The Relationship of Diabetes to Other Diseases and Conditions

The U.S. diabetes epidemic is more dangerous than most people realize. The Center for Disease Control recently indicated that more than 63% of Americans are at risk for diabetes due to a Body Mass Index (BMI) qualifying them as overweight. Diabetes not only causes other conditions and symptoms, but also is linked with kidney and cardiovascular diseases. To prevent complications, it's important to understand the relationship between diabetes and other diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that causes decreased and blurry vision, and eventually blindness. The effect of diabetic retinopathy on vision depends on the stage of the disease. Diabetes' effect on the retina is a severe threat, mostly seen in elderly sufferers. People with diabetes also tend to experience long-term effects on the circulatory system. As diabetes progresses, the arteries in the retina weaken and form hemorrhages. In later stages of the disease, circulation problems cause areas of the eye to become oxygen-deprived. Consequently, new vessels develop that hemorrhage easily, and blood may leak into the retina as well.

Obesity

Obesity and diabetes are scientifically proven to be directly linked. In fact, obesity is a direct cause of Type II Diabetes. Obesity is dangerous because an excessive proportion of body fat causes elevated blood glucose levels. The human body manufactures insulin after every meal to alert cells that higher levels of glucose are on the way. Type II Diabetes sufferers lack the ability to use this insulin hormone. And when insulin isn't used properly, the body can't digest food correctly, hence increasing the risk of additional weight gain, as well as diabetes.

Kidney Disease/Kidney Failure

Diabetes affects many parts of the body. According to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetic kidney disease results from injured small blood vessels in the body. When blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly. At this point, the human body retains more water and salt than it should (which results in weight gain and ankle swelling). In addition, protein appears in the urine and waste materials accumulate in the blood. In addition, Type II Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can result in urination problems. The pressure resulting from a full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. When urine remains in the bladder for too long, the high levels of sugar can cause the rapid growth of bacteria, resulting in an infection.

Heart Disease & Stroke

The American Diabetes Association says two-thirds of people with Type II Diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. As such, diabetes and heart disease work in tandem - and people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. A person with diabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels. These high blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body, including blood vessels. Heart disease is a direct result of narrowed or blocked blood vessels that lead to the heart. Hence, increased blood sugar levels, common with Type II Diabetes sufferers, causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Breast Cancer

Scientists have investigated the possible relationship between breast cancer and diabetes and suggested that high levels of insulin increases the risk of breast cancer. Since many factors, such as obesity, increase the risk of both breast cancer and diabetes, it's been difficult for scientists to determine if diabetes itself is the issue. However, research indicates that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One recent study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer, even among pre-menopausal women. In addition, significant weight gain (more than 55 lbs. since age 18, or 22 lbs. after menopause) acts as a catalyst in causing diabetes - and can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Foot Problems

Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, more than 25% will develop foot problems due to the disease, according to Foot.com. Diabetic foot problems develop from a combination of factors, including poor circulation and neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy causes an insensitivity to feel pain, heat and cold. As a result, people with diabetes may be unaware they have developed minor cuts, scrapes, blisters or pressure sores. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result, lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation. Foot.com also states that diabetic neuropathy can cause deformities, such as bunions, hammer toes and Charcot feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

CTS is another common complication of diabetic neuropathy. Because of the decreased or distorted nerve function, a patient's ability to feel nerve sensation is lessened. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, weakness and burning sensations, usually beginning in the fingers and toes and progressing to the arms and legs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 2005 study reported that about 85% of patients with Type I Diabetes develop CTS. Development of CTS was related to the patient's age, as well as the length of time they had diabetes.

All of the conditions listed above are related to diabetes, and are becoming growing concerns for Americans. Awareness of these associated diseases will hopefully lead to better prevention, such as healthy diet and exercise.

Diabetes Treatment Secrets, How to Fight Back and Beat Diabetes

Secrets of Successful Diabetes Treatment

To effectively defeat diabetes (as opposed to just managing the symptoms) is now becoming a definite possibility for many sufferers. Recent advances in knowledge and understanding, as well as a willingness to think the unthinkable by many diabetes sufferers, has led to many apparent successes in defeating this terrible curse.

 

But let's not kid ourselves, you still need to take care of the basics. So if you are a diabetic and you determine to take on and to ultimately defeat diabetes, your starting points should be the same as they have always been - your diet and your weight.

Diabetes Control? - First, Control Your Weight

Only a few diabetes sufferers entirely understand or accept how being overweight or obese can affect their diabetes. If you are (even mildly) overweight, your risk of developing diabetes is far greater than for a person who isn't overweight.

Effective Diabetes management relies on understanding the underlying causes of diabetes, (you can't defeat what you don't recognize or understand).

Type 2 diabetes, (frequently described as adult onset diabetes) is more common found in overweight individuals than in sufferers in the 'normal' weight bracket. Because something like 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight, the best action you can take to help yourself is to get serious and get your weight under proper control.

 

How to Design Your Own Diabetic Treatment

If you have a family history of diabetes, are of advancing age, are overweight, or have some other contributory medical condition, it is even more important that you take effective control of your diet. Do this, and by using other recommended diabetes management techniques I'll refer to later, you actually may be able to head off diabetes before it takes a firm hold, or even reverse it.

There are other Interlinking Contributory Factors. Being overweight can lead to another common contributory medical condition - high blood pressure (hypertension). Around 40% of Type 2 Diabetes sufferers have high blood pressure, and this is believed to be aggravated by being overweight. Excess weight can also give rise to insulin resistance, in which your body can no longer properly process its insulin, and so cannot process sugars and glucose to make body-fuel.

How To Begin Your Fight-Back

So if you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (or are even at risk of it), You really can help yourself. Firstly, lose ten pounds. Then - do it again - and lose ten pounds more! Honestly, if you accept that you are overweight and at risk of diabetes, this is the single thing that you can do to make a real difference - and it's (comparatively) easy!

Ok, I know that dieting of any kind is no fun. However, you must get started as soon as you suspect that you may have a problem. If you don't try to achieve your best possible health while you are still capable of doing so, you could massively reduce your chances of living a happy and fulfilled life.

There is no other sensible option here, if you allow diabetes to take over your life, it could ultimately end it.

Design Your Own Personal Diabetes Treatment Plan

These days it's entirely possible to eat well whilst suffering from diabetes - (start by getting yourself a diabetic cook book). If you have diabetes, the most important thing about dieting is never to forget how important the dieting process is for you.

Yes, obese or overweight diabetes sufferers invariably have quite strict dietary regimes. If you've been diagnosed diabetic or pre-diabetic, you need to follow your diabetic diet very carefully. It's difficult for a few days, but then it becomes progressively easier.

Extend Your Diabetes Management Plan

Become more energetic. Find enjoyable yet healthy activities and then get out in the fresh air and actually enjoy them. Even if you only go out for a game of bowls- it's a good start.

Get some time in the sun and get plenty of fresh air, start walking, (and steadily build up the distances and the pace over days or weeks). Take up golf or go riding, maybe buy a bike, or go swimming. Whatever else you do - get some tiring exercise every day.

You Can Turn The Tide and Beat Diabetes

For some sufferers (or should I say ex-sufferers), diabetes is no longer the adversary it was. There are diabetes sufferers who have developed systems and tactics to effectively rid themselves of the disease.

It is now possible to develop your own diabetes treatment, or to learn from someone else who has already succeeded and created their own personal cure for diabetes. So if you too want to take back control of your body and beat diabetes, help is readily available.

New Diabetes Treatment

The latest approach to diabetes treatment puts you in charge of your own care. You become the boss of your diabetes team. Hiring the staff that best serves your needs, tracking your progress and keeping your eyes on the ultimate goal-your health and well-being.

Assemble your staff

Getting the best treatment foe your diabetes is not simply a matter of keeping your doctor's appointments and taking pills. Diabetes affect many aspect of your life. and since nobody knows your life better than you do, you must step into the role of the "general" of your diabetes care in order to get your treatment needs met.

As the general, you'll want to surround yourself knowledgeable, trustworthy, expect "advisor" -your diabetes care team -who can help you get the information, advice, treatment, and support you need to manage your diabetes effectively. This team is usually composed of your doctor, diabetes educator, dietitian, pharmacist, and dentist. It may also include a mental-health professional, a podiatrist (foot doctor), and a cardiologist (heart specialist). As you go about assembling your team, remember that this people work for you. You are hiring them to help you learn about diabetes understand how it specifically affects you, and provide you with the tools that let you make you own informed health care decisions.

Your first task is to find a doctor. You'll not only want a physician who has skill and experience in diagnosing and treating diabetes, but also one who will support and work with you in becoming your diabetes general. Together you and your doctor need to develop a good working relationship where there is mutual understanding, respect and trust. You will need to feel comfortable talking with and asking question of your doctor. If you are unable to develop such relation, you need to find another doctor.

There are many diabetes specialists, you can get a list of the doctors in your area contacting your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association (see Resources). You can also call you local medical society and ask for a list of doctors who are "board certified in endocrinology (the specialty that focuses on hormonal disorders, such as diabetes) internal medicine, or family practice. If you cannot find a specialist near you, pick a primary care doctor who will work with you and who will not hesitate to refer you to a specialist when one might be needed.

Education is by far the most basic tool of diabetes care. It involves learning how to take care of yourself and your diabetes, and it brings you into the decision-making process for your own health. So after You find a doctor, you'll need to add A diabetes educator to your team. The diabetes educator will provide you with information and one-on-one guidance. As with your doctor the educator you choose should be someone you feel comfortable talking and someone you feel you can contact with question about the practice details of diabetes care.

Most often, a diabetes educator will also be a nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist by training. If possible choose a certified diabetes educator, or CDE. A CDE is a health professional who is certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators to teach people with diabetes how to manage the disease. CDEs must have at least two years experience in diabetes education, must have successfully completed, and must retake national examination every five years to remain certified.

Your physician may be able to recommend a diabetes educator, or you can contact the American Association of Diabetes Educators (See Resource) for the names of diabetes educators near you. With the help of your doctor and diabetes educator, you should be able to get additional referrals to a dentist, eye doctor, podiatrist, and cardiologist if needed. If you already have an established relationship with a dentist or eye doctor, be sure to discuss your diabetes diagnosis with them and perhaps even put them in touch with the other members of your team so that they can collaborate on your care.

Diabetes patients have always been bothered by possible diabetes control means that will enable them get on with their life.

Below are few sure diabetes information that will help a patient put his or her problem to a reasonable level:

• Dietary management: In general principle, dietary measures are required in the treatment of all diabetic patients in order to achieve the overall therapeutic goal.

• Endeavour to exercise yourself as much as possible.

• Then grab the much talked about DIABETES CONTROL MADE EASY. A safe, natural, and effective ways you can manage and even fully recover from your diabetes in as little as 90 days... and so that you never have to take insulin again, or have to suffer painfully dull diets even again!

Ensure to check out the site above for useful DIABETES MANAGEMENT INFORMATION your doctor does not want you to see.

Diabetes - Causes and Prevention

Diabetes mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that occurs when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells.

In diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes). This causes glucose levels in the blood to rise, leading to symptoms such as increased urination, extreme thirst, and unexplained weight loss.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease. It can appear at any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.

Type 2 diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM in Australia. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.

Causes Of Diabetes

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:
A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.

There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are needed to sustain life.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up most of all cases of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.

Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:

1. A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes

2. Obesity

3. Age greater than 45 years

3. Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)

4. Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

5. High blood pressure

6. High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)

7. High blood cholesterol level

8. Not getting enough exercise

The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults over age 45 be screened for diabetes at least every 3 years. A person at high risk should be screened more often.

How To Prevent Or Control Diabetes

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a long, healthy life.

Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent

Watch Your Diet

There is no one magic diet that works for everyone. Nor is there a single diet that works best for one individual over a long time. Pay attention to your genetics, and to your ethnic group's traditional foods. If you are African American, that does not mean overcooked vegetables or pork rinds. Such garbage came on the nutritional scene only recently, and is not a true ethnic food. The same is true for Italians who overdose on pepperoni pizza. Being Italian myself as, well as having enjoyed fantastic African cuisine, I can tell you there is a lot more to these diets than the recent introductions often associated with these cultural groups.

Except for Eskimos and a few other highly specialized ethnic groups, all diets must adhere to the same few macronutrient rules. For example:

Eliminate as many processed carbohydrates as possible.

Don't eat carbohydrates 2 hours before bedtime.

Balance your fat/carbos/protein in a roughly 30-40-30 ratio (this is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule--it doesn't work for everyone).

Eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day.

Always eat a high-protein breakfast.

Did you know that the peanuts offered on airlines are LESS fattening than the fat-free pretzels?
It's true. Stay away from fat-free foods--they make your insulin levels do a yo-yo, and that makes you put on fat. Yuck. Worse, it sets the stage for adult-onset diabetes.

Do NOT eat white flour, bleached flour, enriched flour, or any other kind of wheat flour that is not whole wheat. The glycemic effects of such flours will work against you. Eat whole grain flours, and try to get a variety. Amaranth and soy are two good flours. Eat oat groats instead of oatmeal. In short, get your grains in the least-processed form you can. This holds true for everyone, regardless of genetics (unless you have a malabsorption problem). This one "trick" will help you keep your insulin level on an even keel, and that is paramount to diabetes prevention and management.

What also holds true for everyone is: drink lots of water! Fill a gallon jug twice a day, and make sure you drink all of it. Once you get as lean as you want to be, cut back to a single gallon if you want to. For added fat loss, drink chilled (but not super cold) water. Sodas do not count. Such beverages are extremely unhealthy, for reasons I won't cover here. However, I will say that if you want to get osteoporosis, soft drinks are for you. Soft drinks make for soft bones.

Make sure to eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day, rather than one big one. Doing so levels out your insulin and your blood sugar. Forget about that full feeling. If you find yourself overeating out of anxiety or boredom, fix the underlying problem -- don't add to it by poor eating!

Stay Healthy.