Articles
Home > Diabetes
Insulin has two critical roles in the body that we cannot live without, yet it can be the root of many health problems, including diabetes. Insulin carries sugar (glucose), fat and protein into your cells where they are used for energy and the repair of your cells. When you eat, a certain amount of the food will be converted into glucose and enter the bloodstream. As the sugar levels rise, the body senses it and the pancreas secretes insulin to lower the sugar. This is insulin's second main function. If you eat too much of any food, especially carbohydrates (starch... Read More
Humulin or Lantus? When my daughter, who was 8, was first diagnosed the Children's Hospital that was treating her put her on an insulin program of short acting Humalog NPH and long acting Humalin N. You should have seen me that first day of training after a long night in the emergency room where she was diagnosed. I was a raving lunatic to begin with so my brain was mostly mush at that point. Add to that everything began with "H". Mix this "H" with that "H" but first charge this "H" with air, then draw this "H" first followed... Read More
By the time many type 2 diabetics (and often their doctors) realize action is necessary, the disease, with its destructive high blood sugars, has been silently damaging their body for years.Complications to the blood vessels and tissues of your eyes, feet, heart, kidneys, and other organs, are likely well underway.You visit the doctor because you feel bad, and you wish to feel better. You react to the symptoms of perceived illness. This is understandable, but does not allow much room for prevention or early detection of diabetes.Of course this idea, "Don't see the doctor 'til it hurts," comes from our... Read More
This is the first in a series of articles I am about to embark upon concerning this subject. As my family gets older and matures with this disease I think back to the early days and wonder why aren't we all on medication for depression? Why don't we have standing twice a week appointments with a psychiatrist? How did we end up so normal?(whatever that is) As I look back this didn't happen by accident, nor am I Super Dad, and I didn't plan it out step by step. It was mostly just paying attention, luck, and decent communication between... Read More
THE RISKBlood sugar balance is critical to your body's proper functioning. Blood sugar (glucose) is the primary source of fuel for the body's cells and is particularly critical to the brain and the eyes. When glucose isn't regulated properly through the bloodstream, the body's cells don't obtain the energy they need. Excessively high blood sugar (hyperglycemia, or diabetes) or excessively low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) prevents organs from working properly and leads to a decline in health.The body's blood sugar level is regulated primarily by the pancreas and the liver. The liver stores excess glucose and releases it when needed. The... Read More
This is the second article in a series I am writing about how to raise happy diabetic children. You can find the first article titled Help Your Child Develope Self-Confidence in our article archives.Sometimes the phrase "happy diabetic kids" seems to be an oxymoron. Often it seems all of the dark powers of the diabetes universe are aligned against you. You wonder if there isn't some evil house elf behind the scenes just making everyone's life miserable on purpose. Not being graduates of Hogwarts School Of Magic we can't just wave a magic wand and make it all better. We... Read More
Here is some commonsense thinking:I can't understand why anyone who has diabetes wouldn't exercise and watch what they eat.The down side is that you may have to get an entire new wardrobe since exercise and healthy eating causes weight and size reduction.When it happens, people tell you how great you look and that motivates you even more.Other side effects: you'll also sleep better and feel more rested than before you started walking and eating better.I prefer walking outside, especially when the weather is nice. I even designed a walking path about 2.5 miles long around my neighborhood; part flat and... Read More
Remember when the medical world identified pre-hypertension to better monitor your blood pressure? The new buzz: Pre-Diabetes concerns a similar condition pinpointing people who are at severe risk for getting diabetes. Because diabetes silently invades your body, early detection and corrective action are critically important.The goal with identifying pre-diabetes is to prevent the onset of diabetes from ever happening.How do you know if you need testing for pre-diabetes? Good question. The truth is- You may not know. It's our human nature to wait until our body produces a pain or ache before we visit the doctor's office. With pre-diabetes, noticeable... Read More
Do you gamble? Play Texas Hold'em poker, casino games, or lotteries? Then understanding your odds of winning is part of the challenge.Are you planning on living a long and healthy life? A life free of aches and pains? A life full of excitement and adventure? Great, then understanding the odds of developing diabetes will surely cause you to take immediate action.It is estimated that one in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes. Those are terrifying odds.Already, more than 18 million Americans live with diabetes and that number is growing. What is even more alarming is the... Read More
Your car has an early detection system and so does your body. Take 3 minutes to read this article and learn how you can save yourself a life time of aches, pains, and costly medical bills.Have you ever had the "Check Engine" warning light come on in your car? Most newer cars have a system that monitors the performance of your car. If something is not working properly, the "Check Engine" light usually comes on.The good news is that this "pre-warning" system can help you avoid costly damage, which may be occurring with your vehicle, by detecting small problems before... Read More
The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into your legs. The bed sheets feel uncomfortable on the feet as you toss and turn, trying to get some rest. Your feet felt numb throughout the day, but now feel like they are on fire. Nothing seems to help as you watch the hours on the clock pass by, hoping to fall asleep.Burning, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, shooting and electrical pain are common sensations felt at rest in painful peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is an abnormality of the nervous system. There are many different types of neuropathy, but the... Read More
You are no doubt aware that exercise can help prevent the serious complications that often come with diabetes and heart disease. Research has repeatedly shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, aids in weight loss, and improves mood.But do you know that exercise can also help you reduce your blood glucose levels?That's right. In people with type II diabetes, exercise may improve insulin sensitivity and assist in lowering elevated blood glucose levels into the normal range.Here's how. When you exercise, your body uses more oxygen -- as much as 20... Read More
Dietary considerations can present a Hobson's choice in diabetes. Even when the intake is nutritious, assimilating it can be another matter. Then there is the problem of progression of diabetic complications if one ends up with excess glucose or fat in the system. Excess carbohydrates in a meal, and the resulting uncontrolled blood sugar levels can be detrimental to any number of tissues, from the lens of the eye, to the neurons, small blood vessels and the kidneys. Fat is also a problem with increase incidences of atherosclerosis, large vessel disease and cardiac complications. What, then is the appropriate macronutrient... Read More
There are three basic units the body uses for energy:1. Fats2. Proteins3. CarbohydratesAll three can be converted to blood glucose. However, while fats and proteins are converted slowly, carbohydrates are converted quickly causing quick spikes in the body's blood sugar levels. These spikes in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to create and release insulin until the blood sugar level returns to normal.Meanwhile, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that lowers our blood's glucose levels is released into the blood as soon as the body detects that blood sugar levels have risen above its optimal level.Insulin is a very... Read More
After the initial shock of diagnosis wears off and we become more comfortable with administering insulin shots, scheduling blood tests and mealtimes, and carbohydrate counting we have a chance to look to the future. At that point it really begins to sink in what a long-term commitment parenting a diabetic child really is. We now understand we have been drawn into a different lifestyle that will last as long as we are parents. Even when our child is grown up and leaves home we will still be concerned and involved with the diabetes community.If you are finding that you are... Read More
Diabetes, which affects more than 6% of the US population or over 18,000,000 people [i], is diagnosed when the body is not creating or effectively utilizing the hormone called insulin. As a result, much-needed energy from sugar, starch, and other sources are not being exploited as effectively as they should. This can lead to severe adverse health consequences, including nerve, ocular, and kidney problems [ii].While genetics and environmental factors play a role, the exact cause of diabetes is as yet undetermined. However, one thing is precisely clear to those with this condition: eating right is vitally important.Generally speaking, people with... Read More
Imagine how it feels to look younger, feel younger, and act younger! Now, think about how others see you. Are you ready to make a lasting impression on your friends and family? Great!Taking charge of your diabetes through exercise can give you a younger look and feel not to mention ?? a younger attitude!As you read this message, remember this: You don't pay the price to improve your health, you reap the benefits of being healthy!Treatment of diabetes has gone through dramatic changes in the past two decades. Previously, exercise was often overlooked as a "cornerstone" in its treatment as... Read More
Was there a time when you relished the idea of giving dinner parties?What a great opportunity to bond with old friends, try out a few new recipes, and find a reason to clean up the house!Has diabetes robbed you of the enjoyable events involving your friends and family?Diabetes has an ugly characteristic of wrecking the lives of it's victims by forcing them into seclusion.If you have been neglecting the enjoyable events of your life, please take action to control your diabetes. With a "proactive" mind-set, you can control and beat diabetes!You, your friends, and especially your family will love you... Read More
When you go to work, your diabetes goes with you.You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to work. You have bills, therefore you have a job.But you also have diabetes. You have to care for your diabetes while you're at work. Here are 10 tips for merging your diabetes care with your career.1. Wear medical identification jewelry- If you ever need medical assistance at work, the emergency medical personnel will know you have diabetes.2. Decide who to tell- All things being equal, it might be in your best interest to let a few trusted co-workers or your boss know.... Read More
Thousands, if not millions of people have diabetes in their family. It's almost tragic the way things happen because it's not always a "common knowledge" among families.I tell you, it's not until it hits you that it's really awful.Asking questions can help you and your family dodge the serious complications of diabetes. Early detection and active control of blood sugar levels can save lives.Have you ever heard anyone ask:Do you have diabetes? Does anyone in your family have diabetes? Is your vision okay or is it blurry? Are your feet feeling okay today?A lot of people get diabetes, but you... Read More
| Showing 1 - 20 of 93 Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
