Diabetic - What Does It Mean?

May 27th, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetic blood sugar, diabetic diets, diabetic meals, diabetic medication, free glucose meter, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical transcription, sugar diabetes Comments Off

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.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Hearing Aids for those of us over 50 and not hearing as well as we once did.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Sugar Free Recipes For Diabetics

May 27th, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetes testing, diabetes treatments, diabetic blood sugar, diabetic diets, diabetic meals, glucose diabetes, medical coding, medical transcription, sugar diabetes Comments Off

Most people are rather surprised to learn just how many foods have extra sugars added to them. If you notice that some type of sugar is listed as one of the first few ingredients, you then know that this is a food you should steer clear of. Instead of resigning yourself to the diets of yesterday that were outlined for people diagnosed with the condition, substitute sugar free recipes for diabetics for the recipes you regularly use in your meal planning.

With the additional knowledge about diabetes that we have today and the modern views as to what are the best type of foods to eat, using the diabetic food pyramid is deemed to be the best approach for planning healthy meals. The pyramid is arranged with the widest portion, or the base, designated for starches such as whole grains and breads, the vegetable and fruit section is next, and then meat and diary products. The very smallest portion is allocated for both sweets and fats, which don’t have a set recommended amount for daily serving sizes as the majority of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are strongly encouraged to avoid eating foods from this section of the pyramid.

With sugar free recipes for diabetics, you’re still able to enjoy the foods you love, but without worrying about your health. On occasion, you can still enjoy a sweet treat like cookies or cakes, as long as you remember to plan the rest of your day’s meals accordingly.

Sugar free recipes for diabetics are in abundance as there are numerous resources in place for those who have been diagnosed with the disease, including libraries, cookbooks, the internet, as well as doctor’s offices and local community centers. Instead of giving up your favorite foods, simply replace the sugar with any one of the sugar substitutes available on the market today, including aspartame, or maltitol and xylitol.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Fitness for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Is It Actually Possible To Reverse Diabetes?

May 27th, 2008 diabetes Posted in blood glucose monitors, diabetes drug, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, diabetic blood sugar, diabetic diets, diabetic meals, diabetic medication, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription Comments Off

Although the majority of physicians and those who are knowledgeable in the world of diet and nutrition recommend altering your eating habits and incorporating physical exercise into your daily regimen to control diabetes, there are still others who suggest that it may be possible to reverse diabetes through making the same exact changes. Recent studies and research have been conducted that indicate that reversing diabetes is possible by switching to either a vegan or low-fat vegetarian diet, or another type of plan that emphasizes low-fat and high-fibers foods, like The Pritikin Diet.

The doctors and scientists who say it’s possible to reverse diabetes say that their nutritional programs work because the body’s cells’ are physically altered by the combination of exercise and by eating certain foods. This increases the cells’ capability to utilize insulin, as well as helping to repair their structure and enhance their function.

All of the diets this particular type of research were based on were either completely vegetarian, or had a strong emphasis on low-fat, high-fiber foods, as well as many fruits and vegetables, in order to increase weight loss while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. One study indicated that more than half of the participants who after following a three-week, low-fat, high-fiber plan were no longer considered to have the disease. And, while this plan did seem to reverse diabetes, the damage that was done to the arteries was, unfortunately, irreversible.

These promising results are sure to spawn more research, which will hopefully uncover more answers as to how to better control diabetes. But for now, we do know that one’s diet does have a direct affect on their health, as well if one is physically active on a regular basis. Whether or not a person’s diabetes was completely cured over the long term after following these types of diets still remains to be seen, but for now, their blood sugar levels did show a huge improvement, enabling them to be without the need for insulin or medicine to manage their condition.

If ever there were a truly effective way to reverse diabetes naturally, it would definitely be with diet and exercise. Although every single person with the disease may not choose to follow a plan such as these, in most cases, a simple change of eating habits coupled with a half hour of cardiovascular exercise per day may be all that’s necessary to effectively control diabetes.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Fitness for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Diabetes And Relationships

May 24th, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetes drug, diabetes information, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, diabetic medications, diabetic socks, diabetic supplies, diabetic supply, free glucose meter, glucose control, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription Comments Off

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.

Norma Burns is a diabetic and internet author for Diabetic Health For Seniors and shares information based on her life experiences on diabetic lifestyles on her blog.

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Diabetes Treatment

May 24th, 2008 diabetes Posted in Sponsored Reviews, blood glucose monitors, diabetes drug, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, diabetic medication, diabetic medications, diabetic socks, diabetic supplies, diabetic supply, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical transcription Comments Off

The very first thing that any diabetes patient will be told by any health care professional is that it is imperative to change their diet and add exercise, or undertake more exercise to their daily routine. A change in lifestyle is one of the most important factors when having diabetes. Diabetes can be treated without drugs in order to prevent blood sugar levels from fluctuating excessively. Listed below are some simple steps that can be followed to help diabetes patients to make the necessary changes.

Firstly, the good news is that there is no set diabetes diet, unlike past times. Diabetes patients should select to eat healthy foods on a regular basis. Therefore, rather than naming these improvement diets, they are in fact instituted as meal plans and food choices. It is not necessary to eliminate foods that have a high sugar content from the diet. It should simply be eaten in moderation and in combination with healthy foods.

It is important for a diabetic to eat on a regular schedule. A diabetic’s blood sugar can be kept at a normal level if they have a meal plan that includes three meals a day and two or three snacks throughout the day. It is necessary that sudden highs or big drops are avoided at all times. It will be suggested by a majority of doctors that the diabetic patient registers with a dietician or nutritionist in order to get started.

Exercise is most certainly the second phase of a diabetes treatment plan. If the patient leads an inactive lifestyle, then it is advised that they begin immediately, yet slowly, with exercise. It is important for the patient to find a form of exercise that they enjoy such as swimming, riding a bike, or even walking, which is one of the best ways to begin and receive exercise. It is important to be on the move for at least thirty minutes each day.

By undertaking the above two steps weight will be lost, which will help the body to produce and use insulin, which in turn will help the blood sugar to remain at an even level. Oral medications can be avoided with a consistent diet and exercise. However, if blood sugar does happen to remain high or fluctuate too much, then the next step in diabetes treatment is oral medication. If these oral medications fail to keep the blood sugar levels in check, then insulin treatments may be the next course of action.

It is the aim of doctors and health care professionals to keep their patients away from medication if possible. For this reason, the treatment of diabetes heavily relies upon changes in diet and exercise.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Reducing wrinkles and skin care for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Thiamine And Diabetes

May 23rd, 2008 diabetes Posted in blood glucose monitors, diabetes information, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, diabetic supply, free glucose meter, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical transcription Comments Off

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.

TC Yeap is the Managing Director of Singapore-based company Sainhall Nutrihealth. Founded in 1990, Sainhall Nutrihealth is a leading distributor for health and nutritional products in South East Asia with over 18 years of professional experience and expertise in supplement and aquacultural product distribution.

Vitamin.sg (http://www.vitamin.sg) is at E-Commerce portal created and supported by Sainhall Nutrihealth to offer a whole range of nutritional products and supplements with exclusive prices that were specially made affordable for everyone. Visit Vitamin.sg today for exclusive rates! Because staying healthy doesn’t have to be expensive.

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Understanding Diabetes

May 23rd, 2008 diabetes Posted in blood glucose monitors, diabetes drug, diabetes information, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription Comments Off

Insulin is a hormone in our body produced by the pancreas that transfers glucose from blood to the cells. When cells do not respond to insulin or the pancreas do not produce enough insulin, the condition is called diabetes. During digestion, food is converted to glucose or sugar, which in turn is converted into energy. This is carried through blood to the cells for growth and energy. It is insulin that allows the body to use the glucose. Due to diabetes, glucose is not used and excreted from the body as urine. The Body is left with no source of growth or energy and ultimately it affects your health adversely.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and its symptoms include fatigue, thirst and appetite, weight loss or gain, dry mouth, nausea, blurred vision, yeast infections, itchy skin in the groin area and slow healing of cuts or abrasions. If you have any of these symptoms, you must visit a doctor; and he would send you for a glucose fasting test. This test needs to be done on an empty stomach and your blood is drawn to test for glucose levels. If the results of the test indicate increased glucose levels, you will be started on a diabetes treatment plan.

Diabetes if left unchecked can lead to a number of complications. Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and nerve disease are some of the issues with diabetes patients. It could lead to loss of vision, kidney disease, limb amputation and gum diseases leading to loss of teeth.

If detected early, you can control diabetes and avoid medication. You must however, change your dietary habits and increase the amount of exercising. You must keep a check on your health with regular check-up from a doctor as well as self-assessment of glucose levels. You must also regularly get eye check-up and take dental care.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. http://www.youreover50.com information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Reducing wrinkles and skin care for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd

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Supplies For Diabetes - What It Takes To Take Care Of Your Diabetes

May 23rd, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetes diets, diabetes drug, diabetes information, diabetes medications, diabetes nutrition, diabetic supplies, diabetic supply, free glucose meter, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription Comments Off

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.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. http://www.youreover50.com information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You’ll also find other health related information like Fitness for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd

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Medications For Type 2 Diabetics

May 22nd, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetic medication, diabetic medications, diabetic socks, diabetic supplies, diabetic supply, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription, sugar diabetes Comments Off

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by insulin resistance. It is a disease that lacks a permanent or perfect cure. For sufferers management is the only option.Management of this syndrome entails medication, exercise, diet and life style modification.

Applying medications is one amongst the few ways of managing diabetes type2. The medication could be in the form of oral or injectable drugs. People with diabetes type 2 need medicine (medication) because it can help their body in manufacturing more insulin which can help decrease insulin resistance or lower the rate at which their body absorbs carbohydrate.

There are 5 basic classes of medications that can be used in the management of diabetes they are

Sulfonylueas; -

This is an example of an anti diabetic drug that can be used in the effective management and treatment of diabetes. It is mostly applied in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It has some mild side effect like inducing hypoglycemia when insulin production overshoots. This could be corrected by taking sugary foods. Sulfonylueas are greatly ineffective in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or post pancreatectomy where there is absolute deficiency of insulin.

Meglitinides; -

These are drugs that are used in the treatment of diabetes. They treat diabetes by blocking the potassium channel in the beta cell, This closes the ATP dependent potassium channels and opens the cells calcium channel. The resulting calcium influx aids in stimulating the beta cells into releasing more insulin.One of the side effects of meglitinides is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) which occurs because meglitinides stimulate the beta into releasing insulin.

Thiazolidinediones; -

These are drugs that act as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes type 2. They help in the reduction of the level of glucose produced in the liver, and also help the insulin to function better in the muscles and fat. They are very useful and effective in lowering the level of glucose in the blood Some of its side effects include increase risk of hepatitis, liver damages, heart failure and fluid retention resulting in edema. Some of these side effects are more pronounced if there is a withdrawal or discontinuation of usage.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors;-

These are oral anti-diabetic drugs that are used for the treatment of diabetics type 2. They are useful in the treatment of diabetics type 2 because they help in preventing the digestion carbohydrate by converting it into monosaccharides (simple sugar) which can easily be absorb by the intestines. They also slow the breakdown of certain sugars. After meal, their actions are capable of slowing down the rise in the level of glucose in the blood. The side effect of this drug include diarrhea and flatulence which are dose related

Biguanides;-

These are oral hypoglycemic drugs which are useful in the treatment of diabetes they help in lowering the blood glucose level by making the tissues of the body especially the muscle tissues more sensitive to insulin It has some side effect which include diarrhea and lactic acidosis.In applying medications to diabetes type 2, regular check is also advised. This should be done to ascertain the effect the drugs are having on our bodies.

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High Cholesterol

May 22nd, 2008 diabetes Posted in diabetes treatments, diabetic blood sugar, diabetic diets, diabetic meals, diabetic medication, diabetic medications, glucose control, glucose diabetes, medical billing certification, medical coding, medical transcription, sugar diabetes Comments Off

High cholesterol also known as hypercholesterolemia is the presence of a high level of cholesterol in the blood, It is not a disease itself, but a serious metabolic derangement that is linked to many disease and serious medical conditions, such as stroke and severe cardiovascular conditions.

A high level of cholesterol can be caused by several factors, some of these factors can be prevented while others cannot. Some of these factors include

Unhealthy life style;

this entails a life style that is characterized that is characterized by inactivity and lack of exercises. Inactivity and lack of exercises can increase your level of bad cholesterol, and decrease your level of good cholesterol.

Obesity:-

is a state of been overweight, it means that the natural energy reserve or fatty tissue of your body is been increased to a level where you will experience some health complications. When you are obese, you are likely to have an increased level of LDL and a decreased level of HDL, increasing your overall blood cholesterol level.

Addictive habits like smoking, drinking and engaging in social pleasures like smoking and drinking alcohol, can increase your cholesterol level.

Unhealthy diet.

A good diet can help moderate your blood cholesterol. Food’s like pastry, cakes, cheese and butter are very high on saturated fats and can increase your blood sugar level.
There are a number of other untreatable conditions that can cause high cholesterol they include age, a family history with related condition or history of heart disease or stroke.
Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/liter). The measurement of cholesterol entails carrying out a blood test. To determine the level of bad cholesterol (ldl), good cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

Regular checking of blood pressure is recommended for all people most especially people who are overweight, obese and are above 40 years of age.

The risk and complications associated with cholesterol can be made worse by smoking, poor diet, and other medical conditions such as kidney failure, liver disease, an overactive pituitary gland and an under-active thyroid gland.

The best method of preventing a high blood cholesterol and its risks is by eating a balanced and healthy diet and cutting down on the consumption of food that are high in saturated fats.
Loosing weight and regular exercise can also help reducing blood cholesterol level.

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