Gluttonous Society

We are a gluttonous society and ultimately it is affecting

how we live and how long we live. And unfortunately, the diabetes epidemic is not just a US problem. It is spreading worldwide with epidemic reports in Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

Losing extra pounds would be one of the most significant

steps you could take in your fight with diabetes. It is the extra pounds that can lead to what is called a metabolic syndrome.

This means extra fat around the waist actually

helps create diabetes because it seems that the fat

actually helps create a natural insulin resistance. Retaining

this extra weight is simply a vote for diabetes, heart disease and

high blood pressure. The three recommended changes

are ways to lose those extra pounds. 

Obesity

With obesity levels being at an all-time high, the epidemic

of type 2 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, and will

only get worse.

A piece of good news, however, is that if an overweight individual

is diagnosed with pre-diabetes, then he or she could reduce that risk simply by losing the excess weight. 

This also shows that there is a direct correlation between

the two. Diabetes can often be pushed back a number of years

simply by doing this. In some cases, it may even be

able to be completely avoided. It usually only takes losing about

7% of your body weight, on average, to have this effect. Some may require more, but any weight loss for an

overweight person is a move toward better health in the long

run. 

Diabetes is a disease of the metabolism

Diabetes is a disease of the metabolism. Our metabolism is

what the way our bodies use digested food for energy and

growth.

Therefore the pancreas can produce little to no insulin.

These people are in need of daily injections of insulin to

live. Five to ten percent of diabetes cases are type 1 in

the US.

Proper management can give you many years of healthy

living. Diabetes management starts with a visit to your doctor.

first, finding out you have diabetes, what type you have

then arm yourself with as much information as possible

about diabetes you are diagnosed with.

Diagnose

Since you had to be diagnosed by a doctor for your diabetes,

you should talk to that same doctor and get advice on your best course of action. Since your situation and medical needs are specific to you, it is important to get advice based on what the doctor has discovered. Special diabetes medication may be needed immediately. 

Another reason to contact your medical professional would be to find out if he or she is able to provide you with other valuable information in the form of classes, books, brochures, and other up to date literature. He or she may also be able to direct you to a support group in your area.

Not knowing is the worst because of risks of untreated

diabetes puts us at a terrible risk of complications

including but not limited to blindness, amputations and

ultimately death.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often come on suddenly and are severely dramatic. The extra stress of diabetes can lead to something called diabetic ketoacidosis. Symptoms of

ketoacidosis may include nausea and vomiting, which may also lead to dehydration and serious problems with the blood levels

of potassium. This could lead to a diabetic coma and

ultimately death.

There are certain symptoms that shouldn't be ignored if

they develop. These symptoms could lead to blindness,

amputation of limbs, coma or even death.

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus include increased urine

production, excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and

excessive thirst and weight loss. These symptoms though may

not be present in those people with only mildly elevated

sugar levels.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants, Children, and Adults

Diabetes is not as uncommon a disease as some people may think. In fact, according to various sources, there are between 25 and 26 million diabetics living in the United States. Diabetes is not just a disease that affects older, overweight people; its various types can affect infants and the elderly, and those in between.

To help get a better grasp on the nature of diabetes, it helps to know the signs and symptoms of various age groups. Here are some of them.

Infants

Watching for the signs and symptoms of diabetes in infants can be tricky. Watch for symptoms of low blood sugar in addition to high, warn experts. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is usually associated with diabetes, but low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may also be a symptom. 

Babies with low blood sugar may tremble, be cranky, or have pale or blue lips and/or fingers. High blood sugar may present as dehydration, or a baby seeming to need to drink all the time and urinate frequently. Also, a sweetish smell to the urine is indicative of diabetes.

Other symptoms of diabetes in infants include excessive sleepiness, extreme hunger, and sores that are slow to heal. Some sources suggest looking for a dark rash on the back of your baby's neck - it may feel somewhat velvety. 

Children

Like infants, children with diabetes may exhibit extreme thirst and frequent urination. He or she may lose weight despite all the ravenous hunger, and in fact, some sources say that unexplained weight loss is the number one sign of diabetes in children. Other symptoms include:

* Moodiness
* Irritability
* Fatigue
* Uncharacteristic behavior (just not acting like him/herself)
* Vision problems, especially blurred vision that comes and goes 
* Chronic yeast infections, especially in girls 
* Tingling in hands and feet

Adults

Adults can develop Type I or juvenile diabetes, particularly young adults. Type II diabetes occurs later in life and is different than Type I, but the symptoms of both are quite similar. For adults, the following symptoms may indicate diabetes.

* Unexplained weight loss - Adults in particular need to be cautioned about this symptom, because adults often think any weight loss is good. This is especially true if their doctor told them that being overweight put them at risk for diabetes. But if the weight loss is unexplained and is accompanied by any of the other symptoms, it might be a good idea to see your doctor.

* Thirst and urination - Like infants and children, adults with undiagnosed diabetes are often extremely thirsty. And the more you drink, the more you urinate. If it seems like you do nothing but drink and pee, and never feel satisfied as to your thirst, diabetes might be the culprit. 

* Tingling in extremities - As with children, adults may experience tingling hands and feet. 

If Not Diabetes - What?

There are disorders that mimic the symptoms of diabetes. Among these are liver disease, morbid obesity, and the side effects of certain cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering drugs. 

Diabetes in Children - A Guide for Families

Has your child been diagnosed with diabetes, and you're worried? Or maybe he or she has had diabetes for a while but you feel like you're floundering. Sometimes, parents and families need to understand how diabetes affects the family dynamic, and how they can be supportive. Whether your child is an infant, teen, or in grade school, families often need some guidance on how they can help their children live a normal life. 

Here is a brief guide for families living with children who have diabetes. 

Be Ready for Misconceptions

Parents and diabetic children will have to deal with various misconceptions and myths about diabetes. It's good to look over some of the more prevalent myths and questions, and have a ready answer for them. You may want to coach your child in answering these misconceptions as well.

* "Will I catch diabetes from you/your child?" Of course not - diabetes is not communicable.

* "I can't invite you/your child to my birthday party!" Children with diabetes may not be invited to birthday parties because many hosts/parents do not want the responsibility of a diabetic child, especially one surrounded by sugary birthday treats. Hopefully, you can work with the parents of kids who are having birthday parties and let your child participate in whatever capacity you're comfortable with.

* "Will you die if you eat sugar?" Some people think that diabetics will be "poisoned" if they eat sugar.

* "You must have eaten too much sugar as a baby/child; that's why you have diabetes." Many people think that eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Research

To help make the disease seem less scary, research the terminology and realities of the disease. That way, when your doctor talks to you about the disease, you will not feel intimidated by the terms and will know what he or she is talking about. Knowledge can help you feel empowered. You can also use your research to help formulate a plan, which makes a lot of families feel more secure. 

Include Other Family Members

When you can, include the family in the scheduled meal times and even snacks. Some families make a nightly together time of the snack before bed that most diabetics need. Everyone in the family should know how to recognize signs of a problem - high or low blood sugar especially. 

Get Involved

Involve yourself in the diabetes community in your area and/or online. There are diabetes camps, online forms, and various support groups that can help your family live with diabetes. These groups can also help your child learn how to cope with diabetes now and in the future. 

Living with Diabetes - Practical Steps

Regardless of what age you are diagnosed with diabetes or which of the two types you have, it helps to have some coping strategies. Living with diabetes can be challenging, but it certainly need not keep you down. Here are some practical steps for living with diabetes.

Connecting with Others

One of the most helpful things you can do is get to be a part of the diabetes community in your area. You'll learn you're not alone; you'll probably pick up valuable information, tips, and literature, and you'll learn about upcoming events, retreats, and camps. 

This can be helpful for children who want to fit in with a peer group but aren't sure how or if others will accept them, or for adults who feel isolated in their condition. It helps a lot just to know there are others who understand what it's like.

Form a Group

If you don't have a local support group for diabetics, consider forming one. Members can meet at your house or at a local venue, and you can set up social networking or a website to keep in touch. You can plan outings, gatherings, meetings, and so forth, and keep your group informed about events. 

Take Control

While regular visits to your physician are important, diabetics ultimately have to be responsible for their own daily care. You have to learn to take your own blood sugar and administer your own insulin, and only you know when something feels "off." It's up to you to implement an exercise regimen and eat the right foods. Learning this basic truth - you are responsible for managing your diabetes - can take some of the stress out of living with this condition.

Don't Beat Yourself Up

For those with Type II diabetes or for parents of children who have Type I, it can be tempting to get caught up in the self-blame game. The development of Type II diabetes may, in fact, be linked to certain lifestyle choices, but it's not necessarily so; and even if it is, you have to move forward and into a healthy lifestyle. 

Parents whose child or children have Type I may blame themselves - mothers may worry about something they did while pregnant, or obsess over letting their child eat a lot of sugar before the diagnosis. None of these blames are necessarily even true! It wastes time and energy to worry, so focus on moving forward and getting the most out of life from here on out. This may be the beginning of an opportunity for self-improvement and self-control.

Have a Plan

Having a plan can help you stay in control of a given situation, and get the most out of parties and holidays. Decide ahead of time how you will handle holiday and party treats so you don't have to think on your feet each time you're offered a good. 

Managing Diabetes with Diet and Exercise - Top Tips

Generally speaking, Type II diabetes is the version of this disease that can be managed with diet and exercise. However, for those with Type I, these healthy lifestyle tips may help relieve symptoms and enhance management of the condition. Here are some tips for managing diabetes with diet and exercise.

The Right Carbs

Carbs, or carbohydrates, have been on the "bad" list lately. But not unlike fat, there are good and bad carbs, especially when it comes to diabetes management. Generally speaking, carbs to avoid might include the following:

* White sugar
* White flour
* White rice
* Fruit juices
* De-germed cornmeal 

Carbs to emphasize might include these foods:

* Whole fruits
* Whole grains
* Brown rice
* Whole cornmeal

Proteins and Carbs

Combining proteins and carbs at meals and snacks can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Examples include:

* Whole grain bread with unsweetened nut butter
* Whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese
* Lean turkey breast in a whole wheat pita
* Brown rice and beans
* "Party mix" made from whole grain cereal, peanuts, and pretzels
* Apple slices with peanut butter
* Brown rice and broiled salmon
* Whole wheat macaroni and cheese (made with low-fat cheese and skim milk)

Fats

While keeping your weight at a healthy level is important for managing your diabetes, eating the right kind of fat has its place. In moderation, these healthy fats can help lower cholesterol and provide other health benefits. Healthy fats can be found in:

* Fish (especially salmon and Arctic char)
* Avocados 
* Almonds
* Olive, safflower, and canola oils

It's a good idea to avoid saturated fats and trans fats (hydrogenated fats). Saturated fats are fats like butter and shortening that are solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated fats were once liquid fats (sometimes healthy ones) that were artificially solidified using hydrogen. Trans or hydrogenated fats are found in some types of peanut butter and in margarine, and in the ingredient lists of countless packaged foods.  

Exercise

To manage your diabetes, exercise is considered by experts to be essential. Interestingly, strength training has been shown to be especially beneficial to diabetics, producing results that, in some instances, rival medication. Aerobic exercise is also helpful; it gets the heart rate up and burns calories. 

The important thing is to exercise at least 30 minutes a day for a minimum of five days a week. This helps keep your weight in check (vital for diabetics and pre-diabetics) and may even reduce stress. Stress has been implicated in the development of diabetes symptoms.