Types 1 and 2 Diabetes Awareness

Diabetes mellitus more commonly referred to as Diabetes, belongs to a group of related diseases in which a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal. This occurs either because the body cannot produce enough insulin, or the insulin being produced is not efficiently used by the body. Glucose is used by the body to provide the energy which enables us to perform all of our regular bodily functions. It is manufactured by the liver and derived from the foods we eat, particularly: pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, milk and fruit. The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas and enables the cells of the liver, muscle and fatty tissue to extract the glucose from the blood and store it in the liver and muscles. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or if the insulin does not function the way it’s meant to, the glucose remains in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells. Your blood glucose level then becomes elevated resulting in pre-diabetes or diabetes.

TYPE 1 DIABETES (Insulin Dependent Diabetes, or Juvenile Diabetes)

                           

Type 1 diabetes can be acquired at any age, often appearing in children, teenagers, or young adults. The exact cause of the disease has yet to be determined but it is believed that a virus or environmental toxins damage the pancreas or causes the body's immune system to attack the beta cells of the pancreas (autoimmune reaction). Insulin dependent diabetes is an apt way for describing this type of the disease, once the beta cells have been destroyed, the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin is limited or completely eliminated, making the afflicted completely reliant on insulin administered through artificial means. It’s a lifelong disease and is neither preventable nor curable. Symptoms may develop rapidly within weeks or months.

SYMPTOMS:

• Decreased mental sharpness
• Being very thirsty and/or hungry
• Constant feelings of tiredness
• Loss of weight despite an increased appetite
• Dry, itchy skin
• Wounds which heal slowly
• Blurred vision (rapid onset)
• Urinating very often
• Rapid, deep breathing
• Fruity breath odor

Presently there are no known cures for this ailment. Once afflicted , the only available form of treatment is insulin shots, which in all likelihood must be taken indefinitely. Other suggested options for managing this disease are: to eat healthy and be physically active.

TYPE 2 DIABETES (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes, Adult Onset Diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes can appear at any age and unlike type 1 diabetes the body does produce insulin but the quantity produced is less than required or the liver, muscle and fat cells do not process insulin properly (Insulin resistance). The level of glucose therefore rises in the blood stream.It is not being absorbed by the cells and no additional energy can be produced (hyperglycemia).  For the most part it is believed that type 2 diabetes is due to genetics and lifestyle (diet, weight and lack of exercise). The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are not easily discernible if they do appear at all; the disease is often only diagnosed when it’s in an advanced stage.

SYMPTOMS:

• Tingling or loss of feeling in the feet
• Constant hunger and thirst
• Dry, itchy skin
• Cuts/sores which heal slowly
• Blurred vision (gradual onset)
• Urinating very often
• Frequent bladder and vaginal infections
• Erectile dysfunction

If diagnosed early it’s possible to reverse the effects of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) through the use of medications which can improve one’s sensitivity to insulin or restricts the production of glucose by the liver. In the event that the disease is at a more advanced state, the treatment can then include insulin, pills, a proper diet (as recommended by a doctor or dietician), and physical activity. Additionally you’ll need to take personal responsibility for managing the disease by: managing your weight, controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, checking and keeping your blood glucose level within the target range, quit smoking (if you do) and paying regular visits to your doctor, dentist, eye care specialist and podiatrist.

People who suffer with high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, have a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, stand a greater risk of contracting the disease Should you be diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital that it not be left untreated since it can lead to: heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage (possible amputation), blindness and erectile dysfunction among other serious illnesses.

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Visit http://www.goldeneramart.com/blood_glucose_monitors/ for all of your diabetes supplies: blood glucose meters, lancets, test strips and control solutions Goldeneramart is an online store providing products for the ailing and infirm. At http://www.goldeneramart.com you'll also find blood pressure monitors, mobility aids, incontinence supplies and much more.

Nine Ways to Eat Better With Diabetes

Here are nine ways to change your diet that will help you manage your diabetes better and improve your health. These tips apply to people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but the specifics of your nutrition management will differ depending on which type you have and should be discussed with a qualified nutritionist. 

Diabetes tip #1:  Choose plant-based foods over animal-based foods. Eating a Mediterranean-style diet -- which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and olive oil and low in red meat, poultry and animal fats -- has been found to reduce the need for blood-glucose lowering medications in people with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes tip #2:  Go for whole grains rather than refined ones. Refined grains such as white flour, rice and pasta don’t offer much nutritional value and can send blood glucose soaring. Whole grains like oat flour, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta, on the other hand, are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.


Diabetes tip #3:  Use a healthier spread on bread. Avoid products that contain a lot of saturated fat, like butter and cream cheese, and regular margarine, which contains trans fats.  Your best substitutes are trans-fat-free margarines or those that contain plant stanols or sterols.

Diabetes tip #4:  Get your D from dairy. In addition to providing calcium, dairy products are a good source of vitamin D. Recent research has linked vitamin D deficiency with a greater likelihood of developing serious complications like cardiovascular disease if you have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes tip #5:  Substitute a sweet potato for a white one. Sweet potatoes recently made the American Diabetic Association’s (ADA) list of “superfoods” and it’s easy to see why: They have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes, meaning they don’t raise your blood glucose levels as much. They’re also rich in carotenoids, which are important for eye health; the natural plant compound chlorogenic acid, which may help reduce insulin resistance; and potassium, which lowers blood pressure.

Diabetes tip #6:  Cook with canola oil instead of corn oil. Canola oil is low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat, which can lower harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and maintain beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Diabetes tip #7:  Favor fatty fishes. Eating fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol as well as cut down on inflammation in the blood vessels, which raises heart disease risk.

Diabetes tip #8:  Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol taken in moderation can benefit some people and has been associated with longer lifespan. However, alcohol can cause hypoglycemia, especially if you are taking a blood glucose-lowering medication.

Diabetes tip #9:  Shake the salt habit. Excess sodium causes the body to retain fluid, which can raise your blood pressure as well as your risk of heart attack and stroke. Instead of sprinkling table salt on food, try spices, herbs, or a squeeze of lemon; avoid processed foods like jarred spaghetti sauces, luncheon meats, canned soups and condiments.

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

10 common sense weight loss tips

10 top tips to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy, balanced diet

Boots Feature

A weight loss programme is all about common sense and a healthy balanced diet. We want you to lose weight sensibly and keep it off by changing how you think about your diet and health. As a little bit of extra motivation we have put together these ten top tips to help you reach your goal.

Eat slowly

Research has shown that people who are overweight tend to bolt their food. Savour and enjoy what you eat and take time to chew your food. Macrobiotic practitioners advise chewing each mouthful 30 times as this allows the enzymes in the saliva to start the digestive process.

Stop eating before you feel full.

Remember, it takes approximately 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain that it is full!

Never skip meals.

When losing weight, it is important to maintain an even blood sugar level to prevent hunger. If you skip a meal you are more likely to give in to a craving.

Only weigh yourself weekly.

Try not to become a slave to the scale, remember weight loss is a long process and your weekly weigh-in will give you a good overall idea of your progress. If you weigh yourself too often you may become disheartened if you don’t drop pounds as quickly as you would like.

Use a smaller plate.

The fashion these days, particularly in restaurants is to serve food on a huge white plate. While this may look pretty it is bad for dieters as psychologically you won't feel as if you have eaten enough. At home serve your food on a small plate for a simple way to make you feel fuller.

Reduce your alcohol intake.

Alcohol is a source of empty calories and cutting down is an excellent way of increasing weight loss

Eat high fibre foods.

High fibre foods are the dieters' friends as complex carbohydrates release energy slowly and keep you full for longer. Porridge is an excellent breakfast for this reason and if you do have to have a muffin choose a low fat bran muffin for extra energy.

Keep hydrated.

If possible drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water, or other fluids per day. Water is essential for the healthy functioning of the body and often we can mistake thirst for hunger. Water will also make you feel fuller, if you have a mid-afternoon craving try drinking a big glass of water and see if you are still hungry ten minutes later.

Avoid temptation.

When shopping try not to buy snacks and sweets for other members of the family, you will be doing them a favour if you stock up on fruit, nuts & seeds instead. Unsuitable food can be stored in a box at the back of a cupboard as out of sight is, hopefully, out of mind.

Exercise.

Weight loss occurs when more calories are expended than ingested and the most effective way of maximising your weight loss programme is by incorporating regular exercise into your routine.

*We recommend that you check with your GP if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, want to lose a large amount of weight or have a current medical condition before starting any exercise or weight loss plan.

© Copyright Boots UK Limited.

High blood pressure is no longer just a problem for adults

By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features

Nearly one in five young adults have high blood pressure, a surprising jump that has prompted researchers to call it a “sleeping epidemic” according to a new study by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

UNC researchers analyzed data on more than 14,000 men and women between 24 and 32 years old in 2008 from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, known as Add Health, funded by the National Institutes of Health. They found 19 percent had elevated blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension. Only about half of the participants with elevated blood pressure had ever been told by a health-care provider that they had the condition.

“We have been referring to it as a sleeping epidemic of high blood pressure,” says Dr. Kathleen Mullan Harris at the University of North Carolina, who co-authored the UNC study and is also Add Health's principal investigator. “We think that's because most people, including the young, think that they are healthy. They don't go to the doctor and have regular checkups; they are in a busy time of their lives - building careers and families.”

One problem, Harris says, is that “when you have high blood pressure, you are not aware of it physically. You don't feel any different. That's alarming.”

Hypertension is a strong risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death of U.S. adults.

The UNC study was published online in the May 23 journal Epidemiology. By contrast, another reputable study – the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey - reported only a 4 percent rate of hypertension for a similar age group around the same time period (2007-2008). Both studies defined hypertension as blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) or more.

“We've been running around thinking four out of a hundred young people have hypertension and they are basically saying one out of five young adults have elevated blood pressure. That's an enormous difference, “ says Dr. Richard Stein, professor of medicine and cardiology at NYU School of Medicine and national spokesperson for American Heart Association.

Further research will be done to explore the reasons for the elevated blood pressure levels among young adults, Harris says.

“We think it's due to modern lifestyle,” Harris says. “First, there's a more sedentary behavior: watching TV, sitting in front of a computer. Then there are changes in diet. Especially in young people, we see a greater intake in fast food, including higher sodium that leads to higher blood pressure, as well as an increase in sugar drinks, which leads to higher obesity. We think it's these things that lead to this higher level of high blood pressure.”

“In my mind, there is a greater concern about how young adults should have their blood pressure checked once or twice a year when they see they doctor,” Stein says.

“If you can't afford to go to a doctor, you can get your blood pressure checked at a drug store or at a gym,” Harris says. “We're trying to get the message out that young people need to check on their health.”

Personal Comment: An additional tool in the fight against hypertension (high blood pressure) is your personal home blood pressure unit.

Caring for Your Feet With Diabetes

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

When you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is very important. Poor foot care can lead to serious problems, including possibly having to remove -- or amputate -- the foot or leg.

As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because the disease can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. The American Diabetes Association has estimated that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. By taking proper care of your feet, most serious problems can be prevented.

Here are some diabetes foot care tips to follow:

Wash and Dry Your Feet Daily

• Use mild soaps.
• Use warm water.
• Pat your skin dry; do not rub. Thoroughly dry your feet, especially between the toes.
• After washing, use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking. Do not put lotion between your toes.

Examine Your Feet Each Day

• Check the tops and bottoms of your feet. Have someone else look at your feet if you cannot see them.
• Check for dry, cracked skin.
• Look for blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores.
• Check for redness, increased warmth, or tenderness when touching any area of your feet.
• Check for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses.
• If you get a blister or sore from your shoes, do not "pop" it. Apply a bandage and wear a different pair of shoes.

Take Care of Your Toenails

• Cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft.
• Cut toenails straight across and smooth with an emery board.
• Avoid cutting into the corners of toes.
• You may want a podiatrist (foot doctor) to cut your toenails.

Be Careful When Exercising

• Walk and exercise in comfortable shoes.
• Do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet.

 Protect Your Feet With Shoes and Socks

• Never go barefoot. Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or hard-soled slippers or footwear.
• Avoid shoes with high heels and pointed toes.
• Avoid shoes that expose your toes or heels (such as open-toed shoes or sandals). These types of shoes increase your risk for injury and potential infections.
• Try on new footwear with the type of socks you usually wear.
• Do not wear new shoes for more than an hour at a time.
• Look and feel inside your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no foreign objects or rough areas.
• Avoid tight socks.
• Wear natural-fiber socks (cotton, wool, or a cotton-wool blend).
• Wear special shoes if your health care provider recommends them.
• Wear shoes/boots that will protect your feet from various weather conditions (cold, moisture, etc.).
• Make sure your shoes fit properly. If you have neuropathy (nerve damage), you may not notice that your shoes are too tight. Perform the "footwear test" described below.

Footwear Test

Use this simple test to see if your shoes fit correctly:

• Stand on a piece of paper. (Make sure you are standing and not sitting, because your foot changes shape when you stand.)
• Trace the outline of your foot.
• Trace the outline of your shoe.
• Compare the tracings: Is the shoe too narrow? Is your foot crammed into the shoe? The shoe should be at least 1/2 inch longer than your longest toe and as wide as your foot.

Proper Shoe Choices for Those With Diabetes

When choosing the proper footwear if you have diabetes:

• Buy shoes with closed toes and heels.
• Buy shoes with leather uppers but without a seam inside.
• Make sure there is at least 1/2 inch extra space at the end of your longest toe.
• The inside of the shoe should be soft with no rough areas.
• The outer sole should be made of stiff material.
• Your shoe should be at least as wide as your foot.

Tips for Foot Safety

To keep you feet safe if you have diabetes:

• Don't wait to treat a minor foot problem. Follow your health care provider's guidelines and first aid guidelines.
• Report foot injuries and infections to your health care provider immediately.
• Check water temperature with your elbow, not your foot.
• Do not use a heating pad on your feet.
• Do not cross your legs.
• Do not self-treat your corns, calluses, or other foot problems. Go to your health care provider or podiatrist to treat these conditions.

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

See your health care provider if you have diabetes and any of the following problems with your feet:

• Athlete's foot (cracking between the toes)
• Sores or wounds on your feet
• Ingrown toenails
• Increasing numbness or pain
• Calluses
• Redness
• Blackening of skin
• Bunions
• Infection
• Hammer or mallet toes (when the middle joints of toes are permanently bent downward)

My doctor told me I have incontinence... now what?

"You have urinary incontinence."

Hearing these words from your doctor can bring out all kinds of feelings and questions. You may be feeling embarrassed, angry, afraid, and alone. You may also have questions about incontinence, how it will affect your work and social life, and where to go for help.

It may help to know that you're not alone: over 3 million Canadians of all ages have incontinence. But you may feel alone because most people are too embarrassed to talk about it - only 26% of people with incontinence ask their doctor for help. So congratulate yourself on having the courage to speak up! By talking to your doctor and getting a diagnosis, you're on the road to taking control of your incontinence.

Here are a few "next steps" to help you cope with your diagnosis and get your life back.
Educate yourself. Learn all you can about urinary incontinence and the management options available to you.
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions for people newly diagnosed with urinary incontinence:

• Can it be treated? Yes. There are many treatments available to help manage your incontinence so that you can get on with your life.
• Will everybody know? No. With the new discreet treatment and management options available, no one will know about your incontinence unless you decide to tell them.
• Is this the end of my social life? Definitely not! You can still enjoy an active social life. Just be prepared: follow your treatment plan, consider using absorbent products for leakage protection, and have an emergency kit (containing extra clothes and absorbent products) to deal with leaks.
• How will this affect my relationship with my partner? Your relationship could become stronger than ever as you work together to cope with incontinence. The first step is to share your feelings and concerns with your partner.
• Will it be an issue at work? With a proper management plan, it shouldn't be. As with social occasions, it's all a matter of being prepared.
• Where can I get help? Talk to your doctor about available support groups and consider confiding in trusted friends and family so they can offer their support.

Talk to your doctor about your treatment plan. Discuss your treatment and management options with your doctor and work with your doctor to choose a treatment plan that will work for your lifestyle.
Get back to your usual activities. When you first found out you had urinary incontinence, you may have scaled back on your social life and physical activities. But incontinence shouldn't get in the way of the things you enjoy. Once you have a treatment plan in place, you can go back to your usual activities.
Find support. Talk to your partner or a trusted friend about what you're going through. You can also join an incontinence support group or online community.

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