Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Types of Diabetes Discussed


Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus is a state where the blood sugar shoots up or the glucose level is higher than normal. A person suffering from diabetes may be experiencing frequent urination, usually hungry or thirsty. High blood glucose is usually caused by inadequate insulin supply or the body is not responding to insulin at all.

TYPES of DIABETES

1. TYPE 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is common among teenagers, young adult or those before approaching 40 years old. Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes. This is also a group of people who are insulin dependent or simply would inject insulin for the rest of their life. It is also prescribed by doctors that a person who suffers from Type 1 diabetes must bring blood test equipment with them all the time.

2. TYPE 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a state when the body is not reacting to insulin, also called insulin resistance. This type of diabetes can be controlled by losing weight, proper diet, plenty of exercise and close monitoring the glucose level. If not monitored closely, a type 2 diabetes may lead to type 1 diabetes where in a person will become insulin dependent.

Those who are obese and overweight are at high risk of having this type of diabetes. Belly fat and even unwanted fats in the body releases chemicals that will cause cardiovascular diseases and problems with metabolism.

3. Gestational Diabetes

The gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens during pregnancy. If the mother is not closely monitoring her diet, high glucose level may happen during pregnancy and may lead to diabetes. Gestational diabetes may lead to complications during childbirth, both to the baby and the mother. Gestational diabetes can only be diagnosed during pregnancy.

Regardless of what type of diabetes you are concerned about, everything can be prevented by having proper diet, exercise or simple by just taking good care of your health. In fact, even those people who are suffering from diabetes, always include diet, exercise and food supplements to maintain a normal glucose level or even at least diminish the impact of high glucose level to their body system. Unfortunately, diabetes are not only present among teens, young adult and adult but even to babies. Just like the third type of diabetes - Gestational diabetes.

Life is difficult for these children because they can't eat the food they love or even drink their favorite juices because of the sugar in it. This is another reason why women should always make sure that their glucose level are at normal level so as to prevent Gestational diabetes to occur during their pregnancy. The risk will not only impact their children but even them - the mothers.

Researches in the past conducted a lab test on mouse. Mouse A has normal testosterone level while mouse B has lower testosterone level. The research showed that a lower testosterone level may put the mouse at risk to insulin resistance. Thus, in men who are older and who have low testosterone levels have greater risk of having diabetes than younger men and those men who have normal testosterone levels.

A doctor in the University of Edinburgh's Endocrinology unit - Dr. Kerry Mclnnes - said that men who have low testosterone are really at risk of having diabetes and regardless of age.

People nowadays should always be conscious about their health. These types of diabetes can be prevented by proper food intake, plenty of exercise and even by taking trusted food supplements. There are people who are suffering from diabetes but are able to maintain a better glucose level by practicing those methods mentioned above - diet, exercise and food supplements. Do not attempt to delay your health program as time is infinite in terms of when to have or not to have a problem with your glucose level. It is even best to start a support group who will help you succeed with your diet and exercise plan.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Type 2 Diabetes - Regular Exercise Is Vital for Diabetics


Apart from managing your intake of carbohydrates and reducing, or preferably avoiding table sugar all together, did you know there is another simple but really effective way to help you lower your blood sugar levels without drugs?

That simple but hugely often overlooked way is exercise.

Regular, frequent exercise suited to what you as an individual can handle, is vital for everyone's health but especially diabetics striving to come off all medication.

How exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels: When you exercise it creates an increase in sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which is responsible for helping your body to absorb the glucose, broken down food that is now 'energy' into the cells, which in turn helps to lower blood sugar levels. So, people living with Type 2 diabetes are actually suffering with insulin resistance, which is where the muscle, liver and fat cells do not respond as they should to insulin which is why more insulin is needed to help 'mop up' the excess glucose in the blood stream.

By exercising you are helping your body to kick-start its response to insulin again. Exercising aids your muscle cells to increase its uptake of glucose which, as a result, leaves less of it circulating in your bloodstream both during and after doing the physical activity. So when it comes to testing your blood sugar afterwards you should get a lower blood sugar reading than before you started.

Obviously the effects of exercise on blood sugar levels are going to be different from person to person as we are all individual on a genetic level - but either way this is a very simple and easy way to start feeling more in control of your diabetes day by day.

Make new changes slowly: If you are new to exercising and/or are overweight, it would be wise to start off very gently, something like a 10 minute gentle walk daily at first is a good place to start if you currently do not exercise at all. Then work at gradually increasing the duration of the walk each week if you continue to feel good from it.

I would recommend speaking with your doctor though and even a personal trainer if your bank balance allows, as both can help devise an exercise plan that suits your body and can help to monitor your heart rate and blood sugar appropriately. I would also advise anyone who has or thinks they might have urine ketones, to speak to their doctor before exercising or making any changes to their current exercise regime - as you should not exercise if these are present.

Whether you are a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic or a pre-diabetic, regular exercise is vital for positive blood sugar control, and will help you to stop simply relying on your medication. If you embark in the correct type of regular exercise you should not only see some great results in your lower blood sugar levels, but you will also lose weight.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience. You may find you can even eliminate your medications.