Archive for the ‘Diabetes – Did You Know?’ Category

Is Diabetes linked to Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels?

April 3, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Control, Diabetes Prevention 

According to the findings of the latest analysis of diabetes, close to 60 percent of the people suffering from diabetes have failed to meet their cholesterol targets even though majority of them have their cholesterol levels being looked into by medical experts at least once every year. As much as a large percentage of people with diabetes are being checked by medical experts, a fairly large number of people are still not able to meet their cholesterol targets. From this, it has become very clear that these medical checkups are not leading to any improved outcomes for majority of the population.

Cholesterol Abnormalities ties to Diabetes
Cholesterol simply refers to a soft waxy substance commonly found in the blood stream and in the body cells. Although it is considered to be important for the overall health of the body, not all cholesterol is good/equal. There is cholesterol that is beneficial to the body and that which causes harm to the body [hence should always be kept at minimum levels]. Cholesterol is linked to diabetes in the sense that people with diabetes are more prone to be affected by the unhealthy cholesterol [bad cholesterol], which is known to be one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease.

Note: choosing to control the cholesterol levels in your body helps you significantly reduce your vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases as well as premature death.

Influence of diabetes to cholesterol
Diabetes has a tendency of lowering the levels of good cholesterol levels while at the same time raising the levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride. These two collectively increase the risks of heart disease and stroke [a common condition referred to as diabetic dyslipidemia].

This diabetic condition “dyslipidemia” simply means that the lipid profile of your body is headed in the wrong direction. In short, it is simply a combination that ends up putting patients at high risks of suffering from premature coronary heart diseases and atherosclerosis [a condition in which the heart ends up being clogged by fat and other irrelevant substances]. Studies have also proven that there is a link to insulin resistance [a precursor to the common type 2 diabetes as well as diabetic dyslipidemia, blood vessel disease and atherosclerosis etc]. Bad thing is that all the above mentioned conditions are likely to develop way before diabetes itself is diagnosed.

Bottom line
Healthcare professionals and their patients are warned not to be too callous about the cholesterol check [which is amongst the health care essentials] carried out on an annual basis for everyone suffering from diabetes.Good news is, the one year anniversary since the launch of the health care essentials is being used to familiarize people with the dangers of overworking themselves. It has also helped make people emphasize more on the health problems that they identify, especially those related to poor cholesterol control which should promptly be acted upon.

Generally, both people with diabetes and health care professionals should work together to make sure that the annual health check leads to a meaningful action aimed at helping optimize cholesterol levels in the body.

Children Avoiding Germs on Higher Risk of Getting diabetes

March 27, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes in Children 

It’s a popular quote that too much of everything is bad!!!! But these days it’s all about the excessive doing, especially in case of children……. Excessive junk food eating, excessive television and excessive modernization!!! Children in yester years would play in the dirt and mud and come home drenched in absolute filth. But these days, neither the children have time for this nor do the parents like them playing in the dirt or doing something that disgusts them. But all being too clean and tidy can result in health risk especially the one related to the immune system.Yup, who would have thought keeping children clean at all times might be bad though, right? Believe it or not, it is.

Why should Children be exposed to germs?
Studies prove that if in young age children are not exposed to germs, their immune system doesn’t develop.We are well aware of the fact that a child’s brain needs stimulation in order for it to send and receive signals and to develop correctly. In the same manner, it is necessary that the immune system is exposed to dust, dirt, pollen, molds or allergens to help it in learning how to tackle the invaders which in turn results in a stronger immunity. If the immune system doesn’t go through this process, it later back fires with diseases and illnesses. Moreover, if you take antibiotics or medicines to curb this problem; it might actually aggravate it. With every course of antibiotics you take, your immunity keeps dripping down. Moreover, antibiotics, anti bacterial soaps and vaccinations restrain development of healthy immune system.

Why healthy immune system is necessary?
It is observed that children, who get chicken pox or measles once, then have immunity towards these diseases for their lifetime. On the other hand, who do not contract these diseases and yet receive vaccinations for the same, have to take booster shots to be continuously immune to these diseases. In the similar manner, children are also prone to diabetes. A study showed that vulnerability to Type 1 diabetes is likely when a child is refrained from the exposure of microbes and parasites. Also, a research is already in progress to prove that a reduction in a person’s immunity can be instrumental in elevation and development of Type 1 diabetes and many other autoimmune illnesses.

What to do for Healthy Immune Functionality?
There are certain practices which would help in developing and supporting a healthy immune system. This can be done with the help of a diet which includes vegetables, fruits, omega- 3 fatty acids and fermented foods. But it is necessary to restrain from a diet high in carbohydrate, sugar and artificial additives.

A strong immune system, early on, can aid in prevention of diseases and illnesses initiated through exposure to dust, allergens, germs and the like. It is believed that letting the children get dirty in their younger years can help them to stay healthy in the long term as the exposure to the germs,at least to some extent, is beneficial to the immune system.

Controlling Diabetes with Insulin: Common FAQs

February 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Control 

If you’ve recently been prescribed insulin as part of your diabetic treatment, there must be plenty of questions in your head. On the other hand, you may not even know where to begin or what to ask. Here is a handy list of questions you should quiz your physician on. It will give you a clearer picture of what to expect once your course of insulin begins.

What kind of insulin will I need to use?

There are four basic types of insulin. It’s important to ask your doctor which of them would be best suited to you, given your blood sugar level and the type of diabetes you are suffering from
1. Rapid-acting insulin: Works within a few minutes of being administered but lasts only for a couple of hours.
2. Short-acting insulin: Also known as regular acting insulin, it starts working in about half an hour and keeps you going for 3-6 hours.
3. Intermediate-acting insulin: Once administered, it starts working in 2-4 hours, but its effect lasts up to 18 hours.
4. Long-acting insulin: While it take anywhere from 6-10 hours to take effect, long-acting insulin can last an entire day.

Which delivery method is best for me?

There are four ways in which insulin can be injected into the bloodstream:
a) Syringe
b) Pen
c) Pump
d) Needle-free jet injector

Each method has its own pros and cons – for instance syringes are the most cost-effective option whereas pens are a lot easier to use, but pumps are known to deliver insulin continuously. Ask your doctor about each method in detail and find out which one is covered by your insurance. This will help you reach a final decision.

How often do I have to take an insulin shot?

Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may require only one shot of insulin per day, whereas those suffering from type 1 diabetes might need to administer insulin as many as three to four times a day. Ask your doctor how often you will need to take a shot and what the dosage should be like.

When & where am I supposed to take my insulin?

What time of the day a diabetic takes his insulin shot can vary depending on several factors, such as how much exercise he gets, his diet, overall health, the type of insulin he’s taking as well as the delivery system being used. Ask your doctor at what time of the day you are required to take the insulin and what you need to do in case you forget to take your shot.

Where the insulin should be injected is yet another thing to discuss with your doctor. While the most common site for the injection is the abdomen, insulin can also be injected into the thighs, arms or buttocks. The doctor should demonstrate the right way to give an injection and educate you on the importance of rotating the injection site.

What side effects should I watch out for?

The most common side effects associated with insulin are weight gain and low blood sugar. There are others as well which you must ask your brother about. In addition, you should take advice on how to tackle these side effects, if they do manifest themselves.

Once you start taking insulin shots, your life will change in many ways. Asking the right questions will prepare you for these transformations and help you approach them with an educated mind.

Things you did not know about Diabetes

November 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, It's Complicated, Living with Diabetes 

For most people diabetes takes a stronghold in their minds as the condition that forbids them from ever having sweets. While that is partly true in most cases, there’s a lot more to diabetes than the inability to munch on your favorite foods. In fact, there’s a lot about this disease that people don’t really know about.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is typified by having higher than normal amounts of blood sugar levels. This happens for one of two reasons – either the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to metabolize the sugar or the body fails to use the insulin that is being produced.

Diabetes can be broadly classified into two main categories:

Type 1, which usually develops early on in life (childhood or adolescence) and requires patients to survive on insulin injections as part of their treatment. The symptoms of this condition are frequent urination, continual thirst, extreme fatigue, weight loss, and severe hunger pangs. Owing to the ambiguous nature of these symptoms, type 1 diabetes usually goes unnoticed for a very long time.

Type 2 is more common among adults and is usually caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet. 90% of all diabetes cases fall under this category and treatment for this condition combines insulin injections, lifestyle changes, weight loss, and oral medication such as generic Actos 45mg.

Whether it is type 1 or type 2, people with diabetes are more susceptible towards long-term complications, such as heart disease, eye problems, strokes, foot problems, and kidney disease. For this reason, it is imperative that those suffering from diabetes keep a vigilant eye on their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

According to a report published by the World Health Organization, diabetes is becoming one of the most common afflictions of modern times. In fact, it would not be stretching the truth to say that the world is standing on the brink of a widespread epidemic of diabetes, especially the kind that is caused by physical inactivity and obesity.

In 2005, more than 1 million people died of death. However, this figure is misleading for the simple reason that while people live with diabetes their whole life, their deaths are often recorded as kidney failure or heart attack. As you can imagine, if those fatalities are also taken into account, the actual picture is a lot grimmer. Even more disturbing is the prediction that deaths caused by diabetes are only projected to go up by more than 50% over the next decade or so. In upper-middle income countries, this percentage is as high as 80%.

A yet another new (and worrying) trend has been noticed recently. Type 2 diabetes – a condition that was more prevalent among adults – is being reported among children and adolescents as well. A rare phenomenon by all accounts, it accounts for more than 50% of the newly diagnosed cases in some countries. This indirectly indicates towards an increasingly unhealthy lifestyle and obesity among our younger members of the population.

Even as health bodies and governments across the world are looking for a solution to this problem, there is no denying that the key lies in educating and spreading awareness about this condition. That, and a healthier lifestyle, could free us from the complications associated with type 2 diabetes at least.

Diabetes Diet Plan: What to Eat and Not to Eat

October 25, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Control 

Protein vs. carbs

Protein vs. carbs

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes or told that he is at risk, the first thought that is bound to run through his mind is “I will no longer be able to eat normally.” The common notion is that sugars must be avoided at all costs and desserts must be given up completely. Your previous diet gets replaced by a strict, merciless regimen and your whole life is spent keeping a sharp eye on what you put into your body.

While it is true that diet modification is required to prevent or control diabetes, the notion that this medical condition will cripple your entire life is nothing more than a misconception. And, this article aims at busting some of the more common myths surrounding this topic. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Carbohydrates are An Absolute No-no!

The average diabetic believes that carbohydrates should be stricken completely off the list. However, few people know that carbohydrates, or “carbs” as they are popularly referred to, are integral to a healthy diet for diabetic patients.

Apart from being the primary source of energy, carbs contain essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and fiber. For this reason, instead of abstaining from them altogether, a better thing to do would be to choose healthier carbs, such as the ones you find in whole foods and high fiber fruit and vegetables.

Diet for Diabetics should be High in Proteins

Since most diabetic patients cut down on carbohydrates, they turn to proteins as a source of energy. However, this can be counter-productive for them. Studies show that having a protein-rich diet can cause insulin resistance, a factor that could aggravate the condition further. For this reason, a healthy diet, especially for people with diabetes, should derive only 15-20% of its calories from proteins, and no more.

Your Favorite Foods are Completely off the List

Abstinence seems to be the defining characteristic of a diet for people with diabetes. The general idea is that anything you may have loved eating becomes the forbidden fruit and gets crossed off your diet chart. This isn’t necessarily so.

While you are not allowed to give in to your indulgences, there is no reason really why you should give up having what you like as long as it is in moderation. For instance, you could reduce the portion of your favorite dessert or use it as a reward for following your meal plan regularly.

Life for people with diabetes is not easy. Constant vigilance is required to keep their sugar levels in check. That said, it’s important to investigate the scientific validity of dietary ideas that one comes across these days. And the best way to do that is to consult a trusted medical practitioner or a qualified nutritionist.

Living with Diabetes: Maintaining a Healthy Circulation

October 22, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Control, Diabetes Prevention, Living with Diabetes 

People living with diabetes need to pay special attention to the health of their circulatory systems, taking conscious efforts to reduce the risks of circulation problems or, in worst case scenarios, cardiovascular disease or stroke. Poor circulation affects the whole body from the feet to the nervous system, and is the reason why over 50 per cent of amputations performed in North America are due to diabetes complications. Maintaining a healthy circulation is the most important preventative measure a patient of diabetes can take to keep their condition stable. Keep reading below to learn more about the effect diabetes has on the circulatory system, and the steps you can take to keep it in shape.

How Does Diabetes Cause Poor Circulation?
Diabetes is often associated with other health problems such as high blood pressure and high levels of glucose and cholesterol. All of these maladies create a massive strain on the heart and arteries which in turn slows down the function of a healthy circulatory system. Once the arteries become damaged they are unable to properly circulate blood away from the heart to where it needs to be. This is the reason why so many diabetics face leg amputations or blindness; the delicate arteries have been damaged to a point where they are starting to affect major blood vessels that serve to carry blood flow from the heart to the periphery of the body.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Circulation Problems
Quit smoking – smoking has hardens the arteries over time and is a proven cause of poor circulation in diabetics and non-diabetics alike. Diabetics who smoke should quit immediate for the sake of their health and quality of life: not only will circulation improve, so will respiratory health and general mobility. You’ll also save money, which you can spend on a circulation-improving massage.

Exercise – Exercise is the most effective way to get the blood flowing and improve circulation. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, walking and cycling will immediately improve blood flow to the legs and feet. The Canadian Diabetic Association recommends at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, and to never let more than two days go by without any physical activity.

Watch Cholesterol, Glucose Levels – Talk to your doctor about keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels at healthy levels. Eat a diet low in salt, fat and sugar and high in whole grains and vegetables.

Improving blood circulation for those people can sometimes be accomplished by always taking medications on time. People with diabetes mellitus also take certain medications such as generic Glucophage to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Higher Risk Groups for Diabetes

October 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Risk, Prediabetes 

Although diabetes can strike anyone, there are certain groups of people who show a stronger than average tendency toward developing the disease. For instance, if you are middle aged and African American, studies suggest that you may be three times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Why African Americans are at greater risk for diabetes is still open for debate. In many instances, the diabetes gene may be passed down through the family. Deaths resulting from diabetes are 20% higher for African American men than white males and 40% higher for African American women than white females. That is significant. However, the good news is that fewer African American children seem to develop type 1 diabetes.

Another group that appears to have a higher rate of secondary issues due to diabetes is women who suffer heart attacks. The risk of this complication among women is more serious than among men. In fact, women with diabetes between the ages of 25-44 are three times more likely to die of a heart attack those women without diabetes.

A staggering 10% of Hispanic Americans have diabetes. That clearly puts them in a higher risk group as well. Native American is more than twice as likely to develop diabetes, too. About 14% of the Native American population has diabetes.

Once again, diabetes can and does affect people regardless of race, sex, or age. As everyone ages; the risk of type 2 diabetes increases. Also, anyone with a family history of diabetes is also at higher risk. Yet, no matter what group you are in, there are lifestyle choices that can be made which may reduce the chances of getting this disease. Not smoking, managing your cholesterol and blood pressure, and getting plenty of exercise while maintaining a healthy weight are important. Anyone who is overweight, sedentary, and has a relative with diabetes should be screened for diabetes.

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, your GP may prescribe certain oral diabetes medications such as generic Actos to regular your blood sugar levels, although the lifestyle changes are essential.

Stress Affects Diabetes in 3 Ways

August 15, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Control 

Eating right and getting your body in motion every day are pillars of any program for managing diabetes or losing weight. A third element that may be just as important is getting a handle on stress.

Research is now beginning to reveal just how important stress management is when it comes to diabetes. One study, at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, found that when people used easy relaxation techniques, they dropped their A1C numbers (an indication of blood sugar levels over a period of several months) significantly. In fact, about a third of the volunteers lowered their A1C levels by one percent or more after a year—an effect on a par with that of diabetes drugs. And those results were beyond what they gained through diet and exercise.

Here are three ways that stress can impact your diabetes, and how to keep it in check.

1. Stress hormones raise blood sugar

2. Stress contributes to insulin resistance

3. Stress leads to weight gain

One example of stress management technique is deep breathing, which is known to help people align their physical and mental states. Your doctor may prescribe certain antidepressants and diabetes medications for you to help relieve from stress and diabetes, such as generic Lexapro 20mg and generic Actos 45mg.

To read the full article, click here.

Diabetes Drug May Help with Cancer

April 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Oral Diabetes Medication 
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Glucophage Prescription

According to a new study, the common diabetes drug metformin may be also used to treat cancer. Metformin is most commonly known as Glucophage, an oral glucose medication. It is often combined with other medications, each with the same basic function, to control blood sugar levels for diabetics.

Researchers say that this discovery may affect people with prostate cancer, melanoma, pancreatic or lung cancer. They administered metformin in addition to the patients’ regular treatments, and had positive results. They noticed definite differences between patients treated only with tumor suppressants and patients who received tumor suppressants supplemented by metformin.

The best breakthrough with this research is that metformin is one of the least expensive diabetes medications. It ups the fighting power of tumor suppressants without significantly raising the price of cancer treatments. Cancer medications are already expensive, and with the addition of metformin, patients may not need to pay for them for as long.

If you are diabetic, or your doctor has recommended adding metformin to your cancer treatment, consider buying online. You can buy Glucophage online for significantly less from a Canadian pharmacy than an American one.

5 Vision Loss Prevention Tips for Diabetics

April 6, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes Resources and Tools, Diabetic Retinopathy, It's Complicated 
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Diabetic Retinopathy - What an Ophthamologist Sees

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. For diabetics, it is the leading cause. Diabetic retinopathy is the result of microvascular retinal changes in the eye. New veins and capillaries begin to grow. However, these new growths aren’t healthy, and often bleed, which causes the customary vision-blurring and eye reddening. Here are the top 5 tips for preventing diabetic retinopathy.

1. Know the symptoms – Double vision, flashing lights, redness or blood in the eye, difficulty reading…all of these are symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Be sure to schedule an optometrist appointment if you experience any of these. Early diagnosis is key to keeping your vision.
2. Regular eye exams – as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to make an appointment with your ophthalmologist. You may have been living with the disease for some time, raising your risk of diabetic retinopathy. After this, be sure to get regular eye exams. Your ophthalmologist will be able to catch any retinopathy before it becomes serious. We recommend annual exams for diabetics.
3. Maintain your blood sugar – if your blood glucose levels rapidly rise, it can actually change the shape of your eye’s lens. This can cause blurred vision.
4. Exercise – overall wellness is important not just for your eyes, but to keep your diabetes in check. It also helps to maintain your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause a cloudy lens and blurred vision. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the right exercise regimen for your body.
5. Protect your eyes – eye protection is important for everyone, not just diabetics. Remember to wear protective sunglasses when at the beach, on the water, and especially on the ski slopes. White snow’s reflective quality can cause eye damage.

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