Diabetics often suffer from depression. One study posits that twenty to forty per cent of all diabetics have at least minimal to mild depression at any given time, and that ninety per cent will suffer some degree of depression in any given five-year span.

But which came first — the diabetes or the depression? There is a lot of evidence that the physical effects of diabetes on metabolism and hormones lead to depression. The near overwhelming task of daily diabetes treatment also lends to a sense of helplessness that can lead to depression.

Now there is some evidence that some degree of depression or emotional stress can be one of the “triggers” for the onset of diabetes. The causes for diabetes are of course far more complex than stress. There are numerous risk factors involved, most of which are more pronounced in the onset of diabetes than emotional stresses. However, that there is a relationship between diabetes and depression is clear.

What can be done to combat depression from diabetes? Here are five important keys.

1 - Information and Education: Depression is often associated with helplessness and hopelessness. One step to combat this is to continually be informed about diabetes. Just the fact and activity of researching and reading about diabetes and its treatments is a step toward hope and of doing something about it. So an ongoing education should always be pursued, through books, magazines, websites, support groups and so on.

2 - Proper Treatment: It’s important to have a good doctor and diabetes care team. With their counsel, you can establish the right diet, medication, exercise and so on. However, most of the responsibility for your diabetes treatment is up to you to manage — which heavy responsibility is often part of the depression. In cases where the depression is more than minimal to mild, your doctor may determine medical treatment for the depression as well as for your diabetes.

3 - A Systematic or Methodological Approach: It takes a great deal of effort every day to control and treat diabetes. Even if you don’t have diabetes but are caring for someone who does, you know that it can be overwhelming even without the effects of the disease itself weakening your resolve and abilities. This too can lead to feeling helpless and hopeless.

It is important, then — perhaps vital — to systematize, categorize and prioritize your care. Goal-setting and time management skills can help you to bring everything together and make it work. When you know what to do and when to do it and are confident in your system, it brings a great lift and sense of relief.

4 - The Right Attitude: The right attitude is not, or at least should not be, dependent on your feelings and emotions. On the other hand, the right attitude is more than simple “positive thinking”. It begins with who you are as a human being, your core beliefs and life-expectations. You need to develop convictions about who you are and what you want from life based on your beliefs and expectations, not based on your feelings and emotions. Focusing your thoughts on these things rather than on how you happen to feel will help transform your attitude.

5 - Support: No person with diabetes should think or feel that they are all alone in their battle with their disease. Their family and friends certainly should be supportive and encouraging, but even in those cases where there is not support from family or friends, there are diabetes support groups available to help and befriend. Look for them through your doctor’s office, the local hospital, library, college or school. There are support groups and forums abounding on the Internet (though one should be wary and discerning about in formation on the Internet). A lot of support is often aimed at helping one another overcome depression.

These keys work together to help combat the effects of both diabetes and depression. These are not “five simple steps”. They each take time and effort, and each one is necessary. But the payoff should be a confident answer to helplessness and hopelessness and a buffer to feelings of despair and depression.

Saxagliptin has recently been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in adjunct to diet and exercise and is now available in pharmacies. Saxagliptin is marketed by the tradename Onglyza? and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and is being comarketed by AstraZeneca.

Saxapliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor (DPP-IV) that works to lower glucoses by increasing the bodies Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) level thus causing increased insulin production when glucose levels are elevated and reducing glucagon levels (a hormone that increases glucose concentrations). This medication is taken once daily and is available in 2.5 and 5 mg tablets. The most commonly used dose is 5 mg. The 2.5 mg dose is to be used in people with diminished kidney function or while taking certain others medications such as:

• Ketoconazole
• Atazanavir
• Clarithromycn
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Ritonavir
• Saquinavir
• Telithromycin

Studied as monotherapy and also in combination with Metformin, Glyburide, and Actos? or Avanidia? it has been shown to reduce HbA1c by values 0.5-0.8 beyond placebo and is effective in decreasing both fasting and 2 hour after eating glucoses.

The most common side effects compared to placebo are:

• Upper respiratory tract infections (7.7%, 7.6%)
• Headache (7.5%, 5.2%)
• Urinary tract infection (6.8%, 6.1%)

When the 5 mg dose was used in combination with Actos? or Avandia? there was a higher incidence of edema (swelling) when compared to placebo (8.1%, 4.3%). Hypoglycemia can occur in patients taking sulfonylureas such as:

• Glipizide
• Glimepiride
• Glyburide

Saxagliptin is NOT be used in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus and has not been studied in people taking insulin or in patients younger than 18 years old.

Onglyza? joins Januvia? (Sitagliptin) as the only other DPP-IV inhibitor available for use in the United States and seems to have a similar effectiveness, once daily dosing, and has not distinct advantages. Due to the potential drug interactions noted above providers, such as myself, may actually find this to be a disadvantage. Unfortunately, at the end of the day the decision to use one medication over the other will likely be driven by insurance carrier formularies versus individual provider preferences.

Galvus? (Vildagliptin) is a third DPP-VI inhibitor manufactured by Novartis that is available in Europe but not the United States due to the side effect of a potential rash and Alogliptin and Linagliptin are investigational DPP-IV inhibitors produced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Boehringer Ingelheim respectively.

Who else would like a natural diabetes treatment that actually gets diabetes or pre diabetes under control?

That seems like a tall order. About half the population of adults in middle age (45 to 70) will struggle with diabetes. The rate is increasing. And the consequences are potentially devastating - kidney disease, blindness, and possible death.

So, what’s the biggest thing to focus on?

Consider this.

High blood glucose (sugar) is the heart of diabetes, it’s what is causing the damage to your body, overloading your kidneys, making your eyes swell, making your body tear down fat and muscle cells.

What lowers blood glucose? What’s the most effective natural diabetes treatment?

Exercising more and eating less. Exercise burns up glucose in place of insulin. Eating less puts less sugar in your system to begin with and as you lose weight your decrease insulin resistance.

Why is that important?

Your cells need glucose. It’s the fuel for your body’s furnace. Insulin is what gets your cells to open the gates to blood glucose.

You eat too much sugar over time and your cells become resistant to insulin; so they don’t allow the glucose in; they starve; and the glucose floats around in your blood and eventually your urine and wreaks havoc.

So, get this problem.

If you have diabetes (or you’re developing it) either you body doesn’t produce enough insulin (type 1) or your cells are becoming resistant to it (type 2), so you have too much sugar floating in your blood.

Eat less, you get less sugar in. Eat less, and your insulin resistance drops and your cells use more of the sugar and less floats around in your blood.

In fact, when Dr. Alan Rubin (the author of one of the leading desk references on diabetes) was asked for the simplest diet as a natural diabetes treatment, what do you suppose he said?

Cut your portions in half.

There’s a lot more you can do. But that’s the basics.

Now the good news.

If you don’t have a track record of success on a diet, you can still be successful with diabetes.

There are natural diabetes treatments that are optimized for what you need to do to fight diabetes: suppress your appetite, help insulin do it’s job, and attract glucose transporters so the sugar doesn’t float around in your blood.

Of course, you need to do your part as well.

Diabetes is your problem? It means you have too much sugar in your blood. Either you don’t have enough insulin or your body has built up a resistance to it. Insulin is the hormone that opens your cells to receive sugar for energy.

Diabetes won’t just go away, but you can manage it and feel good while preventing damage to your body. Your body was probably fighting it for quite a few years and just got overwhelmed. Many people have diabetes and don’t know it.

Test your blood sugar.

Your body used to do this for you and then it would send out the right amount of insulin to take care of the sugar. Now you have to do it by testing your blood and either use medicine or control your diet to regulate your blood sugar level.

Eat wisely.

Find out which foods will keep your blood sugar in control. This will also help you lose weight which will make it easier for your body to use insulin better.

Get your exercise.

Exercise not only burns sugar, it also builds muscle which will help keep your blood sugar at a healthier level. Exercise will help prevent the serious complications associated with being diabetic.

Control your stress.

Yoga, tai-chi, meditation and even vision boards are all being used to relieve stress. It is becoming more evident that stress does a lot of harm to your body. Laughter is a very good tonic for both your body and mind.

Starting your diabetes treatment today will mean a healthier you next month. Get yourself motivated and remember that you can not go back to your old bad habits no matter how good you’re feeling. There’s so many new products for diabetics that you really don’t have to feel cheated when it comes to good eating.

The cost of having to buy diabetic products is financially draining. From buying a blood glucose meter to maintaining an ample supply of insulin, expenses just keep on adding up. You spend a few thousand dollars on test strips in one year alone and that still does not include expenses on blood monitoring supplies like glucometer, that may need to be replaced from time to time, disposable insulin syringes, injections, needles, pens, foot care products, and frequent trips to the doctor.

Needless to say, cutting back on your expenses is a welcome prospect. Here are some useful tips that can help you save on diabetic products:

Talk to your insurance provider. Although very limited, there are insurance companies that cover your expenses on diabetic products. Some companies pay for your blood glucose meters, insulin injections, medications, and other diabetes supplies. To know the extent of coverage you can get, it is best to talk to your insurance provider. But, be sure to clarify all your concerns with a qualified insurance personnel. Many consumers end up paying more than what they initially expected because they were misinformed. Be sure to ask whether only a particular brand is covered and whether test strips, for example, can be reimbursed.

Ask for a free glucometer. Many companies, insurance companies and manufacturers alike, give away free glucometers. Drugstores and pharmacies have a lot of perks that could help you save a couple of dollars on glucometers as well. If you look hard enough, you may even find free coupons in magazines and pharmacy flyers. The truth is, glucometers don’t really have to burden your budget for diabetes treatment. The easiest way to get them for free is to simply call the manufacturer of the blood glucose meter and ask for a free sample, if they are offering one, or express your interest in buying their new product. This can also work with all other diabetic products like syringes, lancets, infusion sets, needle tips, and insulin cartridges.

Buy your supplies online. You will be surprised by how much money you can save by just browsing on diabetic products online. With the exception of some online vendors that mark up their products excessively, there are plenty of online sellers who give huge discounts on their products. Some sellers can give as much as 50% discount on their products with free shipping, and sometimes a free item or two. When looking for an online supplier, make sure you find one that provides all the supplies you need.

Buy in bulk. Buying your diabetic supplies wholesale can save you delivery costs, dispensing fees and other expenses associated with purchasing drugs regularly.

Replace your medications with generic drugs. Generic drugs may look different from brand name drugs, but their efficiency and effects on the body are practically the same. Their price does not speak of their quality, but ratherf the absence of patent protection, which costs a lot.

Do not let up on your medications. Some people have the tendency to stop taking their medications once symptoms of diabetes subside, thinking that they can save on medication expenses this way. In the long run, this would not only prove detrimental, but will also pile up your expenses later to address complications that may arise.

Do you know what diabetes is? To better understand diabetes it is good to better understand the process of metabolism. Many things happen when the food is digested. Glucose also termed sugar enters the bloodstream. It acts as the prime fuel for the body. Pancreas is a body organ that is responsible for making insulin. The role of insulin is to help the glucose to enter muscle, fat and liver cells from the blood stream; where it can be used as fuel.

The pancreas of diabetics is not working properly. Either the pancreas does not produce insulin or the cells become unable to use the provided insulin. This situation result in an increase in the level of blood glucose. The increased blood sugar level gives rise to different symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst, excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. Insulin is required by the body for sustaining the glucose level as well as or regulating the metabolism of glucose.

Here are some natural treatments for diabetes cure that help to relieve the diabetic symptoms

• Curry leaves helps to sustain the level of glucose. It enables us to bring the level of glucose in blood and urine to the normal level. It is specifically helpful for diabetic patients that have inherited the disease in their genes.
• Parslane seeds are also helpful for diabetes treatment. It enables to boost the capacity to produce insulin. One teaspoon of the seed should be consumed daily for around three months.
• Mango leaves also help in controlling diabetes. Soak the leaves in water. Dry it under the sun and then grind it. Mix 1 tablespoon grinded mango leaves in 1 glass water and drink this daily.
• Bitter gourd is a famous natural diabetic remedy. It carries insulin like ingredient that helps to control the level of sugar in urine and blood.
• Closely monitor your diet chart. There are plenty of foods nowadays in the market that make the blood sugar situation even worse. The food items made from processed flour are prime example of this.

Diabetic Complications

Diabetes if left untreated causes many health related complications like

• Heart stroke and attack
• Damage to the nerves termed diabetic neuropathy
• Hypoglycemia which is the sudden and drastic reduction in the blood glucose level
• Damage to the eye nerves and retina termed retinopathy
• Damage to kidneys also termed nephropathy
• Damage to blood vessels that result in atherosclerosis

If signs of diabetes in are timely detected then there are many options that may help to control this chronic condition. This will also ensure that spent a healthy, happy and normal childhood.

The number of diagnosed cases of diabetes in toddlers is increasing day by day. So if you are noticing signs of diabetes in toddlers then you are not alone. Diabetes is a medical condition in which the pancreas of the person is unable to process blood glucose effectively. The first step after detecting these signs of diabetes in children is to visit the doctor’s office and asks for a screening test. Then ask your physician the exact type of diabetes with which your child or toddler is suffering. You may also seek the help of other parents of diabetic toddlers.

Learn More about the Disease: Diabetes can be the frightening condition for any person, especially for the parents of toddlers. However instead of allowing the disease to take over the life it is essential to learn as much as possible about that particular types of diabetes and the treatment of each sign of diabetes in children.

Also gather information about the side effects of the disease and the symptoms of that particular complication linked with that problem. Learn the best ways for taking care of your child and research which medications and medical techniques are essential in controlling the condition. Sometimes the condition in toddlers can be controlled by just switching the diet.

Monitor the Blood Sugar Level: Monitoring blood sugar level is difficult especially in children. However blood sugar level monitoring is essential to determine whether your child is having problem so you can put a stop on the potential damages before they start. Blood sugar level monitoring involve a pin prick. Think about ways to make the whole process least painful and less scary for the child. There are different diabetic testing supplies available in the market some of them are specifically designed for children and toddlers.

Develop Schedules For Every Thing: Schedules are critical in the life of every child but they are essential part of the diabetic children. The schedule helps the child to control his diabetic condition. It is important to follow it specifically fort meal timings. It is also recommended to give the children smaller meals more frequently

Be Prepared For the Worst: If the parents properly control the disease then the risk of the complications are greatly reduced. However it is prepared to plan for the worst. Make a special diabetic corner in the home and make sure that each member of the family can properly use the equipment.

Being diagnosed as a diabetic means a large amount of changes in your daily life. A new diet, more exercise, and monitoring of your blood sugar will all become part of your daily routine. One thing that many newly diagnosed patients want to know is if they will have to take medication as part of their diabetes treatment. While there are rare cases of diabetes that respond well to only dietary and lifestyle changes, many patients require at least occasional medication to keep their diabetes under control.

A large percentage of diabetic patients require medications as part of their diabetes treatment, to help them manage their blood sugar levels. If you have been diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe insulin injections or other medications that can help you with your diabetes treatment. Insulin is often used only when blood sugar levels are outside of the normal range, but other medications may be taken regularly to help the body maintain healthy levels of insulin.

Many diabetic patients as part of their diabetes treatment also take medication to control complications and symptoms that are affected by diabetes, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Whether you will need these medications will depend on your symptoms and only your doctor can help determine what medicines are right for you. Many patients are able to control these symptoms through lifestyle changes, and every case is different.

Taking diabetes treatment medication means taking a close look at all supplements and over the counter medicines you take as well as prescription medications for other illnesses and problems. Because many drugs can interact or change blood sugar levels, it is important to discuss all new medications and supplements with your doctor before taking them to ensure that they are safe and will not counteract or interact with one another. Mixing in some of the over the counter medication into your diabetes treatment, can some times have a devastating result. Tell your doctor about these medications.

Whether or not you will need drugs to control your diabetes will depend on your individual symptoms. Talking to your doctor will help you determine if medication is right for you. If you do have to take medications, do not lose heart. Many drugs have little or no side effects, and taking them every day soon becomes routine.

Not all diabetic patients require daily medication, and some require only medication when insulin levels fall too low. Your medication needs can change over time. Improving your lifestyle can decrease your need for drugs as part of your diabetes treatment, and certain complications may necessitate taking additional medications. As with all illnesses, each case is different. Talking with your doctor can help you understand more about what the best treatment will be for you.

Both twice-daily and once-weekly formulations of exenatide provided improvements in treatment satisfaction and quality of life when added to diet and exercise and/or other oral antidiabetes agents, report researchers in the journal Diabetic Medicine.

The effects of the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonist exenatide on glycemic and clinical parameters including blood glucose control, decreased appetite, and weight suggest it may have potential treatment satisfaction and quality-of-life benefits.

“Treatment satisfaction deserves attention because it may influence treatment adherence and consequent clinical outcomes. Quality of life is a critical outcome in its own right,” note Jennie Best (Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc, San Diego, California, USA) and co-workers.

To assess these potential benefits, the authors used data from a randomized, multicenter, open-label study, in which 295 Type 2 diabetes patients managed with diet and exercise and/or oral antidiabetic agents received a long-acting release formulation of once-weekly exenatide (2 mg) or twice-daily exenatide (10 µg) for 30 weeks. Patients receiving exenatide twice daily were then switched to exenatide once weekly until week 52.

The patients completed a Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and a Weight-related Quality of Life questionnaire at baseline and at weeks 30 and 52.

In both exenatide arms, treatment satisfaction and weight-related quality of life improved significantly from baseline to week 30, with no significant difference between treatment arms in total treatment satisfaction or quality of life, but a greater improvement in perceived hyperglycemia frequency and willingness to continue current treatment in the exenatide once-weekly arm.

Patients who switched from twice-daily to once-weekly exenatide at week 30 reported significantly improved total treatment satisfaction, treatment convenience, treatment flexibility, and satisfaction with continuing treatment at week 52.

“The fact that improvements in treatment satisfaction and quality of life were maintained over 52 weeks suggests that these effects are durable, and the fact that participants continued to prefer exenatide to their pre-study treatment regimen suggests that patients may be willing to continue to manage their Type 2 diabetes with exenatide treatment,” write Best et al.

They suggest that one reason for the greater acceptance of once-weekly exenatide may be the greater improvement in glucose control. The reduction in perceived frequency of hyperglycemia was the benefit for which exenatide once-weekly had the largest advantage over exenatide twice-daily.

“Our results indicate it is possible for patients treated with diet/exercise and/or oral agents to initiate exenatide therapy with potential benefits in both clinical efficacy and patient-reported outcomes directly related to treatment adherence,” conclude the authors.

MedWire (www.medwire-news.md) is an independent clinical news service provided by Current Medicine Group, a part of Springer Science+Business Media. © Current Medicine Group Ltd; 2009

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