5 Benefits of Exercise for Diabetics

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:58 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Type 1 and 2 diabetes is a major deal in the United States. Statistics show that more than 14.6 million people are diagnosed with diabetes each year. There are many ways to fight this disease, however, many people simply give up. Exercise has been proven to treat diabetes along with proper diet. Here are a few benefits of exercise for anyone living with diabetes.

1) Exercise increases insulin sensitivity.

The big problem for Type 2 diabetics is insulin insensitivity. By exercising you can improve how well your insulin works. This will ultimately help you to control your blood glucose levels.

Remember, there are 2 types of diabetes. Type I diabetes is when the pancreas makes too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control their glucose levels. Type II diabetes is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels. It can also mean that the cells are not responding to the insulin. When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is commonly known as insulin resistance.

The risk factors for type II diabetes include a feeling of laziness, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Just by being lazy the person will have a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to type 2 diabetes. When a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, they are told to exercise and diet in order to help with their insulin resistance.

A few things they should follow when dieting is to eat a low-fat diet and limit calories from saturated fats. The recommendations also include eating complete sources of protein, and limiting calories from protein. It is worth noting that protein plays an added role in a diabetic diet. Protein can actually slowly transform into glucose. Consuming appropriate amounts of protein can help a person who has either type I or II diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels.

If dieting and exercise does not work, then medication will be prescribed by the doctor.

2) Exercising will improve your cholesterol levels.

Exercise helps by raising the good cholesterol and lowering the bad. This is good news for diabetics because they are always at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose much faster. This will in turn lower blood sugar dramatically. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will burn glucose.

3) Exercise will strengthen your heart..

Cardiovascular exercise is a major benefit to diabetics. With a stronger heart you will be able to exercise much harder. You will be able to go throughout your day and carry out tasks much easier. Many people do not exercise because they feel as though they do not have the energy. One key to remember is that exercise will give you energy.

4) Exercise can decrease blood pressure.

Many diabetics also have high blood pressure. Exercising can reduce your blood pressure when you are resting or exercising. Keep in mind that your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your entire body. This is also very important for reducing your chances of heart disease and stroke.

5) Exercise can improve your mood.

Diabetes can be a very stressful disease on anyone who lives with it. One thing great about exercising for anyone is that you feel really good about yourself. Exercise can even improve depression. Depression has been found to be a major cause of suicide. Yes, you have diabetes, but it does not mean you cannot lead a normal life.

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Donald Mckenzie Jr has over 5 years experience as a health instructor. For access to more of his important health articles and e-books, visit his website. updated-health-news.blogspot.com

The causes of diabetes are not entirely known.

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:56 am } · { Uncategorized }
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The causes of diabetes are not totally known by medical science. There are still many questions about it that haven’t been answered. Scientists are still at a loss as to why some people get it while others do not. It is known however, that having certain risk factors leads to diabetes. Some of these factors (lifestyle) are controllable while others (genetic) are not.

With type 1 the cause of diabetes is not having enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. This occurs because the body stops making insulin entirely or doesn’t generate enough. Type 1 is typically diagnosed in the young. Children and adolescents being at the most risk and this form of the disease used to be called juvenile onset or insulin dependent diabetes. Adults of all ages can get type 1 as well with damage or removal of the pancreas being the usual cause. In the United States about 1 out of 10 people who get diabetes have type 1.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes accounting for about 90% of all cases. Insulin resistance is the cause of diabetes type 2. A person with type 2 diabetes continues to produce insulin but the body doesn’t respond to it in the normal way. Glucose loses its ability to enter the cells and provide energy. This makes the blood sugar level rise, which in turn makes the pancreas produce even more insulin. The pancreas can become damaged from the extra work load. The organ may then be no longer be able to make sufficient insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.

Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur while a woman is pregnant. Three to five percent of women who are pregnant develop the disease. Like the other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes makes it difficult to manage the blood sugar levels.

The cause of pre-diabetes: Pre-diabetes occurs when the body’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not necessarily high enough for a type 2 diagnosis. There are approximately 50 million Americans who have pre-diabetes.

The cause of diabetes varies from one form of the disease to the next. Of all diseases diabetes is the sixth leading killer in the U.S. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that you may have so that he or she can make a diagnosis. Many symptoms related to diabetes are symptoms of other serious diseases as well so see your doctor at least once a year.

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When looking for the cause of diabetes or anything else in relation to diabetes go to www.YourDiabetesInfo.com where John Richmond is a contributing writer and has several other articles there as well.

Effective Treatment of CAD for Diabetes Patient

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:55 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Risk Factor Management

Hyperglycemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is always your diabetic patient’s first priority. A combination of diet, exercise, drugs, and stress reduction can help your patient keep her blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Encourage her to monitor her blood glucose levels at home so that she can adjust different aspects of her treatment as needed. Keep in mind, however, that the physician may modify your patient’s treatment after a severe cardiac problem to achieve stricter blood glucose control. That’s because avoidance of severe hypoglycemia is crucial to preventing arrhythmias, which can lead to more serious cardiac problems, such as an MI.

Hypertension accelerates the vascular changes of already compromised coronary arteries. Monitor your patient’s blood pressure frequently. If her blood pressure exceeds 140/85 mm Hg on two separate occasions, she’s considered hypertensive. The physician may prescribe lifestyle modifications, such as a low-sodium diet, alcohol restriction, and regular exercise. If 3 months of nonpharmacologic therapy don’t reduce your patient’s diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg, the physician may prescribe an antihypertensive drug, such as an ACE inhibitor. If your patient’s diastolic pressure exceeds 110 mm Hg or if she has microalbuminuria, the physician may prescribe an antihypertensive drug immediately in conjunction with lifestyle modifications.

Many patients with diabetes are at risk for CAD because they have hypercholesterolemia. Even those with normal or nearnormal total cholesterol levels may be at risk because their heartprotective, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are abnormally low, and their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels are abnormally high. Typically, a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet is recommended for patients whose total cholesterol level exceeds 200 mg/dl and whose LDL level exceeds 130 mg/dl. Encourage your patient to reduce her total fat intake to less than 30% of her total calories and her saturated fat intake to less than 10% of her total calories. If 6 months of diet therapy and exercise don’t reduce your patient’s LDL level to 160 mg/dl or less, the physician may prescribe a lipid-lowering agent, such as lovastatin.

To help your patient reduce her weight, the physician may prescribe an individualized diet and exercise plan. The goals of the weight-loss program are to help improve your patient’s blood glucose levels and better control her blood pressure. She can achieve these goals with even a modest weight loss of 10 to 15 pounds. Help your patient understand that a large weight loss followed by a weight gain is stressful to her body. Instead, encourage her to maintain her weight and blood glucose levels by controlling her food portions, eating balanced nutritious meals, and eating her meals at the same time each day.

If your diabetic patient smokes, she should stop. To help ease her withdrawal symptoms, her physician may prescribe nicotine in a dermal delivery system or a chewing gum. The physician may also encourage her to attend a support group.

Drug Therapy

Your patient’s physician may prescribe one or more drugs to manage CAD and help prevent its complications.

To treat coronary artery insufficiency, the physician may prescribe a beta-blocker, such as propranolol. But if your patient is using insulin, she may not be able to take beta-blockers because these drugs can impair insulin secretion and alter or mask the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Without the typical warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia-such as dizziness, diaphoresis, or nausea-your patient may not realize that her blood glucose level has fallen dangerously low. However, some patients who use insulin can tolerate low doses of cardioselective beta-blockers, such as atenolol, metoprolol, or acebutolol.

If your patient has had an MI, the physician may prescribe aspirin to reduce the risk of further complications of CAD.

If she has angina, the physician may prescribe a nitrate, such as a nitroglycerin patch. Although the nitrate won’t interfere with blood glucose control, it can produce severe hypotension. So monitor your patient’s blood pressure and teach her about the signs and symptoms of hypotension, such as light-headedness when changing from a lying position to a standing one.

If your diabetic patient has heart failure and hypertension, drug therapy may pose problems. If she also has autonomic neuropathy and orthostatic hypotension, calcium channel blockers may be in appropriate. Although ACE inhibitors have been used successfully in patients with diabetes, they can increase serum potassium levels, requiring close monitoring for signs of hyperkalemia. Thiazide diuretics can raise blood glucose levels and reduce potassium levels, requiring close monitoring for signs of hypoglycemia and hypokalemia. They may also cause impotence or orthostatic hypotension, especially in a patient with autonomic neuropathy.

Invasive Treatments

Patients with CAD may also benefit from invasive treatments. In those with coronary ischemia or MI, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can restore blood flow in blocked coronary arteries. However, if a patient with nephropathy receives radiographic dye during this nonsurgical invasive procedure, she may develop further kidney problems. Coronary artery bypass surgery may also be performed in diabetic patients. However, high glucose levels during surgery can increase the risk of postoperative complications and death.

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Collect the latest information from the articles related to diabetes and its causes, symptoms , treatment and types of diabetes. For more information you can visit www.diabetescurehelp.org.

Winning Tactics For Traveling With Diabetes

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:54 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Having diabetes does not mean that the world is ending. If you are having the urge to travel, then go ahead, do not let it keep you.

But then, you need to take care of your supplies first before going. Being careful is the best way to avoid accidents and emergency situations.

First thing to do it to prepare a check list of supplies you need to bring. This may include:

* Vials of insulin or
* Insulin loaded syringes
* Oral medication
* Numerous syringes and/or pen needles
* Lancet or other finger pricking devices
* Glucose metes
* Batteries for meter
* Meter solutions
* Glucose strips
* Insulin pump
* Supplies for your insulin pump like fresh batteries, plastic tubes, needles and cathethers
* Glucagon kit for emergencies
* Urine test strips
* Alcohol swabs
* A disposal container for your sharp instruments
* ID and diabetes identity cards
* Medical insurance cards
* Emergency glucose (glucose tablets)

Place all of these in one bag for ease of use and for facilitation of screening at the airport. Pack twice as much as you need so you will not be short. You might also want to bring all your prescription so that in the case that your bag was lost, all items can be replaced promptly.

Next, you need to determine how to store your insulin. Insulin is stable at room temperature but it can lose its therapeutic effect if it is stored in a very hot or very cold place. The next time you go to your supplies store, try looking for travel packs for your insulin.

Then, you need to make sure that all your supplies are properly labeled. There is no limit to the number of syringes or lancets you can bring but they need to be properly stored and labeled. Used syringes and lancets should be in a sharps container and the container also labeled.

Ensure that your strips are placed in a waterproof container. If you have the foil wrapped strips, double wrap them in zip lock bags just to be careful.

Make sure that batteries for your meters are of the right kind and are brand new. Many people overlook this and end up bringing the wrong kind or used up batteries.

Also, take a sturdy plastic or paper back for your trash. This will hold your used alcohol swabs, strips and strip-wrappers.

When you get to the airport, alert security that you have diabetes and are carrying supplies. Show them your identification if needs be. If you are wearing an insulin pump, you need to tell the inspectors that the pump cannot be removed because it is connected to a catheter under your skin.

Unpack and repack your supplies yourself if security demands it. This will ensure that there is no contamination or loss of article.

You should not worry about the effect of the x-ray on your pump or meters. Most of them are designed to pass through the scanners safely. If you still have doubts, ask security for a visual inspection instead.

However, keep in mind that if you request for a visual inspection, there might be items that cannot be screened just visually. This may need x-ray scanning. If you refuse, you will not be allowed to have them onboard.

Traveling is a fun and joyful experience. You need not be hampered by disease to enjoy it fully. Just remember to take the proper precaution, be conscious of your body and pack your supplies properly.

Oh and have a great time!

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Now there is a gallery of powerful information yours for the taking. Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Click here: Diabetes Supplies

How To Defeat Diabetes Even If You Have a Sweet Tooth

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:52 am } · { Uncategorized }
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An overweight America may be fixated on fat and obsessed with carbs, but nutritionists say the real problem is much sweeter, we’re a wash in sugar. Sugar is one of the main factors that contribute to diabetes. With diabetes growing at an incredible rate there are many different views on treating diabetes. In 2007 the amount of sugar being consumed grew exponentially. Did you know that the average American consumes 63 pounds of sugar a year? The issue is not that we consume sugar, but it is the amount of sugar we consume without even realizing it. For example a can of soda contains 13 teaspoons of sugar. People have turned to artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar.

Aspartame (NutraSweet) is produced from two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine and is 180 times sweeter than sucrose. If you are currently using aspartame please pay close attention to the following. Studies have shown that Aspartame, an artificial sweetener commonly put into processed foods and diet soft drinks is a very dangerous chemical. Also known as NutraSweet, Equal, and Spoonful, wood alcohol (methanol) which coverts to formic acid (formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants), which in turn causes metabolic acidosis when heated above 86F.
The methanol toxicity mimics other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, tinnitus and systemic lupus, especially among Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi Drinkers.

If you are using ASPARTAME and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss you probably have aspartame disease! The Congressional Record states that they make you crave carbohydrates and will make you FAT.

The formaldehyde stores in your fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. The only reason that it continues to be promoted is that the companies that have patented this drug have very deep pockets. There are companies making literally millions of dollars selling aspartame. There has been clinical studies that have evidence that aspartame not only causes you to gain fat but it also responsible for a plague of neurological diseases. If you are still not convinced by what I have mentioned PLEASE do some reading and find out for yourself the implications of using this deadly poison.

In my research I have found that there is one alternative that may be step above all the rest. This is a NATURAL herb called stevia. Stevia is derived from a South American shrub (Stevia rebaudiana). A good quality leaf is estimated to be 300 times sweeter than cane sugar, or sucrose. Also known as honey leaf and yerba dulce, stevia is not absorbed through the digestive tract, and is therefore non-caloric. This is a huge find for a person with diabetes, stevia is not only a natural substitute for sugar but it also carries medicinal properties. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may lower blood pressure, prevent and reverse diabetes and possess anti-viral properties.

Many people ask me well why have I not heard of this before, the answer although much to vast to cover in this article, attributes many of these natural remedies not being told to the public due to the monetization of big companies that focus on nothing but maximizing profits.

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Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how her husband could live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

The Proper Diet for Diabetic People

{ June 28, 2008 @ 10:50 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Diabetes can be a very dangerous disease. It is a disease that is usually referred to as a silent killer, as its patient rarely show any signs and symptoms related to disease. Yet, the damage is getting severe inside.

As of now, there’s no cure for diabetes just yet. Diabetic people are advised to watch their diet and maintain an ideal weight so they can manage their disease better. Here are good diet suggestions so patients suffering from diabetes may stay healthy despite their condition:

1. A daily dose of fruits and vegetables is essential.
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in a diabetic’s diet. As much as possible, they should eat fruits or green leafy vegetables for snacks or along the main meal. Stir-fried or raw vegetables are ideal. These foods are rich in vitamins and nutrients essential in fighting off bad cholesterol.

2. Starches should be consumed for energy.
A diabetic’s diet should include starch so that the patient would have energy to sustain his daily activities. Bread and cereal are good sources of starch. It is best consumed during breakfast to fuel up the required energy throughout the day.

3. Avoid sweets and sugary foods.
If you can’t help eating sweetened foods, at least do so in moderation. Restrict yourself to eating sugary food once in a week. You have to reduce sugar intake because being diabetic, your body can’t break down the sugar, as it should.

4. Include soluble fibers in your diet.
Studies have shown that soluble fibers slow down the absorption of glucose in the intestines. Legumes, kidney beans, and carrots are good choices of food that are high in soluble fibers.

These suggestions should help a lot as far as nutrition is concerned. However, diabetic people should make it a point to visit their doctor on a regular basis so that their health will be monitored properly.

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For more information about diabetic visit Diabetic Seniors