Archive for December, 2011
Diabetes – Having it and not being aware
Among people suffering from diabetes it is safe to say that almost one third of them are not aware of it. Just like the symptoms of growing old, the symptoms also seem quite harmless.
This diabetes blog post tells you about the different types and some of the general symptoms of each to help you comprehend it better.
In this blog post we go over the three main types .
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 is also called insulin-dependent and immune-mediated diabetes. It crops up when your body cannot generate insulin owing to the fact that the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes and is usually seen in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes amplifies the risk of a number of severe complications such as kidney damage, heart disease, blindness, and nerve damage.
The symptoms of Type 1 include increased thirst and urination, weight loss even with increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue.
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common type that fails to be diagnosed is Type 2 . Type 2 results in symptoms such as kidney and vision problems, skin infections, reduced healing. Sometimes even years and years of suffering from mild symptoms of the same, diabetes is not diagnosed.
The issue here is that more often than not people have no severe symptoms and do not seek medical attention whatsoever; people mostly end up blaming the symptoms on old age. It is for this reason extremely important to get tested on a regular basis once you have passed the age of 40 years.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes happens to women during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never suffered from this disease before but have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy are said to be susceptible to it. It affects almost four percent of all women during pregnancy. Many women that suffer from gestational diabetes believe that their symptoms are due to the pregnancy, it may as well be , but why take the chance.
The Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes include heightened thirst and urination, you end up losing weight inspite of having an increased appetite Weight loss in spite of increased appetite, Blurred vision Fatigue, Nausea and recurrent infections of the bladder and vagina. Regardless if you’re pregnant or not, getting yourself tested for gestational diabetes should be your top priority.
Managing Diabetes
Managing Diabetes
Managing diabetes in the approved manner is highly important. The methods and means to manage diabetes efficiently are progressively evolving. The most up-to-date medical and scientific advances—Including ones involving Internet a medical advice column or a reputed diabetes blog—have begun providing the millions of people around the globe that are affected by this disease, with the kind of freedom only a few dreamed of a while back.
Diabetes is a chronic condition which prevents the body from efficiently metabolizing sugar into the energy we need to function.
When we consume a meal, the body breaks the food down into a number of nutrients counting a sugar called glucose, which happens to be the main source of energy for the body. Glucose is carried in the bloodstream to all cells where it is used for fuel to produce energy. Glucose cannot pass into cells lacking the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is necessary to convert glucose into energy. Since over time the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes- one of the worlds-leading cause of death by disease-can lead to complications of the eyes, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys and other organs, anything that would ease the typical daily regimen of insulin injections and the like would be most welcome by patients.
Much unlike in the past, the newest advances, treatment and disease management suggestions and advice are now available on the websites of a number of diabetes associations and countless others. What’s more is that, the availability and the convenience of being able to order the necessary diabetic supplies, medicines and equipment online make managing diabetes a whole lot easier than it was in the days gone by.
Diabetes Management – Maintain your schedule
An hour or so after you eat is when your blood sugar is at its highest, after which it begins to drop. This predictable pattern can work to your benefit. If you have your meals at the same time you can minimize the amount of change in your blood sugar levels, eat five or six small meals or eat healthy snacks at regular times in between your meals.
Diabetes Management – Keep an eye on your blood sugar level
For a person with diabetes, at least a moderate amount of exercise is required if not more. But, it is important to remember to check your blood sugar level before, during and after your exercise, particularly if you take insulin or medicines that are meant to lower blood sugar.
Some Tips to Manage Diabetes
• Keep a fixed exercise timetable.
• Do not eat straight away after you exercise
• Keep your weight under control
• Match your mealtime plan to your insulin schedule
• Maintain a Healthy Diet to Control Diabetes
Diabetes – Oral Hygiene
As you may have read in many a health blog, people with diabetes have to take special care of their teeth and gums.
When you have diabetes you are at greater risk of cavities, gum disease and other tooth infections. Not only that, but such infections can cause blood sugar to rise, and it becomes a vicious cycle.
Here are some common problems that people with diabetes are prone to.
Diabetes – Plaque
Plaque is, of course, an issue for a lot of folks, not just people with diabetes.
Plaque is caused by starch and sugar, and most of have more of those than what’s good for us! So diabetics are extremely prone to plaque.
Dry mouth
Some mornings, as a diabetic would tell you, your mouth becomes so dry you can hardly speak—a person with diabetes definitely knows how that feels. But it’s more than just problematic; it’ is dangerous to the health of our mouths. Saliva, gets rid of most of the bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease. When your mouth becomes dry, there is not enough saliva to carry out this process, So what happens here is that you become more prone to gum diseases and cavities. Due to the lack of saliva the soft tissue in the mouth becomes inflamed making eating and drinking a very unpleasant experience.
For people with diabetes and dry mouth a dentist would definitely recommend artificial saliva substitutes, you can usually encourage your own saliva to flow by chewing on a sugar-free candy. Drinking a good amount of water regularly would definitely help.
Diabetes – Fungal infections
Not only does a person with diabetes have less saliva than what is required, but the saliva is high in sugar content, so it is twice the trouble for a diabetic. This can cause a fungal infection called candiasis, generally known as thrush. It creates sore red or white spots in the mouth. Medicines can help in these cases.
As a diabetic, you cannot and must not neglect oral hygiene. Look after your teeth; make sure that you brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day. Examine your gums for signs of problems—and always visit your dentist at least twice a year when you suffer from diabetes.