Healthily eating and regular exercise greatly reduces your risk of developing the signs of diabetes, regardless of the diabetes types in question. The symptoms of diabetes are always improved through consumption of nutritious, water-rich food and daily physical activity.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus type II is caused by inadequate nutrition, overconsumption of high-fat foods, lacking exercise standards and a basic misrepresentation of health over years. Diabetes type 2 does not just happen overnight. In most instances, diabetes mellitus type 2 and gestational diabetes are the results of year after year of self-neglect. The facts are that we eat terribly-inefficient foods and we have become a physically inactive society. In fact, over one quarter of all Americans are labeled as completely sedentary.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs or symptoms of diabetes are as follows:

• Being constantly thirsty;
• Having to urinate far too often;
• Never-ending hunger accompanied by unintentional weight loss;
• Dry skin and/or itchy skin;
• Tingling extremities;
• “Velvet-like” skin on your neck or underarms;
• Weakness and becoming easily fatigued;
• Being grouchy or irritable for no good reasons;
• Having difficulties waking from sleep;
• Bedwetting;
• Headaches;
• Nausea and/or vomiting;
• Blurry vision;
• Inability to focus mentally;
• More…

If you ignore the signs of diabetes for long enough and actually develop Type 2 diabetes mellitus, then you are going to need to seek medical assistance and drastically change your lifestyle. It is far better to manage the symptoms of diabetes before you ever have to. Remember that the things that are the causes of diabetes are the same as what you need to reverse the symptoms of diabetes. They are:

• A diet that is mainly comprised of water-rich food sources – i.e. plants;
• Proper eating habits including portion sizes, proper carbohydrate levels and preset eating times;
• Daily physical activity that gets your heart pumping for at least 20 minutes or so;
• A stress management program that you employ constantly;
• Learning to see food as fuel instead of convenient pleasure;

Always remember that the signs of diabetes are able to be spotted, dealt with and reversed – at least in the vast majority of cases. If you feel that you may exhibiting any of the symptoms of diabetes, then schedule a visit with your physician and discuss them with him or her.

Symptoms and signs of diabetes left untreated for extended time periods can lead to:

• Blindness;
• Kidney failure;
• Amputation of extremities;
• Nerve damage throughout the body;
• Heart disease;
• Strokes;
• Coma;
• Premature death;

Take the signs of diabetes seriously and deal with them expeditiously. Your health is your own responsibility and only you can know for sure how you are feeling. A water-rich diet and daily exercise are the keys to the prevention of diabetes mellitus Type 2.

Steven R Arnold
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/signs-of-diabetes-examining-the-causes-of-diabetes-715289.html

If you pay attention to your body, you can spot diabetes symptoms early and have a far better chance to reverse the disease before it becomes severe. Remember that Type 2 diabetes mellitus is practically always a preventable disease. You never have to experience the symptoms of diabetes type 2 – if you are willing and ready to make a firm commitment to healthy living today.

Diabetes Types:

There are several types of diabetes and most are preventable. Type 1 diabetes mellitus has no definitively-known causes and/or cures. This is also called insulin-dependent diabetes and is characterized by a complete lack of pancreatic function.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the most common type, is almost always able to be prevented through modifications in eating habits and exercise levels. Type 2 diabetes accounts for over 90% of all diabetes mellitus cases.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is the diabetes type that women develop during the later stages of pregnancy. The label is reserved for women who have never before exhibited any diabetes symptoms. It almost always regresses completely after delivery and is very manageable during pregnancy – again with healthful dietary standards and daily exercise.

Diabetes Symptoms:

Look out for the following symptoms of diabetes and consult with your physician if you believe yourself to be at risk:

• Frequent urination;
• Insatiable thirst;
• Excessive hunger;
• Weight loss;
• Slow-healing wounds;
• Drowsiness, difficulty waking up;
• Fatigue, weakness;
• Irritability;
• Dry, itchy skin;
• Velvety skin on neck or underarms;
• More…

What causes diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused in the majority of cases by improper food choices, improper eating habits and sedentary living. We have to eat nutritious foods in a healthy manner and we have to exercise daily if we wish to avoid the development and onset of diabetes symptoms. There is simply no other way. Teaching yourself new ways to perceive the foods that you consume and being physically active bring new meaning to your life. Your days become far more enjoyable and you significantly decrease your propensity to develop all diseases – not just type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Current diabetes research shows that there are over 57 million people in the US alone that have pre diabetes. These are the people at the highest risks for developing Type II diabetes. If you are amongst them, then you need to take immediate action and redefine your habits concerning your diet and exercise programs. Remember that the symptoms of diabetes can very likely be reversed.

Preventing Type 2 diabetes:

You can prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus by committing to the following positive lifestyle changes:

• Start concentrating on eating foods that are mainly water like fruits, vegetables and legumes;
• Eat 5 or 6 small meals on a given day instead of just 1 or 2 large meals;
• Eat your meals at the same times every day;
• Shun fast foods and processed foods from your life. Also, no bleached foods, microwave foods or high-fat foods;
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption;
• Avoid high-sodium foods;
• Turn and run from Trans fats;
• Drink a lot of water every day;
• Exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes every day;

Avoid the development of diabetes symptoms beginning today by committing to a healthy lifestyle. You and your loved ones will be so much happier for it.

Steven R Arnold
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-symptoms-learn-to-spot-the-symptoms-of-diabetes-early-715300.html

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Millions of Americans each year are diagnosed with Diabetes, and almost everyone knows someone who is suffering from the life altering disease. More than 20 million Americans are living with Diabetes today. Diabetes is a metabolism disorder, and for people who have Diabetes the body has a problem breaking down and digesting food. This is because food that we eat is broken down into a sugar called Glucose, which is the main way a body fuels itself. The way that Glucose works is that it goes into the bloodstream through Insulin, which is a hormone that comes from the Pancreas. The Pancreas matches up the appropriate amount of Glucose to move the mood into our blood stream, but for people with Diabetes the Pancreas does not produce Insulin at all or produces very little. This causes the body to lose its main way of getting energy and fuel which is called Diabetes.

For the millions of people who are suffering from this Disease the costs can become very expensive for the monthly purchases of Insulin and other drugs needed to keep Diabetes under control, and for many people these costs are unaffordable. Diabetes is most common in adults over the age of 60, this is when most people are starting to retire. This is a problem because for people who are nearing retirement it may be very hard to find affordable health insurance. Affordable health insurance is so difficult to find for people who are around this age because many elderly people plan to wait until age 64 to be covered by Medicare. The problem with that is illnesses don’t wait for people to turn 64 to set in, for many people Diabetes can start much earlier and can cause huge financial problems if you do not have affordable health insurance.

Although Diabetes can be effectively managed medical supplies are necessary to follow and check glucose levels. The only problem with this is that it may cost hundreds of dollars in just a single month to check Glucose levels for one person. In recent studies it was found that people without affordable health insurance were more likely to mismanage their diabetes, which had debilitating consequences on thousands of lives. It was also found that adults without affordable health insurance were considered high-risk for developing complications due to the lack of treatment of diabetes. This is very dangerous seeing that the side effects and complications of Diabetes can be very severe and sometimes life threatening. With all these problems with health insurance in the United States it is really necessary to take a hard look at our health care system, and realize that in many areas the health care coverage system isn’t adequately covering Diabetes patients.

Ronnie Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/affordable-health-insurance-helps-diabetes-patients-689171.html

Diabetes is the inability to transfer sugars in blood into the sugar-storage sites of your body, the muscles and liver. Sugars, called carbohydrates, are found mainly in cereals, rice, bread, pastas, potatoes, milk products, fruits, fruit juices and sweets. When we consume these foods, they pass from the stomach into the intestines and get broken down to the most basic sugar form, glucose. Glucose (sugar) normally moves into the blood via a web of blood vessels that are connected to the intestines. When the movement of glucose into the blood stream raises its average level above 100 points (mg/dl), it triggers the secretion of a hormone called insulin from the pancreas. When insulin is secreted into the blood, it causes the excess glucose (sugar) to be stored in muscles and liver cells. It is stored in a form called glycogen, which may be used at a later time as an immediate source of energy.

This energy is used for activities of up to three minutes: lifting or throwing an object, running away from danger, sprinting, stop-and-go actions such as a short walk, or any sports activity. Some people have impairment in their insulin production or in the functioning of their insulin. This insulin impairment causes the level of glucose to rapidly rise above the 100-point mark, and that is the condition we call diabetes. High sugar levels, left untreated, can gradually cause damage to vital tissues, such as blood vessels, the nervous system, kidneys, heart and arteries. This can cause debilitating strokes, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, loss of sensation or pain in the feet and hands, leading to leg amputations, kidney failure and blindness.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is when someone can produce little or no insulin, due mainly to immune and genetic (inherited) defects in the pancreas. People with Type 1 Diabetes create approximately only 10% of all of people diagnosed with diabetes. Type 1 can occur at a relatively young age, especially during childhood. At the time of diagnosis, people are usually of average weight, experiencing weight loss; frequent urination, blurred vision and dry mouth and their blood fasting sugar are way above 125 points (mg/dl). Type 1 diabetics have to depend on insulin use for the rest of their lives, in order to survive and making good lifestyle choices is integral to diabetes control. Oral Diabetes medications that are Sensitizers (see detailed discussion of this group of drugs in Action Step 2 right after the Insulin section) can be prescribed along with Insulin for people with Type 1 which can help reduce the amount of daily insulin used. Also leading and maintaining an active Lifestyle and making favorable food choices and raising your fiber intake can all help bring Diabetes under control and reduce the amount of total daily insulin dose (decisions about insulin dosing can ONLY be made by your doctor). Refer to Action Step 4 for a detailed discussion on how to start and maintain an active Lifestyle and make favorable food choices.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Pre-diabetes

This is a condition where glucose levels are higher than normal but not enough to be diagnosed as diabetes namely at a range from 100 to 125 mg/dl on a fasting state (first thing in the morning before eating). Typically, the more than 54 million people in this category are overweight or obese. They are people who consume large amounts of “junk food” (nutrient-deficient foods and drinks such as soft drinks and all other sugar containing juices and drinks. Foods that are loaded with sugars and unfavorable sources of fat such as animal fat, butter, margarine and Trans Fatty Acids that are found in the majority of packaged processed sweet and or salty snacks) and lead totally sedentary lifestyles; they also have high cholesterol and triglycerides and have low HDL (the good cholesterol). Studies show that these people will eventually develop diabetes and other preventable chronic ailments, such as: high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, “unless” they are identified early and they start making favorable lifestyle choices.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects some women during pregnancy and is characterized by consistently higher than 95 points (mg/dl) on a fasting state first thing in the morning, and over 120 points 2 hours after a meal. Most women who suffer from Gestational Diabetes will return to having normal blood glucose levels after delivery. Up to 45% of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy may progress to having full-blown diabetes later in life unless they make favorable lifestyle choices and change their eating and activity habits. The main predisposing factors for gestational diabetes are family history of diabetes, obesity and sedentary lifestyles . It is crucial that women at risk be identified, since high blood sugar causes fetal harm.

Who Should Test?

All women, early on in their pregnancy, who have the following criteria must be tested for high blood sugar; women who are: overweight, over the age of 25, who have family history of diabetes, those who belong to ethnic groups other than Caucasian, those who have previously had gestational diabetes, or who have previously delivered large babies over 9 pounds.

Treatment

Gestational diabetes is initially treated with Lifestyle interventions such as making balanced food choices and increasing activity as described in Action Step 4. If fasting (first thing in the morning before eating) blood sugar is not brought to 95 points (mg/dl) or to 120 points 2 hours after lunch or dinner then Insulin is the ideal drug that is used. Your doctor will decide which insulin product and dose is appropriate for you. (See the discussion about insulin in Action Step 2).

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, usually affects people later on in life, after the age of 25 or 30. However, Type 2 Diabetes has alarmingly been plaguing children at a much younger age than ever witnessed. Kids as young as 15 and 17 who are obese and leading sedentary lifestyles and commonly seen in grocery stores shopping while riding electric shopping scooters, are now diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. About 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2. People with Type 2 Diabetes produce insulin from their pancreas, but due to lifestyle factors such as obesity and inactivity the insulin is not able to perform and move the extra sugar from the blood into the muscle and liver cells, resulting in the buildup of sugar levels in the blood. This defect is referred to technically as insulin resistance. The diagnosis for Type 2 Diabetes is when people have a fasting (before eating in the morning) blood sugar level of 126 points (mg/dl) and over on 2 separate readings.

Type 2 Diabetes can be of hereditary origin. Non-Caucasians are more predisposed to getting it. But the vast majority of people get it due to inadequate lifestyles such obesity, overeating and sedentary lifestyles. A staggering 75% of people with diabetes are obese and inactive . This lends to the worsening of their conditions. I witness this trend every single day in my pharmacy practice. People drop off several prescriptions for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure, and they sit the entire time in the pharmacy waiting area. When I counsel them about their medications and suggest they might increase the amount of daily walking, their invariable answer is, “I don't have time.” Sometimes, they drop off their prescriptions and go food shopping; they bring back a cart full of bacon, cookies and other packaged snacks such as popcorn, jugs of soft drinks, pretzels, butter, white bread, and let's not forget the cigarettes!

People with Type 2 Diabetes may be treated with: medications, either taken by mouth and/or through insulin injections, and by making favorable lifestyle choices . Medications alone without an active lifestyle will never be an efficient way to control diabetes and/or other chronic lifestyle-related diseases. Your doctor has many medication options from which to choose. What is important is to get diabetes under control in order to avoid deadly complications ! Your health is your responsibility, and staying in close contact with your doctor and pharmacist is the only way to avoid diabetes complications and hugely important in keeping your diabetes under control.

The message that I bring you is that, “You are not doomed.” Certainly, you can control diabetes, but you have to be aware of some simple facts and act on them . Inaction will cause these deadly ailments to creep up on you and systematically destroy your internal organs and claim your life prematurely. You can become involved, seriously and consistently, in your health; take the lead and the primary responsibility for managing your health and disease! It is simpler than you think.

If you take charge of this responsibility, you reap the benefits of living your lifespan to the fullest, enjoying the best quality of life. It is very simple. You just have to take charge by starting to apply the reliable, simple, and practical recommendations in LIFESTYLE MAKEOVER FOR DIABETICS AND PRE-DIABETICS

For more detailed information on any of these topics log on to: www.LifestyleMakeoverEbook.com and check out these information packed lifesaving book and e-book volumes: LIFESTYLE MAKEOVER FOR DIABETICS AND PRE-DIABETICS and 4 other e-books: Lifestyle Makeover: Sex, Stress, and Alcohol , Lifestyle Makeover for All Couch Potatoes , Lifestyle Makeover: Defeat High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure , and Lifestyle Makeover for all Tobacco Users . The author of this article is also the author of these volumes

Test your knowledge on these various issues and take a simple True and False quiz by logging on to: www.LifestyleMakeoverEbook.com

Copyright © 2008 by George Tohme All rights reserved.

George Tohme
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-diabetes-and-the-differences-between-type-1-and-type2-diabetes-684243.html

Insulin is the best drug for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (Insulin dependent diabetes), also known as juvenile onset diabetes. Administration of insulin caused disappearance of sugar from the urine and lowers down the above level of sugar to the normal level of blood, within 24-48 hours. There are several myths about diabetes treatment. Some of them are as below -

Myth – Uncooked food or food taken in raw form helps in checking diabetes

Fact – The calorie value of foods whether raw or cooked remain unchanged and so is their fattening attribute. The effect of food on human body in terms of calorie accumulation remains the same and this provides no guard against diabetes. It is more important to eat wisely and have a balanced diet whatever the form.

Myth – A diabetic person can balance off over eating with use of insulin

Fact – No, a diabetic person should follow the diet plan given by his doctor. Violation from it can lead to complications. Many diabetics live longer than normal people because they have a tendency to regulate their lives more strictly than the non-diabetic. They avoid or restrict foods containing a large quantity of ‘free sugar’ such as ice cream, pastries, cake, sweets, table sugar, etc.

Myth - Non- consumption of sugar, sweets or excessive amount of carbohydrates checks the onset of diabetes

Fact – There is no medical evidence to support this point. The exact cause of diabetes is not known. Studies have shown that the disease occurs more frequently in people who have a family history and who are overweight. Other causes are abnormal function of the pancreas, liver, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and other related structures.

 Excessive intake of sugar or sweets may aggravate and bring to light an underlying tendency towards diabetes.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Are you looking for some Home remedies for obesity? Know effective Home remedies for migraine. Read useful Home remedies for stretch marks for clear skin.

Nick Mutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-myths-and-facts-670025.html