Diabetes – Diabetes treatment

Type 2 diabetes, also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, is a chronic life-long disease that results when the body’s insulin does not work properly. It is the most common type of diabetes that effects massive amount of people around the world. Type 2 Diabetes is not shy in who it effects such as children, adults, men, women and worst of all, senior citizens.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

* Increased urination – frequent urge to urinate
* Unusual thirst -discomfort and disturbance of being thirsty
* Tiredness – low resistance and low energy in doing everyday tasks
* Loss of weight
* Increased appetite – constant craving for food, even if you have just eaten.
* Feeling sick
* Blurred vision – unclear vision and even blindness
* Genital infections – yeast infection (Candida infection)

If you have any of these symptoms, there are a few test to be conducted to find out if you are diabetic. They are: Fasting blood glucose level – diabetes diagnosed at 126 mg/dL, Random blood glucose (non-fasting) – diabetes suspected at 200 mg/dL, Oral glucose tolerance – diabetes diagnosed at 200 mg/dL after 2 hours.

This series of tests are conducted to help the patient and the doctor to determine the right diet plan and treatment to prevent complication from developing. Knowing your family history will help as well, however, there is nothing much we can do about it.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms are warnings to alert the patient to take preliminary precautions to avoid the condition getting worse. If one or more symptoms is noticed contact your physician as soon as possible to give you advice on the kind of foods to eat, proper calorie diet plan and exercise. Doing exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes a day is good enough to stimulate and motivate your body to fight this disease.

Juvenile diabetes is a chronic metabolism condition caused by the body’s inability to break down glucose and store it properly. The onset of this type of diabetes begins in childhood where the child becomes insulin-dependent. This is also known as Type 1 diabetes. It is an auto-immune disorder similar to other illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Without proper and adequate medical treatment and supervision, serious health problems may occur like heart attacks, blindness and nerve damage that can ultimately cause loss of limbs and kidney failure, even death.

Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms are the following:

* Frequent urination
* Unusual thirst, particularly for sweet, cold drinks.
* Extreme hunger
* Sudden, sometimes dramatic, weight loss.
* Low resistance
* Extreme fatigue
* Blurry vision
* Irritability
* Nausea and vomiting (acute symptoms)

If you have a very young child and are concerned with some of the things you see but yet cannot explain, they might also be at risk for Juvenile Diabetes. Such symptoms may include:

* Restless
* Apathetic
* Have trouble functioning at school
* Diabetic coma may be the first sign (severe cases)
* Abnormally thirsty
* Need to urinate frequently – bed-witting after toilet training been completed.
* Losing weight in spite of good appetite
* Vaginal “yeast” infections
* Vomit (mistaken for flu)
* Abdominal pain (mistaken for appendicitis)
* Breath rapidly and deeply (severe cases)
* has fruity odor on breathing (severe cases)
* May lose consciousness

Doctors diagnose diabetes by testing for glucose and ketones in the urine and by measuring glucose levels in blood through fasting and non-fasting glucose count. It is crucial to follow the physician’s treatment plan to avoid serious side effects. The best way to control blood sugar in the blood is with proper diet and exercise.

Diabetes is the same as any other sickness. It has symptoms, causes, treatment and also prevention. Since there is no known cure, it is best to learn how to prevent diabetes from occurring and also learn alternative treatments for diabetes-related illness complications if developed. Prevention is always best and better than a cure.

I have gathered a few steps to prevent diabetes and diabetes-related complications from developing. They are:

- Maintain a healthy weight. Over weight individuals have a high risk of developing diabetes. If you are eating large amounts of food 3 times a day start dividing it in small meals and gradually reduce the quantity. Drink plain water before eating meals to take the edge of your hunger.
- Know your family history.
- Stay physically active.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Regular medical check-ups.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
- Reduce the amount of fats, protein and carbohydrates you eat. Grill and bake instead of frying.
- Check the nutritional facts of the foods you buy. Knowing what each food contains helps you to determine which is best for you to maintain your blood sugar count.
- Drink 7 to 8 glasses of water everyday. It will help keep your body from dehydration and water cleanses our body from toxins.
- Choose a healthy snack.
- Use skimmed milk, non-fat or low-fat milk rather than full-fat milk in hot drinks.
- Exercise is good for health, so exercise regularly.

All the actions stated above are part of the steps taken if you are diagnosed with diabetes. If you do these steps in advance, you will surely prevent yourself from becoming diabetic and avoid any diabetes-related complications.

Living With Diabetes

People with diabetes can lead normal lives, and they can continue to exercise and eat most foods. However, it is very important to eat a healthy diet, maintain your fitness and if necessary lose weight. Following a healthy regimen helps reduce the risk of developing complications over time, including heart disease, circulatory problems, and kidney failure.

A Healthy Diet

For some people with diabetes, a healthy diet and weight loss are enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Your diet should be high in complex carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta and legumes, and low in fats, especially animal fats.

Drinking and Smoking

Alcohol in moderation is safe for most people, but in excess in may lower blood glucose levels. In addition, it is high in calories and may cause weight gain. Smoking is very harmful because it greatly increases the risk of long term complications, such as heart disease and stroke.

If you have diabetes and smoke, you should stop. If you drink alcohol, you can continue to do so, but you should drink in moderation and seek out the feedback of your doctor as to whether you should abstain or not.

Special Care For Your Feet

Diabetes can increase the risk of skin infections and ulcers on the feet. You can reduce the risk by wearing comfortable shoes, visiting your podiatrist frequently, not walking barefoot and cutting your toenails straight across. You should inspect and clean your feet daily and consult your promptly if you develop a sore on your feet.

Exercise and Sports

Regular exercise makes you feel healthier, reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, and can help if you need to lose weight. If you have insulin dependent diabetes, you may need to monitor your blood glucose before, during and after exercise to check how the activity affects your requirement for both insulin and food.

If you exercise strenuously, your blood glucose levels will usually drop. You will need to adjust your level of insulin or eat more before strenuous exercise.

Moderate exercise, such as a 30 minute walk, may improve the chance of controlling your diabetes.