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” »

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” »

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” »

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” »

Strawberries have always been a popular fruit because of their red color and sweet, delectable flavor. Strawberries are cultivated in an array of sizes, colors, shapes and flavors and also are picked according to the season of ripening. Some strawberries vary in foliage also.

The first garden strawberry known to be grown was during the 18th century in France. Due to the richness of sugars in fruits, it has often been thought that strawberries are not good for diabetics, but research by nutritionists and scientists suggests strawberries can add many benefits to the diet a diabetic is on. Type 2 diabetes, based on research, and has shown to respond well to an ingredient found in strawberries. Continue reading “Strawberries: Are They Beneficial to Diabetics?” »

It seems as though once our kids become teenagers, there is a party every weekend that they are invited to. However, when your teen has diabetes, it is important for them to understand the dangers that lurk around every corner. All parents go through the lectures about drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes with their kids, but when the teenager has diabetes, these dangers take on a whole new meaning for their health.

When they reach the age that they are going to parties with their friends, you may want to consider making an appointment with their doctor so that they can also explain the dangers that your teen could be facing. Drugs and alcohol can have strange effects on our bodies. When you are diabetic, the effects are compounded when there is a drop in blood glucose levels. This is not only dangerous but can become life threatening if the teen is not mentally aware of what is happening. Continue reading “Teaching your Diabetic Teen to Party Safely” »

Diabetes affects more than roughly 8% of the American population. Diabetics need to be able to understand and comprehend the scope of the disease itself. If diabetics are not cautious about their caloric intake, it has the potential to increase the amount of glucose in their bloodstream. Diabetics have to understand that no food that contains carbohydrates can lower glucose levels. Diabetics are often recommended to eat cucumbers, which are non-starch related vegetables, that offer the body fiber that is needed for nourishment. Non-starch foods, such as cucumbers, are those that allow for no more than 5 grams of carbs to be absorbed into the body to keep blood sugar levels to a minimum.

It is often suggested by researchers and doctors alike that the Chinese cucumber is different from the regular cucumber that one can purchase in local grocery store. The seeds, fruit, and roots of a Chinese cucumber are generally used in Chinese medicine to treat health conditions such as diabetes. According to the American Pharmacological Association’s Andrea Pierce, studies indicate that extracted parts of the Chinese cucumber do have a prominent effect on blood glucose levels. Chinese cucumbers, therefore, can be used in combination with diabetes medications as they work in tandem to have remarkable effects for the diabetic. A doctor may prescribe a fasting glucose test as a way to determine a diabetic’s sugar levels.  Continue reading “Does Cucumber Lower Glucose Levels?” »

Fasting is known as one of the greatest healing therapies. Grounded in a spiritual foundation, fasting is often considered nature’s universal cure for health issues. Many problems are believed to be a result of too much of something (extra nutrition) and thus ailments such as allergies, hypertension, cancer and even diabetes have often been noted as being diseases that fasting can improve or alleviate.

Fasting is known as the avoidance of solid food and the intake of liquids. Some fasting does allow for fresh fruit or vegetable juices and water as a milder, yet still equally effective cleansing plan of detoxification. Detoxification is an important corrective process in the overall cleansing of the body. It allows the body to breathe and restore itself.

Fasting is recommended by spiritualists, and homeopathic physicians. Shifts in clarity and overall lifestyle can often occur when one fasts. Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of fasting is the belief that it can render ailments such as diabetes into being non-existence or minimize the effects of the disease. Continue reading “Can Fasting Stop Diabetes?” »