13Jun

Does Having Type 2 Diabetes Affect Your Sleep?

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Do you have Type 2 diabetes and find yourself not sleeping well at night? When was the last time you slept like a baby for more than six hours straight?

Sleeping problems are one of the most often neglected problems in Type 2 diabetes. However, as stated in an article published by Medscape Education Internal Medicine, sleep disturbances are one of the most common symptoms seen in people with this form of diabetes. In fact, as mentioned in a study conducted in the St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and published by Sleep Medicine in September 2001, adults with Type 2 diabetes had a higher chance of developing insomnia, morning sleepiness and drowsiness, compared to adults with a normal blood sugar level.

What are the reasons for sleep issues and disturbances in Type 2 diabetics?

1. Peripheral neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetes-related nerve damage. Your peripheral nerves allow you to feel something as rough or smooth, cold or hot, sharp or dull. If you have peripheral neuropathy, those feelings are diminished. Damage to the nerve endings in both your upper and lower extremities, is a common disorder in people with Type 2 diabetes according to the study published by Sleep Disorder. Who could possibly sleep in the face of nagging pain and discomfort in their legs? Peripheral neuropathy can be so disturbing it can really affect your sleep.

2. Having Type 2 diabetes can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea: According to a study conducted in the MedStar Research Institute, Hyattsville, Maryland, the results of which were published in the 2003 issue of Diabetes Care, obesity-related Type 2 diabetes is a large risk factor in the development of sleep apnea. If you wake up feeling tired, snore and are overweight, you could have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is seen as abnormal breathing pauses and abnormal low breathing during sleep. As analyzed by the researchers of this particular study, this type of sleeping disorder in the case of Type 2 diabetes may be a centrally located problem, meaning inside the brain, instead of an obstructive symptom caused by obesity. However, further investigation is warranted to establish this fact.

3. Unstable blood sugar levels can cause sleep disturbances: A study conducted in the Rambam Medical Center and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel and published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2003 states unstable blood sugar levels can play a role in sleep pattern disturbance in diabetics. Also, a rapid increase in blood sugar levels usually results in waking up from a restful sleep. However, further research and clinical studies are necessary to further prove this finding.

10Jun

Diabetes Management Is So Important

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Unfortunately at the present time, there is not a cure for type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed to a certain degree with a good diet and exercise. I know that this is not what most diabetics want to hear. However the fact is that even though there is no cure, there certainly are ways to manage your diabetes and keep yourself in good health.

Good diabetes management can give you many years of healthy living. I was reading the other day of a man of 90 years old who had had Type 1 diabetes since the age of 5 and was in excellent health( other than having diabetes). And this was because he had learned how to manage his illness.

Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, you need to learn as much as possible about the appropriate diet, exercise and medication that you will need to keep your diabetes in check. Your doctor and diabetes health team will help you with this task.

Controlling the glucose ( blood sugar) cycle is the main aim of a diabetic. The glucose cycle is affected by two things, entry of glucose into the bloodstream and blood levels of insulin to control the transport out. This is done with medication, and in the case of Type 1 diabetics with insulin injections. (some Type 2’s also administer insulin if they do not respond to oral medications such as metaformin.

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Your glucose levels will react sensitively to diet and exercise, and you will be guided by your health team on how to keep your blood sugar within a certain range. Proper management of diabetes is not always easy and just when you think you have the whole thing sorted, your blood sugar levels spike again.

Management of diabetes requires a complete lifestyle change and frequent, sometimes multi-daily, checks of glucose in the blood. This is quite a shock when you are first diagnosed because it seems to take over your life. However you do get used to it – there is no other choice! It does help if you get a chance to meet up with other fellow diabetics for a chat. We all have different tips and ideas that work for us. But never try something new without telling your doctor.

Today it is easy to measure blood sugar levels. Glucose meters are readily available and are quite easy to use with a little practice and patience. Just a little prick on the side of your finger, a small drop of blood on to the testing strip attached to the glucose meter and the meter will show your blood sugar level. This in turn will let you know if and when insulin is needed.

Once you have the result, you administer the appropriate dose of insulin to bring your blood sugar back into the safety range which should be between 4mmol/l- 7mmol/l before meals and 9 mmol/l two hours after a meal.

It can seem like a constant battle to keep your diabetes in check and there have been times when I have felt like chucking all the testing paraphernalia out of the window. But there is no positive alternative.

By managing diabetes we can avoid all the complications we have been warned about, such as heart attack, stroke, blindness etc.etc. Yes, management is good because, despite the diabetes, it can lead to a healthy happy lifestyle.

09Jun

Elevated Blood Sugar Causes Progressive Problems

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Typically, a physical at your doctor’s office will include a fasting blood test. If your results come back in the 110-120 range, you are generally told that it is a little high, but not too much of a concern – you do not have pre-diabetes or diabetes yet.

Unfortunately for you, damage is already occurring in your system at levels well below what is being recognized as a pre-disease or disease state such as diabetes. The following is to help you see what is actually occurring, and why you need to take a more thorough look at your blood sugar level. Keep in mind that all of the following are occurring while you are perhaps being told your glucose levels are not a problem.

Clinical studies and autopsies show damage occurs much earlier than anyone thought – at 100 mg/dl. Elevated blood sugar levels cause a unique set of problems that affect the entire body. To understand the complications of this, and how soon problems begin occurring, we need to review a general understanding of the hormone insulin.

Understanding Insulin & Glucagon’s Role in the Body

The goal for your body is to keep blood sugar levels in a narrow range regardless of what you eat…..processed foods, donuts, fruits, etc. For most people this is normally between 70 and 110. The doctor’s lab range usually shows it as 65 to 99. That is not really a lot of sugar in your bloodstream. For a person that weighs about 150 pounds, we are talking about less than 1/6th of an ounce. Fasting blood sugar should be about 80 to 85. (A Glucose Tolerance test is a better indicator and should not exceed 120 at two hours; however, medical offices rarely perform this test due to time and costs.)

Thanks to the pancreas, you body is equipped with a very effective system for maintaining this narrow range. When you eat a meal high in sugar (this can be carbohydrates not just sugar) and blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas (specifically the Beta Cells in the area of pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans) quickly release the hormone insulin. (Your body knows it has to keep blood sugar in balance so this occurs with extraordinary speed). The bloodstream quickly carries the insulin to all the cells in the body where the insulin triggers receptor sites on the cell walls, thus allowing the sugar to pass into the cell to be converted to energy.

If you eat more sugar then is needed for energy, it is stored as glycogen mostly in the liver but some is also stored in the muscles.

Once blood sugar levels are in normal range, the Beta Cells stop the production of insulin as the levels have been stabilized.

If your blood sugar starts to drop, the Alpha Cells from your pancreas release the other pancreatic hormone, glucagon, which triggers the release of the stored sugar (glycogen) from your liver and muscles, thus raising the blood sugar. The term “carb-loading” used by long distance runners and tri-athletes, refers their tying to fill their liver and muscles with this stored sugar, glycogen, for energy.

So far, everything is working fine in the body; however, at some point for various reasons (some of which are listed below), the insulin does not so easily pass through the cell walls causing the Beta Cells to have to increase the production of insulin, bombarding the cells to try to get the sugar into them for energy and balancing the blood sugar levels.

Following are the top reasons for cell walls and receptor cells not allowing insulin to cause the passage of sugar into the cells – with the first two being the most common:

Too much sugar and carbs in the diet for a prolonged period of time requiring too much insulin release which can damage the receptor cells. (Diabetes was not much of an issue until processed and refined foods entered the national diet.)
Too much transfat and saturated fat which can coat the cells, interfering with the insulin effectiveness. (Transfats have now been outlawed in restaurants in some states, but they are still in many foods). Again, Diabetes was not much of an issue until transfats, specifically margarine, were introduced into the national diet.
Lack of the 46 essential nutrients that cells much have to properly function as designed. These nutrients must come from the food you eat or the supplements you take. Deficits in any of the 46 essentials can cause a disease state in the body. (The SONA vitamin line by Enerex USA is the best on the market).
Genes that help regulate insulin may be damaged from toxins, metals, heredity, or other factors.
Prolonged periods of stress – stress shuts down insulin, which causes blood levels to spike to make energy more available in times of need. The insulin production then spikes to bring the elevated sugar levels back down to normal.

As a result of this cell receptor issue, the cells in the body start to become resistant to the insulin being produced. Insulin levels must then be continually increased to force the sugar into the cells. This is the beginning of some other problems.

If fat cells develop insulin resistance, they release triglycerides into the blood stream. And what are triglycerides made of…glucose (sugar), fatty acids, and water. So the free fatty acid levels rise in your bloodstream which is one of the warning signals of the Metabolic Syndrome (Increased risk for heart disease). Did you ever consider that the fatty acid problem in your bloodstream could be related to too much blood sugar?
The increased insulin resistance in the liver and muscle cells means that they no longer store as much glucose, which again means that more sugar is in the bloodstream.
Slightly elevated blood sugar levels (over 100) is the point where some of the Beta Cells begin to be damaged. Blood sugar over 110 causes damage to your retina.
As your blood sugar continues to rise your pancreas goes into overdrive to produce more insulin in an attempt to bring your blood sugar back into balance and the more it stays at an elevated level the more Beta Cells get damaged (burnt out). By the time you are called a diabetic you may have lost 40% of your Beta Cells. You must deal with blood sugar issues while they are still reversible.

So now the body is in a position of having higher than normal blood sugar, plus higher then normal insulin levels. Both of these cause the problems listed below – and yet you are still not classified as having Diabetes since these conditions are occurring with blood sugar levels under 140, before you even have Pre-diabetes.

Elevated insulin is tied to the following:

Impaired fat burning, causing weight gain and the accumulation and storage of fat;
Damage to the kidneys;
Damage to the arterials walls causing atherosclerosis;
Increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
High Blood pressure and heart disease;
Depletion of essential nutrients, causing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Elevated insulin will last in the body as long as the sugar remains too high and as long as you have enough functioning Beta Cells to produce the insulin. The production will slow over time as the Beta Cells are damaged or become dormant.

Elevated blood sugar results in a cascading effect within the body. Since your body knows that elevated blood sugar causes severe damage to organs, it tries to minimize the damage by taking defensive action. As sugar rises the small blood vessels start to narrow, reducing the flow of sugar getting to the organs. The higher the blood sugar, the more the blood vessels narrow. Unfortunately this impairs circulation, and reduces the amount of nutrients and oxygen that get to the organs and nerves of the body, as well as their ability to carry away cellular waste. This begins to damage cells in the small nerves of the hands and feet (why you might have tingling, pain, or cold hands and feet). The kidneys and other organs begin to show some damage as well. As much as 40% of your Beta Cells can be destroyed in as little as two years with elevated blood sugar before you are deemed a Diabetic.

With less blood flow, wounds do not heal as well and infections may become an issue. The sugar also sticks to the proteins that are needed for construction of quality collagen, essential for the repair and building of cells.

Now there is a cycle occurring where the body is having a very difficult time balancing blood sugar. Damage is occurring to not only the pancreas, which is responsible for balancing the blood sugar, but also to major organs and your nervous system. Unless you mange your blood sugar, the cycle will continue with more damage and more Beta Cells destroyed – until you finally reach the 200 mg/dl blood sugar level and are then labeled a diabetic. Of course, the fact that you insurance rates and medical costs will skyrocket, or worse, you may not even qualify for insurance, may be the least of your worries.

Those who finally develop full blown Diabetes have severe complications and will experience a shorter life span that may include severe pain. You can also expect to dramatically increase your risk of one or more of the following:

amputation
blindness
kidney failure and possible need for a dialysis machine
heart disease and hardening of the arteries
premature death

This disease is already epidemic: 40% of people over 20 years old have some degree of blood sugar problems or glucose intolerance; 75% of the elderly have the problem; one in every three of our school children is expected to develop full diabetes, and based on current ratios, that means nearly all of them will develop glucose intolerance.

Do you really want to experience a life of pain and diminished capabilities? Yes, the medical world can keep you alive with drugs – but what kind of life is that?

Be smart. Start taking care of yourself now with exercise and better diet to help metabolize the blood sugar. Take Diabetes Defense to help you with blood sugar and fat metabolism.

Don’t wait. Start a new program for better health today.

Mark Schumacher is a 57 year old health advocate that owns a health supplement company. He is a former premed student and EMT that now invests his time in teaching and training young athletes. He also consults with clients on health and weight issues and believes that education along with a healthy diet and the right supplements is the solution to the nations health problem.

08Jun

Kidney Disease and Diabetes – How Are They Related?

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Generally, not anyone who has diabetes contracts kidney disease. This is just another common misconception relating to the illness. While it is true that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can cause kidney disease, diabetics who maintain their appropriate blood glucose levels can avoid developing kidney failure.

Primarily, diabetes can progress to kidney disease when the renal organs are unable to dispose of the byproducts of sugars and starches. These foods stay in the system and do not break up and get eliminated, as they definitely do in others without the disease. These wastes dwell in the body and abnormally cause the blood sugar levels to rise to unsafe, high levels. It makes disposal of proteins difficult as well.

Efficiency of the kidney function is highly altered when there is uncontrolled diabetes. Due to that, the kidneys must work harder beyond its usual process to eliminate body wastes, and clean out sugars and starches at the same time. As the kidneys strain excessive amounts of blood, protein and other waste products begin to leak into the whole body system. Eventually, waste products start to build up in the blood.

A progression of kidney disease is common among diabetics. The kidneys become overworked and they shut down inevitably. When this happens, the person is automatically put on dialysis where a machine functions as an artificial kidney. At most times, an individual with kidney disease could opt for a transplant, however, this is hardly an option to patients that have diabetes.

Without their kidneys, people definitely cannot sustain their lives. For that reason, it is certainly vital that an individual with diabetes recognizes how their kidneys function and what ways can they do to assist these organs to work proficiently. A diabetic doesn’t have to contract kidney disease, as well as the majority of complications following the disease. A simple implementation of the doctor’s prescription and advocating a healthy lifestyle is more than enough.

The only drawback is that many diabetics are non-compliant individuals, those who refuse to do what their doctors instruct them. They do not follow the diet plans strongly suggested in the Glycemic Index, a record developed to educate those with diabetes of what meals to have and avoid. Meals that are high in the glycemic index take the longest to digest and do the most harm to the kidneys.

Furthermore, tracking their blood sugar levels is another problem. A diabetic is normally prescribed a blood monitor that he has to use several times a day to check their glucose levels. These levels are noted and presented to their physician on their next visit. However, many diabetics don not conform to this essential part of their care.

In addition, medications such as insulin shots and oral hypoglycemic drugs are commonly prescribed but are occasionally overlooked and avoided. These drugs aid the kidneys in eliminating waste by metabolizing foods. There are several programs present for those who cannot afford these drugs, so there is no basis to not take these medications.

Lastly, exercise and weight control are very important to keeping a healthy body. Not only for diabetics, but also for the general population. Diseases are easily fought back when the body is functioning well. Yet, most people simply refuse to adhere to these essential measure.

In conclusion, kidney disease and diabetes are two different illnesses. Diabetes is not invariably a marker to kidney disease. One does not always lead to the other. Discipline is the key to achieving a desirable life. If a person is only apt to take care of his body, nothing grave is going to happen.

26May

Type 2 Diabetes – Obesity and Diabetic Retinopathy

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Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness. One in three diabetic adults over the age of 40 has diabetic retinopathy, although it is not obvious until it begins to impair vision. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure helps to prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Researchers at the Centre for Eye Research at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, set out to discover whether obesity and other measurements of body shape could also be associated with diabetic retinopathy. Their work was published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science in April 2011.

Four hundred and ninety-two volunteers with Type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Obese participants were found to be more than 6.5 times more likely to have diabetic retinopathy than were those with normal weight. High neck and waist circumferences were also associated with the condition and those with high neck and waist circumferences tended to have more severe cases than those with normal neck and waist circumferences.

This news gives Type 2 diabetics more reason than ever to normalize their weight and keep it that way. A normal body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and 30 or more is termed obese. To find your BMI go to the website: nhlbisupport.com/bmi and fill in your height and weight. If it is 25 or above, it is time to plan an eating plan and exercise program that will get rid of some of the body fat. Check with your doctor for a rational, realistic plan.

One pound of human fat contains 3500 calories, so to lose one pound you need to use 3500 more calories than you take in. Lowering your calorie intake along with exercise is the best way to do this…

bicycle riding less than ten miles per hour or performing water aerobics, uses up about 300 calories per hour, so riding or performing aerobics in the pool for about 12 hours would use up one pound of fat
taking in 300 calories per day fewer than usual would cause one pound of fat to come off in about 12 days
spending an hour a day performing moderate exercise and eating 300 calories fewer per day would take off two pounds in twelve days. Keeping up that program for four months would mean the loss of 20 pounds.

How to lower your calories?

try a vegetarian eating plan. It is known to be good for preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes, and it tends to be lower in calories than high-fat meat and dairy products
if there is a kind of food you can’t live without but it’s high in calories, try having smaller portions
you can stay on a reduced-calorie diet eating one cup of spaghetti once in awhile.

Consult a dietitian or look up the calories in all the foods you eat and control your portions. Weight loss is possible when you have a plan you know you will stick to.

25May

Choosing Health Insurance Plans for Diabetics

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Diabetes is a disease that is defined as a metabolic condition in which someone has high blood sugar because their body is unable to create substantial insulin or because the cells in their body are unresponsive to the insulin that is produced. It can have a great negative effect on certain body organs like the heart, the kidney and eyes and can cause damage to them or even lead to strokes. Currently it is approximated that 18 million Americans have diabetes. Similarly, 1 million people are diagnosed with this condition annually.

The control of this disease can be mastered quite well but the treatment can be rather very expensive. The American Diabetes Association estimates that around $11,744 is spent on medical issues pertaining to diabetes; monitoring it, treating it and generally trying to control the blood sugar levels. Someone who has diabetes can actually take up full time employment and also be in line for health insurance benefits.

It is estimated that most diabetes patients are financially unable to cope with the demands of the disease and are therefore not able to properly look after themselves.

It is not exactly easy to come across a cheap health insurance program because the majority of the insurance companies look at diabetics as difficult to insure because there is a great likelihood that there will be complications arising every now and again.

In addition, the complications that arise during diabetes usually call for specific and special medical care systems. Ordinary health issues that affect these diabetics will still require specialized treatment because of the nature of the disease which needs extreme attention.

There are instances where coverage is given but at a very high cost. Sometimes it even forces the person to begin living a less comfortable life because they are trying to cater for these expenses. This is why many people decide to remain uninsured. There are however some plans from the Government that one can rely on to help them with the diabetes.

One such program is Medicaid which is jointly offered by the State Government and the Federal Government. This program offers help to people who are suffering from diabetes but are financially unable to cater for all the medical expenses related to the disease. Original Medicare in turn covers the expenses in terms of services, equipment and supplies. It also caters for preventive coverage for individuals who might be at risk of getting diabetes.

The Government also offers SCHIP which offers health insurance to children who are from families that are not able to cater for themselves when it comes to health costs. This program is very low cost and is offered to children who are under 19 years of age.

In case one works in a company that offers health insurance state laws call for such a person to receive appropriate attention and help with the condition. Most times when companies go for health coverage, they include diabetes and therefore are able to provide supplies for the diabetics who are covered. This might be quite expensive but it is the most reliable alternative

23May

What Do You Need To Know About Diabetes Supplies?

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The treatment for diabetes can be quite expensive and it is estimated that about $11,744 is spend on health care with particular reference to diabetes supplies. This figure is much higher than that spent on other health issues outside diabetes. Many people require some kind of assistance with the problem of diabetes.

Anyone who has Medicare will find this very useful because it offers some great help with the supplies. Individuals who are 65 years or older are entitled to this Federal Health Insurance. Also those who are younger than 65 but have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or may have disabilities are entitled to this insurance. Apart from that, individuals of any age who might have the end-stage renal disease are also entitled to this insurance plan.

It is up to you to decide upon how you would like to receive your prescription and drug coverage as well as the Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs PPOs). Also, you need to know that Original Medicare is helpful when it comes to catering for services of diabetes for instance supplies lancets, glucose monitors, insulin pumps as well as insulin and test strips.

Those who are recipients of the Medicare Advantage Plan need to constantly seek for information pertaining to their membership and how their membership can help them get supplies for diabetes and the treatment. It is helpful to make inquiries be ready with all the information that is needed. You should call the Medicare hot-line to get as much information as you can.

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Medical Assistance which is also known as Medicaid, is yet another path that one could decide to take as they look for a way to battle their condition of diabetes. This program is run by the state government together with the federal government to help sort out the medical expenses which would otherwise be incurred by individuals who can not afford these resources. Each state has different programs, benefits and limitations in this respect. One should go to the Medicaid office to find out if they are eligible for these benefits or not.

There are also many pharmaceutical companies that are ready to offer some of these supplies at a discount for people who are not lucky to have an insurance to cover them. These discounts can also apply to people who just can not afford these benefits because their financial position is not good at the moment.

Take some time and find out if there is a provision for the group insurance coverage in your state. This one is usually for people who are unemployed or totally uninsured because of low income levels. You also need to look for more information on the internet to see where you can get some of these diabetic supplies.

28Apr

Blood Sugar Highs and Lows

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Controlling the amount of sugar in your blood is imperative for anyone diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. When Type II diabetics experience high or low levels of sugar in the blood, they can develop significant complications. High blood sugar levels in diabetics can cause serious damage to the body, while low levels of sugar in the blood can cause immediate, life threatening complications.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may not be as commonly discussed as high, but it can be life threatening especially for diabetics. When the level of sugar drops below 80 mg per deciliter of blood, the body begins to develop serious problems. Typical symptoms displayed by people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are:

• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Shaking
• Hunger
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Numbness and tingling

If you are, or know a Type II diabetic showing these symptoms, it is important to check your level of sugar in your blood immediately. If your blood sugar level is low, it is advised that you have a small snack that has sugar in it, like drink some fruit juice or eat a few small pieces of candy. It is very important to remember to ingest the sugar slowly not having large quantities at one time.

It is also very important to remember to check the level of sugar in your blood again after ingesting the sugar. If the blood sugar level is still low, take some more candy. Checking your blood sugar levels every fifteen minutes to ensure that they are back to normal is recommended. If your blood sugar levels is frequently too low, seek medical advice and treatment as this could be a sign of a major problem that should be addressed immediately.

Diabetics that have low levels of sugar in their blood are prone to passing out. Because of this, it is very important for someone experiencing effects of low levels of sugar to be extra careful when driving or operating heavy machinery. People with low sugar tendencies should pay special attention to their individual symptoms and make sure they are not in dangerous situations when they start experiencing them.

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR

High levels of sugar in the blood can also be very damaging to the body. Moderately high sugar levels can cause long-term degenerative problems in the body, including ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar syndrome. The warning signs for high sugar levels that people need to watch out for include:

• Dry Mouth
• High Fever
• Loss of Vision
• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Hallucinations
• Warm dry skin without sweat
• Extreme thirst

If you, or someone you know if a type 2 diabetic and experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to seek the help of a doctor immediately. Both high and low sugar levels can be life threatening when they are not controlled.

27Apr

Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction

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For men suffering from type 2 diabetes, life is difficult enough without the added frustration and embarrassment of experiencing sexual problems and erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be described as a consistent inability to have an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Estimates of the number of males that suffer from this condition vary from as low as 20% to as high as 70%. Because of the embarrassment associated with this dysfunction, nobody can be sure what an accurate percentage could be.

Diabetic men are three to four more times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than the average non-diabetic man. It is difficult to make the connection between erectile dysfunction and pre-diabetes, as most people with pre-diabetes are unaware of their condition. Aware or not, pre-diabetes problems can affect erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is a problem with the nervous system. It is believed that diabetes and high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, which seems to lead to the erectile dysfunction. It is also important to factor in that high blood sugar levels play in altering hormone production. This altered hormone production can cause a male to take on more female hormone characteristics. This means that a male could have increased estrogen levels and decreased testosterone level because of diabetes and high blood sugars. With decreased testosterone levels, the male will experience a low sex drive and an inability to get and sustain an erection.

Most men with erectile dysfunction use medication to correct their problem. Using medication may be an effective to improve ‘performance,’ but it really does nothing to fix the cause of the real problem. Medications in general are an effective way to help certain conditions like blood flow, they rarely get to the root cause of the problem.

If the real problem is high blood sugar levels, then it is very important to get them under control. Too many people suffering from type 2 diabetes do not make an effort to get their blood sugar under control. Instead of doing the education needed for their condition, they are given medication after medication. This is not as effective as it needs to be, and so there has to be another way.

If you, or someone you know is, or thinks they may be a type 2 diabetic, please see a physician as soon as possible and have tests done so you learn exactly what you are dealing with. Type 2 Diabetes is a very serious disease and if left untreated can create serious permanent damage. Go get treated today, you deserve the very best!

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26Apr

The Side Effects Of Selected Diabetes Medications Part 1

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Diabetes is a formidable chronic illness to be seriously considered. It sadly affects millions of people who move about without knowing it. If left unchecked diabetes can turn out to trigger to many other ailments which may include kidney failure, loss of sight and limbs. The condition itself is associated with problems with insulin which is essential for facilitating the absorption of blood glucose into the body. The disease is divided into two namely type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

There are a range of medications used to treat diabetes. To begin with these medications are also divided into two. Type 1 diabetes is usually treated using regular insulin injection. Type 2 diabetes can be treated using oral medications such as drugs.This can happen over a period of time for many years even. However it has been noted that individuals who suffer from type 2 diabetes and are on oral treatment may at a later stage require insulin injection as a result of oral drugs failing.

Just as many other medications, diabetes drugs vary and also carry some side effects. It is important for patients to known these side effects and report them immediately to the doctor when ever they occur;

Side Effects Of Sulfonylureas

One of the leading drugs for diabetes which has been in use in America for some a long time. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. When the pancreas fails to produce insulin glucose fills your blood stream leading to diabetes. These drugs are designed to force your pancreas into producing insulin. Sulfonylureas drugs are for patients with pancreas that is weak in producing insulin yet producing some. This is why it is for type 2 diabetes. Were there is absolutely no insulin this drug will be useless. Some side effects;

1 Nausea
2 Low blood sugar
3 Weight gain
4 Rash

Generic names of drugs under this medication include glipizide, glyburide. Brand name drugs include Amaryl, Glucotrol amd DiaBeta.

Side Effects Of Thiazolidinediones

Drugs that fall into this category again are for type 2 diabetes and work by facilitating the better usage of insulin by cells and also reducing glucose levels produced by your liver. The side effects;

1 Damage to patient’s liver
2 Fluid retention
3 Nausea
4 Feeling tired/fatigue
5 Abdominal pain
6 Colored urine

As mentioned earlier, type 1 diabetes patients will need to rely on injected insulin considering that in this category of diabetes the pancreas is absolutely failing to produce any insulin. You will need to work with your doctor all the way to ensure effective control of a diabetic condition.

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