Thursday, August 28, 2008

Diabetes Care Begins With Apt Diabetes Diet!

Diabetes people are special people. They need a special diet.

Diet is one of the most important part of your diabetes treatment. Perhaps, more important than the medicine itself. For, if you take proper medicines but neglect the diet, the result would be counter-productive!

It is no exaggeration if you (being diabetic) are advised to take care. Maintain the desirable body weight. Shed it, if in excess. Maintain the level, if you are underweight. Always remember, your blood glucose level should be normal.

The disease diabetes has a team behind it. Blood vessel diseases and heart problems await in its wings. So always take necessary care.

You have to understand your body and health related matters in the proper perspective. You have the services of two doctors—yourself and your family doctor. Both of you have to live like good friends. You have to follow his advice and he will of course understand your difficulties.

A doctor and a dietitian become the permanent friends and advisers of a diabetic patient. You have to understood yourself in a better manner by trial and error methods.

In all the major cities there are Diabetes Associations, who conduct useful services such as conducting camps, holding seminars and discussions and arranging group meeting. They also publish bulletins containing useful and encouraging information.

What you eat is important. For a diabetes patient, how you eat what you eat is also important. Instead of eating one or two heavy meals, it is better to take small quantities of food, several times in a day.

You have perfect understanding of your system, it is okay. But your doctor knows it better. As for the diet, only follow his instructions. That is your role. Do not go by ideas. He knows the facts. Don't be in a hurry to lose weight, though it is very important. If you lose two pounds in a week, it is ideal. Don't be panicky about the weight loss subject.

Fruits, seasonal vegetables help you a lot. Oily stuff needs to be avoided at all costs. Much more fiber must go into your system.

There may not be a permanent cure for the diabetes—but the permanent care can not be avoided. Unfortunately, you have the stamp of diabetes on you! So, take care.

About the Author

http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/ & Diabities Diet provides detailed information on diabities, diabities diet, diabities symptoms and more.


A Diabetes Blood Test Will Determine Whether Or Not You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease, which is induced by high levels of sugar in the blood. With diabetes, the body cannot break down the sugar in the blood by itself. So to break down the sugar, extra insulin will be required at regular intervals. A specialized diet is also incorporated, which would control the blood sugar level in the body. This disease should be detected by means of a diabetes blood test. And the sooner the better.

How Diabetes Happens in the Body

A normal healthy person will have the capacity to break down any amount of sugar that is consumed with the help of insulin which is a hormone created by the pancreas. However with a diabetic person, the pancreas doesn't generate enough insulin and/or the body develops a resistance to insulin.

Either way, the blood doesn't obtain the adequate amount required to break down the sugar into glucose, which is then absorbed by the tissues, liver and muscles. A diabetic person will have a very large quantity of unabsorbed glucose in the body. With a diabetes blood test, it is easy to detect the presence of this disease.

The 3 Types of Diabetes

A lot of people do not realize that there are 3 types of diabetes and all the 3 types can be detected by a simple diabetes blood test.

Type 1 diabetes: this type typically starts early in childhood. This is a very dangerous disease and it will require regular insulin injections throughout a person's life.

Type 2 diabetes: this is the most common type of diabetes, which over 90% of the people have. This diabetes develops in the adult stage. It typically takes more time for a person to recognize the signs and/or diagnose it. This type of diabetes is rising rapidly because of our inactive lifestyle, the junk food we consume and the lack of exercise in our daily routine.

Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes is basically a temporary disease and it generally develops when a woman is pregnant.

The Most Common Symptoms Of Diabetes: Things to Look for

All types of problems can develop when a person suffers from diabetes. Excessive thirst, occasional blurry vision, continuous fatigue and never-ending hunger with weight loss. Type 2 diabetes can occasionally make men impotent.

If a person suspects that diabetes may be present in their body, a diabetes blood test should be implemented asap, so that a suitable treatment can be started to keep the disease in check.

Every Person Before Developing Type 2 Diabetes Almost Always Has Pre-diabetes

What is Pre-diabetes? This is a fact that before developing diabetes mellitus type 2, almost always that patient develops Pre-diabetes condition. Though we will not diagnose that person as diabetic, but if he or she will not control his or her blood suger level, he will probably have diabetes mellitus in future. In pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are in higher limits, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. In USA only, more than 54 million people have pre-diabetes condition.During pre-diabetes damage to heart and circulatory system may already be occuring.

Various studies have shown that if you control your pre-diabetes condition earlier, then there are very less chances to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, or you can delay it to develop. So always try to manage your blood glucose under control limits when you are in pre-diabetic stage to prevent yourself from developing type 2 diabetes.

Do you have Pre-diabetes Condition, How to Tell? There are two important tests that can tell you that you are having pre-diabetes condition. 1-The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) 2: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Your doctor can do any of these two tests. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test values for pre-diabetes are between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl. If your glucose level is below 100mg/dl, then you have normal metabolism, if above 125mg/dl then you have Diabetes. It means if your level is between 100-125mg/dl, then you will have pre-diabetes. In case of OGTT, if less than 140mg/dl, then normal, between 140-200mg/dl is pre-diabetic condition and above 200mg/dl is diabetic condition.

How you can prevent pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes can be very lethal to your health if you will not manage it seriously. Sooner or later you will probably have type 2 diabetes. There are two simple things that you can do to get rid of this pre-diabetes situation. You can also even get your glucose level within normal limits if you follow these 3 steps. A: Change in your diet habit. Try to avoid sweets in your diet. B: Half hour moderate exercise C: Weight reduction. Just 30 minutes daily moderate physical activity or exercise, along with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, can produce a 58% reduction in diabetes

Who should get tested for pre-diabetes? If you are overweight and above 45 years of age, then you should have your FPG and OGTT. If you are not overweight and above 45, should consult your doctor. If you are below 45 and overweight, you should also check your fasting plasma glucose level.

How often should I be tested? If you are having normal blood glucose levels you should have FPG test every 3 years. If you have pre-diabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every year after your diagnosis of pre-diabetes.

Children pre-diabetes Children have much less chances of developing pre-diabetes condition, however if they are very obese then one must think of pre-diabetes condition and get yourself be checked for pre-diabetes.

About the Author

Dr. Armughan Riaz (Consultant Cardiologist) maintaining following sites Prediabetes Symptoms Diet Treatment High blood Pressure symptoms Diet Treatment


Monday, August 18, 2008

Key Tips About A Diet For Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. More and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes and need to learn a proper diet for diabetes to keep their disease under control. Following the right diet is essential to prevent serious complications.

A diet for diabetes focuses on maintaining a proper intake of foods with a special concentration on the amount of carbohydrates consumed. The reason for the focus on carbohydrates is that carbohydrates make your blood glucose levels go up.

In someone with diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels is the main goal. A site with useful information for diabetics is: http://4medicaltips.com

Most often a doctor will give a patient a diet for diabetes to follow based upon their particular type of diabetes and glucose level. There is a general diet, that usually is fine as a starting point for diabetic patients.

This diet is also recommended for people who may be at risk for developing diabetes. It can help prevent or slow down the onset ofdisease.

In general, a diet for diabetes mainly involves portion control and eating from all the food groups. It also focuses on limiting sweets and fats.

It also stresses that you should eat meals and snacks around the same time each day. Doing so helps your body to keep your blood glucose levels stable.

A good diet for diabetes consists of breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks daily. The food pyramid guidelines should be followed.

This includes: 3-5 servings of vegetables, 6-11 servings of grains, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of meat and 2-3 servings of dairy. It is important to remember to keep fats and sugars down.

Eating lean meats and low fat dairy will help. The servings from each food group ought to be spread out throughout the day. And, it is best to not eat too many carbohydrates at one time.

The best advice a person can get when planning a diet for diabetes is to pay attention to your body. A diabetic will be able to tell when they are not eating correctly.

Because their body will give them signs, like tiredness or excitability. If a diabetic begins to feel bad, they can adjust their diet.

Most often your body will give you clues to let you know you should eat something or something you ate was not good. Being aware is just as important as the diet itself.

While there is no one diet for diabetes, these general guidelines should be followed. Some people are capable of designing their own diet, while others may need extra help from your doctor.

The entire idea of a diet for diabetes is to prevent spikes or dips in blood glucose levels. By keeping your diet under control you ought to be able to maintain good health.

By following a consistent diet and listening to your body, a diabetic can maintain their health without needing to be overly concerned by their diet. After a while following a diabetic diet becomes second nature and the person will no longer have to think much about what they are eating.

About the Author
Annie Beal is a healthcare writer who makes it easy for people to learn about treatment options. She is a contributing author at MedicalNuggets.com. For more of her work go to:Health Tips

4 Vital Tips To Better Health With Diabetes

Julie Wanner Rossetti knows about how to seize control of her health and how to live a full life, despite being diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, such as diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13, but rather than feel helpless, sick, or doomed, she embraced a positive attitude and willed herself to better health. She took concrete steps to gain control of her life - and health – as outlined in her book, Diabetes Can Be Sweet…Once You Bury It.

Lose the Label, she suggests, “You have a full life ahead of you no matter what your age is, and diabetes can be made to fit into your daily schedule. It’s all up to you, and your diabetes consultant can guide you in the right direction. With a little organization and skill you can do it.

"If you fall down (I have many times), get back up and start again. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What’s even more important is that you start over and make the necessary changes. Every decision you make will determine the outcome of how diabetes affects your life. Making no decision is still a decision and a negative one at best. Now is a good time to evaluate the words or colors that you are choosing to use every day. What does your life portrait look like so far? Choose the right words and lose the labels, then you will win!”

1. Establish Your Health Goals For Exercise.
Determine where you want to be as far as your health is concerned. Decide on an exercise program. What’s important is that you set a goal to begin with and consistently do the activities so the end result is favorable. Keep a logbook so you can make changes in your daily activities.

2. Regularly Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels.
In order to be healthy and not feel like you have diabetes, you will need to gain control over your blood glucose levels. Become a pro at blood glucose testing by keeping your blood sugar in the normal range. Many people carry a cell phone. I recommend you carry your blood glucose meter.

3. Eat Well.
Eat right with an individualized meal plan. Eat foods that make you not only healthy, but happy too! Quality is important here. Remember, everything that you put into your body is either a positive or a negative, and yes, that includes all foods. Eat the right foods and you will feel fabulous! You should eat a diet that’s based on your blood type, just as Dr. Peter D’Adamo lays out in his book, Diabetes: Fight It With The Blood Type Diet. There are vitamins, supplements, herbs, and food that fit your blood type, rather than consuming those that destroy your body. Your blood type is the main component to your body’s entire immune system.

4. Stay Stress-Free!
If you don’t get rid of the stress, it will get rid of you. There are lots of natural remedies that you can use. Have your naturopathic physician assist you in what vitamins, supplements, and herbs to take. Laughter, of course, is the best medicine of all. Some stress-busters may include: exercise, prayer, rest, relax on a beach or in a hammock, light some scented candles and take a long bubble bath or go to a spa and order every treatment available, listen to soothing music, and/or watch a funny movie, and keep smiling.

Any information provided in this article is not medical advice and should not be substituted for consulting with your own physician.

About the Author
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

7 Diabetes Foot Care Tips

If you have diabetes information about how to manage your condition is vital to your well being.

Foe example, if you don't look after your feet, you run the risk of developing sores or infections that could, in the worst case scenario, lead to amputations. As happened to my father-in-law. Reduce your risk of infection or amputation by incorporating these 7 foot care tips...

1) Check your feet daily - especially if you have low sensitivity or no feeling in your feet. Sores, cuts and grazes could go unnoticed and you could develop problems leading to amputations.

2) Don't go around barefoot, even indoors. It's easy to tread on something or stub your toes and cut yourself. Protect your feet with socks/stockings and
shoes/slippers.

3) Be careful if you have corns or calluses. Check with your doctor or podiatrist the best way to care for them.

4) Wash your feet daily in warm, NOT HOT water. And don't soak your feet (even if you've been standing all day) because it could dry your skin and form cracks or sores.

5) Take extra care to dry your feet completely, especially between your toes. These are natural moisture traps - leaving them damp or wet could create all sorts of problems.

6) Exercise your legs and feet regularly. Even when sitting you can rotate your ankles; wiggle your toes or move your legs up and down. These all keep your blood circulation flowing and helps to minimize the risk of foot problems.

7) Get your feet professionally checked, at least once a year, for sensitivity and signs of any problems. You can usually arrange this when you have your annual check up for your AC1 levels (blood glucose levels over a 3-month period), blood pressure and cholesterol.

Take constant care of your feet. Get help from a relative or professional; Doctor, diabetic nurse or podiatrist if you are not able to bend when trimming nails or checking for sores. Taking these simple actions will help you reduce the risk of painful problems.

About the Author
Carol Ann created http://www.your-diabetes.com to present information on diabetes from a diabetic's viewpoint. Discover more about diabetes; symptoms; living with it; other important health issues. Read inspiring stories from other diabetics; share your experience (or favorite recipes in a monthly prize draw). [© 2006 Carol Ann Bentley]

Tips To Manage Your Diabetes

Diabetes is an epidemic disease that affects more and more people nowadays. No need to panic when diagnosed with diabetes. It's bad news. It could be devastating at first. Fortunately, diabetes is a manageable condition. By following some simple steps you can keep your diabetes under control and still live a healthy life you deserve. Here are some tips on how to manage your diabetes successfully:

* Learning more about your diabetes - Knowledge about this disease will help you do what's good and avoid what's bad for this disorder.

* Planning a healthy diet - A healthy and balanced meal plan plays an important role in controlling your diabetes. It makes you feel better and help to reduce the chances of developing serious complications. A balanced healthy diet including a variety of foods from each group of grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products and meat and alternatives will keep your blood glucose at the normal level. Choose low fat foods and foods with a lower glycemic index. Avoid high fat foods and foods with a high glycemic index.

* Keeping your weight in a healthy range, shed off extra pounds if you're overweight, especially if you have type 2 diabetes - Keeping normal and healthy weight will help your body's ability use its insulin properly and maintain your blood glucose at normal level. Try to keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) at 18.5 - 24.9 You can calculate your BMI using the following formula:

English Formula

BMI= weight in pounds/ (height in inches x height in inches) x 703

Metric Formula

BMI= weight in kilograms/ (height in meters x height in meters)

* Trying to be physically active - 20-30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis will be very helpful. Exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, lower the risk of heart disease, and lose some extra pounds to keep you weight at a normal level. However, some diabetic complications will probably make some types of exercise program not suitable for you. Activities like weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics may be a little risky for people with diabetic retinopathy due to the risk for further blood vessel damage and possible retinal detachment. Consult your doctor before you get started. Make an action plan. Start slow and gentle. Gradually work your way up.

* Taking medications and/or insulin (in applicable) as prescribed by your doctor - Depending on types of diabetes you may need medications and/or insulin to assist the body in making or using insulin more effectively.

* Monitoring how your diet and/or treatment (if applicable) affect your blood glucose levels - Using a glucose meter to monitor your blood levels to see if they are affected by your meal plan and/or treatment .Keeping diary of your blood glucose readings and reviewing them to see if there are any noticeable patterns

Start to follow these simple tips and manage your diabetes today. You can too live a healthy life you deserve.

About the AuthorForest Sun is a healthy lifestyle enthusiast and advocate. His website at http://www.manageyourdiabetesnow.com offers information on diabetes and how you can manage diabetes successfully.