19 Jul, 2011
Smoking can be very risky for diabetes patients. According to the American Diabetes Association’s report entitled Smoking and Diabetes, there is significant evidence pointing to a possible causal relationship between certain health risks and smoking. In other studies, a higher risk of premature death has been observed among diabetics who happened to be chain smokers as well. Macrovascular and microvascular complications are known to have developed among these individuals, and some studies even point out that this habit may be related to the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2).
The Link Between Diabetes and Smoking
Cigarette smoking can interfere with the body’s ability to utilize insulin. Therefore, despite having regular insulin treatments, these will not help ease the patient’s condition. Diabetic patients are also more likely to experience cardiovascular complications that are associated with the disease. According to studies, the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke increases by eleven times among smokers who have diabetes. In addition, the mortality rate caused by cardiovascular diseases is raised threefold. One of the reasons why cases of heart attacks are more frequent among diabetic smokers is that smoking actually increases the cholesterol level in the patient’s body whenever they smoke. Also, smoking does not only raise the amount of cholesterol in the blood, but it also increases the fat deposits in arteries, which then leads to myocardial infarction.
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18 Jul, 2011
Dealing with diabetes in school is not an easy task and everyone should be involved in taking care of diabetics when they are at school. For children who suffer from the consequences and complications of diabetes, going to school might be a little more challenging as there are many things to consider so that their condition will not get worse. Authorities at school need to be advised, as well as knowledgeable, on how to manage and help kids afflicted with this disease to make these students’ school life easier and more comfortable. They should be prepared in providing first aid treatment for kids with diabetes in case serious emergency cases occur.
Parents should also be involved. They should be the first ones to react and be ready to aid their children when the consequences of the disease hit them while they are in their classrooms. Parents should teach their children which medicines to take and at what time they should be taking them, as well as the proper dosage of each drug to ensure continuous and effective treatment of diabetes. Parents should cooperate with their kids’ teachers as well as with the school principal so that they will be properly informed about the needs of these children. School officials will then have to discuss these terms and take the necessary steps during these situations. Meanwhile, homeroom teachers should also see to it that their students who have diabetes are able to cope with the activities required at school but without straining the kids too much in the process. They should still be allowed to participate in school events, but their involvement in these activities must be monitored by an adult.
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15 Jul, 2011
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, says the old adage. But modern science has shown that this is more than just a folktale. Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber and a vital part of our nutritional intake, which has many implications for our well-being. This valuable component starts its journey with our teeth, exercising us through chewing. It then travels on through the gut, helping our digestion. A diet that is high in fiber will reduce the chances of constipation and its associated ills, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures and diverticulitis. Overweight? Then increase fiber in your food, as it will not only make you feel fuller after eating, but will slow absorption of calories as the food passes along your gut.
Fiber comes in two forms, soluble and insoluble, and it has no calories. Insoluble fiber is the natural “bulk” in fruit and vegetables, especially in the skins and stalks, and a normal person should eat between 25 and 30 grams a day. Eat a lovely ripe apple or other fruit to give you fiber instead of candy, or choose bread that has high wheat bran content.
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13 Jul, 2011
“Our book is meant to help children and their families adjust to thier new life with juvenile diabetes,” Irene says.” but It’s great for anyone! as it trys to provide the entire family support and to let them know that they are far from alone in their situation and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel–even though that tunnel feels like a very long one at times. This is not about us, this is about raising awareness and helping families by letting people know that it won’t be perfect, but it will be okay.” Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments to add here…we appreciate your support!
Reader Reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase: ”This was an excellent book that we read to my 4 year old grandson. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a month ago and this book was written by a 4 year old and her mother that was just diagnosed with the same disease. He was able to relate to everything that the little girl had gone through. Awful disease, excellent book.”
12 Jul, 2011
Type II diabetes is characterized by a reaction in the body known as insulin resistance. In people with insulin resistance, insulin, a hormone that directs the body’s cells to use the sugar in the blood for energy, is not as effective. This results in abnormal levels of sugar in the blood, a parameter that is highly regulated in people with diabetes. These abnormal levels of sugar in the blood can affect many organs and systems in the body and can lead to severe complications and even death. Type II diabetes affects millions of people around the world, and today there is no cure. At best, this disease can be managed to regulate sugar levels.
Scientists have discovered several chemicals inside a common household ingredient, cinnamon, which may allow the creation of powerful new anti-diabetes medication in the future. These chemicals, known as polyphenolic polymers, were shown to have a huge effect on the metabolism of sugar in fat cells, an important development in diabetes research. In fact, when tested in the laboratory, these polyphenolic polymers had the effect of boosting glucose metabolism by up to twenty times its normal level. This finding, which astonished scientists and researchers in the diabetes field, gives the medical establishment and diabetics everywhere hope for new diabetes treatments that could significantly reverse insulin resistance.
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