Free Diabetes Supplies for Diabetic People

Take a look at what the word “diabetic” means and you’ll find that it is basically relating to having diabetes or a person who has diabetes. However, there are many people who have diabetes that would rather not deal with the second part of the word’s meaning. Many people don’t want to be called a “diabetic” even though they are and must deal with it on a daily basis.

Some people were asked why they were offended by being labeled as a “diabetic.” Many felt that it made them feel like they were a condition or a disease instead of a person. They wanted to be known as a person who was dealing with diabetes, since they feel that the disease of diabetes is really only a little part of who they are. They feel that they should be seen as a person first, not a condition.

Of course much of this resentment comes from society’s negative attitude against those who deal with diabetes. Many people think that diabetes is a problem that people bring on their lives because of laziness and eating poorly. Of course when people discuss and think of diabetes on these terms, it can be very offensive to be spoken of on the same terms.

Most people who find it irritating that people don’t like to be labeled as “diabetics” are people who are not actually suffering from diabetes themselves. Those who do have diabetes want to others to know that they are not defined by their disease, but they simply have the disease. Those who have cancers are not known as “cancerous” and those with other problems are not known by their disease.

Basically, it all comes down to the fact that many people who do have diabetes find the term “diabetic” to be very offensive when it is used in reference to a person. In order to avoid offending the diabetes who live in the world today, it is best to avoid using this word when referring to them. Remember, they are a person who has the disease of diabetes, they are not just a diabetic.

Diabetic socks are called that because of them being specifically made for people with sensitive feet or feet that are vulnerable to problems. It is common for diabetics to have problems with their feet due to a condition by the name of neuropathy. All doctors will advise diabetic patients to be extra cautious with their feet as the condition can result in the need for amputation. Poor circulation is another common condition found among diabetics, and this too can result in amputation if it is left untreated.

When diabetic patients experience neuropathy or poor blood circulation, the problem is that this is not just a disease, the problem is that they cannot feel the pain. Neuropathy is when the nerve cells are lost, and for diabetics, it generally affects their feet. If the patient were to step on something sharp and not feel anything, infection could arise from this and serious damage could occur to the foot. The infection could rapidly spread into the blood stream and become severe.

Another great problem for diabetics is poor circulation. This is whereby blood and nutrients do not travel well enough to nicks and scrapes, which makes the healing process longer, giving time for infection to set in. There is also a tendency in diabetic patients that their infection fighting white blood cells slow down resulting in a high concentration of blood sugar. For these reasons it is imperative that diabetic patients pay particular attention to their feet.

Diabetic socks should be worn at all times, indoors and outdoors. They are extremely comfortable, and should be made from natural materials, cotton, or wool so that they are breathable. Wool socks absorb the moisture away from the body, which results in it evaporating more quickly. This will of course keep the feet drier and less inclined to fungus or cracking and flaking skin.

Diabetic socks are available with a non-constrictive band at the top and non-irritating seams. Many diabetic socks give extra cushioning on the soles which provides arch support and comfort. The main purpose of diabetic socks is to provide extra comfort for those people who may have sensitive feet and find it uncomfortable to wear ordinary socks. However, diabetic socks can help a patient with the disease to remain on their feet.

We live in a throw away society. Anything we don’t want any more, or if it doesn’t make us happy, or suite our purpose we can throw it away. The biggest throw away of all being marriage.

Diabetics have a lot to deal with at the best of times. Not every married couple has the perfect partner, but something brought them together in the first place. If it was love shouldn’t that be the strong glue that binds them together no matter what they have to face? Unfortunately, there is a school of thought out there that suggests if your partner doesn’t give you the support you need, why no problem, you can dispose of him or her by walking away. All I can say to an attitude like that is how sad for both.

Whatever happened to couples being encouraged to sit down and talk about what they feel is the problem? Sometimes it is a case of educating the partner. Diabetics need to educate themselves and their partner when it comes to the type of diabetes they have. Diabetes is no respecter of age or the problems that can come with it. It can be fear of the unknown that can be a real negative for the partner. True, some don’t handle new situations very well, so they want to run, hide, or deny any thing is different. They may even want to strike out and hurt the other partner. The striking out part can be the hardest for couples, as it usually becomes very emotional on both sides, with each one becoming defensive, opening the door to saying things that in that moment of time can not be taken back. Soon barriers are between them and neither one is willing to make the first move to break them down. In time the wounds fester and keep growing. One day one of them decides to leave, and away they go.

Wouldn’t it be much easier to speak kind words to each other? Talk openly about the problem? Look for solutions? If the glue that binds two people together is indeed love then I know this is possible. Solutions, and yes sometimes compromising enters into the picture in order to find solutions, but through it all there is usually common ground to build on.

As mentioned earlier education on the subject is vital to both. It is not just for the person that has been newly diagnosed with diabetes. If both make it a positive challenge that they participate in together, the stronger their foundation will be. It takes time, and patience, and most of all the right kind of love two people can have for each other. Believe me that kind of love will stand the test of time. Mine has for 54 years now and still counting. Ours has had most of what life is all about and at times it has come in pretty big doses, but through it all we can say love brought us through it all.

Diabetic complications can include: Diabetic eye problems, foot problems, thyroid problems, and other short and long term complications of diabetes that can have serious impact on the health of any diabetic. It is therefore in your best interest to control these health issues to the best of your ability.

Here are 3 ways to minimize the complications associated with diabetes:

1. Keep on learning! It’s quite possible for someone who is diabetic to be considered healthy, overall. If you talk with ten diabetics, you’ll be astonished to find nine of them very poorly informed about their disease. The tenth person may have more information because he/she has decided never to stop learning. That’s one of the signs of a “healthy” diabetic. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to educate yourself continually about your diabetes and the complications that can arise.

Diabetes is a major focus of scientific study because it is so prevalent in our country. New advances, new technology, and new information are constantly being made available to the public. Keeping up with what’s happening in the field of diabetes is the best way to ensure you remain complication free so that you’ll have a healthier lifestyle and a longer life.

2. Remember that your diet is your best friend. As soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes, you need to begin educating yourself about nutrition and following a correct diet. If you have diabetes, it’s likely that up to now, your diet hasn’t been especially healthful. You may be obese, or at least significantly overweight. If you want to prevent complications of the disease, and if you want to do your best to save your life — now is the time to say goodbye to junk foods and start eating better.

Treat your new best friend — your diet — with respect. You need to be aware of everything you eat, every single bite. Each bite of food will either help you, or harm you by depleting your body of what it needs. A true diabetic diet is actually a good diet for anyone to follow. Only about 50% of the diet is carbohydrates (starch, fruit, and milk) — enough to keep your energy going, but not enough to put on excess weight. You might consider meeting with a dietitian or nutritionist to help you plan your own diabetic diet.

3. Include some exercise in your daily routine.

Diet is half the equation that will keep you free of complications from diabetes. The other half of the equation is exercise. If you are diabetic, you’ll need to learn how to balance your food intake with your physical activity, to keep your insulin at the proper level.

It’s not easy to start exercising daily if you have been a couch potato for years. However, studies have shown that people who have the hardest time coping with their diabetes are generally those who do not exercise. Other research has shown that diabetics who exercise regularly are easily able to balance their insulin and their food intake. You don’t have to run a marathon; just start walking briskly every day, and increase your time gradually.

If a doctor tells you that you have cancer, AIDS or diabetes…your world is going to stop immediately!

From: Diabetes Detection.com
Diabetes is growing at epidemic rates, according to the World Health Organization. DDI is hoping that we can help this growing population detect their illness early, and avoid many of the harsh consequences of allowing this disease to remain undetected as it currently does.

I worked with a fellow for almost ten years at an engineering company, and he was the type of fellow who rarely got a physical examination. Although he was a veteran, and could have do so at the VA for no cost, etc.

One day, he had an injury to his leg, and he had to get a blood test because of possible infection, and that’s when he was told that he had diabetes! His life changed right away, and he was not the person he once was! Fun-loving; humorous; sociable, etc. Instead, he became withdrawn; distant and reclusive, etc. He wouldn’t participate in functions at work; no pot-lucks…and pretty much stayed to himself. He was probably battling depression!

From: edoctors.com
If left untreated, ALL types of diabetes can cause damage to the body. Patients are at risk for blindness; kidney damage; nerve damage; heart-disease; stroke and loss of limbs.

In 2001, I ballooned to 210 pounds in weight, and I was going to have to take off 40 pounds to get back to my normal weight of 170 pounds. It was my fear of getting diabetes, that was one of my motivators, as diabetes strikes many over-weight and obese people. It took me ten months to lose the weight, but I did it~ (See: Here’s the Skinny On How I Lost 40 Pounds)

From: Prevent Blindness America:
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20-74 years old.

Two people I know of died from diabetes in their early 50’s. The neighbor who lived next door to my parents, went blind and a leg was amputated…and my aunt Molly suffered the same fate! She was a heavy woman at about 250 pounds, and she too, went blind and a leg was amputated before she died! Because of my fear of diabetes…this was one of my motivators to lose the weight.

From: American Diabetes Association:
Denial is that voice inside repeating, “Not me!” Most people go through denial when they are first diagnosed with diabetes. “I don’t believe it! There must be some mistake!” they say. Doctors who do not specialize in diabetes may fuel your denial. They may talk about a “mild case” of diabetes or say, “there’s just a touch of sugar” in your blood, etc. Though meaning well…these terms send the wrong message! What you hear is, “your diabetes is not serious enough to hurt you!”

For several years, I have had elevated blood sugar, and I’ve flirted with pre-diabetes and diabetes. (Type 2) And, I’m doing everything I can do to NOT cross the line! A few years ago, I read a short article in the newspaper, which said that cinnamon is an enemy of blood sugar. I started sprinkling cinnamon of cereal and toast a couple of times a week, and my blood sugar as remained high but under the line, etc. (knock on wood) (See your doctor before you do anything)

From Diabetes.com
Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition, that can be treated before it develops into Type 2 diabetes. People almost always have pre-diabetes…that is…blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yes high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Doing anything worthwhile, takes lots of work; sacrifice and discipline, etc. The things that have helped my stay away from diabetes (knock on wood) are; I quit smoking in 1970; I lost 40 pounds in 2001; I don’t drink and have never done drugs; I’ve been jogging and pumping iron since 1986 and I eliminated most sweets from my life. No wonder I’m so depressed…just kidding!

From: Defeat Diabetes.com
Diabetes is an insidious (to entrap) condition afflicting 21 million American’s, and half of them don’t even know they have the disease! This insidious disease is the 3rd leading killer in the U.S. behind cancer and heart-disease! Diabetes can be life-threatening…but with early detection, can be manageable.

If this article frightens you…IT SHOULD! I showed in this article, that diabetes in nothing to mess around with. There are those, who cannot lose weight for whatever reason, but almost everyone can exercise. Clicking and double-clicking all year, is NOT going to do it! In the year 2008, I celebrate my 22nd year of jogging 15 miles a week since 1986…and that translates to over 17,000 miles! YAHOO…and, it has been worth every step of the way!

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin that is very important in several different bodily functions. Without thiamine, there are very serious side effects that may result. However, when used appropriately thiamine can be an excellent source of help for those who suffer from diabetes.

Several studies have used thiamine to treat those who have diabetes. Many individuals who suffer from diabetes have various complications with this condition. For one, kidney failure is a very serious issue that doctors are attempting to treat.

Many researchers have worked in the lab with diabetic rats to investigate whether or not thiamine can be a logical treatment for diabetes. They have found that by adding thiamine to the diet, they were able to reduce the development of kidney disease by up to 80 percent.

Kidney failure in diabetics and all people is a very serious condition. People who suffer from kidney failure are forced to go through a lifetime of dialysis treatments, something that is not only inconvenient, but also painful for many people at the same time.

Because thiamine responds to blood glucose, it can be useful to those diabetics who have to watch their blood glucose very carefully. Thiamine, as a diabetes treatment, assists people with diabetics because they do not have to continuously monitor their blood sugar levels. This means that it is an excellent idea for diabetics to take thiamine on a daily basis.

Nutritionists have noted nuts to be an excellent source of thiamine. Thiamine can also be found in fruits and veggies as well, which is what nutritionists would prefer people to eat the most. The issue, however, is that when you cook veggies, most of the thiamine is cooked out. Because of this, it is more beneficial to people to drink the juice of fruits and veggies to get their thiamine. Additionally, you can receive thiamine from pork as well.

Individuals with diabetes will also find that thiamine supplements are an excellent way to ensure that they receive their daily requirement and then some. Thiamine is available as a liquid, as well as a 500 mg capsule. Capsules should be taken twice a day. This is a good dosage for both men and women who suffer from diabetes.

Once you’ve finally come to terms with being diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need to get on with life and learn how to deal with the realities that come with this disease. One thing you’ll need to do is to start keeping track of your blood sugar on a regular basis. Of course the type of diabetes you have will determine how you test the levels. Those who have Type I Diabetes should be sure to test three times daily. Pregnant women dealing with gestational diabetes and taking insulin should test twice each day. Those who have Type II Diabetes don’t have to test, although doing the testing can help with proper blood sugar maintenance.

If you are going to self test, you’ll need the right diabetes supplies. The supplies you need include test strips, a monitor device, and lancets. Also, you’ll need your insulin supplies as well, which can include pens, syringes, and pumps. It is also convenient to have alcohol pads around. There are a variety of different monitors that you can pick from, from simple ones to very high tech and expensive ones. Today companies are working hard to develop a monitor that is pain free. Some of the new test models are almost pain free, since they allow users to get the blood from a place other than the tip of the finger. For those who have vision impairments, there are large screen monitors and even talking monitors.

Usually you’ll find that today’s models use test strips, which are papers coated with special chemicals. Lancets are used to prick the fingers in order to get the blood needed. Some monitors even have a memory on them, which helps you to check tests from the past to compare the numbers.

It can get expensive to test on a daily basis, especially for those who end up testing 5-10 times each day. There are some insurance companies that will cover these supplies, and some companies even provide diabetes supplies to needy people free of charge. Of course you need to make sure you have a prescription for them. Those who have diabetes can often get help from Medicare as well, even if they are not yet 65 years old. So, you may want to check out their site to see if you can get their help.

Many secondary diseases can develop from diabetes. One example is nerve disease or damage. This can be caused by a persons maintaining high blood sugar levels for ten years or more. Nerve damage can cause pain and feelings like electric shocks in the toes, and less commonly in the fingers. Another sign of nerve disease is loss of sensation in the toes and the soles of the feet. If nerve disease is determined to have its root in diabetes, it is called diabetic neuropathy.

One way that a nerve disorder can be diagnosed is to test a persons nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Nerve conduction velocity refers to the speed at which nervous impulses travel along a nerve fiber. If this speed is severely slowed, it means that a nerve disorder exists. Even though a persons body is experiencing slow NCV, the person may not experience any symptoms at all, for a long time. It is therefore useful to test the NCV of diabetics; neuropathy may be diagnosed in individuals who are not yet showing any signs of nerve damage. There are a few medications available to treat neuropathy, and with early diagnosis, patients can be treated so that the nerve symptoms improve.

Diabetic neuropathy occurs most frequently in persons older than 40. In addition, people who are taller than average suffer from this condition much more often than shorter people. This may be because those who are taller have longer nerve fibers, with more opportunity for damage. One more warning: if you drink alcohol, be advised that even a small amount, of any type at all, can increase and worsen the symptoms of your neuropathy.

Testing Your Nerve Function

Your doctor can test your nerve function to discover whether you have diabetic neuropathy. In the body, different nerve fibers are responsible for varying kinds of sensation (temperature, touch, light, and vibration). A doctor can test the connections between your nerves and those sensations, and then analyze his findings.

1. Testing by Vibration: A tuning fork is used in vibration testing. Doctors like to use vibration testing to discover any abnormalities of larger nerve fibers in the body.

2. Testing by Temperature: The importance of temperature testing is that it can determine whether the body’s smaller nerve fibers are intact. It is vital to know the status of the small fibers, because if these are damaged, you may lose your ability to feel sensations of extremely hot temperatures (e.g., boiling water).

3. Testing by Light Touch: Doctors use a filament tool to touch the skin very lightly. Large nerve fibers in the body can sense anything touching the skin, and send signals to the brain that we’re having a sensation. The filament tool can determine if any large fibers are damaged, and if so, which. Someone without any nerve damage who is in good health can feel a filament tool with only one gram of force used.

Thousands of people who develop Type 2 diabetes every year remain undiagnosed because they ignore the symptoms they experience. Diabetes can be controlled under medical supervision, and a diabetic can live a long and healthy life. But if Type 2 diabetes goes untreated, the results can be devastating. To identify diabetes, you need to be honest with yourself and your doctor about any symptoms you may be noticing.

Here are three symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. Look them over very carefully, and see whether any of them sounds like what is happening in your everyday life. If so, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible, and discuss your concerns together. Your doctor can arrange testing to confirm whether or not you do have this disease.

1. Do you find that skin sores or scratches heal very slowly? How about your gums? Have you had frequent urinary infections? This may mean that your white blood cells are not doing their job effectively. White blood cells are specially equipped to help defend us against infections, and heal them when they occur. But in a high-glucose environment, these cells are unable to function properly. As well, urinary infections are caused by bacteria that thrive in a high-glucose environment.

2. Do you feel thirsty all the time, no matter how much water you drink? Do you need to urinate frequently? These are symptoms of both Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes. If your blood glucose level is unusually high, your body can become severely dehydrated because the high-glucose environment prevents it from absorbing the water you are consuming.

3. Have you been diagnosed with heart disease, or do you have a family history of heart problems? Well over 16 million persons in the US are affected by coronary heart disease. One of the biggest risk factors for heart disease is diabetes. Maybe you are already being treated for heart disease, but have not been diagnosed with diabetes. If you are a cardiac patient, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of Type 2 diabetes, and ask to be tested for it. There are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid diabetic complications.

Facts about diabetes that everybody should know

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the commonest but very serious health disorders found all over the world. Approximately one in every 25 person suffers from it and a big population is predisposed to suffer from it. With all the advancements and developments in modern medicine, we have failed to find a cure for it. We do not even know the exact causes of Diabetes. Diabetes today has affected whole world irrespective of peoples’ life styles. Elder or younger, rich or poor, rural or urban; all have equally suffered.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is associated with a hormone called ‘insulin’ which is secreted by a gland known as ‘pancreas’ situated near the lower border of stomach. Diabetes arises either from ‘deficiency of insulin’ or from ‘inability of cells to utilize the available insulin’. It is basically the ‘lack of action’ of insulin that brings about Diabetes. This disorder affects the whole metabolism of the body. Modern sciences have failed to explain with certainty why pancreas stops the production of insulin or why body cells develop resistance to insulin.

The causes of diabetes are still not known but there are certain predisposing factors that considerably increase the chances of developing diabetes. Some predisposing factors are

Obesity
Sedentary life style with very less physical activity
Family history of diabetes
Old age
Eating habits especially when food contains excessive carbohydrates

What actually happens!

When we eat food, it is digested in digestive tract beginning from mouth. Complex food is broken down to simpler foods such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. which can be absorbed in the blood. In a normal human being, the glucose produced in this way is acted upon by a hormone called insulin which helps in taking this glucose to all body cells for their energy needs and converts the ‘left over’ glucose into glycogen. Thus, the chief role of insulin is to regulate the glucose level in the blood. Sometimes, for unknown reasons, either the Pancreas gland stops producing insulin or the body cells develop inability to utilize the available insulin thereby causing glucose level in the blood to rise which eventually results in diabetes. More than 90% of all diabetics suffer from the diabetes that is caused by inability of body cells to utilize the available insulin to regulate the glucose level.

When body cells do not receive glucose for their energy needs, they begin to starve. To supplement the energy needs, body starts disintegrating the stored fats and proteins leading to loss of weight, fatigue, weakness and several other complications.

Symptoms and their reasons explained

Common symptoms of diabetes include

Frequent and excessive urination

As I explained earlier, glucose level in the blood is very high in diabetes. This glucose circulates in blood and reaches kidneys which filter the blood to form urine. Kidneys ordinarily never let glucose pass into the urine but when glucose level is excessive, this glucose enters the urine and during this, kidneys filter a lot of water also which results in excessive and frequent urination in diabetes.

Excessive thirst and dry mouth

Excessive urination in diabetes leads to shortage of water in the body. This, in turn leads to thirst and dry mouth.

Hunger

Since, the body cells do not get glucose, they begin to starve. Although the glucose is all around yet cells cannot utilize it. This is a case of ’scarcity amidst plenty’. This starvation of body cells leads to more and more hunger.

Weight loss

When body cells cannot utilize glucose, the stored fat in the body is slowly disintegrated to compensate it. This leads to loss of weight.

Fatigue

Along with stored fat, the protein in the muscles is also disintegrated to nourish the starving cells. This results in fatigue and weakness of the body.

Blurred vision

Our eyes have a fluid inside them that helps in focusing. Due to high concentration of glucose in blood, this fluid also changes its concentration thus leading to blurring of vision and frequent changes in power of eye lenses.

Slow healing of cuts and wounds

Since the blood contains abnormal amount of glucose, it provides an ideal medium for the growth of pus forming micro-organisms. This in turn affects the healing of even small cuts and abrasions and delays the recovery.

Itchy skin and fungal infection

The blood of a diabetic is quite rich in glucose which provides favorable conditions for faster growth of micro-organisms that cause diseases. This is more visible on skin which becomes vulnerable to infections. This excessive glucose also causes itching on the skin.

Complications

There are various complications that may take place due to prolonged presence of glucose in bloodstream.

Some commonly occurring complications include

A. Diabetic Coma
B. Coronary Heart Disease
C. Cerebral Hemorrhage
D. Gangrene

These complications are a result of very complex changes that take place in the body due to excess glucose. Almost all parts of the body are affected by Diabetes and in long run, it ruins all body parts.

Hyperglycemic Coma

This is a commonly occurring complication of diabetes. But how does it happen? In diabetics, glucose does not nourish the body cells either due to deficiency of insulin or due to inability of body cells to utilize available insulin. As a result, stored fats in the body start disintegrating and chemical compounds called ‘ketones’ are formed which make the blood ‘acidic’. Now the body tries to reduce the acidity and forms more and more urine. But this in turn reduces the fluid content of the body and further increases the acidity of the blood which eventually affects the brain and Coma sets in.

What to do!

There are some predisposing factors that may cause diabetes as explained earlier. Sedentary life style invites the disease therefore one should cultivate a life style full of physical activities and exercises. People working in the offices usually do not get any opportunity to remain physically active. Such people should try to spend some time out of their chairs and do as much physical activity as possible at their work place. Today’s little workout can ward off tomorrow’s great suffering.

Obesity is another big predisposing condition. More than 70% elder people who develop diabetes are obese. Physical exercises and a check on food intake are best things one can do to avoid adding unwanted weight.

Family history plays a role in causing diabetes. When one is aware of occurrence of diabetes in the family, one should prepare against the disease by avoiding other predisposing factors like obesity, sedentary life style, faulty eating habits etc. Remember, a prepared man has half fought the battle!Foods may also be related to diabetes but it is not known with certainty which foods may cause diabetes or may hamper the activity of pancreas. One should be careful in selecting food. The intake of fast foods and those foods that are quite rich in carbohydrates should be minimized.

Diabetes badly affects all physiological systems of the human body. Majority of the diabetics develops severe complications that shorten the lifespan. Whether there is any history of diabetes in one’s family or not, it is always advisable to take precautions and lead a physically active life. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!