Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed more than any other type of diabetes. Many have the disease for years before they are even diagnosed. It is possible that you may have symptoms of the disease and not be aware that your system is a ticking bomb waiting to go off. If it is not treated, your body will start to develop other medical complications and that is when you may get the diagnosis however, in many cases, it is too late for prevention of the other conditions. Arming yourself with the knowledge that you need is crucial to staying healthy and preventing or treating diabetes.

High blood sugar is a main ingredient of type 2 diabetes. The symptoms that come along with this are going to the bathroom more often, your vision is not clear and becomes blurry, you are not dieting but the weight seems to be dropping off and if you seem to feel thirsty most of the time and nothing quenches your thirst. It is possible that you may only experience one of these symptoms but as your blood sugar rises higher, you are going to find that you will have more than one symptom and it is possible that you may even become dehydrated. This will cause you to become weak and dizzy which can lead to injury and even hospitalization. Continue reading “Knowing the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes” »

Dementia is when someone starts to forgets things more often than not, has trouble doing something that they do each and every day or they find themselves in a state of confusion. Not only can this be hard on the person that is experiencing it but, it is also an emotional struggle for everyone around them. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. This strikes the elderly more than anyone and it is something that we hear about often. However, it can also affect those who have diabetes which is not controlled properly. This could be someone with high blood pressure, heart disease and high cholesterol in addition to their diabetes, and dementia is likely to be even harder to deal with than for someone who is healthy and not diabetic.

When you combine one or more of these conditions along with diabetes, you could be faced with vascular dementia. This is when there is a series of small strokes which cause damage to the brain tissue and prevent the oxygen that is needed from getting to the brain. One of the more serious conditions that contributes to this development is high blood pressure, which is common in those with diabetes. Continue reading “Dementia and Type 2 Diabetes” »

If you run the risk of diabetes due to family inheritance or even if it is just due to your health not being in the best of shape, you may find that there are steps you can take to prevent the disease from walking unchallenged into your life. If you have an increased risk of being diagnosed, it is especially important to take the necessary steps in order to prevent it and to keep yourself healthy. Knowing that type 2 diabetes is the highest diagnosed form of diabetes, you may find that with a few changes in your daily routine, your health will be a little safer.

One of the most important things that you can do is to get more exercise. Not only are you going to feel great and look fantastic, you will be able to lose the weight that you need, keep your blood sugar low and normal and you will increase your sensitivity to the insulin in your body. The best type of exercise program that you can have is one that includes both resistance training and aerobics. You will get the best of everything that you need.

Fiber is another essential part of staying healthy. Let’s face it, our daily diet may seem healthy at times but we do not eat the way that we should. Foods such as beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits are all high in fiber. They can help you to lose weight, give you better control over your blood sugar levels and keep your risk for heart disease lower. Continue reading “Prevention Tips for Diabetes” »

There are many worries and concerns when you are diabetic and stroke is one of the big ones. It is important to understand that those with diabetes are at a much higher risk that those without. A stroke happens when a blood vessel which carries blood to the brain becomes blocked and/or damaged. After a period of three minutes, the part of the brain that is not getting the blood that it needs will start to die. The two different types of strokes that can occur are an hemorrhagic stroke which is when an artery is ruptured, and an ischemic stroke which is when the artery is blocked. Depending upon which stroke happens will make a difference in the treatment given.

One of the main reasons that diabetics are highly at risk for stroke is due to the high blood pressure that they experience. This is the number one cause and below that is smoking cigarettes and having high “bad” cholesterol. In those that are not diabetic where a stroke occurs, it is possible that other arteries may take oxygen to the brain by going around the blockage. However, in someone that has diabetes, the other arteries tend to have damage so there is no other way to get blood flow to the brain. This is another factor in stroke being a greater risk for diabetes patients. Continue reading “Diabetes and the Risk of Stroke” »

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a concern that can affect many different aspects of a woman’s life. These can include the chance of having children, the heart, blood vessels, hormones, during your period and even the way that you look. Most women that are diagnosed with PCOS miss their periods and have no set schedule, may have small cysts on the ovaries or could have a high level of androgens. These are male hormones but yes ladies, you do make them as well. Females can be diagnosed with the condition at the tender age of eleven and it is diagnosed in between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 females for those that are old enough to have children.

The cause of PCOS is not known. It is possible that genetics could play a factor in the process as many women who are diagnosed also have a family member that has been diagnosed as well. Diabetes can play a role in the diagnosis due to insulin. Those with too much insulin in their bodies can have an increased production of androgen. This can result in symptoms of gaining weight, acne, strange hair growth and even problems with ovulating. Continue reading “Living with Diabetes and PCOS” »

Although we hear about the great advantages of taking fish oil for the omega-3 fatty acids and the benefits that it provides, those with diabetes may be putting themselves in harm’s way when taking this supplement. Although it may be a great addition to your daily regimen and provide extra protection for the heart, those with diabetes have been seen to have elevated levels of blood sugar, which of course is a negative impact on their health. Before taking fish oil, it is vital for diabetics to speak with their physician to make sure of the safety of their health.

If a patient is taking medication to help control their diabetes, they are working to keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible and to keep the symptoms of diabetes at bay. When taking fish oil supplements, it is possible that the symptoms of diabetes may return even though the patient is taking medication. These include the possibility of losing weight too fast, going to the bathroom more often, blurry vision and fatigue or feeling as though you can never quench your thirst. Of course these symptoms can lead to other serious medical complications such as kidney problems and even nerve damage. Continue reading “Taking Fish Oil for Diabetes” »

Roughly 25% of the diabetic population has anemia on a certain level. Anemia is considered to be an ailment where the body has less than the normal amount of red blood cells, which in turn prevents the needed levels of oxygen getting to the cells within the body. People with anemia typically exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms mirror those of diabetes and because of this fact, when seen in a diabetic individual; they are often not recognized as anemia. Anemia can occur in a diabetic as the production of the hormone known as erythropoietin, which helps red blood cells function to their full capacity and is produced by the kidneys decreases due to changes in the kidneys can happen in diabetics, and because of this, early detection of this is key.

Anemia is usually diagnosed through a blood count level test known as CBC, or complete blood count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit present in the blood unveil whether an individual has anemia or not. Hemoglobin is the area of red blood cells that provides oxygen to cells within the body, while hematocrit shows the amount of red blood cells in the bloodstream. If a diabetic has anemia, often blood sugar measurements can be inaccurate, or not as accurate as they would be if the diabetic did not have anemia. Healthcare providers have put into place certain measures when testing glucose levels so they know how properly to treat diabetics who also have anemia. Continue reading “The Effects and Treatment of Anemia in Diabetics” »

We have all heard the term, “dress for success,” but when it comes to diabetes and you are required to wear an insulin pump, it may seem that dressing is no longer fun. When wearing a pump for insulin, it is possible to not only dress comfortably, but you can also look great regardless of the pump. Kids may feel depressed or upset that they need to wear the machine, and that it takes away from being able to have fun or to dress and wear what they want.

There are diabetes cases, meter cases, and insulin pump cases that you can wear that will not only grow with your little one, but that you can also add to in order to make them fun. You can get them with pre-applied or pre-printed pictures such as animals, or perhaps the logo of their favorite sports team.

You can also get the cases specially made with a special photo of your choice. It is important to be able to keep a positive attitude no matter how old or young you are when it comes to having diabetes. There are waistbands that you can get that are bright and full of colors, packs that are soft and comfortable to wear around the waist so that kids can still run around and have fun, and clothes that are just perfect for any occasion. Continue reading “Dress for Success When Wearing an Insulin Pump” »

No matter who you are, how old you are or where you live, driving is a dangerous thing. It is very exciting when you first get your license and sit behind the wheel. You could not wait to get out on the road and feel the freedom of being able to go wherever you wanted whenever you wanted. However, for teenagers that are diabetic, not only do they need to understand the dangers of the road like everyone else, they also need to understand that there are extra precautions that they need to take before getting behind the wheel. Safety is the key, and knowledge is power when driving for anyone.

Along with the regular rules of the road, your teen should follow additional rules to stay safe behind the wheel. Before they get in the car to drive, it is important for them to check their blood glucose levels. There should be no exceptions to this rule. If levels are low, they will be able to take the steps needed to get them back to normal before they leave. Danger could be lurking around every turn if they do not check before climbing behind the wheel. Continue reading “Teens and Driving with Diabetes” »

Once diagnosed with any type of diabetes, it becomes more important than ever to make a plan for a daily routine and stick to it. This is not to say that you have to eat the same types of foods every day and you have to follow the same regimen day in and day out. However, it becomes more important than ever to eat properly, get the right amount of exercise, take your medications and test your sugar levels when needed. When there is no management plan in place, it can mean complications, such as organ damage, requiring surgery or hospitalization for the patient.

The hub of managing diabetes comes from managing blood sugar levels and keeping them regulated. By doing this, a diabetic will be able to see how certain foods affect levels as well as the time of day that they eat, if exercising regularly is having the right effect and even if the medication they are taking is the right amount or type. When blood sugar levels are not correct or the patient feels as though their plan is not working for them, the results will give the doctor indication that something may need to be changed. It is a great way to manage the disease. Continue reading “Properly Managing Your Diabetes” »