21Jan

Type 2 Diabetes – Long-Term Sugar Control and Diabetic Retinopathy!

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A technique known as “measuring lens fluorescence” is a useful way of assessing life-long blood sugar levels. The lens lasts a lifetime and it’s ageing process is affected by blood sugar. By measuring lens fluorescence, scientists can see how much ageing the blood sugar levels have caused, allowing them to estimate the amount of sugar that has been in the body over time.

Researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen in Denmark carried out lens fluorescence imaging to discover whether the life-long level of blood sugar could be associated with the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness in diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2. The blood vessels at the back of the eye are then affected and bleed into the eye. Results of the study on lens fluorescence were published in the journal Diabetologia in December 2010.
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Nine hundred volunteers between the ages of 30 and 60 were admitted to the study. One hundred and seventy were found to be diabetic and 35 already had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Retinopathy was diagnosed in 46 people, or 22 per cent of 205 volunteers with Type 2 diabetes. Those with twice the amount of lens fluorescence as the volunteers with lower amounts of fluorescence, had more than five times the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Smoking, blood pressure, height and weight proportions, and HbA1c were also found to be associated with retinopathy. It was also concluded retinopathy is associated with the amount of sugar in the blood in both Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, and that life-long control of blood sugar could help to prevent diabetic retinopathy.

How will you keep your blood sugar levels down?

  • one way of satisfying a sweet tooth is to drink hot or iced tea with sucralose or stevia
  • some people like to sweeten seltzer water with non-sugar sweeteners and add some fruit juice for flavor
  • fruits are another good way of getting something sweet with less sugar and more fiber than you would get with high-sugar snacks made with highly refined flour and sugar
  • many people are reportedly including their dogs in their getting-fit resolutions for 2011, taking them for walks and playing with them. Even brushing your dog several times a week for fifteen minutes, changing hands halfway through will work your arms and please your dog

Why not check out the local gyms… many of them are competing with lower fees so shop around for the bargains. Some gyms offer discounts if you bring a friend along, and the added benefit of bringing a friend is that you can encourage each other. A membership to a local fitness center is a great way to get exercise in a safe and social environment.

Keeping your blood sugar levels in the range as discussed with your doctor, will help to prevent all diabetic complications.

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19Jan

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Men – Warning Signs to Be Aware Of

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The signs and symptoms of diabetes in men are more general in nature than those seen in women. However, there are several diabetes symptoms that can be considered unique to men and should be regarded as warning signs. This article will briefly list the general symptoms before listing the specific symptoms that men should look for if they suspect that they may be developing diabetes.

The general symptoms of Diabetes are:

  • Constant thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Constant hunger
  • Constant fatigue and feeling tired
  • Weight loss
  • Slow healing sores, cuts, blisters
  • Dry, itchy rashes
  • Numbness or tingling in extremities
  • Blurry vision
  • Frequent infections

If you have several of these symptoms on a regular basis you should consider seeing your doctor and informing her/him of your concerns.

Specific signs and symptoms of diabetes in men:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Reduced strength
  • Degradation of vision
  • Muscular pain during exercise

Sexual Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction or impotence are often associated with diabetes in men and can be found even in cases of pre-diabetes. Symptoms such as these can be seen as parallels to the sexual signs and symptoms of diabetes in women as they experience the female equivalent of sexual performance issues as a symptom of diabetes.

Reduced Strength

Since many men have jobs and lifestyles where physical strength is not only an asset but a necessity, diminishing physical strength can often be used as a warning sign of diabetes. As blood sugar levels fluctuate wildly, a man’s ability to remain physically strong is negatively affected because of the disruptions in energy levels. If you find yourself suddenly weaker, more fatigued, or having less physical stamina than you did in the recent past you may have early onset diabetes.

Degradation of Vision

Due to a medical condition known as “retinopathy”, vision may degrade quickly as diabetes progresses. This is considered a warning sign specific to men because it can occur much more quickly in men than in women. This disorder can cause blindness if left undiagnosed so if you find your vision to be degrading over time then consult your physician with your concerns.

Muscular Pain During Exercise

A unique symptom of diabetes in men is muscular pain during exercise or other signs of peripheral vascular disease. This warning sign is also linked to a three-fold increase in the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiac failure in men with diabetes.

18Jan

Type 2 Diabetes – Do Toning Shoes Really Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels?

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Lower blood sugar levels for Type 2 diabetics because you wear a certain style of shoes, it almost sounds too good to be true. It seems like such an easy way to get your blood sugar levels in control. Just slip on a pair of Reebok EasyTones, and you get so much exercise out of just walking your blood sugars float down to normal and your thighs and butt tighten, too. But do they really work?

Toning shoes are shoes with a curved insole designed to imitate the experience of balance on a wobble board at the gym or walking on a sandy beach. They definitely cause twitching muscles in the ankles, calves, thighs, and buttocks.

The jury is still out on whether toning shoes really tone muscles. The American Council on Exercise has commissioned a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin to put Skecher’s ShapeUps, Reebok EasyTones, and Masai Barefoot Technology to the test. The request was made after advertising claims by Reebok seemed to promise more benefits than the shoes can deliver, at least in terms of tightening muscles.

Anytime you get muscles moving, however, especially muscles in the buttocks, glucose will be burned and insulin sensitivity will increase. This doesn’t mean:

using the shoes will burn more calories overall
wearing these shoes will help your cardiovascular fitness

It just means that they will probably help your insulin sensitivity and give you lower blood sugar levels than exercise in ordinary running shoes.

Most Type 2 diabetics, of course, don’t need special running shoes. They need to try running! If your doctor approves, even a few seconds of running, rather than walking, can have noticeable or even dramatic effects on your blood sugar levels, far more than any medication.

Among the most common medical problems experienced by people with diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, are problems related to feet. The feet, or human feet anyway, were meant to walk on grass and dirt, not on flat hardened surfaces such as concrete. One of the problems with walking or running on concrete over long periods of time, is that joints of the feet may break down!

Here are a few tips to help keep your feet healthy:

1. Look at the condition of your feet and toes each and every day.
2. Get up and move… regular body movement will help your overall circulation and muscle tone.
3. Choose footwear carefully.
4. Check your sock drawer… pitch the nylon ones or any socks that help keep in the perspiration. And the socks with holes cause irritation to the skin.
5. If you need to sit for long periods… wiggle your toes.
6. Wash you feet daily… keep them dry and clean.
7. Your skin is the first and best armor to protect your feet… keep it moisturized daily
8. Make sure your doctor checks your feet at each visit.

Smoking causes poor circulation and puts Type 2 diabetics at a higher risk of complications if and when you injure your feet. Smoking affects your circulation.

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17Jan

The Glycemic Index of Honey

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Those who are suffering from diabetes have a reduced amount of insulin secretion and this is a response to the amount of glucose that is being introduced to their blood. Because of this, they also have restrictions when it comes to the amount and variety of foods they consume. For diabetes patients, these restrictions add up to their suffering. Most people are aware that diabetes patients are not allowed to consume sugar. In order to replace their sugar consumption, they make use of synthetic sweeteners such as Aspartame, a synthetic chemical agent that does not contain any nutritive value. In various countries, diabetes patients are aware of the glycemic index of honey and so they make use of honey to replace sugar.

Aside from the debate about the comparison of the amount of glucose being absorbed by the body after the consumption of sugar or honey in diabetes patients, other issues were discussed as well. These issues about the glycemic index of honey and its benefits for diabetes patients include the following:

Calorie content: although the glycemic index of honey is at medium, it is 3 times sweeter than sugar. So if a diabetes patient needs 30g of sugar, which is equivalent to 10g of honey.

Micro-nutrients: these is divided into 2 different categories:

Vitamins: diabetes patients are required to consume certain vitamins. These include vitamin B6, B1, B12, E, C, and biotin. Aside from the medium glycemic index of honey, it could also be a good source of these vitamins.
Trace Elements:

– Manganese is present in the body of diabetes patients and 1/2 of its amount is present in the body of a normal individual as well.

– Chromium is one of the most critical nutrients in diabetes. It is often presented as supplements for those suffering from pre-diabetic glucose intolerance, diabetes, and those who are suffering from diabetes due to pregnancy.

– Consumption of Vanadium has proven to help decrease the insulin needs of diabetes patients.

– Magnesium should be lowered for a person with diabetes.

– Sufficient amount of potassium can improve insulin sensitivity.

– Zinc deficiency is also known as a role player for the development of diabetes in most individuals. It is also involved in almost all aspects of synthesis, insulin metabolism, utilization, and secretion.

Aside from the medium glycemic index of honey, it also contains almost all elements that come from the soil. You can give your body greater favor if you choose to reduce your carbohydrates.

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12Jan

The Three Types of Diabetes

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Diabetes is an ailment that affects patients chronically due to a rise in the degree of sugar in the body. This leads to body organs that have high concentrations of glucose losing their vitality. This is caused by a decrease in the production of the pancreatic insulin, which is the substance that is instrumental in maintaining the concentration of sugar in the tissues and inside the capillaries. Depending on the period of ailment and its complication, there are three conditions that stem out of this main disease.

The first type is Type 1 Diabetes. This is an inherited disorder that is manifested by extremely low degree of insulin. Though it can be detected as late as youth, it is inherent in children who need to be tested early before it develops into other complications. The clinically approved remedy is to inject the patients from an early age with doses of this vital substance for controlling glucose artificially for normal life processes to take place in the tissues. Type 2 on the other hand affects adults and is caused by similar lack of production of this pancreatic hormone. It is also exacerbated by the fact that the organs fail to react to the little insulin that is being released. Weight gain is also another cause of this complication.

The final kind of Diabetes is the one that affects pregnant women even if they have no acquired the disease genetically. This is caused by undue increase in sugar concentration in body tissues. All these three types can be combated by insulin injections.

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11Jan

Type 2 Diabetes – The Weight Loss And Blood Sugar Connection!

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Are you obese and suffering from Type 2 diabetes? Do you ever wonder why your doctor keeps on nagging you about trimming your belly fat and getting rid of your excess weight? Do you know the benefits of losing weight in Type 2 diabetes? If you are still puzzled about what effective, healthy weight loss can do, the best thing for you to do is to continue reading this article.

A study published in the February 2002 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine estimates that approximately 8 percent of American adults are suffering from the direct and indirect consequences of having Type 2 diabetes. In another study published by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2003, it is clearly stated obesity is the major cause for the development of diabetes mellitus 2 or Type 2 diabetes, and the excessive intake of energy in the form of calories in obese people is the number one contributor to the poor control of blood sugar in this disease.

What is the mechanism behind diabetes and excess fat accumulation?

In a study published by the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science in 2002, it has been shown the increase in weight causes the development of hyperinsulinemia or elevated blood insulin, the hormone responsible for the transport of energy-producing glucose or sugar into the cells. However, even with this increased blood insulin, the individual cells still can’t utilize these raw energy materials because of the development of insulin resistance, or the inability of individual cells to respond to insulin stimulation, leading to excess sugar levels in the blood. Furthermore, this obesity-induced resistance to insulin pushes individual cells to increase their fat accumulation which further increases the fat tissue bulk within your body.

Obesity is now a well-recognized major factor in the progression of insulin resistance in Type 2’s. In fact, in the study published by the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science, it has a large impact on the worsening of diabetes and its other complications such as cardiovascular disease.

Being obese is one of the greatest obstacles to the proper management of Type 2 diabetes. So, if you are one of those people suffering from the consequences of diabetes, getting rid of your excess weight can be one of the best decisions you have ever made. Changing your lifestyle by increasing your physical activities and making your diet healthier are your best bets for effective weight loss.

Remember this: Having a good weight management program is one of the most important tools for the management of your Type 2 diabetes. To start with lower your blood sugar levels by choosing healthy foods, you will then lose weight. And by losing weight your blood sugar levels will continue to fall… and you will continue to lose weight.

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10Jan

Diabetes – Resource and Information Sites for Diabetes Awareness

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You know that diabetes is a life changing condition. So, if you or someone you know is diagnosed with diabetes would stand to reason that some changes will need to be made to adjust to the prescribed diabetes treatment and diet changes.

It can be really hard for most people to make the changes that is required to keep the diabetes symptoms at bay. However, controlling it is essential and that calls for appropriate care and continuous monitoring. The more you know about the condition the better your chances of being able to live a normal life with diabetes

There are three varieties of diabetes, two of them chronic and one temporary. The chronic varieties are Type 1 diabetes this is where the body simply does not generate insulin (a hormone that causes cells to store glucose), and Type 2 where the tissues and cells do not respond to insulin. Expecting women may develop gestational diabetes where specific hormones bring about insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes typically disappears when the baby is born. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require treatment.

This all sounds kind of simple, but it isn’t. Still after proper diagnosis, diabetes symptoms and diabetes treatment seriously fluctuate from one person to the next. With Type 1 diabetes, insulin shots are nearly always necessary, but dosage varies, and diet plan and habits can make a big difference. Type 2 can often be managed with dietary modifications, exercise and health supplements, yet again it varies from person to person. The difference relating to controlling diabetes properly and letting it go unrestrained can be the difference between a normal, healthy life and one with considerable issues that can result in deteriorating health and life-threatening circumstances.

There is an enormous amount of constructive information on diabetes in existence, but it isn’t going to help much if it is spread out all over the web or written in medical jargon that people can’t understand.

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