Diabetics with no normal blood sugar levels need care about their body weight. The weight of the body with no control of diabetes depends on the regular diet taken by the individual. If there is no awareness to diabetic meal plan, the condition becomes worse than in any other issue. Weight of the body with diabetic symptoms ought to be kept under control. If it is done, there is much chance for long survival with least problems.
Weight loss and obesity:
If you are not able to see where you are going, you cannot drive the car towards the destiny with safe and secure. Similar thing happens with diabetic diet foods without any control of weight loss or weight increase. A charted program should be there on hand with you regarding the regular meal plan. Increase in body weight affects health with probable diabetes while the vice versa doubles the risk to the body condition. In alternative sense, prevalence of diabetes may hurt the body either with weight loss or obesity. In this regard, regular monitoring of cardiovascular conditions and blood glucose levels are emphasized for a healthy survival against diabetes. The main role is with the diabetic meal plan.
Body mass index:
You can calculate this by a simple formula which implies BMI= (Weight in kilogram) ÷ (Height in meter) 2. If the resultant value is less than 18.5, it is an indication of weight loss. If it gives a value above 25, then the case of obesity is confirmed. It is always safe that the calculated value lies between these two limits having a high risk for health with a mass index value above 30.
Diabetic diet tips for good health:
1. Take breakfast without fail: It prevents from feeling starved and eating a chocolate paste from the shop around the morning hours.
2. Drink 3litres of water daily: It keeps the digestion system free and clean and makes to feel full in general.
3. Eat at regular intervals: it is not at all advisable until you feel starving for food.
4. Eat much fruits and vegetables: Fruits prevent lowering blood sugar and vegetables preferably raw ones enrich energy.
5. Limit your alcohol intake: It stimulates the appetite. If at all you have a taste for it, be confined with dry white wine.
6. Brush your teeth often: When brushing and gargling with pure water, you are less likely to be tempted to snack.
7. Divided meals: It is always good for diabetics to follow this system instead of bulk intake.
Diabetes diet menu to lose weight
1. Eating vegetables: Most of the vegetables are low in calories, but high in volume.
2. Eating fruits: Practically almost all fruits are good for health but with less sweet is the best choice. Canned fruits with no added sugar are better options than fruit juices and dried fruits.
3.Carbohydrates: Low carb diet foods like Cereals, rice, bread and pasta are rich food items for body build up. Whole grains are best since they're higher in fiber and essential nutrients.
4. Protein/Dairy: The best choice of foods high in protein, but low in fat and calories are such as beans, peas, lentils, fish, skinned white-meat poultry, fat-free dairy products and egg whites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Varadharajan_R
Friday, October 31, 2008
Don't Let Diabetes Stop You From Traveling
Back in the day, if you had diabetes taking a trip was almost out of the question. But nowadays, with a little effort, the right prescription, and proper planning, stress free vacation is within your reach.
First and foremost, make sure that you pack enough insulin before you leave. To make it easier to carry your insulin and diabetes supplies, it's a good idea to diabetic supply case. Good cases have compartments for insulin pens, lancing devices, meters, and test strips. They are essential for organizing all of your diabetic supplies when you're on the go.
Now that you have your supplies organized, you'll want to get a diabetic bag designed for travel. Having sufficient drinking water and snacks is essential in maintaining proper blood sugar levels. That's why you need a bag that will hold your supply case and include room for carrying health snacks, juices, and water. Top of the line diabetic bags also have cell phone holders and room for your laptop computer. There are also diabetic purses just for women.
Apart from your travel-pack, wearing your medical alert bracelet and other medical information along with you diabetic traveling case at all times is very crucial. People around you are not mind readers. Chances of a doctor present at the time you faint or collapse is not very high so to take the extra measures wouldn't hurt you. It could save you. With the necessary medical information with you, people will know how to help you in case of an emergency.
Being a person diagnosed with diabetes, your blood glucose level can fluctuate easily. People often times take part in many recreational activities on vacations such as swimming, surfing, or rock climbing. Sometimes physical activity can trigger insulin. fluctuation so be careful with what you do and how you do it. Another safety tip while planning a trip is to let your family and friends know your traveling details. It is always good to let your closest people know your whereabouts so that they can help in case of emergency.
Maintaining proper nutrition is often hard to do on vacations because you eat out a lot at different restaurants. Here's a tip that might help a lot of diabetics. When going to new food outlets and eateries, check their nutritional information so that it is in line to your doctor's dietary recommendation. It's often helpful to keep dietary recommendation checklist in your diabetic organizer.
Diabetes, in no way, should be a restriction to your traveling. By following the tips that I have provided, you can still travel and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._A._Glynn
First and foremost, make sure that you pack enough insulin before you leave. To make it easier to carry your insulin and diabetes supplies, it's a good idea to diabetic supply case. Good cases have compartments for insulin pens, lancing devices, meters, and test strips. They are essential for organizing all of your diabetic supplies when you're on the go.
Now that you have your supplies organized, you'll want to get a diabetic bag designed for travel. Having sufficient drinking water and snacks is essential in maintaining proper blood sugar levels. That's why you need a bag that will hold your supply case and include room for carrying health snacks, juices, and water. Top of the line diabetic bags also have cell phone holders and room for your laptop computer. There are also diabetic purses just for women.
Apart from your travel-pack, wearing your medical alert bracelet and other medical information along with you diabetic traveling case at all times is very crucial. People around you are not mind readers. Chances of a doctor present at the time you faint or collapse is not very high so to take the extra measures wouldn't hurt you. It could save you. With the necessary medical information with you, people will know how to help you in case of an emergency.
Being a person diagnosed with diabetes, your blood glucose level can fluctuate easily. People often times take part in many recreational activities on vacations such as swimming, surfing, or rock climbing. Sometimes physical activity can trigger insulin. fluctuation so be careful with what you do and how you do it. Another safety tip while planning a trip is to let your family and friends know your traveling details. It is always good to let your closest people know your whereabouts so that they can help in case of emergency.
Maintaining proper nutrition is often hard to do on vacations because you eat out a lot at different restaurants. Here's a tip that might help a lot of diabetics. When going to new food outlets and eateries, check their nutritional information so that it is in line to your doctor's dietary recommendation. It's often helpful to keep dietary recommendation checklist in your diabetic organizer.
Diabetes, in no way, should be a restriction to your traveling. By following the tips that I have provided, you can still travel and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._A._Glynn
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Self-Care For Individuals With Diabetes
A proactive attitude towards your diabetes treatment is crucial in preventing complications. Diabetics can't just delegate their care to their health care provider. They have to be constantly involved.
While everyone should have an annual physical, eye exam, and dental exam, this is especially important for diabetics. You also need to inform the dentist and eye doctor that you are diabetic so they can be alert to the special problems that accompany diabetes.
Since high blood sugar levels weaken your immune system, you are more vulnerable to infections, flu and pneumonia. It is there important to do as much as possible to prevent these. Make sure your vaccinations for flu, tetanus, and pneumonia are current.
Diabetics need to take particularly good care of their feet. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet as well as reduce the flow of blood to your feet. That means you can injure a foot and not even be aware of it. It also means that the injuries will be more difficult to heal. So you need to check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, bruises, cracking, redness, and swelling.
You also need to keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet daily using gentle motions, a soft washcloth and a mild soap. Gently dry your feet giving careful attention to your toes. If your skin is dry, apply a moisturizer.
Change socks daily and avoid bulky socks or sock with tight elastic bands. Buy comfortable, safe shoes. They should have soft leather tops and flexible soles. Shoes with low heels and closed toes are safer and provide more comfort.
Diabetics need to be very particular about shoe fit. It is recommended that you shop for shoes late in the afternoon or evening. Then you will be trying them on at the time of day when your feet are most likely to swell. Your shoes should be large enough to accommodate normal swelling.
Diabetics should positively not smoke. People who have diabetes and smoke are increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney infections. In spite of that, it is estimated that 25% of Americans who are diabetic do smoke.
Diabetics also need to monitor their blood pressure. They are more vulnerable to developing high blood pressure than people who do not have diabetes. This is especially true of Blacks and Hispanics. High blood pressure causes from 35% to 75% of all complications that can accompany diabetes.
Individuals with diabetes also need to learn to manage stress. When we're under stress we tend not to eat properly or get the right amount of sleep.
The lifestyle practices that accompany stress are very detrimental to diabetics. Also, if the stress is excessive or lasts for a long time, our bodies produce hormones that block the effect of insulin. The result is a rise in blood sugar.
So it is important to employ stress-reduction techniques such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
Also look for ways to lighten the stress. This could mean evaluating your daily commitments to see what could be eliminated or reduced; avoiding or limiting time with people who cause you stress, and if work is the problem, seeking out ways to lighten your load.
There are also stress-busting practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing and relaxation that you can learn to do and apply in stressful situations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams
While everyone should have an annual physical, eye exam, and dental exam, this is especially important for diabetics. You also need to inform the dentist and eye doctor that you are diabetic so they can be alert to the special problems that accompany diabetes.
Since high blood sugar levels weaken your immune system, you are more vulnerable to infections, flu and pneumonia. It is there important to do as much as possible to prevent these. Make sure your vaccinations for flu, tetanus, and pneumonia are current.
Diabetics need to take particularly good care of their feet. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet as well as reduce the flow of blood to your feet. That means you can injure a foot and not even be aware of it. It also means that the injuries will be more difficult to heal. So you need to check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, bruises, cracking, redness, and swelling.
You also need to keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet daily using gentle motions, a soft washcloth and a mild soap. Gently dry your feet giving careful attention to your toes. If your skin is dry, apply a moisturizer.
Change socks daily and avoid bulky socks or sock with tight elastic bands. Buy comfortable, safe shoes. They should have soft leather tops and flexible soles. Shoes with low heels and closed toes are safer and provide more comfort.
Diabetics need to be very particular about shoe fit. It is recommended that you shop for shoes late in the afternoon or evening. Then you will be trying them on at the time of day when your feet are most likely to swell. Your shoes should be large enough to accommodate normal swelling.
Diabetics should positively not smoke. People who have diabetes and smoke are increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney infections. In spite of that, it is estimated that 25% of Americans who are diabetic do smoke.
Diabetics also need to monitor their blood pressure. They are more vulnerable to developing high blood pressure than people who do not have diabetes. This is especially true of Blacks and Hispanics. High blood pressure causes from 35% to 75% of all complications that can accompany diabetes.
Individuals with diabetes also need to learn to manage stress. When we're under stress we tend not to eat properly or get the right amount of sleep.
The lifestyle practices that accompany stress are very detrimental to diabetics. Also, if the stress is excessive or lasts for a long time, our bodies produce hormones that block the effect of insulin. The result is a rise in blood sugar.
So it is important to employ stress-reduction techniques such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
Also look for ways to lighten the stress. This could mean evaluating your daily commitments to see what could be eliminated or reduced; avoiding or limiting time with people who cause you stress, and if work is the problem, seeking out ways to lighten your load.
There are also stress-busting practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing and relaxation that you can learn to do and apply in stressful situations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams
A Guide to Tap Water Filters and Tap Water Purifiers
What's the difference between a tap water filter and a tap water purifier? Basically, a tap water filter will reduce only certain contaminants, usually just chlorine. A multi-stage tap water purifier on the other hand removes a wide range of contaminants by including a number of stages.
It's important to understand the difference before you go shopping. There are many products on the market and many are a real waste of money.
The least expensive (typically Brita) will only reduce chlorine and lower the lead content, according to their product performance data. A tap water purifier should do much more.
If you are serviced by a public treatment facility, this is a list of the contaminants that are most likely present in your water supply, along with the health problems that these impurities can cause.
· Cysts, parasites in an early stage of development that cause waterborne illnesses similar to food poisoning. Children with poorly developed immune systems and adults with dysfunctional immune systems can die from the infection. The EPA warns that cysts may be present in any supply at any time and can even be found in bottled brands.
· Chlorine and other chemical disinfectants cause anemia in children, gastrointestinal problems in adults.
· Trihalomethanes, THMs or disinfection byproducts are present in any publicly treated supply. Exposure occurs through drinking, bathing, cooking, washing dishes and showering. This exposure doubles your risk of bladder cancer and increases your risk of colorectal cancer by 40%.
· Lead, a heavy metal, causes brain damage, learning disorders, anti-social behavior and other problems in children. Tiny traces build up in the body over the course of one's lifetime and increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
· Other cancer causing chemicals including Atrazine, lindane, alachlor, benzene and TCE.
A tap water filter may remove some of these things. An effective tap water purifier removes more than 99% of each one. You can check for certifications and product performance data, before you buy, but here are some of the facts about the different systems on the market.
A reverse osmosis tap water filter will remove cysts and reduce lead to the "federal action level". Although expensive, they are not effective against chemical contaminants, at all. The only effective system that includes a reverse osmosis step costs nearly $800 and that's just for an under-the-counter unit. The thing about it is you do not need a reverse osmosis step.
A tap water purifier that includes submicron filtration will remove cysts. A system that includes ion exchange will reduce 99.99% of all of the traces of lead that may be present in your home. A multi-media block will trap all of the chemicals mentioned above. Just three steps and about $100 for the safest, best tasting water on the planet.
Remember that THM exposure occurs in the shower, as well. You should also remember to purify what you cook with. Any tap water filter is better than none. But, the purer, the better, in my opinion, so check water purifiers out today. The sooner the better.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juanita_Ruby
It's important to understand the difference before you go shopping. There are many products on the market and many are a real waste of money.
The least expensive (typically Brita) will only reduce chlorine and lower the lead content, according to their product performance data. A tap water purifier should do much more.
If you are serviced by a public treatment facility, this is a list of the contaminants that are most likely present in your water supply, along with the health problems that these impurities can cause.
· Cysts, parasites in an early stage of development that cause waterborne illnesses similar to food poisoning. Children with poorly developed immune systems and adults with dysfunctional immune systems can die from the infection. The EPA warns that cysts may be present in any supply at any time and can even be found in bottled brands.
· Chlorine and other chemical disinfectants cause anemia in children, gastrointestinal problems in adults.
· Trihalomethanes, THMs or disinfection byproducts are present in any publicly treated supply. Exposure occurs through drinking, bathing, cooking, washing dishes and showering. This exposure doubles your risk of bladder cancer and increases your risk of colorectal cancer by 40%.
· Lead, a heavy metal, causes brain damage, learning disorders, anti-social behavior and other problems in children. Tiny traces build up in the body over the course of one's lifetime and increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
· Other cancer causing chemicals including Atrazine, lindane, alachlor, benzene and TCE.
A tap water filter may remove some of these things. An effective tap water purifier removes more than 99% of each one. You can check for certifications and product performance data, before you buy, but here are some of the facts about the different systems on the market.
A reverse osmosis tap water filter will remove cysts and reduce lead to the "federal action level". Although expensive, they are not effective against chemical contaminants, at all. The only effective system that includes a reverse osmosis step costs nearly $800 and that's just for an under-the-counter unit. The thing about it is you do not need a reverse osmosis step.
A tap water purifier that includes submicron filtration will remove cysts. A system that includes ion exchange will reduce 99.99% of all of the traces of lead that may be present in your home. A multi-media block will trap all of the chemicals mentioned above. Just three steps and about $100 for the safest, best tasting water on the planet.
Remember that THM exposure occurs in the shower, as well. You should also remember to purify what you cook with. Any tap water filter is better than none. But, the purer, the better, in my opinion, so check water purifiers out today. The sooner the better.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juanita_Ruby
Friday, October 17, 2008
Atkins Diet - Perfect For Diabetics?
The main idea of the Atkins diet is to improve one's eating habits. It is focused on having a balanced intake of proteins and carbohydrates. In reality, this is not what's happening to most people. Most are going for the much easier to prepare processed foods which contains high content of sugar and carbohydrates. With this, high rates of people with diabetes and related conditions occur nowadays. This is regardless of diabetes having worsened in stages and can be easily identified.
How does diabetes develop? One factor is the glycemic index which is the index of carbohydrates taken in and produces reactions to create insulin. Carbohydrates with high glycemic index will release a lot of insulin. Refined sugar is an example of food that has high glycemic index.
Children digest high carb foods easily because young bodies have a more active metabolism than adults. This is the reason why weight gain and mood swings are doubtful during our younger years. But as we age, effects are getting more visible. One clear example of this is the high percentage of adults being obese as they reach their middle age.
Obesity is caused by insulin resistance. People experiencing this are not able to utilize their insulin for proper exclusion of glucose from the bloodstream. This also injures the pancreas where a lot of insulin is released. This causes the blood sugar level to decrease.
Prolonged intake of foods high in carbohydrate will cause diabetes. Fat is created by the insulin produced in the body, once weight boosts up; it leads to late onset diabetes. Diagnosis can detect a pre-diabetic condition. It must be taken care of right away or it might lead to an irrecoverable diabetic state.
It is easy to diagnose diabetes. Insulin test can be done to detect this disease. If confirmed, the patient is then given a low carb diet like the Atkins diet. This diet helps manage the blood sugar.
The Atkins diet is consisting of important carbohydrates with fats and proteins. These keeps the body feels satisfied and full to prevent cravings for food. Thus, helps the pancreas to function well and avoid further problems that will be caused by diabetes. Atkins diet helps keep the blood sugar level at a desirable rate which keeps you away from a dangerous disease like diabetes.
See the only Master Cleanse diet used by Hollywood Celebrities such as Beyonce to lose 20 Pounds!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_Russells
How does diabetes develop? One factor is the glycemic index which is the index of carbohydrates taken in and produces reactions to create insulin. Carbohydrates with high glycemic index will release a lot of insulin. Refined sugar is an example of food that has high glycemic index.
Children digest high carb foods easily because young bodies have a more active metabolism than adults. This is the reason why weight gain and mood swings are doubtful during our younger years. But as we age, effects are getting more visible. One clear example of this is the high percentage of adults being obese as they reach their middle age.
Obesity is caused by insulin resistance. People experiencing this are not able to utilize their insulin for proper exclusion of glucose from the bloodstream. This also injures the pancreas where a lot of insulin is released. This causes the blood sugar level to decrease.
Prolonged intake of foods high in carbohydrate will cause diabetes. Fat is created by the insulin produced in the body, once weight boosts up; it leads to late onset diabetes. Diagnosis can detect a pre-diabetic condition. It must be taken care of right away or it might lead to an irrecoverable diabetic state.
It is easy to diagnose diabetes. Insulin test can be done to detect this disease. If confirmed, the patient is then given a low carb diet like the Atkins diet. This diet helps manage the blood sugar.
The Atkins diet is consisting of important carbohydrates with fats and proteins. These keeps the body feels satisfied and full to prevent cravings for food. Thus, helps the pancreas to function well and avoid further problems that will be caused by diabetes. Atkins diet helps keep the blood sugar level at a desirable rate which keeps you away from a dangerous disease like diabetes.
See the only Master Cleanse diet used by Hollywood Celebrities such as Beyonce to lose 20 Pounds!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_Russells
"Pork Rinds Are Healthy" and Other Lies We Tell
This week an administrator in one of my buildings asked me to talk to a female resident about her diet. I will call this resident "Ethel". Ethel chronically complains to me and the staff about her food. She said the food from the nursing home kitchen is too "greasy" and "spicy". She also stated she had two strokes and it was because of the nursing home food. What she did not tell me on my prior visits was she had a staff member buying her food. The staff member provided me Ethel's shopping list. The list included Pepper Jack cheese, Vienna sausage and fried pork rinds. When I approached Ethel about her shopping list, Ethel responded, "Pork Rinds are healthy. Besides, I only started eating them with the colored gal here. She's my friend" I shot back with my usual dry humor, "Ethel what color is she"? Ethel yelled, "You know what color she is, she's your color!" I did not want to upset her so I asked if I could also explain the situation to her friend. Ethel told me her friend died six months ago from a stroke. I realized at that point Ethel was not exactly "connecting the dots."
Ethel's lack of understanding is justifiable. She has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a limited amount of education. Anyone in the 21st century who refers to another grown woman as a "colored gal" is not obviously receptive to change. Furthermore, pork rinds are advertised as low carbohydrate food and we all know low carbohydrate food equals healthy food, right? Now, I would like to discuss some other lies we tell:
1. Size does not matter.
Let me explain my position. You should feel good about yourself no matter how much you weigh. I have no problem if you want to wear a bikini on the beach and weigh 400 pounds. This is not a matter of your self-esteem; it is a matter of your health. If you have a BMI (body mass index) greater than 25, you are at risk of developing type II diabetes. If you already have type II diabetes, losing 5% to 7% of your body weight (10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) can improve your blood sugar. You do not have to look like Kate Moss to control your diabetes.
2. Only people who go to the gym get proper exercise.
The National Weight Control Registry is an organization that monitors individuals who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept the weight off longer than one year. The average weight loss of the participants is 66 pounds and the average time of maintaining their weight is five years. According to the registry, walking is the number one exercise. Most of the participants walk daily. You can start slowly by walking for 10 minutes several times a day. You can also burn calories by cleaning your house, gardening or washing your car. You can even exercise in your chair. Just move!
3. Eating at restaurants is cheaper than cooking.
Eating at McDonald's or the nearest buffet may be more convenient than cooking at home but it is definitely not cheaper. In addition, processed food is not cheaper than whole food. You can make more chips from a bag of potatoes as opposed to buying a bag of potato chips; however I would not recommend it. The old credo "time is money" does not apply either. Think of how much time and money are wasted with extra doctor visits or medications because you did not take control of your health. Plus, think of time lost because you die earlier than you intended.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Boyd
Ethel's lack of understanding is justifiable. She has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a limited amount of education. Anyone in the 21st century who refers to another grown woman as a "colored gal" is not obviously receptive to change. Furthermore, pork rinds are advertised as low carbohydrate food and we all know low carbohydrate food equals healthy food, right? Now, I would like to discuss some other lies we tell:
1. Size does not matter.
Let me explain my position. You should feel good about yourself no matter how much you weigh. I have no problem if you want to wear a bikini on the beach and weigh 400 pounds. This is not a matter of your self-esteem; it is a matter of your health. If you have a BMI (body mass index) greater than 25, you are at risk of developing type II diabetes. If you already have type II diabetes, losing 5% to 7% of your body weight (10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) can improve your blood sugar. You do not have to look like Kate Moss to control your diabetes.
2. Only people who go to the gym get proper exercise.
The National Weight Control Registry is an organization that monitors individuals who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept the weight off longer than one year. The average weight loss of the participants is 66 pounds and the average time of maintaining their weight is five years. According to the registry, walking is the number one exercise. Most of the participants walk daily. You can start slowly by walking for 10 minutes several times a day. You can also burn calories by cleaning your house, gardening or washing your car. You can even exercise in your chair. Just move!
3. Eating at restaurants is cheaper than cooking.
Eating at McDonald's or the nearest buffet may be more convenient than cooking at home but it is definitely not cheaper. In addition, processed food is not cheaper than whole food. You can make more chips from a bag of potatoes as opposed to buying a bag of potato chips; however I would not recommend it. The old credo "time is money" does not apply either. Think of how much time and money are wasted with extra doctor visits or medications because you did not take control of your health. Plus, think of time lost because you die earlier than you intended.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Boyd
Diabetes Medications Could Suffer From Drug Spending Caps
Diabetes medications are necessary for chronic illnesses like diabetes but many seniors have to stop taking them when they go beyond their drug plan's annual spending limits. The drug spending caps made some seniors stop taking key medicines. This finding has been reported by a Rand Corporation research.
This study which observed how seniors registered with a national private health plan reacted, gives insight into what responses seniors have under the Medicare's new drug plan. This will leave about a third of those registered without coverage for diabetes medications for some part of the year when the quota is reached.
Geoffrey Joyce, Rand's lead author of this study, said that prescription use falls considerably when the patients reach their limit. So this is troubling because most of the drugs studied by Rand, a nonprofit research organization, prevent complications. Therefore there will be unfavorable health effects for seniors who reach their limit.
This research examined the use of prescription drug from 2003 to 2005 of more than 60,000 patients enrolled in the plan for retirees. The prescription drug examined included diabetes medications. There were two plans offered with a drug benefit limit of $1000 or $2500 and another with no limit.
For each plan the enrollee had to pay part of each drug purchase. Of those enrolled, the study found about 6% to 13% reached their limit in each of the years. Half of these went without benefits for more than three months. The trouble is that when the benefits resume at the beginning of a new plan year, a considerable number of seniors do not restart their treatment including the use of diabetes medications.
These findings were reported in the September/October issue of the journal "Health Affairs". Dana Goldman, the director of health economics at Rand and this study's senior author, said that this is worrying for although drug limits are a cost-saving measure, the results of the study show that in the long run this may result in more medical costs due to more hospital admissions.
Medicare Benefits are of two parts: Parts A and B, It is highly recommended for diabetics to get Medicare Part B. However, neither covers diabetes pills. Medicare Part C is not available everywhere and it covers almost the same as what Parts A and B cover. Yet one is required to get Parts A and B before qualifying. It was good that by January 1, 2006, it is no longer available in its old form.
By December 2003, the Medicare Modernization Act was passed. This allowed people on Medicare to enroll in Medicare-Approved Drug Discount card which allowed them to save money until the Part D prescription drug benefit began in January 2006.
It is hoped that the policy makers will take this into consideration. Coverage for preventive care like how to prevent diabetes is key and in 2005 Medicare started offering screening test. This way people can work on reversing diabetes through lifestyle changes. Hopefully then they may not have any need for diabetes medications.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Guzman
This study which observed how seniors registered with a national private health plan reacted, gives insight into what responses seniors have under the Medicare's new drug plan. This will leave about a third of those registered without coverage for diabetes medications for some part of the year when the quota is reached.
Geoffrey Joyce, Rand's lead author of this study, said that prescription use falls considerably when the patients reach their limit. So this is troubling because most of the drugs studied by Rand, a nonprofit research organization, prevent complications. Therefore there will be unfavorable health effects for seniors who reach their limit.
This research examined the use of prescription drug from 2003 to 2005 of more than 60,000 patients enrolled in the plan for retirees. The prescription drug examined included diabetes medications. There were two plans offered with a drug benefit limit of $1000 or $2500 and another with no limit.
For each plan the enrollee had to pay part of each drug purchase. Of those enrolled, the study found about 6% to 13% reached their limit in each of the years. Half of these went without benefits for more than three months. The trouble is that when the benefits resume at the beginning of a new plan year, a considerable number of seniors do not restart their treatment including the use of diabetes medications.
These findings were reported in the September/October issue of the journal "Health Affairs". Dana Goldman, the director of health economics at Rand and this study's senior author, said that this is worrying for although drug limits are a cost-saving measure, the results of the study show that in the long run this may result in more medical costs due to more hospital admissions.
Medicare Benefits are of two parts: Parts A and B, It is highly recommended for diabetics to get Medicare Part B. However, neither covers diabetes pills. Medicare Part C is not available everywhere and it covers almost the same as what Parts A and B cover. Yet one is required to get Parts A and B before qualifying. It was good that by January 1, 2006, it is no longer available in its old form.
By December 2003, the Medicare Modernization Act was passed. This allowed people on Medicare to enroll in Medicare-Approved Drug Discount card which allowed them to save money until the Part D prescription drug benefit began in January 2006.
It is hoped that the policy makers will take this into consideration. Coverage for preventive care like how to prevent diabetes is key and in 2005 Medicare started offering screening test. This way people can work on reversing diabetes through lifestyle changes. Hopefully then they may not have any need for diabetes medications.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Guzman
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms and Gestational Diabetes Overview
The types of diabetes that most people know of are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Today, we are going to look into another "not so popular" but a common type of diabetes for pregnant mothers - gestational diabetes. Apart from explaining briefly what gestational diabetes is all about, we are going to dive into gestational diabetes symptoms as well.
Gestational Diabetes Overview
It occurs when a pregnant mother's body forms insulin resistance due to the higher production rate of hormones like estrogen and cortisol. Under a normal situation, the amount of insulin produced by a pregnant mother will be much higher than a normal person in order to counter the resistance.
In the case of a gestational diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the mother is not enough to combat the overwhelming hormone production. Pregnant mothers have a high risk of contracting the disease during the 19th to 24th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is manageable through various glucose levels monitoring.
For the baby, however, something called macrosomia will develop. The baby will have a larger size compared to others due to the high glucose level that prompts the fetus to produce its own insulin that turns the excess glucose into fat. Hypoglycemia is also very likely to happen to the baby but all these are manageable if gestational diabetes symptoms are spotted early on.
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms faced by these mothers are usually same as those face by a diabetes patient. Some of the common symptoms include frequent urination, fatigue, extreme weight loss even with nutritional menu, vision problems and nausea. However, since this type of diabetes is not as serious as type 1 and type 2, the symptoms are not as significant and patients might not even have any symptoms.
Spotting the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Since the symptoms may be vague, doctors will have to depend on the accuracy of blood glucose tests. These tests are normally carried out in the 23rd to 26th week during pregnancy. If the results are positive, doctors will put the mother under monitoring and will do their best to lower the glucose level.
Some women have a very low risk of contracting the disease. Women who are younger than 25 years old, have a normal weight prior to pregnancy, with no genetic traits of diabetes and no history of excessive glucose levels are normally free from the clutches of the disease and glucose level tests are not required.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Pickler
Gestational Diabetes Overview
It occurs when a pregnant mother's body forms insulin resistance due to the higher production rate of hormones like estrogen and cortisol. Under a normal situation, the amount of insulin produced by a pregnant mother will be much higher than a normal person in order to counter the resistance.
In the case of a gestational diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the mother is not enough to combat the overwhelming hormone production. Pregnant mothers have a high risk of contracting the disease during the 19th to 24th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is manageable through various glucose levels monitoring.
For the baby, however, something called macrosomia will develop. The baby will have a larger size compared to others due to the high glucose level that prompts the fetus to produce its own insulin that turns the excess glucose into fat. Hypoglycemia is also very likely to happen to the baby but all these are manageable if gestational diabetes symptoms are spotted early on.
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms faced by these mothers are usually same as those face by a diabetes patient. Some of the common symptoms include frequent urination, fatigue, extreme weight loss even with nutritional menu, vision problems and nausea. However, since this type of diabetes is not as serious as type 1 and type 2, the symptoms are not as significant and patients might not even have any symptoms.
Spotting the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Since the symptoms may be vague, doctors will have to depend on the accuracy of blood glucose tests. These tests are normally carried out in the 23rd to 26th week during pregnancy. If the results are positive, doctors will put the mother under monitoring and will do their best to lower the glucose level.
Some women have a very low risk of contracting the disease. Women who are younger than 25 years old, have a normal weight prior to pregnancy, with no genetic traits of diabetes and no history of excessive glucose levels are normally free from the clutches of the disease and glucose level tests are not required.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Pickler
How to Maintain Normal Blood Sugar Levels - Real Life Experience
Human health and Mechanical life:
By years rolling on, it is getting mechanized in all walks of life. This is due to the vast development of latest technologies in various areas influencing human life. In one angle, the enhancement of technical support makes human life lazier as well as easier. Naturally the love for sophisticated life is increasing proportionally everyday with everybody. In another angle, sophisticated life style is the worst machinery resulting in several bodily diseases. Among them, Blood pressure and blood sugar are significantly serious ones. The main reason is want of sufficient knowledge about the actual nature of diabetes and controlling blood sugar.
What is normal blood sugar level?
It is simply beating the same track repeatedly to mention that it is 70 - 100 as fasting blood sugar level and 100 - 140 mgms as random. But anyhow it is not exclusive since there are some factors influencing normal blood sugar.
Tips to diabetics with high blood sugar:
Diabetes can be overcome by following tips for controlling blood sugar.
1. Consulting a physician and taking medicines to reduce blood sugar
2. Planning and fixing the life style and taking balanced diet.
3. Self study and avoiding unnecessary fear.
4. Observing other diabetic patients and getting clues
5. Saying good bye to mechanized way of life
6. Physical exercise to boost up the heart function
7. Awareness of the problem and avoiding unnecessary fears and imaginations
8. Blood sugar level should be compared with age
9. Know that sugar level depends on dosage and quality of tablets taken
10. Know that sugar level in random test depends on the time passed after taking food, quantity and quality of food
Success rate to maintain normal sugar levels:
If a diabetic patient is simply to depend on medical care alone, the level of success rate to maintain normal blood sugar levels is not so appreciable. If the patient plans well his ways, it helps to fix the cause and effect in which the success rate to maintain normal fasting blood sugar level as well as random blood sugar level is a little higher. If he takes efforts to study his health condition by introspection with reference to each and every action taken by him and the consequences, it helps more to maintain his own health against diabetes. Along with these, close observation and sharing of experiences regarding the diabetic problems of others also gives him confidence that he is better than others.
Psychological support to reduce high blood sugar level:
Psychologically one should think to feel better than others. Unnecessary fears created by medical warnings like "Diabetes cannot be cured totally but can be maintained only", " You cannot overcome the hereditary effects of diabetes from parents", " Diabetes follows and has its end until the last day of life", "Diabetes is a silent killer", "Periodical test should be taken at least once in three months". It is true to certain extent only and not to worry much. There are diabetics who have overcome its intensity and maintain normal health even without paying for consultants and medicines but simply by following the tips in guiding how to maintain normal blood sugar levels sticking to the restricted and balanced food habits.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Varadharajan_R
By years rolling on, it is getting mechanized in all walks of life. This is due to the vast development of latest technologies in various areas influencing human life. In one angle, the enhancement of technical support makes human life lazier as well as easier. Naturally the love for sophisticated life is increasing proportionally everyday with everybody. In another angle, sophisticated life style is the worst machinery resulting in several bodily diseases. Among them, Blood pressure and blood sugar are significantly serious ones. The main reason is want of sufficient knowledge about the actual nature of diabetes and controlling blood sugar.
What is normal blood sugar level?
It is simply beating the same track repeatedly to mention that it is 70 - 100 as fasting blood sugar level and 100 - 140 mgms as random. But anyhow it is not exclusive since there are some factors influencing normal blood sugar.
Tips to diabetics with high blood sugar:
Diabetes can be overcome by following tips for controlling blood sugar.
1. Consulting a physician and taking medicines to reduce blood sugar
2. Planning and fixing the life style and taking balanced diet.
3. Self study and avoiding unnecessary fear.
4. Observing other diabetic patients and getting clues
5. Saying good bye to mechanized way of life
6. Physical exercise to boost up the heart function
7. Awareness of the problem and avoiding unnecessary fears and imaginations
8. Blood sugar level should be compared with age
9. Know that sugar level depends on dosage and quality of tablets taken
10. Know that sugar level in random test depends on the time passed after taking food, quantity and quality of food
Success rate to maintain normal sugar levels:
If a diabetic patient is simply to depend on medical care alone, the level of success rate to maintain normal blood sugar levels is not so appreciable. If the patient plans well his ways, it helps to fix the cause and effect in which the success rate to maintain normal fasting blood sugar level as well as random blood sugar level is a little higher. If he takes efforts to study his health condition by introspection with reference to each and every action taken by him and the consequences, it helps more to maintain his own health against diabetes. Along with these, close observation and sharing of experiences regarding the diabetic problems of others also gives him confidence that he is better than others.
Psychological support to reduce high blood sugar level:
Psychologically one should think to feel better than others. Unnecessary fears created by medical warnings like "Diabetes cannot be cured totally but can be maintained only", " You cannot overcome the hereditary effects of diabetes from parents", " Diabetes follows and has its end until the last day of life", "Diabetes is a silent killer", "Periodical test should be taken at least once in three months". It is true to certain extent only and not to worry much. There are diabetics who have overcome its intensity and maintain normal health even without paying for consultants and medicines but simply by following the tips in guiding how to maintain normal blood sugar levels sticking to the restricted and balanced food habits.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Varadharajan_R
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Diabetes - Historical Overview
The word "diabetes" from Greek means "outflow"; so actually it means "out flowing of glucose" or "losing glucose" which shows that one of the basic symptoms of the disease is the loss of glucose with urine.
The history of diabetes goes back to 100 BS when it was first defined as the separate disease. In 100 BS a physician Aretains said that diabetes is a mysterious disease. These words are fair nowadays because the cause of the disease and its complications are still not explained. It is also still unclear how to treat the disease - the symptoms can be removed or eliminated but not the disease itself.
In XVII Tomas Willis was the first to find out the sweet taste of urine of patients with diabetes. His discovery was used by physicians to make a diagnosis. In 1889 Paul Langergans in his research work with microscopical structure of pancreatic gland saw the group of morphologically same cells called 'islets of Langergans' but he wasn't able to explain their function and significance in the human body.
Mering and Mincovsky in 1889 in their experiments caused the developing of diabetes in animals by resecting pancreatic gland.
In 1921, Banty and Best extracted insulin from pancreatic tissues. This substance stopped the symptoms in diabetic dogs. Since then insulin has been the main cure of the disease.
In 1922 insulin was used to treat a man with diabetes.
In 1960 the chemical structure of human insulin was determined.
And in 1979 the human insulin was created using the method if genetic engineering.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tomhas_Brown
The history of diabetes goes back to 100 BS when it was first defined as the separate disease. In 100 BS a physician Aretains said that diabetes is a mysterious disease. These words are fair nowadays because the cause of the disease and its complications are still not explained. It is also still unclear how to treat the disease - the symptoms can be removed or eliminated but not the disease itself.
In XVII Tomas Willis was the first to find out the sweet taste of urine of patients with diabetes. His discovery was used by physicians to make a diagnosis. In 1889 Paul Langergans in his research work with microscopical structure of pancreatic gland saw the group of morphologically same cells called 'islets of Langergans' but he wasn't able to explain their function and significance in the human body.
Mering and Mincovsky in 1889 in their experiments caused the developing of diabetes in animals by resecting pancreatic gland.
In 1921, Banty and Best extracted insulin from pancreatic tissues. This substance stopped the symptoms in diabetic dogs. Since then insulin has been the main cure of the disease.
In 1922 insulin was used to treat a man with diabetes.
In 1960 the chemical structure of human insulin was determined.
And in 1979 the human insulin was created using the method if genetic engineering.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tomhas_Brown
Food on a Budget and Diabetes Type II
Shopping on a budget is never easy, but it can be more challenging if you are a diabetic. With the cost of living always going up, the importance of shopping wisely increases too. In order to keep costs down it is imperative that you know what you can eat and what substitutes you can use so that you can look around for the best bargains while maintaining a healthy eating regime that you can enjoy.
Although frozen and tinned vegetables can help as you can keep them the food larder and use them as additions and top ups to your food, the most important thing is to plan your meals. This way you can decide exactly what foods you need for your meals and shop accordingly. If you have a garden or access to a vegetable plot, now might be a good time to grow your own vegetables. This will help with your exercise needs as well as ensuring you have a cheap but nutritious supply of healthy vegetables when ever you need them. Careful planning can ensure a reasonable all year supply of different aspects of the food chain, especially if you have access to a greenhouse or conservatory.
Foods containing carbohydrates such as potatoes and bread, are the most recommended foods for Type II diabetes. It may mean changing your lifestyle but the benefits can be huge. If you plan carefully, you can follow a fairly regular diet that few of your friends would realize was a diabetic diet. In fact, a diabetic diet is a well balanced and healthy diet with all the main food groups and nutrients included. It is eating in moderation rather than in gluttony and coupled with exercise is one that many of our friends may well want to copy.
Eating The Right Foods Can Preserve Your Life
When the disease is first diagnosed, it can be a shock and the apparent end of "normal" life. However, it can also be used to start a healthy lifestyle and begin enjoying life to the full. Many people with diabetes will have been feeling unwell and as soon as they start to follow a healthier diet, much of this will change.
It is often a good idea to consult a dietician, who will offer suggestions and support to explain the kinds of foods you should be eating and the ones to reduce or avoid. This will help to relieve the initial emotional strain and stress of the diagnosis. It will also serve as a template for future eating habits. It is really important to follow such a diet as it will help to regulate your body's functions and enable it to maintain a more stable blood sugar level which is essential. You will probably find you are eating more raw fruit and vegetables, which are low in fat as well as salt, and supply sugar in its more natural state which is easier for the body to process.
There is also a buddy system available which many find extremely helpful. This is especially so for those who are living on their own. It is really important to view this situation as the chance to start to live and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, a springboard to a new and better future.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_E_Jones
Although frozen and tinned vegetables can help as you can keep them the food larder and use them as additions and top ups to your food, the most important thing is to plan your meals. This way you can decide exactly what foods you need for your meals and shop accordingly. If you have a garden or access to a vegetable plot, now might be a good time to grow your own vegetables. This will help with your exercise needs as well as ensuring you have a cheap but nutritious supply of healthy vegetables when ever you need them. Careful planning can ensure a reasonable all year supply of different aspects of the food chain, especially if you have access to a greenhouse or conservatory.
Foods containing carbohydrates such as potatoes and bread, are the most recommended foods for Type II diabetes. It may mean changing your lifestyle but the benefits can be huge. If you plan carefully, you can follow a fairly regular diet that few of your friends would realize was a diabetic diet. In fact, a diabetic diet is a well balanced and healthy diet with all the main food groups and nutrients included. It is eating in moderation rather than in gluttony and coupled with exercise is one that many of our friends may well want to copy.
Eating The Right Foods Can Preserve Your Life
When the disease is first diagnosed, it can be a shock and the apparent end of "normal" life. However, it can also be used to start a healthy lifestyle and begin enjoying life to the full. Many people with diabetes will have been feeling unwell and as soon as they start to follow a healthier diet, much of this will change.
It is often a good idea to consult a dietician, who will offer suggestions and support to explain the kinds of foods you should be eating and the ones to reduce or avoid. This will help to relieve the initial emotional strain and stress of the diagnosis. It will also serve as a template for future eating habits. It is really important to follow such a diet as it will help to regulate your body's functions and enable it to maintain a more stable blood sugar level which is essential. You will probably find you are eating more raw fruit and vegetables, which are low in fat as well as salt, and supply sugar in its more natural state which is easier for the body to process.
There is also a buddy system available which many find extremely helpful. This is especially so for those who are living on their own. It is really important to view this situation as the chance to start to live and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, a springboard to a new and better future.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_E_Jones
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Challenges of Treating Diabetes in Seniors
Diabetes is a disease that is increasingly common and affects more than 24 million Americans. Those who are over the age of 55 are at increased risk of getting diabetes and almost 1/2 of all cases of Diabetes are diagnosed in people who are 55 or older.
In all people diabetes is a disease that can affect how efficiently your body uses insulin and how much it produces. There are several symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, blurry vision, and slow healing wounds, but for many the onset of the symptoms is gradual, so they go unnoticed. For seniors, the symptoms, like blurry vision or increased fatigue, are things that occur with age, so they might not realize that they have diabetes until they become seriously ill.
Testing for diabetes is something that can and should be done at all ages, but people who are over 40 should begin regularly scheduled tests. This is because almost 20% of all people who are over 60 have diabetes and beginning at age 40, you are at increased risk.
For seniors, the treatment of diabetes can present several problems. Often if the senior does not drive, then it can become difficult to make it to the doctor. Things like memory loss and poor sight can also complicate the treatment of diabetes.
Part of the treatment of diabetes usually involves regularly testing your blood sugar levels. If blood sugar is too low or high, then there are special medicines that should be administered. Seniors with memory loss might not be able to consistently remember to test their blood sugar and take their medicine as scheduled.
Poor vision can make the treatment more difficult in several ways. Cuts and wounds are much slower to heal for those that have diabetes. A foot ulcer, which is an open sore, is in many ways the most dangerous to an individual with diabetes and if un-treated can lead to amputation. It is important to inspect your feet and the rest of your body for cuts or sores, because in order to be treated, they must be caught quickly.
Seniors who have limited vision often are unable to visually inspect their body, so must rely on feel, to feel their body for cuts or sores. This can make inspecting the feet difficult as many are unable to bend that far. Sometimes due to reduced sensitivity of the fingers, cuts and wounds are also missed.
Another important part of treating diabetes is maintaining a well regulated diet. This means eating the right foods at the right time. Often seniors have difficulty not only remembering to eat, but also following a diabetic menu. Most cities offer services to seniors and can bring them food on a regular basis, so this is often the best choice.
Exercise is another factor that is very important for properly treating diabetes, but getting motivated and following a workout plan is not always easy. Most cities host senior workout groups and this can be a good activity, both mentally and as a means of treating diabetes. Many pools also offer water exercise programs, which are a safe and fun way to exercise.
Seniors face some addition difficulties when diagnosing and treating diabetes. Understanding these difficulties is the first step in dealing with and maintaining a healthy lifestyle after being diagnosed with diabetes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wynler
In all people diabetes is a disease that can affect how efficiently your body uses insulin and how much it produces. There are several symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, blurry vision, and slow healing wounds, but for many the onset of the symptoms is gradual, so they go unnoticed. For seniors, the symptoms, like blurry vision or increased fatigue, are things that occur with age, so they might not realize that they have diabetes until they become seriously ill.
Testing for diabetes is something that can and should be done at all ages, but people who are over 40 should begin regularly scheduled tests. This is because almost 20% of all people who are over 60 have diabetes and beginning at age 40, you are at increased risk.
For seniors, the treatment of diabetes can present several problems. Often if the senior does not drive, then it can become difficult to make it to the doctor. Things like memory loss and poor sight can also complicate the treatment of diabetes.
Part of the treatment of diabetes usually involves regularly testing your blood sugar levels. If blood sugar is too low or high, then there are special medicines that should be administered. Seniors with memory loss might not be able to consistently remember to test their blood sugar and take their medicine as scheduled.
Poor vision can make the treatment more difficult in several ways. Cuts and wounds are much slower to heal for those that have diabetes. A foot ulcer, which is an open sore, is in many ways the most dangerous to an individual with diabetes and if un-treated can lead to amputation. It is important to inspect your feet and the rest of your body for cuts or sores, because in order to be treated, they must be caught quickly.
Seniors who have limited vision often are unable to visually inspect their body, so must rely on feel, to feel their body for cuts or sores. This can make inspecting the feet difficult as many are unable to bend that far. Sometimes due to reduced sensitivity of the fingers, cuts and wounds are also missed.
Another important part of treating diabetes is maintaining a well regulated diet. This means eating the right foods at the right time. Often seniors have difficulty not only remembering to eat, but also following a diabetic menu. Most cities offer services to seniors and can bring them food on a regular basis, so this is often the best choice.
Exercise is another factor that is very important for properly treating diabetes, but getting motivated and following a workout plan is not always easy. Most cities host senior workout groups and this can be a good activity, both mentally and as a means of treating diabetes. Many pools also offer water exercise programs, which are a safe and fun way to exercise.
Seniors face some addition difficulties when diagnosing and treating diabetes. Understanding these difficulties is the first step in dealing with and maintaining a healthy lifestyle after being diagnosed with diabetes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wynler
Identifying Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects many millions of people all over the world. It can usually be successfully treated and in most cases, individuals are able to lead healthy lives, but it is important to properly diagnose diabetes as quickly as possible.
What is Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, but they both affect the way that the body produces and uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is used by the body to turn food, like sugar, into energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin and this means that your blood sugar is not properly handled. Type 2 diabetes, is distinguished by a resistance to the effects of insulin, but, like Type 1 diabetes, and also involves a reduction in the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Symptoms
Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of diabetes are very important, because an un-diagnosed case of diabetes can result in death or serious injury. Sluggishness, extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, increased urination, and blurry vision are some of the more common signs of diabetes. Slow healing wounds are also often a characteristic and can result in serious complications, such as amputation, in those affected by diabetes. Usually those that are affected by Type 1 diabetes will notice that the symptoms set in very quickly, often in only a few weeks.
Those that have Type 2 diabetes might not notice the symptoms, because they set in much slower and can often be very subtle. Often in these cases diabetes is not detected until a serious health problem occurs. This includes strokes, heart attacks, foot ulcers, and fungal infections, which are often caused by untreated diabetes. Other conditions, like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and pancreatitis can also be indications of diabetes.
Treatment
It is a good idea to be screened periodically for diabetes, but for people who are overweight or those that have experienced the symptoms stated above, it is imperative to have a blood screening. There are several different tests, but they generally involve glucose monitoring.
The type of treatment prescribed will vary and depends on the type of diabetes the patient has. Generally those that have Type 1 diabetes use a type of insulin replacement treatment. This involves constant measuring of the blood glucose levels and then injecting insulin as needed. Some people use insulin pumps instead of shots. Insulin pumps are devices that attach to the body and administer doses of insulin automatically.
People who have Type 2 diabetes are generally not able to inject insulin and it is usually dangerous to do so, because their body does not properly use it. Proper diet and exercise, while also important for Type 1 diabetes, is essential for those who have Type 2 diabetes. In large part maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising can control Type 2 diabetes. There are also several drugs that are used to increase the bodies absorption of insulin or glucose.
Diabetes is a disease that can, in most cases, be treated, but it is essential to diagnose it as early as possible.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wynler
What is Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, but they both affect the way that the body produces and uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is used by the body to turn food, like sugar, into energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin and this means that your blood sugar is not properly handled. Type 2 diabetes, is distinguished by a resistance to the effects of insulin, but, like Type 1 diabetes, and also involves a reduction in the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Symptoms
Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of diabetes are very important, because an un-diagnosed case of diabetes can result in death or serious injury. Sluggishness, extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, increased urination, and blurry vision are some of the more common signs of diabetes. Slow healing wounds are also often a characteristic and can result in serious complications, such as amputation, in those affected by diabetes. Usually those that are affected by Type 1 diabetes will notice that the symptoms set in very quickly, often in only a few weeks.
Those that have Type 2 diabetes might not notice the symptoms, because they set in much slower and can often be very subtle. Often in these cases diabetes is not detected until a serious health problem occurs. This includes strokes, heart attacks, foot ulcers, and fungal infections, which are often caused by untreated diabetes. Other conditions, like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and pancreatitis can also be indications of diabetes.
Treatment
It is a good idea to be screened periodically for diabetes, but for people who are overweight or those that have experienced the symptoms stated above, it is imperative to have a blood screening. There are several different tests, but they generally involve glucose monitoring.
The type of treatment prescribed will vary and depends on the type of diabetes the patient has. Generally those that have Type 1 diabetes use a type of insulin replacement treatment. This involves constant measuring of the blood glucose levels and then injecting insulin as needed. Some people use insulin pumps instead of shots. Insulin pumps are devices that attach to the body and administer doses of insulin automatically.
People who have Type 2 diabetes are generally not able to inject insulin and it is usually dangerous to do so, because their body does not properly use it. Proper diet and exercise, while also important for Type 1 diabetes, is essential for those who have Type 2 diabetes. In large part maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising can control Type 2 diabetes. There are also several drugs that are used to increase the bodies absorption of insulin or glucose.
Diabetes is a disease that can, in most cases, be treated, but it is essential to diagnose it as early as possible.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wynler
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Diabetes Affects Millions
Over 15 million Americans have diabetes but half of them don’t know it. Most live in the city and the disease is prevalent among white collar workers. Of the diabetics surveyed, only about one-fourth consulted a doctor and were being treated.
"Worldwide, more than 50 million people suffer from some form of diabetes. Diabetes used to be considered a disease of rich people and rich nations. Not anymore. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have noted that the highest prevalence rates of diabetes are found in developing countries," said the editors of Health Alert, a publication of the Health Action Information Network (HAIN).
Diabetes mellitus has been with us since ancient times. The Greeks gave the disease its present name which means "to run through" after observing diabetics urinated more than other people. The word mellitus or sweet was added in the 17th century to distinguish it from diabetes insipidus, a different disease caused by a pituitary gland disorder.
Most people think that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar or sweets. But even if you eat tons of sugar, you won't get diabetes provided you have enough insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that is needed to metabolize and maintain normal levels of blood sugar.
"Although people with diabetes usually must limit their intake of sugar, it is the inability to produce or use insulin, not the amount of sugar they consume, that causes the disease," according to Carol Ann Rinzler in Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever: A Dictionary of Medical Folklore.
There are two types of diabetes. One is insulin-dependnotent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) which is also known as type I, juvenile, ketosis-prone, or juvenile-onset diabetes. In this condition, the pancreas produces little or no insulin because special cells within that organ needed to create insulin have been destroyed by the body.
"This is a good example of an autoimmune disease in which a 'normal* constituent is perceived by the body to be an 'enemy' and so 'killed.' We're not sure why this happens in some children and not in others. It has been suggested that a viral infection early in life is the trigger for this bizarre response. Regardless of the underlying cause, these diabetic youngsters have no insulin," explained Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in The Best Treatment.
IDDM can affect anyone but it usually occurs in children and young adults. Young males appear to be more susceptible to the disease than females. Heredity is believed to be a factor since children who have two diabetic parents have a 20 percent risk of acquiring the disease. To prevent complications and death, these people regularly need insulin injections. (Next: Symptoms of diabetes.)
Since obesity can worsen diabetes, keep your weight down to a healthy level. You can do this with the help of Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
"Worldwide, more than 50 million people suffer from some form of diabetes. Diabetes used to be considered a disease of rich people and rich nations. Not anymore. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have noted that the highest prevalence rates of diabetes are found in developing countries," said the editors of Health Alert, a publication of the Health Action Information Network (HAIN).
Diabetes mellitus has been with us since ancient times. The Greeks gave the disease its present name which means "to run through" after observing diabetics urinated more than other people. The word mellitus or sweet was added in the 17th century to distinguish it from diabetes insipidus, a different disease caused by a pituitary gland disorder.
Most people think that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar or sweets. But even if you eat tons of sugar, you won't get diabetes provided you have enough insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that is needed to metabolize and maintain normal levels of blood sugar.
"Although people with diabetes usually must limit their intake of sugar, it is the inability to produce or use insulin, not the amount of sugar they consume, that causes the disease," according to Carol Ann Rinzler in Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever: A Dictionary of Medical Folklore.
There are two types of diabetes. One is insulin-dependnotent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) which is also known as type I, juvenile, ketosis-prone, or juvenile-onset diabetes. In this condition, the pancreas produces little or no insulin because special cells within that organ needed to create insulin have been destroyed by the body.
"This is a good example of an autoimmune disease in which a 'normal* constituent is perceived by the body to be an 'enemy' and so 'killed.' We're not sure why this happens in some children and not in others. It has been suggested that a viral infection early in life is the trigger for this bizarre response. Regardless of the underlying cause, these diabetic youngsters have no insulin," explained Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in The Best Treatment.
IDDM can affect anyone but it usually occurs in children and young adults. Young males appear to be more susceptible to the disease than females. Heredity is believed to be a factor since children who have two diabetic parents have a 20 percent risk of acquiring the disease. To prevent complications and death, these people regularly need insulin injections. (Next: Symptoms of diabetes.)
Since obesity can worsen diabetes, keep your weight down to a healthy level. You can do this with the help of Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Diabetes Symptoms.
Diabetes is the disease, caused by the absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin and characterizing by the disturbance of the exchange of carbohydrates with hyperglycemia and glucosuria, and also by other metabolism disturbances.
Diabetes is a very wide spread disease about 2-4% of all people suffer from it. According to the statistical data 50% of patients with diabetes die from the myocardial infarction, from blindness, from atherosclerosis of extremities, pyelonephritis, urolithic disease.
The basic internal reasons which cause diabetes mellitus include: heredity, autoimmune, vascular disorders, obesity.
The external reasons are mental and physical injuries, virus infections, injury, intoxication, hypodynamia.
The insufficiency of insulin leads to the disturbance of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Hyperglycemia and glucosuria appears. The production of fats is reduced and disintegration of fats is strengthened. All of these increases the ketonic bodies production . This causes acidosis.
There are different types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by inability of pancreas to produce insulin. In most cases it appears in young people under 25 years old. Type 1 has the expressed clinical symptomatology including ketoacidosis. It begins very quickly, sometimes with the appearance of diabetic coma.
The main patient complaints are xerostomia, thirst, polyuria(frequent urination), weight loss, weakness, reduction of the ability to work, increased appetite, skin itch, pyoderma, furunculosis. Headache, insomnia, irritability, pain in the heart area and in the gastrocnemius muscles are frequently observed. In patients with decreased immunity tuberculosis, kidney diseases can develop. The increased level of glucose is determined during blood and urine tests.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. It appears usually in elders with the excess weigh of the body. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a slow inception. The level of insulin is usually within the limits of standard or can exceed it. The main complaints are: thirst, frequent urination, the increased appetite, patients suffer obesity.
Diabetes mellitus can have different complications: microangiopathy, neuropathy, angiopathy of the vessels and skin, muscles, accelerated development of atherosclerosis.
Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by dilation of retina's veins, by exudation and petechial hemorrhages into retina, thrombosis of capillaries. In severe cases scaling of retina, atrophy of the optical nerve are possible. Frequently the concomitant eye diseases can occur : blepharitis, the disturbance of refraction and accommodation, cataract, glaucoma and others.
The kidney disorders are manifested with intercapillary glomerulosclerosis and sclerosis of afferent arterioles. Diabetic neuropathy causes the involvements of central and peripheral nervous system.
The patients complain about the numbness, the spasms in the extremities, the pains in the feet. Reflexes, tactile, painful sensitivity are reduced. Also disorders can appear if bladder 's function or potency in men is decreased.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is developed as a result of insulin insufficiency during the incorrect treatment of diabetes mellitus, as a result of diet disturbance, mental and physical injury. This condition is characterized by intensive production of ketone bodies in the liver and an increased level in blood. Some hemodynamic disturbances can be developed.
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Diabetes is a very wide spread disease about 2-4% of all people suffer from it. According to the statistical data 50% of patients with diabetes die from the myocardial infarction, from blindness, from atherosclerosis of extremities, pyelonephritis, urolithic disease.
The basic internal reasons which cause diabetes mellitus include: heredity, autoimmune, vascular disorders, obesity.
The external reasons are mental and physical injuries, virus infections, injury, intoxication, hypodynamia.
The insufficiency of insulin leads to the disturbance of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Hyperglycemia and glucosuria appears. The production of fats is reduced and disintegration of fats is strengthened. All of these increases the ketonic bodies production . This causes acidosis.
There are different types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by inability of pancreas to produce insulin. In most cases it appears in young people under 25 years old. Type 1 has the expressed clinical symptomatology including ketoacidosis. It begins very quickly, sometimes with the appearance of diabetic coma.
The main patient complaints are xerostomia, thirst, polyuria(frequent urination), weight loss, weakness, reduction of the ability to work, increased appetite, skin itch, pyoderma, furunculosis. Headache, insomnia, irritability, pain in the heart area and in the gastrocnemius muscles are frequently observed. In patients with decreased immunity tuberculosis, kidney diseases can develop. The increased level of glucose is determined during blood and urine tests.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. It appears usually in elders with the excess weigh of the body. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a slow inception. The level of insulin is usually within the limits of standard or can exceed it. The main complaints are: thirst, frequent urination, the increased appetite, patients suffer obesity.
Diabetes mellitus can have different complications: microangiopathy, neuropathy, angiopathy of the vessels and skin, muscles, accelerated development of atherosclerosis.
Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by dilation of retina's veins, by exudation and petechial hemorrhages into retina, thrombosis of capillaries. In severe cases scaling of retina, atrophy of the optical nerve are possible. Frequently the concomitant eye diseases can occur : blepharitis, the disturbance of refraction and accommodation, cataract, glaucoma and others.
The kidney disorders are manifested with intercapillary glomerulosclerosis and sclerosis of afferent arterioles. Diabetic neuropathy causes the involvements of central and peripheral nervous system.
The patients complain about the numbness, the spasms in the extremities, the pains in the feet. Reflexes, tactile, painful sensitivity are reduced. Also disorders can appear if bladder 's function or potency in men is decreased.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is developed as a result of insulin insufficiency during the incorrect treatment of diabetes mellitus, as a result of diet disturbance, mental and physical injury. This condition is characterized by intensive production of ketone bodies in the liver and an increased level in blood. Some hemodynamic disturbances can be developed.
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As Diabetes Costs Rise, Nutrition Education Can Help Companies And Employees
Diabetes is a very expensive health problem for employees, people with diabetes, and ultimately everyone. The American Diabetes Association reports in the United States we have 17.5 million people with diabetes. The total estimated cost of diabetes in 2007 was $174 billion, with $116 billion being medical spending and $58 billion coming from reduced productivity at work. (Source: Diabetes Care March 2008) Ultimately diabetes increases costs for everyone due to higher insurance premiums.
How can employers help reduce cost from diabetes? Until we have a cure there are two ways to decrease cost. One is to screen for diabetes at the workplace to catch diabetes in the early stages when it is easier and less costly to manage. The second strategy is to help employees with diabetes get better control of their diabetes to reduce the chance of costly complications.
To explain further these two strategies, we need to understand where the highest costs of diabetes occur. The average cost for a diabetes hospital stay is $1853 per day. Compare that to a doctor visit for diabetes at $132. Which one is more cost effective? Regular doctor visits every 3-6 months are recommended for achieving optimal diabetes care. The physician will ideally have diabetes educators also to help the patient learn how to better manage their diabetes with medication, monitoring, food and exercise. However, what if your employee does not like to go to the doctor? Then they will not be getting the blood tests, exam and education that help them manage their diabetes and prevent costly complications. If they are not feeling well they may miss more work days as well.
What if you have a diabetes nutrition educator at your workplace? Registered dietitians that are also certified diabetes educators are a great resource for the worksite. They have the nutrition, exercise and diabetes knowledge and can set up education and diabetes screening programs. Many dietitians are already contracting with companies to nutrition and wellness programs for worksites.
Early screening for diabetes can catch prediabetes, which is diagnosed when blood sugars are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. Learning how to make lifestyle changes at this stage can delay the onset of diabetes for years, thus reducing the overall cost of diabetes.
The April 2008 issue of Diabetes Care discusses how nutrition education is linked to fewer hospitalizations. In a study of 18,404 diabetic patients that were followed for 4.7 years on average, 9.1% had at least one nutrition visit. Compared to those patients who had no education, those who had one education visit had 34% lower hospitalization rate. This lower rate was associated with $11,571 less in hospital charges. Nutrition visits were associated with the greatest reductions in hospitalization.
To quote the American Diabetes Association position statement regarding the economic costs of diabetes, "Much of this cost is preventable through improved diet and exercise, prevention initiatives to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and its co-morbidities, and improved care for people with diabetes to reduce the need for costly complications." Dietitians who specialize in diabetes are the experts to look for in helping to accomplish these three tasks because they have a combined knowledge of food, nutrition and diabetes treatments.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
How can employers help reduce cost from diabetes? Until we have a cure there are two ways to decrease cost. One is to screen for diabetes at the workplace to catch diabetes in the early stages when it is easier and less costly to manage. The second strategy is to help employees with diabetes get better control of their diabetes to reduce the chance of costly complications.
To explain further these two strategies, we need to understand where the highest costs of diabetes occur. The average cost for a diabetes hospital stay is $1853 per day. Compare that to a doctor visit for diabetes at $132. Which one is more cost effective? Regular doctor visits every 3-6 months are recommended for achieving optimal diabetes care. The physician will ideally have diabetes educators also to help the patient learn how to better manage their diabetes with medication, monitoring, food and exercise. However, what if your employee does not like to go to the doctor? Then they will not be getting the blood tests, exam and education that help them manage their diabetes and prevent costly complications. If they are not feeling well they may miss more work days as well.
What if you have a diabetes nutrition educator at your workplace? Registered dietitians that are also certified diabetes educators are a great resource for the worksite. They have the nutrition, exercise and diabetes knowledge and can set up education and diabetes screening programs. Many dietitians are already contracting with companies to nutrition and wellness programs for worksites.
Early screening for diabetes can catch prediabetes, which is diagnosed when blood sugars are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. Learning how to make lifestyle changes at this stage can delay the onset of diabetes for years, thus reducing the overall cost of diabetes.
The April 2008 issue of Diabetes Care discusses how nutrition education is linked to fewer hospitalizations. In a study of 18,404 diabetic patients that were followed for 4.7 years on average, 9.1% had at least one nutrition visit. Compared to those patients who had no education, those who had one education visit had 34% lower hospitalization rate. This lower rate was associated with $11,571 less in hospital charges. Nutrition visits were associated with the greatest reductions in hospitalization.
To quote the American Diabetes Association position statement regarding the economic costs of diabetes, "Much of this cost is preventable through improved diet and exercise, prevention initiatives to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and its co-morbidities, and improved care for people with diabetes to reduce the need for costly complications." Dietitians who specialize in diabetes are the experts to look for in helping to accomplish these three tasks because they have a combined knowledge of food, nutrition and diabetes treatments.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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