Diabetes most of the time remains undetected. The basic reason behind this is that signs of diabetes are harmless. Both types of diabetes share some signs. In both types there is an excessive sugar in blood and an inadequate amount of glucose in cells where it is needed.

The reason of increased glucose level in type 1 is the destruction of cells responsible for producing insulin. In type 2, however insulin is produced as required but cells become unable to use the provided insulin. In both cases cells do not get required amount of insulin. The body then tries to give different signals to inform the person that something is going wrong.

Frequent Trips to the Rest Room

The diabetic has to urinate more. If insulin is short or is not used effectively then the kidneys become unable to filter the sugar back to blood. The kidneys become overactive and extract extra water from blood for diluting glucose. Extra water makes the bladder full and the person has to make frequent trips to the rest room.

Unquenchable Thirst

Unquenchable thirst is a warning sign of diabetes. When kidneys require extra water from bloodstream; the diabetic starts to feel thirsty. The diabetic has to drink more water to substitute the excessive water that is being flushed.

Weight Loss

This warning sign of diabetes is more common it type 1. In this type the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. The cells then start using fat cells to produce the needed amount of energy. The result is the rapid weight loss.

Fatigue

Glucose content of the food goes in blood. Cells here need insulin to convert this glucose in the form of energy. If insulin is inadequate the cells do not react properly. The glucose then re-enters the blood. The cells get starved from energy and the diabetic feel tired and run down.

Numbness or Tingling in Hands and Feet:?

This warning sign of diabetes appears gradually. The consistent high levels of blood glucose start to destroy the nervous system.

Other warning sign of diabetes are itchy skin, slow healing cuts and blurred vision.

Nutrition is an important part in controlling and treating diabetes. The monitoring of a diabetic’s nutritional needs and his or her commitment to eating a healthy and balanced diet is the largest contribution into leading a long, fulfilling and healthy life. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to learn all you can about the disease and its management.

The first part of devising a healthy eating plan is to talk to your doctor or health care provider. They can help you to devise a plan that meets all of your nutritional needs. Following the right diet can help you control your weight and your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar level and determine what food causes it to spike. Carbohydrates are the main contributor of high glucose levels. From here, you can put together a meal plan with recipes you will love and keep you healthy at the same time.

If you have trouble finding recipes on your own, or just want some guidance, check in your area for a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Local medical facilities or health clinics may have one on staff. If not, they will be able to direct you towards one who is available. Nutritionists and dietitians can help you come up with recipes that are delicious, fun and exciting.

In addition to your daily exercise regimen and any insulin injections or oral diabetes medications, eating well-balanced meals that provide all of your nutritional needs will keep your diabetes under control.

There are more than 30 illnesses directly related to obesity and many of these can be very serious medical conditions causing poor health and, in many instances, even death. According to The Surgeon General, more than 300,000 annual deaths are attributed to obesity and the risk of death increases with weight gain.

Individuals who have a BMI (body mass index) greater than 30 have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes as compared to those with a healthy weight! This is something to be taken very seriously, as obesity is at an all time high and is taking over smoking as the number one leading cause of preventable death in the United States with more than 66% of us considered to be overweight.

Here are some related facts to show you just how serious these illnesses are:

DIABETES

In 2006, diabetes was the nation’s 7th leading cause of death. This disease is evident in more than 80% of people who are overweight; just a weight gain of 11 pounds doubles your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes makes up 95% of people who have it. As BMI increases, so does the risk of developing type 2 diabetes; the rate of diabetes increases by about 25% for each additional BMI point above 25. It is estimated that more than 25% of new cases of diabetes can be directly attributed to weight gain and those with the most weight carried around their middle section are putting themselves at an even greater risk. Women between the ages of 30 and 55 with a BMI greater than 35 increase their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 93%.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes cases are overweight. Complications from diabetes include heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and poor circulation that can lead to poor wound healing and may even result in foot and leg amputations.

According to statistical information from The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), The American Heart Association and The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the yearly breakdown of dollars spent on direct and indirect costs associated with type 2 diabetes alone is $98 billion dollars!

In a report from bariatrics4diabetes.com changes in the reduction of type 2 diabetes in post-surgical bariatric patients are dramatic. They report that diabetes completely resolved in 77% of post-surgical patients (which means no insulin or medications needed at all). They also reported that diabetes in some patients disappeared almost immediately, within days of surgery and others saw their blood sugar levels fall soon after surgery and became completely normal within a year after surgery. Evidence shows that after weight loss through bariatric surgery, there is a 92% reduction in death from all diabetes-related causes!

Other obesity-related conditions include cancers of the colon, gallbladder, prostate, kidney and breast. Breathing problems including asthma and sleep apnea, plus arthritis, infertility and reproductive problems, pregnancy complications, reflux disease, liver disease and heart disease. Heart disease includes: heart attacks, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm and angina and is increased in people who have a BMI greater than 25. Being overweight or obese is an independent risk factor for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and stroke. CHF is a complication commonly found in those suffering from severe obesity and is a major cause of death. Women with BMI’s greater than 27 have a 75% increased risk of ischemic stroke and those with a BMI greater than 32 increase that risk by 137%! It is a proven fact that bariatric surgery patients saw a 56% reduction in coronary artery disease. High blood pressure was resolved in 62% of post-surgical patients and high cholesterol was lowered in 70% of patients!

Unfortunately, these are only a few weight-related medical conditions; there are others, but all of them can be greatly improved or completely eliminated by weight loss. If you suffer from any of these weight-related medical conditions, bariatric surgery could be an option and may help you to lose weight and resolve your other health problems at the same time.