Articles: Diabetes
The Important Facts on Pre-Diabetesby Alison MckenzieMillions of people in the western world are diagnosed with having pre-diabetes and Type II Diabetes has become somewhat of an epidemic of late. More and more people are being diagnosed with this potentially life threatening condition, in the past Type II Diabetes usually set in later in life, but today more younger people are being diagnosed every day with this disease. The diabetes epidemic has mirrored the obesity epidemic currently overtaking the western world, which leads many in the medical community to believe that obesity and diabetes go hand in hand. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 54 million people in the United States have pre diabetes. I hear you ask What are the important facts on Pre diabetes, it is a condition in which the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered Type II diabetes. Although pre diabetes is not a full fledged disease, it can also cause complications in the heart and blood circulation if left untreated. The good news about pre diabetes is that once diagnosed, with proper care and nutrition as well as the care of a physician, you can avoid being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. The condition can reverse itself, although it will always be a threat, but it does take dedication and a mindset on the part of the individual to avoid becoming a fully fledged diabetic. One way to reverse the effects of pre diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. This can be easily accomplished through diet and exercise. For those who feel that it is too much trouble to manage their weight or complain that they do not have the time to exercise, they need to realize that the time they spend exercising now can eliminate their time spent on dialysis. While not all people with diabetes experience kidney failure, many do. And when the kidneys fail, these patients must spend many hours each week, hooked up to a machine that functions as their kidneys.  Obesity is also an epidemic in the United States and many in the medical community believe that this is contributory to the corresponding diabetic epidemic. It is the general consensus of the medical community that obesity is a precursor to Type II diabetes. Therefore, those who have pre diabetes can stave off the disease by making some healthy life choices that will eliminate their need for medication or insulin in later years.
Remember the saying "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine" could be applied to those who complain that they do not want to watch their diet - remember that it is easier to watch your diet than to inject yourselves with insulin or having to monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day. And to those who feel that foods that are rich in carbohydrates are less expensive than healthier alternatives you should be reminded of the cost of medications and doctor visits so in the long run if you are pre-disposed with pre-diabetes it is much wiser to take control of their condition right away. While some people are pre disposed to diabetes through genetic factors, others acquire this disease by eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars and low in nutrients,being inactive and not maintaining a healthy weight. If you have been told that you have pre diabetes, do not fret. You can reverse this condition. Begin an exercise regime, even if it only entails walking. Take a look at the Glycemic Index that explains which foods diabetics should avoid and follow these suggestions. See your doctor about being put on a weight loss program and make certain that he or she continues to monitor your blood glucose levels. Pre diabetes does not have to turn into Type II diabetes. By developing a healthier lifestyle, you can reverse this condition and lead a longer, healthier life. - article courtesy of Alison Mckenzie For further information refer Alison's website at: http://www.alison-mckenzie-online.com Healthy Diabetic Meal Plans Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence.Type 2 diabetes is a similar - although much more common - condition in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the body produces some, but not enough, insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Various factors may contribute to type 1 diabetes, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. But advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified the daily routine of managing type 1 diabetes. With proper treatment, people who have type 1 diabetes can expect to live long, healthy lives. Complications Type 1 diabetes can affect many major organs in your body, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Keeping your blood sugar level close to normal most of the time can dramatically reduce the risk of these complications. Short-term complications Short-term complications of type 1 diabetes require immediate care. Left untreated, these conditions can cause seizures and loss of consciousness (coma). High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). complications Your blood sugar level can rise for many reasons, including eating too much, being sick or not taking enough insulin. Check your blood sugar level often, and watch for signs and symptoms of high blood sugar - frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea. If you have hyperglycemia, you'll need to adjust your meal plan, medications or both. If your blood sugar level is persistently above 250 mg/dL, consult your doctor right away or seek emergency care. You might have diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, a life-threatening condition in which sky-high blood sugar causes blood to become thick and syrupy. Increased ketones in your urine (diabetic ketoacidosis). complications If your cells are starved for energy, your body may begin to break down fat. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Watch for loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain and a sweet, fruity smell on your breath ¡X especially if your blood sugar level has been consistently higher than 250 mg/dL. You can check your urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter ketones test kit. If you have excess ketones in your urine, consult your doctor right away or seek emergency care. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) complications If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar. Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, getting more physical activity than normal or injecting too much insulin. Check your blood sugar regularly, and watch for early signs and symptoms of low blood sugar ¡X sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, dizziness and nausea. Later signs and symptoms include slurred speech, drowsiness and confusion. If you develop hypoglycemia during the night, you might wake with sweat-soaked pajamas or a headache. Thanks to a natural rebound effect, nighttime hypoglycemia might cause an unusually high blood sugar reading first thing in the morning. If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level ¡X fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy, regular (not diet) soda or another source of sugar. If you lose consciousness, a family member or close contact may need to give you an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood. Long-term complications Long-term complications of type 1 diabetes develop gradually. The earlier you develop diabetes ¡X and the less controlled your blood sugar ¡X the higher the risk of complications. Eventually, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening. Heart and blood vessel disease. complications Diabetes dramatically increases your risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. In fact, about 75 percent of people who have diabetes die of some type of heart or blood vessel disease, according to the American Heart Association. Nerve damage (neuropathy). complications Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and over a period of months or years gradually spreads upward. Left untreated, you could lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Damage to the nerves that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue. Kidney damage (nephropathy). complications The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Eye damage. complications Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Foot damage. complications Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections. Severe damage might require toe, foot or even leg amputation. Skin and mouth conditions. complications Diabetes may leave you more susceptible to skin problems, including bacterial infections, fungal infections and itching. Gum infections also may be a concern, especially if you have a history of poor dental hygiene. Osteoporosis. complications Diabetes may lead to lower than normal bone mineral density, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. article courtesy of WebMD For more articles on Diabetes, use this URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA99999 Whole grains: Hearty options for a healthy dietFind out why whole grains are better than refined grains and how you can add more whole grains to your diet.Hailed as the "staff of life" for their historical importance to human survival, grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. Also called cereals, grains are the widely varied seeds of grasses, which are cultivated for food. They come in many shapes and sizes, from large kernels of popcorn to small quinoa seeds. All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates, various vitamins and minerals and are naturally low in fat. But grains that haven't been refined — called whole grains — are even better for you. Whole grains are better sources of fiber and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium and magnesium. So whenever you can, choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains vs. refined grains Whole grains haven't had their bran and germ removed by milling, making them better sources of fiber — the part of plant-based foods that your body doesn't digest. Among many health benefits, a high-fiber diet also tends to make a meal feel more filling and linger longer, so you stay full for a greater amount of time. Refined grains, such as white rice or white flour, have both the bran and germ removed from the grain. Although vitamins and minerals are added back into refined grains after the milling process, they still don't have as many nutrients as whole grains do, and they don't provide as much fiber. Rice, bread, cereal, flour and pasta are all grains or grain products. Eat whole-grain versions — rather than refined grains — as often as possible. Ways to enjoy more whole grains Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat. These include a variety of breads, pasta products and ready-to-eat cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and in the ingredient list. Make sure whole grains appear among the first items listed. Try to choose items with at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving. New white whole-wheat bread makes it even easier to add whole grains to your diet. White whole-wheat bread looks and tastes like white bread but has the same nutritional benefits as regular whole-wheat or whole-grain bread. The difference between white whole wheat and regular whole wheat is in the type of wheat used. Regular whole-wheat bread is made with red wheat, which is dark in color and has a slightly bitter taste. White whole-wheat bread is made with an albino variety of wheat, which is lighter in color and has a sweeter, milder flavor. To get a softer texture, the whole grains of albino wheat go through an extra processing procedure. Other easy ways to add whole grains to your meals and snacks include: - Enjoy breakfasts that include high-fiber cereals, such as bran flakes, shredded wheat or oatmeal. - Substitute whole-wheat toast or whole-grain bagels for plain bagels. Substitute low-fat, multigrain muffins for pastries. - Make sandwiches using whole-grain breads or rolls. - Expand your grain repertoire with whole-grain complements, such as kasha, brown rice, wild rice, bulgur or whole-wheat tortillas. - Feature wild rice or barley in soups, stews, casseroles and salads. - Add whole grains, such as cooked brown rice or whole-grain bread crumbs, to ground meat or poultry for extra body. - Use rolled oats or crushed bran cereal in recipes instead of dry bread crumbs. - Toast grains to bring out their nutty flavor before adding them to recipes. As they've been for centuries, grains remain the staff of life forming the basis for many healthy meals and snacks. Eating a variety of whole grains not only ensures that you get more nutrients, but also helps make your meals and snacks more interesting.
For more information on Healthy Foods for Diabetes use this URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA00114 Healthy Diabetic Meal Plans Diabetes Can Affect Your BladderDiabetes can affect many areas of your body, including your kidneys, feet and eyes. But did you know that it can also affect your bladder?According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), diabetes can damage the nerves that control your bladder and how it functions. Bladder complications affect both men and women. What are some symptoms you might experience? - Sudden strong urges to go - Having to urinate frequently - Getting up at night to urinate - Incontinence or inability to hold urine Neurogenic bladder is a more serious condition resulting in difficulty urinating and not being able to fully empty the bladder (retention). If you have symptoms of overactive or neurogenic bladder, see your doctor. There are medications and other treatments available that can help. by Debra Manzella, R.N.; April 17 2008 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - A ReviewBackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires long-term medical attention both to limit the development of its devastating complications and to manage them when they do occur. It is a disproportionately expensive disease; in 2002, the per-capita cost of healthcare was $13,243 for people with diabetes, while it was $2560 for those without diabetes. This article focuses on the ED evaluation and treatment of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes other than those directly associated with hypoglycemia and severe metabolic disturbances such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). (Please see Hypoglycemia, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Coma for more information on these disorders.) Pathophysiology The 2 basic types of diabetes mellitus are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is reviewed more fully in a separate eMedicine article (see Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - A Review). URL: http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic133.htm Type 2 diabetes mellitus was once called adult-onset diabetes. Now, because of the epidemic of obesity and inactivity in children, type 2 diabetes mellitus is occurring at younger and younger ages. Although type 2 diabetes mellitus typically affects individuals older than 40 years, it has been diagnosed in children as young as 2 years of age who have a family history of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance with an insulin-secretory defect that varies in severity. For type 2 diabetes mellitus to develop, both defects must exist: all overweight individuals have insulin resistance, but only those with an inability to increase beta-cell production of insulin develop diabetes. In the progression from normal glucose tolerance to abnormal glucose tolerance, postprandial glucose levels first increase. Eventually, fasting hyperglycemia develops as inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis declines. About 90% of patients who develop type 2 diabetes mellitus are obese. Because patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus retain the ability to secrete some endogenous insulin, those who are taking insulin generally do not develop DKA if it is stopped. Therefore, they are considered to require insulin but not to depend on insulin. Moreover, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus often do not need treatment with oral antidiabetic medication or insulin if they lose weight or stop eating. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a form of type 2 diabetes mellitus that affects many generations in the same family with an onset in individuals younger than 25 years. Several types exist. Some of the genes responsible can be detected by using commercially available assays. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. GDM is a complication in approximately 4% of all pregnancies in the United States, though the rates may be 1-14% depending on the population studied. Untreated GDM can lead to fetal macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. In addition, mothers with GDM have increased rates of cesarean delivery and chronic hypertension. To screen for GDM, a 50-g glucose screening test should be done at 24-28 weeks of gestation. This is followed by a 100-g, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test if the patient's plasma glucose concentration at 1 hour after screening is greater than 140 mg/dL. Frequency United States In 2005, people with diabetes were estimated to account for 7% of the US population, or approximately 20.8 million people. Of these 20.8 million people, 14.6 million have a diagnosis of diabetes, and diabetes is undiagnosed in another 6.2 million. Approximately 10% have type 1 diabetes, and the rest have type 2. Additionally, an estimated 54 million people have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes, as defined by the American Diabetes Association, is that state in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Mortality/Morbidity The morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes are related to the short- and long-term complications. Complications include the following: - Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia - Increased risk of infections - Microvascular complications (eg, retinopathy, nephropathy) - Neuropathic complications - Macrovascular disease (eg, coronary artery disease, stroke) Diabetes is the major cause of blindness in adults aged 20-74 years, as well as the leading cause of nontraumatic lower-extremity amputation and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Race Type 2 diabetes mellitus is more prevalent among Hispanics, Native Americans, African Americans, and Asians/Pacific Islanders than in non-Hispanic whites. Sex The incidence is essentially equal in women and men in all populations. Age - Type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming increasingly common because people are living longer, and the prevalence of diabetes increases with age. - It is also seen more frequently now than before in young people, in association with the rising prevalence of childhood obesity. - Although type 2 diabetes mellitus still occurs most commonly in adults aged 40 years or older, the incidence of disease is increasing more rapidly in adolescents and young adults than in other age groups. Article Last Updated: Nov 15, 2007 Author: Scott R Votey, MD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Professor of Medicine/Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, UCLA Medical Center Scott R Votey is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Coauthor(s): Anne L Peters, MD, CDE, Director of Clinical Diabetes Programs, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center Editors: Erik D Schraga, MD, Consulting Staff, Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara Medical Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Howard A Bessen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine; Program Director, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; John D Halamka, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Barry E Brenner, MD, PhD, FACEP, Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals, Case Medical Center Healthy Diabetic Meal Plans >> All Health Articles >> |
The articles below spotlight Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 & 2; Blood sugar, Diabetes management and prevention, Effects, Healthy Diet, Pre-Diabetes, Diabetic health, Diabetes Diet Meal plans, Signs and Symptoms; with URLs for more important information on this common and growing condition.
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