Diabetes and Dietary Supplements

Can dietary supplements really help control diabetes? If you are like many people with diabetes, you might wonder whether the ads you have seen or heard are true. Take a few minutes to learn how diabetes and dietary supplements can be a good mix — or a set-up for trouble.
Read more: http://goldeneramart-healthjunction.com/diabetes-and-dietary-supplements/

Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

Treatments for diabetes can include many elements. Conventional treatments in addition to complementary and alternative treatments are available.

A health treatment that is not classified as standard Western medical practice is referred to as complementary and alternative medicine. The category encompasses a variety of disciplines that include everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle changes. Examples include acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic treatments, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, massage, and many others.

Complete details:  http://goldeneramart-healthjunction.com/alternative-treatments-for-diabetes/

Exercising With Diabetes: What to Do Before, During, and After

You’ve heard the advice: get active at least 30 minutes every day, as many days of the week as you can. But what if you’re short on time and the idea of the gym doesn’t thrill you? We’ve got some tips on getting active outside of the gym, along with a checklist for safe exercise when you have diabetes. Complete details: http://goldeneramart-healthjunction.com

Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise

Exercise is very important in managing type 2 diabetes. Combining diet, exercise, and medicine (when prescribed) will help control your weight and blood sugar level.

Exercise helps control type 2 diabetes by:

• Improving your body's use of insulin.
• Burning excess body fat, helping to decrease and control weight (decreased body fat results in improved insulin sensitivity).
• Improving muscle strength.
• Increasing bone density and strength.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Helping to protect against heart and blood vessel disease by lowering 'bad' LDL cholesterol and increasing 'good' HDL cholesterol.
• Improving blood circulation and reducing your risk of heart disease.
• Increasing energy level and enhancing work capacity.
• Reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and releasing tension and anxiety.

How Does Exercise Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

Normally, insulin is released from the pancreas when the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood increases, such as after eating. Insulin stimulates the liver and muscles to take in excess glucose. This results in a lowering of the blood sugar level.

When exercising, the body needs extra energy or fuel (in the form of glucose) for the exercising muscles. For short bursts of exercise, such as a quick sprint to catch the bus, the muscles and the liver can release stores of glucose for fuel. With continued moderate exercising, however, your muscles take up glucose at almost 20 times the normal rate. This lowers blood sugar levels.

But intense exercise can have the opposite effect and actually increase your blood glucose levels. This is especially true for many people with diabetes. The body recognizes intense exercise as a stress and releases stress hormones that tell your body to increase available blood sugar to fuel your muscles. If this happens to you, you may need a little bit of insulin after intense workouts.

For a variety of reasons, after exercise, people with diabetes may have an increase or a decrease in their blood sugar levels.

Is Blood Sugar Ever Too High to Exercise?

Yes. In some cases, you should hold off on exercising if your blood sugar is very high.

What Types of Exercise Are Best for Diabetes?

While most any exercise is healthy for people with diabetes, let's look at some specific types of exercise and their benefits:

Strength Training and Type 2 Diabetes

 

The latest findings show that exercise such as strength training has a profound impact on helping people manage their diabetes. In a recent study of Hispanic men and women, 16 weeks of strength training produced dramatic improvements in sugar control that are comparable to taking diabetes medication. Additionally, the study volunteers were stronger, gained muscle, lost body fat, had less depression, and felt much more self-confident.

Aerobic Fitness and Type 2 Diabetes

 

Any activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it up for an extended period of time will improve your aerobic fitness. Aerobic exercise helps decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes and helps those with diabetes to better manage their blood sugar levels. Besides the health benefits, exercise is fun and boosts your mood. It's hard to feel stressed when you're walking fast on a treadmill or swimming laps in a pool.

Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise Tips

• To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia if you have diabetes, follow a regular routine of exercising, eating your meals, and taking your medicines at the same time each day.
• Prolonged or strenuous exercise can cause your body to produce adrenaline and other hormones that can counteract the effects of insulin and cause your blood sugar to rise. If you are participating in strenuous exercise (exercising at your maximum capacity) or prolonged exercise (lasting for several hours or more), your insulin and/or oral diabetic medicine may need to be changed. Talk to your health care provider about how to adjust your medicine.
• Be careful exercising when your medicine is reaching its peak effect.
• Depending on the time of exercise, reducing your dose of either long-acting insulin or short-acting insulin will be necessary. Your doctor can recommend how to make this adjustment.
• Exercise with someone who knows you have diabetes and knows what to do if you have a low blood-sugar reaction.
• Wear a medical identification tag (for example, MedicAlert) or carry an identification card that states you have diabetes.

More Diabetes-Specific Exercise Tips

The American Diabetes Association offers these basic exercise guidelines for those with diabetes:

• Discuss with your doctor what types of exercise might be appropriate for you. Complications of diabetes such as severe eye disease and nerve damage may make some forms of exercise dangerous for you. Your doctor may also schedule a test to see how your heart responds to exercise.
• Do not exercise if your blood sugar is greater than 250 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and your ketones positive. This is an indication that you already may have a lack of insulin and exercise will only cause a greater rise in your blood sugar. Hydrate yourself and adjust your insulin as necessary, contact your health care provider.
• Use caution when exercising if your blood sugar is greater than 300 mg/dL without evidence of ketones, exercise may help decrease your sugars, but it's possible they will increase instead. Hydrate well prior to and after exercise and keep track of your sugars and ketones.
• Learn the effects of various types of exercise on your blood sugar.
• Have carbohydrate-based foods available for exercise and for the period following exercise. Add carbohydrates to your meals if you plan on doing exercise, adjust your insulin dose appropriately in anticipation of exercise.

General Exercise Guidelines and Precautions

• If you have diabetes, check with your health care provider before you begin an exercise program. Tell your doctor what kind of exercise you want to do so adjustments can be made to your medicine schedule or meal plan, if necessary.
• Start slowly and gradually increase your endurance.
• Choose an activity that you enjoy. You'll be more likely to stick with a program if you enjoy the activity. Make exercise a lifetime commitment.
• Consider a water exercise program. Some other exercise options include walking, riding a stationary bicycle, swimming, or muscle stretching.
• Exercise at least three to four times per week for 20 to 40 minutes each session. Ideally, you should exercise every day. A good exercise program should include a 5- to 10-minute warm-up and at least 15 to 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise (such as walking or biking) or muscle stretching exercises, followed by a 5-minute cool down.
• Wear good shoes and practice proper foot care.
• Drink water before, during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration.
• Do not ignore pain -- discontinue any exercise that causes unexpected pain. If you continue to perform the activity while you are in pain, you may cause unnecessary stress or damage to your joints.

Should I Stop Exercising When I Reach My Ideal Weight?

Exercise is a lifetime commitment. Regardless of your weight, you should exercise at least three to four times per week for 20 to 40 minutes each session. Ideally, you should exercise every day to help manage your type 2 diabetes long-term.

© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

How the Blood Sugar of Diabetes Affects the Body

Diabetes mellitus leads to persistently elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, high sugar levels damage the body and can lead to the multiple health problems associated with diabetes.

But why are high blood sugars so bad for you? How much sugar in the blood is too much? And what are good sugar levels, anyway? WebMD takes a look at how your sugar level affects diabetes and your health.

Diabetes and Normal Blood Sugar Levels

At present, the diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes is based in an arbitrary cut-off point for a normal blood sugar level. A normal sugar level is currently considered to be less than 100 mg/dL when fasting and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. But in most healthy people, sugar levels are even lower.

During the day, blood glucose levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. In some, 60 is normal; in others, 90. Again, anything less than 100 mg/dL while fasting is considered normal by today's standards.

What's a low sugar level? It varies widely, too. Many people's sugar levels won't ever fall below 60 mg/dL, even with prolonged fasting. When you diet or fast, the liver keeps sugar levels normal by turning fat and muscle into sugar. A few people's sugar levels may fall somewhat lower. Without taking diabetes medicine, though, or having uncommon medical problems, it's difficult to drop sugar levels to an unsafe point.

Sugar Levels, Diabetes, and Prediabetes

Sugar levels higher than normal mean either diabetes or pre-diabetes is present.

There are several ways diabetes is diagnosed.

• The first is known as fasting plasma glucose. A person is said to have diabetes if his or her fasting blood sugar level is higher than 126 mg/dL after not eating -- fasting -- for eight hours.
• The second method is with an oral glucose tolerance test. After fasting for eight hours, a person is given a special sugary drink. That person is said to have diabetes if two hours after the drink he or she has a sugar level higher than 200.
• The third way is with a randomly checked blood sugar level. If it is greater than 200, with symptoms of increased urination, thirst, and/or weight loss, that person is said to have diabetes. A fasting sugar level or oral glucose tolerance test will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

But diabetes is not like a switch that gets turned on and off -- healthy one day, diabetic the next. Any sugar levels higher than normal are unhealthy. A blood sugar higher than normal, but not meeting the above criteria for full-blown diabetes, is called prediabetes.

Fifty seven million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. People with prediabetes are five to six times more likely to develop diabetes over time. Prediabetes also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, although not as much as diabetes does. It's possible to prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, with diet and exercise.

Sugar and Your Body

Why are high blood sugar levels bad for you? It turns out, your body doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. Glucose is precious fuel for all the cells in your body -- when it's present at normal levels. But persistently high sugar levels behave like a slow-acting poison.

1. High sugar levels slowly erode the ability of cells in the pancreas to make insulin. The pancreas overcompensates, though, and insulin levels remain overly high. Gradually, the pancreas is permanently damaged.
2. All the excess sugar is modified in the blood. It becomes a form that sticks to and coats bloodstream proteins, which are normally "sugar-free." Thanks to this sugary film, the proteins don't function well, can be deposited in blood vessels, and can cause damage to them.

Because high sugar levels are everywhere, the body can be damaged anywhere. Damage to blood vessels, in particular, means no area is safe from too much sugar. High sugar levels and damaged blood vessels cause the multitude of complications that can come with diabetes:

• kidney disease or kidney failure, requiring dialysis
• strokes
• heart attacks
• visual loss or blindness
• immune system suppression, with increased risk for infections
• erectile dysfunction
• nerve damage, called neuropathy, causing pain or decreased sensation in the feet, legs, and hands
• poor circulation to the legs and feet, with poor wound healing

In extreme cases, because of the poor wound healing, amputation is required.

Keeping sugar levels closer to normal can prevent many of the complications of diabetes. The American 

Diabetes Association's goals for glucose control in people with diabetes are sugar levels of 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.

Reviewed by John A. Seibel, MD on February 25, 2010

© 2010 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Diabetes in Men

Why should I care about diabetes?

After years of warning about an epidemic of diabetes, researchers are beginning to see clear signs that it's underway. The incidence of this devastating disease has doubled in the past 30 years, according to a 2006 report in the journal Circulation. And the biggest jump in diabetes diagnoses was among men.

The risk for type 2 diabetes typically climbs after the age of 45, although the disease is now showing up in younger and younger people. In fact, type 2 diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes because it usually didn't occur until middle age. No longer. "We're beginning to see type 2 diabetes showing up in people in their 20s now," says David Ludwig, MD, PhD, an endocrinology expert at Children's Hospital in Boston.

The risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• being overweight or obese
• a sedentary lifestyle
• a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and low in fiber and whole grains
• a history of type 2 diabetes in your immediate family (mother, father, sister, or brother)

African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Native Alaskans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders also have an increased risk.
Having diabetes, in turn, increases the danger of heart disease, as well as a range of problems associated with impaired circulation, such as eye disease and nerve damage.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body can't control blood glucose levels properly. Normally, the digestive tract breaks down food into glucose, a form of sugar, which is released into the circulating blood. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, stimulates cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy.

Type 1 diabetes, which typically shows up in childhood, is caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs when tissues in the body gradually become resistant to the effect of insulin. The pancreas responds by churning out more of the hormone. But eventually it can't keep up, and blood sugar levels begin to climb.

That's bad for many reasons. High glucose levels damage nerve and blood vessels, leading to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and gum infections. Advanced type 2 diabetes can result in blindness and the need to amputate limbs that no longer get adequate circulation.

One of the main causes of the current epidemic of type 2 diabetes, researchers believe, is the rise in obesity. Over time, excess weight makes cells in the muscles, liver, and fat tissue less responsive to insulin -- a condition called insulin resistance.

Another contributing cause -- to both obesity and the rise in type 2 diabetes -- is likely to be increasing consumption of sugar and highly refined carbohydrates such as white flour.

A third cause of type 2 diabetes, also linked to the others, is inactivity. Lack of activity increases the risk of obesity, of course. But a sedentary lifestyle may contribute directly to type 2 diabetes risk as well. Studies show that overweight or obese people who become active improve their blood sugar control, even if they don't lose weight.

An estimated 6 million people in the U.S. have this serious disease and don't know it. It's easy for doctors to check for diabetes using a simple blood test that measures blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, many people aren't tested because they either don't have symptoms or the symptoms are so mild that they don't notice them. If you are 45 and overweight, you should be tested for diabetes, regardless of symptoms. If you have other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, no matter how old you are, talk to your doctor about being tested, especially if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• increased thirst
• increased hunger
• fatigue
• frequent urination, especially at night
• unexplained weight loss
• blurred vision
• sores that don't heal

What can I do to prevent diabetes?

Plenty. Studies show that 90% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented -- or significantly delayed -- simply through a healthier diet and plenty of physical activity. The big proof of that came in a study of 3,234 people who were overweight and had elevated blood glucose levels, putting them in the crosshairs of diabetes risk. Those who followed a lifestyle change program of exercise and diet geared to losing weight -- in this case, an average of 15 pounds -- lowered their risk of diabetes by 58%. Those in the 60-and-older set cut their risk by 71%. And these were people who already had a high risk of diabetes. Keep your weight in the normal range and stay active, experts say, and you stand an excellent chance of never getting diabetes.

How is diabetes treated?

A diabetes diagnosis isn't the end of the world. In some cases, lifestyle changes can keep the disease entirely under control. Still, many people with diabetes need to take oral medications that lower blood sugar levels. When these aren't enough to do the job, insulin injections may be necessary, sometimes in combination with oral drugs. Several new drugs that work in combination with insulin to improve blood sugar management have been approved by the FDA.
While treatment has improved, however, controlling diabetes remains a challenge, which is why experts emphasize prevention.

What else do I need to know about diabetes?

Experts agree that a healthy diet designed to prevent type 2 diabetes should emphasize whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and small amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates. One controversial area is alcohol. Traditional advice for people with diabetes or at risk for it was to avoid alcohol. But recent studies suggest that alcohol may actually protect against diabetes. Combining data from 15 studies, researchers writing in the journal Diabetes Care found that moderate alcohol consumption reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 30%. Excessive drinking, however, increased the risk. Here, as always, the word is moderation. For men, that would be a glass or two of wine or beer with a meal.

© 2010 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Taking Care of Your Diabetes Every Day; 4 everyday tips

The four things you have to do every day to lower high blood sugar are:

1. Eat healthy food

2. Get regular exercise

3. Take your diabetes medicine

4. Test your blood sugar.

Experts say most people with diabetes should try to keep their blood sugar level as close as possible to the level of someone who does not have diabetes. This may not be possible or right for everyone. Check with your doctor about the right range of blood sugar for you.

You will get plenty of help in learning how to do this from your health care providers. Your main health care providers are your doctor, nurse, and dietitian. (A dietitian is someone who is specially trained to help people plan their meals.)

Bring a family member or friend with you when you see your doctor. Ask lots of questions. Before you leave, be sure you understand everything you need to know about taking care of your diabetes.

Eat Healthy Food

People with diabetes do not need special foods. The foods on your diabetes eating plan are the same foods that are good for everyone in your family! Try to eat foods that are low in fat, salt, and sugar and high in fiber such as beans, fruits and vegetables, and grains. Eating right will help you:

1. Reach and stay at a weight that is good for your body.

2. Keep your blood sugar in a good range.

3. Prevent heart and blood vessel disease.

People with diabetes should have their own eating plan. Ask your doctor to give you the name of a dietitian who can work with you to develop an eating plan for you and your family. Your dietitian can help you plan meals to include foods that you and your family like to eat and that are good for you.

Action Steps...

If You Use Insulin

• Give yourself an insulin shot before you eat.
• Eat at about the same time and the same amount of food every day.
• Don't skip meals, especially if you have already given yourself an insulin shot because your blood sugar may go too low. 

If You Don't Use Insulin

• Follow your meal plan.
• Don't skip meals, especially if you take diabetes pills because your blood sugar may go too low. Skipping a meal can make you eat too much at the next meal. It may be better to eat several small meals during the day instead of one or two big meals.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is good for those with diabetes. Walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball, and bowling are all good ways to exercise. You can even get exercise when you clean house or work in your garden. Exercise is especially good for people with diabetes because:

1. Exercise helps keep weight down.

2. Exercise helps insulin work better to lower blood sugar.

3. Exercise is good for your heart and lungs.

4. Exercise gives you more energy.

Before you begin exercising, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may check your heart and your feet to be sure you have no special problems. If you have high blood pressure or eye problems, some exercises like weight-lifting may not be safe. Your doctor or nurse will help you find safe exercises.

Try to exercise regularly. Exercise at least three times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes each time. If you have not exercised in a while, begin slowly. Start with five to 10 minutes, and then work up to more time.

If you haven't eaten for over an hour or if your blood sugar is less than 100-120, eat or drink something like an apple or a glass of milk before you exercise.

When you exercise, carry a snack with you in case of low blood sugar. Wear or carry an identification tag or card saying that you have diabetes.

Regular exercise such as walking and bicycling can help keep your blood sugar in a good range.

Action Steps...

If You Use Insulin

• Exercise after eating, not before.
• Test your blood sugar before, during, and after exercising. Don't exercise when your blood sugar is over 240.
• Avoid exercise right before you go to sleep, because it could cause low blood sugar during the night.

If You Don't Use Insulin

• See your doctor before starting an exercise program.
• Test your blood sugar before and after exercising if you take diabetes pills.

Take Your Diabetes Medicine Every Day

Insulin and diabetes pills and injections (Byetta, Symlin, or Victoza) are the kinds of medicines used to lower blood sugar.

If You Use Insulin

You need insulin if your body has stopped making insulin or if it doesn't make enough insulin. Everyone with insulin-dependent diabetes (or type 1 diabetes) needs insulin, and many people with type 2 diabetes need insulin.

Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. You will have to give yourself shots every day. Some people give themselves one shot a day. Some people give themselves two or more shots a day. You need to take your insulin every day. Never skip a shot, even if you are sick.

Insulin is injected with a needle. Your doctor will tell you what kind of insulin to use, how much, and when to give yourself a shot. Talk to your doctor before changing the type or amount of insulin you use or when you give your shots. Your doctor or the diabetes educator will show you how to draw up insulin in the needle. They will also show you the best places on your body to give yourself a shot. Ask someone to help you with your shots if your hands are shaky or you can't see well.

Good places on your body to give shots are:

• The outside part of your upper arms.
• Around your waist and hips.
• The outside part of your upper legs.
• Avoid areas with scars and stretch marks.
• Ask your doctor or nurse to check your skin where you give your shots.

You may be a little afraid at first to give yourself a shot. But most people find that the shots hurt less than they expected. The needles are small and sharp and do not go deep into your skin. Always use your own needles and never share them with anyone else.

Your doctor or diabetes educator will tell you how to throw away used needles safely.

Keep extra insulin in your refrigerator in case you break the bottle you are using. Do not keep insulin in the freezer or in hot places like the glove compartment of your car. Also, keep it away from bright light. Too much heat, cold, and bright light can damage insulin.

If your body makes insulin, but the insulin doesn't lower your blood sugar, you may have to take diabetes pills. Diabetes pills only work in people who have some insulin of their own. Some pills are taken once a day, some are taken more often. Ask your doctor when you should take your pills.

Diabetes pills are safe and easy to take. Be sure to tell your doctor if your diabetes pills make you feel bad or if you have any other problems. Remember, diabetes pills do not lower blood sugar all by themselves. You will still have to follow an eating plan and exercise to help lower your blood sugar.

Sometimes, people who take diabetes pills may need insulin shots for a while. This may happen if you get very sick, need to go to a hospital, or become pregnant. You may need insulin shots if the diabetes pills no longer work to lower your blood sugar.

You may be able to stop taking diabetes pills if you lose weight. Losing even a little bit of weight can sometimes help to lower your blood sugar.

If You Don't Use Insulin or Take Diabetes Pills 

 

Many people with type 2 diabetes don't have to use insulin or take diabetes pills. However, everyone with diabetes needs to follow their doctors advice about eating and getting enough exercise.

Ask your doctor when you should take your pills or insulin. Tell your other doctors that you take insulin or diabetes pills.

Test Your Blood Sugar Every Day

You need to know how well you are taking care of your diabetes. You need to know if you are lowering your high blood sugar. The best way to find out is to test your blood to see how much sugar is in it. If your blood has too much or too little sugar in it, your doctor may need to change your eating, exercise, or medicine plan.

Some people test their blood once a day. Others test their blood three or four times a day. Your doctor may want you to test before eating, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night. Ask your doctor how often and when you should test your blood sugar. 

 

How to Test Your Blood Sugar

 

To test your blood, you need a small needle called a lancet. You also need special blood testing strips that come in a bottle. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to test your blood. Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Depending on your home glucose monitoring device, prick your finger or another area of your body with the lancet to get a drop of blood.

2. Place the blood on the end of the strip.

3. Put the strip into the meter. The meter will display a number for your blood sugar, like 128.

Pricking your finger with a lancet may hurt a little. It's like sticking your finger with a pin. Use the lancet only once and be careful when you throw away used lancets. Ask your doctor or nurse how to throw them away safely.

You can buy lancets, strips, and meters at a drug store. Some of these items are costly, especially the blood testing strips. Lancets do not cost very much, and meters are often on sale. There are many different kinds of meters available in drug stores. If you decide to buy one, ask your doctor or diabetes educator for advice on what kind to buy. Take your blood testing items with you when you see your doctor or nurse so that you can learn how to use them correctly.

Other Tests for Your Diabetes

Urine Tests

You may need to test your urine or blood for ketones when you are sick or if your blood sugar is over 240 before eating a meal. These test will tell you if you have "ketones" in your urine or blood. Your body makes ketones when there is not enough insulin in your blood. Ketones can make you very sick. Call your doctor right away if you find ketones when you test. You may have a sickness called "ketoacidosis." Ketoacidosis is serious. If not treated, it can cause death. Signs of ketoacidosis are vomiting, weakness, fast breathing, and a sweet smell on the breath. Ketoacidosis is more likely to develop in people with insulin-dependent diabetes.

You can buy strips for testing urine ketones at a drug store. Also, some blood glucose meters can detect ketones with specializes strips. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to use testing monitors correctly.

The Hemoglobin A1c Test

 

Another test for blood sugar, the hemoglobin A1c test, shows what your average blood sugar was for the past 3 months. It shows how much sugar is sticking to your red blood cells. The doctor does this test to see what level your blood sugar is most of the time.

See your doctor for a hemoglobin A1c test every three months. To do the test, the doctor or nurse takes a sample of your blood. The blood is tested in a laboratory. The laboratory sends the results to your doctor.

If most of the blood sugar tests you do yourself show that your blood sugar is around 150, the hemoglobin A1c test should be almost near optimal levels. If most of your tests show high levels of blood sugar, then the hemoglobin Alc test is usually high. Ask your doctor what your hemoglobin A1c test showed.

 
Keep Daily Records
 

Write down the results of your blood tests every day in a record book. You can use a small notebook or ask your doctor for a blood testing record book. You may also want to write down what you eat, how you feel, and how much you have exercised.

By keeping daily records of your blood and urine tests, you can tell how well you are taking care of your diabetes. Show your book to your doctor. The doctor can use your records to see if you need to make changes in your insulin shots or diabetes pills, or in your eating plan. Ask your doctor or nurse if you don't know what your test results mean.

Things to write down every day in your notebook are:

• if you had very low blood sugar
• if you ate more or less food than you usually do
• if you felt sick or very tired
• what kind of exercise you did and for how long

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on October 28, 2011

© 2010-2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

6 Ways to Wreck Your Blood Sugar Level

What not to do if you have type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a tough disease. It requires constant vigilance to keep your blood sugar level under control.
It also requires avoiding some common mistakes, many of which are the product of long-held bad habits.

Here are six mistakes that you can learn to avoid.

1. Not Knowing Your Disease

“You are your own doctor 99.9% of the time,” says Andrew Ahmann, MD, director of the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore.
By that he means that you are the one watching your diet, making sure you exercise, and taking your medication on schedule. Understanding how diabetes works will help you make better decisions about how to monitor and manage it. Classes on coping with diabetes are an excellent but underused resource.
“Not enough patients seek them out, and not enough doctors send their patients to them,” Ahmann says.
That’s unfortunate, because not only do they offer essential information; they are often de facto support groups as well, bringing together people who are experiencing the same issues and difficulties and giving them a forum in which to meet and talk with each other.

2. Expecting Too Much Too Soon

One of the biggest hurdles in controlling your blood sugar is sticking to the necessary adjustments you must make to your eating and exercise habits. Many patients become frustrated and give up because they don’t see results right away, says endocrinologist Preethi Srikanthan, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.
“Most people expect something dramatic is going to happen right away,” she says. “But it has taken them a decade or two to get to this point, and it will take a while for them to even to get to that initial 5%-10% reduction in weight…These are challenges that must be taken in small steps.”
Expecting too much change right away is a mistake. So is doing too much before you are ready, especially when it comes to exercise, Ahmann says. He advises starting off slowly and easing into the habit.
“If they do more than they can tolerate, they will often quit,” he says. “Or they will do too much and hurt themselves.”
Be sure to talk with your health-care provider before starting a new exercise program, especially if you aren’t already active. He or she can help plan a routine that’s safe and effective, as well as set realistic goals.

3. Going it Alone

There are a lot of resources out there to help you manage your disease. Don’t ignore the fact that one of the most helpful might be right there at home. Spouses, partners, friends, and family members can all make excellent exercise buddies.
“One error that people make when it comes to exercise is that they try to do it on their own without help from other people,” Ahmann says.
There are other advantages to the buddy system. Enlist your spouse or significant other in your efforts to stick your medication schedule and to maintain a healthy diet.
“Eating alone can be a problem,” Ahmann says.

4. Neglecting Other Problems

In her practice, Srikanthan sees a lot of patients who are dealing with more than just their diabetes. Depression and stress are common among people with the disease, and both can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels.
Constant stress, for example, may produce hormones that hamper the ability of insulin to do its job. “Stress should be considered as a significant contributor to glycemic variation by both patients and physicians,” Srikanthan says.
Ahmann agrees.
“Anything to reduce stress will improve your blood sugar,” he says.
Exercise helps relieve stress and there’s evidence that meditation and massage will have benefits on blood sugar levels, says Ahmann.
People with diabetes are twice as likely to be depressed, and an estimated one of every three people with diabetes have symptoms of depression. The lethargy common to depression can be so discouraging that you might give up your efforts to take care of your diabetes. Not only will that make your diabetes worse, it may also intensify your depression, creating a vicious cycle.
There’s good news, though. According to a new study, treating depression in patients with type 2 diabetes improved their mental and physical health.
“You need to recognize depression and work with it,” Srikanthan says.

5. Misunderstanding and Misusing Medications

Ahmann says that many of his patients share a common misconception when it comes to the drugs used to control their disease.
“They think that medications are more powerful than diet and exercise,” he says.
That’s not necessarily true. In many cases, type 2 diabetes can be controlled by a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise without the need for medication.
Among patients who do require medications, Ahmann says, one mistake stands out.
“It’s surprising how many people miss doses,” he says.
That’s a quick way to wreck your blood sugar level, so it’s a problem that needs to be recognized and addressed.
“You need to be honest with your [health care] provider that this is an issue,” says Ahmann, who points out that often the solution is for your doctor to change your dosing schedule to one that better suits you. “There are options.”

6. Making Poor Food Choices

When it comes to food and blood sugar, the big mistake is not the single candy bar that you couldn’t resist, Srikanthan says. The bigger picture matters more; unhealthy eating habits, in the long term, will have a worse effect on your blood sugar.
“People think it’s a one-time diversion, but no, it’s a consistent problem that affects your test results,” she says.
The two biggest hurdles, Srikanthan says, are calories and carbohydrates. You have to control both in order to keep your blood sugar level steady.
“Try to be aware of what’s going into your mouth,” she says.
That means keeping a diet diary to keep track of what you are eating and reading nutrition labels so that you can calculate the proper amounts of the foods you choose to eat.
Failing to eat on a regular schedule is another common mistake. Ahmann often sees patients who miss breakfast or who are too busy during the day to notice they are hungry.
“At home that evening, they tend to lose control, eating a large dinner and then snacking throughout the evening,” he says.

By Matt McMillen
WebMD Feature

Reversal of misfortune; can diabetes be reversed?

Reversing diabetes is a top of mind subject for anyone who has ever suffered from the onset or daily threat of this disease. While the debate continues on about whether or not the disease can be reversed, here’s what I have found (resources listed within of this blog) through various resources including an interesting article written by CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/28/reverse.diabetes/index.html) reporting on a middle aged man who found a way to “stave-off” the onset of Type II diabetes. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes means simply one thing: Your blood sugar (glucose/sugar) levels are too high.  Glucose comes from the food we eat, is stored in our muscles and liver and is used by our body to slowly supply us with the energy we need throughout the day. The pancreas produces insulin, which in turn helps the glucose transfer from our blood into our cells, converting the glucose into energy. Diabetes occurs when our pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or our body doesn’t use the insulin produced effectively or well. When glucose builds up in our blood it can’t get into our cells. If our blood sugar/glucose levels stay too high damage can occur to our eyes, heart, kidney’s and nerves.

 

Type I versus Type II Diabetes

Type I Diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood, defined as “insulin dependent”, and rarely (unless a miracle occurs) reversible. Simply put, your body no longer makes insulin and requires medical intervention. However, just because you are using medicine to produce the insulin you need doesn’t mean you eat or drink anything you want and/or not exercise. Maintaining a balanced diet and exercise regiment is vital for those who suffer from this disease.  The best methods to help your body handle this disease are: Avoiding processed food, refined sugar, fatty and starchy foods, while increasing lean protein, complex carbohydrates and daily exercise, along with the assistance of medicine and professional/medical advice from a diabetic specialist. Each proactive step you take will help you avoid the complications caused by this disease.   

Type II Diabetes is very different from Type I: With Type I your body doesn’t produce insulin versus Type II your body’s fat, muscle and liver cells do not use insulin properly. Type II occurs when there is too much glucose or sugar in the blood, making the body “resist” or become “insensitive” to the cells that produce insulin. In other words, our body is producing insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) but not at a rate that is required to breakdown the sugar/glucose in our blood which comes through the food/beverage in our diet.  When our body doesn’t produce the insulin we need to break down the sugar we’ve consumed our body suffers the consequences from the build-up of sugar in our body, which can eventually lead to loss of eye sight, limbs, etc. (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/what.aspx)

Body shape/contour is a good indicator of those who are more susceptible to Type II diabetes but is not the only defining factor. Mid-section weight (belly weight) greatly affects the onset of Type II diabetes.  However, don’t think that if you aren’t overweight you aren’t susceptible to acquiring this disease.

Pre-Diabetes

The onset of diabetes is called “pre-diabetes”, typically found in Type II diabetics. The good news is this: you can help stop the progression of this disease during the initial stage/onset through nutrition and exercise. The following nutritional/exercise tips will help you get started in your process. Always seek medical/professional advice from someone who specializes in diabetes.

Proper nutrition

Type II can be a reflection of lifestyle (poor diet and exercise) but can also be a genetic pre-disposition (http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/genetics-of-diabetes.html.) In other words, your pancreas might not function properly to produce what your body needs. If caught before it becomes full blown diabetes, Type II can be treated through proper diet and exercise, possibly allowing our body to “reverse” the disease. Avoiding fatty foods, processed food, refined sugar, alcohol, etc., and choosing fresh produce (fruits, vegetables), lean protein/seafood, healthy grains, legumes, and a regular/daily exercise program can help the body become balanced, avoiding the strain on our insulin to balance excessive glucose levels. 

Some of the ways in which you can help your body to naturally heal and/or balance itself are as follows:

*Exercise – 30-45 minutes a day of aerobic exercise (walking, running, swimming, anything that requires a consistent breathing with some exertion). Cross training, body building are also helpful in restore/rebuilding the body. If you haven’t been exercising, start with what you can do now! Avoid making excuses and think of your daily 30-45 minutes of routine exercise as a gift you’re giving yourself.

*Nutrition – One way to determine what you should/shouldn’t eat to balance your glucose levels is to monitor your food/beverage intake. An easy way to do this is to monitor the Glycemic Index value for the foods you eat. Below are some resources for the GI values and charts.

*Antioxidants – Increase your daily intake of antioxidants through consuming more plant food (i.e. fruits, vegetables). Sometimes, supplements are required to meet the demand of your body’s needs. However, when possible, eat your antioxidants first through nutrition.

*Glycemic index – Monitor the food you eat using a GI chart. A helpful online resource is http://www.glycemicindex.com/. This resource allows you to input your food/beverage to determine its GI value.

GI values can be interpreted intuitively as percentages on an absolute scale and are commonly interpreted as follows: (resource http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index)

Classification	GI range	Examples
Low GI	55 or less	most fruits and vegetables, legumes/pulses, whole grains, nuts, fructose and products low in carbohydrates
Medium GI	56–69	whole wheat products, basmati rice, sweet potato, sucrose, baked potatoes
High GI	70 and above	white bread, most white rices, corn flakes, extruded breakfast cereals, glucose, maltose

 

*Foods to eat – Oats, barley, whole grains, red and sweet potatoes, fresh fruit/vegetables (limit your “watermelon” intake), Basmati and Brown rice, salads (limit the dressing to olive oil/vinegar or vinaigrette dressings), lean protein/fish (oily fish at least twice a week), low fat butter (I Can’t Believe It’s Not butter Light), olive/flax/sunflower oils.

*Foods to avoid – Fast food/preservatives, alcohol, bottled/canned juice, energy drinks, sodas (if it’s been reproduced/processed it’s not worth eating). Enriched and/or bleached bread (usually white bread but also some grain bread). Most breakfast cereals (many have hidden ingredients and added sugar and/or corn syrup). 

*Water – Half your body weight in ounces each day. Example: 150 lbs = 75 oz. Purified, distilled, or mineral water are good choices when it comes to water. Aqua Fina is my personal choice for bottled water.

*Labels – Learn to read the label on food. The USDA provides the following resource on learning how to read labels and understand what your body needs and what you are consuming through the food and beverage you consume. (http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/consumerinformation/ucm078889.htm)

 

Quick Tips for Wellness, Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved  

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.

Tami M. Best: Managing type 2 diabetes

The American Dietetic Association recommends that adults with diabetes maintain their fasting blood sugars between 90 and 130 milligrams per deciliter. They also recommend after meal blood glucose readings of less than 180 milligrams per deciliter when taken two hours after the start of a meal. Full details: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110126/LIVING0106/101260328/1032/LIVING/Tami-M.-Best--Managing-type-2-diabetes