A pump usually has a 2-3 day supply of rapid acting insulin in its reservoir; the reservoir connects to the body through a thin tube, which plugs into a cannula in your body, which acts like a lodged input port. Like the reservoir, the cannula has to be changed every two to three days to maintain sterility and avoid infections.
Insulin pumps store their insulin in cartridges, and work pretty much identically to an injection pen. Where an insulin pump differs from an injector is that it provides a constant low dose of insulin at all times (something that would be terribly inconvenient to do with a syringe). Around the time you eat or exercise, you can boost the insulin you get.
Now, this doesn't mean you never have to monitor your blood glucose levels - but it does mean that you'll avoid having the "insulin yo-yo effect" of putting insulin into your system, eating a snack and waiting for your blood sugar levels to stabilize. Some of the more advanced insulin pumps will actually give readings on your blood sugar level, but the technology isn't quite there to have them do monitor-and-release triggers.
Insulin pumps can be worn in the shower, and while swimming, through the simple matter is that there's no clothes to hook them on to in a convenient place, so few people bother. A concern of insulin pump users is that because they need changing every three days or so, it's easy to get out of the habit of having an insulin 'kit' around, with extra insulin pump cartridges for a quick swap. Of lesser concern is that the batteries can run down if you're not careful with them. However, compared to daily (or 'every meal time') injections, they're a great boon.
Most insulin pumps are given to Type I diabetics who do not product insulin in their own - the insulin pump's ability to give a basal insulin level is a great benefit here, because insulin is a regulatory hormone for a lot of other reactions in the body, and this greatly ameliorates the health impact of the condition.
Insulin is a hormone essential to the conversion of sugar, starches and other foods into natural energy and the regulation of glucose uptake into most blood cells. An Insulin Pump has a disposable reservoir for insulin (inside the pump).
The basic function of an insulin pump is to put a carefully timed and regulated dose of insulin in your body. It still doesn't free the user from having to monitor their own glucose levels, and they still have to prepare their own infusion sets.
What they do allow you to do is avoid IV infusion sets or direct injection of insulin into your body; you can press a button on the insulin pump itself; on more advanced models, you can enter your glucose level, and the system will just put in a dose of insulin for you.
The confusion in terminology is that the tubing that runs from the insulin pump to the patient's body is called an infusion set - it's a small plastic tube that goes to a canula and links into the part of the system that's injected into the body; the benefit of this arrangement is that it's less invasive than carrying a syringe around all the time.
The infusion set needs to be replaced periodically (as does the canula) to maintain sterility and functionality, and buying replacement infusion sets can involve some confusion - some, but not all, medical suppliers think of traditional hospital style IV drip bags when the term infusion set comes up.
When in doubt, look at the manufacturer's web site for the maker of the insulin pump you use. The manufacturer very likely sells all the replacement parts needed for their make and model, from the electronics to the canula tips to the tubing needed, as well as the standard dose of human genetically engineered insulin.
As with most chronic conditions, it's important to keep a healthy perspective on what makes you go when it comes to your diabetes. It's always worth it to have an emergency kit -with spare batteries for the pump, an extra cartridge of doses, glucose pin prick strips and an extra infusion set, just in case you do something that torques or kinks the set in your body, or otherwise do something to damage the infusion set. While it's a bit frustrating to carry a small case of medical supplies, it definitely beats carrying around a set of syringes or a hypodermic insulin pen.
Tight Control of Your Blood Glucose Levels
To make sure you're healthy, it's important to keep a close eye on your blood glucose levels. This means testing regularly, and doing everything you can to make sure your test results are as accurate as possible. For some, this can be done with a method referred to as "tight control."
To do this, you need to get as close to a normal blood glucose level as safely possible. However, to do that, you need to pay much closer attention to your lifestyle. It's not just a matter of trying to follow your doctor's instructions about nutrition and exercise, but doing whatever you can to make sure you're living a healthy lifestyle for yourself. You'll also need to check your blood glucose levels more often, and if you take insulin, you may need to alter your injection dosage and schedule. This method can be a lot of work, but it can mean living a healthier, more active life.
Insulin Pumps
If you're trying to get your blood glucose levels closer to non diabetic levels and take insulin, you may need to inject insulin several times a day. This can be painful and intensive, so you may want to consider an insulin pump instead.
An insulin pump is used for rapid-acting insulin with intensive insulin therapy. The pump includes a disposable reservoir for the insulin, which is located inside the pump.
An insulin pump gives you a single type of insulin in two ways: a bolus dose that corrects a high blood glucose level or accounts for food eaten, and a basal dose that is pumped continuously to give you the insulin you need between meals and at night. The basal rate is adjustable. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to using an insulin pump over traditional injections.
The insulin pump is more expensive than the syringes used for injections. Since the pump is worn, you may be limited in your activities, and wearing the pump may be uncomfortable for some. The insulin pump must be checked often to make sure the battery is charged, the reservoir is full, and the tubing is working properly to make sure you're getting the insulin properly.
On the other hand, an insulin pump can give you freedom from a regimented exercise and meal plan that was needed when using slow-acting insulin injections. Using a pump, though it's worn most of the time, can be more discreet and convenient that several injections each day. Finally, insulin pumps give a more precise dosage of insulin than syringes.
A diabetes test strip is a small strip used to test the blood glucose levels in diabetics. You put a small drop of blood on the strip, and then your glucose monitor gives you a read out with the information about your glucose levels. However, not all diabetes testing strips are the same. Different test strips go with different glucose meters, and it's important to make sure the test strips you are using are the ones that go with your glucose monitor.
Another difference between different diabetes testing strips is that different strips require different amounts of blood to read your blood glucose levels. One strip may require less than one unit, while another may require two. Some test strips may also indicate that they support "alternate site testing." This means that you don't have to only use your finger tip for the blood. If this is something that is important to you, it's something to consider when looking for your diabetes test strips.
Diabetes test strips are important for managing your illness and monitoring your blood glucose levels. Making sure you have the right test strip, and that you're using it properly, will help you keep your blood glucose levels under control so you can stay healthy.
If you need to order more test strips, make sure you order the right kind for your glucose monitor. And when you test, make sure you're using the test strips properly. Follow the directions to your glucose monitor carefully to get as accurate a reading as possible.
Diabetes testing strips are an important part of monitoring and managing your blood glucose levels and keeping you healthy. They are a key part of your glucose monitor, and using them correctly means getting accurate results. The more accurate the results, the more likely you are to stay healthy and not be controlled by your diabetes.
When reporting the results of diabetes research, it is quite acceptable to say something like the following statement in a news release or report: "new drug shows promise for treatment." You have to be careful, however, in saying something like, "ancient practice of using certain natural dietary supplements limits incidence of type 2 diabetes among Mayan descendants". No claims of treatment or cure can be made regarding any naturally available product used as food or food supplement without approval. This FDA technicality shows the tilt of the play field - it's not towards the sufferers of this degenerative disease, but towards the drug manufacturing industry.
However, before we examine the pitiful state of metabolic disease research any further, I want to share some interesting bit of information on type 2 diabetes; in particular some new research study on a natural food supplement. I actually "tore" out a piece of the page of the report and posted it on the web.
Let us consider one commendable effort by a research organization as seen in a January 2009 article. We read that that US Olympic swimmer, Gary Hall, Jr. was "tapped as spokesman for new study that explores benefits of exercise on autoimmune diseases." Mr. Hall, who competed in the Olympics from 1996 through 2004 and won 5 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals in 3 Olympics was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999.
Scientists conducting diabetes research to investigate the effect of physical exercise on autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes believe that regular aerobic activity increases insulin sensitivity. But this has been known and practiced for some time now. One exercise physiologist to whom I have listened several times even told of clients who simply exercise and then eat in order to control their blood sugars. I am not sure I would advocate anyone working so hard for every meal, but it shows the effectiveness and importance of physical activity in regulating blood sugar.
Diabetes research has been chasing the money
With all the knowledge and experience gained from various diabetic research studies that prove the effectiveness of proper diet and exercise very little is being done to promote healthy lifestyle intervention especially among the high risk groups. Diet and lifestyle regulation can help in not only controlling, but preventing, the onset of type 2 diabetes. Instead, science continues to chase the "so-called" genetic factors and the development of more drugs to tackle the epidemic. Why?
Well, since it is difficult to "patent" a freely growing plant that can be used in dietary supplementation, then expensive research has to follow the money. However, even the researchers agree that there are things we can do to treat ourselves, and we should. After all, our health is the result of choices we make daily.
Recent double-blind clinical studies have shown very satisfactory results for controlling blood glucose level using common, easily available, traditionally used, and natural dietary supplements. Having tried some of the ingredients individually, it is particularly thrilling to see new combinations and special blends of these traditionally safe products. One question still hangs unanswered, however. Will the established arm of the pharmaceutical and medical industries still keep this information under their clipboard, or will they help spread the news to diabetics?
Insulin Resistance Explained
In order to appropriately understand insulin resistance, you must first understand the initial digestion process when it comes to foods that are consumed. As food travels through the gastrointestinal tract, the body will pull out nutrients, minerals, and other items that can be used for basic maintenance. These substances eventually end up in the bloodstream as this is the quickest means of travel throughout other locations in the body. Basic sugars which typically enter the bloodstream as glucose also enter into the blood. As soon as the body recognizes the glucose located in the blood, the pancreas kicks in and begins to secrete insulin. Insulin that is produced by this organ is identified as a hormone.
Insulin travels through the blood and seeks out cells that are traveling from one location to another. It acts as a type of sponge when it comes in contact with glucose. It absorbs the glucose and retains it so that it can be used when necessary for the production of energy. When an individual suffers from insulin resistance, the body is not as receptive as it normally would be at the optimal level of health. The cells simply "ignore" the hormone and continue without the energy that is required to successfully maintain the functions of the body. As a result of the cells simply bypassing the hormone of insulin, the pancreas immediately kicks in and begins to work harder producing the hormone because it recognizes the fact that the cells passing through the bloodstream require it.
Common Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
There are many common symptoms of insulin resistance. If you have Type 2 diabetes, or have found that you are not as healthy as you once were, it is important to ensure that you become familiar with these symptoms just in case this syndrome begins to infect you. By knowing the symptoms, you can obtain the medical care that you need to treat the metabolic condition. The symptoms are as follows:
* Many may begin to develop moderate to high levels of fatigue. This may affect an individual either physically or mentally. Many cases involve fatigue that affects one physically as well as mentally.
* One may notice that they begin to gain weight. The weight gain typically occurs in the area of the middle abdomen area.
* Mild to severe bloating due to gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract may be experienced in those that suffer from insulin complications in the body.
* If the blood is tested, one may be informed that they have a high level of sugar in the blood. In addition to this, they may be informed that their triglyceride level is relatively high.
* Many individuals may notice spikes when it comes to their blood pressure reading. High blood pressure is a common issue in those that experience insulin resistance as well as Type 2 diabetes.
* Difficulties surrounding focus and concentration levels are often experienced in those that suffer from a resistance to insulin.
If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to talk to a medical professional. Delay could result in serious medical complications. While insulin resistance is a syndrome, it can result in many potentially dangerous medical conditions and disease.
Recognizing this importance food choices, it is imperative that we think ahead of our meals and plan when, what, how much, and where to eat. Admittedly, this sounds like one of those impossible and impractical things to do, nice to know but it never gets past the first try. It might actually be. After all, shouldn't eating be a spontaneous affair, and isn't this what makes eating so much more fun?
You are strolling down the street on a sunny afternoon and suddenly the smell of freshly baked buns entices your entire sense of smell and you willingly give in to the temptation of taste and you consume, never mind that you just came out of a restaurant, 12 steps ways, after lunch. That's being spontaneous, that's the beauty of life. Nothing wrong with that. It is a very sexy too.
As long as good health permits, being spontaneous is fine. But when being spontaneous is akin to poisoning yourself then you might want to consider a lazy cousin of meal planning.
This lazy cousin opts to maintain a food consumption diary. Yes. Your guess is deliciously right. It is a 'eat now, worry later' policy. And especially enticing for those suffering from Type 2 diabetes. You have been leading a medically care free life, eating almost anything you desire and in any quantity. But upon being Type 2 diabetes positive, you have to change your ways and watch what you eat. It doesn't sound difficult at first, but given time you will soon realise that it is quite easy to follow as well.
There are 3 main components to look out for. They are the food intake especially the time, your medications and blood-sugar levels and your physical activities.
What you eat, the quantity, including how it was prepared and the timing of the meals will provide valuable information for blood sugar levels. Your medications will provide a indication of the your average blood sugar levels. Records of your physical activities will provide valuable information on how medication and food interacts with your exercises. Thus, this will allow you to better regulate your meal habits and avoid those harmful sessions before it kills you. It ain't much but it will surely not allow you to stray too far from salvation.
Another information for diabetics is that they should know how far their health will be damaged due to the adverse side effects of drugs and medicines prescribed to control blood glucose. What are the diet supplements for diabetics without the usual side effects of medicines and drugs prescribed? Here you can find out a right solution with a natural cure for diabetes including natural supplements. If you have some knowledge about what causes diabetes, it will be enabling you for diabetes self management.
Basically, you must understand the natural cures for diabetes, and how they can be achieved. The only answer for this question is effecting lifestyle changes in which drugs and medicines are considered as secondary. There is nothing to spend much from your pocket. Changing your lifestyle is indeed with zero cost. Here are some useful tips to beat diabetes naturally.
1. Recognize the early symptoms of diabetes yourself with the basic knowledge about your ailment.
2. Consult your doctor immediately without ignoring the symptoms.
3. Take preliminary medication if necessary to prevent the increase of blood sugar levels.
4. Get advice to choose the best diabetes diet foods. It will be safe if you consult a dietician to have a list of Low Carb Foods.
5. Regular monitoring your blood sugar levels may help you in controlling sugar level and avoid all diabetes complications.
6. Learn to eat whole grain foods which preserve the fiber content to eliminate fats in the consumed diet.
7. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits. You may have boiled foods than fried items.
8. Avoid junk foods and sweet drinks containing refined sugar.
9. Have exercise at least for 40 minutes every day. The exercises may be swimming, jogging and hiking.
10. Whatever may be your body type, avoid consuming excessive alcohol and save your life.
What are the risk factors?
1. Age - As you get older the chances of becoming Diabetic increases. It usually becomes a problem once an individual reaches over the age of 45 or 50.
2. Having a Sedentary life style - Most individuals do not exercise and they live a very sedentary life. More time is spent watching TV, playing electronic games or using the computer than walking, running, hiking and engaging in any other physical activities. Families don't promote physical activities where parents and children are active together, nor do they encourage their children to play outside with other children like in the old days.
3. Belonging to certain ethnic groups - Statistic show that African Americans, Native Americans, Asians and Hispanics have a higher chance of becoming Diabetic than Caucasians.
4. Being overweight - Obesity is a major risk factor in most health problems and Diabetes is no exception. When someone is overweight they more than double their chances of becoming Diabetic, if they are obese it is 80 times more likely they will become Diabetic.
5. Family History - If someone in your direct family line, such as parent, grandparent, sibling has a history of Diabetes you are at risk. But more than that, if you live the same unhealthy lifestyle that they live you increase your chances of being Diabetic.
6. High Blood pressure - If you chronically suffer from high blood
Pressure you are at risk for Diabetes. High blood pressure (hypertension) adds to the workload of the heart, arteries and kidneys. Damage to kidneys are long term and cause related complications.
7. Having cancer - Individuals who have or had cancer may find that they are effected with serious Diabetic complications.
8. Smoking - Because of the poisonous carcinogens in Nicotine it is a precursor for almost any Disease the body can contract including Diabetes.
9. Current Lifestyle - In order to decrease your chances of becoming Diabetic you must eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, exercise 3 - 4 days each week, and not over indulge in sugary foods. In many cases you have to change your current lifestyle.
10. High Sugar intake - The average American consumes 2 - 3 pounds of sugar each week. That comes from eating; cakes, cookies, candy, chips, sugary cereals, soda/pops, fruit juices, etc. If you find that you crave simple carbs and other forms of sugar you should see a doctor because you are probably at risk.
The first thing to know is that just because you have been diagnosed with this disease, you do not have let it change who you are. Sure, you may have to change a few things that you do, but after time the changes will just become another daily habit of your life. You will find ways to incorporate your new lifestyle in with your old and go on to live a long and healthy life.
The second thing to know is that you are not alone. Your doctor and other health practitioners will come together as a team to help you put your life back into control. Your team of new friends can consist of an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, an eye doctor and other heath personnel that will help you to learn the skill you need to learn to beat back this disease.
The third thing you should know is that you will need to check your blood sugar level several times during the day. Check it when you first get up in the morning, before and after your meals and just before you go to bed at night. You will learn how to keep records so you can monitor how you are doing with your medication and insulin schedule and how your levels are being controlled.
Fourthly, you need to know that it is very important to stay on your medication schedule and to take them as prescribed by your doctor. Taking diabetes medication will help to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Following your medication schedule will prevent long term complications too.
The fifth thing you should know is that you need to have a meal plan and stick with it. Learn what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. It is best to eat at the same times each day so that your blood sugar levels can remain steady. Learn portion control so that you get a good balance of nutrition in your meals. Keep your carbohydrate, proteins and fats in balance too. Your nutritionist will be very helpful in helping you plan your meals so you can stay on track to control blood sugar levels.
And finally, the sixth thing you should know after you have been diagnosed with diabetes is that you need to make sure you get adequate exercise. Find one that you like so you will stick with it. You will be able to lose weight and at the same time make sure your insulin receptors function more efficiently. Regular exercise will also lower blood sugar levels and will help prevent mood swings and depression.
The eye consist mainly of a ball of jellylike substance (vitreous humour), which is securely fit in the eye case in the skull. Most part of the body of the eye is hidden with only a small percentage of the eye that is visible. In the front, there is a lens, which can change shape and length in order for the eye to focus, and behind the lens is an opening where the light is allowed to pass through. This opening is called the pupil.
Inside the eye, at the back of the eye, there is a network of capillaries and light sensitive tissue, pretty much the same idea as an old camera..... the life before we went digital.
At the centre of the retina, we find the Macula. This is a very small area, almost like the size of a pinhead, and is the most specialized part of the eye. In order for us to see, we need to have the light focus perfectly on the macula which also enables us to see very small and fine detail. The rest of the retina gives us peripheral vision, enabling us to see on the side.
Diabetes is a very non sympathetic condition and does not spare anything, including your most valuable asset..... sight!!
Diabetic eye diseases may include:
Cataract
Cataracts develops early in the life of diabetes sufferers which causes clouding of the lens of the eye.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an increase in fluid pressure in the eye that leads to damage of the optic nerve and eventually loss of vision. A sufferer of diabetes, is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.
Diabetic Retinopathy
One of the worst visual impairment conditions that can occur from Diabetes is most probably Diabetic Retinopathy. This is damage to the blood vessels in the retina which supply the eye with blood, nutrients and oxygen.
Diabetic Retinopathy causes hanges in the blood vessels in the retina and is the most common eye disease in adult diabetics. It is also the major cause of blindness in American adults.
Diabetic retinopathy can have different effects on different sufferers as everyone is unique and does not respond to the disease the same way. In some people, the capillaries may swell and leak fluid, while in other people abnormal new blood vessels will grow on the surface of the retina. This will either cover the retina and the macula or allow parts of the eye to die, thus permanent irreparable damage. To have perfect vision, we need a healthy retina.
In the first stage of diabetic retinopathy, the sufferer may not notice any changes in vision, but after a while it can get worse and cause complete loss of vision and this always affects both eyes.
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
We discern four stages in diabetic retinopathy:
Stage 1: Mild nonproliferative retinopathy
Small balloon-like swellings appear in the blood vessels in the retina. This is known as microaneurysms.
Stage 2: Moderate nonproliferative retinopathy
During this stage some of the blood vessels that supplies the retina with blood, nutrients and oxygen gets blocked off completely, causing ischemia (lack of oxygen) to certain parts of the retina. As we all know, oxygen is much needed to sustain life and keep organs functioning.
Stage 3: Severe nonproliferative retinopathy
As the disease progress, many more blood vessels gets blocked off which is now depriving the retina of a great deal of nutrients and oxygen. The body in response will send a signal to the brain that it is in need of more oxygen, which the body will then grow more blood vessels on the retina to rectify the ischemia.
Stage 4: Proliferative retinopathy
At this stage the new blood vessels are growing on the retina in order to restore blood supply to the affected areas of the retina. This is a very advanced stage of the disease and the blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. These blood vessels grow along the retina and the clear gel inside the eye. This blood vessels are very thin and do not cause any visual impairment, but if they leak blood, severe vision loss and blindness will be the result.
When bleeding in the eye occurs, it can either bleed into the vitreous humour or onto the macula, causing macular edema. Macular edema can happen at any time during the disease.
If the bleeding is inside the vitreous humour, the sufferer can have total vision loss and the retina may even become detached from the surface. This is known as retinal detachment.
With treatment most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be prevented if diagnosed early enough.
It is vital to go for an annual visual acuity tests and dilated eye exams. It is also vital to have the pressure inside your eye tested to make sure that there is not an increase in eye pressure. Even if there is no sign of retinopathy, it is still imperative to have your eyes tested as changes can occur without the sufferer experiencing any symptoms.
Your optometrist will check your eyes for early signs of:
Leaking blood vessels
Damaged nerve tissue
Any changes to blood vessels
Retinal edema (swelling)
Calcium is important for everyone, but many people don't get enough by drinking milk or eating dairy. Calcium is especially important for women, who are at risk for osteoporosis later in life. Even if you think you're getting enough calcium, you may want to consider a separate supplement that contains between 500 and 1,000 mg of calcium.
Chromium supplements should be between 50 and 200 mcg. Unfortunately, you may not get enough chromium in the food you eat, and since this mineral helps your body handle blood sugar, it's especially important to make sure you're getting enough chromium. Extra chromium can also help you build muscle.
Copper contributes to regulating your blood sugar, the way your body uses iron, and in bone and heart health. It's an important part of your diet, but like chromium, your regular diet doesn't give you enough. Diabetics should look for supplements that contain 2 mg of copper.
Folic Acid, also known as folate, is particularly important for women in their child bearing years. About 400 mg of folic acid in early pregnancy help the development of your baby's brain and spine. Higher levels of folic acid can lower your risk of heart disease and colon cancer.
Iron is important, but too much can be harmful to you. On the other hand, if you're not getting enough iron, you can become anemic. Most people get enough iron if they eat fortified cereals, but if you need a little extra iron, make sure you don't exceed 18 mg of iron each day, which is the daily recommended amount for everyone.
Magnesium supplements should contain 100 mg for diabetics. Magnesium is particularly important since it has been linked to protection from diabetes, as well as hypertension, osteoporosis, and migraine headaches. If you have kidney problems, be sure to check with your doctor before adding magnesium to your diet.
Vitamin A should be in the amount of 5,000 international units (I.U.), but no more than 10,000 I.U. Diabetics should look for supplements that contain 2 mg of vitamin B6. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and diabetics should have 200 to 500 mg of it as a daily supplement. Vitamin D can be added to your body from sunlight, but to get enough through the sun, you would spend too much time exposed to the sun without protecting your skin. Diabetics should look for 400 I.U. of vitamin D, but be sure your supplements, in conjunction with fortified cereals and milk don't exceed 800 I.U. Vitamin E is another antioxidant, and diabetics should look for 100 to 400 I.U. of it.
Zinc is one mineral that is probably the most lacking in your diet, and diabetics should look for supplements that contain 15 mg of zinc. Zinc helps wounds heal properly, as well as helping keep your immune system strong.
If you are suffering from diabetes, the one thing that you really need to be cautious of is the sudden rise in your sugar level for this may cause attacks or seizures. So for diabetes glycemic index is really essential for it determines how the food affect the blood sugar activity. Foods with a high rank would be the ones that will cause spike on the insulin level so it would be best to eat something with lower carbs instead.
Common foods that rank low are those rich in protein and fibrous. So you may maximize on these foods, examples are most fruits and vegetables. Though, this would not really hinder you from eating high ranking foods because you just have to eat them along with a protein to help counter act the effects of the carbohydrates.
It really helps if you can manage your blood sugar level. For example, you just finished a simple work out and your blood sugar level begins to plummet and continues to do so, eat foods with a higher number so as to stabilize it. On the other hand, if you want to keep the level from rising, then eat something with a lower number.
It really feels great when you can control your health. Knowing how you can prevent harm being caused to your body by the foods you eat will make you live longer. Good thing that the diabetes glycemic index is there to be of help in managing or controlling the harmful effect that foods may cause to your body.
Diabetes is a disease where the body either does not produce insulin (because the cells that produce it were either not created, or destroyed by the body's immune system) or the body has become resistant to the insulin that it creates. In both cases, the solution is to replace the insulin with an outside source, usually by insulin injection therapy.
Modern insulin injections are made by genetically engineered e coli bacteria to create human insulin, and is one of the oldest directly genetically engineered products on the market, dating back to the early 1980s. Before that, insulin was harvested from other animals, including sheep and pigs. The most common way of administering insulin is by injection, usually by way of a specialized hypodermic needle called an injection pen.
These pens come in two varieties - reusable and disposable. A disposable pen for insulin injection has a premeasured dose of insulin, is injected, and then discarded. A re-usable pen has a disposable needle tip and a cartridge with insulin doses, and offers more flexibility. Many pens are dual purpose digital blood glucose meters and injection tools, where the blood meter will give a good cue as to how much insulin the diabetic must inject.
Choosing the right dose of insulin is something that someone undergoing insulin injection therapy has to consider; with experience it comes from knowing how much you're intending to eat, or how much you're going to exercise after eating, and the goal is to mimic the natural fluctuations in insulin level that a person without diabetes has.
Fortunately, because of the genetic engineering needed to produce human insulin from e coli bacteria, the hormone itself is fairly inexpensive; most of the cost of insulin injection therapy is on the delivery mechanism, buying replacement needle tips.
Insulin needs to be kept within a specific temperature range to remain viable, and most diabetics bring an injection kit (with a blood glucose monitor) to properly gauge what's needed for a given dose and usage pattern. With proper education, insulin injection therapy turns diabetes from a guaranteed death sentence to a manageable chronic condition.
Tip # 1.
First of all, you may have heard that exercise will not help your condition. This can not be true. Everyone knows that being a couch potato will make any condition worse. The truth is human beings are made to move about and exercise their bodies. Not exercising is the worst thing you can do. People who exercise daily not only control their weight, but they can control many diseases like hypoglycemia, diabetes and heart disease. People who have high blood sugar also usually have high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. Exercise will help lower your blood cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure and lower your blood sugar. Exercise even lowers cortisol which is a stress hormone that can cause you to gain excess fat around your abdomen as well as exhaust your adrenal glands. Since exercise is good for your circulation, it is also good for your extremities which can be adversely affected by having glucose levels that are too high.
Tip # 2.
Secondly, make a few tweaks to your diet to help control your diabetes. Eating a healthy diet is not a chore or something to dread. Look at it as a way to regain control over your life. Everyone knows that being overweight is bad for you and maintaining a healthy weight is your number one weapon to beat diabetes. Not all diabetics are overweight but the majority of them are. It is simple to change a few of the foods you eat. Start off slowly and cut out the refined carbohydrates to begin with. If you cut out white foods like white bread, white potatoes, and white rice that is a good start. Then substitute these refined carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates liked whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes or yams and brown rice. You should be concerned with not flooding your system with sugary foods. Eat more veggies and drop the chips and dip. There are many other small food changes you can make to get control of your blood sugar and none of them are really all that hard to do.
Tip # 3.
Make sure you monitor your glucose levels consistently. This way you can make small adjustments to your daily insulin medication and not get to the place of going into insulin shock because you took too much insulin when you didn't need it. If you do not know how to check your glucose levels, it is important that you learn how. You will get a better idea on how different foods affect your sugar levels this way too.
· Do you wake up daily with tingling feet or hands?
· Does your foot tingle almost every time when you sit down?
· Are you blaming "sleeping" hands and feet often?
If the answer to one or more of the above questions is yes, then I'm happy that you are reading this. The numbness or tingling in your hand or feet can be a warning sign. You're reading this article means that you care for your health.
Some other names of numbness or tingling are
· Neuropathy
· Loss of sensation
· Paresthesias
· Sensory Loss
· Restless leg Syndrome
Type 2 diabetes comes slowly and the sufferer sometimes remains unaware of its happening. It is a condition that causes the blood sugar level to rise. The high-level of blood glucose damages the body systems including the nervous system. This damage to the nerves causes numbness or tingling sensation.
If still you are not sure that whether you have diabetes then check for the following symptoms
· Constant tingling
· Constant numbness
· Excessive thirst
· Frequent urination
· Hunger after eating
· Fatigue
· Mood swings
· Sudden weight loss
If you have got any of the above symptoms it does bot mean that your are diabetic. It is better to see a medical health professional nearby. You can keep a log of when you notice the above symptoms so you can answer the queries of doctor intelligently. Tingling or numbness is normally ignored for a longtime because the feeling is similar to having hand or feet fall asleep. Numbness or tingling can be defined as inability to feel the touch of anything on skin. One must contact doctor if
· He has a rash
· He feels dizziness or muscle spam
· He has numbness or tingling because of no obvious reason
· He has tingling in his wrists and fingers
· He has tingling in feet which gets worse while walking
· He has a pain in forearms, fingers
· The symptoms of tingling are worst during the nighttime.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes then it does not mean that your life is over. You are also not alone suffering from this severe problem. There are many who want to help you. It just needs your willpower. Here are key points for controlling the condition:
· Eat healthy
· Exercise regularly
What is diabetes?
But first let's cover a brief introduction to the subject. Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Glucose comes from the food we eat. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy.
When you have diabetes, your body has a problem making or properly using insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into your cells. If the blood glucose stays too high, it can damage your body.
Impact
? Affects almost 21 million people in the United States.
? One third (more than 6 million people) are as yet undiagnosed.
? Costs more than $132 billion/year in health care expenditures.
? One of the six leading causes of death in the United States.
? Number 1 cause of acquired blindness.
? Number 1 cause of kidney failure.
? Number 1 cause of non-traumatic amputation.
? Major contributor to cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
? Having to urinate often.
? Being very thirsty.
? Feeling very hungry or tired.
? Losing weight without trying.
But many people with diabetes have no symptoms at all.
Why should you be concerned?
Diabetes is a very serious disease. Do not be misled by phrases that suggest diabetes is not a serious disease, such as "a touch of sugar," "borderline diabetes," or "my blood glucose is a little bit high."
Diabetes can lead to other serious health problems. When high levels of glucose in the blood are not controlled, they can slowly damage your eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves, and feet.
What are the different types?
There are three main types of this condition.
? Type 1 diabetes-In this type, the body does not make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.
? Type 2 diabetes-In this type, the body does not make enough insulin or use insulin well. Some people with type 2 diabetes have to take diabetes pills, insulin, or both. This is the most common form of diabetes.
? Gestational diabetes-This type can occur when a woman is pregnant. It raises the risk that both she and her child might develop diabetes later in life.
Good news! You can treat diabetes and lead a normal life reducing or even eliminating health risks from this condition.
This disease can be managed and eliminated. You can successfully manage diabetes and avoid the serious health problems it can cause if you follow these steps:
?Make healthy food choices and be physically active most days. Following this advice will help you keep off extra pounds and will also help keep your blood glucose under control.
?Check your blood glucose as your doctor tells you to.
?Research the Hippocrates Health Lifestyle further. It has been proven for over 50 years to help those afflicted with this disease through a natural treatment.
What Is Coding?
Most glucose meters use a plastic test strip dosed with glucose oxidase. These strips can vary from batch to batch, and most test strips will have a code or a chip for the user to enter before using the meter with the new batch of strips. Entering the code calibrates the glucose meter and the diabetic test strips so that the reading will be accurate, based on the amount of glucose oxidase on the strips in the package.
However, if the user forgets to recode the meter when he or she begins to use a new box of test strips, or if the user enters the code improperly, the readings will be incorrect. The inaccuracies vary, but the readings can be off by as much as 43%. For people actively managing diabetes, an incorrect meter can mean taking the wrong dose of insulin, which significantly increases that person's risk of hypoglycaemia and other diabetes-related complications.
Why Don't Ascensia Test Strips Have to be Coded?
Unlike most glucose meters, Ascensia Contour test strips and meters are self-calibrating. Ascensia's "no coding" claim isn't that no coding is involved, but that it doesn't have to be done manually. While most test strips require the user to enter a code, insert a coding strip, or insert a chip into the glucose meter, Ascensia meters automatically calibrate by checking the strip electronically when it is inserted into the meter, and the Bayer company, which makes the Ascensia Contour and Ascensia Breeze meter, claims that it cannot be miscoded using this system.
Should I Switch?
The study did not find significant accuracy discrepancy between Ascensia meters and other brands of meters when the devices were coded correctly. The reason for ADS's endorsement has almost everything to do with the frequency of human error. If the meter is coded improperly, the results could be potentially dangerous; if the user is careful to double check when switching boxes, he or she shouldn't have any significant problems testing glucose levels. The question comes down to self-evaluation. Users must ask themselves whether they are prone to carelessness or impatience when they are performing a task that has to be repeated day after day. Meters without coding simply take out one more place where human error can occur.
Ascensia products are not significantly more expensive than other meters, and are actually less expensive than some. While some diabetics may not have a choice because of Medicare requirements, if they choose to avoid the hassle of coding a meter from another company, the price should not be much of a deterrent.
High insulin levels actually inhibit the metabolic pathway that allows fat-stores to be broken down, therefore fat loss becomes difficult. Then you are:
unable to burn your food properly
tired
extremely challenged when you try to lose weight
The good news is this condition can be managed with a reduced carbohydrate intake and a mixture of both cardio and resistance training. Less carbohydrates and increased muscle mass results in less insulin being required for digestion which, in turn, helps to improve the symptoms and results in a slow but sustainable fat loss.
Best Diet Tips for Insulin Resistance:
1. Always eat carbohydrates and proteins together.
2. Avoid added sugars: jams, honey, fruit juice, cordial and lollies. All have a high glycemic index (GI).
3. Cut out saturated fats: fast and takeaway food, fried food, cakes and biscuits. Oil used in these products clog the cells.
4. Measure your rice and pasta portions: keep it to just one cup size (when cooked).
5. Eat wholegrain bread: this has a low glycemic index.
6. Aim for a gap of two to three hours between meals.
7. Drink green tea. Reports suggest green tea helps reduce sugar cravings. Constant sipping of milk-based coffee and sweet drinks disrupts the natural digestive cycle and increases hormone levels.
8. Avoid sugary snacks: biscuits, cakes and muffins contain white flour, butter and sugar and usually have a high glycemic index. Have a handful of nuts, almonds or walnuts instead as these help regulate hormone levels
If you feel like something sweet your first choice should be a diet or an artificially sweetened product.
Insulin resistance which is influenced by genetics, is exacerbated by weight gain, inactivity and a poor diet. If left unmanaged this will eventually result in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease of disordered metabolism which results in abnormally high blood sugar levels. The high blood sugars are a result from the lack of effective insulin production or utilization. Serious complications associated with diabetes include stroke, cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system diseases, hypertension and lower extremity amputations.
In 2006 the United Nations passed UN Resolution 61/225: World Diabetes Day. The resolution recognizes diabetes as a chronic, debilitating disease that is costly and associated with severe complications. November 14th is World Diabetes Day and the resolution designated this day to be observed by the United Nations every year.
The World Health Organization has estimated that the prevalence of diabetes worldwide was 171 million in 2000, but will reach 366 million. The IDF has estimated the current prevalence of diabetes worldwide to be 246 million. The CDC estimates that about 24 million Americans have diabetes, which includes those individuals who are not aware that they have been diagnosed.
In developing countries, the social and economic burden of diabetes makes it difficult to improve standards of living and economic growth. Almost 80% of the people living with diabetes live in developing countries. Within the next twenty years, the largest increase in diabetes is estimated to take place in developing countries if preventative measure are not taken.
The mission of International Diabetes Federation is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. Its main activities include education for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, public awareness campaigns and the promotion and exchange of information.
Making changes in your attitude...the way you approach your diabetes and making change in your lifestyle will allow you to win your war with diabetes. If you've done much searching on the Internet you know there are tons of sites promoting quick cures and lots of pill and potions to get rid of your diabetes. Understand now that there are no magic cures. Don't misunderstand, there are alternative therapies that do help control blood sugar... but they are not the cure.
Real results in diabetes control come from setting your attitude to a "I can do it!" mindset and then taking the appropriate actions to reach your goal of controlling your diabetes and having more normal blood sugars. Once you're ready mentally to do what it takes to get good control, the next step is to identify your plan of action.
Almost every diabetic must make permanent lifestyle changes in order to beat diabetes. These lifestyle changes must come in the areas of eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and consistently monitoring and evaluating blood sugars. For most these are major changes and won't be accomplished all at once. The journey of good diabetes control is day by day. That's what it takes to achieve the results you're after. You must take the steps each day to ensure a healthy future without the horrible complications diabetes can cause. Don't let this over whelm you.
You are not alone. Use every resource you have to learn all you can about controlling your diabetes. Your primary care physician should be at the head of your healthcare team. Your physician can refer you to others who can help you learn about your diabetes, your diet, your medications, and all the other aspects of diabetes life. Use these resources as much as possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn all you can about your condition.
Remember, you can beat diabetes. Commit today to take the actions for a healthier tomorrow.
Exercise not only helps slow nerve damage but also helps in controlling blood sugar levels, provides cardiovascular fitness that protects against heart and artery disease, and aides in helping you to feel good both physically and mentally. If you're overweight, any amount of exercise will assist you in weight loss. The recommended activity level per day is thirty minutes. However, starting at ten or fifteen minutes and working up to the thirty-minute goal if a good place to start your program out.
Kickboxing, aerobics, biking, racquetball... these are all fun activities, while giving your body a much need workout in order to maintain a healthy heart and nervous system. Find something you enjoy and getting out to do it will be a pleasure not a pain.
It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program to make sure you're ready for the plunge. If he clears you for a 'go', don't let anything stop you. Start walking your way to better health.
The sugars found in the mouth aid in gum disease. The constant introduction and presence of sugar in the mouth (like a sippy cup with juice), feed the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease. Blood vessels in a diabetic are also compromised. They thicken and slow the delivery of oxygen to the extremities. Likewise, they slow the removal of waste from these tissues. All of which lowers the defense to infection, including periodontal infection.
A Dentistry Today publication detailed the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Those with diabetes have more severe periodontal issues and those with periodontal disease have a more difficult time controlling their diabetes. The link is found in both adults and children. About 50 percent of children have periodontal disease according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center. Unfortunately the symptoms of periodontal disease are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. A dentist can diagnose the disease in the early stages, prior to parents realizing their children have it. Thus, it is important that children with diabetes receive regular oral check ups.
A study at the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo found that obesity is significantly related to periodontal disease through the pathway of insulin resistance. Sara Grossi, director of the UB Periodontal Disease Research Center and lead author of the study said, "Now we see a relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and periodontal disease in a large, population-based cohort. This relationship is significant because obesity is an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease." (http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20000408_obesity.html) Today, adults and children with diabetes have a better chance of keeping this disease under control. Besides diet, it also takes diligence and thoroughness in oral health.
Want to learn more on how to have a white and healthy smile and manage periodontal disease? I have designed and developed a home dental cleaning system that uses the technology of the professional Prophy-Jet to power wash between your teeth and around the gum line.
It's not too late even if you have diabetes. Small changes in your activity level can really help. Being physically active provides the following benefits:
1. Improvement in Blood Glucose Control: Physical activity along with a low-GI diet is really the foundation of the treatment if you are diabetic; it improves blood levels naturally. Exercise works its magic by causing more sugar to be used by the cells in need of energy and this means less insulin is secreted. Blood sugar levels are reduced independently.
2. Improved Insulin-Sensitivity: Physical activity leads to improved sensitivity and, for many diabetics, this leads to a reduction in the use of either oral or injectable medications. Regular exercise leads to a process called improved glucose tolerance, which measures how well your body metabolizes blood glucose. Exercise forces the liver and muscles to use their stored glycogen; glycogen is the stored form of glucose. So now these stores need to be replaced, which means the cells absorb more sugar from your blood. This process can continue for 24-48 hours until the glycogen is fully restored.
3. Reduction in Body Fat: Exercise together with the appropriate low-GI diet is an effective way to lose weight. And along with weight loss, is an improvement in insulin-sensitivity which allows many type 1 or type 2 diabetics to reduce their oral or injectable medications. Insulin is a growth hormone; the less of it in your system the fewer pounds you will gain.
You can exercise your way to lower blood glucose levels. Combine exercise with a low-GI diet and you could be on your way to drug free type 2 diabetes. Would you like to learn more about 'How to Heal Type 2 Diabetes'?
7 Common Symptoms of Diabetes Include:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision
Diabetics experience frequent urination as a common symptom. If you are visiting the restroom a lot more than usual over a period of time, this could be one sign of the first stages of diabetes. Frequent urination can be caused by to much glucose content in the blood stream. When there is to much glucose, an not enough insulin, the kidneys have a really rough time filtering all the glucose so they become over worked. The kidneys then try to dilute the blood stream of glucose by drawing extra water out of the blood, thereby causing frequent urination.
Excessive thirst is also a common symptom found in type 1 diabetics. Since the kidneys are working over time to dilute all the glucose in the blood stream, the body requires more water. Frequent urination on top of the body's need to dilute the blood stream will cause diabetes sufferers to experience extreme thirst. This is because your body is trying to keep from being dehydrated.
Extreme hunger occurs when an excessive amount of sugar builds up in the bloodstream without any insulin to push it along to the cells. Because of this, the muscles and organs starve for energy and this causes the diabetic to experience extreme hunger. Diabetics suffer from a lack of insulin which is the main ingredient that drives sugar to tissue and cells that rely on certain amounts of sugar for energy. This is a very common symptom of type 1 diabetes.
Even though diabetes is usually associated with obesity, there are some cases of unusual weight loss. When the body is starving for energy, and there is the absence of insulin, the cells never receive the necessary nutrients they require. When the tissue doesn't receive enough glucose they will lack the energy needed to stimulate growth. This also is common with type 1 diabetes.
Increased fatigue is a direct result of your body starving for energy. As you can see, all these symptoms are tied together. When your cells lack the nutrients or never receive what they require, you become tired and fatigued. Even if a diabetic eats a lot, their cells never accumulate enough glucose to generate energy because of the lack of insulin to drive the sugar to the tissue and cells.
Irritability can be caused when someone is tired, fatigued or extremely hungry. Usually diabetes sufferers experience all of these symptoms together. As each one is a direct result of the other.
Blurry vision is very common with this disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness from the ages of 20 to 74. T he reason someone would experience blurry vision with high glucose content is because high sugar levels causes the eyes to swell, which effects the vision. Other eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy are also common effects on the body caused by diabetes.
The good news is there are treatments available that actually can reverse this, or keep it under complete control. The best way to defeat diabetes is to prevent it. But in most cases, these 7 common symptoms of Diabetes that seem harmless to most people can unnoticed, affecting ones ability to detect this disease early.
