Archive for January 2011
Numbness Tingling in Hands & Fingers – Symptoms of Diabetes
First answer the following questions
? Do you wake up daily with tingling feet or hands?
? Does your foot tingle almost every time when you sit down?
? Are you blaming “sleeping” hands and feet often?
If the answer to one or more of the above questions is yes, then I’m happy that you are reading this. The numbness or tingling in your hand or feet can be a warning sign. You’re reading this article means that you care for your health.
Some other names of numbness or tingling are
? Neuropathy
? Loss of sensation
? Paresthesias
? Sensory Loss
? Restless leg Syndrome
Type 2 diabetes comes slowly and the sufferer sometimes remains unaware of its happening. It is a condition that causes the blood sugar level to rise. The high-level of blood glucose damages the body systems including the nervous system. This damage to the nerves causes numbness or tingling sensation.
If still you are not sure that whether you have diabetes then check for the following symptoms
? Constant tingling
? Constant numbness
? Excessive thirst
? Frequent urination
? Hunger after eating
? Fatigue
? Mood swings
? Sudden weight loss
If you have got any of the above symptoms it does bot mean that your are diabetic. It is better to see a medical health professional nearby. You can keep a log of when you notice the above symptoms so you can answer the queries of doctor intelligently. Tingling or numbness is normally ignored for a longtime because the feeling is similar to having hand or feet fall asleep. Numbness or tingling can be defined as inability to feel the touch of anything on skin. One must contact doctor if
? He has a rash
? He feels dizziness or muscle spam
? He has numbness or tingling because of no obvious reason
? He has tingling in his wrists and fingers
? He has tingling in feet which gets worse while walking
? He has a pain in forearms, fingers
? The symptoms of tingling are worst during the nighttime.
By: Tehmina Mazher
Diabetes and Pregnant Women
There are two important issues regarding diabetes and pregnancy. The first concerns the diabetic who wants to conceive and carry a healthy baby to full term and delivery (pre-existing diabetes). And the second issue involves the development of gestational diabetes in a woman who previously showed no sign of the disease.
For the first issue: It is important that any woman with pre-existing diabetes, who either wants to conceive or finds herself pregnant, strictly control her glucose levels, this is particularly important in the early months of pregnancy. The risks of serious birth defects are increased by poor control of pre-existing diabetes, and it is also suggested to be a major cause of miscarriage.
Those women who develop gestational diabetes usually have no increased risk for birth defects although it is important that glucose levels be carefully monitored and controlled to reduce the risk of stillbirth.
All female diabetics who are pregnant tend to deliver much larger babies than the average. It is known that the babies grow larger because some of the additional sugar from the mother passes through the umbilical cord into the blood stream of the baby. Insulin then converts this sugar into fat cells. In many cases, these large babies have to be delivered by caesarian section as they are too large for a vaginal delivery.
Provided diabetes is properly controlled there is no reason why diabetic women should not enjoy uncomplicated pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. It is when the diabetes is not controlled that complication can happen. Unfortunately, these complications can lead to miscarriage, high blood pressure, premature delivery, and stillbirth.
Pregnant women who have pre-existing diabetes are given a blood test to measure the level of glycosylated haemoglobin before conception. This blood test provides an accurate measure of how well glucose levels have been controlled in the preceding months, and it can indicate the safest time to conceive. This test can also be used throughout the pregnancy to measure how well the diabetes is being controlled.
The current recommendation is for all women to take folic acid before conceiving to avoid the baby developing with neural tube defects. This advice is particularly important for diabetic women as diabetes can increase the risk of this type of birth defect.
Currently, oral medications used to control type 2 diabetes are not approved for use during pregnancy. For this reason, women who are using these drugs will need to switch to insulin before conceiving and during pregnancy.
Most pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes at some stage between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Those who develop this gestational diabetes normally discover that blood glucose levels return to normal after the birth of the baby.
Moderate exercise is believed to help cells make better use of available insulin and is recommended during pregnancy.
Blood sugar levels must be monitored carefully during pregnancy as insulin requirements can vary significantly from those required before conception. Urine can also be checked for ketones as the presence of these can be an indication that the diabetes is not being adequately controlled.
For both the safety of the mother and the baby, it is important that all precautions be taken when diabetes is found in the mother. Failure to do so can lead to devastating problems.
By: Jeremy Parker
Diabetes Symptoms: Tips That You Could Have This Disease
People with diabetes often complain of having some of the following vague unexplained concerns, which may indicate that you perhaps could be exhibiting diabetic type symptoms:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Deep breathing while not exerting yourself
• Insatiable hunger and thirst
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Frequent urination
• Vomiting or nausea
• Sores that take longer than usual to heal
• Itchy or crawl sensation on your skin
The list above is not an inclusive list by any means but they are symptoms that are should be investigated further by your medical professional. An early diagnosis of diabetes can then get you not only relief from the symptoms you are displaying but proper treatment to keep your diabetes in hand in order for you to remain well.
Another reason that you should pay attention for any unexplained symptoms is if you are pregnant as up to 50 per cent of women will develop Gestational Diabetes or more commonly called GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. This disease mimics type 2 diabetes due to not enough insulin that is produced and the unresponsiveness. In all around two to five per cent of pregnant women get this disease after giving birth, with the symptoms may even disappear or lessen.
What is Diabetes Type 1?
This happens when pancreatic beta cells are lost and the body stops producing insulin, or makes an insignificant amount. Figures show that approximately 10 percent of diabetes in the US has this type of disease. Those that affected are usually adults and children and this is commonly called juvenile diabetes. An older person, who has had their pancreases removed due to the affects of alcoholism or damage from an injury, may also get type 1. This disease needs daily insulin for their survival.
Diabetes Type 2
With type 2, the pancreas makes insulin but the body cells are resistant to its effects. This makes the insulin useless either part of or all of the time, as it’s ignored. Type 2 may also be called insulin resistance. In a person with type 2 diabetes, the body tries to make even more insulin than normal because it thinks there is a lack of it. Because the production of insulin is not meeting the needs of the body it thinks, the pancreas struggles with production of it. This results in type 2 diabetes. A rough estimation has approximately 90% of diabetics in the US are people with type 2.
By: Jenny H Jordan
Diabetic Food List For Type 2 Diabetics
A diabetic food list is not like the grocery list prepared by someone to cater the kitchen needs. The right person to suggest such foods is the physician who can diagnose the case and prepare the list of diabetic foods for type 2 diabetics. Food is prime that tops the human need for energy. People know that foods can do wonders in curing certain diseases. However when it comes to diabetes, they fail to develop the right concept in choosing proper diet to help reduce blood sugar. So if you are a diabetic, you ought to be careful in choosing right foods to eat whatever medication you are taking. The right choice of foods will speed up to lower the risks of diabetes.
Unfortunately, consuming unlimited volumes of whatever one feels to have aggravates the diabetic condition. You can eat whatever you want, but you’re to be within bounds on making better choices of foods and avoiding some treats in volumes. There are lots of things to care when choosing the right type of diabetic foods to serve you to the need. You should keep close watch on what are the diets that really help you control blood sugar. However, I’m pleased to give you a simple and short list of diabetic foods for type 2 diabetes so that you are benefited anyway. Just spend a few minutes to have a glance of the following small list of diabetic foods.
Vegetables: You can consume vegetables in plenty and as much as you like. If the vegetables you choose to eat are fresh and green, the benefits will be more than what you can have from stored varieties. You have in this list Spinach, black beans, cabbage, etc. Potatoes should be excluded as they can give negative results in controlling blood glucose.
Fruits: Fruits have wonderful medicinal effects for diabetics when they eat just to the need. It’s bad to take for stomach filling but can be justified if small servings are enjoyed by type 2 diabetics. There is no allowance for juices and fruits from freezers since they have no place in the list of diabetic foods to beat diabetes.
Grains: Grains are working well if they are whole and not broken. Wheat and oats are the best of diabetic foods to eat. Don’t get to bread daily but it may be something special when you are a diabetic of type 2.
By: Varadharajan R
Type 2 Diabetes Diet Plan
Do you have diabetes and need a type 2 diabetes diet plan to follow? If so, you should first know that this is a very simple diet plan to follow which consists basically of just eating healthy. You do not have to starve yourself and you will be eating a variety of foods in moderation. This really doesn’t sound like a “diet” at all does it?
First and foremost the basics of this plan are:
Eating often but in moderation Not over doing it on the carbohydrates Eating more whole grain foods plus fruits and vegetables Limiting the amount of sweets you eat Eating less fat Limiting alcohol
That is pretty much all there is to it. Sounds doable, right?
What makes this type 2 diabetes diet plan work is that you will be eating several times a day, but eating smaller amounts each time. This works much better in controlling your blood sugar levels than eating three large meals a day. By eating often and including appropriate servings from each food category, you are allowing your body to stay on an even keel throughout the day. This in turn helps to maintain an even level of blood sugar in your body.
When you eat several small meals during the day and include foods from each food group you will not get hungry and overeat. This is very important for diabetics who need to keep their weight down because the extra weight can actually worsen your diabetes.
A sample diabetic meal will consist of one (1) serving of each of the following:
Protein Bread Dairy Vegetables Fruit
By following a type 2 diabetes diet plan and including foods from each food category and eating in moderation you will be able to control your blood sugar levels, maintain your weight and eat healthy.
By: Marla Myles
Gestational Diabetes Diet – Pregnant Woman’s Guide To Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan
Gestational diabetes is a condition that is fully preventable with proper diet and lifestyle – all you need is to have the right information at the right time. When I was pregnant, I did not have that knowledge. I followed well-meaning, but completely misguided and dangerous advice that put my own health and the health of my son in danger. I gained too much weight, and I was very close to developing gestational diabetes. That’s why I want to share what I know now with all women who are pregnant and are afraid that they may be at risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a condition when a woman develops problems with blood sugar levels during pregnancy. High blood sugar may cause a baby to gain too much weight and be born prematurely. Women who have gestational diabetes usually regain their health after delivery, but are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in their life. That is why the best solution is to make permanent changes in your diet and lifestyle, to prevent these types of problems from occurring not just during pregnancy, but forever. It’s important also that we teach these proper nutrition habits to our children, as the childhood obesity and childhood diabetes reach epidemic proportion.
Gestational diabetes diet is really no different for a healthy diet that we should all be following every day to ensure the best of health and well-being. It’s a diet that is based mostly on fresh raw plant foods – fruits, vegetables, and greens, with small amounts of nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans. Even in pregnancy, animal proteins, such as dairy and meats should not be eaten in excessive amounts.
You may be asking “What about the protein? Will I be getting enough iron, calcium and other nutrients on this type of diet?”
If you eat nutrient rich foods, such as green vegetables, green leaf salads, fruits and other natural, unprocessed foods, you’ll be getting all the nourishment you and your baby need. All these foods contain all the nutrients our body need in perfect proportions – including protein, fats, calcium and everything else that we need to properly function and stay healthy.
By: Joanna Verdan
You Can Now Get a Free Diabetic Diet Plan to Help Prevent Diabetes
If you are suffering from diabetes or if you have risk factors from your family that give you the potential to have diabetes, then you may want to check out a free diabetic meal plan made by professionals. Did you know that fitness competitors and bodybuilders, when they want to lose fat they will actually go on a diabetic diet? Many people do not realize this but the science that makes people lose fat is the same science that prevents diabetes and can prevent you from getting this disease.
If you already have diabetes, free diabetic diet plan can help you curb some of the symptoms that you are experiencing. For example, in fitness training when people who have diabetes try to go on a diet they are immediately put on a diabetic meal plan to help them lose body fat and while this is happening symptoms of diabetes in their body reduce by half.
If you already have a diabetic diet plan that you’re following then you might want to check yours against one of the free diabetic meal plans. We have seen doctors create diet plans for diabetics that have been completely off mark. A simple understanding of blood sugar level control throughout the day can not only help you lose a lot of body fat but can also help with symptoms of diabetes.
Diabetic diet planning is very simple once you understand it, however few do. Your diet is something that shouldn’t be guessed at, especially if you are suffering from diabetes. However, a simple check can help you find out this information or shed some light on how to eat correctly in order to lose body fat and stop diabetes dead in its tracks.
Fact: Staying on the proper diabetic diet could save your life.
By: Sylvia Carpenter
Intro – Renal Diabetic Diet
A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise is recommended for everyone. For the diabetic these are essential. The demands on diet are extensive and comprehensive for the diabetic person. A renal diabetic diet is recommended for most patience, but there is no one set diet for everyone. The amounts and kinds of foods consumed will vary widely from person to person. The key is to adapt the renal diabetic diet to the patient’s individual need. Diabetes cannot be cured as of today, but it can be controlled through a well-managed diet.
Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for diabetics. A renal diabetic diet can help get the patient to the right weight and help maintain it. Obesity or weight gain will cause diabetic symptoms to worsen and cause other health problems with kidneys and other organs. Not only obesity, but a constantly fluctuating weight can also cause problems for the diabetic. Being able to maintain the right amount of insulin in the body becomes difficult when their weight keeps changing. A consistent renal diabetic diet helps level out these fluctuations and maintains the right amount of insulin.
Any diabetic can eat most foods, but depending on the severity and type of diabetes they have, it may be necessary to limit the amounts of certain foods. This list may include sugars, carbohydrates and fats, especially trans-fats. Alcohol should be avoided, but may be consumed in small amounts and only on occasion. In general, the amount of food consumed and the timing of meals needs to be closely monitored. This is the key benefit of the renal diabetic diet
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to work with a physician and nutritionist to develop a customized diet as soon as possible to get you condition under control. Diabetes is an on-going condition that cannot be cured. You will not out grow it. Even Type I, juvenile diabetes, will not be out grown. Following a strict diet is the only way to manage this condition. Type II diabetes, adult onset, many times can be managed by only changing your diet. Following a great renal diet may be all you need to do. Sometimes you will need to follow the diet and take oral medication. Sometimes you will need a renal diabetic diet and daily insulin injections. But no matter what your doctor recommends, be sure to follow the prescribed renal diabetic diet for your continued good health.
By: Hassan J Sheikh
Diabetic Diet Plan and the Low Glycemic Index Diet
The Low Glycemic Index Diet has been popular in America for a lot of years now, the reason for this is, it works for weight loss and can be used in a diabetic diet plan. The large number of Americans who suffer with diabetes (around 23 million) would benefit from some form of weight management plan.
The Low Glycemic Index (GI) Diet is great to use as the basis for a diabetic diet plan as it includes many foods that are at the lower end of the glycemic index this means that your body has less sugars and carbs to regulate. If you plan to start a lower GI diet I suggest that you first talk to your physician and let him know your plans. I would say this even if you are looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle and not just to help work with your diabetes.
Benefits of a diabetic diet plan, in this case with the lower GI diet;
Good balance of carbohydrates.
You will find that people with diabetes are sometimes discouraged from starting a diet that limits their amount of carbs. To me this appears wrong because most carbs eaten will be turned into sugars in the body. So surely you need to know how much you have eaten. They do provide energy for your body so the recommended amount for adults is 130 grams of carbs a day. There are also a lot of vitamins and minerals to be found in carb rich foods.
The ability to control your diabetes just having a Low Glycemic Index Diet:
Most people who are diagnosed with Type Two diabetes have got it as a result of being overweight and these are the people who will benefit most from this kind of diabetic diet plan. It may be that they find they do not need any other type of medical intervention once they are using this diet and it has shown to be working for them. This diet consist of only foods that can be easily and safely broken down by someone who has diabetes. So this makes it easier to control your glycemic index.
Quality foods are included on the Low Glycemic Index Diet;
The foods that are included in the low GI Diet are wholesome and good for you. There are lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains and lean cuts of meat. This diet encourages you to eat healthily, and helps you lead a much healthier lifestyle. Another great feature is the fact that you can still enjoy the odd treat while on this diabetic diet plan.
Helps to prevent other diseases;
The Low GI Diet can also assist in preventing other diseases besides diabetes. Many people who are at risk of heart disease should look into starting a Low GI Diet to help protect them from this and other potentially fatal diseases. Researchers have proved that a Low Glycemic Index Diet is more effective than other low carb diets and also much more effective than the standard low fat diet.
You should look on this diabetic diet plan more as a lifestyle change than just another diet. Diets are always harder to stick with because you feel you are being restricted and not allowed to eat certain foods. Whereas lifestyle is more about choice, you make that choice because of your health. You decide not to eat certain things, no-one is stopping you. This way you will find it much easier to stick to it and working with this for the long term is exactly what is needed.
As I said before, you must seek medical advice from a qualified person that you trust and can talk to before starting this or any other diet. Especially if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes or have a large amount of weight to lose.
A good physician will also help you track your weight loss and can be aware of any other medical issues you may encounter while on this diet.
By: Nick A Jones
The Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes – What You Ought to Be Careful About
The diabetes symptoms can go undetected in many people. This might lead to health problems when the disease just isn’t properly diagnosed and handled. A number of research reports have concluded that the sooner the problem is treated for diabetes, the better the probabilities of avoiding future complications.
Treatment is also required in order to live a productive and healthy life. One reason the symptoms of diabetes can go unnoticed is because many of these symptoms of diabetes, when experienced, are not alarming. In reality, some may not even seem like symptoms at all.
The following is a list of the most prevalent of diabetes symptoms, listed by type of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Always thirsty The Tendency to Urinate Quite Often Hunger that feels excessive Losing weight that isn’t expected Extreme feels of fatigue Irritability for no reason
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
The above symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes Frequent infections Problems with vision, including blurred vision Open wounds that don’t heal as soon as they should A feeling of tingling or perhaps numbness in the hands and feet Issues with skin or mouth blisters
Anyone who suffers from any of these type 2 diabetes symptoms really should check with their doctor at the earliest opportunity. Being tested for diabetes is quick and easy, often a simple blood or urine test, and is the only sure way to know if you have the disease or are in danger in the near future.
There are specific folks who may be at the upper chances for diabetes symptoms compared to other segments of the populace.
Those who may be at a greater risk include:
Pregnant Women for Gestational Diabetes Seniors Latinos African Americans Native Americans Asian Americans Native Hawaiians Being obese Not getting enough exercise
Family history of diabetes
It must be noted that not all peoples who fall into the above list will encounter the symptoms of diabetes. This list is simply an alert for individuals who may be in one of these ethnic, age, or gender groups.
In addition to the above, there are some common lifestyle issues that can lead to the onset of diabetes symptoms or pre diabetes. These include:
Diabetes Symptoms Left Untreated
If diabetes symptoms remain untreated, it can result in serious health complications. Some of the following complications may take years to progress while others may occur abruptly. Note: Not all of the next complications may happen in all people.
Certain eye complications just like glaucoma can occur in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Cataracts, as well as blurred vision, also occur. A number of with diabetes may come across problems with their feet. At its most severe, this can lead to gangrene and possible amputation.
Those with Type 2 diabetes have to be especially careful when clipping toenail or going for walks barefoot, as this can lead to sudden and virulent infections. Any wound to the foot must be reported to a medical professional as soon as possible.
Type 2 diabetes also can lead to high blood pressure and probable heart disease. Frequent checkups can help avoid many of the dangers that fall under this category. Furthermore, proper diet and exercise can go a long way in helping most diabetics to prevent hypertension and heart related illnesses.
While diabetes symptoms or signs may not often be easy to distinguish from other issues, they are well-documented and reliable. If you, or someone within your family, experience any of the above diabetes symptoms, check with your physician. As mentioned previously, testing is actually quite easy and it can save your life.
Advantages of Glutathione for Diabetes
Glutathione (GSH) is your bodies super antioxidant and the best defense against inflammation. Diabetics experience high levels of oxidative stress and low levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH).
By: Gerald Tellier