How serious is Diabetes?
Very! The early symptoms of untreated diabetes mellitus are related to the elevated blood glucose levels. Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results in high levels of glucose being present in the urine (glucosuria). This increases the urine output, which leads to dehydration and increased thirst. Other symptoms include extreme tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, itchy skin and repeated minor infections such as thrush and boils.
Showing posts with label Diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diabetes. Show all posts
More than 18 million people in the United States have diabetes . And nearly one-third of them are undiagnosed. This can be devastating, as diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputation, and new onset blindness in American adults.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely than people without diabetes to develop heart disease. In fact, 65 percent of diabetics die from heart attack or stroke.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely than people without diabetes to develop heart disease. In fact, 65 percent of diabetics die from heart attack or stroke.
Every days, more than 2000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed. Type II diabetes , the most prevalent form of diabetes worldwide, often shows few or even no symptoms!
After eating, food is broken down into what is known asglucose , a sugar carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Using a hormone known as insulin, made in the pancreas , cells process glucose into energy.
After eating, food is broken down into what is known as
Traveling with diabetes requires preparation both before and during your trip. Here are 11 tips to help you make sure your diabetes doesn't interfere with the pleasures of travel.
1. Visit your doctor at least a month before you leave to make sure your diabetes is under control. If you need to do any stabilizing, a month will give you enough time. The same month should let your body settle down after any necessary immunization shots, so get those at the same time.
2. Get a letter from your doctor certifying that you arediabetic , and listing the various medications and supplies you must carry with you. Without this, you might have difficulties passing through Security at airports and international border crossings.
3. Alsoget a prescription for your insulin or other diabetesmedication . Even though you should have enough syringes, strips and medication to last for the duration of your trip, it's always good to have a prescription in case you lose them, they become spoiled because of extreme weather conditions, or your trip lasts longer than you original planned.
4. Wear an ID bracelet announcingyour have diabetes, and also carry a small card saying so in the local language of the places you will be visiting.
5. Learn to express specific diabetic requirements in the local languages. Since you probably won't know how to pronounce the words, the easiest way is to carry them on a printed card and simply point to what you want to say.
6. Pack at least twice as much medication and supplies as you think you'll need. Put half in your suitcase, and half in a special bag that never leaves your possession. The container for these supplies should be sturdy, preferably hard sided, for protection
7. Carry a sealed pack containing hard candies or glucose tablets in case irregular eating makes your bloodsugar drop too low. Your pack should also contain emergency snacks, such as crackers, cheese, fruit, juice --- in case you must wait too long between meals, which can happen when we are traveling.
8. Insulin can lose its strength in extremetemperatures , so carry your supply, as well as pills and other medication, in a thermally insulated bag.
9. Carry bandages and first-aid cream, comfortable walking shoes and protective beach shoes. Your feet neet extra special care while you're traveling.
10. While on your trip, check your blood sugar more often than usual. Many factors, such as fluctuating temperatures and changing time zones, can cause wild swings in yourblood sugar levels . If you check often, you'll be better able to take corrective action as needed.
11. Finally, contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at 417 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 14092. They can provide you with a list of English speaking doctors in the countries you'll be visiting.
As long as you take sensible precautions to care for your diabetes, there's no reason why it needs to stand in the way of a happy travel experience. Bon voyage
1. Visit your doctor at least a month before you leave to make sure your diabetes is under control. If you need to do any stabilizing, a month will give you enough time. The same month should let your body settle down after any necessary immunization shots, so get those at the same time.
2. Get a letter from your doctor certifying that you are
3. Also
4. Wear an ID bracelet announcing
5. Learn to express specific diabetic requirements in the local languages. Since you probably won't know how to pronounce the words, the easiest way is to carry them on a printed card and simply point to what you want to say.
6. Pack at least twice as much medication and supplies as you think you'll need. Put half in your suitcase, and half in a special bag that never leaves your possession. The container for these supplies should be sturdy, preferably hard sided, for protection
7. Carry a sealed pack containing hard candies or glucose tablets in case irregular eating makes your blood
8. Insulin can lose its strength in extreme
9. Carry bandages and first-aid cream, comfortable walking shoes and protective beach shoes. Your feet neet extra special care while you're traveling.
10. While on your trip, check your blood sugar more often than usual. Many factors, such as fluctuating temperatures and changing time zones, can cause wild swings in your
11. Finally, contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at 417 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 14092. They can provide you with a list of English speaking doctors in the countries you'll be visiting.
As long as you take sensible precautions to care for your diabetes, there's no reason why it needs to stand in the way of a happy travel experience. Bon voyage
Pre-diabetes means you probably have higher than normal blood-sugar levels but, fortunately, not high enough to be classed as being
However it does mean that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and
Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no physical symptoms to warn you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage. So it's worth getting yourself checked out and, if you fall into any of these categories, ask your physician if you are likely to be at risk of pre-diabetes:
* You are overweight and you are aged 45 or older
* Your weight is OK and you're aged 45+. Ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you
* You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight
* You have triglycerides
* Your family has a history of diabetes
* There's a history of
* You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
* You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific
The good news is, if after testing you discover that you do have pre-diabetes; your blood-sugar levels are rather higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
* Reduce the amount on your plate - eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.
* Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy rather than sugar-laden option.
* Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don't overindulge in food.
* Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.
* Take a little more exercise; such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.
* Don't shop for food when you are feeling hungry. You'll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood-sugars; add on weight and generally create a higher risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.
Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.
However it does mean that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and
Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no physical symptoms to warn you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage. So it's worth getting yourself checked out and, if you fall into any of these categories, ask your physician if you are likely to be at risk of pre-diabetes:
* You are overweight and you are aged 45 or older
* Your weight is OK and you're aged 45+. Ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you
* You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight
* You have
* Your family has a history of diabetes
* There's a history of
* You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
* You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific
The good news is, if after testing you discover that you do have pre-diabetes; your blood-sugar levels are rather higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
* Reduce the amount on your plate - eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.
* Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy rather than sugar-laden option.
* Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don't overindulge in food.
* Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.
* Take a little more exercise; such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.
* Don't shop for food when you are feeling hungry. You'll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood-sugars; add on weight and generally create a higher risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.
Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone that helps the body's tissues absorb glucose (sugar) so it can be used as a source of energy. The condition may also develop if muscle, fat, and liver cells respond poorly to insulin. In people with diabetes, glucose levels build up in the blood and urine, causing excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and problems with fat and protein metabolism.Diabetes mellitus differs from the less common diabetesinsipidus, which is caused by lack of the hormone vasopressin that controls the amount of urine secreted.
Diabetes is most common in adults over 45 years of age; in people who are overweight or physically inactive; in individuals who have an immediate family member with diabetes; and in people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent. The highest rate of diabetes in the world occurs in Native Americans. More women than men have been diagnosed with the disease.
Diabetes remains an epidemic in the U.S., but experts are now more concerned that certain populations may not be getting the right kind of treatment because of their ethnic and cultural beliefs.
Physicians can't use a one-size-fits-all approach to treating patients with diabetes; physicians, families and community leaders must work together to develop culturally specific programs, according to Dr. Kevin McKinney, Minority Health Affairs Committee chairman of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
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