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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

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Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus:


Causes
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a genetic disease and it is carried mainly in the X chromosomes of the human body. I am sure that you must be knowing that males have both X and Y chromosomes while females have two X chromosomes. It is the X chromosome that carries this gene of Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. If the X chromosome of a girl is carrying this gene, then the girl will not suffer much but she will be the carrier. This is because one X chromosome of the girl will be good, making up for the bad chromosome. Females with this problem, are called carriers. The males on the other hand, will have only one X chromosome and if it contains the gene, then they become affected by this diabetes. This does not mean that the females are only carriers and not suffers. No. They too show symptoms of this problem, but very mild symptoms.

Another reason for a person having this problem of Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is that the receptor gene in the human body remains normal, but the gene which helps in the formation of the water channel in the kidney, which reabsorbs the water in our body, is damaged. This can happen to anyone, male or female. This kind of diabetes insipidus is not a hereditary type of problem. Even if no one in the family has had this problem, the genetic type of NDI, a person in the same family might have it too.

Nephrogenic Diabetic Insipidus:



Symptoms
There are several Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus symptoms that a person suffering from this problem shows. Since, the kidneys in the patient's body fail to retain enough water and releases most of it in the form of diluted urine, dehydration is one of the most common symptoms of Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The other common symptoms are:
  • Fatigue and lethargic feeling
  • Severe headache
  • Heart rate increases
  • Pain in the muscles
  • Rapid loss of weight
  • Dry mucous membrane
  • Excessive thirst
  • Skin becomes dry
  • Excessive urine
  • Body temperature becomes low
  • Person becomes irritated
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Eyes have a sunken appearance.
Due to NDI, a person might undergo several complications. One such complication is that due to constant flow of urine and that too several times a day, the uterus and the urinary bladder expands which in turn might lead to several problems in future. The person also suffers from severe dehydration. The blood plasma becomes highly concentrated and if this is not checked on time, then the brain can undergo permanent damage. If severe dehydration occurs then, death can also take place. Hence, as soon as one starts to show the symptoms, Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus treatment has to be started. Let us now see what are the various treatments that are available.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus:


Treatments
Fortunately, if treated at the right time, or at an early stage, NDI can be easily cured. The most important treatment is to make up for the loss of fluid and regulate the fluid level in the body. For this one has to drink lots of water. One can also use hydrochlorothiazide to improve the symptoms in the body. The doctor might ask the patient to take it either with the combination of other medicines such as indomethacin or it can also be taken alone. This reduces the output of urine. These medicines do have some side effects which the doctor will tell you about. One also needs to take a high diet protein and a diet that is rich in sodium. All these treatments will reduce the rate of urine output, but at present, there are no such cure for this type of diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes Insipidus

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Diabetes Insipidus:
Diabetes Insipidus is a medication condition (endocrine disorder) caused due to the deficiency of a hormone named Vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that is secreted by pituitary gland in brain or development of insensitivity of kidneys to the ADH hormone. Large amount of highly diluted urine is excreted because of the inability of the kidney to concentrate the urine. The amount of urine excreted remains high even if the amount of fluid intake is reduced to any level.
(Excessive urination in medical terms is considered when a patient urinates more than 50ml of urine per kg of his/her body weight in an interval of about 2 hours or in simple words more than 14 liters a day.)

Signs and symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus:
The patient feels extremely thirsty and continues to urinate day and night in excessive amount. The blood glucose level in urine unlike diabetes mellitus is not high and doesn't taste sweet. The patient suffering from Diabetes Insipidus also experiences blurred vision. Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus in children include problems related to the physical growth, affected hunger, weight gain, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Excessive urination in adults can lead to dehydration if not compensated with proper intake of liquid. People suffering from Diabetes Insipidus may wake up several times in the night to urinate.

Causes:
As mentioned earlier, Diabetes Insipidus is mainly caused due to the following two reasons:1) Antidiuretic hormones deficiency in body that is secreted by hypothalamus in brain to maintain balance of water in urine and blood.2) if the kidney loses its ability to recognize the antidiuretic hormones.3) People suffering from some kind of injury or a tumor in the brain (it can be either hereditary or caused by surgery or injury)4) Diseased pituitary gland causing lowered production of ADH

Types of Diabetes Insipidus:
There are four main sub-types of Diabetes Insipidus:
Central Diabetes Insipidus: Damaged hypothalamus in patient causes abnormal behavior of thirst mechanism, leading the condition to Central Diabetes Insipidus.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: This is caused due to inability of the kidney in identification of antidiuretic hormones.
Dispogenic Diabetes Insipidus: This is caused due to damage or improper behavior of the thirst mechanism (which is located in hypothalamus).
Gestational Diabetes Insipidus: This is a rare form of DI and occurs only during pregnancy. During pregnancy an enzyme is produced in placenta which destroys antidiuretic hormones, this can lead to deficiency of ADH if production exceeds minimum level.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus:
Other than excess urination, Diabetes Insipidus is pretty hard to diagnose and it is even harder to confirm the underlying causes of the disease.

Your doctor may perform blood test for ADH, calcium, bicarbonate and sugar level, urine test and examine the frequency and volume of urine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the patient's brain etc. Your doctor may also direct you to an endocrinologist to confirm the disease.

Once it is confirmed that the patient is suffering from Diabetes Insipidus, your doctor may perform some additional tests to narrow down on the underlying cause of the disease. One such test available is Fluid Deprivation Test (includes study and analysis of fluid intake and urination, body weight and other factors) which helps in finding out if the condition is caused due to lack of ADH in blood, kidney disorder or improper fluid intake.

Your doctor may choose to administer the ADH level in your body and use a synthetic ADH hormone DDAVP which can be taken in injection, pill form and can also be inhaled. The treatment may take some time to help patient restore the normal level/volume of urination (it always depends on the response of patient's body to the treatment).

In case if the hypothalamus/pituitary gland is damaged and causing problem, your doctor may suggest you undergo a surgery to remove the damaged gland (or tumor on the gland if any). This mode of treatment is generally used in Central Diabetes Insipidus.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What are Pre Diabetes Symptoms

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What are Pre Diabetes Symptoms


There are several symptoms of pre diabetes, which generally range from constant hunger to disorders such as polyuria. Most of the pre diabetes symptoms are quite similar to actual diabetes symptoms, but their severity is only to a certain degree. However these symptoms are known to worsen with time and hence ignoring them can lead to severe complications in the body. The symptoms commonly observed in people suffering from pre diabetes include
  • The individual feeling hungry and thirsty every now and then as the cells are not able to process food properly.
  • The individual experiencing sudden weight loss or weight gain without any concrete reason due to the faulty body mechanism triggered by unhealthy sugar levels in blood.
  • They may experience frequent urination as the body tries to flush out excess glucose from within.
  • They may demonstrate some flu-like symptoms, accompanied by fatigue and weakness.
  • Depreciation of immunity levels in the individual, as the food consumed is not utilized by the body, which may eventually lead to various infectious diseases.
  • The individual may also experience blurred vision as high levels of glucose in the blood deform the lens by making the water from the lens to move out.
  • As the capacity of energy production of the body depreciates, it may make the individual feel ill or exhausted.
  • Impairment of healing mechanism in the body, which may result in prolonged healing duration for simple cuts and bruises.

These are some of the frequently observed pre diabetes symptoms which are very often accompanied by disorders such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Every individual suffering from diabetes does experience these symptoms of pre diabetes just before the onset of diabetes.

These were the various pre diabetes symptoms which act as a 'warning' of the approaching hazard of diabetes in the future. Diagnosing pre diabetes can help in avoiding the further complications one is likely to face after contracting diabetes. As soon as you realize that your blood sugar levels have increased, you can take some preventive measures to curb the approaching hazard. Simple measures such as eating healthy food and regular exercising can ensure that you don't gain excess weight and your blood sugar levels return to normal. Smoking and other such harmful habits are best avoided. If you are suffering from high blood pressure or high cholesterol problems, you need to attend to them at the earliest. These are some of the simple yet effective measures by which a pre diabetic can maintain healthy blood sugar levels and thus keep diabetes at bay.

Pre Diabetic Diet Guidelines

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Pre Diabetic Diet Guidelines


Pre diabetic condition can be easily overcome by following a proper diet plan. You just have to concentrate on healthy food and maintain a proper diet to avoid diabetes. By this and few exercise routine you can get back to your normal blood sugar level. Following are some of the tips to get yourself out of pre diabetes.

Vegetables in Pre Diabetic Conditions
When you are in a pre diabetic condition you need to have lots and lots of vegetables which are rich in fibers and are nutritious. Following is a pre diabetic food list which can help you to plan a menu for yourself.
  • Carrots
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Cucumber
  • Mushrooms
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Tomatoes
  • Green and fresh beans
  • Broccoli
  • Beets
  • Lettuce
  • Okra
Fruits in Pre Diabetic Conditions
Fruits are also very helpful in curing pre diabetic condition. Both fresh fruits and dry fruits are good for a pre diabetes diet. Fruit juices of the below given fruits can also help you if they do not have added sugar in it.
  • Apple
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Lime
  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Dried Apricots
  • Purines
  • Pears
Sea Food and Meat in Pre Diabetic Conditions
You can have sea food and meat when you are suffering from pre diabetic conditions but you need to restrict the daily intake to a weekly basis and have to choose the options from the below given list.
  • Sea food may include fish such as sardines, tilapia, tuna, haddock, cod, halibut, catfish herring, etc. It can also include shellfish.
  • Poultry product may have egg, chicken, turkey, duck, etc. but all without skin.
  • Other meat may have beef, pork and lamb but they should be fat-free.
Grains and Legumes in Pre Diabetic Conditions
  • Concentrate more on whole grains than on processed grains. Following list may help you with pre diabetic conditions.
  • Grain bread, such as buckwheat bread, oat bran bread, multi-grain bread etc.
  • Other product may include oat bran cereal, muesli, wild rice, brown rice, whole barley, buckwheat, whole wheat spaghetti etc.
  • Legumes may include kidney or pinto beans, soybeans, garbanzo beans, split peas etc.
There are a number of diabetic foods to avoid from a normal diet. The food products which contain a high amount of cholesterol and fats should be avoided at this stage. You should avoid fried and oily things. Concentrate more on nutrients than on the taste of the food product. Avoid having desserts like ice creams, sweets, pudding, etc. at least till you achieve a normal blood sugar level. There are many pre diabetic recipes through which you can get better taste in a healthy way

Healthy Snacks for Diabetics

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Basics of a Diet for Diabetics

A person who has diabetes should keep an eye on some things while planning out his diabetic diet. The most obvious of them all, is how much sugar you consume. Even 5 year-olds, these days, know that a diabetic will take the turn for the worse, if he consumes sugar. But something which people do not know is that consuming excess simple carbohydrates too, may be harmful for you. This is because many carbohydrates are broken down into sugars in the liver and dramatically spike up the blood sugar levels. Hence, it is essential that diabetics also keep an eye on their carbohydrate consumption. Alcoholic beverages and fried items are the foods to avoid. So with these things in mind, let me tell you some healthy snacks for diabetics.

Healthy Snacks for Diabetics

We can see that a healthy snack for diabetics would be one which reduces the consumption of simple carbohydrates and sugars. So where does a diabetic turn to, to fulfill the 4 O'clock craving? Unknown to most people, it is this craving where a lot of calories and sugars are ingested by unsuspecting snackers. Hence, it is essential to keep a list of healthy snacks for diabetics, which will guide them to healthier snack options which are rich in protein and complex carbohydrates.

Go Nuts!
Jokes apart, nuts are one of the best snack options for everyone, especially diabetics. Almonds are one of the best nuts to eat and a really healthy diabetic snack. But make sure you have only a handful of those as they add a lot of calories and should be consumed in moderation. Walnuts, pecans, peanuts, and cashews are also good options.

Whole Grain Crackers
Whole grain crackers buck you up with complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates take more time to be absorbed in the body and hence keep you feeling full for a longer amount of time. Whole grain crackers do just that. You can get them in various flavors too, so look out for those!

Fruits
Not being allowed to consume sugar concentrated foods, it severely restricts the choices of fruits for diabetics, but there are some fruits which are specifically recommended for diabetics like apple (with skin), grapefruit, blueberries and apricots. But stay away from others like dates, grapes and watermelons which have a high sugar content. Fruits ought to be eaten in moderation. Dry fruits are a complete no-no.

Meet the Meat
Good news for meat loving diabetics, is that white meat is not at all harmful to diabetics. So you can whip up a simple boiled turkey/chicken sandwich with brown bread. You could also have chicken salad. A brown-bread tuna sandwich is also a cool option.

Popcorn
Another good news is that you need not restrain yourself on popcorn the next time you go for a movie. But make sure that they are air-popped and do not have too much salt. Popcorn makes a low calorie, low sugar snack.

Soup
Any non-starchy vegetable like spinach, celery would do the trick. Just boil it in vegetable or chicken stock, add a little salt and pepper, and mash them later to make the soup.

Veggie Snack
Carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, cauliflower, etc., are some vegetables that can be consumed raw and are very filling. If you want, you can add them to a non-fat yogurt, put in a light dressing and munch away.

The Unclassified Others
Other unclassified foods which make a great healthy snack for diabetics are: low-fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, whole grain crackers, skim milk, low-sodium low-fat tortilla chips, etc. You could also boil the raw veggies and sprinkle some black pepper powder on them to make them a bit tastier.

"Early Signs of Diabetes"

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Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes




A few symptoms of diabetes are manifested in the early stage (or prediabetes phase). Hence, about one-third of people who have diabetes remain unaware of the high blood sugar level. When early signs of diabetes are present, they are often confused with symptoms of other health problems. Let's look into some of the warming signs of diabetes.




  • A common sign exhibited in the early stages of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is frequent urination (polyuria). Since the glucose in the blood increases above the normal level, filtration by kidneys is incomplete. This also hampers water absorption by the kidneys, resulting in frequent urination.
  • Due to increase in the frequency of urination, the body losses excessive fluid. Ultimately, dehydration occurs, causing increased thirst (polydipsia). If one is drinking more fluid than the usual amount, and the number of urination is increased, either type 1 or type 2 diabetes is suspected.
  • Another warning sign of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is increased appetite. One of the functions of insulin is stimulating hunger. Since, the body starts secreting more insulin to lower glucose level in the bloodstream, it is obvious to experience increased hunger (polyphagia).
  • A patient who is in the prediabetes stage suffers from unusual weight loss, even without trying. This is caused due to excessive loss of sugar in the urine. The body starts using muscular proteins and fats as its source of energy, resulting in weight loss. This symptom is typical of type 1 diabetes.
  • In a person with prediabetes, excess sugar is found in the blood and not in the cells. As the body cells are deprived of the main energy source - glucose, the patient feels increased fatigue at most of the time. Physical ability is lowered and the patient gets tired very easily.
  • Vision problem is reported in patients of type 2 diabetes. Increase in the blood sugar levels leads to change in the shape of the eye lenses. Over time, this results in poor focusing power and blurred vision in patients.
  • A type 2 diabetic patient suffers from frequent yeast and skin infections. Unchecked high sugar brings about damage to the nerves, causing neuropathy symptoms (numbness in the extremities). In addition, cuts and wounds take longer period to heal.
It has been found that the immune system of a diabetic patient is low, as compared to a healthy person. This may be due to presence of elevated glucose in the blood, which in turn hampers the proper functioning of white blood cells (leucocytes). Thus, overall defense mechanism of the body gets disturbed and the person experiences frequent yeast infection, skin infection, accompanied with slow healing of bruises. As far as early signs of gestational diabetes are concerned, it seldom produces notable signs. The expecting mother rarely feels polyuria and polydipsia.

In case, a person experiences any of the above mentioned warning signs, he/she should go for blood glucose test right away. Seeking advice from a health specialist for proper diagnosis is necessary. Doing so will help in delaying the onset or even control this chronic ailment. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and diet modification to keep the blood sugar level under control.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

List of Foods a Diabetic Can Eat"

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"List of Foods a Diabetic Can Eat"

When an individual suffers from any of the type of diabetes, he is under a strict restriction on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. Since some of the foods can trigger the overproduction of glucose, they must be completely avoided. The best food for diabetics is the one that controls the blood glucose levels in diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes diet are more or less the same with the similar role of controlling glucose in the bloodstream. For expectant mothers, following a gestational diabetes meal plan till the delivery is essential, as it not only keeps a check on diabetes, it also provides the necessary nutrients, both for the mother and child. Given below is the diabetes diet menu, which is recommended for individuals suffering from type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Carbohydrates


Fruits like apples, peaches, berries, pears, etc.
Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, mushrooms, celery, cloves etc.. Green leafy vegetables like fenugreek and spinach can also be included.
Other foods in the menu are oats porridge, barley and bran.
Fiber rich foods also should be included especially in the gestational diabetes diet since it helps in the proper digestion of food and ensures proper bowel movement.

Proteins


Vegetables like soybeans, lentils, millets.
Lean meat like veal, lamb, beef and pork etc.
Nuts like Brazil nuts, pine nuts and peanuts.

Fats


Vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and olive oil.
Unsaturated margarine.
Oily fish like mackerel, herrings, salmon and tuna.

"List of Foods for Diabetics to Avoid"

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"List of Foods for Diabetics to Avoid"


There are certain foods to avoid with diabetes, since they can increase the symptoms of diabetes and can even worsen the condition. Given below is a list of a few of the food items, that are a strict no no and must be kept off the shelves.

  • White bread
  • Plain bread
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Pizza
  • Potatoes
  • Yams
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Corn
  • Beet
  • Beans
  • Fried chicken
  • Bacon
  • Fried meat
  • Bananas
  • Plums
  • Custard apple
  • Grapes
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Prunes
  • Papaya
  • Salad dressings like mayonnaise, margarine, mustard
  • Dairy products like cheese, butter
  • Sugary foods like jams, jellies, donuts, cookies, canned syrups, ice cream, pastries
  • Egg yolk
  • Dried fruits and nuts

This was about the diabetic diet food list, along with diabetic foods to avoid. Apart from these foods, following a proper exercise regimen and taking medicines on time will keep the blood glucose levels in check and also keep the diabetes symptoms at bay. Wish you good health!

Monday, December 12, 2011

"Gestational Diabetes Sample Meal Plan for Diabetes and Pregnancy "

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Gestational Diabetes Sample Meal Plan
Breakfast
  • One toast and 2 egg whites
  • Half cup of tea or coffee without sugar or very less sugar
  • 15 grams of fresh apple/ grapefruit/ peach/ blueberries/ kiwi/ orange/ sweet melon
  • One cup of cow's milk
Morning Snacks

  • Single low fat cheese cube or slice or cottage cheese
  • Sugar free yogurt
  • 15 grams of any of the fresh fruits

Lunch

  • One boiled potato
  • Whole wheat bread or multi grain bread
  • Tuna fish or chicken or green peas or any other green vegetable
  • Plain boiled rice
  • Green salad of non starchy vegetables
Afternoon Snacks

  • Celery stick or one toast with low fat peanut butter
  • 3 almonds or small servings of other dry fruits
Dinner
  • Mix vegetable soup or tomato soup
  • Sprouted beans or chicken or tuna
  • Whole wheat bread or boiled rice
  • Carrot or cucumber salad with 15 grams of any of the fresh fruits
Generally, the gestational diabetes meal planner includes the above mentioned foods. The above gestational meal plan is for the reference purpose only. For the right serving sizes, you need to consult your doctor who will guide about the serving size as per your glucose level and medical history. The doctor can also guide you about how to cook a certain dish to retain the nutrients and will also help you schedule the eating timings.

"A Meal Plan for Pregnant Women with Diabetes"

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A Meal Plan for Pregnant Women with Diabetes

It's important for you to be on a specific diet to get adequate nutrition from the foods that you consume. Since your body becomes deficient or resistant to insulin, a proper diet is necessary that could bring down the blood glucose level. The diet plan basically restricts or eliminates consumption of carbohydrates or glucose in any form. A sample of such a diet is explained below.

Breakfast
The nutritional requirement of your body is definitely high when you are pregnant. Thus, you have to wisely increase the calories consumed by you. Make a 2500 meal plan with the help of healthy foods. In the morning, have a glass of skimmed milk stirred with prenatal protein powders. Buy a product that has been recommended by your doctor. Have two slices of whole wheat brown bread spread with margarine or peanut butter. Consumption of whole wheat pasta, oats and cornflakes in small quantities is safe because they contain simple carbohydrates. White bread, white flour and refined sugar is strictly restricted from the meal plan of women who are pregnant with diabetes and high blood pressure. Sugar replacement agents like Splenda is safe for consumption in moderate quantities. A healthy option for breakfast is scrambled eggs (white portion) and a banana.

Lunch
Your lunch should comprise foods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, it's normal for you to suffer from incredible hunger pangs and so keep the option open for preparing healthy recipes that are low in fats. Your gestational diabetes meal plan will mostly contain fruits and vegetables. Increase consumption of green vegetables like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, etc. You can prepare tasty dishes by baking or grilling them. Cook foods in nut oils or extra virgin olive oil. If you are fond of non-veg dishes then treat yourself with chicken, fish, turkey, ham and beef. Include a plate of salad containing tofu, soy beans, pulses, peas and vegetables. Apples, guava, pears, prunes, oranges and sweet lime, cantaloupe, berries, and melon are some examples of fruits that are devoid of sugar.

Dinner
Keep you dinner light and have liquid food in the evening. Prepare delicious soup bowls from pulses, lentils, vegetables and broth. Such dishes have a high protein content and are healthy. Your blood glucose level will be controlled very efficiently if you consume these foods. Include soy and whey in your diet. Make whole wheat tortillas for dinner and eat in small portions. You can alternate with veg and non-veg meals for dinner. Inclusion of all these foods would definitely make for the 2500 calorie plan. A few healthy recipes for dinner include sugar free apple muffins, turkey sandwich, grilled chicken, lettuce soup and mixed vegetable dish. Use minimal oil to cook the foods and make sure that your cooking oil is devoid of saturated fatty acids. Drink fresh fruit juices. End your day with a glass of warm skimmed milk.

The meal plan for diabetic pregnant women explained in this article would prove beneficial to you for maintaining your blood glucose level. You have to control your hunger pangs for sugary foods like jelly, jam, chocolates, candies, cookies, pies and cakes. However, you can look for these items tagged with 'for diabetic pregnant women' in health and wellness stores since they are sugar free. White rice and sweetened beverages are absolutely not safe. Eat popcorn, puffed rice and nuts for snacks. Thus, you can see that consumption of sugar is strictly not allowed in any form. Follow this diet plan to stay fit during pregnancy.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Signs of Diabetes

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Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes can produce a number of symptoms. However, the early signs of diabetes are not very easy to recognize, mainly due to their similarity with the symptoms of many other health conditions. As a result, diabetes can remain undetected for a long time. In order to detect this condition as soon as possible, it is imperative to have some basic knowledge about the signs and symptoms of diabetes. The signs of diabetes in women and men are more or less similar and they are discussed below:
  • One of the most common diabetes symptoms is frequent urination or polyuria. This is caused by a high level of glucose in blood, which affects the ability of the kidneys to filter blood. The kidneys begin to draw more water from blood, which in turn increases the frequency of urination.
  • Frequent urination causes increased thirst or polydipsia. It also causes loss of excess fluid from the body or dehydration, which in turn increases thirst.
  • Another sign of diabetes is unusual and excessive fatigue. Diabetic patients experience unusual weakness and fatigue, as their body cells cannot absorb enough glucose from the bloodstream to produce energy.
  • Inability to absorb and utilize glucose effectively can also result in weight loss, which is one of the most important warning signs of diabetes.
  • An increase in appetite too can indicate diabetes. Diabetic patients can experience an increase in their appetite, if the body produces more insulin to lower the blood sugar level. High levels of insulin can increase hunger, for which the affected individual can start eating more and may gain weight.
  • Consistently high levels of glucose in blood can ultimately damage the nervous system, especially the peripheral nervous system. This can produce symptoms like, tingling and numbness in legs, feet and hands.
  • Recurrent infections is also an important sign of diabetes. Diabetes or high level of blood sugar can slow down the healing of wounds. Women can experience an increase in the frequency of vaginal and bladder infections due to diabetes.
  • Apart from these signs, blurred vision, swollen, red and tender gums, dry mouth, headaches and acanthosis nigricans (development of dark skin patches on the neck, armpit, and groin) can be some other diabetes symptoms. Some men can also get erectile dysfunction due to diabetes.
  • The signs of diabetes in children include, increased thirst and urination, frequent hunger, obesity (type 2 diabetes), lack of energy and increased fatigue, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss and acanthosis nigricans.

So, these were some of the most common signs of diabetes. The conventional treatment option for type 1 diabetes is insulin injections, while medications like, sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, D-phenylalanine derivatives can be recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, along with insulin. Proper diabetes treatment and management also calls for dietary changes like, including fiber rich foods and fruits and vegetables in the diet, and lowering the amount of sugars and animal fats. Physical activities or exercises play an important role in the management of diabetes. Undiagnosed diabetes can lead to diabetic acidosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of ketones in the body. When the body cells fail to absorb glucose, they use fats for energy production, and ketones are the byproducts of this process. Diabetic acidosis can have serious consequences, if left untreated. Such complications can be prevented, if diabetes is detected at an early stage and for this, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of this condition.

Signs of High Blood Sugar

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Causes of High Blood Sugar
These are some general causes of high blood sugar that are generally observed in people.
  • Stress can be a cause of raised sugar levels in the blood.
  • Lack of regular exercise can also lead to increased sugar in the blood.
  • Certain illnesses and infections can cause blood sugar problems.
  • Some drugs like steroids also affect the blood sugar levels.
  • Not taking your diabetic medication or insulin injections can raise your blood sugar.
  • Following a diet containing high quantities of carbohydrates will be bad for blood sugar.
  • A bad lifestyle including eating irregularly, lack of sleep and exercise.

Signs of High Blood Sugar Levels

High blood sugar signs are tricky to read. Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all till you reach a dangerous stage. Also, these are general symptoms of high blood sugar that a majority of people experience before they are diagnosed with diabetes. But your case may be different and your symptoms might mean something else or nothing at all. So do not assume anything or start taking any medication based solely on this article. Visit your doctor and a simple blood test can reveal the real cause of your symptoms.
  • Drowsiness or fatigue
  • Frequency in urination
  • Loss of weight
  • Increase in appetite
  • Slow healing of wounds
  • Blurriness in vision
  • Thirst
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry and itchy skin
If increased levels remain so for several hours and result into dehydration, other high blood sugar symptoms that may be observed are:
  • Increased drowsiness and confusion
  • Dizziness upon standing
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Unconsciousness
  • Difficulty breathing
As I have already said, these may or may not be symptoms of hyperglycemia or diabetes. But if you experience any of these symptoms in a severe way, you should not ignore them at any cost. This is because if your condition worsens, it may lead to ketoacidosis, which can be very dangerous. So see your doctor immediately for any of the above symptoms. Also, if you experience any signs of high blood sugar during pregnancy, you should immediately see your doctor about it, as it can be dangerous for you and your baby. You can go through this high blood sugar level chart for proper reference.

In the end, leading a balanced life with a good amount of regular exercise, ample water intake, and minimum eight hours of sleep will help you deal with many health troubles. Also, get a general health checkup done every month or so. If you are diagnosed with high blood sugar in the early stages or if you see any of the above signs of high blood sugar, get your blood checked regularly.

"High Blood Sugar Diet"

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Diet to Maintain Normal Blood Sugar Level

In order to lower high blood sugar levels, you should include following types of foods in your regular diet.

Low Carb Foods: A low carb diabetic diet not only helps control the diabetes but it also helps reverse pre-diabetes (diabetes detected at an early stage). Low carb diet helps to control the level of insulin, which is a fat building hormone. By restricting the calorie intake, one can enjoy healthy weight loss. Taking into consideration your body mass index (BMI), the dietitian may suggest a 1500 - 1800 calorie diabetic diet, the major portion of which would be fiber rich green, leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Since carbohydrates are converted into glucose, their quantity determines or affects the blood sugar levels to a great extent.

Low Fat Foods: Diabetics should avoid oily and fried food. Fats are responsible for increasing your daily calorie intake. But some amount of fat is essential for maintaining health. Small quantities of avocado oil, pure olive oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, etc., which provide healthy fats can be used for cooking. Low fat milk and yogurt can be consumed while you can replace meat with tofu, fish and poultry. Fish like cod and tuna are low in fat and cholesterol, as compared to meat and poultry. Some fish like salmon and mackerel are high in omega 3 fatty acids which help lower triglycerides (type of fats) levels in blood. Thus they help maintain the health of the heart.

Low Glycemic Foods: Most patients of type 2 diabetes suffer from obesity and high cholesterol levels. They should keep a low glycemic food list handy. Consumption of such food helps lower the risk of heart diseases or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This type of food helps control the body weight. Moreover, such diet helps reduce craving for food.

Vegetables: Vegetables like spinach, chicory, sorrel, Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbages, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, green beans, etc., are low in fats. Still, they are great sources of fiber, minerals and vitamins. It is necessary to include all such vegetables in your diet, if you want to control high blood sugar levels.

Fruits: Fruits provide lots of carbohydrates and hence should be consumed in moderation. After checking the calorie count and sugar count, two to four servings of fruits like blackberries, cantaloupes, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas, peaches, pears, apricots, mango, raisins and grapes, are usually recommended.

Grains: Whole grain breads or cereals, brown rice, oats, rye, etc. should be included in the diet as they provide important nutrients like zinc and chromium which help enhance the action of insulin in the body. Diabetics can have foods like bread, cereal, rice and pasta in limited quantities.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal, which is high in nutritional value, helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body. It is a good source of fiber and it can be included in the breakfast. Oatmeal diabetic diet can be a perfect diet for diabetics but it should be designed under the guidance of your physician or dietitian.

Complex High Fiber Carbohydrates: Consumption of complex carbohydrates like cereals, legumes, peas, lentils, dried beans, whole grain products, that are packed with fiber helps control blood sugar levels. During the process of digestion, sugars (simple carbohydrates) and starches (complex carbohydrates) are converted into glucose. Simple carbs get converted into sugar fast and hence are responsible for a quick rise in blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are not easily digested by the body and hence they do not cause severe blood sugar fluctuations. The main source of glucose is carbohydrates and hence you should be more careful while selecting the carbs.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Type 1 Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas

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Menu Ideas for Diabetics

Making healthy dietary choices is very important for diabetes control. Maintaining a diabetic diet has certain short term and long term effects. Having three regular meals a day is important. Moreover, 25 - 30 grams of dietary fiber intake is important for diabetics. This can be consumed in portions during all three meals in the day. The rest of the diabetes diet menu options depending on the type of diabetes is as follows:

Type 1 Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
In type 1 diabetes, a person's body cannot produce adequate amounts of insulin hormone. While type 1 diabetes cannot be controlled by diabetic diet alone, controlling one's diet is important. People with this type of diabetes have to find the right balance between insulin therapy taken and the food they consume. The dietitian will help lay down the appropriate type 1 diabetes diet, which balances medication with diet properly.

On a general note, the daily type 1 diabetes diet for a diabetic patient should be rich in dietary fiber. Moreover, the amount of sodium intake should also be reduced. Foods low in sodium and fat is recommended. There is no need to avoid sugar containing foods completely. Eating sugar containing foods in moderation is alright for type 1 diabetics. Artificial sweeteners can be added to foods because it does not alter blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
People with type 2 diabetes can control their diabetes by being cautious about the food they consume. Type 2 diabetes diet and exercise helps control type 2 diabetes.

Breakfast
The different breakfast foods that diabetic diet for type 2 diabetes entails is as follows:
½ cup oatmeal
½ cup skimmed milk
Muffins
Toast
½ cup fat free yogurt
Orange
Berries

Lunch
The different lunch options for diabetics are as follows:
Salad with olive oil dressing
Brown bread vegetable-meat sandwich
Whole wheat tortillas with filling


Snack
There are some low carb snacks for diabetics, that should be consumed in between meals to maintain constant blood sugar level. The different snacks are as follows:
Pistachios
Sunflower seeds
Almonds
Pumpkin seeds
Dried fruit


Dinner
The different good foods for diabetics at dinner time are:
Pinto beans
Lentils over brown rice
Baked or grilled fish
Bowl of dark green leafy vegetables


Dessert 
Fat free yogurt can be consumed as dessert with some fruits for diabetics to add flavor.

Gestational Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
During pregnancy some women encounter a temporary form of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, caused by pregnancy hormones. Women with gestational diabetes need to distribute their carbohydrate intake over 3 small to medium meals and 2 - 4 snacks a day.

Breakfast

Since consumption of carbohydrate conduces to rapid rise in blood sugar levels, it is best to consume more of proteins at breakfast. Chicken, turkey, egg, etc. keeps one fuller for the day. The carbohydrate intake at breakfast should not exceed 30 grams. The different foods that can be consumed are:

Slice of bread

Bagel

Pancake

Oatmeal

Corn tortilla

English muffin

Veggie sausage

Scrambled eggs



Lunch
The carbohydrate limit at lunch is 45 grams. The different gestational diabetic diet menu options are:

Chicken / meat sandwich

Lentil soup

Carrots

Apple

Lettuce

Tomato



Dinner
The carbohydrate limit to be maintained at dinner time is 45 - 60 grams. The different foods diabetics can eat at dinner time are:

One cup pasta

Brown rice

Small potato

Beef

Chicken

Turkey

Pork

Fish

Salad

Tofu

Bowl of vegetables

Reduced fat milk



Snacks
Snacks should be had in between meals to stabilize the blood sugar levels. The carbohydrate limit in snacks for a day is 15 grams. To keep the blood sugar under control, one should have a light snack everyday before going to bed. The different snacks that can be consumed are as follows:

Saltine crackers (6)

Pretzels (¾ of an ounce)

Graham crackers (3)

Popcorn (3 cups)

Fresh fruit (4 ounce)

Cottage cheese (1 cup)

Cookies (2)

Yogurt (6 ounces)

Grapes ( 1 cup)




Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas

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Menu Ideas for Diabetics

Making healthy dietary choices is very important for diabetes control. Maintaining a diabetic diet has certain short term and long term effects. Having three regular meals a day is important. Moreover, 25 - 30 grams of dietary fiber intake is important for diabetics. This can be consumed in portions during all three meals in the day. The rest of the diabetes diet menu options depending on the type of diabetes is as follows:

Type 1 Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
In type 1 diabetes, a person's body cannot produce adequate amounts of insulin hormone. While type 1 diabetes cannot be controlled by diabetic diet alone, controlling one's diet is important. People with this type of diabetes have to find the right balance between insulin therapy taken and the food they consume. The dietitian will help lay down the appropriate type 1 diabetes diet, which balances medication with diet properly.

On a general note, the daily type 1 diabetes diet for a diabetic patient should be rich in dietary fiber. Moreover, the amount of sodium intake should also be reduced. Foods low in sodium and fat is recommended. There is no need to avoid sugar containing foods completely. Eating sugar containing foods in moderation is alright for type 1 diabetics. Artificial sweeteners can be added to foods because it does not alter blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
People with type 2 diabetes can control their diabetes by being cautious about the food they consume. Type 2 diabetes diet and exercise helps control type 2 diabetes.

Breakfast
The different breakfast foods that diabetic diet for type 2 diabetes entails is as follows:
½ cup oatmeal
½ cup skimmed milk
Muffins
Toast
½ cup fat free yogurt
Orange
Berries

Lunch
The different lunch options for diabetics are as follows:
Salad with olive oil dressing
Brown bread vegetable-meat sandwich
Whole wheat tortillas with filling


Snack
There are some low carb snacks for diabetics, that should be consumed in between meals to maintain constant blood sugar level. The different snacks are as follows:
Pistachios
Sunflower seeds
Almonds
Pumpkin seeds
Dried fruit


Dinner
The different good foods for diabetics at dinner time are:
Pinto beans
Lentils over brown rice
Baked or grilled fish
Bowl of dark green leafy vegetables


Dessert 
Fat free yogurt can be consumed as dessert with some fruits for diabetics to add flavor.

Gestational Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas
During pregnancy some women encounter a temporary form of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, caused by pregnancy hormones. Women with gestational diabetes need to distribute their carbohydrate intake over 3 small to medium meals and 2 - 4 snacks a day.

Breakfast

Since consumption of carbohydrate conduces to rapid rise in blood sugar levels, it is best to consume more of proteins at breakfast. Chicken, turkey, egg, etc. keeps one fuller for the day. The carbohydrate intake at breakfast should not exceed 30 grams. The different foods that can be consumed are:

Slice of bread

Bagel

Pancake

Oatmeal

Corn tortilla

English muffin

Veggie sausage

Scrambled eggs



Lunch
The carbohydrate limit at lunch is 45 grams. The different gestational diabetic diet menu options are:

Chicken / meat sandwich

Lentil soup

Carrots

Apple

Lettuce

Tomato



Dinner
The carbohydrate limit to be maintained at dinner time is 45 - 60 grams. The different foods diabetics can eat at dinner time are:

One cup pasta

Brown rice

Small potato

Beef

Chicken

Turkey

Pork

Fish

Salad

Tofu

Bowl of vegetables

Reduced fat milk



Snacks
Snacks should be had in between meals to stabilize the blood sugar levels. The carbohydrate limit in snacks for a day is 15 grams. To keep the blood sugar under control, one should have a light snack everyday before going to bed. The different snacks that can be consumed are as follows:

Saltine crackers (6)

Pretzels (¾ of an ounce)

Graham crackers (3)

Popcorn (3 cups)

Fresh fruit (4 ounce)

Cottage cheese (1 cup)

Cookies (2)

Yogurt (6 ounces)

Grapes ( 1 cup)




Diabetes Diet for Kids

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Any diabetes diet plan means managing the intake of carbs

Regardless of this need, it is apparent that carbohydrates will definitely have the greatest effect on their sugar level than all other nutrients. Thus, it is important to manage the intake of carbs effectively through a proper diabetes diet plan. For instance, in order to curb the blood sugar level, fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and cereals should be included in their diabetes diet plan. Whole grains also work well in reducing the net amount of carbohydrates in food.

It is important for parents to be more cautious when planning daily meals for their diabetic kids, especially in regard to the amount of carbohydrates to be served. As we have noted above, a pro diabetes diet plan should ideally incorporate more fibre and less carbs. Patients suffering from type 1 diabetes will find that the amount of carbs they take invariably determines the required dosage of insulin. Another important thing to emphasize is that parents should always monitor the carbohydrates consumed because it eventually ends up as blood sugar. Once the carbs have been broken down, they are absorbed into the blood stream in about 2 hours. Therefore, parents should monitor the blood sugar after or before the 2 hours elapsed to see whether it is ok. If not, adjustments should be made to intake of carbohydrates or insulin dosage.

Parents must ensure their kids follow a strict diabetes diet plan

Parents should also note that children's response to carbohydrates intake vary in some way. As a parent, you should ensure that your diabetic kid follows a strict meal plan daily. Meals should be eaten on schedule and this should be accompanied with regular injections of insulin dosage as prescribed your child's physician. It is advisable to enlist the services of a dietician when coming up with diabetes diet plan for kids. Depending on his/her experience, the dietician will develop a meal plan which incorporates specific foods to match the dietary needs of your diabetic child. The dietician will also factor in the medication and make meals more flexible to cater for daily intake and on different occasions such as parties.

You should also remember that following the right plan of treatment is crucial in helping your kids stay healthy. However, this is not equivalent to curing diabetes. The reason is that there is no cure for diabetes; therefore, kids suffering from type 1 diabetes will be on medication for a greater part of their lives. This shouldn't dampen your spirit. With proper care and a healthy diabetes diet plan for your kids, your child can grow up and live a fulfilling life, much like ordinary people.

A proven diabetes diet plan is an essential part of the treatment process

In conclusion, a diabetes diet plan for kids is an essential part of t their treatment goals. They not only help to control the diabetes, but also minimize the severity or intensity of symptoms. Consequently, this helps them to develop physical fitness and emotional and social growth. It is advisable for parents to ensure that blood sugar level is kept at normal levels. In general, kids suffering from type 1 diabetes should always take their prescribed dosage of insulin, eat balanced diet, engage in aerobic activities, and be guided in observing a proper diabetes diet plan.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Tips for Avoiding Diabetes

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Tips for Avoiding Diabetes

The risk for diabetes can be controlled provided you are determined to do so. As mentioned above, the risk factors include heredity, obesity and age. How to avoid diabetes is a question whose answer lies in the lifestyle. Of course by eating healthy and exercising you can control obesity which is one of the factors of diabetes. By eating right and staying physically active, you can prevent avoiding diabetes complications due to the age factor. And lastly by following a healthy routine, you can obviously minimize the risk of developing diabetes even if it is hereditary. Mentioned below are some tips for avoiding diabetes.

Eat Healthy
 This is a tip that is not just confined to diabetes but for any health related issue. If you are under the risk of developing diabetes then you should opt for eating healthy foods to avoid diabetes. Rice, cookies, fried food, red meat, chips, pasta, soft drinks, hard drinks are a few food items that we tend to consume on a daily basis, but these food items come under the category of foods to avoid with diabetes. Instead, follow a diabetes diet menu and eat foods like fresh fruits and vegetables with high fiber, grains, skimmed milk, white meat, and so on, to prevent the risk of diabetes as avoiding diabetes diet can lead to a lot of serious complications.
 

Get Physically Active
Diabetes is a disease which affects the ability of the pancreas to secrete insulin which is essential for digestion. Because of this, diabetic patients are forced to take insulin injections every time before they take their meals in the morning and evening. Exercising makes the pancreas more strong and efficient to secrete insulin. As mentioned earlier, obesity is one of the causes of type 2 diabetes, therefore making exercise a great tip for avoiding type 2 diabetes. Exercises for diabetes can be as simple as a 30 minute brisk walk everyday to some challenging exercises to reduce your waistline. As per statistics, exercising reduces the risk of developing diabetes to almost 30%. So exercise and get physically active, it has many rewarding benefits in the long run.

Quit Drinking and Smoking
Drinking is absolutely a NO, if you want to save yourself from being a diabetic and take insulin injections! As far as smoking is concerned, people who smoke have up to 50% higher risk of getting diabetes than people who don't smoke. Smoking and drinking also affects the ability of the pancreas for secreting insulin and has enormous other ill effects on the health that can boost the risk of developing diabetes.

Regular Medical Check-ups
Getting yourself checked by a doctor on a regular basis is another step towards avoiding diabetes. Get your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels checked on a monthly basis. Seek advice from your doctor when it comes to following a diet. Your physician is an expert and will thoroughly keep you updated about your health.

What is Diabetes?

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What is Diabetes?

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a condition in the body that is related to a faulty metabolism. Diabetes spells bad news for you because it means that the body's metabolism is not functioning properly and that leads to adverse effects in your health. When we ingest food, the food gets broken down into blood sugar, in other words, glucose, which is what fuels our body in the form of energy. This converted glucose needs to enter our cells so that it can be used for energy and growth. And in order for the glucose to enter our cells, there needs to be insulin present, which the pancreas are responsible for producing. However at times, there are certain conditions due to which glucose levels become elevated in the body and manifest in the form of hyperglycemia. This happens when the body produces less insulin, no insulin or has faulty cells that do not respond to the insulin produced. And therefore the end result is that the body has no insulin to transport the glucose into our cells for growth and energy. How do you get diabetes? That's how.

Symptoms of Diabetes
          The following are a few diabetes symptoms: 
          Frequent urination
          Feeling thirsty all the time
          Extreme hunger
           Developing dry and itchy skin
           Blurred eyesight
           Tingling feet
           Sudden and unexplained weight loss
            Developing sores that heal slowly
            Feeling extreme and constant fatigue
             Frequent skin problems and infections
      
  Types of Diabetes

There are mainly three types of diabetes. They are as follows:

Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is usually of two types. These are:

Type 1
In the type 1 diabetes, the body produces no insulin at all. This is a chronic condition, which means that it is present for lifetime and there is no cure for it. The only thing that can be done is that the patient needs to be injected with insulin regularly, along with maintaining a strict diabetic diet and following it up with exercises. This type of diabetes can be caused by a genetic disorder and most often occurs before a person is 30 years of age.

Type 2
How do you get diabetes that fall in the type 2 category? Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is produced due to the faulty cells. This condition is chronic and lifelong as well. So like the treatment for type 1 diabetes, there needs to be regular insulin tablets given. There also needs to be a special diet maintained and regular exercises performed. If the condition is severe, then insulin injections may need to be given. This type of diabetes can be caused by lack of exercise, age, obesity and in some cases as a genetic condition. This can develop after a person is 35, but it has been known to develop in children as well.

Gestational Diabetes
This type of diabetes develops in women only when they are pregnant. So how do you get diabetes during pregnancy and why does this happen? When a woman is pregnant, there are a surge of varied hormones that are produced. These hormones sometimes lead to a -pregnant woman developing resistance to the insulin just like the other two types of diabetes. Gestational diabetes (GD) also comes about because the body cannot use the insulin that is produced, effectively. This usually affects a woman in her second trimester and goes away after the birth of the baby. However, developing GD can put a woman at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in her life or developing GD with every pregnancy that follows. It can also lead to certain health problems in their children like childhood obesity or the risk of developing diabetes in later life.

Diabetes Insipidus
This form of diabetes is caused when there is an abnormal increase in the levels of urine. This is also accompanied by increased fluid intake and experiencing excessive thirst. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as constant awakening at night to pee (nocturia), constant and frequent urination, bed wetting also known as enuresis. This happens because the urine output is unable to be concentrated normally.

Diabetes insipidus is of four types:
Neurogenic - Which is caused by a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone - vasopressin.
Gestagenic - A deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin causes this kind of DI and it occurs only during pregnancy.
Nephrogenic - This deficiency comes about due to the insensitivity of the kidneys to the effect of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin.
Dipsogenic - Is caused by abnormal thirst and the excessive intake of water and other liquids
Impact of Diabetes

Diabetes can lead to a lot of long term complications and health risks. Some of which are heart diseases, kidney failure, heart strokes, blindness, gangrene leading to amputations, nerve damage and others. That is why there is a need to be aware of diabetes and treat it immediately.

Prevention of Diabetes

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"Prevention of Diabetes"
Insulin is a hormone that the body produces to aid in the metabolism process and to generate enough energy for the body to function. The onset of diabetes makes a person very lethargic and fatigued, in addition to a number of other diabetes symptoms and effects. There are around 300 million around the world who suffer from diabetes, and the knowledge about how to avoid diabetes is essential for the others.

Even people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes can reverse the condition by following a few simple steps, and this requires a firm commitment and some resolute will power. Here are some commonly known steps on how to avoid getting Type 2 diabetes and Type 1 diabetes.

"Exercise Regularly" 
When a person exercises, the ability of the body to secrete and absorb insulin becomes stronger. The additional energy that is required by the body forces the blood circulation and many other vital bodily functions to improve by leaps and bounds. People who exercise on a regular basis, are at a 30% lower risk of contracting diabetes, according to many medical studies. Even something like a half an hour walk everyday can have the desired effect. There is a wide range of exercise for diabetes that one can undertake.

"Quit Smoking"
People who smoke are 50% more prone to contracting diabetes, and this is one of the primary side effects of smoking on the human body. Along with diabetes, there are a number of other health hazards that smoking causes, and this makes it crucially important for an individual to kick the habit. The insulin deficiency in the body can be directly linked to excessive smoking, and the only way to combat this is by cutting down on your tobacco intake.

"Healthy Diet"
One of the best ways on how to avoid diabetes complications is to control your eating habits. Junk food and unhealthy food is the single biggest cause of diabetes around the world. In order to get the most healthy life possible, you should choose whole grain foods with lots of fiber, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables which balances the sugar level in the body and you should stay away from simple sugars that contain a large amount of calories in them. This list of foods to avoid with diabetes should be of great use for you.

"Healthy Lifestyle"
You must also control the amount of cholesterol that is entering your body, as too much cholesterol leads to blockage of arteries. Insulin cannot travel to different parts of the body through these blocked arteries, and this is what makes this a highly unwanted part of your diet. Consult a dietitian and make a proper plan for your meals, where you are getting enough of all necessary nutrients in the body. Also drink lots of water, get adequate amounts of sleep and eat smaller meals at a larger frequency during the day. All these steps are very important for the natural control of diabetes.

"Visit a Doctor"
Adults are not the only ones at the risk of diabetes today, as more and more children are also living sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles. Knowing how to avoid diabetes in children, and especially how to avoid diabetes during pregnancy is something that can only be learned by visiting a doctor regularly, and carrying out routine checks. These medical issues are easier to solve when they are discovered at an early stage. There are plenty of tests and check ups that will help a doctor determine your health, and you can prevent diabetes by battling it in its nascent stages. This article on how to prevent diabetes will also prove very useful to you.

What is Type 3 Diabetes?

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"Double Diabetes"
As mentioned before, type 3 diabetes may refer to 'double diabetes' or to what is known as 'brain diabetes'. Now if we consider the first part, it would signify that the sufferer may be experiencing the symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes thus, the name 'hybrid'. For example, a person who already has type 1 diabetes, gains weights and goes on to develop the type 2 one. So what happens is, as the type 2 condition is insulin resistant, so the insulin which is administered to treat the type 1 diabetes, becomes ineffective.

"Alzheimer's Type 3 Diabetes"
Now when type 2 diabetes is used to refer to the condition of 'brain diabetes', it stresses importance on the study of the brain producing insulin, apart from the pancreas. In order to keep the brain cells alive and functioning, the brain produces insulin. However, if this process ceases, then the cells begin to deteriorate. With the brain cells dead, even the brain receptors stop functioning. This is the reason why scientists have also coined the term 'Alzheimer's type 3 diabetes'. However, this theory is not fully proved, but those who tout it, claim that diabetics are more vulnerable to develop Alzheimer's disease.

"Unstable Blood Sugar"
Besides all these, there is another condition which is attributed as unstable blood sugar level, that is related to type 3 diabetes. Very few people are aware of what is known as electropollution. This is nothing but the emission of electromagnetic energy by devices which are run on electricity. Now according to proponents of this theory, this pollution causes the blood sugar levels to rise, eventually leading to type 3 diabetes. This condition may affect people who are already diabetic and even those who are not.

So as you can see that there are many speculations which revolve around the existence of type 3 diabetes. This is basically a new discovery, unlike the type 1 and type 2. And as it is still debated, there are no specific signs which we can regard as type 3 diabetes symptoms. And so there are no diagnoses, nor any specific diabetes treatment, which can be availed publicly. And whatever treatment may be followed, would depend on how the condition is defined. However, studies and researches on this new threat are still in progress, and if medical science has been able to uncover type 1 and type 2 diabetes, then it can also uncover the real nature of this disease as well.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Type 2 Diabetes Diet

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Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Understanding the cause of increased blood sugar level in diabetic patients, can help to understand the working of the diabetic diet. Insulin is a vital hormone that helps to absorb the glucose present in the food we eat. Glucose is further utilized by the body to perform daily activities. When insulin is not produced in enough amount, the glucose level increases and causes diabetes symptoms. These include, increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, etc. Glucose is nothing but simple sugar or carbohydrate present in various foods and thus, to control the increased glucose level, diabetic patients must follow a diet that contains foods low in carbohydrates.

A standard diabetic diet is low in carbohydrates, high in fibers and low in fats. Following a diabetic diet does not mean that one should completely avoid eating foods that contain carbohydrates. In fact, a balanced diet comprises mainly carbohydrates; proteins and fats, being the other components. But one should control the intake of foods high in carbohydrates. A diabetic diet for type 2, should contain foods low in glycemic index. These foods contain low carbohydrates and help in maintaining normal blood sugar level. Foods high in fiber help in lowering the increased blood sugar level, since they delay the sugar absorption in the body. Moreover, dietary fiber foods also help in lowering bad cholesterol in the body. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables are some of the foods that are high in fiber. Diabetic patients should strictly avoid eating foods high in fats. Such foods worsen the symptoms of diabetes and also increase risk of developing other health problems like heart diseases. Given below are some guidelines for following a diabetic diet for type 2.
  • Along with a diet plan, follow an exercise routine. This will help you to maintain normal blood sugar level and also reduces risk of other health problems.
    Avoid eating ready-made or processed food and rely on fresh fruits and vegetables.
    Increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, since they are low in fats and provide all the required nutrients.
    Foods high in carbohydrates like bread, potato and sugar, should be consumed in controlled quantity.
    Minimize use of oils and sugar and make habit of following a sugar free regime.

1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet to Lose Weight

It is observed that obese people are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Thus, such people should follow a diet that will not only help to reduce the diabetic symptoms, but also reduce their weight. There are various calorie oriented diet plans that restrict the intake of calories and thereby help to control the blood sugar level. 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan is one such diet plan that is recommended for diabetic patients. Following such diet plans has proved to be useful for many diabetic patients.

It is recommended that before making any type of dietary change, you should consult your physician. Because, every diabetic patient has different requirements and hence, the diet plan may change from one person to another. I hope this article on diabetic diet for type 2 will prove helpful to you.

"Type 2 Diabetes Cure"

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What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is called adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. This is a chronic condition that affects the body's ability to metabolize sugar, that serves as the fuel for energy production. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. This is the hormone that regulates the level of sugar in cells. When the body fails to produce the required amount of insulin, it can lead to abnormal levels of sugar within the body. If one does not opt for type 2 diabetes cure, it can lead to fatal consequences.

Can Type 2 Diabetes be Cured?
Many people often wonder, can type 2 diabetes be cured? You will find the Internet splashed with claims that they have a cure for diabetes. But, is there a cure for diabetes? The truth is type 2 diabetes cannot be cure, but it is a manageable condition. This condition can be kept under control by maintaining your body weight and a healthy lifestyle. Let us see some options of curing type 2 diabetes naturally and managing the condition without any complications.

How to Cure Type 2 Diabetes
Curing type 2 diabetes naturally involves a long-term plan to lower high blood sugar levels. These long-term plans include exercise and diet as the primary diabetes treatment for type 2 diabetes. Those with type 2 diabetes need to watch their diet and weight. One needs to eat everyday at the same time and be consistent with the food types they eat. This is very important as it prevents the blood sugar levels from going too high or too low. One needs to speak to their doctor regarding the food types they are supposed to eat and the amount of food one should eat. Those who are overweight should try to reduce their weight. One needs to eat a healthy, well-balanced diabetic diet to maintain their weight and blood sugar levels.

Another important aspect of management of type 2 diabetes is regular exercise. This will help reduce the blood sugar levels without medications. This is because one burns calories and fat and maintains their weight. Exercise also helps in improving the blood flow and reducing high blood pressure. It also helps in decreasing the body's resistance to insulin.

Along with diet and exercise, the doctor may advice some medications that includes insulin therapy. These medications will help control your blood sugar levels by helping your body absorb more sugar when insulin is present. If medications do not help in control of blood glucose levels, then one may be advised to take insulin. Insulin needs to be injected under the skin as it cannot be taken orally.

Most of the patients with type 2 diabetes do not need medications, once they lose their weight and increase their physical activity. When they reach the ideal body weight and watch their diet, their body can are successful in reversing type 2 diabetes. However, if one does not watch what they eat and allow their blood sugar levels to rise abnormally, they will need to start medications again.

The options for curing type 2 diabetes naturally is by following a strict diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain along with exercises like aerobic exercises. There are many herbs like banana, bitter melon, cinnamon, huckleberry, ginseng, etc. that have known to help in type 2 diabetes cure. You can speak to a nutritionist or dietitian, about these herbs for diabetes and other supplements like zinc, chromium biotin for curing type 2 diabetes naturally. As for the question can type 2 diabetes be cured, the answer is no, it is not totally curable, but can be controlled to a great extent with a change in lifestyle and medications.

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