Archive for September, 2009

THE TYPE 2 DIABETIC DIET AND EXERCISE PLAN

Friday, September 25th, 2009

When someone has diabetes mellitus, revamping how one eats and exercises is a must.  There are now numerous medications that can be taken to lower blood sugar levels.  Still, medications alone may not do the trick.  Making sure that blood sugar levels are under control requires discipline and commitment.  Discipline is needed to formulate a good diet and exercise routine, and commitment to stick to that routine no matter what.

The diet of people with type 2 diabetes must be individualized, making sure to take into consideration nutritional requirements, as well as personal level of comfort of the changes the patient is willing to make at that time.  A full adjustment to a new diet plan may take some time, so incorporating gradual changes to meal plans can be easier.

The content of the diet is very important.  There is now a listing of different food items with their glycemic index (GI) or sugar content.  Diabetics should always make sure to have foods with low GI.  A diet rich in natural fibers are also good choices for diabetics.  These foods include whole grains, fruits and leafy vegetables.  There are also now several food items for the diabetic diet that have low GI , and have an added effect of lowering blood sugar levels.

Another recommendation is to have alternative sources to animal proteins.  The kidney function of diabetics do not metabolize proteins as efficiently as normal kidneys, and animal protein can bring too much stress on already compromised kidney functions.  Protein from plant sources such as beans and nuts are better metabolized by the body.

When it comes to exercise, first make sure that there are no other underlying or concomitant diseases that can compromise the function of the heart.  To be safe, it is best to first consult a physician so he/she can give advice on the type of exercises the person can do.  Some diabetic complications, such as eyesight problems and nerve damage, can limit the exercise a person can do.  It is wise to individualize an exercise routine according to the patient’s current health status.

If the person has been inactive for a while, start out with light exercises such as brisk walking or light aerobics.  For those who are overweight or with joint problems, swimming is a very good option as this exercise has very low impact on the joints.  In general, it is recommended to have physical activity three times a week for 30 minutes per day.  It has been shown that moderate exercise can eventually improve the body’s response to insulin.

It must be remembered that diabetics are already on medication that lowers their blood sugar levels.  Therefore, any diet and exercise plan must be carefully planned out and monitored so the patient will not have too low blood sugar levels that can be a medical concern as well.  Keeping in mind these tips on diet and exercise can surely help diabetics cope with necessary changes.

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Early Warning Signs of Diabetes

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

More and more Americans get diagnosed with diabetes and pre-diabetes because of genetics and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Once you are aware of the earliest warning signs of diabetes, you can take charge of your health and avoid the debilitating consequence of this lifelong disease. But before we discuss the early warning signs of diabetes, we need to understand what diabetes is.

Diabetes is a condition where the body fails to produce or use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that converts glucose or blood sugar into energy.  There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, where the individual cannot produce insulin, and type 2 diabetes, where the individual does produce insulin by the body does not respond to it. If left untreated, both types of diabetes can damage your kidneys, eyes, and cardiovascular system.   In severe cases, diabetes can lead to strokes, blindness, kidney failures, and amputations. But it’s never too late to prevent these from happening if you catch the disorder early enough. As soon as you see these earliest warning signs of diabetes, get yourself examined by a doctor and take the necessary preventive measures.

Constant thirst and frequent urination – You go to the bathroom and urinate more frequently than normal. Frequent urination dehydrates your body, which makes you unquenchably thirsty.  Frequent urination and constant thirst are the most common early warning signs of diabetes.

Fatigue – Pre-diabetics and diabetics often feel exhausted because the cells and the brain does not receive enough fuel, even though there is a lot of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream.

Blurred vision – Did you know that the eye lens shrinks and gets distorted as your glucose levels rise and fall? This is why blurred vision is another common early warning sign of diabetes.  The human eye is unable to adjust quickly to the changes occurring in glucose levels.

Frequent infections and slow healing of wounds – White blood cells – the blood cells that protect the body from pathogens and infection – don’t work as efficiently when blood sugar levels are too high. When white blood cells fail to work, bacteria and pathogens thrive, making you prone to infection. Observe any wounds you might have and see how long it takes for them to heal.  If a shallow scratch is still raw after a week, it is likely that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.  Women also tend to experience yeast infections as an early warning sign of diabetes.

Tingling and numbness in feet or legs – This symptom of diabetes is caused by a complication known as neuropathy, or nerve damage. Neuropathy takes years to develop, and this symptom indicates that you have had undiagnosed diabetes for a long time. 

Stroke and heart disease – For individuals over 45, these dangerous early warning signs often appear before they get diagnosed by diabetes.

The earliest warning signs of diabetes can also be symptoms of an entirely different health problem.  If you experience any of the symptoms above, it would be wise to get checked up by a doctor to find out what is causing these problems.

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Top Five Symptoms of Diabetes

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Over the years, there has been an increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus. This disease has now become one of the most important issues that have to be addressed by the medical community. The good news about diabetes is that there are currently numerous drugs that help control it and the symptoms that go along with having this condition.

People with Type 1 diabetes lack sufficient insulin production from the pancreas, while type 2 diabetics do not respond to its effects. In both cases, blood sugar control goes haywire because insulin, the chemical responsible for regulating it, is not inadequate or is ineffective. Listed are the symptoms that mostly occur among diabetics.

Feeling of fatigue

Most diabetics will complain of always having low energy levels. Sugar or glucose is the primary energy source of the cells. Without insulin or if the cells are resistant to its effects, glucose is not utilized efficiently. The body then shifts to using fat for energy and drives the metabolism to work harder.

Unexplained weight loss

Because of the fact that the body lacks proper energy source in cases of diabetes, it metabolizes the fats present in order to compensate. This leads to weight loss despite adequate caloric intake.

Frequent Urination

Diabetics often urinate frequently and in large volumes. One of the body’s mechanisms of eliminating the excess glucose is through excreting it in the urine. Because of the high blood glucose, a lot of it is also filtered by the kidneys and causes the sugar content of the urine to rise too. Sugar attracts water into the urinary tract, causing voiding of great volumes of urine.

Excessive Thirst

As mentioned, diabetic patients tend to lose a lot of water from frequent urination. The water-depleted body sends a signal to the brain that it needs to increase water content. This is manifested as thirst, and in most cases, diabetics consume large amounts of water yet still end up feeling dehydrated.

Numbness of Hands and Feet

The glucose in the blood stream is further broken down into different byproducts. These byproducts, when accumulated, are harmful to the nerves. The nerves are the ones that provide us with the ability to sense and feel. Any damage to them causes abnormal sensations or even numbness, a condition called neuropathy.

Remember that diabetes is a systemic disease, meaning it affects the body as whole. Therefore, symptoms attributed to diabetes can also manifest in many ways. Other than those mentioned above, there are several other symptoms that can serve as clues to the presence of diabetes. These include blurred vision, poor wound healing, and recurrent infections.

All of the named symptoms arise when blood sugar levels are highly elevated. Luckily, diabetes can be controlled with right medications. These medications are prescribed according to the individuals’ needs and based on how they respond to them. Of course, a healthy well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and good stress management also supplement any medicine that may be given.

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BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL VALUES and DIAGNOSING DIABETES

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

These days blood sugar test or blood glucose test is a common and convenient procedure done for people who are suspected to have diabetes or those who are at a high risk of having this disease.  Once diagnosed with diabetes, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is of utmost importance.  Remember that the level of glucose on the blood cannot be determined based on symptoms alone, that is why a reliable way to measure blood glucose is necessary.

Normally, when we consume food, especially those high in sugar and carbohydrates, the body keeps the sugar balance through the action of the hormone insulin.  Insulin, from the pancreas, acts to lower blood sugar levels.  However, among diabetic people, they either have poor insulin production (Type 1) or resistance to the effects of insulin (Type 2).

So when tested, what is the normal blood glucose level?  Actually, rather than just a normal value, there is a normal range. The acceptable range is also different for the different methods of measuring blood glucose levels. There are currently different tests for measuring blood sugar.  One example is the fasting blood sugar test, wherein the patient needs to have no food consumption for at least 8 hours prior to taking a blood sample for analysis.  Results should range from 70-99 mg/dL to be considered normal.  A value ranging from 100-125 mg/dL is called impaired fasting glucose which means the patient has a high likelihood of having diabetes in the future. If on at least two occasions, the results are greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL, the patient is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

There is another test called random blood sugar test that can be taken anytime regardless of the last food intake. This time the target value should be below 200 mg/dL.  If above that value, and in the presence of symptoms, diabetes mellitus is the diagnosis.  Pre-diabetes may also be detected if the random blood sugar value is from 140-199 mg/dL.    A blood test called oral glucose tolerance test wherein a patient is asked to drink a solution containing 75mg of sugar after a period of fasting.  Two hours later, a blood sample is taken and analyzed for its sugar content.  The desired value should be below 140 mg/dL.

The diagnosis of pre-diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance all indicate that the patient is a high-risk candidate for having diabetes.  Therefore, advice on a healthier diet and lifestyle must be stressed to prevent the progression of the condition.  Blood sugar testing does not end with diagnosis of diabetes mellitus alone.  Among diabetics, proper monitoring of blood glucose is a must as keeping it within normal levels will be a very important way of preventing diabetic conditions that affect the kidneys, eyes, heart and blood vessels.

If you suspect you have diabetes, or if you have a strong family history of the disease, it is best to consult a physician so he/she can order the necessary tests.

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TINGLING SENSATION OF THE HANDS AND FEET – Diabetes Symptom

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

A lot of symptoms of diabetes can start out subtly, unlike heart attacks or strokes which cause sudden catastrophic emergencies.  In some cases, the first thing that a patient notes is a tingling sensation in their hands, and in some others, in soles of their feet.  If patients who have this symptom cannot point to a known cause, it is worth further investigation.  Most often, the initially affected body parts are the hands and the feet, or the classic “stocking-and-glove” distribution.  Patients may describe it as numbness, loss of feeling, or even a “pins and needles” sensation.  Regardless of whichever way patients may describe it, the symptom can possibly be attributed to the nerve damage caused by diabetes.  This problem with nerve function is called neuropathy.

What causes neuropathy in diabetics has to do with uncontrolled blood sugar.  As the body metabolizes the sugar we had from our diet, the byproducts from the excess glucose, such as sorbitol, can eventually accumulate.  As these build up, they hinder normal nerve processes from continuing.  Therefore, because the nerves cannot function as they should, damage is inevitable, and symptoms such as numbness and tingling can sooner or later arise.

One of the biggest risks in having an impaired sensation in the extremities is the loss of pain perception.  Because most of those who have diabetic neuropathies do not feel what happens as they touch sharp or harmful objects, they cannot protect themselves from it.  So they can have a cut, a blister, a bruise, and yet they are not able to detect it until much later.  For example, a diabetic patient can step on broken glass but have no knowledge that he did, only to discover later that he has bleeding wounds.  The complication arises when the patient also has poor wound healing and can sustain infections from these uncared for cuts.

Around half of diabetics can have some form of neuropathy.  However, it must be kept in mind that the abnormal sensations from neuropathy cannot be attributed to diabetes mellitus alone.  There can be a constellation of causes that can result in neuropathy.  It is therefore best to be seen by a physician when there is any decreased or abnormal sensation in the palms, soles, or any body part.

The first step in diagnosing the cause of neuropathy is to take a simple blood sugar test.  If through the test diabetes is confirmed, then it is important to take measures to control the blood glucose levels.  There are different medications that may be prescribed to control blood sugar and to gradually return the integrity of the nerves.  Furthermore, it is very important to give advice regarding lifestyle modifications such as proper diet, regular physical activity, and blood sugar monitoring.

Diabetes, and the symptoms that go along with it, need not be a devastating health problem.  With regular glucose monitoring and good adherence to medical advice, diabetes mellitus can be well controlled and managed.

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