All you need to know about diabetes

Diabetes

2009-05-05T20:43:00.017+03:00

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down and blood sugar levels become too high.

Types of Diabetes

- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Pre-Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but the cells in their body don't respond to it. In both cases, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become too high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious problems and complications. Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin and your blood glucose levels are higher than they should be. Gestational diabetes appears in women with no previous history of diabetes, usually during the last half of pregnancy.

Diabetes Symptoms

- Frequent hunger or thirst
- Weight loss
- Dry skin
- Feeling tired
- Greater need to urinate
- Blurred vision
- Tingling/numbness in hands or feet
- Slow-healing sores
- Infections

How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes often does not have any noticeable symptoms, and you may not know that you have it. Regular check-ups with your doctor and some basic blood tests will help you find out early if you have the disease. Early detection helps you to get control of your blood sugars. If your blood sugar is controlled, then your risk for complications is greatly reduced. Diagnosis includes a blood glucose test and an oral glucose tolerance test.

Available Treatments

Medications are usually prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes. The medications work in different ways but their effect is to lower blood glucose and help the body's own insulin become more effective. If oral medications are not enough, insulin injections can be used to help gain control of glucose levels.

- Medications - oral antihyperglycemic agents, injectable antiyperglycemics, insulin
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Keeping excess weight off
- Dietary changes - more vegetables and fruits, complex carbs and whole grains, fewer over-processed, fatty, starchy, sugary choices
- Daily exercise

Can You Prevent Diabetes?

Prevention is actually possible. If you have risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, it is possible to prevent the disease. Healthy eating, maintaining a normal weight and daily exercise will not only help you feel your best, but may greatly reduce your chances of getting diabetes.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Pre-diabetes

2009-05-05T20:43:00.016+03:00

Pre-diabetes means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. The blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later. The good news is that you can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, making changes in your diet and exercising.

Risk Factors

The risk factors are the same for pre-diabetes as they are for type 2 diabetes:
- Overweight or obese
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- Age
- Race - African Americans, Hispanics and American Indians are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes
- A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes

Signs And Symptoms Of Pre-Diabetes

Very often there are no signs or symptoms for pre-diabetes. It is often discovered during a routine physical with basic screening for fasting blood glucose levels. The normal level is below 100 mg/dl. If it's 100 to 125 mg/dl, this indicates that you have impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes. Over 126 mg/dl most likely means a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

2009-05-05T20:42:00.003+03:00

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. It is believed that it may be a virus that triggers the immune system to attack the cells and permanently destroy them. The pancreas can no longer make the insulin necessary to transport sugar from the blood into the other cells of the body for energy. Sugar builds up in the blood and over time can damage internal organs and blood vessels.

A person with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin everyday to survive. They have to find the right amount of insulin necessary to keep the blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. The person with diabetes has to check their blood sugar levels often and then inject themselves with the correct amount of insulin to counteract the amount of sugar. This mimics the action of the pancreas.

Warning Signs

This can be an overwhelming process for the newly diagnosed person, especially since Type 1 diabetes typically strikes children and young adults, although adults age 40 and older, can get Type 1. The onset of the disease happens quickly. As the insulin stops being produced and the blood sugar rises, this causes hyperglycemia. Several warning signs appear. Increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision are a few of the most noticeable signs of Type 1 diabetes.

Testing Blood Sugar

Frequently testing blood sugar levels helps to let you know how much insulin your body will need to keep blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible. The usual times to test are: before meals, before bedtime and maybe one to two hours after meals or a big snack. Also test before you exercise because exercise will lower blood sugar also, and you don't want your blood sugar to drop too low either. This is called hypoglycemia.

Proper eating

For diabetes, when you eat is as important as what you eat. Eating meals that are approximately the same size and combination of carbohydrates and fats at the same time everyday helps to keep blood sugar regular and predictable. The best diet is one that is low in fat, low in salt and low in added sugars. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are preferable over simple carbohydrates like sugary soft drinks and and candy.

Living a Healthy Life

Until the 1920's, when insulin was first discovered, people usually died from Type 1 diabetes. Today with all the advances of medicine that are available, a person diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes can live a very normal, long life. Of course there are many adjustments that need to be made and skills that need to be learned, but these can be incorporated into a daily routine.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

2009-05-05T20:41:00.003+03:00

A person with Type 2 diabetes has adequate insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. Type 2 usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can affect anyone, including children. The National Institutes of Health state that 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2 because it is a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.

Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes

- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Increased age - almost 21% of people over 60 have diabetes
- Family history
- Ethnicity - diabetes is more common in the African-American, Native American, Latino, Pacific Islander and Asian-American populations
- History of metabolic syndrome
- History of gestational diabetes

How Does High Blood Glucose Happen?

Food is broken down into glucose during digestion. The glucose is released into the blood and the digestion process activates the pancreas to release insulin, which helps the glucose enter the cells of the body where it's used for energy. When someone is resistant to the effects of insulin, the glucose keeps circulating in the blood and doesn't reach the body's cells. This causes the body to try to get rid of the glucose in other ways.

Symptoms

- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Unplanned weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Dry, itchy skin
- Frequent infections
- Slow healing of cuts and bruises

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Managing type 2 diabetes means making some changes to how you live. Talk with your doctor about which changes are right for you. Useful tips:
- Eat healthy, and lose weight if your doctor says you should
- Be more active
- Test your blood sugar regularly
- Have your doctor check your A1C level (your average blood sugar over the past two to three months)
- Take one or more diabetes medicines as prescribed by your doctor

Complications Caused By High Glucose

- Neuropathy - nerve damage, especially in extremities
- Nephropathy - kidney damage, kidney failure
- Retinopathy - vision problems, blindness
- Cardiovascular Disease - heart disease and increased risk of strokes
- Erectile dysfunction in men and decreased desire in both men and women
- Depression

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Having pre-diabetes puts you at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes in the future. But it doesn't have to mean that you will get type 2 diabetes. A healthy lifestyle change can lower your risk and improve the way your body uses insulin. A low fat diet and calories can help you lose weight. The less fat and more muscle you have, the less resistant to insulin you will be. Exercising regularly not only helps you to lose weight, but also help lower your blood glucose level by using glucose as energy.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes

2009-05-05T20:40:00.004+03:00

Gestational diabetes affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women. It usually appears during the second trimester and disappears after the birth of the baby.

Certain hormones increase during pregnancy, transferring nutrients from the mother to the baby so that the fetus develops and grows. Other hormones block the action of insulin, ensuring that the mother herself does not develop low blood sugar. To compensate, the mother’s insulin levels rise.

If her insulin levels cannot increase sufficiently, rising blood sugar levels will eventually result in gestational diabetes. Untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby. These complications may include:

- Macrosomia (oversized baby)
- Increased chance of cesarean section delivery
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the baby immediately after birth
- Stillbirth
- For the child, risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes later in life

Risk Factors

Many pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes have no risk factors, but in others, risk factors may include:

- Being overweight or obese
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Age 25 or older
- Multiple gestation (twins, triplets or more)
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- Being American Indian or Alaska native, African American, Asian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander

Gestational Diabetes Tests

1. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The oral glucose tolerance test is routine for all pregnant women. It is not definitive, it's done during weeks 24 through 28 of pregnancy, or earlier if you have any risk factors.
For the test you will be asked to drink glucola, a sugary beverage containing 50g of glucose. Your doctor will draw your blood one hour later to see how efficiently your body processes the glucose. You may feel nauseated from the sugary beverage.
If your one-hour plasma glucose level is greater than or equal to 140 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) gestational diabetes is suspected and further testing is recommended. If your one-hour plasma glucose level is less than 120 mg/dL, you likely do not have gestational diabetes.

2. The Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test

The three-hour glucose tolerance test is done to confirm or rule out gestational diabetes. It is done after you have received an abnormal reading on the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
For this test you must fast for 10 to 14 hours before the test.It is similar to the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test, except the sugary beverage now contains 100g of glucose, not 50g. Blood is first drawn before you drink the glucola. This is called your fasting glucose level. Blood is drawn again after one hour, two hours and three hours.
Abnormal readings for each section of the test are:
- Fasting: 95 mg/dL or higher
- One hour:180 mg/dL or higher
- Two hours:155 mg/dL or higher
- Three hours: 140 mg/dL or higher

Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

- Changes in your diet
- Regular exercise
- Insulin
- Glyburide (an oral medication)
- Home glucose monitoring throughout the day
- Additional tests to see how the baby is developing

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Complications

2009-05-05T20:37:00.003+03:00

- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Kidney Disease in Diabetes
- Heart Disease and Diabetes
- Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Short-term complications of diabetes, such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and ketoacidosis, can happen quickly. Patients need to be aware of their signs and symptoms and what to do to reverse them. Long-term complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and neuropathy, can seriously compromise a patient with diabetes.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a long-term complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It affects the nerves of the body. There is no cure for neuropathy.

Types of Neuropathy

1. Autonomic neuropathy is damage caused to nerves that control the bladder, digestive tract and the reproductive organs.

2. Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves of the extremities, especially the feet and legs. Numbness and tingling, sensitivity to touch or muscle weakness are signs of neuropathy.
Symptoms include chronic pain, numbness and muscle wasting. Sores and ulcers are also a serious threat.

Causes of Neuropathy

An injury or exposure to toxins can harm the nerves. Several chronic diseases can also affect the integrity of nerves over a long period of time. Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and other conditions such as autoimmune diseases can cause damage to nerves. But diabetes is the biggest risk factor for neuropathy today.

Neuropathy is a long-term complication of diabetes, which means it typically takes many years for neuropathy to develop. Nerve damage happens over time, due to prolonged exposure to the damaging affects of high blood glucose levels. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the risk of developing neuropathy, especially if their disease is not controlled well.

Preventing or Reducing the Risk

You can reduce the risk of neuropathy by good glucose control, a balanced eating plan and exercise. But sometimes, as in Type 1, no matter how tight the control, how balanced the diet or how much exercise a person gets, neuropathy can strike simply because of the sheer length of time the person has had diabetes. Also, many times, people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes don't even know they have the disease for many years. Much damage can occur during that time.

Treating Neuropathic Pain

- For mild to moderate pain, Tylenol or NSAIDS, such as Motrin or Aleve might be prescribed. Some of the more common medications for neuropathic pain include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as Elavil and Amitril. When TCAs are used to treat chronic pain, the dosage is much lower than for treating depression. Cymbalta (duloxetine hcl) is an SSRI, another kind of antidepressant medicine which shows success at treating both neuropathic pain and any underlying depression that also might exist.

- Some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) also are showing success at relieving neuropathic pain. Neurontin and Lyrica are commonly prescribed AEDs. They work by reducing the frequency of pain signals that nerve cells send to the brain.

- Stronger narcotic pain relievers are sometimes used for moderate to severe pain that does not respond to other medications.

Kidney Disease In Diabetes

Kidneys are made up of millions of tiny filters called nephrons. The nephrons have even smaller vessels within them. These are destroyed over time, when glucose levels are consistently too high. This affects the kidneys ability to filter the blood. Waste that would ordinarily be excreted remains in the blood causing severe problems. Usually damage takes years to develop.

Signs Of Kidney Disease

- High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be an indication that the kidney function is deteriorating. Blood pressure medications are usually prescribed to keep blood pressure at an acceptable level and also to slow the progression of damage. Usually a combination of medications are used to keep blood pressure normal. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are the most commonly prescribed drugs.

- Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product that is normally filtered from the blood and excreted with the urine. When kidneys start to fail, creatinine builds up in the blood. Doctors watch the creatinine levels carefully to determine how much function the kidneys have. A normal level is usually between 0.6 and 1.2 mg/dl. This does vary slightly. As the number increases above 1.2, it shows that kidney function is decreasing. Creatinine levels are obtained by a simple blood test.

- BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

BUN is another marker of kidney function that doctors look at. When blood flows through the body, protein circulates to cells. Cells use the protein and throw away the waste that they don't need. This waste is called urea. Normally urea is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Urea also contains nitrogen. If the kidneys aren't working like they should, urea and nitrogen stay in the blood. A BUN of over 20 mg/dl is an indicator of decreased kidney function.

- Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is the last stage of kidney disease. When kidneys can no longer function, no toxins or waste products can be eliminated from the body. All those waste products continue to circulate in the blood, causing it to become extremely toxic. When someone's kidneys have failed, it is known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). No one can live very long with ESRD without intervention. Either dialysis or a transplant is needed.

Reducing The Risk

Because kidney disease can take years to develop, people with diabetes can do many things to lower the risk. Tight control of blood glucose levels can prevent or reduce long term damage to the fragile blood vessels not only in the kidneys but elsewhere in the body. Check blood pressure often, and try to keep it at or under 130/85. Take an ACE or ARB if your doctor prescribes it. Watch your cholesterol and your weight. Quit smoking. All these things can go a long way towards keeping your kidneys working well for as long as possible.

Heart Disease And Diabetes

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than the rest of the population. Among diabetics, heart disease can progress quicker than normal.

Diabetes speeds up hardening of the arteries (also known as atherosclerosis). This can occur when cholesterol levels get too high. You may have heard of LDLs and HDLs. These are the lipoproteins that carry the cholesterol that circulates in your body. LDLs, or low-density proteins, take the cholesterol through the circulatory system to where it is needed. HDL's, or high-densitiy proteins, carry what isn't used back to the liver.

When there is too much cholesterol, the LDLs deposit the left-over cholesterol into the blood vessels. Even though the HDLs try to carry the excess back to the liver, they can't take it all. The extra cholesterol that gets left behind forms plaque on the vessels walls, which makes them less flexible and more narrow. This raises the risk for blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.

When someone has diabetes, the glucose in the blood can slow down the LDLs which makes the cholesterol build up much faster on the blood vessel walls. That's why people with diabetes have to watch their cholesterol levels more closely and start cholesterol lowering medications sooner than people who do not have diabetes.

Recommended Cholesterol Levels

- LDL cholesterol: <100 mg/dl
- HDL cholesterol: >45 mg/dl for men and >55 mg/dl for women
- Triglycerides: <150 mg/dl

How to Lower Cholesterol

A Healthier Diet

- Avoid "tropical" fats such as coconut and palm oils
- Use less fats overall when cooking
- Eat more whole-grain breads and cereals and eat fewer products made with refined flour
- Choose low-fat dairy products
- Eat less red meat and more fish and skinless white meat chicken or other healthy sources of protein, like beans and tofu
- Eat more fruits and vegetables

Other Tips

- Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday
- Quit smoking, or don't start
- Keep regular appointments with your doctor
- Take cholesterol medications as prescribed

Heart Attack Warning Signs

- Pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest
- Discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Stroke Warning Signs

- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Diabetes And Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects a man's ability to get and sustain an erection that leads to positive sexual experiences. Although most men do encounter trouble having an erection from time to time, the problem is not generally thought to be Erectile dysfunction unless the symptoms are consistent for 3 months or more.

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), erectile dysfunction is common for men who have diabetes. Often, it's the first symptom that men may notice and the one that leads them to the doctor in the first place. Only after they have sought medical help for erectile dysfunction do they also receive a diagnosis of diabetes. Fifty percent of men with diabetes will suffer from erectile dysfunction within 10 years of diagnosis.

The same elevated blood glucose levels that cause blood vessel and nerve damage in other parts of the body can also lead to complications in blood flow and nerve damage to the penis.

Factors That Can Lead To Erectile Dysfunction

The longer a man has had diabetes, the more likely he will suffer from erectile dysfunction. Also if blood glucose levels have not been well controlled throughout the illness, blood vessel and nerve damage will be greater. Complications of accompanying heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol can also affect erectile dysfunction. A man with diabetes who also smokes increases his risk of developing erectile dysfunction

Medications That Treat Erectile Dysfunction

Prescription medications such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are used to treat erectile dysfunction. All three of these medications work the same way, by helping increase blood flow to the penis. This helps erectile function and enables a man to have and sustain an erection during sexual intimacy. The medications are taken a half hour before sex and the effects can last from 4 to 5 hours. These drugs do have some serious side effects so be careful when using them and ask your doctor.

Diabetes And Diabetic Ketoacidosis

DKA: A Serious Complication of Diabetes

There are many complications that can occur with diabetes. One serious complication is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It most commonly occurs with Type 1 diabetes and is often the first symptom of Type 1, because it can often strike without warning. DKA is caused when the body has little or no insulin to use. The blood glucose level keeps rising to dangerous levels. This is called hyperglycemia.

If the blood glucose continues to increase, the body goes into an "energy crisis" and starts to break down stored fat as an alternate energy source. This produces ketones in the blood as the fat is burned for energy. As the ketone levels rise, the blood becomes more and more acidic.

Causes of DKA

- The sudden start of Type 1 diabetes is one cause of DKA.
- Common infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections
- Insulin pump failure can lead to DKA
- Kids who are going through adolescence can experience endocrine changes that can alter glucose levels and insulin effectiveness.

Signs And Symptoms of DKA

Early signs:

- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Excessive thirst and/or excessive urination
- Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth

Later signs:

- Nausea/vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Rapid, deep, labored breathing (Kussmaul's respirations)
- Breath that smells fruity
- Fever
- Unconsciousness

Medical Treatment of DKA

Treating DKA means medical intervention. It's important to treat dehydration by replacing fluids that have been lost, so most likely IV therapy will be used. Electrolyte imbalances need to be corrected and insulin therapy started to control hyperglycemia. All of this must be done under careful medical supervision.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Managing diabetes

2009-05-05T20:12:00.003+03:00

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, which means that you have it for life. Although there’s no cure, you and your doctor can work together to control your blood sugar, which can help reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes complications.
Managing type 2 diabetes over months and years can mean making changes in your treatment plan. Diet and physical activity may control your blood sugar at first, but you may need to take medicine down the road. Over time, may need to change medicines, or add medicines, to keep your blood sugar under control. You may even need to use insulin.

Diabetes Is A Changeable Disease

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, which means that it can get worse over time. That's why most patients eventually need medicines, usually more than one, and sometimes insulin. Even when treatment controls your blood sugar, you need to stick with it, or your blood sugar will get too high again.

By checking your blood sugar yourself and getting regular A1C tests, you and your doctor can see how well your treatment is controlling your blood sugar. If your response to treatment changes, your doctor can make adjustments as needed. That’s important, because you don’t want to subject your body to high blood sugar, which can cause damage.

Part of what makes type 2 diabetes such a serious disease is that it can affect many different areas of the body, from the heart and brain to nerves, eyes and skin. By caring for your body, including seeing your doctor regularly and getting the health tests that he or she recommends, you can help reduce your risk for health complications.

Take Care Of Your Body

High blood sugar can affect your organs and cause serious health complications. Along with seeing your doctor and other members of your healthcare team regularly for tests and checkups, there’s a lot you can do yourself to take care of your body

Reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke

- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
- Try to do some type of activity at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Check with your doctor to learn what activities are best for you.
- Eat heart-healthy foods like oatmeal, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat or cholesterol. Avoid foods with trans fat, such as snack foods.
- Quit smoking. Talk with your doctors about options that could help you.
- Ask your doctor if you should take an aspirin daily to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Reduce your risk for kidney complications

- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 Ask your doctor what numbers are best for you.
- Ask your doctor about pills to slow down kidney damage.
- Follow your healthy eating plan. If you already have kidney problems, your dietitian may suggest you cut back on protein, such as meat.
- Have any kidney tests your doctor recommends.
- Avoid taking pain medications regularly, because they can damage the kidneys.

Reduce your risk for foot complications

- Make sure your shoes fit well and always wear socks or stockings to prevent blisters. Blisters can become infected, which can cause serious problems leading to amputation.
- Wash your feet each day in warm water. Dry them well, especially between your toes.
- If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Don’t put lotion between your toes.
- Check daily for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or other problems.
- File corns and calluses gently after bathing or showering.

Reduce your risk for skin complications

- Use mild soap when you bathe or shower, and rinse and dry yourself well.
- Check your skin after you wash. Make sure you have no dry, red, or sore spots that might lead to an infection.
- Apply lotion or cream after bathing to keep your skin moist.
- Drink lots of fluids (especially water), to keep your skin moist and healthy.

Complications

Good blood sugar control can reduce your risk of serious health complications from type 2 diabetes, like:

- Heart disease and stroke. Adults with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes.
- High blood pressure. Many adults with diabetes have high blood pressure or take prescription medicine(s) for high blood pressure.
- Eye problems. People with diabetes are at risk for cataracts, glaucoma, and problems with the retina (retinopathy), which can reduce vision or cause blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults ages 20 to 74.

Blood Sugar Control

Checking your blood sugar level is a key part of your diabetes plan. It's a two-part process:

1. Blood sugar testing shows your blood sugar level at the exact time of the test.
2. The A1C test is done at your doctor's office. It shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.

Blood Sugar Targets

- Above 180 mg/dL = A blood sugar level greater than 180 mg/dL, one to two hours after the start of a meal, or greater than 130 mg/dL before a meal, shows that your diabetes is not under good control.
- 100 to 140 mg/dL = This should be your blood sugar range when you go to sleep
- 90 to 130 mg/dL = This should be the blood sugar range before you eat.
- 70 mg/dL or below = You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

How To Test Your Blood Sugar

One of the most important tests to help you manage your diabetes is the blood-sugar reading that you may take several times a day. Your doctor will tell you how often to test your blood sugar.

Often your home tests show blood sugar levels that are about 10% lower than levels found in lab tests. So, it's important to also have your blood sugar tested by your doctor.

Checking your blood sugar regularly helps you and your doctor see how your diabetes management plan is working. Your aim is to lower your blood sugar level and keep it there.

- A1C Test

The A1C test shows your average blood sugar level over the past two or three months. It's the best way to see how well your type 2 diabetes is controlled.

It usually takes two to three months to see changes in your A1C. So, you may get this test two to four times a year, depending on how well your treatment is working. The A1C blood test is usually done at your doctor's office.

It is recommended that people with type 2 diabetes reach an A1C goal of 6.5% or less. Reaching this goal is important, since every 1% increase above 6% raises your risk for diabetes-related complications . If your levels rise above your personal goal, you may need to change the diabetes medicine, or add new medicine

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) happens when you eat too little or not often enough, exercise more than usual, take too much of some diabetes medicine(s), or drink alcohol. Symptoms include:
- Hunger
- Nervousness and shakiness
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Feeling anxious or weak

If you have any of these symptoms, test your blood sugar. If it's low, eat or drink a small amount of something that has sugar, like two or three glucose tablets, five or six pieces of hard candy, or 1/2 cup of fruit juice.

High Blood Sugar

Having too much sugar in the blood for long periods of time can cause serious health problems if it's not treated. Hyperglycemia can cause damage to the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems in people with diabetes. These problems don't usually show up in kids or teens with diabetes who have had the disease for only a few years. However, these health problems can occur in adulthood in some people with diabetes, particularly if they haven't managed or controlled their diabetes properly
Causes
- not taking your diabetes medicine when you're supposed to or not taking the right amounts
- not following the meal plan (like eating too much on a special occasion without adjusting your diabetes medicines)
- not getting enough exercise
- having an illness, like the flu, or stress
- taking other kinds of medicines that affect how your diabetes medicines work

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes food guide

2009-05-05T20:10:00.007+03:00

This food guide can help you figure out how many servings of grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and fats you should eat each day. Make sure you limit alcohol consumption. The number of servings you need depends on how many calories are right for you. This is based on your age, sex, size, and activity level.

Grains, beans, and vegetables
Daily servings: About six a day

- Whole grains, such as whole wheat or rye bread, brown or bulgur rice, which are high in fiber.
- Beans
- Low-fat breads, such as bagels, English muffins, pita bread, and corn tortillas.
- For snacks, try pretzels or low-fat crackers.

Vegetables
Daily servings: Three to five

- Fresh or frozen vegetables without added sauce, fat, or salt.
- Dark green and deep yellow vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, romaine, carrots, chilies, and peppers.

Fruits
Daily servings: Two to four

- Whole fruits more often than juices for the fiber.
- Citrus fruits, like oranges, grapefruits, or tangerines.
- Juices without added sweeteners.

Milk
Daily servings: Two to three

- Low-fat or nonfat milk, or yogurt.
- Choose yogurt with sugar substitutes. It has fewer calories.

Meat
Daily servings: Two to three

- Eat fish and skinless poultry more often.
- Broil, bake, or roast, instead of frying.
- Select lean meats and trim off fat.

Fats, sweets, and alcohol
Eat sparingly

- Avoid sweets, which are often high in fat and sugar.
- If you have alcohol, drink it when you eat. Also, ask your doctor about the safe amount recommended for you.
- Eat less saturated (solid) fats, such as butter and cheese.

Always follow the advice of your doctor when planning your meals.

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes medicine

2009-05-05T20:08:00.002+03:00

Your doctor may prescribe one or more medicines to help control your blood sugar, along with your plan to eat healthy and stay active.

Several kinds of medicines may help control blood sugar. Most people take pills while others take insulin. Some newer medicines for type 2 diabetes are injected. Your doctor will tell you which kind of medicine you need and why.

Over time, as your body changes, your doctor may make some changes in your treatment to help control your blood sugar. He or she may:

- Change your dose
- Add a new medicine or insulin
- Switch pills

Types of pills

- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of starches, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta in the intestine. They also slow the breakdown of some sugars. Their action slows the rise in blood glucose levels after a meal.
- Biguanides reduce the amount of sugar produced by the liver and make muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin so that sugar can be absorbed.
- DPP-4 inhibitors help improve A1C without causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). They work by preventing the breakdown of a naturally occurring compound in the body.
- Sulfonylureas and meglitinides stimulate the beta cells in the pancreas to release more insulin.
- Thiazolidinediones help insulin work better in the muscle and fat and also reduce the liver’s sugar production. They target insulin resistance.

Diabetes pills don't work for everyone. Although you may find that your blood glucose levels go down when you start taking pills, your blood sugar levels may not reach the normal range.

The chances of diabetes pills working for you are good if you developed diabetes recently or have needed little or no insulin to keep your blood glucose levels near normal.

Remember, medicine is just part of your treatment. You also need to eat healthy, get regular physical activity, and check your blood sugar.

You May Need More Than One Medicine

Diabetes pills sometimes stop working after a few months or years. The cause is often unknown. This doesn't mean your diabetes is worse. When this happens, taking more than one type 2 diabetes medicine (combination therapy) may help.

Most people with type 2 diabetes take a combination of medicines. The longer you have type 2 diabetes, the more likely it is that you’ll need more than one medication to control your blood sugar.

Switching from one pill to another doesn’t tend to work as well as adding a second (or third) medicine, so your doctor may add a medicine to what you’re currently taking.

Some type 2 diabetes medicines are combined in one pill to make it easier for you to take them

Diabetes Succes Story

Diabetes Reversal

Diabetes Reversing Breakthrough

Triplecure For Cancer, Diabetes, And Obesity

How To Fight Type 2 And Win

Overcoming Gestational Diabetes