Diabetes is a growing health problem in the world today. Did you know that approximately 20.8 million children and adults are diagnosed with diabetes in the United States alone? These numbers are growing every day.
The exact cause of diabetes is not clear, however, lack of exercise and obesity are huge factors in the development of diabetes. This article will give some general information about diabetes.
Glucose is considered the body's fuel. We get glucose from the foods that we eat. It is not just sugar alone that is converted into glucose, but also starches and carbohydrates are chemically broken down into glucose. Without glucose your body would not function. All muscles and major organs in your body need glucose. But how does the glucose get to the proper destinations?
Insulin is the hormone that distributes the glucose to the liver, fat cells and muscles. A diabetic does not produce enough insulin or for some reason, his body is not able to process it effectively. When this happens the glucose stays in the blood and produces high blood sugar.
Diabetes can be classified into the following three types:
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes the body produces little or no insulin and daily injections of insulin are necessary to sustain life. This type is usually present from childhood and is also called insulin dependent diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
It is the more common type of diabetes and usually develops in adulthood. With type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to effectively use the insulin produced. Most type 2 diabetics are managed by diet and oral medications.
Gestational Diabetes.
This type develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby.
It is important to know the risks factor of diabetes. One of the biggest risks factors is a family history. If you have a parent or sibling with diabetes, your chances of developing diabetes are very good. Also being over 45 years of age, being obese, having poor eating habits or being of African American or Native American descent can increase your chance of becoming a diabetic.
If you have any of the above risk factors, be aware of the warning signs of diabetes. Contact you doctor if you have any of these signs and symptoms:-
-Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Slow healing cuts or infections
- Increased amount of infections
- Blurry vision
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, treatment will usually involve diet changes and oral medications. In more severe cases, insulin injections may be prescribed.
Diabetes is manageable if the proper treatment regimen is followed. Talk with your doctor and a good diabetic educator. Have your doctor set you up an appointment with a registered dietician. She can show you what you can and cannot eat on a diabetic diet.
Check your blood sugar levels frequently. Educate yourself about all the treatment options out there. Lose weight and become more active. Getting a diagnosis of diabetes is no reason to stop living.
source:www.freearticles.com/article/General-Information-About-Diabetes/1515
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Possible Herbal Treatments For Diabetes
Many people are turning to herbal remedies for the treatments of diseases. The reason for this is natural herbs have less side effects that traditional prescription medicine. There are vast variety of herbs for every medical condition.
Before trying any type of herbal supplement, talk with your doctor. Some herbs may have in interaction with medications that you may be on.
If you start an herbal treatment for your diabetes, monitor you blood sugar levels frequently. There are many types of herbs for the treatment of diabetes. Some work better than others and what works for one person may not work for you.
Do your research and talk with a holistic healer or herbalist. This article is going to list a few of the herbs that are used in the treatment of diabetes:
Garlic and onions are best known for their cardiovascular benefits, however a few studies have shown that they can be beneficial in lowering blood glucose levels. Onions can increase the production of insulin in your body, which will lower high glucose levels in your blood.
Bitter melon has long been used for it's glucose lowering properties. It must be taken in small doses however, because larger doses can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Aloe Vera has been called the healing herb. It is known for it's ability to treat burns and cuts.But the dried sap and gel taken from the inner portion of the leaves have been effective in treating diabetes.
Asian ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine. It has long been used in the treatment of diabetes. Asian ginseng can increase the release of insulin from the pancreas and enhance the function of insulin receptors.
Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to help the pancreas produce insulin. It has been beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
Stevia has long been used to lower blood glucose levels. It has had animal studies but has not undergone any human trials.
Cinnamon bark will make fat cells more accessible to insulin. It blocks the formation of dangerous free radicals and increases the conversation rate of glucose to energy.
These are just a few of the herbs used to treat diabetes. You must remember, that just because you can buy it over the counter does not mean that it is completely safe. People with renal disease or liver disease are at a higher risk for complications.
If you are on blood thinning medicines be aware that taking ginkgo, ginseng and garlic will increase your risk for bleeding.
Do not take extra doses of the herbs thinking that more is better. It can actually do more harm than good.
Monitor your blood sugar frequently and keep your doctor informed of what you are doing. If you find the right herb that works for you, prescription medication for your diabetes may become a thing of the past!
Sometimes the best offense against diabetes is a good defense
source: www.freearticles.com/article/Possible-Herbal-Treatments-For-Diabetes/1512
Before trying any type of herbal supplement, talk with your doctor. Some herbs may have in interaction with medications that you may be on.
If you start an herbal treatment for your diabetes, monitor you blood sugar levels frequently. There are many types of herbs for the treatment of diabetes. Some work better than others and what works for one person may not work for you.
Do your research and talk with a holistic healer or herbalist. This article is going to list a few of the herbs that are used in the treatment of diabetes:
Garlic and onions are best known for their cardiovascular benefits, however a few studies have shown that they can be beneficial in lowering blood glucose levels. Onions can increase the production of insulin in your body, which will lower high glucose levels in your blood.
Bitter melon has long been used for it's glucose lowering properties. It must be taken in small doses however, because larger doses can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Aloe Vera has been called the healing herb. It is known for it's ability to treat burns and cuts.But the dried sap and gel taken from the inner portion of the leaves have been effective in treating diabetes.
Asian ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine. It has long been used in the treatment of diabetes. Asian ginseng can increase the release of insulin from the pancreas and enhance the function of insulin receptors.
Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to help the pancreas produce insulin. It has been beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
Stevia has long been used to lower blood glucose levels. It has had animal studies but has not undergone any human trials.
Cinnamon bark will make fat cells more accessible to insulin. It blocks the formation of dangerous free radicals and increases the conversation rate of glucose to energy.
These are just a few of the herbs used to treat diabetes. You must remember, that just because you can buy it over the counter does not mean that it is completely safe. People with renal disease or liver disease are at a higher risk for complications.
If you are on blood thinning medicines be aware that taking ginkgo, ginseng and garlic will increase your risk for bleeding.
Do not take extra doses of the herbs thinking that more is better. It can actually do more harm than good.
Monitor your blood sugar frequently and keep your doctor informed of what you are doing. If you find the right herb that works for you, prescription medication for your diabetes may become a thing of the past!
Sometimes the best offense against diabetes is a good defense
source: www.freearticles.com/article/Possible-Herbal-Treatments-For-Diabetes/1512
Understanding Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Be Aware of the Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors
People who develop type 2 diabetes usually experience two preliminary stages:
insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the pancreas manages to pump enough insulin to bring down blood sugar levels, but with levels of insulin much higher than normal.
Over time, a person with insulin resistance secretes more and more insulin to move the same amount of glucose into the cells, where it is needed for energy. In many people, this ability to compensate eventually breaks down. When this happens, blood sugar levels begin to climb, despite the high levels of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Many times, despite having higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, people with impaired glucose tolerance are not aware of their condition. Symptoms may be mild, such as slightly increased thirst or more frequent urination, or not present at all. However, higher-than-normal blood sugar levels can begin to cause damage in many organs, such as the kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. Health care providers and diabetes experts recommend that everyone older than age 45 be tested for diabetes.
People with the following risk factors should be tested earlier:
a. People with a body mass index greater than 25.
b. Women who had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth.
c. People who have a parent, sister and/or brother with diabetes.
d. Anyone who is sedentary.
e. People of certain races, including Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans.
source: www.diabetescontrolforlife.com
People who develop type 2 diabetes usually experience two preliminary stages:
insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the pancreas manages to pump enough insulin to bring down blood sugar levels, but with levels of insulin much higher than normal.
Over time, a person with insulin resistance secretes more and more insulin to move the same amount of glucose into the cells, where it is needed for energy. In many people, this ability to compensate eventually breaks down. When this happens, blood sugar levels begin to climb, despite the high levels of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Many times, despite having higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, people with impaired glucose tolerance are not aware of their condition. Symptoms may be mild, such as slightly increased thirst or more frequent urination, or not present at all. However, higher-than-normal blood sugar levels can begin to cause damage in many organs, such as the kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. Health care providers and diabetes experts recommend that everyone older than age 45 be tested for diabetes.
People with the following risk factors should be tested earlier:
a. People with a body mass index greater than 25.
b. Women who had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth.
c. People who have a parent, sister and/or brother with diabetes.
d. Anyone who is sedentary.
e. People of certain races, including Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans.
source: www.diabetescontrolforlife.com
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