Diabetes
Introduction/Overview
Diabetes is the name for a group of diseases (mellitus diabetes) which cause your body to have blood glucose levels which are too high. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, and in type 2 diabetes the body’s cells are resistant to the insulin it produces. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women and pre-diabetes is a condition where you are on the borderline–your blood sugars are not yet high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes but they are moving in that direction. If you have pre-diabetes, changes in diet and lifestyle can keep you from getting the disease.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Diabetes symptoms are pretty much the same no matter which form of diabetes you have. Some people, particularly those with gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes, may not have any symptoms at all. Generally, diabetes symptoms include the need to urinate frequently, increased thirst, slow healing of cuts and abrasions, tiredness, dizziness or blurred vision, and numerous infections. A diagnosis of diabetes is made by blood tests. A fasting glucose level of 126 or above on two separate days indicates diabetes as does a reading of 6.5 or above on an A1C test, which gives an average of blood sugars over three months.
Known Causes
Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells which produce insulin, and in type 2 diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin.
Treatments/Procedures
If you have pre-diabetes or very early diabetes symptoms, you might be able to control your blood glucose levels with a diabetes diet and exercise. If you have type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, you will most likely need insulin injections or an insulin pump. Type 2 diabetes is often treated with oral medications, diet and exercise. When these methods fail to lower blood sugar levels, a switch is usually made to insulin. If you have type 1 diabetes and have many complications, a pancreas transplant is sometimes performed.
Prevention / Vaccination
Type 1 diabetes can not be prevented. However, healthy lifestyle choices can help treat pre-diabetes, and prevent type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. These choices are eating a diabetic diet and adding exercise to your lifestyle. Losing weight can also prevent diabetes.
Prognosis / Management
Diabetes is a disease that can be well-managed. The first thing you need to do is commit yourself to taking care of your diabetes. If you have prescription medications, take them on schedule. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and count carbohydrates or use other diabetes control options. Take care of your teeth and your eyes as these can be adversely affected by diabetes. Most diabetics die of heart disease, so manage your fat and salt intake, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol either with diet and exercise or medications. Good foot care is also necessary to prevent infections. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important to wear a medic alert bracelet or carry a medical ID card identifying your disease, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Alternative Treatments & Products
Many herbal remedies are said to benefit diabetics. If you take prescribed medications, check with your doctor for compatibility. Chromium is very popular as a supplement to prevent diabetes. Magnesium has been used to control blood sugar levels. Several plants have been beneficial in helping people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar and insulin levels. Some of these include okra, brewer’s yeast, peas, broccoli and other dark green vegetables, buckwheat and fenugreek seeds. Other alternative treatments are used to reduce stress, which increases glucose levels in the blood. These can include relaxation techniques, yoga, massage and aromatherapy.
type 1 diabetes
gestational diabetes
juvenile diabetes cure
juvenile diabetes
diabetes mellitus
diabetes type 2
diabetic diet
Diabetes
Introduction/Overview
Diabetes is the name for a group of diseases (mellitus diabetes) which cause your body to have blood glucose levels which are too high. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, and in type 2 diabetes the body’s cells are resistant to the insulin it produces. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women and pre-diabetes is a condition where you are on the borderline–your blood sugars are not yet high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes but they are moving in that direction. If you have pre-diabetes, changes in diet and lifestyle can keep you from getting the disease.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Diabetes symptoms are pretty much the same no matter which form of diabetes you have. Some people, particularly those with gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes, may not have any symptoms at all. Generally, diabetes symptoms include the need to urinate frequently, increased thirst, slow healing of cuts and abrasions, tiredness, dizziness or blurred vision, and numerous infections. A diagnosis of diabetes is made by blood tests. A fasting glucose level of 126 or above on two separate days indicates diabetes as does a reading of 6.5 or above on an A1C test, which gives an average of blood sugars over three months.
Known Causes
Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells which produce insulin, and in type 2 diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin.
Treatments/Procedures
If you have pre-diabetes or very early diabetes symptoms, you might be able to control your blood glucose levels with a diabetes diet and exercise. If you have type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, you will most likely need insulin injections or an insulin pump. Type 2 diabetes is often treated with oral medications, diet and exercise. When these methods fail to lower blood sugar levels, a switch is usually made to insulin. If you have type 1 diabetes and have many complications, a pancreas transplant is sometimes performed.
Prevention / Vaccination
Type 1 diabetes can not be prevented. However, healthy lifestyle choices can help treat pre-diabetes, and prevent type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. These choices are eating a diabetic diet and adding exercise to your lifestyle. Losing weight can also prevent diabetes.
Prognosis / Management
Diabetes is a disease that can be well-managed. The first thing you need to do is commit yourself to taking care of your diabetes. If you have prescription medications, take them on schedule. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and count carbohydrates or use other diabetes control options. Take care of your teeth and your eyes as these can be adversely affected by diabetes. Most diabetics die of heart disease, so manage your fat and salt intake, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol either with diet and exercise or medications. Good foot care is also necessary to prevent infections. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important to wear a medic alert bracelet or carry a medical ID card identifying your disease, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Alternative Treatments & Products
Many herbal remedies are said to benefit diabetics. If you take prescribed medications, check with your doctor for compatibility. Chromium is very popular as a supplement to prevent diabetes. Magnesium has been used to control blood sugar levels. Several plants have been beneficial in helping people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar and insulin levels. Some of these include okra, brewer’s yeast, peas, broccoli and other dark green vegetables, buckwheat and fenugreek seeds. Other alternative treatments are used to reduce stress, which increases glucose levels in the blood. These can include relaxation techniques, yoga, massage and aromatherapy.