One of the biggest contributors to diabetes is being overweight. However, in recent studies it has been shown that intestinal bacteria may be a contributing factor to the way the metabolism works in the body. There are several different factors that are involved when metabolic syndrome comes into play. There are many other issues that come along with metabolic disorders and they generally increase the risks that contribute to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity and insulin resistance. The biggest concern about obesity is too much tummy fat.

Research shows that there are bacteria which reside in the digestive tract which seem to have some influence over the body’s metabolism. This is due to the effect that the bacteria has on the way in which the body gets its energy from the food that we eat. One of the contributing factors that was found is the lack of the protein TLR 5. It has been found that when this protein is missing, there is a higher risk of obesity as the person eats more and the body does not get rid of the associated fat correctly. Continue reading “Can Bacteria Cause Diabetes?” »

There are many different reasons as to why someone with diabetes would want to use an insulin pump. Perhaps it is for a child so they do not have to remember when it is time to take their medication or maybe, someone that is elderly who may not remember to take their insulin either. It is also possible that any patient who needs to take insulin frequently throughout the day, but who is constantly on the go, may like the convenience of the pump. By using this method, you do not need to think about giving yourself an injection and for someone who does not like needles it can be a big plus.

There are several advantages to using an insulin pump. With this, you will be able to adjust your medication around your lifestyle. This means that you will no longer need to work your daily activities around stopping to give yourself an injection. Anyone who needs to keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels, even during the night when they should be sleeping, can use a pump with the assurance that their medication will be administered even if they are asleep. This can keep a patient from slipping into a coma or risking the chance of a diabetic seizure from hypoglycemia. Continue reading “Living With an Insulin Pump” »

When you need to take insulin for diabetes it is important to understand that there are different types and that each one works in a different way. Your doctor will be able to determine what the best type is for you however, there is always the possibility that you will need to make changes along the way. Although there are different strengths that you can take, U-100 is the one that is most commonly used. You will find that one may work faster than another, one will reach its peak at a specific time and some will last longer than others as well.

One sort of insulin that you may be prescribed is rapid-acting. It begins to work around five minutes after you inject it and within one hour, it hits its peak. Rapid-acting insulin will continue to work for approximately two to four hours after injection. Regular insulin, also known as short-acting, hits your system approximately thirty minutes after taking it. The effects will last anywhere from three to six hours and peak between two to three hours after taking it. Lastly, long-acting insulin will work for twenty to twenty-four hours but does not hit the bloodstream until six to ten hours after injection. Continue reading “The Lowdown on Insulin” »

Diabetes typically affects every part of the human body, even the skin. Most individuals who have diabetes have shown signs of being affected by a skin disorder. Many times skin conditions are an early sign that an individual has diabetes, but not always. People with diabetes tend to have skin issues more than those who do not. Skin problems that can develop in a person with diabetes include diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, and diabetic blisters.

Some diabetics can also develop eruptive xanthomatosis. Bacterial skin complications in diabetics tend to include boils; folliculitis; carbuncles, which are deep infections on the skin and the underlying tissue; and nail infections. The skin tissue typically is inflamed, swollen and very painful. Antibiotics are often prescribed to individuals who exhibit skin complications due to diabetics. Sometimes diabetics can develop fungal infections. The likely culprit for fungus infections is known as Candida albicans, which is a yeast looking fungus that causes rashes. These types of infections tend to happen in areas that are warm and moist such as around the nails, fingers and toes as well as in the armpits and sometimes the groin. Common fungal infections that happen in individuals who do not have diabetes can happen in individuals who have diabetes such as jock itch and ringworm. Continue reading “Skin Complications & Diabetes” »

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” »