tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10550469259223812322024-02-20T17:31:26.009-08:00DiabetesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-88967215473857203822011-08-20T07:36:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:38:00.265-08:00A Diabetic Diet Meal Plan Is Easy To Put Together<div style="text-align: justify;">A diabetic diet meal plan is very important especially for all the diabetic patients. Diabetes is a type of condition that causes a limitation to the ability of the body to offer food to cells and organs in form of glucose. It is important to note that for glucose to be produced, it is vital for fats, starches and sugars to be digested. However, if this does not happen, it is important for a diabetic person to look for an alternative on how the glucose can be produced in the body. On the other hand, all diabetics are supposed to adjust their diet plans even though it might be quite overwhelming for them. In addition to this, it is worthwhile for you to know that healthy eating habits is a crucial part of daily general well-being of the diabetics. It is important to make a simple diabetic diet meal plan.<br />
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A Diabetic Diet Meal Plan Can Be Simple<br />
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It is very easy to put a simple diabetic diet meal plan together as long as you follow the correct procedure that is required to make it worthwhile. This specific diabetic diet meal plan is very important as it will help you as the diabetic patient to lower calories and carbohydrates. There are some strategies that you can use in putting this diet meal plan easy. The best thing about these strategies is that they are very simple to follow and understand as well. Remember, a good diet for diabetes simply entails more than just counting carbohydrates options.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
The first plan is where you ensure you have incorporated a carbohydrates option for your breakfast, snack and dinner as well. This is important as it will give you an opportunity to take in calorie for both meats and fats. This in turn will provide you with a full balanced diet. As you use this simple plan, it is highly advisable for you to ensure that you have allowed the calorie intake about 4-7 ounces on daily basis. When it comes to the fats, they are supposed to be added in a sparing way.<br />
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The other simple diabetic diet meal plan is through the use of divided plate method. All that you have to do is draw an imaginary line in your plate. The division that you make should provide you with 3 sections. Let one of the sections to be large enough as compared to the other 2 sections. On this section, fill it with vegetables that are non starchy such as carrots, greens, tomatoes and broccoli among others.<br />
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A Diabetic Diet Meal Plan Should Be Well Thought Out<br />
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On the remaining 2 sections, fill one section with foods that are starchy such as potatoes, rice, whole grain bread and pasta among others. The last section which is supposed to be a bit small should be filled with meat substitutes or meat itself such as seafood, eggs, skin-less poultry and pork among others. On this diabetic diet meal plan, it is important for you to add about eight glasses of low-fat milk and lastly complement it using half a cup of fruit juice.<br />
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The other simple way that you can use in putting your diabetic diet meal plan together is by doing research on various foods that are based on nutrition criteria. As you do this, it is highly advisable for you to compare one type of food to the other in order to get one that is healthier. Once done, add each of the food to your plate so that you are able to get a general total of carbohydrates, calories as well as other nutrients for your meal. This is considered to be the best diabetic diet meal plan as it will help you stick to a healthy diet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-62637664059747710672011-08-19T07:35:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:36:39.039-08:00A Diet for Diabetics Is Easy to Follow<div style="text-align: justify;">If you are looking for an easy diet for diabetics, you are not the only one. Many diabetic patients are looking for the easiest way to manage diabetes. A diabetes diet is normally referred to as MNT which means consuming a variety of foods in moderate amounts. A diabetic diet is a health plan for eating that consists of low calories and high nutrients. In addition to that, it emphasizes on a person to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables. In fact, studies show that a diet for diabetics is the best diet for anybody trying to lose weight.<br />
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The Main Purpose of a Diet for Diabetics<br />
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If you have diabetes, your physician would advise you to see a nutritionist to assist you in changing your diet plan for that of a diet for diabetics. This is because you need a diet that would control your glucose level and weight.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Studies show that when you consume excess fats and calories, you body's blood glucose rises. If the blood glucose is not controlled, it may result in kidney failure, heart attacks, nerve failure and other chronic diseases. Changing to a diet for diabetics is very important as it will assist you in managing your blood glucose and a way of tracking it. It is important especially for people with type 2 diabetes, as these types of diet plans will make it easy to control the glucose levels in the blood. If you also want to lose weight, a diet for diabetics plan is the best way to achieving that.<br />
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What Does a Diet for Diabetics Consist of?<br />
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A diet for diabetics should be one that is based on your goals, health, lifestyle and taste. If you are unable to come up with a plan, you should consult the services of a registered nutritionist. Generally, the diabetic's diet should include firstly healthy carbohydrates. When you eat sugar and starches, they turn into glucose which is not very good for your health. Concentrate on healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, lentils, beans, peas and whole grains.<br />
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Any diet for diabetics should also contain food rich in fiber. These are kinds of food that your body cannot absorb or digest. It is important as it controls blood sugar and also decreases the risk of heart attack. Example of such kinds of foods includes legumes, nuts, fruits, wheat bran and whole flour.<br />
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A proper diet for diabetics should also include fish. Diabetic patients are advised to consume fish at least twice a week. This is very beneficial as fish can be a good option to red meat. Such kinds of fish include tuna, cod, herring, mackerel and salmon. These types of fish have low-fat and are high in omega 3 fatty acids. Medical studies advise that one should not eat fish which are high in mercury levels. Examples of these are the swordfish, king mackerel and tile fish.<br />
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Lastly is that your diet should have good fats. These include almonds, walnuts, peanut oil, avocados, canola and olive oil. These are very nutritious and also help in lowering the cholesterol level. Note that when cooking with such oils, you should only use a small amount as all fats contain calories.<br />
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When creating any type of diet for diabetibs, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats. These are mainly animal products such as beef, sausage, hot dogs and bacon. You should also avoid trans fats. These are normally found in snacks, margarine, baked food and shortening products. They increase the levels of cholesterol which is not very good for the body.<br />
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In conclusion, if you find it hard coming up with diet for diabetics eating plan, consult a nutritionist who will teach you how to measure the portions, how to count carbohydrates and how to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-39100665256380628412011-08-17T07:34:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:35:10.063-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Debunking Diabetes Myths<div style="text-align: justify;">We all have good reason to be concerned about Type 2 diabetes. An estimated 17 million people in the United States alone actually have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. That is 1 in 17 people. There is a lot of information floating around about this form of diabetes... unfortunately, some of it is incorrect. Since this is such a serious, and possibly life-threatening illness, it pays to have your facts straight.<br />
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Here is the lowdown on some of the most common myths concerning diabetes.<br />
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Myth: There is no such thing as being a "borderline diabetic".<br />
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False. The name for someone who is a "borderline diabetic" is pre-diabetic. This means you have some of the symptoms that can propel you into full-blown Type 2 diabetes, but you haven't yet developed it. You would think either you have diabetes, or you don't. In one way that's true but like many ongoing health issues, Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly over many years and for some reason, too much sugar is floating around in your bloodstream.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Normal people have fasting blood sugar levels below 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L). A measurement between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL (5.5 and 6.9 mmol/L) means you have impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetics can still avoid developing Type 2 diabetes if they change their lifestyle immediately.<br />
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Myth: Diabetics can't eat sweets.<br />
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False. Although diabetics have to closely monitor their intake of sweets, they are still permitted... as long as they are eaten in moderation. For instance, if a diabetic wants a piece of cheesecake, they need to plan ahead and eat according to keep their blood sugar under control. This way, when they eat the cheesecake, their blood sugar is already being managed and the sugar won't cause a significant shift in glucose.<br />
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Myth: Diabetes is caused from eating too much sugar.<br />
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False. Diabetes is a combination of many different factors. The vast majority of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. In fact, the fat in your body may be the main reason you have diabetes. In a diabetic's body, it is either not producing enough insulin or the amount of insulin produced isn't being processed properly. That means the sugar is not being broken down and utilized in the preferred manner. Genetics can also play a factor in the formation of Type 2 diabetes as children with a diabetic parent are much more prone to developing it also.<br />
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Those who are not sensitive to their body's insulin, do not monitor their diet or carry excessive weight, especially in their midsection, can easily develop Type 2 diabetes when combined with genetic factors..<br />
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Myth: Diabetes is for life: once you have it, you always have it.<br />
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Partially false. Type 2 diabetes is only as bad as the individual allows it to be. There are diabetics who:<br />
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* closely monitor their blood sugar,<br />
* watch their weight,<br />
* exercise regularly, and<br />
* maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.<br />
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Eventually, they can improve their health so dramatically there is no visible sign of diabetes. Many are even able to completely come off of their medication. But this doesn't mean they can do whatever they want. They still have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If they ever revert back to their old, destructive ways, diabetes will come right back. Suffering from Type 2 diabetes doesn't have to be for life, but guarding against it does.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-88483531904289219092011-08-15T07:32:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:33:25.495-08:00Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar and Increase Insulin Activity?<div style="text-align: justify;">Want to avoid metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes? It is possible to prevent both of these conditions if you take control of your eating habits and exercise. No expensive prescription drugs or complicated exercises are required. It could be as simple as drinking four cups of green tea a day and walking for 30 minutes, four or five times a week.<br />
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Metabolic syndrome is probably not on your radar screen, yet one in five people are affected in the U.S. Risk factors include extra weight around the waist, insulin resistance, aging, genes, hormone changes, and lack of exercise, which are all harbingers to both cardiovascular disease and (the focus of this article) type 2 diabetes.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Diabetes is characterized by insufficient secretion or improper functioning of insulin.<br />
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Obesity is a primary risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. It is closely associated with little or no exercise and poor diet choices, and creates conditions in your body such as:<br />
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* High blood sugar levels<br />
* Reduced insulin levels and activity<br />
* High blood pressure<br />
* Oxidative stress<br />
* Increase in free radicals that damage cells and DNA (aging process)<br />
* High LDL (bad) cholesterol<br />
* And a host of other damages to the heart, kidneys, liver, and pancreas<br />
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How can or does green tea lower blood sugar? Green tea is produced by wilting, steaming, and drying the leaves without fermentation. This process retains the potent antioxidant catechin compounds, unlike the process used for black or oolong tea. It appears these catechins are responsible for green tea's blood sugar-lowering properties.<br />
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I am listing the answer to, does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity, along with many other health benefits it provides:<br />
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* Yes, it lowers blood sugar levels<br />
* Increases insulin activity<br />
* Promotes glucose metabolism in healthy individuals<br />
* Suppresses glucose transfer from the intestine to the blood stream<br />
* Reduces the enzyme amylase that helps convert starch to sugar<br />
* Does not lower the blood sugar levels in a healthy person<br />
* Polysaccharides are also present in the leaves and have the same ability to regulate blood sugar as insulin does<br />
* Could forestall or alleviate the risk of metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type 2 diabetes<br />
* Importantly could control or prevent type 2 diabetes<br />
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Does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity is answered with a resounding yes. There are still a few important facts you should know before you consider drinking this healthful beverage.<br />
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* The antioxidant activity of green tea is almost six times that of black<br />
* Caffeine does not help in lowering blood sugar and can have an adverse effect on blood sugar<br />
* Drinking unsweetened decaffeinated green tea might be more beneficial<br />
* Green tea extract pills and nutritional supplements are primarily made from extracts of the decaffeinated leaves.<br />
* Milk in tea does not reduce the increase of insulin activity in humans, but don't add sugar<br />
* Instant, herbal, and other commercially prepared teas do not show increased insulin activity in studies conducted by the USDA<br />
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Does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity? I have included a lot of supporting information that I hope is helpful and the answer is still yes.<br />
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Do yourself a favor and consider the many health benefits to be obtained with regular exercise, a healthful diet, and consumption of the potent green leaf antioxidant compounds.<br />
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Think of how much enjoyment there is to be gained by being healthy.<br />
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If you try the beverage and don't care for the taste, try taking a nutritional supplement containing the antioxidant compounds plus many other health benefitting vitamins and nutrients.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-85310250063736760002011-08-13T07:29:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:31:25.539-08:00Diabetic Glucose Monitor News, Will We Be Testing Without Blood?<div style="text-align: justify;">Diabetic glucose monitor research is moving quickly. There is hope that soon we will have ways to test our blood sugar without using test strips and drops of blood. Every diabetes doctor knows that testing more often will improve the health of a type 1 or type 2 diabetic.<br />
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The problem with testing has always been the pain and inconvenience. Convincing teenagers on the go and older folks on tight budgets to do more frequent blood tests isn't easy.<br />
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From the first home testing glucose monitor to the ones we use today, drawing a drop of blood has been the only foolproof way to know your blood sugar. A type 2 diabetic who is not on insulin may test once a day while a type 2 on insulin ought to test at least four times every day.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
The First Continuous Glucose Monitor<br />
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Brittle type 1 diabetics need to test as often as every 15 minutes to watch for hypoglycemia. It's the only way to ensure they don't enter a diabetic coma. Many parents set their alarms to wake up several times a night and check on their diabetic children, who would not wake up from a dangerously low blood sugar on their own.<br />
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The answer is a continuous monitor worn day and night. And there are some on the market right now. They use a special sensor needle inserted under the skin that is connected by wire or wirelessly to a receiver. Some receivers are as small as a cell phone, and some sit on a bedside table at night.<br />
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The needle has to be recalibrated every day and replaced every few days because scar tissue forms around it and makes it useless. But the continuous diabetic glucose monitor works, and teamed with an alarm system it gives parents of type 1 diabetic children a chance to sleep.<br />
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Another option made by Sleep Sentry will wake you from sleep if it detects two of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. It does not test blood sugar but it sounds an alarm if your temperature drops or you begin to sweat, two of the signs of hypoglycemia.<br />
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This would be a help for diabetics who have had too many hypoglycemic events and become unaware of low blood sugar. And older diabetics might find strapping on this sensor give them some peace of mind, especially if they live alone.<br />
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But older diabetics with autonomic neuropathy might not get any benefit since they may not sweat with low blood sugar. They need something that actually reads their blood sugar levels.<br />
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Glucose Monitors Without Test Strips<br />
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A true wireless implantable glucose sensor has been made by GlySens. It is pretty small, about the size of a sandwich cookie. Their plan is to implant it in the torso of a diabetic and get continuous readings on something like a cell phone.<br />
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So far the implant has lasted about 500 days without having to be replaced, but as of 2010 it had only been tried on pigs. Human trials were set to begin that year, so it may be several more years before we see them on the market.<br />
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Lightouch Medical is making a monitor that uses light sensors on your fingertip to measure glucose. OrSense is doing the same, but their monitor is planned for use only in hospitals right now.<br />
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Sensys Medical has a monitor that uses near infrared. You would lay your arm on the device to let it sense your blood sugar. Right now the monitor is having accuracy problems because of skin variations and changes. But they plan to make a home glucose monitor some day.<br />
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At MIT, a famous U.S. college, they are using an implanted tattoo with what they call nano-ink. When the ink is exposed to glucose it flouresces (sends out light). A sensor that measures the changes is worn like a watch and gives blood sugar readouts.<br />
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So far they have found the tattoo lasts about six months before it stops working. And others are working on tiny implantable detectors that use the flourescing idea, but nothing is even nearly ready for FDA approval.<br />
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The University of Western Ontario is making contact lenses that change color as they detect the rise and fall of blood sugar. These use nanotechnology, using particles the size of molecules imbedded in a contact lens.<br />
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It won't give you an accurate blood sugar reading, but it will warn you of low and high blood sugar during the day.<br />
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The Future of Glucose Monitor Testing<br />
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There is a frantic race all over the world to find better ways to test blood sugar in diabetics, and the reason is not hard to find. Billions of dollars are spent every year on test strips, monitors and other devices, and the market is growing because type 2 diabetes is a world wide epidemic.<br />
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Type 1 diabetes is getting closer and closer to a cure, but there is still a desperate need for a truly good continuous diabetic glucose monitor. It has to be one that children and teens can use.<br />
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With so much competition and so much money being invested, we are bound to see the end of finger sticking, test strips and hand held glucose monitors, and it is not far away. We'll keep watching and report what happens as science fiction becomes reality.<br />
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Martha Zimmer invites you to visit her website and learn more about type 2 diabetes, its complications and how you can deal with them, as well as great tips for eating healthy that will make living with diabetes less painful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-54492927738774821362011-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:29:38.221-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Choosing the Best Blood Glucose Meter For You<div style="text-align: justify;">A blood glucose monitor is the one essential tool every person diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes must have in order to help keep their blood sugar levels under control. Many diabetics have to perform multiple finger stick tests each day in order to make sure their blood sugar levels are balanced and within their ideal range. That is why it is so important to make sure you have the right blood glucose monitor so you have convenience and easy operation at your fingertips.<br />
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When you are looking for a monitor to use or are planning to replace your existing blood glucose monitor, you need to ask yourself some simple questions to figure out which model is right for you.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
The first feature you need to think about is whether you plan to store and track your results online. Many people use the ease of the Internet these days to make sure they can track their blood sugar levels and show them to their doctor.<br />
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Another factor you might want to consider is whether or not you have any problems with dexterity. If you have arthritis or other problems with your hands, you may decide you need a monitor that has special features to help make the testing process easier for you.<br />
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Do your eyes require you to prefer large buttons or displays? There are many different blood glucose monitors that will allow for you to have this feature. Because many people are older when they find out they have Type 2 diabetes, finding blood sugar monitors with these features should not be a problem.<br />
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Testing strips and your insurance provider. One important point many new diabetics forget to check is whether or not their insurance provider covers only a specific brand of testing strips. If that's the case, you will need to make sure that you get a monitor that allows you to use those specific strips.<br />
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Sample size. Something else you should check before purchasing a monitor is how much blood is required for the test. Some of the older monitors require a finger prick and a full droplet of blood. Newer monitors require much less blood for testing. In fact, some monitors don't require a finger prick, but can take the blood from the forearm to protect your fingers. Usually monitors approved for alternate site testing use much less blood than those that are approved for fingertip testing only.<br />
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There are different manufacturers and models available for diabetics who must check their blood sugar levels everyday. There are monitors on the market with a multiple array of features, only you can decide which one is right for you.<br />
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When you ask yourself these questions, you will have a better chance of finding the right monitor to fit your needs. Because there are monitors in all different price ranges, you shouldn't have a problem locating one that will fit both your budget and your circumstances.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-67677860424517247502011-08-10T07:26:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:27:36.436-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Do Certain Psychiatric Drugs Cause The Metabolic Syndrome In Children?<div style="text-align: justify;">Certain medications used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are known to cause weight gain and insulin resistance. In 2007 scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Maryland, USA, found that clozapine (Clozaril), a second generation antipsychotic drug, raised levels of an enzyme abbreviated AMPK in mice, causing their appetites to increase.<br />
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Researchers at British Columbia's Children's Hospital and the University of British Columbia in Canada looked at the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in children who had been treated with second generation antipsychotic drugs, and the results compared with the effects on children not treated with the drugs.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Their study, published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry in January 2012, included:<br />
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* 117 children who had been treated with second generation antipsychotic drugs, and<br />
* 217 children who had not.<br />
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The metabolic syndrome was seen in 19 per cent of children who had been treated with the drugs and only.8 per cent of those who had not. Those taking second generation antipsychotics had more than a 29 per cent higher risk of metabolic syndrome than untreated children.<br />
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* among drug-treated children, over 40 per cent had large waist measurements while only about 10 per cent of the untreated children had.<br />
* a high level of fats in their blood was seen in over 33 per cent of the treated children and only about 18 per cent of the untreated.<br />
* high blood sugar levels were measured in over 12 per cent of those taking antipsychotic drugs and only.7 per cent of the untreated children.<br />
* high blood pressure was found in over 41 per cent of the treated versus about 16 per cent of the untreated children.<br />
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From these results it was concluded children taking second generation antipsychotic drugs should be monitored closely for the metabolic syndrome.<br />
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The second generation antipsychotic medications include:<br />
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* aripiprazole (Abilify),<br />
* olanzapine (Zyprexa),<br />
* paliperidone (Invega),<br />
* quetiapine (Seroquel),<br />
* risperidone (Risperdal), and<br />
* ziprasidone (Geodon).<br />
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They are thought to work by affecting molecules called neurtotransmitters, which carry messages from one brain cell to another. They frequently rid patients of the hallucinations, flat emotions, and lack of motivation seen in schizophrenia. Side effects include fatigue, weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. The makers of risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapone warn patients taking their medications their risk of developing high blood sugar or Type 2 diabetes can increase.<br />
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Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are serious conditions that must be treated but patients, their parents, and their medical advisors need to watch carefully for:<br />
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* Type 2 diabetes,<br />
* overweight and obesity,<br />
* high cholesterol,<br />
* high blood fats, and<br />
* high blood pressure.<br />
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If you or a member of your family is taking second generation antipsychotics, be sure to ask your doctor to monitor your:<br />
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* blood sugar levels,<br />
* blood fats and cholesterol,<br />
* blood pressure, weight, and<br />
* waist size.<br />
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The metabolic syndrome is sometimes referred to as syndrome X or the insulin resistance syndrome. The earliest abnormality in Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, which is found in people even before diabetes can be diagnosed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-91458328526614488222011-08-07T07:24:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:26:03.335-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Which Beverages Should Diabetics Eliminate?<div style="text-align: justify;">Choosing the right foods when you are a diabetic is hard enough, but did you know you should also be putting as much thought into the types of beverages you are consuming? Beverages, even fruit juice, can be a major source of calories (kilojoules) and sugar. Drinks are just as important as foods since they can offer the same amount of help, or hindrance, in the management of Type 2 diabetes.<br />
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First, and foremost, switch to water. Water contains no calories (kilojoules) and actually quenches your thirst much better than sugary drinks. You can choose plain water or fruit-flavored varieties, but check the label to make sure the flavored water is a sugar-free brand. Some brands contain as many calories as soft drinks.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Water is essential for every part of the body, from hydrating various areas such as muscle and tissue, to assisting organs to carry out their duties, to even helping your brain to think. When we don't take in enough water, our entire body suffers. We have:<br />
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* less energy,<br />
* we don't sleep well,<br />
* our bodies feel sluggish, and<br />
* our mood dampens.<br />
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Water is also essential for helping our bodies regulate insulin and glucose. It is normally advised you drink six glasses of water daily.<br />
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If you drink coffee, it is often suggested it be black. Cream and sugar are a no-no. This is especially true of coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos. Ordering these drinks outside of your home is even more risky because you can never really be sure what they are putting in them.<br />
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Caffeine can raise the blood sugar level in some people. If you find this is the case, switch to decaf.<br />
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Sports drinks are also something to stay away from. They are primarily meant to give you instant energy. And where do you think that energy comes from? Sugar and caffeine.<br />
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Alcohol can be a big problem for diabetics. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and carbohydrates have only 4 calories per gram. A 12 ounce glass of beer has 148 calories (620 kilojoules), a 5 ounce glass of wine has 100 calories (419 kilojoules).<br />
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Alcohol isn't good for several reasons... one is it adds extra calories and no nutrients to your diet, making weight loss that much harder. Two, is the fact it has a soothing effect and can detract you from your goals... drinking can impair your judgement about your food choices while stimulating your appetite. Something you don't need while you are trying to control your blood sugar and lose weight.<br />
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Got milk? Then drink it, as long as it is skim or, at the very least, 2 per cent in preference to the full-fat versions. Whole milk contains a lot of calories and fat. Even if you aren't a big milk drinker, you also have to take into account how much is being used in cooking and recipes.<br />
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If you are a juice drinker, it can be extremely trying to have diabetes. It's so easy to want to grab a fruit drink, even though they are packed with sugar. Juice is fine, as long as it is only occasionally and you plan ahead to limit other carbohydrates in order to splurge on the juice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-66136030437579896802011-08-05T07:23:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:24:13.816-08:00Type 2 Diabetes - Preventing Alzheimer's Disease<div style="text-align: justify;">A report published in Dementia, Geriatrics and Cognitive Disorders in May 2011 confirms earlier research that preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes is likely to help to prevent Alzheimer' disease. It's no secret people with Type 2 diabetes have a higher increased risk of developing this irreversible, progressive brain disease by as much as 65 per cent.<br />
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Researchers at Columbia University looked at 1,488 people aged 65 and over without any evidence of a brain disease at the start of the study. Dementia and late-onset Alzheimer's disease were diagnosed as the study progressed. Seventeen per cent of the study participants were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
One hundred and sixty-one cases of dementia, and 140 cases of late-onset Alzheimer's disease were detected.<br />
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The volunteers who previously had received a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes were 70 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those without Type 2 diabetes, and were 60 per cent more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The researchers then suggested damage to blood vessels in the brain could be responsible for the association.<br />
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People with Type 2 diabetes frequently have inflamed blood vessels and too much cholesterol and fat in their blood. That can lead to blood vessel damage as cholesterol plaques form on the walls of their vessels. Plaque breaking off can form emboli; solid bodies traveling through the body that can become stuck in small blood vessels and block blood flow to organs, including the brain.<br />
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Investigators at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization in Perth, Australia, examined blood vessels in the eye as a possible indicator of Alzheimer's disease. The retina, the rear part of the eye, is full of blood vessels that are close to the brain and in similar condition to the brain's vessels. According to a presentation made at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011, photographs of the retinas of:<br />
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* 13 people who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's,<br />
* 13 people with slight brain problems, and<br />
* 110 healthy people<br />
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were examined.<br />
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The people with Alzheimer's disease had smaller veins than healthy people, and those people with slight brain problems had more plaque than did the healthy controls.<br />
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Researchers therefore concluded that changes in the blood vessels in the eye were associated with brain difficulties and Alzheimer's disease.<br />
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Alzheimer's disease afflicts 4.5 million people, according to the 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. The number is expected to go up as populations in the developed world age. The Alzheimer's Association recommends the following to reduce your chances of acquiring the disorder:<br />
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* normalize weight and eat a healthful diet,<br />
* reduce both your cholesterol levels and blood pressure if they are high, and<br />
* engage in complex leisure activities with physical, mental and social interactions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-77434884128002119852011-08-03T07:20:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:22:44.143-08:00What Are Normal Blood Sugar Ranges?<div style="text-align: justify;">Normal blood sugar ranges are very important information which helps identify whether the body is able to utilize glucose or you have diabetes mellitus. Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose present in blood circulation. Knowing the normal ranges is very important for diabetics and those individuals identified to have a family history of diabetes. Normal ranges differ based what kind of glucose test is performed. The list below includes several tests on sugar levels and their corresponding normal ranges.<br />
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Glucometer test: 70-135 mg/dl (milligram per deciliter)<br />
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Glucometer is a portable device that measure sugar levels in the blood at any given time, no fasting required. The test is done by drawing a small blood sample, usually obtained from pricking the finger, into a strip that is being inserted to the device for testing.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Fasting Blood Sugar Test: 70-100 mg/dl<br />
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Fasting blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood after restriction of food intake for at least 8 hours. Blood sugar below 70 is referred to as hypoglycemia, and if it is above 100 it is considered as hyperglycemia.<br />
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Postprandial Blood Sugar Test: 100-120 mg/dl<br />
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Postprandial means after meals. Regardless of the kind of food taken during meals, normal sugar level should be below 120 mg/dl one hour after the meal. Normal blood sugar goes down to below 100 mg/dl two hours after eating.<br />
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Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Less than 140 mg/dl<br />
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Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is one of the definitive tests for diabetes. Before the test is done, the patient is required to do fasting for at least 8 hours. Then, the patient needs to drink a 75 ml glucose solution. Blood is drawn from the patient one hour and two hours after completely taking the sugar-rich beverage.<br />
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* After 1 hour: Below 200 mg/dl<br />
* After 2 hours: Below 140 mg/dl<br />
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If after two hours, the levels of sugar in your blood remain between 140-200 mg/dl, it is an indication of impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes. A patient will be considered a diabetic if his sugar level is still above 200 mg/dl after two hours.<br />
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A1c: 4.6% - 5.4%<br />
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A1c is a test that measures the average sugar levels for the past two to three months. An average of 5.1% in this test corresponds to 100 mg/dl.<br />
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A very important aspect of diabetes is prevention. Knowing the vital information of the normal blood sugar ranges help identify who are at risk of having diabetes before it occurs. For diabetics, this information will help them identify when their blood is reaching dangerous levels. Also, they will know the level that they should maintain in order to prevent the mortality and morbidity associated with diabetes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055046925922381232.post-71406985697972060652011-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:002012-02-20T07:19:58.625-08:00Diabetic Neuropathy<div style="text-align: justify;">The recent estimate puts the number of people suffering from diabetes in the US at 26 million, with almost a quarter of them not yet knowing that they have diabetes. Simply put, diabetes is a disease characterized by poor control of blood glucose levels in the body. Of the many complications of diabetes mellitus, the one we would focus here is Diabetic Neuropathy.<br />
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So what is diabetic neuropathy and what problems will a patient suffering from diabetes will have if he develops neuropathy? Simply put, diabetic neuropathy in most cases refers to the damage to nerves due to prolonged diabetes. The patient having diabetic neuropathy may have numbness, tingling and pins-and-needles sensations.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Another common problem that comes with loss of sensations in the lower limbs is results in causing non healing ulcers in the feet, which may be infected, sometime severe enough to need amputation to save a person's life. Some people may have a different presentation with pain as main feature, and the pain may be in form of mild burning or aching sensation to sometimes very severe. Later even weakness and wasting of muscles may develop and patients may have foot drop or wrist drop in diabetes. Sometimes diabetic neuropathy affects nerves responsible for movements of eyes. More diverse symptoms ranging from mild ones like increased heart rate, difficulty in swallowing food, diarrhea, constipation and involuntary leakage of urine to more severe problems like impotence, ejaculation into bladder, sudden hypotension on standing from lying down or sitting position and even sudden cardiac death may occur.<br />
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What makes Diabetic Neuropathy more worrisome is that there are not many satisfactory treatment options that provide immediate relief available at this time. Prescribed diet and exercises along with medications or insulin or both to control blood glucose levels should be religiously followed but they have little or sometimes no role in reversing the damage to nerves that have already happened. Only reversible forms are the one that involve single nerves (mononeuropathies) or nerve roots.<br />
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People suffering from diabetic neuropathy should not smoke or drink alcohol as these neurotoxins and may worsen the neuropathy. They should also take vitamin supplementation (B12 and folate). People should also check their foot daily for any calluses or ulcers and preferably wear special foot wears designed for diabetes patients. In cases of long-standing painful neuropathy, some medications are often found to be effective. Other treatment options mainly focus on the symptoms due to neuropathy like sudden fall in blood pressure on standing up is managed by using support stockings, adequate salt intake, avoiding dehydration and some drugs if necessary. Some newer treatment options in form of new drugs may be effective in some of the patients. Thus the control of blood glucose levels in diabetes to prevent neuropathy is of paramount importance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1