Your Can Help Your Child Deal With Diabetes

Your Can Help Your Child Deal With Diabetes

Unfortunately children can also develop diabetes. Typically they have type 1 diabetes and usually need to be given insulin shots. The doctor caring for the child, parents and any other caregivers can all help the child to deal with the disease by following a diabetic plan designed by the child’s pediatrician. This plan will outline a daily schedule that will help to control the diabetes such as a healthy meal plan, a plan for regular physical activity, blood glucose checks, insulin injection times or oral medication needs, and how to manage low or high blood sugar readings.

Healthy Meal Plan

Your pediatrician may ask a registered dietician to help you to learn how to plan a well-balanced meal plan for your child that includes the proper nutrition need for a growing body but will also avoid foods that may lead to high blood sugar levels. It is important for the child when old enough, to make healthy food choices so that they can help to manage their disease. Family support is needed at meal times and when shopping to make sure those foods that are bad choices are not within each reach.

Physical Activity:

Children dealing with diabetes should ideally have an hour of physical activity in total a day. Physical activity is important because it helps to control blood glucose levels, especially if the child has type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is also necessary to help the child maintain proper weight. When a child has type 1 diabetes a special concern regarding physical activity is that of the child becoming hypoglycemic. To prevent this condition it is usually advised to have the child’s blood glucose level checked prior to participating in sports or doing other exercise.  A low glucose reading means that the child should not participate in any form of exercise until the level returns to a more normal level through treatment.

Children need to have their blood glucose levels checked on a regular basis. When they are old enough to understand they need to learn what acceptable levels of blood glucose are and what to do if the levels are low or high. A journal of blood glucose level readings should be kept, as this information is useful in managing food intake, exercise and insulin amounts.

Children must be taught the importance of eating properly, getting adequate amounts of physical exercise each day and the need for monitoring of blood glucose levels to their health.

Parents, teachers, doctors, medical staff and other caregivers must all work together to help the child to adjust, and care for diabetes.

What to Do if You Are Pre-diabetic

What to Do if You Are Pre-diabetic

If you receive a diagnosis of being Pre-diabetic, you need to take action immediately.  Your doctor has picked up on the fact that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be Diabetic.  That means that you have a chance to actually stop Type 2 Diabetes before it takes hold of your life.

As far as alcohol goes you want to limit it as much as possible. This is especially true if you are overweight or have high blood pressure. Alcohol does not agree with many Diabetics.  It can cause low blood sugar or hypoglycemia which can be a very unpleasant and dangerous state.  If you do choose to have alcohol do not have much and do not drink often.

By managing blood glucose you can stop Type 2 Diabetes.  Changing your eating habits and starting a workout regiment can help you get a grip on blood glucose levels.  There is also medication that can help slow down the onset of Type 2 Diabetes giving you more time to reduce your weight and alter your diet.

30 minutes of exercise can cut your body weight by 5-10 percent and cut down the risk of Diabetes by 58%.  The scariest part about Pre-diabetes is the about 54 million Americans have the condition and most do not even know it.  That means that there are a lot of people are on the verge of getting Diabetes and could stop its onset.  If you are diagnosed with Pre-diabetes you have about a 75% chance of developing Diabetes.  There are no symptoms of Diabetes before it strikes and once you have it your body has already experienced major vascular damage.

Pre-diabetics should start living like they already have the disease.  That means counting carbohydrates and getting rid of refined sugar all together.  Monitoring blood glucose levels is also a good idea.  When you are choosing foods make sure they are low on the Glycemic Index.  Be careful with fruits and stay away from the canned variety, eat fewer bananas and mangos and eat more plums, grapefruits and cherries.  Research different foods and ask your doctor about seeing a nutritionist.

If you are craving sweets you must look for artificial sweeteners that are safe for Diabetics.  Splenda, Sweet and Low and Equal are all sweeteners that can be used to enhance the flavor of coffee, tea and grapefruits.  You should also cook with these artificial sweeteners and be on the look out for sugar free recipes.

As far as the exercise goes, you simply must be active.  If you have never worked out before it is time to change your sedentary lifestyle.  Moderate walks will help you take off some weight and get your heart rate up. Visiting a gym and spending 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine or treadmill five days a week can go a long way.  Do not skip the exercise and think that just changing your diet is enough.  You need to have both parts of the equation working for you if you are Pre-diabetic.

What is it Like Living With the Disease Diabetes?

What is it Like Living With the Disease Diabetes?

Those individuals who have diabetes do not make enough insulin or they have bodies that do not use the insulin properly. Insulin is a substance that is very important in that it converts blood glucose into energy that the body than uses to function.

Individuals with diabetes need to be monitored closely by medical professions including medical doctor, dietician, foot doctor, eye specialist, and other specialists as needed.

Diabetics learn to control their disease by monitoring their blood glucose levels using a blood glucose meter, by watching what foods they eat, and by staying physically active. Diabetics also need to be aware of their stress levels. They also need to take good care of and monitor the condition of their feet in order to head off other medical conditions that diabetics are at risk for such as infections and nerve damage, and sores. Diabetics are also at risk for cardiac disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

An individual with diabetes may need to take medications, and will always need to use a blood glucose meter to monitor their blood glucose level. They will need to watch the types of food that they eat, exercise on a regular basis and take good care of their eyes and feet.

Some diabetics will find that diet and exercise is enough to control their disease and others will need to administer insulin or other diabetic medications in order to properly control the disease.

Diabetics must always monitor their health and report any unusual symptoms such as being extremely thirsty, urinating more frequently than usual, being nauseous, or vomiting more than once, losing a significant amount of weight, having difficulty breathing, or having their breath smell like nail polish remover, feeling weak or drowsy or trembling, consumed or dizzy. They must also notify their doctor if they experience blurred vision. It is also important to let your doctor know if you notice a sore or wound that does not heel especially if it is on their feet.

When monitoring the blood glucose level it is important to always check your test strips for expiration dates, make sure you use a large enough drop of blood, be sure that your meter is set correctly, keep your meter clean as per the instructions, check to be sure the batteries are fresh, write down every result so that your doctor can benefit from the information and also make sure that you are following the instructions that come with the glucose meter.

What Gestational Diabetes Means For Mother and Baby

What Gestational Diabetes Means For Mother and Baby

Gestational Diabetes is a form of Diabetes that only strikes pregnant women.  High blood sugar during pregnancy is also referred to as glucose intolerance.  There are certain factors that make you more susceptible to Gestational Diabetes.  Women of African or Hispanic decent tend to have the highest number of Gestational Diabetes diagnosis.  Women who become pregnant over the age of 25, have a child with a birth defect or have had a child that weighed over 9 pounds are also at higher risk of developing the disease.  Gestational Diabetes also is more probable if you are obese, have recurrent infections or have a miscarriage or a newborn that dies.

Many pregnant women have no symptoms of Gestational Diabetes.  The diagnosis is usually made only after their doctor tests for the disease.  However, some women do experience symptoms such as blurred vision, frequent urination, nausea, weight loss and fatigue.  Of course these can also be symptoms of pregnancy so it is easy to not recognize them as Gestational Diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes is not a major threat to pregnant women but it can cause complications for the baby.  Birth trauma, jaundice and being larger than most babies and low blood sugar can be the result of Gestational Diabetes.  In severe cases the fetus may die in the womb.  All pregnant women are supposed to be tested for Gestational Diabetes in the 24-28th weeks.  An oral glucose tolerance test is given and the results tell whether of not the expectant mother has Gestational Diabetes.

After a woman is diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes treatment begins immediately.  Blood glucose levels should be within the normal limits so that the baby is not affected.  Throughout the pregnancy your doctor will monitor both you and the baby very closely.  The expectant mother can also keep track of her own blood glucose levels.  Ultrasounds and non stress test (an electronic fetal monitor that listens for the baby’s heart beat) can be used to keep track of the baby’s heart rate.  The baby’s heartbeat should increase 15-20 beats when the baby moves.

Blood glucose levels can be monitored by eating the right amount of calories and nutrients for your situation.  A registered dietician can help you come up with a menu plan that will help.  Sometimes diet regulations do not steady blood glucose levels.  When that happens insulin therapy is necessary.  Levels are self monitored and insulin is administered on a regular basis.  Blood sugar levels must be monitored closely to keep the baby safe.

In most cases, blood glucose levels go back to normal after delivery.  Unfortunately many women who get Gestational Diabetes develop Type 2 Diabetes 5-10 years after the baby is born.  Obese women who suffer from Gestational Diabetes run an increased risk of getting full blown Diabetes.  That is why it is important to shed extra pounds if possible before and after pregnancy.  It is also vital to keep up on screenings for Diabetes after the baby is born.  Women that have had Gestational Diabetes need to be checked out and watched closely for signs of the full blown disease.

What Are Diabetes Neuropathies?

What Are Diabetes Neuropathies?

Diabetes can cause nerve disorders called Diabetes neuropathies.  Nerve damage can occur within the body over throughout the years.  Sometimes nerve damage produces symptoms but sometimes people not notice the tingling, numbness or the temporary lack of feeling in their extremities.  60 to 70 percent of people that have Diabetes nerve damage from Diabetes.

A vast majority of people that have Diabetes develop diabetic neuropathies of some sort.  The possibility of Diabetic neuropathies increased the longer a person has Diabetes and the older they get.  Up to 70 percent of people who have Diabetes experience neuropathy at some point in their lives.  Those that do not exercise, are overweight and have difficulties controlling glucose levels are most susceptible to neuropathies.

Diabetic neuropathies are thought to be caused by a number of different things.  Some of the main suspects are inherited traits, lifestyles that are inactive, abuse alcohol or smoke cigarettes.  Some autoimmune factors may also contribute to nerve damage.  More research must be done to pinpoint which factors play more of a role in Diabetic Neuropathy.

There are three different types of Diabetic neuropathies.  The most prevalent form is peripheral neuropathy.  People that experience this type of Diabetic neuropathy have loss of feeling in their extremities and generally have a lot of pain.

The symptoms of autonomic neuropathy are quite different.  If you develop this form of Diabetic neuropathy you will see changes in sexual response, your bladder and bowel functions.  Hypoglycemia can also occur.  Autonomic neuropathy causes nerve damage on nerves that control blood pressure, blood glucose levels and the heart.  Internal organs can also be affected and patients can slip into hypoglycemia without knowing it.  The major drop in blood sugar can cause a deadly coma.  Make sure that others are aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia (shaking, sweating, confusion and palpitations) so that they can recognize the symptoms when you can’t.

Proximal neuropathy produces pain in the legs, hips and buttocks.  General weakness of the legs is one of the main symptoms of this form of Diabetic neuropathy.  It typically starts on one side of the body, producing pain in the hips and legs causing them to become weak from nerve damage.  This form of Diabetic neuropathy is most common in Type 2 Diabetes.

Focal neuropathy can strike any nerve group or individual nerve in the body.  Muscle aches and weakness is a major sign of this type of Diabetic neuropathy.  Nerve groups are preyed on and it is very unpredictable.  The nerves in the head and torso are usually the ones that are affected.  Bell’s palsy, vision problems and pain in the pelvis, stomach, thighs and chest is common.        .

Feet, arms and legs are affected, with the feet being the first part of the body that produces symptoms.  That is why Diabetics must be extremely careful with any foot injuries they may experience.  A simple cut or blister can become infected and spread.  Amputation can be the end result of a foot infection that patients allow to spread.

Tips on Preventing Diabetes

Tips on Preventing Diabetes

Staying healthy is ideal for someone that would like to get the most out of life.  Although you can still live a healthy and happy life with Diabetes it is best to avoid it if possible.  Fortunately, Type 2 Diabetes is preventable.  You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming Diabetic by making a few healthy life choices.

First, if you need to alter your lifestyle and habits, you need to start today.  Do not wait until you are teetering on the brink of Diabetes with a pre-diabetic diagnosis.  Change your ways now before doctors want to run tests or start warning you about Diabetes.

Two of the major culprits when it comes to Diabetes are diet and exercise.  Too many people have sedentary lifestyles and eat high calorie, high fat diet.  Making adjustments to these two areas can reduce Diabetes risks to a minimum.  You don’t need to hire a nutritionist or get a personal trainer to do these stings, although those are option.  However, most of these things can be done on your own.

Shed Excess Pounds

Find out what your body mass index is and your body fat percentage.  There are scales on the market that electronically calculate this information but you can also have it done at an exercise facility.  Your BMI should be under 30 and your body fat percentage should be 20-25% for a woman and 8-14% for a man.

Once you have this information you will be able to determine whether or not you need to lose weight.  Getting rid of even a small amount of excess weight can greatly reduce the risk of Diabetes and heart disease.  Making permanent lifestyle changes such as portion controlling meals, eating fruits and vegetables with every meal and exercising 30 minutes a day, five times a week will help fight Diabetes risks.

In addition to losing weight you will also experience an increase in energy and enjoy better overall health.  Do not commit to fad diets that will initially send the scale down but cause an increase in the long run.  Eat balanced meals that include food from all food groups. Half of the grains you eat in a day should be whole grains.  Whole grains have more fiber and nutrients than products made from refined flour.

Take the Risk of Diabetes Serious

The prevention of Diabetes is something that people should take very seriously.  Type 2 Diabetes is the most prevalent form of Diabetes in the United States and it can be prevented.  Diabetic prevention could help reduce the number of new cases of Type 2 Diabetes that are diagnosed.  Right now 230 million people in the world have Diabetes.  About 21 million Diabetics live in the United Sates and as obesity and inactivity rise, Type 2 Diabetes is increasing.  If people do not start working to control their weight and diets, by 2050 over 48 million people could have Diabetes.  Do not allow yourself to become one of the millions that fall victim to Diabetes.  Take charge of your health so you don’t become as statistic.

The Insulin disease

Diabetes is all about Insulin and not having enough, not having any, or not being able to use it. Insulin is a hormone. The body uses it to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The body needs this energy for daily life.

At this time, we still do not know what causes a person to develop diabetes. It is suspected by scientists that the cause lies somewhere in genetics or in a combination of genetics and environmental factors. There does seem to be a link between diabetes and obesity and or lack of exercise.

The disease is a common one with 20.8 million adults and children in the United States alone, having the disease. The sad part is that 6.2 million of them are unaware that they have the disease, which is dangerous because untreated it can cause damage to internal organs, blood vessels and nerves.

The different types of diabetes that you should be aware of are pre-diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Diabetes can be diagnosed with blood tests such as the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). These two tests can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The FPG is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which an individual’s blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Approximately 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the body fails to produce insulin. This is an autoimmune disease. Children, teens and youth are typically the ones to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This is a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin and a relative insulin deficiency.

Gestational diabetes occurs in approximately 4% of all pregnant women with 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes happening each year in the United States. It usually develops in the second trimester after the baby has been formed.

Common Risk Factors for diabetes are being over age 45, certain race or ethnic backgrounds (African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders), family history of diabetes, being very overweight compared to your height (Body Mass Index BMI), low physical activity level, high blood pressure, and a history of diabetes during pregnancy.

The common symptoms of diabetes are urinating often, being very thirsty, being very hungry, being more tired than usual, an unexplained weight loss, and blurry vision.

Medical problems associated with having diabetes, especially untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are heart disease, depression, stroke, vision problems, kidney problems, foot and skin problems, and nerve damage.

The Importance of Good Nutrition To A Diabetic

The type of food you eat is closely connected to the level of blood glucose in your body. If you make smart food choices, you will be able to manage your blood glucose level better.

There is no such thing as a diabetic diet. A dietician can advise you on a diet plan that is right for you. A nutritionist or registered dietician can also teach you how to choose the best foods for meals and snacks. Typically a diet that is designed for a diabetic consists of 40% to 60% calories that come from carbohydrate food sources and 20% form protein with the remaining 30% coming from fat sources.

Doctors and researchers have determined recently that diabetics can consume some sugar as long as they are consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet. It is still important not to add sugar to the foods you eat. You will still have to be careful about the amount of sugar you consume. Let your doctor guide you on how much sugar and when it is appropriate to add it to your daily diet plan.

Basically your diet will consist of 2 to 5 choices of carbohydrates, 1 choice of a protein and than the amount of fat determined by your doctor or dietician. Carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, beans, dairy foods and also starchy foods like breads. When eating canned fruits make sure that they are packed in their own juices or in water. Hidden carbohydrate sources are condiments such as nonfat mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. Proteins can be found in meat, poultry and fish, nonfat or reduced-fat dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

Fat sources are butter, margarine, lard and oils. Fat can also be found in dairy and meat.

Low Blood Sugar:

When your blood sugar is too low you may become confused, cranky, tired, shaky or sweaty. These may be symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). If you notice these symptoms check your blood glucose level with your meter and if your level is 70 or below drink fruit juice, or a regular glass of soda.

If you are very thirst, urinate more frequently than normal, or you have blurred vision. Check your blood glucose level with your meter and contact your doctor or if your doctor is unavailable contact a medical emergency center with the reading.

Food is a very important factor when it comes to managing your diabetes. Understanding the role food plays in the blood glucose level will help you to be success at controlling your diabetes.

The Effect of Exercise on Diabetes

If you have Diabetes it is extremely important that you get in at least 30 minutes a day of exercise.  Exercising on a regular basis is very important if you want to properly manage Diabetes.  Exercise can reduce complications and improve treatment options.  For example, some insulin dependent Diabetics are able to reduce the amount of insulin required to maintain glucose levels by losing weight.

Getting into exercise can be a challenge but once you start working out on a consistent basis, it will become a part of your life.  Remember that exercise does not always have to be regimented and boring.  There are plenty of fun options that will allow you to get in activity and enjoy yourself.

Fun Ways to Exercise

Take a salsa class and dance those pounds away.  Get the entire family into exercising with brisk family walks.  Challenge your spouse to a game of tennis.  Swim until your heart is content.  Whatever your favorite activities are, incorporate them into your workout routine so that you do not resent working out.

Be sure to mix up the workout routine every now and then.  After a month of aerobics you may want to switch things up and get in some weight training.  You don’t have to completely eliminate aerobics from your exercise schedule.  For example, if you are doing five days of aerobics, replace two days of it with strength training.

Make sure that you get in aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises when you workout.  This will keep you form getting bored and it will produce the best results.  If you only do one type of workout you will not be able properly sculpt your entire body.  Spread the workout wealth by performing a number of different exercises.

Start off Small

If you have not been working out in the past, it is good to start off with just a few minutes of exercise.  Begin with ten minute walks on your lunch breaks or find a DVD that had ten minute workouts on it.  Build up to half and hour a day over time and don’t push yourself too hard in the beginning.  Excessive workouts will sour you on the idea of exercise and leave you over tired.

There is Strength in Numbers

Associating with others that workout and care about their health can go a long way.  If your friends and family are watching their weight and exercising regularly, it will be so much easier for you to do the same.  If you have Diabetes maintaining a healthy weight and workout regiment is vital to your quality of life.  People that do not support these endeavors are not your friends.  If someone is encouraging you to have fatty foods or to eat more than you should, they are not thinking about your best interest.  Remember, the better you manage your Diabetes, the higher quality of life you will be able to live.  Mismanagement can lead to impairments and death and no one that loves you wants either one of those fates for you.

Diabetes and Heart Health

There is some interesting data that draws a correlation between Diabetes and heart disease.  The reasons are pretty clear.  Many of the factors that contribute to Diabetes also contribute to heart disease.  They include obesity and lack of exercise.

The Benefits of Exercise for Diabetics

Anyone that has been diagnosed with Diabetes has heard that they should exercise from their doctor.  Some people may be skeptical about the benefits of exercise when it comes to Diabetes management but there is now evidence of how much of a difference exercise can make.  If you have been doubting the suggestions, here are a few facts for you to chew on.

If you have Diabetes you should participate in aerobic and resistance exercises.  Previously there was no data available for the combination of the two forms of exercise but now there is proof that when they are used together they provide a well rounded set of activities.  There are many different forms of these exercises to choose from.  The health benefits were remarkable and should be noted.

Aerobic and strengthen exercises work to reduce HbA1c values in people with Type 2 Diabetes.  Aerobic activity is also good for cardio vascular health and burning calories.  Strength training works to build muscles which are important in Diabetics who often experience nerve damage and other painful conditions.

One great strength training exercise is Pilates.  Pilates works to strengthen the core of the body which in turn, is believed to strengthen the entire body.  There are plenty of beginners DVD’s and classes that can help ease people into to Pilates.  This is also a great exercise for sculpting the body and losing weight.

Running and brisk walks get the circulation going.  If you are stumped on how to get more aerobic activity in you should start out simple with brisk walking.  This will help ease you into exercise and improve circulation.

A study conducted by the University of Calgary and the University of Ottawa took 251 Type 2 Diabetics that did not exercise regularly and were between the ages of 39 and 70 and started them on exercise regiments.  There were four groups: those that did aerobic exercise, those that did strength training, those that did nothing and those that did a combination of strength and aerobic.  The trial lasted 22 weeks and required the aerobic group to workout for 45 minutes three times a week on a treadmill or stationary bike.  Weight machines were used for 45 minutes, three times a week by the strength training group. A weight training and aerobic regiment was completed by the combination group for 45 minutes three days a week.

This study was very successful.  The combination group showed the most improvement in blood sugar control but the three exercising groups all showed improvements.  There were also some improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels and some weight loss.

Although this was a small study it has long been known that exercise is a key factor in controlling Diabetes.  No matter what type of exercise you do just makes sure you get something in.  Some exercise is always better than none.  Get moving and watch your body start to feel better and work better for you both externally and internally.  As your levels improve you will be able to do more things.  Not to mention that the benefits of exercise go far beyond controlling Diabetes.

Take an aerobics class or join a walking group. Find a way to make exercise a part of your daily routine so that it des not feel like a burden.  As your health improves you will come to respect the values of exercise and you might even start to enjoy it.