Do You Have Diabetes? Symptoms Of Diabetes And How To Address Them
Diabetes mellitus is a condition resulting from the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin, which is needed by the body to help create energy. A deficiency of or ineffectiveness of insulin leads to high glucose levels in the blood, thus, leading to this illness.
Diabetes has two types. Type 1 Diabetes usually occurs in young people and requires frequent insulin injections, while Type 2 Diabetes is experienced by older people and is not as dependent on insulin. Majority of those who have Type 2 Diabetes have been found to be either obese or overweight.
Diabetes usually runs in the family, so it's best to know early on if you have it. The common symptoms experienced by someone who has diabetes include unusually frequent urination and hunger, constant thirst, rapid weight loss, tiredness, numbness in the feet and hands, recurrent skin infections, itching in private parts and blurred vision. When left unattended, diabetes could escalate to hyperglycemia, which develops from an excess of glucose in the blood, and leave the person temporarily unconscious, or, worse, cause severe infections, poor healing abilities, heart ailments and numbness from nerve damage.
The direct origins of diabetes, besides heredity, remain uncertain. However, several scientists believe that diabetes can also spring from an infection in the pancreas, a disorder in the autoimmune system and even from an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.
When you notice the signs that possibly point to diabetes, consult your doctor immediately. You will be subjected to tests to determine whether your blood sugar is stable and if there is a presence of diabetes. Your doctor will then recommend an appropriate exercise regimen and diet to temper the effects of diabetes, or, if needed, prescribe medication.
People diagnosed with diabetes should avoid sugars and control the intake of fats, carbohydrates and salt. A life long low-fat, high-fiber diet is ideal. Regular aerobic exercise also helps maximize the effect of insulin treatments. Some studies show that weight management and a proper diet are often enough to keep those with Type 2 Diabetes in check and even prevent people who are diabetes-prone from developing the condition. In alternative medicine, herbs like ampalaya and banaba have also been used to help treat diabetes.
For persons with a history of diabetes in the family and are over forty years old, blood should be checked for sugar levels two hours after a hearty meal. This procedure should be done at least twice a year, as several people have been found to have had diabetes for years without experiencing any of the symptoms.
Sadly, diabetes cannot be cured. But it can be controlled with life-long treatment. Therefore, to combat diabetes, regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle and constant vigilance are in order.
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Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about diabetes, please go to: http://diabetes.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/
MORE RESOURCES:
 Tampa Tribune | Right Knowledge and Conduct is the Key to Survive with Diabetes TopNews United States Obesity and almost no amount of physical exercise is the key reason for most number of teenagers suffering from diabetes Type-2. The health officials are ... Manage diabetes to preventing heart disease and stroke Online, Phone Tests Assess Diabetes Risk Education, behavior key to living with diabetes |
Bristol combination diabetes drug under review BusinessWeek Onglyza, made by Bristol-Myers and AstraZeneca, is already approved as a diabetes treatment and metformin is a widely-used generic diabetes pill. ... FDA Approves Another Type 2 Diabetes Drug Application Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca Say FDA Accepts NDA For An Onglyza ... Market Report -- In Play (BMY) |
Studies: Drugs don't reduce heart problems for diabetes patients USA Today They involve people with Type 2 diabetes — the most common form and the one rising because of the obesity epidemic. Diabetics have more than double the risk ... |
 Washington Times | Preview | Box Score | Recap Yahoo! Sports PROVIDENCE, RI (AP)—Georgetown guard Austin Freeman has changed his diet and now regularly checks his blood sugar since he's been diagnosed with diabetes. ... NCAA team preview: Georgetown Hoyas |
 Daily Contributor | FDA Rejects Amylin Diabetes Drug, Seeks More Info Wall Street Journal NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--The US Food and Drug Administration denied approval of a long-acting version of diabetes drug ... Diabetes Drug From Lilly, Amylin Under Scrutiny FDA asks for risk plan info on diabetes drug Alkermes, others rise on Byetta news |
 Reuters | Diabetes Mellitus - an increasing problem Liberty County Times In the United States in 2007 the Centers for Disease Control reported that there were 23.6 million people with diabetes in this country. ... Blood exam predicts risk for diabetes Are You At Risk For Diabetes? FDA eyes improvements for diabetics' glucose devices |
 India Talkies | Selenium may help fight diabetes in men Times of India For men, high plasma selenium concentrations are associated with a lower occurrence of dysglycemia, says a new study. Dysglycemia is any disorder of blood ... Dietary supplement can reduce diabetes risk – but only in men Selenium May Reduce Diabetes Risk, but Get Daily Needs from Food Diabetes supplement could lower risk of diabetes but only in men |
 Earthtimes (press release) | FDA approves Medtronic diabetes system Bizjournals.com Medtronic Inc. on Wednesday said federal regulators have approved its diabetes-management system, which includes features such as predictive alerts that ... Medtronic gets FDA OK for diabetes monitoring UPDATE: Medtronic wins FDA nod for diabetes system, files for cryoablation PMA FDA Approves Medtronic (MDT) Diabetes Management System |
 ABC News | Diabetes Trial: Drug Treatment May Not Cut Heart Disease TIME Researchers presented three studies revealing that some of the most widely prescribed medications to reduce the risk of heart disease in Type 2 diabetes ... Diabetes Heart Treatments May Cause Harm To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat Drugs Aggressive Treatments Don't Help Diabetes Patients |
SRMC ramps up diabetes care Record-Searchlight Shasta Regional Medical Center Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Joanne Tippin talks with her patient ... |
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