Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Is There Self Test For Diabetes?

African American citizens, Hispanics and Local USA citizens have a raised rate of developing diabetes during their lifetime.

Diabetes has potential long-term complications that can have an effect on the kidneys, eyes, heart, veins and nerves. A number of pages on this internet site are dedicated to the prevention and treatment of the complications of diabetes. ( see Diabetes Symptoms ) In diagnosing diabetes, consultants primarily rely on the result of precise glucose tests. test results are just part of the data that goes into the diagnosis of diabetes.

Doctors also take into consideration your physical examination, presence or lack of symptoms, and medical history. Some folks who are seriously unwell will have transitory issues with raised blood sugars that may then revert to normal after the illness has resolved. Also, some medicines may alter your blood glucose levels ( most usually steroids and certain diuretics ( water tablets ) ).

The TWO main tests used to gauge the presence of blood sugar issues are : 1. Direct measurement of glucose levels in the blood in an overnite fast two. Measurement of the body's capability to reasonably handle the surplus sugar presented after drinking a high glucose drink. More frequent testing could be required when you're sick or under pressure. There are several kinds of devices. Generally, you prick your finger with a little needle called a lancet, which gives you a miniscule drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip, and put the strip into the device. A medicare supplier or diabetes teacher will help set up a suitable testing schedule for you. You will be taught the best way to make a response to different ranges of glucose values got when you self-test. The outcome of the test can be employed to adjust meals, activity, or medicines to keep blood sugar levels in a suitable range. Accurate record keeping of test results will help you and your healthcare provide plan a way to best control your diabetes.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Causes and treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes is caused when the body produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the organ known as the pancreas and is used to regulate the sugar in the bloodstream. In the case of someone having diabetes, the blood sugar does not get absorbed inside cells due to a lack of insulin and as a result, this causes a number of problems. There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 or diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes. In case of a type 1 sufferer, the organ pancreas is completely unable to make insulin. Some evidence have suggested that this may be caused, in part, by a viral infection. In type 2, the problem occurs when there is not enough insulin made by the pancreas and whatever is made is soaked up in fat cells. Type 1 diabetes usually has its onset with young people under the age of 30 while type 2 diabetes, sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes, usually occurs in people over 30 years.

To avoid the complications of diabetes, type 1 sufferers must take measures to regulate the blood sugar. Treatment can either involve taking preventive maintenance or through insulin replacements. In preventive measures, the sufferer must watch the food he or she eats as this will determine the blood sugar. Having a well-regulated diet is essential. Such a person also avoids sugar, honey, sweets and soft drinks that are packed with sugar. If a sufferer of type 1 diabetes does not watch what he or she eats, this can result in blood sugars getting out of control that this can have long-term complications and can result in quick and severe illnesses.

In the case of the type 2 diabetes, the sufferer has to control what he or she eats as this type of diabetes is usually worsened by excess weight. Usually with a good diet, it is possible to regulate this type of diabetes. While some doctors recommend use of pills to make the pancreas produce more insulin, there is a limit to this. In both of these two types of diabetes, it is essential to ensure that a balanced diet is maintained and that regular exercising is undertaken. A positive outlook is also essential and so is following medical direction to the letter. Having a positive outlook will help a sufferer to maintain a regular balanced schedule that can go a long way in ensuring that he or she lives a happy productive life.

Friday, October 2, 2009

The components of a healthy diet for diabetes type 2 patients

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that, if not managed properly, can lead to severe complications. A well managed diet for diabetes is essential to controlling this disease. Your physician may prescribe medications to help regulate your blood sugar levels, as well as medications that help protect your heart and kidneys. Understanding how to manage your diet can be complex. Here we try to put it all in plain language, to help you make sense of all the charts in the standard booklet of counting your carbs.

At first glance, it seems that carbs are your enemy. The usual proscription from the medical people is that you limit your intake of carbs to no more than 195 per day. The trouble starts when you see that two pieces of sandwich bread runs around 30-40 carbs, while one plain bagel is almost 50 carbs! If you've been a sandwich eater all your life, this is dismal news indeed.

What you want to do, to set up a healthy diet for diabetes, is to start reading those food labels carefully. When buying bread, look for whole grain breads. You'll notice two things. Whole grain breads have fewer carbs and more fiber. Some newer brands on the market have added fiber, in addition to that contained in the whole grain flour. Whole grains are complex carbohydrates, which is a good thing in a diet for diabetes patients. Complex carbohydrates break down slowly, so you never get a sugar spike, whereas refined flours contain little fiber and often, more simple sugars.

To arrive at the total number of carbs per serving, subtract the fiber grams from the total carbs. Your physician or nutritionist has doubtless emphasized the importance of getting a sufficient amount of fiber in your diet. Why? Fiber helps keep your digestive tract clean and free of toxins, which in turn, helps protect your kidneys from damage. This makes the picture a lot better, in terms of what you can eat and how much, while having a perfectly healthy diet for diabetes management.

Don't shy away from eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. When you see that a half cup of chopped onions has about 15 carbs, you may feel that you'd rather use up your carb allotment on that sandwich! However, when you picture putting a half cup of onions on a salad, you realize that a sprinkling appropriate for a salad probably adds up to just a few carbs. Not a big deal.

Most produce are heavy on the antioxidants too, leading to better overall health and packing a preventative punch for all of your organs, a definite plus in a healthy diet for diabetics.

Foods that are encouraged in a diet for diabetes patients include meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. This means that you can make a meal of a big juicy burger on a whole grain roll, loading it up with lettuce, tomatoes, a couple of sauteed mushrooms and a fat chunk of Swiss to top it all off, all for less than 40 or 50 carbs. Not a bad deal.

In a nutshell, it's simple sugars you want to avoid. A single soda or candy bar can wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels. In fact, a healthy diet for diabetes can be a healthy diet for non-diabetics as well.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Maintaining the 1200 calorie diabetic diet

Diabetes is reaching near epidemic status here in the United States, so chances are you, or someone you know, will be afflicted with this horrible disease. Once diagnosed, it's important to manage as best as you can, and that starts with your diet. Since portion control is an huge part of the problem in the US, it might be a good idea to start counting calories. A healthy number to begin with is 1200 total calories per day.

A typical 1200 calorie diabetic diet will focus strongly on maintaining your blood sugar level, so as not to go into diabetic shock. The easiest and best way to do this is to make sure you sugars you take in are the natural sugars found in breads, fruits and vegetables, rather than processed junk like High Fructose Corn Syrup, which many doctors, researchers and dieticians feel is the cause of the diabetes epidemic.

So I hope you like carrots, because they're a big part of the 1200 calorie diabetic diet. They have a gentle sweetness that your body is designed to crave, as it regulates your insulin level. Make sure you eat a handful of carrots for lunch, and feel free to snack on them during the day as well.

That's another big part of the 1200 calorie diabetic diet - constant grazing. It's better to get your calories and sugars in small doses throughout the day rather than skipping meals and then gorging afterwards. In fact, it's downright dangerous for you to skip meals. You have to regulate your blood-sugar on an ad-hoc basis, so don't think it can be done all at once.

Another helpful tip is to eat balanced meals when you do sit down to eat. Don't just have cereal for breakfast; have cereal, an egg, and piece of fruit. You could also have something like cottage cheese instead of the egg, if that is to your liking. You'll want to count calories, of course - low-fat cottage cheese may fit the 1200 calorie diabetic diet better than regular cottage cheese - and it's up to you to talk to your doctor and figure out which foods work best. But in general, keep it balanced and you'll be fighting the disease in the most effective manner.

Remember, a balanced meal consists of a protein (meat, cheese, etc), a carb (bread, cereal, etc), a fruit or vegetable, and some fats. Make sure not to overdo it on any of those, especially the last, and the 1200 calorie diabetic diet can be your path to a healthy, long life.

Monday, June 22, 2009

A Brief History of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that has plagued Americans for decades, but the history of diabetes goes back much further than that. In fact, the history of diabetes reaches back as far as Ancient Egypt! A physician there mentions a disease that has frequent urination or polyuria as a major symptom. Ancient Greek doctors thought the disease caused a melting of limbs and flesh into urine. The ancient medical diagnostic tool for determining diabetes was, strangely, for a doctor to sample a bit of the patient's urine. If the taste was sweet, diabetes was diagnosed. Clearly, malpractice suits had not been invented yet.

The history of diabetes went largely unchanged through the Middle Ages until a French doctor suggested eating large amounts of sugar as a proscription for diabetes patients during the middle of the 19th Century. Quickly following that, French and Italian doctors began to instead more about the digestive system and linked diabetes to glycogen levels in blood and finally advised individualized diets for those diagnosed with diabetes. French and German scientists also experimented on the pancreas at this time, going so far as to removing it from dogs to understand how the digestive system functions (or doesn't) without it. Clearly, the history of diabetes and the understanding of the disease still had a long way to go.

A huge turning point in the history of diabetes happened in Germany in 1908 when a scientist introduced the first injectable pancreatic extract to treat glycosuria (low blood sugar). This practice had mixed results and vicious side effects but was an important first step in the history of diabetes and treatment.

Finally, in 1921, a crucial year in the history diabetes, insulin is 'discovered'. A couple of Canadian scientists were able to keep alive a dog lacking a pancreas several months with a steady dose of insulin injections. This was a break-through as now there was substantial evidence lacking diabetes with a malfunctioning pancreas. Scientists and doctors alike began work on insulin treatment for human patients with diabetes.

Throughout the rest of the 20th century, the history of diabetes is marked with further sophistication and development of other advances. A standardized insulin delivery syringe was created in 1944. Other advances include insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, biosynthesized human insulin, and the insulin pen delivery system. The history of diabetes continues to be written as more and more is learned about the disease.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Learning About Diabetes Can Save Your Life

Here are the simple facts about diabetes: your body either isn’t getting enough insulin or does not effectively use the insulin that it does produce. Insulin is the hormone that converts sugar, starches and other foods into the energy you need for daily life. Think of it this way; if your body is an engine, then diabetes is what is clogging up your fuel lines. Although there isn’t a cure yet, there are treatments and affective measures you can take to life a healthy and normal life.

Do you know enough about diabetes to determine if you have the disease? Too often diabetes goes undetected because the symptoms are considered harmless. The common warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. Taken alone those symptoms aren’t unique but add them together and the warning signs are clear. A doctor can determine your diabetic status by administering a Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG) or a Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Type 1 diabetes refers to people whose bodies can’t produce insulin while Type 2 denotes people whose bodies can’t properly use insulin. There is also the state of pre-diabetes which actually affects close to 57 million Americans. If gone unchecked pre-diabetes can turn into Type 1 or 2. If you think you are at risk, see your doctor.

Although the exact cause of diabetes remains a mystery there are two important risk factors to be aware of: family history and weight. Genetics plays a key role in determining if you are susceptible to diabetes. The same can be said for those who are overweight. Knowing if you are in the high risk category will provide guidance towards the steps you can take to avoid becoming diabetic.

One of the myths about diabetes is that if you are diagnosed you can no longer have sweets or chocolate. The truth is that taken within the confines of a healthy meal plan and exercise program, there is no reason why diabetes can’t feed their “sweet tooth.” Another falsehood about diabetes is that because you are diabetic you have to strictly eat diabetic foods. The truth is, like the rest of us, a diabetic’s diet should consist of meals low in salt and sugar and high in whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables.

Educating yourself about diabetes can help you and your family to enjoy healthy and long lasting lives.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

New diabetes report adds to confusion about treatment

WASHINGTON | One week after researchers announced that pushing down blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal might be dangerous for high-risk diabetes patients, a similar study has found no such risk. The seemingly conflicting findings, released Wednesday, stoked the new uncertainty about the best strategy for treating type 2 diabetes, one of the most common health problems in the United States and elsewhere. This unfortunately just makes things more confusing,” said Richard Kahn of the American Diabetes Association. I think patients will be confused. I think doctors will be confused. So I think the message is: Don't do anything until we get this sorted out. Federal health officials said there were a variety of possible explanations for the differing findings, and they planned to meet with their counterparts at the new international study to try to explain the results. Hopefully when we sit down and look at the data we'll come up with some mutual conclusions,” said Denise Simons-Morton of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. More than 21 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, which has become more common because of the increase in obesity.

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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Open your eyes to the disastrous effects of Diabetes.

The mere thought of Diabetes brings so many queries and fears into our mind.

Diabetes is really deficiency of Insulin ( A Hormone secreted by little gland called Pancreas ) which converts sugar into energy ) or the low capability of the body to use insulin. So glucose levels in blood have a tendency to remain steadfastly raised. Alone in US, more than 16,000,000 people are afflicted by Diabetes. Folks who are afflicted by Diabetes are at more risk to Heart issues and Kidney Mess ups . What actually happens? With the absence of Insulin in the body, glucose and fats are not converted into energy and they remain as it's the Bloodstream and with time make a contribution to Health illnesses. There are some reasons for folk to be following a diet. The choice of a diet like vegetarian or macrobiotic might simply be a private private choice.

However, the general public who are dieting are doing so because they are overweight.

As well as the thousands of lives that are cut short by obesity, the commercial cost is amazing. The overall costs due to obesity-related disease approaches $100 bn. yearly ( NIH ). In truth, losing even 5 to ten p.c of your present weight is the sort of goal that can improve your wellbeing. Mavens suggest targeting for a loss of ten to twenty pounds which is very lifelike and quite doable.

Are you aware that twenty pounds equals 9,072 paper clips, or 1,599 quarters, 480 bits of raw bacon or two.

What actually happens? With the absence of Insulin in the body, glucose and fats are not converted into energy and they remain as it is the Bloodstream and with time make a contribution to Health sicknesses. You may be Diabetes victim due to following reasons * Obesity definitely leads to Diabetes. * People with diminished glucose tolerance or have high fat content in their blood * It can get moved to you thru your folks or ancestors.

* Girls who deliver babies weighing more than nine pounds are at the mercy of Diabetes.

* Certain ethnic groups are way more prone to Diabetes.

Also get free tips and tricks on weight reduction and an opportunity to go thru other educational articles targetting numerous health concerns at.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Softball is played through rain, sleet or snow for a cause

The second annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Sno-ball Tournament in Mascoutah could have been more aptly called a mud ball tournament.

The tournament began Saturday at Scheve Park in Mascoutah with 42 teams participating in three divisions on four fields and is scheduled to conclude today, starting at 10 a.m.

The players came in looking sharp in sweatsuits and winter outfits, but most left as muddy messes. With the temperature hovering in the mid-30s, the fields were almost frozen but had a melted layer of mud on top.

That resulted in ground balls that often stopped before reaching the infielders. Pop-ups became adventures as fielders tried to skate beneath them and runners rounding bases often didn't make it.

All in all, it was hilarious to watch, but a little cold.

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Science stacks up for choline's health benefits

Chronic inflammation has been linked to range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, and type-2 diabetes.Researchers from Harokopio University and the University of Athens also report a link to levels of the amino acid homocysteine, and the data appears to be in line with intervention studies using high dose betaine or choline supplementation, which have reported homocysteine reductions of up to 20 per cent (betaine, 1.5 to 6 grams per day).Few studies have investigated the effects of choline and betaine in terms of disease prevention because food composition databases were not available until only recently.The new study has taken advantage of these databases and reports that people with increased intake of choline, and its oxidation product betaine (found naturally in vegetables such as spinach), have lower levels of homocysteine."Our results support an association between choline and betaine intakes and the inflammation process in free-eating and apparently healthy adults," wrote lead author Paraskevi Detopoulou.Study detailsThe Athens-based researchers surveyed 1514 men and 1528 women aged between 18 and 89 taking part in the ATTICA Study with no cardiovascular disease.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Expert Available To Discuss Recent Diabetes Study

Last week it was reported that the National Institutes of Health abruptly halted part of a major study on diabetes and heart disease following an unexpected number deaths among patient enrollees. "It is imperative for diabetic patients to take their condition seriously when it comes to controlling their glucose levels," says Richard M. Goldfarb, MD and medical director of the Buck County Clinical Research Center.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Hypoglycemia Alert Dogs Offer Assistance to People with Diabetes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Map) - ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets: people with diabetes are all too familiar with the equipment used to test their blood glucose (sugar) levels. Now some people are adding a different kind of aid to their diabetes management regimen. The March 2008 issue of Diabetes Forecast, the consumer magazine of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), features an article about assistance dogs that are trained to sense episodes of human hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, and sound a life-saving alert.

According to the article, these dogs seem to sense a dangerous drop in blood glucose before it begins, allowing the people they work with to prevent an episode altogether. Some dogs seem to sense high blood glucose, too.

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Pregnancy and diabetes: From conception to birth

Pregnancy and diabetes presents unique challenges. Here's what you need to know to deliver a healthy baby.

Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, pregnancy presents unique challenges. Naturally, you're concerned about the effect diabetes may have on your health and your baby's health. But there's much you can do to promote a healthy pregnancy. Here's what you need to know about pregnancy and diabetes — and delivering a healthy baby.

Pregnancy and diabetes: Your health care team

Your diabetes health care team likely includes an endocrinologist or other diabetes specialist, a diabetes educator and a registered dietitian. As your pregnancy progresses, your health care team can help you manage your blood sugar level and adjust your diabetes treatment plan as needed.

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Monday, January 5, 2009

Genes that conquered cold blamed for disease, fat

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Genes that helped early humans adapt to cold climates may be driving metabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes in many countries, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

They found a strong correlation between climate and genetic adaptations that influence the risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of related disorders such as obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.

"Climate over a long period of time has shaped the distribution of genetic variants that may be associated with the risk of these common metabolic disorders," said Anna Di Rienzo, a professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago.

Anthropologists have long made the case that certain traits such as differences in skin pigmentation reflect early human migration from equatorial Africa to cooler climates -- for instance, the link between paler skin and an ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Seminars encourage proactive role in addressing diabetes

Jessica Kerr, an assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, knows that medicine only goes so far when it comes to diabetes, which affects an estimated 17,000 in Madison County."The clinicians can only do so much," she said. "The patients are the ones that have to deal with this."Encouraging that proactive role is the goal of a diabetes education program Feb. 23 sponsored by the American Diabetes Association's Madison County Leadership Council at SIUE.The free event, which starts at 9 a.m. in the Delyte W. Morris University Center, will include seminars on type 1 and type 2 diabetes and healthy eating habits, a vendor fair and free diabetes screenings.Charles Wiggins, a 73-year-old type 2 diabetic who travels the country talking about controlling diabetes, will deliver the keynote at 9:30 a.m.Other scheduled speakers include:* Dr.

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