Zomba Fett asked:


I just got news that I have diabetes. I do not have really high blood sugar when I have to use insulin, but the doctor said I definitely need to go on a diet. Would you be kind to advise me on a good diet, please?

First let me start by saying that over the years I have learned that Type 1 Diabetes is an unpredictable disease that I knew nothing about 5 years ago. That was before my 3 year old son was diagnosed. Since then I have had numerous experiences with doctors with different opinions on how to treat my child. I guess that is why a doctor is always “practicing medicine”.

My point is there comes a time when parents of Type 1 Diabetics can learn from each others experiences especially when it comes to preparing for the day when your diabetic child catches the stomach flu or other illnesses that cause high blood sugars and ketones. As everyone knows the stomach flu in normal children causes a severe onset of vomiting and diarrhea that can last several days and comes on with no notice. Since my son was diagnosed over four years ago my family and I have learned (at least 4 times) how to properly manage the stomach flu without the need for hospitalization. Just like any other emergencies you must be prepared by making sure you have all the right items on hand in case your hit with those famous words “my tummy hurts”. This usually occurs at night when you are half asleep so having the following items on hand is important.

Keto sticks,Extra Insulin,Extra Syringes or insulin pump supplies, Pedialyte,Sugar and non-sugar decaf soda (only use if needed as it will cause dehydration), Glucagon, Alarm Clock, Hard candy (only if your child is old enough to eat without choking)

Now I will explain a little on why you need all that junk for the stomach flu. First things first. When the stomach flu hits vomiting occurs regularly depleting the body of a large amount of fluids. This must be replaced to avoid dehydration. In a child with Type 1 diabetes you have to be prepared to battle ketones that are brought on by the illness. Ketones are caused by high blood sugar and the absence of insulin in the body. In order to get rid of the ketones you must keep giving your child insulin even though their blood sugar will most likely be low. Don’t get frustrated if you child is having a hard time keeping down liquids. If they are able to take a few sips of sugared soda or pedialyte every 20 minutes or so and keep it down for short periods this is enough to keep them hydrated and maintain a fairly good blood sugar. In my experience you will have to set an alarm every 20 minutes or so through the night to keep this up. Be sure to check blood sugars often. If the low blood sugars continue have your child **** on a piece of hard sugared candy to help maintain their blood sugar. This should only be done if you child is old enough to eat hard candy. All this will make you tired but it should keep your child out of the hospital and keep you sane.

Remember a cure is just around the corner.

By: Brad Stott

About the Author:

fattyacide asked:


i am having some signs of diabetes (frequent urination, tiredness when eating sugars). but i got my blood sugar tested a few months ago and it was okay. is it possible for me to have diabetes without high blood sugar.

also, do you think i need to take meds in my current condition, or are diet and exercise sufficient?

The first thing when doctors suspect somebody with diabetes, they do some tests to make sure that their assumptions are true. Such a test to diagnose diabetes is a glucose test. However, this is just the beginning of the diagnosing process of diabetes. The other things that doctors must take into consideration when diagnosing a person with diabetes is wether they have any of the diabetes symptoms, their medical history and of course a pysical exam is required to proper diagnose diabetes. What doctors also have to keep in mind is that people who are very ill will have a very high blood sugar, even if they do not suffer from diabetes. Furthermore, some medications that you might take can also change the levels of glucose in your blood.

The most important of all aspects when diagnosing diabetes is a high level of sugar in your blood. This test is given to people after a night where they did not eat anything after 12 o’ clock. To diagnose a person with diabetes after such a test, he/ she must have a value above 140 mg/dl and to be even more sure, this test in diagnosing diabetes must be given at least twice. A person that does not suffer from diabetes has a sugar level about 90 mg/ dl. The second test given to people to diagnose diabetes is a tolerance test with oral glucose.The person who has to take this test must not eat or drink anything for at least 11 hours, in order the diabetes test be certain. However, water is allowed. The first thing that doctors do when starting this diabetes test is to draw

blood from that person. Then he/ she is given a drink that has a very big amount of sugar in it. After half an hour, they test that person’ s blood with this diabetes test. They do the same procedure again after an hour, two and three hours. For this diabetes test to work, a person must be in good health, that is he/ she must not suffer from any diseases or illnesses. Another thing to remember is that before taking this diabetes test you should not smoke or drink any coffee.

The diabetes test with oral glucose tolerance is done by measuring in three hours the glucose level in ones blood almost five times. In a person that has diabetes, after drinking the level will rise, but then fall back down very quickly. On the other hand,in a person that does not have diabetes the glucose level will fall down in time.

So, if you want to find out more about diabetes mellitus or even about juvenile diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/



By: Groshan Fabiola

About the Author:

Bhupesh Chandra Semwal 1* Sonia Singh1, Dr. Kalyani Divakar2

Introduction-Diabetes mellitus often referred to simply as diabetes. Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar, hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient levels of the hormone insulin. The world health organization recognizes three main forms of diabetes mellitus type1 type2 and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurring during pregnancy. Which have different causes and population distributions. While, ultimately, all forms are due to the beta cells of the pancreas being unable to produce sufficient insulin to prevent hyperglycemia, the causes are different. All types have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921. Type 1 diabetes, in which insulin is not secreted by the pancreas, is directly treatable only with injected insulin, although dietary and other lifestyle adjustments are part of management. Type 2 may be managed with a combination of dietary treatment, tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation. While insulin was originally produced from natural sources such as porcine pancreas, most insulin used today is produced through genetic engineering, either as a direct copy of human insulin, or human insulin with modified molecules that provide different onset and duration of action. Insulin can also be delivered continuously by a specialized pump which subcutaneously provides insulin through a changeable catheter1.

Classification of diabetes-

Type one diabetes mellitus

Type two diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus2

Signs and symptoms-

Frequent urination, Excessive thirst, Extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, Increased fatigue, Irritability, Blurry vision 3

Top Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity

An excessively high body weight increases diabetes risk. The Body Mass Index ( BMI) is a simple, widely accepted means of assessing body weight in relation to health for most people aged 20 to 65 (Exceptions include people who are very muscular, athletes, pregnant or nursing.) A BMI greater than 27 indicates a risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other health problems which include cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

Apple-shaped figure

Individuals who carry most of their weight in the trunk of their bodies (i.e., above the hips) tend to have a higher risk of diabetes than those of similar weight with a pear-shaped body (excess fat carried mainly in the hips and thighs). A waist measurement of more than 100 cm (39.5 inches) in men and 95 cm (37.5 inches) in women suggests an increased risk.

Sedentary lifestyle

Being overweight – another risk factor for Type 2 – can be prevented by regular physical activity. A second, independent benefit of regular physical activity is improved blood sugar control in persons who already have type 2 diabetes.

Unhealthy Eating Habits

Ninety% of people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Unhealthy eating contributes largely to obesity. Too much fat, not enough fiber, and too many simple carbohydrates all contribute to a diagnosis of diabetes. Eating right is can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent Type 2.

Increased Age

It’s a sad but true fact. Age increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The older we get, the greater our risk of type 2 diabetes. Even if an elderly person is thin, they still may be predisposed to getting diabetes. Scientists theorize that the pancreas ages right along with us, and doesn’t pump insulin as efficiently as it did when we were younger. Also, as our cells age, they become more resistant to insulin as well.

High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

High BP and high cholesterol are the hallmark risk factors for many diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes. More than 40 percent of people with diabetes have abnormal levels of cholesterol and similar fatty substances that circulate in the blood. These abnormalities appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among persons with diabetes.

Family History and Genetics

It appears that people who have family members who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for developing it themselves. African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans all have a higher than normal rate of type 2 diabetes.

History of Diabetes in Pregnancy

Nearly 40 percent of the women who have diabetes during their pregnancy go on to develop type 2 diabetes later, usually within five to ten years of giving birth. Giving birth to a baby that weighs more than nine pounds (4 kg) is another symptom of gestational diabetes.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose can precede the development of type 2 diabetes. These conditions are determined through blood tests. While persons affected with these problems do not meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, their blood sugar control and reaction to sugar loads are considered to be abnormal. This places them at higher risk, not just for the development of type 2 diabetes (an estimated one in ten progress to type 2 diabetes within five years), but also for cardiovascular disease. For this group, preventive strategies including lifestyle changes and regular screening for diabetes mellitus must be a priority4.

Alternative medicine for treatment of diabetes-

Ginseng -Although there are several different types of ginseng, most of the promising studies on ginseng and diabetes have used North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Those studies have shown that North American ginseng may improve blood sugar control and glycosylated hemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time) levels.

Chromium- Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps body cells properly respond to insulin.

Magnesium- Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and in nutritional supplements.Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and for bone health. Some studies suggest that low magnesium levels may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. There is also some evidence that magnesium supplementation may help with insulin resistance.

Cinnamon-Cinnamon is a glycosides it improves blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Zinc- The mineral zinc plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin. There is some research showing that people with type 2 diabetes have suboptimal zinc status due to decreased absorption and increased excretion of zinc. Food sources of zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, beef liver, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken, and buckwheat.

Aloe Vera Gel-Although aloe vera gel is better known as a home remedy for minor burns and other skin conditions, recent animal studies suggest that aloe vera gel may help people with diabetes. A Japanese study evaluated the effect of aloe vera gel on blood sugar. Researchers isolated a number of active phytosterol compounds from the gel that were found to reduce blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

Gymnema- Several preliminary studies suggest that the herb gymnema can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Because gymnema may lower blood sugar levels, people taking medications for diabetes or using insulin shouldn’t take gymnema unless they are closely monitored by their health care provider

Vanadium-Vanadium is a trace mineral found naturally in soil and many foods. It is also produced during the burning of petroleum. Vanadium has been found to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It appears to mimic many of the actions of insulin in the body. The use of vanadium for diabetes, particularly without the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner, is not recommended, because the dose needed to affect blood glucose levels can be potentially toxic. The typical amount of vanadium found in the average diet (less than 30 micrograms per day) appears to have little toxicity5.

Neem- The leaves of Neem posses’ anti-diabetic properties. The juices of these leaves are helpful in controlling the blood sugar level in diabetics. Neem is in fact an herbal medicine used for the treatment of various other diseases also such as skin problems, warm infections, ulcer etc.

Sweet potato leaves- The leaves of sweet potato are high value in preventing diabetes, by lowering blood sugar level. It is highly nutritious vegetable. Preparation of sweet potato leaves is used in the tea of diabetic patients.

Madhuca- The Indian name for Madhuca is Madhua it is also posses’ excellent anti-diabetic properties and it is highly beneficial in treating raised blood sugar levels.

Mango leaves- The leaves of Mango helps in lowering the blood sugar levels in diabetics. The fresh leaves of mango are socked in water for an overnight. Then they are squeezed well in the water before filtering them in the morning6.

Discussion and Conclusion- Managements of diabetes with the agents devoid of any side effects is still challenge for the medical system. This has lead to increase in the demand for natural products with antihyperglycemic activity having fewer side effects. Metabolic imbalance causing diabetes mellitus is a characteristic of materialistic world. Differences in social structure, psychic stress, obesity, hormonal imbalance and heredity are optimizing the growth of pandemic. Increasing population with diabetes has a huge requirement of effective remediation. The vast variety of medicinal plants, which are used traditionally for their anti-diabetic property. However, careful assessment including sustainability of such herbs, ecological and seasonal variation in activity of phyto-constituents, metal contents of crude herbal anti-diabetic drugs, thorough toxicity study and cost effectiveness is required for their popularity. These efforts may provide treatment for all and justify the role of novel traditional medicinal plants having anti-diabetic potentials.



References

http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_herbs.htm

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002072.htm

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-symptoms.jsp

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/diabetes-diabete/english/risk/index.html

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Diabetes.htm

http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_treatment.htm





By: Bhupesh Chandra Semwal

About the Author:

sylent_stealer asked:


I just had a physical and the doctor recommended i do fasting bloodwork. The doctor said from this bloodwork, they can test for diabetes. How do they determine this, high blood sugar count?

thank you for helping

David asked:


Today my wife went for her 28 week screening, she had blood sugar of 175. They want her to do a second longer test. Has anybody here had gestational diabetes? Or high blood sugar that was later proven to not to be gestational diabetes? Please anyone who has knowledge help me to calm my wife! Thanks.

bUtTErFLy.xO asked:


is it possible to have diabetes if i have low blood sugar or is diabetes only found in people with low sugar?

im 16 years old and for the past couple years, ive been having faint spells where i feel really dizzy at first, then my vision gets really blurry, i become unconscious for a few seconds and i dont know what is happening around me. i have low blood sugar and my blood pressure is a little low. could this be diabetes? if not, what could it be?
sorry, i meant to ask if it was only found in people with high blood sugar.

whatev asked:


i’m hypoglycemic and the information i’m finding goes back and forth about how it’s the beginning stages of adult onset diabetes. so i would like to know if anyone had hypoglycemia, didn’t treat it (still eating sugar and so on), and then got diabetes. can low blood sugar lead to high blood sugar? diabetes is high blood sugar right? see i really need some input.
yes i have had my blood sugar tested. what kind of question in that anyways?
go f*ck yourself, hoosier, you uppity *****. what basis do i have….jerk….i’ve had a very difficult time controling my hypoglycemia considering i was an alcoholic.