temperature.
Diabetes and Your Mood Swings
Can Diabetes Trigger Mood Swings?
Posted June 16, 2009
By Sutiyo Na
People who suffer from diabetes have many challenges to deal with. Diabetes is disease that influences not only the sufferer but also those around him, as well as his relatives and friends. It is an autoimmune disease that spoils insulin-producing cells and can affect everyone not considering gender or age. But is there any relation between diabetes and mood swings? And how can this be controlled?
Knowing diabetes and your emotions Diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Insulin is a substance that occur naturally in the body. It regulates the absorption of sugar by the cells. If the body does not obtain sufficient supply of insulin, sugar that is exist in the system is collected in the urine and the blood. This then leads to abnormal thirst, hunger and frequent urination. The problem here is that these reactions of the body have effect on normal cellular functions.
Someone who has diabetes will frequently experience frequent and strong mood swings. They could, for instance, lose their temper, lash out, become introverted or express positive emotions in a very unusual and chaotic manner. Outbursts among people who have diabetes can also become fairly common. The problem here is that they may not even be aware of these outbursts and may in fact even have no memory of it. When confronted, they could even react with anxiety or guilt.
Occasionally, emotions can be expressed as melancholy, wherein the person suffering from diabetes shows extreme sadness. This indicate strong emotions can be very unpredictable, something that can often surprise and offend family members and close associates.
Mood swings and diabetic men Based on research in 2006 indicated that other than diabetes-associated disorders such as impotence, men also have to contend with mood swings. This is particularly true as the man advances in age, when his levels of testosterone begin to decline. Combined with the rise and fall of blood sugar levels associated in Type 2 diabetes, it would not be uncommon for the person to experience fluctuations in moods as well. Other than that, there is also a propensity for men and women alike to feel anxiety, anger, remorse and guilt as a effect of their condition.
This is particularly true if the type of diabetes they have is adult-onset, one that could have been prevented by changes in their lifestyle. Mood swings in people who suffer from diabetes are also influenced by other factors. Knowing that the disease is something they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives can dampen their spirits, causing them to feel apprehension and depression.
Managing mood swings associated to diabetes It’s a must for diabetics to regularly test their blood sugar levels. The results often hold the first clue as to what may be causing their mood swings. Changes in the diet, along with the proper medications must be maintained to ensure that the person’s health is at its optimum and that any instability in his temperament are controlled. Getting education about the disease is also important so he or she will really understand what to anticipate and what to act.
It might be difficult to cure diabetes but mood swings linked with it don’t have to be difficult to control. With the right care, control of sugar intake, diet, exercise and medication, people who suffer from diabetes can still live a normal, happy life and get success in his career.
Get more related articles on dealing with mood swings, take a look at : http://www.moodswingsadvice.info and resource for diabetes treatment, visit : http://www.diabetes-guide.co.cc
Source: Sutiyo Na
Simple Home Remedies for Diabetes by Penny Harrison
The following article is very informative about home remedies that are available to almost anyone that is interested in a holistic approach to treating diabetes. The author is Penny Harrison.
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You may be surprised to know that aside from prescription medicines, there are also many home remedies for diabetes that are readily available at home or in many local grocery stores.
Before moving further, it would be better if you get a glimpse and broader understanding of diabetes and insulin. Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus is the medical condition characterized by inability of the body to break down sugar resulting excessive sugar (glucose) level in the blood. The condition is marked by lost of energy either due to incapability to produce the hormone insulin or resistance to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that has the ability to lower glucose levels in the blood.
Those who have diabetes experience increased hunger, increased thirst, and increased urination. Serious complications of diabetes may result to heart disease, vision problems, and a lot more. The condition is long-term and in some cases can be life-threatening.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is formerly termed as insulin-dependent diabetes, marked by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Usual onset of this type is during childhood or early adult life; usually treated with insulin injections and dietary changes. Type 2 diabetes is marked by insufficient production of hormone insulin or the insulin available does not function effectively in the body; usual onset is beyond the age 40.
Common Home Remedies for Diabetes
• Did you know that mango leaves can help combat diabetic attacks? It may be surprising but boiling three to four pieces of mango leaves and drinking it in the morning is one of the most recommended home remedies for diabetes. • Bitter gourd is also a beneficial remedy for diabetes. All you have to do is remove the seeds then soak in one cup water. Drain and drink preferably every morning.
• Reducing glucose level in the blood can also be achieved by regular intake of celery, cucumber, string beans, and garlic.
• Green plantain is also one of the well-known home remedies for diabetes. Wash and peel then put the peel in the jar filled with water. Drinking this mixture three to four times a day will be useful in fighting against diabetes.
• Cinnamon is also beneficial in lowering sugar levels in the blood. Add three tablespoons of cinnamon in one liter boiling water; simmer for twenty minutes and strain. Consume one liter of this mixture everyday as a part of your home remedy for diabetes.
Other common Home Remedies:
• Soybeans are very good for diabetes and also very healthy. • Cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes are known to be effective in treating diabetes; you can dice them into a salad and eat daily. You will also get a lot of vitamins by eating the salad which is very good for you. • 20-30 minutes walk everyday will help you treat the problem.
• Add garlic to your daily diet. • Put 4-5 almonds in a cup of water before you go to bed. In the morning get the almond out of the water and eat. • Drink cinnamon tea this will help balance the sugar levels in your body. Since diabetes is a life-long condition, home remedies for diabetes would be useful in managing the condition.
The author is the owner of www.homeremediescure.com. For more information about Home Remedies for Diabetes visit www.homeremediescure.com/treatment/diabetes.aspx.
Source: Penny Harrison
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