Tag Archive | "Diabetes"

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New Spanish Consumer Guide Compares Diabetes Meds


The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently released Pastillas para la diabetes tipo 2, a consumer guide aimed at the estimated one in eight Hispanics who take prescription drugs for diabetes. The guide provides information on how to control one’s condition and offers comparisons of various oral medications for their illness.

“This guide offers critically important information to help Hispanics who have diabetes control their disease and avoid side effects,” AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy said in a prepared statement. By providing information in Spanish, she said she hopes this will help Hispanic patients become more involved in their own health care and help level the racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

The guide describes the workings and effects, good and bad, of 10 generic and 13 brand-name diabetes medications. It also warns patients of potential medication-related problems such as hypoglycemia low blood sugar, provides simple cost comparisons between each generic and brand-name diabetes medications, and lists appropriate dosages for medications being taken in combination.

The Spanish guide is based on the recent AHRQ-funded report, Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Diabetes Medications for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, which is based on scientific evidence found in 216 published studies.

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Diabetes Symptoms And Cures


Diabetes is of three main types insulin-dependent diabetes or the Type 1 diabetes, Non-insulin dependent diabetes or the Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes mellitus. A persons eating habits and viruses can cause Type 1 diabetes. Heredity, obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of proper diet cause Type 2 diabetes, which is very common.

The gestational diabetes mellitus is caused as a result of heredity, increased maternal age, fatness and more reasons. It may cause the mother to develop permanent diabetes. This characteristic may get transferred to the child at a later age.

There are certain symptoms with the help of which you can detect diabetes. Excessive urination, constant thirst, loss of weight, excessive starvation, nausea, extreme tiredness, infections, irritability and tiredness are some of them.

The importance of insulin comes to light when a person suffers from diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that allows blood sugar or glucose to enter body cells. Diabetes affects a persons capability to make insulin. Due to diabetes, the glucose remains in the blood itself. This high rate of sugar in the blood may cause harm to your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.

Other than heredity reasons, you can easily avoid Type 2 diabetes by following some simple steps. For those people who are overweight, reduce the rate of consuming food. Overweight people have the risk of developing diabetes. Try to consume grilled or baked food instead of fried food. Cut down on fatty meals. While having food, check its Glycemic Index. While drinking milk, opt for the skimmed milk instead of the full-fat milk. Exercise is a very effective way, which ensures that you stay in a healthy way always.

It is best to cure diabetes before it attacks your health. To cure diabetes, it is important to know its symptoms. Extreme thirst not only after exercise and a stroll in the hot air, but always, is a symptom. Even after drinking water, if you have a dry mouth, if you have to urinate frequently, if you have unexpected weight loss, and you feel lethargic all the time, check with a doctor. It could be a symptom for diabetes.

Blurry vision, slow healing cuts and sores, extreme itching or soreness in the genital or yeast infection can be the other symptoms of diabetes. It is best to cure it before it develops fully and affects your body.

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Four Types Of Diabetes! Which Are You?


Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10 of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include heart disease cardiovascular disease, blindness retinopathy, nerve damage neuropathy, and kidney damage nephropathy.

Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 2 diabetes include heart disease cardiovascular disease, blindness retinopathy, nerve damage neuropathy, and kidney damage nephropathy. Learn more about these complications and how to cope with them.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4 of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

Because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don’t have gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for gestational diabetes can be changed as needed.

For the mother-to-be, treatment for gestational diabetes helps lower the risk of a cesarean section birth that very large babies may require. Sticking with your treatment for gestational diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and may help your baby avoid future poor health. see Diabetes Symptoms

Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes.

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Type one diabetes


Type one diabetes is far less common than type two diabetes and it will affect younger individuals. It is most found in people under the age of 40 and mostly under the age of fourteen. There are people who have been diagnosed with it after forty but it is very rare. Diabetes is a serious issues and type one is the worst. It is associated with the lack of insulin. It is a dysfunction of the pancreas where it will just stop making insulin in the amount the body needs to maintain a normal level of glucose in the blood. Many people who have type one diabetes will have symptoms of hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is where your glucose is too high in the blood. Meaning your blood sugar is too high. The common symptoms of hyperglycemia or diabetes type one is frequent hunger, frequent urinating, and frequent thirst. You will also experience blurred vision, fatigue, weight loss, your healing power will be low meaning it will take you a long time to heal a wound or cut, dry mouth, dry or itchy skin, and you could have impotence for males. Your immune system will become weak and you will be able to pick up infection easily.

The reason why you are always hungry is because your body can not use glucose as an energy source. It is also, why you tire out easily. Since the body can not absorb sugar or glucose into the blood cells you will release it through frequent trips to the bathroom. Since you make many trips a day to the bathroom, your body realizes that it is losing excess water and thats why you will become thirsty. When it comes to the symptoms, you may experience them all together or it may take some time for your body to go through the process. Most likely though it will be gradual.

The changes of developing type one diabetes is 3.7 to 20 per 100, 000. Over 700,000 Americans have type one diabetes, which adds up to be about ten percent of the total population that has the disorder. It is more common to have type two diabetes. The reason why people develop the disorder is because an autoimmune disorder. The body will start to see its own tissue as a foreign object and then it destroys the bodys ability to make insulin. It has been rumored to be a cause from the mumps, rubella, measles, influenza, polio, or other viruses. Thats why it is very common in young children because those epidemics affect younger children more often than older adults. Diabetes is also genetic. You may simply have the disorder because an immediate family member has it.

As for treatment, type one involves injections of insulin. It is absorbed in the blood stream and absorbed by the cells that need insulin and it will then control the levels of sugar in the blood. You can find more information on

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Where To Get Diabetes Supplies


Diabetes has slowly crept into the lives of almost eleven million Americans who have diabetes and are aware they have the illness, and up to seven million Americans who are not aware they have diabetes. Added to this glaring number of diabetes-stricken Americans are the millions more who are in the prediabetes stage.

People with diabetes have more chances of surviving the illness if they know how to manage diabetes and they have the financial means to support the medication and other supplies required by people with diabetes.

Getting Type 1 diabetes is usually dependent on you genes although it is not a very strong risk factor. Obesity and age are however risk factors in getting Type 2 diabetes. But no matter how old you are, if you are obese and have a history of gestational diabetes, have one or both parents with Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, then it is best to have yourself checked for diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is commonly found in children while Type 1.5 diabetes is the name given to diabetes found in adults. Adults with Type 1.5 diabetes is characterized by a slower attack on the beta cells compared to the vicious attack of beta cells in children with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, the bodys insulin cannot control its blood sugar levels.

There are several ways of testing for diabetes including the glucose test which measures the bloods glucose level and the oral glucose test. The glucose test is best done after at least 12 hours of fasting.

The main concern for people with diabetes is how to control the level of their blood glucose in such a way that they can lessen diabetes-related complications. Thus, monitoring of ones blood glucose level is always a must for people with diabetes. Controlling the blood glucose level means choosing the type of food you eat and taking the proper medication.

A person who wants to be in control of his diabetes should have all the necessary supplies on hand whether he stays in the house or he travels. A diabetic should always make sure that his insulin supply is not exposed to extreme changes in temperature. A diabetic is also more prone to foot problems so he should take care of his feet by using comfortable socks.

Other important supplies for diabetics include blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, glucose tablets and gels.

If you have diabetes, make sure that you have your supplies wherever you go. Also inform your housemates or officemates about the possible stores where they can buy these supplies in case you have an emergency. Always scout for stores that sell supplies for diabetics near your home or office or where you frequently go. And if you have to travel, make sure you carry more than enough because you never know what might happen. Also check if the places you will go to have some shops which sell the supplies you need.

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7 Steps on How to Prevent Diabetes


Diabetes is more prevalent than ever and 95 of cases diagnosed are type 2 diabetes.

Although for some the development of diabetes is inevitable, perhaps due to heriditery and other factors, for the vast majority it can be prevented by taking these 7 simple steps…

Before diabetes type 2 becomes fully developed you go through a stage known as pre-diabetes. This is where you start to show some of the symptoms, which if ignored, can lead to full blown diabetes.

Make these 7 action points part of your daily routine and you could stop this disease happening to you

1 If you are overweight you risk developing diabetes. Reduce the amount of food on your plate so you gradually eat less and start to lose weight. Drink a glass of plain water or a sugar-free drink before your meal to take the edge of any hunger pains.

2 Reduce the amount of fat you are eating; grill or bake foods instead of frying; use low-fat spreads and reduced fat meals.

3 Check the Glycemic Index of the food you are eating – knowing what each food contains helps maintain your blood-sugars, which in turn can prevent the full onset of diabetes.

4 Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. If you keep a bottle of water with you and sip frequently you’ll be surprised how much you do drink throughout the day.

5 If you are feeling peckish choose a healthy snack rather than a chocolate bar.

6 Use skimmed rather than full-fat milk in hot drinks.

7 Exercise is good for health. But if you are not use to exercise then start in moderation. 15 minutes gentle walking each day will ease you into a regular exercising pattern.

All of these action points are also the ones that diabetics are advised to take – if you take them now you might possibly prevent irreparable damage to your health.

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Keep Your Blood Sugar Level Under Control


Controlling blood sugar glucose levels is one of the most important aspects of diabetes management. It will make you feel better in the short-term and it will help you to stay fit and healthy in the long term.

The National Committee on Prevention Detection Evaluation, the chromium and many interesting articles. People who do not have diabetes keep their blood glucose levels within a narrow range for most of the time. The beta cells in the pancreas are able to produce just the right amount of insulin at the right time and they are constantly fine-tuning the blood glucose level. People with diabetes do not have this fine control over their blood glucose levels.

This might be because the beta cells have been destroyed and there is no insulin production at all, as in Type 1 diabetes. Alternatively, it may be that the body does not respond to the insulin andor not enough insulin is produced when it is needed, as in Type 2 diabetes. The approach to managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is slightly different, but whichever type of diabetes you have, you will still need to step in and take over that fine-tuning of your blood glucose level.

Controlling blood glucose levels is a bit like trying to lasso an unruly animal. Blood glucose is dynamic; it changes constantly and it is influenced by a host of factors including your choice of food, how much you eat, the timing of your medication or insulin, your emotions, illnesses, your weight, and your body’s resistance to insulin.

Some of these factors are relatively constant from day to day and are quite easily accounted for; some factors are more variable. No two days are ever exactly the same, or entirely predictable, and this makes it difficult. So, blood glucose is not easily lassoed.

In practical terms, you will need to learn about those things that raise your blood glucose level and those things that lower your blood glucose level. Then you will need to balance these factors on a day-to-day and possibly even hour-by-hour basis. This means coordinating medication, food and activity levels, whilst making appropriate allowances for stress, illness or changes in your daily activities.

You will be aiming to avoid the extreme highs and lows, trying to manipulate your blood glucose toward the normal range. You will be doing regular finger-prick blood glucose tests and using these results to help balance those things that make your blood glucose rise with those that make it fall. When you have evened out your blood glucose level you will still need to keep an eye on it and continue to make adjustments.

Controlling blood glucose is a continuous process and it will require your attention from now on, for the rest of your life. Dont worry! It may sound daunting to you right now, but it will soon become second nature.

People who do not have diabetes have blood glucose levels between 4 and 8 mmoll for most of the time. In general, people with diabetes should try to aim for test results between 4 and 10 mmoll most of the time. Some people pregnant women, for example will need to aim for tighter control. Other people young children, the elderly, or those at risk of severe hypoglycemia, for example will need to aim for higher levels.

Your diabetes team will give you individual guidance on the blood glucose levels that you should be aiming for.

In the short term, controlling blood glucose levels is important in order to avoid diabetic emergencies very high or very low blood glucose levels. Both of these conditions are unpleasant and can be dangerous, so they should be avoided if at all possible.

High blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetes, if caused by a lack of insulin, can lead to a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA which can be fatal if it is not treated in time.

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How is Diabetes Managed?


Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, everyone with type 1 diabetes died within a few years after diagnosis. Although insulin is not considered a cure, its discovery was the first major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

Today, healthy eating, physical activity, and taking insulin are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking. People with diabetes also monitor blood glucose levels several times a year with a laboratory test called the A1C. Results of the A1C test reflect average blood glucose over a 2- to 3-month period.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic management tools for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease CVD. In fact, at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Managing diabetes is more than keeping blood glucose levels under control–it is also important to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels through healthy eating, physical activity, and use of medications if needed. By doing so, those with diabetes can lower their risk. Aspirin therapy, if recommended by the health care team, and smoking cessation can also help lower risk.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low–a condition known as hypoglycemia–a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired, and if blood glucose falls too low, fainting can occur.

A person can also become ill if blood glucose levels rise too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will help them learn to manage their diabetes and who will monitor their diabetes control. Most people with diabetes get care from primary care physicians–internists, family practice doctors, or pediatricians. Often, having a team of providers can improve diabetes care. A team can include

- a primary care provider such as an internist, a family practice doctor, or a pediatrician

- an endocrinologist a specialist in diabetes care

- a dietitian, a nurse, and other health care providers who are certified diabetes educators–experts in providing information about managing diabetes

- a podiatrist for foot care

- an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for eye care

and other health care providers, such as cardiologists and other specialists. In addition, the team for a pregnant woman with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes should include an obstetrician who specializes in caring for women with diabetes. The team can also include a pediatrician or a neonatologist with experience taking care of babies born to women with diabetes.

The goal of diabetes management is to keep levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol as close to the normal range as safely possible. A major study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial DCCT, sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIDDK, showed that keeping blood glucose levels close to normal reduces the risk of developing major complications of type 1 diabetes.

This 10-year study, completed in 1993, included 1,441 people with type 1 diabetes. The study compared the effect of two treatment approaches–intensive management and standard management–on the development and progression of eye, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Intensive treatment aimed to keep A1C levels as close to normal 6 percent as possible. Researchers found that study participants who maintained lower levels of blood glucose through intensive management had significantly lower rates of these complications. More recently, a follow-up study of DCCT participants showed that the ability of intensive control to lower the complications of diabetes has persisted more than 10 years after the trial ended.

The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, a European study completed in 1998, showed that intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure reduced the risk of blindness, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes.

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Types of diabetes


The American Diabetes Association adopted the following classification in 1979.

Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Type-2, non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

There are two other kinds of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes and secondary diabetes. There is also a special kind of diabetes in India called malnutrition related diabetes.

Type-1 Insulin-Dependant Diabetes

This is the most severe form of diabetes. It develops when pancreas makes little or no insulin. Without insulin in the blood stream, sugar does not get into the cells, and remains in the blood. People with type-1 diabetes depend on injections of insulin to regulate their smaller metabolism.

Type-2 Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes

This type of diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes. It seldom develops before the age of 40 years, although it may occur at any stage. Infect the incidence of type-2 diabetes in adolescents in on the rise. But because the symptoms are milk, these may not notice and the condition remains undetected for a long period and till later years.

One common factor in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels. However, unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 is not a disease of the immune system. While people with type-1 diabetes must use insulin to live, most of those with type-2 diabetes are able to control the disease and even reverse it. This is possible by a combination of appropriate diet, proper weight control and adequate exercise.

For complete information on , diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes mellitus visit

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Diabetes Treatment And Info All You Need To Know


Diabetes is a critical health care problem for many people throughout the world. It decreases quality of life and, in many cases, it can also shorten one’s life.The good news is that when you recognize the seriousness of being a diabetic and take constructive steps toward controlling it all of these things above decrease in importance.

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism. The way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy. Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

Conventional Medical Treatment

Insulin was the first, and remains the primary means of treatment for Type 1 diabetes and is administered by subcutaneous injection. This method is necessary since insulin is destroyed by gastric stomach secretions when it is taken by mouth. Insulin injections must be balanced with meals and daily activities, and glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood sugar testing. Many diabetics need inject insulin only once a day; others require two or more injections. The usual time for a dose of insulin is before breakfast. The dosage is initially established according to the severity of the condition, but it often has to be reassessed as one or another of the variables in the person’s condition changes.

Medicines for Type2 Diabetes

Metformin this is often the first medicine that is advised for type 2 diabetes. It mainly works by reducing the amount of glucose that your liver releases into the bloodstream.

Sulphonylureas for example, glibelclamide, gliclazide, glimerpirizide, glipizide, gliquidone, increase the amount of insulin produced by your pancreas. They also make your body’s cells more sensitive to insulin so that more glucose is taken up from the blood.

Type 1 Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes is treated with intensive insulin therapy. This type of treatment is designed to achieve near-normal blood sugars safely – while keeping the episodes of low blood sugars “insulin reactions” to a minimum. Insulin therapy includes

Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin Flexibility is important!. Use of Insulin Pens or Pumps. Use of new type of insulin Lispro or Humlog extremely fast-acting – replaces regular insulin.

Diabetes Medications

Sulfonylureas Glyburide Micronase, Diabeta and Glipizide Glucotrol. Traditional medicines – cheap, easy to take, work well with many people. Stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas. Problems Doesn’t always achieve normal blood sugars and may cause low blood sugars. Metformin Glucophage Used in Europe for many years. Decreases sugar production by the liver, which contributes to elevated blood sugar levels. Works well with insulin. Problems Causes gastro-intestinal upset in some, and cannot be used if you have serious heart or kidney problems.

People with diabetes will experience many long-term and serious complications. These complications will affect virtually every part of the body from the feet and legs to the internal organs.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or use insulin properly therefore it is up to you and your doctor to learn how to manipulate the functions of your body properly to offset or minimize the complications of uncontrolled diabetes. With proper control you can still live a healthy and long life but it helps to be a fanatic about controlling your diabetes.

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