Diabetes is considered as a mother of host of maladies. So a diabetic should take extreme care while he is undergoing treatment and even afterwards. Once you develop diabetes, you are likely to remain affected with it for the rest of the life. So you need to be extremely careful and attentive towards prevention of complications that most of the times develop without you noticing it.
If you are diabetic and want to prolong your life, you need to be much conscious in your quest to keep blood sugar levels under control. That's the key to your safety from complication that would prove disastrous for your health.
Your little negligence would add to your misery. A diabetic is also needed to know in detail about expected complications, so that he/she could check or prevent these diseases on right time.
From your eyes to kidney, most of your body organs become vulnerable to diseases once diabetes afflicts you. Diabetic nephropathy is a kidney dysfunction that may even result in kidney failure that is quite common among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Similarly your eye's retina could be affected due to diabetes. The disease is called as diabetic retinopathy.
If you are diabetic you are very much prone to attain increased level of bad cholesterol that in turn may result in coronary artery disease. In fact a good number of diabetics every year die of cardiovascular complications. In order to prevent these complications, a diabetic must stick to the dietary restrictions. If you are diabetic, a little control over unhealthy food cravings could save your life.
High blood pressure is one such complication with which a diabetic often get afflicted. So, sometimes diabetics are needed to compliment their main medications with blood pressure medications.
A diabetic may also suffer from nerve damage. This malady is better known as diabetic neuropathy. The disease mainly damages peripheral nerves. In certain cases diabetics have been also found developing sexual impotency.
So, there could be n-number of complications that a diabetic could suffer from. Prevention from complications lies in effective diabetes control through medications and dietary measures.
To get more information on diabetes, diabetes diet and diabetes care visit http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Type 1 Diabetes Is Not Simply A Childhood Disease
Although type 1 diabetes was previously known as childhood diabetes, juvenile or juvenile-onset diabetes this is no longer the case. While type 1 diabetes often first appears in children over the age of 4, and is especially seen with the arrival of early adolescence at around 12 or 13 years of age, it can also appear in adults and is increasingly being seen in people in their late 30s and early 40s, although the onset at this age tends to be somewhat less marked than that seen in children
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin. The precise reason for this inability is something of a mystery, although there is almost certainly an underlying genetic cause which is triggered by a combination of different environmental factors.
The body needs insulin for normal metabolism and uses it to transfer glucose, which forms one of the body's main sources of energy and is produced during the process of food digestion, from the bloodstream and into the cells of the body. In healthy people insulin is produced by cells, called beta-cells, within an area of the pancreas but, in cases of type 1 diab
etes, these cells become damaged and production either cease or is reduced.
There are around one million Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes, which represents somewhere between 5% and 10% of the total number of Americans suffering both type 1 and type 2 forms of the disease. Each year, in the region of ten thousand new cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in the United States. Type 1 diabetes is more common in men than it is in women and is also more prevalent among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic Americans and African Americans.
Although not in itself life-threatening, type 1 diabetes accounts for a significant number of deaths, particularly premature deaths, from complications arising out of the condition. These can include cerebral vascular disease, renal disease, heart disease, vascular disease and gangrene in the lower limbs, visual difficulty and blindness.
There are a number of symptoms that can accompany the onset of type 1 diabetes and the most common early symptoms, which result from a buildup of glucose in the blood, are excessive urination, thirst and hunger usually accompanied by tiredness and a lack of energy. In some cases excessive blood sugar can also lead to nausea and blurred vision.
It is also common for the presence of type 1 diabetes to be detected as the result of an emergency condition known as ketoacidosis with the diagnosis being made in a hospital emergency room. Ketoacidosis arises when blood sugar levels reach an especially high level and the body begins to break down fat to get the energy that it needs. This leads to a build-up of chemicals known as ketones in the blood and produces nausea, vomiting and stomach pains. If left untreated the condition will progress and breathing can become increasingly rapid, followed by coma and death.
The main treatment for type 1 diabetes is the regular administration of insulin. As diabetes is however a metabolic disease, diet and exercise can also play a key part in keeping sufferers fit and healthy.
For more information on all aspects of diabetes including the cause of diabetes and diabetes treatment please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Type 1 Diabetes Treatments
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that typically affects individuals under the age of 40. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes does not have a specific known cause.
Typically, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs around the age of 14, although it is certainly capable of affecting younger children.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with this disease, know the options for type 1 diabetes treatments in order to ensure that he or she is getting the best care possible.
Furthermore, since type 1 diabetes is typically considered more serious than type 2 diabetes, it is important that everyone around the patient is informed of the correct actions to take should problems or complications occur with his or her condition.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
Currently, there is no specific known cause that is thought to trigger type 1 diabetes in individuals. It is believed that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body begins to attack itself, however the reason or the cause is still unknown.
Many individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes found the condition followed a previous infection, including polio, mumps, and the Epstein-Barr virus.
Again, there is speculation of this connection, but no concrete evidence has been found at this time to support this theory.
Type 1 Diabetes Treatments
Unlike other types of diabetes that can be controlled using eating schedules and dietary changes, type 1 diabetes must be controlled with insulin shots.
Furthermore, the blood sugars must be monitored on a regular basis so that any spikes or drops in the concentration of the sugar in the blood can be immediately identified. Insulin is injected on a daily basis into fatty cells under the skin.
Using the manner of injection, the body can immediately absorb the material into the blood stream and it can begin working to control the sugar problem. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be swallowed as a pill, since the acid present in the stomach would destroy the proteins that make up the insulin before it can be absorbed in the body.
There are now insulin pumps that are permanently attached to an individual that automatically regulates the amount of insulin in the body. When more insulin is needed, the pump tends to the situation.
Although carrying a pump may be awkward (even though these devices are typically small boxes that can be readily concealed under clothing), having that constant supply of insulin is the best way to go, especially in cases of severe type 1 diabetes.
Get Life Improving Information About Diabetes at http://www.4HealthConcerns.com/Diabetes and Find All The Research Material You Need About Juvenile Diabetes While You Relax at Home
Diabetes Symptom and Cure Info
Typically, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs around the age of 14, although it is certainly capable of affecting younger children.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with this disease, know the options for type 1 diabetes treatments in order to ensure that he or she is getting the best care possible.
Furthermore, since type 1 diabetes is typically considered more serious than type 2 diabetes, it is important that everyone around the patient is informed of the correct actions to take should problems or complications occur with his or her condition.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
Currently, there is no specific known cause that is thought to trigger type 1 diabetes in individuals. It is believed that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body begins to attack itself, however the reason or the cause is still unknown.
Many individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes found the condition followed a previous infection, including polio, mumps, and the Epstein-Barr virus.
Again, there is speculation of this connection, but no concrete evidence has been found at this time to support this theory.
Type 1 Diabetes Treatments
Unlike other types of diabetes that can be controlled using eating schedules and dietary changes, type 1 diabetes must be controlled with insulin shots.
Furthermore, the blood sugars must be monitored on a regular basis so that any spikes or drops in the concentration of the sugar in the blood can be immediately identified. Insulin is injected on a daily basis into fatty cells under the skin.
Using the manner of injection, the body can immediately absorb the material into the blood stream and it can begin working to control the sugar problem. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be swallowed as a pill, since the acid present in the stomach would destroy the proteins that make up the insulin before it can be absorbed in the body.
There are now insulin pumps that are permanently attached to an individual that automatically regulates the amount of insulin in the body. When more insulin is needed, the pump tends to the situation.
Although carrying a pump may be awkward (even though these devices are typically small boxes that can be readily concealed under clothing), having that constant supply of insulin is the best way to go, especially in cases of severe type 1 diabetes.
Get Life Improving Information About Diabetes at http://www.4HealthConcerns.com/Diabetes and Find All The Research Material You Need About Juvenile Diabetes While You Relax at Home
Diabetes Symptom and Cure Info
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms and Care
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often not easy to recognize and many people live with it for a long time before becoming aware that they are diabetes sufferers.
Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin dependant diabetes, diabetes mellitus and / or juvenile diabetes. It is a chronic, i.e. lifelong, disease that accounts for approximately ten per cent of total diabetes cases in Europe and North America. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately.
Type 1 diabetes can affect both adults and children but is frequently called juvenile diabetes because it represents the majority of the childhood cases of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptom
Without an adequate supply of insulin glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used by the cells. The body is unable to use this excess glucose for energy despite the high levels in the bloodstream which can lead to an increase in both hunger and fatigue. Another type 1 diabetes symptom is frequent urination, which in turn will lead to excessive thirst.
It can take some years, but eventually the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed by the body's own immune system. Once no more insulin is being produced it needs to be supplied from another source, often insulin injections, in order to help the body function properly.
Other specific type 1 diabetes symptoms are:
* weight loss despite normal or increased appetite* blurred vision* nausea and vomiting* abdominal pain* fatigue* absence of menstruation in women
Diagnostic approach
* urinalysis shows glucose and ketone bodies in the urine* fasting glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher* random (non fasting) blood glucose level exceeding 200 mg/dL (should be confirmed with a fasting glucose test)* insulin test* C-peptide test – low or undetectable levels of the protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production.
Treatment and care
Occasionally a newly diagnosed diabetes patient may require hospitalization to initially regulate insulin levels. However, since diabetes is a chronic disease the emphasis will be on managing both the short and long term diabetes-related problems. Patient education plays an important role in the ongoing management and dietary changes are almost always necessary together with self glucose monitoring and long term glycemic control.
A long term goal is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke as diabetes sufferers tend to be at higher risk. Lifestyle changes are often required to manage this risk. Increased exercise, stopping smoking and an appropriate diet are all required. These changes can allow a sufferer to take control of their disease rather than allowing the diabetes to take control of them.
Alison Stevens maintains a website for diabetes sufferers at http://newdiabetescare.com/ and a blog about diabetes care and treatment at http://diabetes-care-treatment.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 4, 2006
How To Identify Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a very serious and widespread disease that affects most of the systems in the body. It is currently the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. It is responsible for a staggering 210,000 deaths annually and steadily rising.
What exactly is Diabetes? There are two major types of Diabetes: Type I (formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes) and Type II (which is much more common). High blood glucose levels that lead to a host of problems characterize both types.
Type I Diabetes is a disease involving the pancreas in which the body destroys its own B cells and the pancreas can no longer make insulin. With no insulin to move glucose into body cells, glucose sits in the bloodstream and the levels soar. Telltale signs and symptoms usually appear especially thirst, hunger, excessive urination and fatigue. This type is more common in people under 30 and often appears in childhood. The peak onset is 11-13 years of age. Insulin injections are required for the remainder of the sufferer's life. This can be very difficult for a child who is battling diabetes. Complications such as heart disease, strokes, blindness and limb amputations due to vascular disease are frequently found also. Fortunately, Type I Diabetes accounts for only 5-10% of all types of diabetes.
In sharp contrast, Type II Diabetes claims a whopping 90% of all types of diabetes. It usually starts at age 35 or older and is especially common in the elderly. In type II Diabetes, there can be a combination of problems. The pancreas is still able to make insulin, but often it does not make enough and/or the cells are not able to use the insulin. Unlike Type I Diabetes, insulin injections are not always necessary, because the body can often still make some insulin. Sometimes oral medications, regular exercise and good nutrition are able to control the high glucose levels.
In many ways, the two types of diabetes are similar. Type II Diabetes frequently displays the same symptoms as Type I, but they are usually much milder or absent if the disease is kept under control. Exercise and proper nutrition is essential for controlling both types, but Type I patients tend to be thin, while Type II patients are usually obese. The same kinds of complications, especially heart disease, often plague Type II patients.
Type I Diabetes can have a profound impact on the lives of children diagnosed with it. Not only do they have to adjust to major life changes such as daily insulin injections, but they also face potential problems with self-esteem and peer interaction. Family counseling and support groups are often helpful in dealing with these issues.
Diabetes also poses an added risk for the elderly who are already more prone to developing strokes and heart problems... An estimated 20% of people over age 65 have diabetes, so this is a very real problem. Often the elderly population has a difficult time adapting to the disease.
Overall, diabetes has had a devastating effect on our society with about $98 billion spent on it annually in medical costs.
Jon Arnold is an author and computer engineer who maintains various web sites on a variety of topics. More info on this topic can be found at his Diabetes Information web site at http://diabetes-data.com/
What exactly is Diabetes? There are two major types of Diabetes: Type I (formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes) and Type II (which is much more common). High blood glucose levels that lead to a host of problems characterize both types.
Type I Diabetes is a disease involving the pancreas in which the body destroys its own B cells and the pancreas can no longer make insulin. With no insulin to move glucose into body cells, glucose sits in the bloodstream and the levels soar. Telltale signs and symptoms usually appear especially thirst, hunger, excessive urination and fatigue. This type is more common in people under 30 and often appears in childhood. The peak onset is 11-13 years of age. Insulin injections are required for the remainder of the sufferer's life. This can be very difficult for a child who is battling diabetes. Complications such as heart disease, strokes, blindness and limb amputations due to vascular disease are frequently found also. Fortunately, Type I Diabetes accounts for only 5-10% of all types of diabetes.
In sharp contrast, Type II Diabetes claims a whopping 90% of all types of diabetes. It usually starts at age 35 or older and is especially common in the elderly. In type II Diabetes, there can be a combination of problems. The pancreas is still able to make insulin, but often it does not make enough and/or the cells are not able to use the insulin. Unlike Type I Diabetes, insulin injections are not always necessary, because the body can often still make some insulin. Sometimes oral medications, regular exercise and good nutrition are able to control the high glucose levels.
In many ways, the two types of diabetes are similar. Type II Diabetes frequently displays the same symptoms as Type I, but they are usually much milder or absent if the disease is kept under control. Exercise and proper nutrition is essential for controlling both types, but Type I patients tend to be thin, while Type II patients are usually obese. The same kinds of complications, especially heart disease, often plague Type II patients.
Type I Diabetes can have a profound impact on the lives of children diagnosed with it. Not only do they have to adjust to major life changes such as daily insulin injections, but they also face potential problems with self-esteem and peer interaction. Family counseling and support groups are often helpful in dealing with these issues.
Diabetes also poses an added risk for the elderly who are already more prone to developing strokes and heart problems... An estimated 20% of people over age 65 have diabetes, so this is a very real problem. Often the elderly population has a difficult time adapting to the disease.
Overall, diabetes has had a devastating effect on our society with about $98 billion spent on it annually in medical costs.
Jon Arnold is an author and computer engineer who maintains various web sites on a variety of topics. More info on this topic can be found at his Diabetes Information web site at http://diabetes-data.com/
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
The two main forms of diabetes are called type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although they have different causes and, to a great extent, affect different categories of people, they share three main features.
First, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both characterized by metabolic abnormalities that include high levels of blood sugar in the circulation, as well as increased levels of other nutrient breakdown products that are released from their storage sites.
Second, decreased insulin secretion or a decreased sensitivity to insulin action is the reason for these metabolic abnormalities. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the body makes no or very little insulin because the insulin secreting islets have been harmed or destroyed. In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot meet the increased insulin demands brought on by a condition called insulin resistance.
Thirds, both types of diabetes can result in long term complications that affect the small vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.
These complications are related to the high levels of blood sugar that are sustained over time and can result in serious damage such as blindness, kidney failure, foot ulcers and amputation, and the dysfunction of other organs.
Both type of diabetes also substantially increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. In the short term, very high blood sugars, if not treated, can lead to sever dehydration and can cause confusion, coma and even death.
However, the two types of diabetes also have big differences. Type 1 diabetes characteristically occurs in children and young adults (once called juvenile onset diabetes) and requires treatment with insulin for survival (also called insulin dependent diabetes). In type 1 diabetes, the bodies immune system attacks the pancreas. This autoimmune attack destroys the beta cells, leaving them unable to make insulin.
The causes of type 1 diabetes are not fully understood. We don't know what triggers the immune system to start attacking the pancreas, although certain inherited genes can make you more vulnerable.
Marleny is dedicated to writing about Diabetes to help those finding information. More tips, recipes and information can be found at Diabetes Care
Monday, November 27, 2006
Type 1 Diabetes - Overview, Symptoms, and Management
When the body has difficulty in regulating its blood sugar, or glucose levels a disorder is contracted named, diabetes. Medically known as diabetes mellitus, it is a lifelong disease that needs to be treated and managed properly in order to prevent other serious complications to occur.
How does Type 1 diabetes is contracted?
When the immune system attacks and destroys some cells (beta cells) found in the pancreas, type 1 diabetes disease is already contracted. Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease wherein patients must take daily insulin injection for the survival. This disease is one of the most chronic diseases that occur to younger people, often the children.
Because of the attack, the pancreas is unable to produce or does not produce insulin at all, which is needed by the body for the energy. The result is an increase of glucose amount in the blood, which consequently spills to the urine. The increased level may result to too many complications associated to diabetes so patients are undergoing regular medical treatment, plus they need to watch their diet.
The most common type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms are:
- Excessiveness and frequency of urination
- Excessive thirstiness
- Fatigue
- Losing weight even with increased food appetite
- Susceptibility to different infections
Diagnosing Type 1 diabetes
People with this disease can easily be diagnosed, only within a month after the onset of the symptoms. The doctors may draw blood samples from you and check or measure its content of sugar or glucose levels.
Other specific types of diagnosis may include the following:
· Random blood glucose – sample blood is drawn and checked. Level of more than 200 mg/dl is already an indication of diabetes symptom.
· Fasting blood glucose – blood is drawn early in the morning following an 8-hour period of not eating and drinking beverages except water. 126 mg/dl or higher content of blood sugar level is a diabetes symptom.
· Urine glucose – glucose may spill over to the urine so this can also be checked of sugar content.
· Urine ketones – presence of ketones in the urine is another indication of the symptom.
· Oral glucose tolerance testing – the patient is asked to drink sweet and sugary beverage after an initial fasting blood sugar is obtained.
· Glycosylated hemoglobin – this is the test done to patients who have been diagnosed using other tests. Doctors operate this test in order to monitor the insulin level of the patient upon which he prescribes a diet to maintain or control your insulin intake.
How to manage Type 1 diabetes?
To control blood sugar or glucose level, a daily one or more dose of insulin is injected to the patient. Injections can be done either through a pen/syringe directly into the skin or through a belt with a pump injecting a continuous concoction of the insulin.
The patients themselves can administer injection for themselves upon learning of the process. In the cases of children patients, their parents or older guardians may take the responsibility.
Exercise and diet to affect Type 1 diabetes patients
Dietary choices are often the same with other people without the disease provided they follow the right pyramid pattern of healthy diets. They need to eat healthy variety of foods and beverages and must eat constantly at the right time, as this is important factor for the insulin injection. Furthermore, they need to watch out on the content of nutrition labels of what they eat to maintain eating normal levels.
Physical exercising can also benefit the patients but they should know how much time and intensity of the workout that they should carry on. The main benefit that exercising can provide you is your need for insulin may decrease. It is also important to maintain regular amount of workout in the daily basis in order for you to adjust easily your insulin dosages.
Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of justdiabeteshelp.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about type 1 diabetes.
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