check diabetes

Simple change in child's diet can control juvenile diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:06:00 +0000

Simple change in child's diet can control juvenile diabetes

Simple change in a child's diet like including more fenugreek, spinach and fibres in their meals can help control juvenile diabetes, according to experts.

With the cases of juvenile diabetes on rise in metros, cutting down on junk food and following a healthy diet chart with more protein and fibre-rich food, like having methi and palak besides fibre rich dalia, to a children's diet is important to keep them hale and hearty, leading doctors said.

"The problem lies as children consume junk food on a routine basis and follow an unhealthy lifestyle. They should take a balanced diet with high carbohydrates and high protein," Dr Archana Arya, Child Diabetes expert at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said.

The preparations made of Methi like Methi Chicken and Methi palak roti are best for the diabetic children as it helps reduce blood sugar, dietician Sushmita said.

Sprouts, vegetable dalia, chappati mixed with soya flour, oat meal porridge, stuffed roti with vegetables, bajra kheer are the must haves of the children's diet chart.

"Children with diabetes need to have a balanced diet at regular interval of time. Ideally the fat intake should be 20 per cent of total energy and carbohydrates intake need to be 55 to 70 per cent of total energy," Arya said.

Outdoor activities like swimming, playing games and walking are a must for diabetic children. "Children spend more time on computers playing games, chatting or surfing which reduces the metabolic activities and leads to obesity and other disorders. They should be involved in outdoor activities and sports," Arya said.

Food prepared in poly-unsaturated fat found in olive oil, sunflower oil and corn oil are best for them.

"If unchecked the diabetes can cause diseases related to kidney, heart and nervous system at later stage," warned Arya.

India has been designated as the "Global Capital of Diabetes" having the highest 35 million diabetic patients.

Worldwide, 3.2 million deaths are attributed to diabetes every year and at least one in ten deaths among adults between 35 to 64 years old is attributed to diabetes.

The WHO estimates 177 million people with diabetes worldwide. In India, there are nearly 35 million diabetic patients and the number would go up to 80 million by 2030.

diabetes: facts and myths

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes is caused by a destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, which is unrelated to sugar consumption. Type 2 diabetes results from the body's inability to respond to insulin normally. Although the tendency to get type 2 diabetes is genetically inherited in most cases, eating too much sugar (or foods with sugar, like candy or regular soda) can cause weight gain, which can increase the risk for developing the disease.

Myth: Kids with diabetes can never eat sweets.

Fact: Kids with diabetes can eat a certain amount of sugary food as part of a balanced diet, but they need to control the total amount of carbohydrates they eat, which includes sugary treats. Because sweets provide no real nutritional value other than calories, they should be limited — but not necessarily eliminated. All kids (and adults!) should avoid excessive consumption of foods that provide little nutritional value and can crowd out healthier foods.

Myth: Kids can outgrow diabetes.

Fact: Kids do not outgrow diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. Once they're destroyed, they will never make insulin again. Kids with type 1 diabetes will always need to take insulin (until a cure is found). Although kids with type 2 diabetes may see an improvement in their blood sugar levels after puberty or with lifestyle adjustments, they will probably always have a tendency toward having high blood sugar levels, especially if they are physically inactive or gain too much weight.

Myth: Diabetes is contagious.

Fact: Diabetes is not contagious. You can't catch it from another person. Although researchers think that getting type 1 diabetes may be triggered by something in the environment, like a virus, most people who get type 1 diabetes have inherited genes that make them more susceptible to the disease.

Myth: High blood sugar levels are normal for some people and aren't really a sign of diabetes.

Fact: Certain conditions (like illness or stress) and certain medications (like steroids) temporarily can cause high blood sugar levels in people without diabetes. But high blood sugar levels are never normal. People who have higher than normal blood sugar levels or sugar in their urine should be checked for diabetes by a doctor

Myth: People with diabetes can feel whether their blood sugar levels are high or low.

Fact: Although someone with diabetes may feel physical symptoms (such as extreme thirst, weakness, or fatigue) if blood sugar levels are high or low, the only way to know for sure what the levels are is to test them. For example, because blood sugar levels have to be very high to cause symptoms, a person who isn't testing regularly may be having blood sugar levels high enough to damage the body without even realizing it.

Myth: All people with diabetes need to take insulin.

Fact: All people with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin injections because their pancreases don't make insulin anymore. Some, but not all, people with type 2 diabetes have to take insulin with or without pills to manage their blood sugar levels.

Myth: Insulin cures diabetes.

Fact: Taking insulin helps manage diabetes, but doesn't cure it. Insulin helps get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells, where it can be used for energy. This helps keep blood sugar levels under control, but taking insulin doesn't correct the underlying cause.

Myth: Tablets or pills for diabetes are a form of insulin.

Fact: Diabetes medicines taken by mouth are not a form of insulin. Insulin is a protein that would be broken down or destroyed by the acids and digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines if swallowed. Currently there is no other practical way to deliver insulin except via injections, although researchers are working on ways to give insulin by mouth, in the nose, or inhaling it into the lungs. Some people with type 2 diabetes take pills or tablets that help the body make more insulin or use the insulin it makes more effectively. But pills for diabetes cannot help kids with type 1 diabetes because they are no longer able to make insulin.

Myth: Having to take more insulin means diabetes is getting worse.

Fact: Insulin doses need to be continuously adjusted to help keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Many factors affect blood sugar levels, including diet, exercise, and time of day. In addition, insulin doses may need to be changed over time. At the time of diagnosis, the pancreas may still be able to make some insulin, so less injected insulin may be needed. However, as the pancreas makes less and less insulin, more insulin needs to be given by injection to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. How fast kids are growing, whether they're undergoing puberty, how much they eat, and how active they are affect the amount of insulin needed each day.

Myth: Kids with diabetes don't have to take their insulin or pills when they're sick.

Fact: When kids are sick, especially if they are throwing up or not eating much, giving insulin might not seem like the right thing to do. However, it is very important to keep taking insulin during illness. Insulin doses may need to be adjusted during illness (check with your doctor) but they can't be skipped altogether. Kids need energy when they're sick to help the body heal itself, and insulin helps them use that energy properly. Speak with the diabetes health care team to make sure you understand what to do during a sick day.

Myth: Kids with diabetes can't exercise.

Fact: Exercise is important for all kids — with or without diabetes! Exercise offers many benefits to kids with diabetes. It helps them manage their weight and prevents them from gaining excess body fat. It also improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, relieves stress, and helps blood sugar control. Discuss exercise guidelines and blood sugar management with the diabetes health care team.

Myth: Low-carbohydrate diets are good for kids with diabetes because they should avoid carbs.

Fact: Carbohydrates (carbs) are the body's preferred source of energy, and carbohydrate-containing foods should provide about 50% to 60% of a person's calories each day. Low-carb diets tend to be overloaded with protein and fat. Following a high-fat, high-protein diet over the long term may increase the risks of heart and kidney disease in adulthood (which people with diabetes are already at increased risk for). People with diabetes should follow a healthy, balanced diet. Usually this means adopting a meal plan that helps them balance carbohydrate intake with medication and exercise to achieve good diabetes control.

Myth: There are cures for diabetes, but doctors and the government are not telling anyone about it.

Fact: No matter what you may hear or see on the Internet, there currently is no cure for diabetes. Many scientists and researchers have dedicated their careers to finding a cure for diabetes, and they've made many advances in diabetes research. But the only way to manage diabetes now is to take insulin and medications as prescribed, eat a balanced diet, get plenty of physical activity, and check blood sugar levels regularly. Until there really is a cure for diabetes, do your best to manage your child's diabetes with the tools available now

Diabetes: what's true and false?

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to control the level of sugars in the blood.

Many people have diabetes but don’t know it.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar as a child. It is caused when the pancreas (an organ in your body) does not make enough insulin (a hormone) which helps move sugar (or glucose) from theblood into the body’s cells.

Or your body may not be able to use the insulin it makes as well as it should. Sugar then builds up in the blood.

High levels of sugar in the body damages blood vessels and can lead to kidney disease, nerve damage or blindness.

Hispanics/Latinos may develop diabetes at a younger age than other groups. Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans have diabetes as young as 30 years of age.

More than 1 in 10 Mexican Americans 20 years or older have diabetes.

Taking Insulin is NOT What Makes People Sick

Some people believe that taking extra insulin, not diabetes, is what makes someone sick.

This is not true! When someone with diabetes takes insulin, the body works better because it is getting more of something it makes naturally.

People with Diabetes Can Eat the Same Foods as Those Who Don’t Have Diabetes Most people with diabetes do not have to limit the kinds of sugars and starches they eat, but they do have to limit the total amount.

Since diabetes increases the chance of heart disease, it is important to limit fats and cholesterol.

Eating foods like nopales and corn tortillas are good ways to get fiber, vitamins and minerals but should not be used in place of medications.

Diabetes Cannot Be Cured But It Can Be Managed

Hair loss linked with diabetes in men

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:33:00 +0000

Hair loss linked with diabetes in men

Hair loss before the age of 30 is linked with diabetes. People who lose hair at a very young age are at greater risk of developing diabetes. Frequent loss of hair is generally considered to be one of the early symptoms of diabetes.

Recently a study from the Institute of Endocrinology states that men with thinning hair are at a higher risk of getting the diabetes.

After monitoring the blood of many young guys, the scientists found that those guys who face problem of losing hair at a very young age are more likely to be insulin resistant – that is increasing their chance of developing diabetes. The study result shows that — as the hair growth hormone reduces, the insulin resistance gets elevated.

The young people who are under the age of 30, and if there is loss of hair — you must go for a fasting blood glucose test.

Fasting blood glucose test is a method — to find out how much glucose (sugar) is in the blood. The test can show if a person has diabetes. A blood sample is taken in a lab. The test is normally done in the morning before the person has eaten. The normal, nondiabetic range for blood glucose is from 70 to 110 mg/dl, depending on the type of blood being tested. If the level is 126 mg/dl or higher, it means the person has diabetes.

Hair loss generally begins at the arrival of the disease and gradually become worst after the disease takes the full charge of the body. It is required urgently to get the hair loss symptom diagnosed, to know the root cause of the problem.

Guys be alert diabetes may cause damage to your sperm DNA

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:24:00 +0000

Guys be alert diabetes may cause damage to your sperm DNA

According to scientists — diabetes may destroy man’s sperm cell DNA and in return affect male fertility.

The scientists from Belfast in Northern Ireland discovered that males with diabetes had higher DNA destruction in that part of sperm which usually have the genetic content.

The latest study compared sperm of 27 males with type-1 diabetes, to the sperm of 29 non-diabetic males.

The scientists have discovered that the sperm DNA in diabetic males had higher levels of fragmentation 52% compared to 32% in non-diabetic males. There was also a greater rate of deletions in the DNA inside their mitochondria.

The scientist found that the sperms of the males with diabetes were in good health in many respects. The shape and number of the sperm from diabetic males was absolutely in good condition. But, when the DNA was tested, it was found that there was more destruction to the DNA of the diabetic males.

The study result concludes that — diabetes of type 1 may lead to less fertility in diabetic males. The affect on the male’s fertility by diabetes was not studied in detail, and the process through which the destruction may occur is not known yet. More research is required to know how diabetes destroys sperm. The Diabetes Health identifies that most of the type 1(diabetes) fathers can have healthy kids.

The study of the research published in the Human Reproduction.

When it comes to death rate from diabetes, gender matters!

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:15:00 +0000

When it comes to death rate from diabetes, gender matters!

When it comes to death rate from diabetes, gender matters yes, you get it right and women are hit hard by this death rate disparity from diabetes.

This conclusion is the result of an analysis of three large databases that included 29 years between 1971 and 2000. As per the findings of this analysis, where death rate among men with diabetes has plummeted, at the same time death rate among diabetic women has gone higher, making the whole issue quite tangled. According to this analysis, there has been noticed a reduction of 43 percent death rate in men with diabetes while death rate among women hasn’t come down.

However, what stands behind this gender based death rate disparity is proving to be a tough question even for the experts. In the words of study author:

The reasons for the gender disparity are unclear.

However, they don’t fail in giving different reasons behind this gender based death rate disparity among diabetics. Giving reference of different studies where some experts hold the view that women receive comparatively less aggressive care when it comes to treatments, meant for heart disease and risk factors, associated with it. At the same time, some state that due to different biological structure women require somewhat different types of treatments.

Conclusions, looming out of this study don’t sound too precise, as there seems lack of conformity between different studies, conducted on this issue. Still, we could say that there lies a new hope as death rate among diabetic men has gone down. Well, as far as this rate among women is concerned we could say that much work remains to be done.

Diabetic African Americans with 'poor blood sugar control' risk vision-loss

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Diabetic African Americans with 'poor blood sugar control' risk vision-loss

Do you know 20.8 million children and adults in the United States are diabetic?

This adds up to 7 percent of the population. To add to the crisis, of them an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, but unfortunately, 6.2 million people, ie. nearly one-third are not even aware that they are living with the disease!

What eventually is fearful are the gruesome aftereffects of the uncontrolled disease - i.e African Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes are vulnerable to ‘loss of vision!’ With so many people affected by diabetes, you can well imagine the consequence the United States is awaiting!

If the blood sugar levels are not properly controlled, ‘losing vision’ becomes a very powerful risk factor. This study, perhaps, is the first to find the rate of visual impairments among a large group of African Americans.

Besides, poor control over blood sugar levels, older age, high protein levels in the urine (a symptom of kidney disease), as well as a diabetic retinopathy — a degenerative disease of the retina -were found to be independent and significant predictors of vision loss!
So, with a poor control over blood sugar being the key to the foreseen crisis, African Americans as a whole need to take initiatives in improving glucose control to see a vision loss-free nation in the coming decades.

After heart attack, diabetes can be next!

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:59:00 +0000

After heart attack, diabetes can be next!

If you are heart patient or have ever incurred heart attack, so may be another health threat in the form of diabetes is not far away. Credit to bring out this assumption goes to the collaborative efforts made by researchers from Harvard Medical School and Italy.

During the course of study that followed around 8,291 Italian patients, having sustained a heart attack within the previous three months, experts came out with such findings. As per the conclusion, patients with heart attack were 4.5 times more likely to develop diabetes. And shockingly, such patients were 15 times more likely to develop a pre-diabetes condition known as Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG). Factors like older age, use of beta-blockers, diuretic use, higher blood pressure, inactive lifestyle were also associated with new onset-diabetes or IFG.

With this revelation, a new debate has been kicked off, stressing the need of intensive study over this correlation.

Diabetic would-be-moms raise kids' obesity risk: Experts

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:52:00 +0000

Diabetic would-be-moms raise kids' obesity risk: Experts

If you are a would-be-mother and have developed diabetes, then keep an eye on it! It may prove fatal for your child! - as your diabetes can eventually risk his health. If you are a diabetic during pregnancy, you may give birth to a child more vulnerable to developing obesity.

And, it’s a known fact that obesity is a major culprit behind developing diabetes at later life. Childhood obesity risk rises in tandem with a pregnant woman’s blood sugar level!

While on one hand, it is the fact that untreated gestational diabetes nearly doubles the risk of obesity in a child aging from 5 to 7, on the other, it is also proved that timely treatment of a pregnant mom’s diabetes can essentially eliminate the risk.

And it is to the extend like those pregnant mothers with normal blood sugar levels!

Since, gestational diabetes is found to affect up to 8 percent of pregnant women each year in the United States, such preventive aftereffects should be considered seriously.

What are needed at the roots, are awareness and timely diagnosis and treatment of would-be-mom’s diabetes

Blood pressure pills could prolong diabetic's life: Study

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:32:00 +0000

Blood pressure pills could prolong diabetic's life: Study

Millions of people are suffering from type 2 diabetes world wide and the number of people dying due to cardiovascular diseases and strokes is equally high among the diabetics.

People suffering from diabetes could live longer if they took blood pressure reducing drugs routinely irrespective of whether they were suffering from hyper tension, according to study. The drug reduces complications such as heart diseases and strokes and thereby increases the chances of longevity.

About 11,000 people with type 2 diabetes were followed for about four and half years by researchers of University of Sydney . The patients on trial among whom half of them had high blood pressure were given either a placebo or a daily pill combining 4mg of a blood vessel relaxant called perindopril with 1.25mg of a diuretic called indapamide.

It was found that the death rate due to cardio vascular diseases among people who took the blood pressure reducing pill was 3.8% when compared to 4.6% of those who were on a placebo. Death rates due to any other cause also fell among those who were on blood pressure reducing drugs.

We gave blood pressure lowering therapy to patients with diabetes irrespective of whether their blood pressure was high in the beginning. Previously, virtually every study has been in patients with hypertension, but a high proportion of diabetics don’t have hypertension. This study suggests there’s a case for considering this treatment routinely for patients with type 2 diabetes.

says Stephen MacMahon, a professor of cardiology at the university’s George Institute, where the trial was coordinated.

Of course, prevention is better than cure any day and people would be better off if they made lifestyle changes by concentrating on their diet and by being physically active instead of spending their entire life popping pills!

Red wine: Your antidote to diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:21:00 +0000

Red wine: Your antidote to diabetes

After establishing itself as a heart-friendly drink, read wine is now once again ready to be there on your dining table; this time as an antidote to diabetes.

Obviously, good news for millions of people, constantly bearing blows of this debilitating disease. Credit to shovel out this fact goes to new study showing that chemical called, resveratrol—found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine – significantly improves the sensitivity of mice to insulin. Moreover, it (resveratrol) was found activating the SIRT1 enzyme – known for increasing longevity, DNA repair, and insulin secretion.

These findings nurture a hope for diabetes-afflicted people, by confirming that in near future red wine might play a significant role in fighting diabetes, which currently is supposed to be engulfing around 170 million people worldwide.

Quick diabetes facts:

• Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year.

• Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years without urgent action.

• Most people with diabetes in low and middle-income countries are middle-aged (45-64), not elderly (65+).

So, this time it would be interesting to see red wine proving its metal, this time in a new form – diabetes killer!

Soon a breath test for diabetics

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Soon a breath test for diabetics

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine believe it may be possible to develop a breath analysis test to monitor blood sugar.

They tested the breath of 10 kids with Type 1 diabetes and found them exhaling higher levels of methyl nitrates, especially when their sugar levels were very high. This study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal.

Type 1 diabetes happens to be the most common form of diabetes in children. It is also known as childhood or juvenile diabetes. It occurs when the immune system goes haywire, and starts attacking insulin-producing cells (beta cells of the islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas, thus leading to loss of insulin.

It is imperative that people with Type 1 diabetes constantly check their blood sugar level using blood testing monitors, because, low levels of blood glucose (hypoglycemia) may lead to seizures or episodes of unconsciousness.

Currently, the blood glucose level can only be tested by piercing the skin to extract a small quantity of blood. This method is not only painful but it can prove to be expensive too.

Since the treatment for Type 1 diabetes is indefinite, I am sure that this noninvasive breath test will prove to be very successful. It will indeed be a great way to spare the jabs on the finger and yet keep a tab on the blood sugar level.

Indicator Plaster Neuropad Is Key In Early Diabetic Neuropathy Detection

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:57:00 +0000

Indicator Plaster Neuropad Is Key In Early Diabetic Neuropathy Detection

Diabetic Neuropathy can go undetected in Diabetics and therefor the area is not taken care of the way that it needs to be once neuropathy sets in. That is why IPN products such as Neuropad is giving patient’s a needed heads up in the detection of neuropathy.

Along with countless side effects from Diabetes, complications with the foot can be debilitating. Of the world’s entire amputation rate, complications from diabetes are responsible for 25% of the amputations. This breaks down to roughly every thirty seconds someone is losing a limb to diabetes.

How will an Indicator Plaster Neuropad, or IPN, change the way we detect Diabetic Neuropathy in the future?

The IPN can be performed either in the office or by the patient at home and takes about roughly 10 minutes. The fact that this test can be performed at home by the patient is phenomenal and it allows the patient to participate actively in the prevention and detection of diabetic foot complications.

Currently, it is suggested that patients utilize the Indicator Plaster Neuropad once a year as a way of detecting peripheral neuropathy. This 10 minute examination results in either a pink light when the nerve conduction is normal or a blue light when nerve damage is present.
There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy but awareness and care can prevent complications which could become severe enough to warrant amputation.
Patients who register an abnormal result on the IPN, meaning they have neuropathy, can be instructed on how to better care for their feet and can also schedule more regular foot exams.
Awareness is key. Like GI Joe used to say: “Knowing is half the Battle…Go Joe”.

HEALFAST BANDAGE FOR DIABETES

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:23:00 +0000

HEALFAST BANDAGE

A breakthorough concept in bandages has surfaced on the horizon which is boon for diabetics. HealFast is a bandage designed by Donn Koh that uses electric fields to accelerate the healing process and prevent further infection in the surrounding tissues.

Healfast is a simple solution to counter the wounds inflicted by pressure sores and chronic ulcers in diabetics. Applying this bandage is a simple task. Just place this bandage on the wound and peel off the protective covering, and the bandage is ready for action. When a person applies this bandage by pressing it down on his wounds, an electric charge is activated and results in a weak electric field which accelerates the healing process and prevents the surrounding tissues from getting infected.

I find this concept very helpful because even a small cut or scratch can spell disaster for a diabetic. HealFast’s amazing power can arm the diabetics with an increased sense of security.

Prediabetes

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:16:00 +0000

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a stage between normal and diabetes stage. It is an alarming sign for upcoming diabetes or a chance to change your future. Universally, numerous terms are given like, Borderline Diabetes, Chemical Diabetes, Touch of Diabetes etc. The term Prediabetic was given by the US Department of Health And Human Services and ADA on 27th march 2002 with an intention to create awareness and convey seriousness of the condition. Also, they motivated people to opt for appropriate treatment and lifestyle modification. According to the ADA statistics 17 million US citizens are diabetic and 16 millions are prediabetic. ADA defines it as a stage before the development of diabetes, with normal glucose tolerance, but with an increased risk of developing diabetes in near future.

Prediabetes is a condition when your blood sugar level triggers higher than normal, but not so high that we can justify it as type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41 million U.S. adults aged 40 to 74 have prediabetes. And the same reports from, The American Academy of Pediatrics show that, one of every 10 males and one of every 25 females have prediabetes aged from 12 to 19 years.

Symptoms of Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:07:00 +0000

Symptoms of Diabetes

In both types of diabetes, signs and symptoms are more likely to be similar as the blood sugar is high, either due to less or no production of insulin, or insulin resistance. In any case, if there is inadequate glucose in the cells, it is identifiable through certain signs and symptoms. These symptoms are quickly relieved once the Diabetes is treated and also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems.

Diabetes Type 1:

In type 1, the pancreas stop producing insulin due to autuimmune response or possibly viral attack on pancreas. In absence of insulin, body cells don’t get the required glucose for producing ATP (Adenosin Triphosphate) units which results into primary symptom in the form of nausea and vomiting. In later stage, which leads to ketoacidosis, the body starts breaking down the muscle tissue and fat for producing energy hence, causing fast weight loss. Dehydration is also usually observed due to electrolyte disturbance. In advanced stages, coma and death is witnessed.

Diabetes Type 2:

Increased fatigue : Due to inefficiency of the cell to metabolize glucose, reserve fat of body is metabolized to gain energy. When fat is broken down in the body, it uses more energy as compared to glucose, hence body goes in negative calorie effect, which results in fatigue.
Polydipsia : As the concentration of glucose increases in the blood, brain receives signal for diluting it and, in its counteraction we feel thirsty.
Polyuria: Increase in urine production is due to excess glucose present in body. Body gets rid of the extra sugar in the blood by excreting it through urine. This leads to dehydration because along with the sugar, a large amount of water is excreted out of the body.
Polyphegia : The hormone insulin is also responsible for stimulating hunger. In order to cope up with high sugar levels in blood, body produces insulin which leads to increased hunger.
Weight flactuation : Factors like loss of water (polyuria), glucosuria , metabolism of body fat and protein may lead to weight loss. Few cases may show weight gain due to increased appetite.
Blurry vision : Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome is the condition when body fluid is pulled out of tissues including lenses of the eye, which affects its ability to focus, resulting blurry vision.
Irritability : It is a sign of high blood sugar because of the inefficient glucose supply to the brain and other body organs, which makes us feel tired and uneasy.
Infections : The body gives few signals whenever there is fluctuation in blood sugar (due to suppression of immune system) by frequent skin infections like fungal or bacterial or UTI (urinary tract infection).
Poor wound healing : High blood sugar resists the flourishing of WBC, (white blood cell) which are responsible for body immune system. When these cells do not function accordingly, wound healing is not at good pace. Secondly, long standing diabetes leads to thickening of blood vessels which affect proper circulation of blood in different body parts.

Adopt eastern diet to check diabetes:expert

noreply@blogger.com (rajesh) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:50:00 +0000

An American expert said that type-II diabetes can be kept under control by avoiding "western" food."Westernisation of diet has led to a health crisis. What we need is an easternisation of dietary practices worldwide," Dr Neal Barnard, nutrition researcher with US-based National Institute of Health, said today.Diet proved to be three times more powerful than oral medicines to help control the disease, particularly type-II diabetes, Dr Barnard, who is scheduled to address a seminar at a city hospital on January 17, said in a statement .

Proper diet also significantly lowered cholesterol and high blood pressure, he added.Quoting World Health Organisation projections, he said diabetes is expected to affect nearly 80 million people in India by 2030.

According to a study conducted in Washington, even people with long-standing diabetes and weight problems linked to the disease had their conditions partially reversed by switching over to low-fat vegetarian diet that excluded dairy products, he said."We have high hopes that due to historical and religious influences in India, it wll be easier for patients to adapt a non-meat, non-dairy diet than for Americans although the research team was surprised to note how positively people beset with physical problems and facing a lifetime of medication embraced the diet in the US," Dr Barnard said.