Do You Need to Get Diabetes Supplies?
Diabetes is a condition of high glucose level in the body. Diabetic person also experiences excessive urination and persistent thirst. It is a long time illness that has no permanent solution. Yet, there is no need to get depressed. Technological advancements have made life easy for people diagnosed with blood sugar. Regularly testing of blood sugar level can help to keep it low. A healthy diet and fitness regime can keep the diabetic people energetic and help to lead a normal lifestyle.
People having diabetes might be spending much on the diabetes supplies, testing kits, insulin and medicines. Apart from medicines, diabetic people need to eat special diet and frequently test their blood sugar margin. This can be a bit expensive in the long run while suffering from diabetics. A few simple tips can help to reduce the costs involved in handling expenses related to blood sugar problem.
Diabetic people can request their physicians to prescribe generic diabetic medicines for them. These cost less but work as effectively as the branded varietal ones. One could also opt for generic blood sugar testing strips. These could also be bought for lesser price at a retail pharmacy store. There are few drug manufacturing companies that offer patient assistance. Diabetic patients can request their physicians to refer them for the assistance program to avail larger discounts and free samples of diabetic supplies.
Among diabetes supplies, self testing kits are considered most important. These can be carried on camps and trips to monitor the blood sugar in the body anytime and anywhere. These are quite affordable and cost less than $80. Such glucose testing meters can be bought at any pharmacy stores or even ordered online from stores selling supplies for diabetics.
People with blood sugar problems need to take specified insulin dosage in case of higher sugar level in the body. For this purpose, there are different types of devices apart from normal syringes. A diabetic person could choose from pen injectors, jet injectors, insulin pumps or infusers to take a shot of insulin. These supplies to should always kept in stock to avoid complications and to keep the glucose level in control. While jet injectors and pumps cost from $500 to $1000, pen injectors cost less than $100 and can be considered when on budget.
It would also be advisable to check for online stores that deliver diabetes supplies. These websites have all medications related to diabetics. Some online stores also provide great discounts, free of charge delivery and no claim forms. One can call them on the given phone numbers, do a little background check and order for their medications to be conveniently delivered at their doorstep for no additional cost.
Final Tip: by researching and comparing the different => free diabetes supplies companies <= you will get the one that is right for you at little or not cost. Fortunately, we have already done the work for you and listed a company where you can get totally free supplies for diabetics..
Carlos Molina runs the Free Diabetic Testing Supplies website – where you can see his recommendation of the best company to get completely free diabetic supplies. Visit for further information and read her full reviews of the best guides and treatments for diabetics, plus articles and video assistance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carlos_Molina_Codecido
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.
Normal Blood Sugar Level Charts
Source: Uploaded by taulandi on Jan 4, 2010 to YouTube
http://www.all-about-beating-diabetes.com/normal-sugar-blood-level.html
After you notice diabetes symptoms, your next step is to measure your diabetes blood sugar levels. Your doctor will prescribe you HbA1c test.
Vitamin D and Diabetes – Can We Prevent It?
Source: Uploaded by UCtelevision on Feb 26, 2009 to YouTube
Can vitamin D help prevent certain cancers and other diseases such as type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain autoimmune and chronic diseases? To answer these questions and more, UCSD School of Medicine and GrassrootsHealth bring you this innovative series on vitamin D deficiency.
Join nationally recognized experts as they discuss the latest research and its implications. In this program, Frank Garland, PhD, discusses vitamin D and the opportunity for prevention of diabetes.
In Memoriam
Frank C. Garland, PhD.
1950-2010
Source: Uploaded by vitaminDaction on Aug 22, 2010 to YouTube
Better Management Of Diabetes With Diabetesdek
By: Adam s casper
If you have a child or teen that faces problems managing and coping with diabetes the latest edition of the easy to read and informative Pediatric DiabetesDek is now available. It contains useful and up-to-date information about better managing life with diabetes.
The Pediatric DiabetesDek contains reliable and practical how to information about coping with the challenges of living a life affected by type 1 diabetes. The Pediatric DiabetesDek helps families that have a child or teen with type 1 diabetes better understand their special needs. It facilitates standing up to the stress and challenges of such situations.
The Pediatric DiabetesDek contains valuable information that helps family members control the diabetes of their loved one. It is not uncommon for diabetics to suffer from conditions such as ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia. The information available helps you better deal with such potential emergencies.
The Pediatric DiabetesDek provides in-depth information about the various types of diabetes such as type 1, type 2, monogenic, and gestational diabetes. It also tells you how they are connected and why it is important to have all the data possible about such conditions.
You can share correct information with a friend or a family member about the importance of maintaining the right levels of blood glucose and how exercising regularly and eating the right type of food can help them mitigate the risks associated with pediatric diabetes.
The Pediatric DiabetesDek explains in great detail and in lucid language, the various crucial aspects of diabetes management. It describes in detail the role of insulin in diabetes management and other important aspects of using insulin such as an insulin regime, the dosage that needs to be administered for effective treatment as well as the different types of insulin available for treatment of various types of diabetes.
The Pediatric DiabetesDek will also point out some proper foods to eat and the appropriate serving sizes. This useful information will help you help your loved ones manage their weight.
Diabetes is a health condition that requires intense care and proper health management on all fronts. The information provided in the Pediatric DiabetesDek describes how you can provide children and teens with much of the care they need. It helps address crucial issues such as managing depression, and long term health concerns such as stroke and heart related diseases.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Welcome to InfoDek, A Professional pediatric diabetes guide for your family to manage and control diabetes in children and teens. DiabetesDek publications are pocket sized booklets that contains useful advice and information regarding diabetes.
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
Benefits of Goji Berry on Diabetes
by Diabetic Discovery
(submitted 2011-02-27)
Diabetes is a medical condition that affects more than 23 million Americans. Identified by continuous abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood because the body fails to produce sufficient insulin or the body’s cells resist using the insulin produced. This chronic condition has potential life-threatening complications and is believed to have affected humans for centuries. In recent years, many people have turned to alternative medicines and "super-fruits" like Goji berries to treat their conditions.
While there are various forms of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 are generally diagnosed the most. Type 1 diabetes is when cells of the pancreas fail to produce an amount of insulin needed to allow blood glucose to enter cells to produce energy. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the cells resist insulin’s action, resulting in too much glucose in the blood (see resources below).
Goji berries, also called wolfberry, are found in the moderate to sub-tropic regions of Asia, including China, Mongolia, and in the Himalayas of Tibet. The origin of the word goji is believed to come from the simplified Mandarin word for the plant. Similar to other nightshade family plants like tomatoes and chili peppers, wolfberry is a flowering plant that produces a berry that tastes like a cross between a raspberry and a cherry. In southern regions of China, goji berry plants are generally more than 3 feet tall, but in northern China, the plants can grow to more than 9 feet.
While they are closely related and both are in the genus Boxthorn (Lycium), Himalayan goji berries (Lycium barbarum) should not be confused with Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense). The two species of the wolfberry plant (the names have little to do with the geographies of the species), are both rich in antioxidants and are thought to be beneficial in boosting the immune system and promoting longevity.
A perennial that produces flowers with five petals, the goji berry plant produces an oblong, red-orange berry–containing 10 to 60 tiny seeds–that is normally 1 to 2 centimeters long. Ripening in the northern hemisphere usually occurs from mid-summer to mid-fall.
For more than 6,000 years, herbalists and alchemists have used goji berries to make tonics and teas to boost the immune system, protect the liver from damaging toxins and disease, improve circulation (particularly in the legs), increase fertility, and promote longevity.
Studies have shown that goji berries are rich in antioxidants, specifically carotenoids, which are known to protect the retina of the eye and believed to decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration, a disease associated with complications from diabetes. Goji berries have also been found to help increase circulation and are believed to be beneficial in preventing and treating a number of cardiovascular diseases, including angina and coronary heart disease (see resources below). Studies have also shown that goji berries stimulate the nervous system (responsible for all internal organs) and causes relaxation of arterial walls, allowing them to expand and lower blood pressure.
Goji berries have been proclaimed by proponents of alternative medicine as the "super-fruit" that can decrease the risk of developing diabetes, in addition to treating those who already have it. However, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to verify and approve these claims.
Studies also suggest that goji berries (consumed as tea) may hinder anticoagulant metabolism and may react with certain medications. It important to consult with healthcare providers before consuming anything that may have a negative reaction with other medications.
For more information please contact us at http://www.diabeticdiscovery.com.
About the Author
The Health & Wellness Experts www.diabeticdiscovery.com
Source: GoArticles.com © 2011, All Rights Reserved.
When Your Child is Diagnosed with Diabetes: PARENT’s QUESTIONS
NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 200 public and private organizations.
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When Your Child Is Diagnosed with DIABETES: PARENTS’ QUESTIONS for the Health Care Team
Parents of children with diabetes often have concerns about the disease, its impact on their family, and how to keep their children safe and healthy. Use these questions to talk with your child’s health care team and learn about your child’s diabetes care needs… at diagnosis and later on as well.
What are the different types of diabetes?
- Which type of diabetes does our child have?
- Will it ever go away?
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
What does this mean for other members of our family?
- Does it mean our other children will get diabetes too?
- What about other family members?
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
What are my child’s treatment goals?
- How can we help our child meet these goals?
- How often will our child need to visit you each year?
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
(See Treatment Goals and Family Support)4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life
NDEP Teen page
(See Tip Sheets for Kids with Type 2 Diabetes)
What other health care team members can help care for our child’s diabetes?
- How do we contact them?
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents (See Visiting the Health Care Team)
How can we work together as a family to help our child?
- How can we help our child check blood glucose, take insulin, eat healthy foods, be more active, and learn about diabetes?
- Who can help us work together as a family?
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents (See Helping Children Manage Diabetes)
What emotional issues might our child and family face?
- Will diabetes affect the way our child behaves?
- When do we start letting our child manage his/her own diabetes care?
- Who can help us cope with these issues?
Tips for Teens with type 2 Diabetes: Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Diabetes
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents (See Transition to Independence )
Learn about age-related issues and diabetes on the American Diabetes Association website
Learn about reactions to being diagnosed with diabetes on the American Diabetes Association website
Should we tell friends and family about our child’s diabetes?
Who can help us if we don’t have medical insurance?
Insure Kids Now! A national initiative to linking families to low-cost insurance programs
What resources are there to help our child in school?
Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents (See Diabetes at School)
What research is going on?
Three large nation-wide studies are under way.
The TODAY study wants to find the best ways to care for type 2 diabetes in children and teens and has begun in 13 medical sites. To find out if you can join go to www.TODAYstudy.org.
Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet is a group of studies looking at ways to prevent or to treat type 1 diabetes early. To find out if you can join go to www.diabetestrialnet.org/public.html or call1- 800- HALT- DM1(1-800-425-8361).
The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study will help us learn about how type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ, what medical problems arise, the health care children receive, and how diabetes shapes their daily lives. www.searchfordiabetes.org
A lot of other research is going on. To find studies in your area, talk to your health care team and visit the JDRF and ADA (links below).
Additional Resources for Parents and Children
National Diabetes Education Program
www.ndep.nih.gov or call 1-800-438-5383
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF)
www.jdrf.org or call 1-800-223-1138
Children with Diabetes
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
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For more information, contact The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): NIDDKinquiries@nih.gov
Source: Proper nutrition is on all of our minds, but how do we make smart choices in today’s world of savvy marketing? Join us for this eye-opening lecture from one of the leading author’s on how the food industry influences our nutrition and health. Marion Nestle, Ph.D., is an author and professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University. Series: “UCSD Moores Cancer Center Presents” Source: UCtelevision on YouTube About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathies also appear to be more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, as well as those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure and those who are overweight. The causes are probably different for different types of diabetic neuropathy. Researchers are studying how prolonged exposure to high blood glucose causes nerve damage. Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors: Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms at all. For others, the first symptom is often numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet. Symptoms are often minor at first, and because most nerve damage occurs over several years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Symptoms can involve the sensory, motor, and autonomic—or involuntary—nervous systems. In some people, mainly those with focal neuropathy, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe. Symptoms of nerve damage may include: Symptoms that are not due to neuropathy, but often accompany it, include weight loss and depression. Diabetic neuropathy can be classified as peripheral, autonomic, proximal, or focal. Each affects different parts of the body in various ways. Peripheral neuropathy affects: Autonomic neuropathy affects: Proximal neuropathy affects: Focal neuropathy affects: Peripheral neuropathy, also called distal symmetric neuropathy or sensorimotor neuropathy, is nerve damage in the arms and legs. Your feet and legs are likely to be affected before your hands and arms. Many people with diabetes have signs of neuropathy that a doctor could note but feel no symptoms themselves. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include: These symptoms are often worse at night. Peripheral neuropathy may also cause muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, especially at the ankle, leading to changes in the way a person walks. Foot deformities, such as hammertoes and the collapse of the midfoot, may occur. Blisters and sores may appear on numb areas of the foot because pressure or injury goes unnoticed. If foot injuries are not treated promptly, the infection may spread to the bone, and the foot may then have to be amputated. Some experts estimate that half of all such amputations are preventable if minor problems are caught and treated in time. Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control the heart, regulate blood pressure, and control blood glucose levels. Autonomic neuropathy also affects other internal organs, causing problems with digestion, respiratory function, urination, sexual response, and vision. In addition, the system that restores blood glucose levels to normal after a hypoglycemic episode may be affected, resulting in loss of the warning symptoms of hypoglycemia. Normally, symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, and palpitations occur when blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL. In people with autonomic neuropathy, symptoms may not occur, making hypoglycemia difficult to recognize. Problems other than neuropathy can also cause hypoglycemia unawareness. For more information about hypoglycemia, see the fact sheet Hypoglycemia at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia. The heart and blood vessels are part of the cardiovascular system, which controls blood circulation. Damage to nerves in the cardiovascular system interferes with the body’s ability to adjust blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, blood pressure may drop sharply after sitting or standing, causing a person to feel light-headed or even to faint. Damage to the nerves that control heart rate can mean that your heart rate stays high, instead of rising and falling in response to normal body functions and physical activity. Nerve damage to the digestive system most commonly causes constipation. Damage can also cause the stomach to empty too slowly, a condition called gastroparesis. Severe gastroparesis can lead to persistent nausea and vomiting, bloating, and loss of appetite. Gastroparesis can also make blood glucose levels fluctuate widely, due to abnormal food digestion. For more information, see the fact sheet Gastroparesis at www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gastroparesis. Nerve damage to the esophagus may make swallowing difficult, while nerve damage to the bowels can cause constipation alternating with frequent, uncontrolled diarrhea, especially at night. Problems with the digestive system can lead to weight loss. Autonomic neuropathy often affects the organs that control urination and sexual function. Nerve damage can prevent the bladder from emptying completely, allowing bacteria to grow in the bladder and kidneys and causing urinary tract infections. When the nerves of the bladder are damaged, urinary incontinence may result because a person may not be able to sense when the bladder is full or control the muscles that release urine. Autonomic neuropathy can also gradually decrease sexual response in men and women, although the sex drive may be unchanged. A man may be unable to have erections or may reach sexual climax without ejaculating normally. A woman may have difficulty with arousal, lubrication, or orgasm. For more information, see the fact sheets Nerve Disease and Bladder Control and Sexual and Urologic Problems of Diabetes at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov. Autonomic neuropathy can affect the nerves that control sweating. When nerve damage prevents the sweat glands from working properly, the body cannot regulate its temperature as it should. Nerve damage can also cause profuse sweating at night or while eating. Finally, autonomic neuropathy can affect the pupils of the eyes, making them less responsive to changes in light. As a result, a person may not be able to see well when a light is turned on in a dark room or may have trouble driving at night. Proximal neuropathy, sometimes called lumbosacral plexus neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, or diabetic amyotrophy, starts with pain in the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs, usually on one side of the body. This type of neuropathy is more common in those with type 2 diabetes and in older adults with diabetes. Proximal neuropathy causes weakness in the legs and the inability to go from a sitting to a standing position without help. Treatment for weakness or pain is usually needed. The length of the recovery period varies, depending on the type of nerve damage. Focal neuropathy appears suddenly and affects specific nerves, most often in the head, torso, or leg. Focal neuropathy may cause: Focal neuropathy is painful and unpredictable and occurs most often in older adults with diabetes. However, it tends to improve by itself over weeks or months and does not cause long-term damage. People with diabetes also tend to develop nerve compressions, also called entrapment syndromes. One of the most common is carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling of the hand and sometimes muscle weakness or pain. Other nerves susceptible to entrapment may cause pain on the outside of the shin or the inside of the foot. The best way to prevent neuropathy is to keep your blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible. Maintaining safe blood glucose levels protects nerves throughout your body. For additional information about preventing diabetes complications, including neuropathy, see the Prevent Diabetes Problems Series at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications. Doctors diagnose neuropathy on the basis of symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor may check blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensitivity to position changes, vibration, temperature, or light touch. Experts recommend that people with diabetes have a comprehensive foot exam each year to check for peripheral neuropathy. People diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy need more frequent foot exams. A comprehensive foot exam assesses the skin, muscles, bones, circulation, and sensation of the feet. Your doctor may assess protective sensation or feeling in your feet by touching your foot with a nylon monofilament—similar to a bristle on a hairbrush—attached to a wand or by pricking your foot with a pin. People who cannot sense pressure from a pinprick or monofilament have lost protective sensation and are at risk for developing foot sores that may not heal properly. The doctor may also check temperature perception or use a tuning fork, which is more sensitive than touch pressure, to assess vibration perception. The doctor may perform other tests as part of your diagnosis. The first treatment step is to bring blood glucose levels within the normal range to help prevent further nerve damage. Blood glucose monitoring, meal planning, physical activity, and diabetes medicines or insulin will help control blood glucose levels. Symptoms may get worse when blood glucose is first brought under control, but over time, maintaining lower blood glucose levels helps lessen symptoms. Good blood glucose control may also help prevent or delay the onset of further problems. As scientists learn more about the underlying causes of neuropathy, new treatments may become available to help slow, prevent, or even reverse nerve damage. As described in the following sections, additional treatment depends on the type of nerve problem and symptom. If you have problems with your feet, your doctor may refer you to a foot care specialist. Doctors usually treat painful diabetic neuropathy with oral medications, although other types of treatments may help some people. People with severe nerve pain may benefit from a combination of medications or treatments. Talk with your health care provider about options for treating your neuropathy. Medications used to help relieve diabetic nerve pain include: Duloxetine and pregabalin are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. You do not have to be depressed for an antidepressant to help relieve your nerve pain. All medications have side effects, and some are not recommended for use in older adults or those with heart disease. Because over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may not work well for treating most nerve pain and can have serious side effects, some experts recommend avoiding these medications. Treatments that are applied to the skin—typically to the feet—include capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches (Lidoderm, Lidopain). Studies suggest that nitrate sprays or patches for the feet may relieve pain. Studies of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, and evening primrose oil have shown that they can help relieve symptoms and may improve nerve function. A device called a bed cradle can keep sheets and blankets from touching sensitive feet and legs. Acupuncture, biofeedback, or physical therapy may help relieve pain in some people. Treatments that involve electrical nerve stimulation, magnetic therapy, and laser or light therapy may be helpful but need further study. Researchers are also studying several new therapies in clinical trials. To relieve mild symptoms of gastroparesis—indigestion, belching, nausea, or vomiting—doctors suggest eating small, frequent meals; avoiding fats; and eating less fiber. When symptoms are severe, doctors may prescribe erythromycin to speed digestion, metoclopramide to speed digestion and help relieve nausea, or other medications to help regulate digestion or reduce stomach acid secretion. To relieve diarrhea or other bowel problems, doctors may prescribe an antibiotic such as tetracycline, or other medications as appropriate. Sitting or standing slowly may help prevent the light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting associated with blood pressure and circulation problems. Raising the head of the bed or wearing elastic stockings may also help. Some people benefit from increased salt in the diet and treatment with salt-retaining hormones. Others benefit from high blood pressure medications. Physical therapy can help when muscle weakness or loss of coordination is a problem. To clear up a urinary tract infection, the doctor will probably prescribe an antibiotic. Drinking plenty of fluids will help prevent another infection. People who have incontinence should try to urinate at regular intervals—every 3 hours, for example—since they may not be able to tell when the bladder is full. To treat erectile dysfunction in men, the doctor will first do tests to rule out a hormonal cause. Several methods are available to treat erectile dysfunction caused by neuropathy. Medicines are available to help men have and maintain erections by increasing blood flow to the penis. Some are oral medications and others are injected into the penis or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. Mechanical vacuum devices can also increase blood flow to the penis. Another option is to surgically implant an inflatable or semirigid device in the penis. Vaginal lubricants may be useful for women when neuropathy causes vaginal dryness. To treat problems with arousal and orgasm, the doctor may refer women to a gynecologist. People with neuropathy need to take special care of their feet. The nerves to the feet are the longest in the body and are the ones most often affected by neuropathy. Loss of sensation in the feet means that sores or injuries may not be noticed and may become ulcerated or infected. Circulation problems also increase the risk of foot ulcers. More than half of all lower-limb amputations in the United States occur in people with diabetes—86,000 amputations per year. Doctors estimate that nearly half of the amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could have been prevented by careful foot care. Follow these steps to take care of your feet: For additional information about foot care, contact the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse at 1–800–860–8747. See the publication Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet. Materials are also available from the National Diabetes Education Program, including the fact sheet Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime at www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/Feet/Feet_overview.htm. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports research to help people with diabetes. A complete listing of clinical research studies, including those related to diabetic neuropathies, can be found at 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, contact the following organizations: American Diabetes Association American Urological Association Foundation American Podiatric Medical Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention Program National Diabetes Education Program National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Pedorthic Footwear Association You may also find additional information about this topic by visiting MedlinePlus at www.medlineplus.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. Source: 1 Information Way 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 was originally reviewed by Peter J. Dyck, M.D., Peripheral Neuropathy Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN; Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; and Aaron I. Vinik, M.D., Ph.D., Strelitz Diabetes Research Institute, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA. Dr. Feldman also reviewed the updated version of the publication. This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
Type 1 Diabetes, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases www.niddk.nih.gov
What to Eat: Sensible Choices in an Era of Food Confusion
Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness—loss of feeling—in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs.What causes diabetic neuropathies?
What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathies?
What are the types of diabetic neuropathy?
Neuropathy Affects Nerves Throughout the Body
What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves in your toes, feet, legs, hands, and arms.What is autonomic neuropathy?
Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves in your heart, stomach, intestines, bladder, sex organs, sweat glands, eyes, and lungs.Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Heart and Blood Vessels
Digestive System
Urinary Tract and Sex Organs
Sweat Glands
Eyes
What is proximal neuropathy?
What is focal neuropathy?
How can I prevent diabetic neuropathies?
How are diabetic neuropathies diagnosed?
Foot Exams
Other Tests
How are diabetic neuropathies treated?
Pain Relief
Gastrointestinal Problems
Dizziness and Weakness
Urinary and Sexual Problems
Foot Care
Points to Remember
Hope through Research
For More Information
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 1–800–DIABETES (342–2383)
Email: AskADA@diabetes.org
Internet: www.diabetes.org
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 1–866–RING–AUA (746–4282)
or 410–689–3700
Fax: 410–689–3800
Email: patienteducation@auafoundation.org
Internet: www.auafoundation.org
www.UrologyHealth.org
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Bethesda, MD 20814–1621
Phone: 1–800–FOOTCARE (366–8227)
or 301–581–9200
Fax: 301–530–2752
Email: askapma@apma.org
Internet: www.apma.org
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Diabetes Translation
4770 Buford Highway NE, Mail Stop K–10
Atlanta, GA 30341–3717
Phone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (232–4636) or 770–488–5000
Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Internet: www.cdc.gov/diabetes
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
Health Resources and Services Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 1–888–ASK–HRSA (275–4772)
Internet: www.hrsa.gov/leap
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
Phone: 1–800–438–5383
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndep@mail.nih.gov
Internet: www.ndep.nih.gov
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3570
Phone: 1–800–891–5389
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824–0105
Phone: 301–592–8573
Fax: 240–629–3246
Email: nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Phone: 1–800–352–9424 or 301–496–5751
Internet: www.ninds.nih.gov
3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3580
Phone: 1–800–891–5390
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1–800–673–8447 or 202–367–1145
Fax: 202–367–2145
Email: info@pedorthics.org
Internet: www.pedorthics.org
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
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
NIH Publication No. 08–3185
February 2009
s
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Pregnancy Homepage
- Before Pregnancy
- During Pregnancy
- After the Baby Arrives
- Trouble Getting Pregnant
- Avoiding Pregnancy
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
This page in
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
1600 Clifton Road
MS E-87
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
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
Diabetes Signs In Toddlers
Awareness of Signs of Diabetes in Toddlers Helps Provide Them With Immediate Medication
Posted August 13, 2009
By Ann Nelson
Diabetes is common around the world. There may be several people who may not be even aware that they may be suffering from diabetes. It is a disease not just limited to adults; it can also affect toddlers as well. It is becoming common with growing children as well. This type of diabetes is called as juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes. Children may not be even aware that there is something wrong with them. But, there are certain signs that parents and elders should be aware of, to recognize the signs of diabetes in toddlers.
You can start medical treatment at early stage and ensure that their blood sugar levels remain stable and they live a healthier life. There are different symptoms that can be seen in toddlers. However, there are few signs which should ring the warning bells in the minds of elders. Amongst children suffering from diabetes, whenever they eat, the food is broken down and sugar is released and absorbed into the bloodstream. It is carried to the cells to be used as energy for the different activities. However, the pancreas does not respond with insulin which leads to cells being unable to use the sugar. The cells are starved for energy and the sugar builds up in the blood. The children feel tired and fatigued due to lack of energy.
When there is excess sugar in the blood, the kidneys sense its level and start getting rid of it through urine. The point when kidneys allow sugar to enter the urine is called renal threshold. When the kidneys flush out excess sugar, it also takes the water in which it is dissolved. Thus the most common symptom is the excessive need to urinate. This is called polyuria. This in turn leads to dehydration. The body demands more water and the child feels increasingly thirsty. This is called as polydipsia. Children may also get the feeling of a dry sticky mouth or sore dry throat. Such children need huge quantity of water or any other fluids.
Even if there is reduction in the amount of fluids there is excess urination. To avoid dehydration you should allow them to have fluids. Some children may even start wetting the bed. The loss of sugar, dehydration and the inability to use blood sugar leads to weight loss even if they may be experiencing increase in appetite. It may be followed by tiredness, drowsiness and weakness. You may also notice diaper rash that is not ready to heal in spite of using various creams.
There are other serious signs of diabetes among toddlers like stomach pain, feeling of nausea, vomiting and labored breathing. If you notice any of these signs you should immediately approach your doctor for future action. You have to ensure that you monitor the blood sugar levels regularly. It may be a very traumatic experience for toddlers to get insulin shots regularly. Learn the proper way to provide adequate medication and care for your child. Create schedules for providing them with appropriate diet and medication.
Diabetes can be frightening for anyone but when it affects toddlers it causes great anxiety as the little ones are unable to tell what is happening to them. Make schedules for your child and stick to them if you want to control diabetes. The health of your kids is your priority and by being aware you can ensure that you child does not suffer from the ill effects and gets relief to the maximum possible extent. Drink lots of water because it is calorie free and helps to flush away the toxins. Did you know that flavored carbonated water has no calories, sugar, body, sweetener, color or preservatives? Want to know more about carbonated flavored water? Check out carbonatedseltzerwater.com
Reading all I can about diabetes and health. Found an excellent site at adviceondiabetes.com with a free ebook with more than 500 diabetes recipes.
Source: Ann Nelson
Teen Diabetes-Video 2:41 min.
Posted August 8, 2009
Source: wmtwtv on YouTube
On World Diabetes Day, a Maine teen talks with News 8 about her battle with the disease. News 8′s Keith Baldi reports.
Five Diabetes Myths
By Julie Wanner Rossetti
It seems like everywhere I travel I continue to hear the five diabetes myths. The myths are circulating from one generation to the next. Everyone seems to believe these folklores. I have decided to take all of the mystery out of these myths and give you what actually works with the new technology today. 1. Sugar causes diabetes.
How many times have you heard this one? I lost track of how many times someone has either asked me or made a statement of this. This is a myth, and the truth is, consuming a lot of sugar does not cause diabetes. Someone did not get diabetes by becoming a cookie monster. Type 1 diabetes is a result of autoimmune damage to the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. The insulin secretion is not enough or completely absent. Therefore, the hormone insulin is injected or administered via pump.
Type 2 diabetes is a result of a metabolic syndrome. People with Type 2 produce their own insulin but are unable to utilize it properly. It most often affects men, women and children who are overweight. This no longer is “adult-onset diabetes.” Children are getting Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate.
2. If you do have diabetes, you cannot have any sugar, it must be sugar-free. This is a myth, and the truth is our bodies not only recognize sugar, but they know how to use it. For me, personally, wheat raises my blood sugar more than white sugar. If you do want a safe sugar substitute, I would recommend vegetable glycerin.
3. I can no longer have too many carbohydrates. This is another myth. It is not how much carbohydrate, but what type that makes the difference. Actually, some foods that are low on the glycemic index get in the way of good insulin function. Some foods can lower one individual’s blood sugar but increase another’s. Are you eating beneficial foods or avoid them?
4. Exercise always lowers blood sugar. This myth has been around for a long time. However, if the body does not have enough insulin for proper glucose utilization, exercise will raise your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is over 200mg/dL before exercising, the exercise will only make your blood sugar go higher. When the body is conditioned and there is enough insulin, the blood sugars will lower. Physical exercise is one of the important aspects to living as if you do not have diabetes.
5. You can no longer live a “normal” life after being diagnosed with diabetes. This myth is one of the strangest ones. I believe that once you bury Type 1 or 2 diabetes you can live a happy and healthy normal life. My life has been better than normal! Nick Jonas is a 14-year-old living a normal life after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in November 2005.
Nick is a member of the Jonas Brothers Band. He has said, “At first, I was worried that diabetes would keep me from performing and doing everything a teenager likes to do, but my career is really ramping up.” Way to go Nick! Best wishes for a great life!
Julie Wanner Rossetti is the author of Diabetes Can Be Sweet … Once You BURY It, and President of Diabetes Done Right, where she specializes as a diabetes consultant. Visit “Diabetes Done Right”.
Source: Julie Wanner Rossetti
What is Diabetes?-Video by Dr. Malpani
Source: drmalpani.com/health-videos/
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