Diabetes symptoms come on gradually with no obvious signs such as a rash or cut. About a third of those who have type 2 diabetes have it for years without even realizing it.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Most often, diabetes is not diagnosed until you visit your doctor for other health reasons. Some of the signs to look for would be:

* Increased thirst - Excess sugar in your bloodstream can steal fluid from your bodys’ tissue, leaving you dehydrated and thirsty.
* Frequent need to urinate - This is a result from the extra drinks you consume to rehydrate your bodys’ tissue.
* Excess hunger - When you have a lack of insulin (what helps your cells process sugar into energy) the amount of energy present in your organs and muscles is greatly reduced. This leads to your body to desire extra food to replace what it has lost.
* Weight gain - This if from all the excess eating done in order to gain lost energy.
* Decreased or Blurred vision - When your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be taken from your eye tissue, affecting your ability to focus correctly.
* Slow healing sores - With type 2 diabetes your ability to fight infections and heal properly will take much longer.
* Frequent infections - You may see an increase in vaginal or bladder infections due to excess sugar in the urine.
* Fatigue - You may become tired if your cells are lacking their much needed energy.
* Numbness/tingling in your hands or feet - Diabetics tend to have poor circulation, therefore lacking proper sensation in the extremities.
* Impotency - This is due to poor circulation/improper blood flow.

Some type 2 diabetics have been known to have dark, velvety patches of skin in the creases/folds of their body (normally the neck or armpits.) This is a sign of insulin resistance called acanthosis nigricans.

Diabetes Can be Reversed

Diabetes is referred to by many as “The Silent Killer.” 5.7 million people in the U.S have one form of diabetes or another, but they are undiagnosed. This is frightening when you consider the consequences.

Diabetes has been with us for a very long time ago. Scientific research indicates that the problem began more than 100 years ago when people in the Western World began adding serious amounts of carbohydrates to their daily diets.

We Have Met The Enemy, and it is Sugar

The real culprit in this scenario is sugar! Today you will find it hard to find any “processed foods” that aren’t loaded with sugar and starches. As far as the body is concerned starches are just as bad since they are converted or “metabolized” into sugar by the insulin produced by the pancreas.

Is Your Pancreas Being Overworked?

Insulin converts sugar into glucose, and this substance is what the muscles and tissues need as a source of energy. The problem is that a good thing is being overdone. The pancreas can only produce so much insulin, and in the case of the diabetic, this sugar (glucose) overwhelms the ability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to handle the load.

In some cases the pancreas just shuts down insulin production (Type 1 Diabetes). With others–it can’t produce enough insulin and it must be supplemented by injections (Type 2 Diabetes).

It has taken a very long time for medical science to realize that drugs and insulin shots are not treating the disease-they are merely treating the symptoms.

New discoveries, and thousands of diabetics reporting being free of the symptoms, has begun a new line of thought among the medical community. Here are four steps you can take to begin the process of reversing this dreaded disease:

Four Simple Steps Leading Back To a Normal Life

1. Reduce sugar intake. Avoid adding sugar to the foods you eat. Read the labels on the processed foods you buy. You will be amazed at the sugar content. Give your pancreas a break!

2. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates you eat every day. The things to avoid are the “white” foods like potatoes, white rice and any products manufactured from white flour like bread.

3. Add more fiber to your diet. Salads are a great source of fiber but check out the label on the salad dressing. Ideally, the safest and most beneficial dressing is made from balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Yes-olive oil is one of those “good” fats.

4. Exercise: If you can arrange it, and afford it, join a gym and work out at least three times a week. If this isn’t possible, walking briskly is a sensible substitute.

Honestly, is this really asking too much in order to return to a normal life?

Following is given a short list of some particular foods that help the person to lower down blood sugar level. Full control in blood sugar level is critical for diabetics to stay away from diabetic complications and for living a longer and healthier life. it is important that all diabetics must be aware of tips and tricks for managing the blood sugar level. The simplest way is to eat the foods that are helpful for lowering the blood glucose level.

If you wish to grasp the information about the 7 foods that are helpful in controlling the blood sugar level. Then proceed further. It is true that diabetics are not left with a broad variety to plan the diabetic meal plans however the fat is there are still many.

French beans: These are also termed kidney beans. If French beans are cooked properly they taste amazing. The beans are full of protein and fiber content. Furthermore they also contain a good quantity of complex carbohydrates. Health professionals strongly advocate French beans for lowering down blood sugar level.

Brussels sprouts: A best natural remedy for diabetics is to have the juice of Brussels sprout with an equal amount of juice of French beans. This juice works by triggering the insulin production and then by lowering level of blood glucose.

Bean Decoction: Another most effective natural remedy for diabetics is termed “Bean Decoction”. This is prepared by boiling 3 ? liter of water with 50 gm fresh beans. Then strain this mixture with a clear strainer and allow it to cool for few hours. This mixture should be drunk after every 2 hours for a period of 6 weeks at stretch. This is better to prepare this mixture daily.

Lettuce: It has been long-established by American Diabetes Association that lettuce and other foods that have lower cholesterol level help to prevent the diabetics from cardiovascular problems. The good thing about lettuce is that it is not only lower in cholesterol content but at the same time contains very small amount of carbohydrates. This combination has made this green vegetable ideal for lowering down the blood sugar level.

Tomatoes: It is another great treat of nature that can be taken by diabetics who wish to lose their weight. Tomato is not only lower in their carbohydrate content but they help the diabetics to control the amount of sugar in urine.

Soya Bean: It helps to put a check on the level of blood sugar. It regulates the level of glucose in the urine of diabetics. It is again a vegetable that is low in carbohydrate but high in protein content.

Onion: Onion is good for diabetics. It helps in lowering down the level of blood glucose in diabetics. The researches have revealed that onion has an antidiabetic compound. This component of onion is very much similar to the compounds that are used nowadays for the manufacturing of insulin.

These fruits and vegetables are helpful for controlling and maintaining the level of blood sugar.

The exact causes of diabetes are not known, but there are several things that can put you at risk or make you more likely to develop one of the types of diabetes. These risk factors depend on which type of diabetes is in question. There are two main types of diabetes, Type I and Type II, but there is also another type of diabetes, called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes can develop in women that are pregnant, and often goes away after the baby is born.

Type I diabetes was once called juvenile onset diabetes. In Type I diabetics, your pancreas produces no insulin, which requires you to take insulin shots to help control your blood sugar levels. Type I diabetics may have a genetic link, meaning it may be hereditary or passed on to you by family members. While not everyone with Type I diabetes has family members with a history of this disease, people with this history in the family are more likely to develop it themselves.

Type II diabetes is different. In Type II diabetics, the pancreas is producing insulin the body is just unable to respond to it normally or process it. Type II diabetes can develop at any time, and its risk factors are much more clear a history of being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eat habits, aging, a history of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and your genetics and family history. To avoid developing Type II diabetes, you can up your amount of daily exercise. Exercising both helps you maintain a healthy weight and improve your body’s ability to process and respond to insulin. You can also improve your diet by eating more fruits and vegetables and other foods that are low in fat. Lowering your cholesterol will also help.

Diabetes is among the most difficult conditions to manage. Caused by a defect in insulin production, either the absence or inadequacy of it, this condition poses a lot of risks and is known to lead to many different complications all detrimental to one’s health. All are aware that when one suffers from diabetes, they most likely are prone, or may already have existing foot problems. Why a diabetic easily develops foot problems is due to the conditions manifested by the disease itself. Though diabetes is characterized by other symptoms as well like very high blood sugar levels, excessive thirst and increased urination, poor circulation and neuropathy are the very culprits leading thousands of diabetics every year to permanent loss of limbs.

As the peripheral nervous system is responsible for the transmission of information from the brain to the peripheries, at the same time sending back sensory from the peripheries to the brain, any damage to it would interfere with all these connections. This is very common in diabetes. When that happens, any injury to the feet is not easily recognized by the brain, leaving them untreated for a long period of time. Eventually, infections would develop leading to complications. Poor circulation is caused by the disease’s tendency to harden and block the arteries, limiting transport of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body. The extremities become the most deprived areas when circulation is not good. Poor circulation slows down healing and even none at all. The lack of circulating blood reaching the injuries leads to gangrene, or death of tissues, which would have to eventually require amputation.

Sure there are treatments for diabetes available around. But like any other condition, preventing complications from ever occurring in the first place is always the best approach. In diabetes, when medication is required, taking it as scheduled is important. Regular blood sugar checks as well as other preventive measures advised by the physician should be strictly followed. Foot problems are most prevented by protecting your feet from any forms of injury. There are many socks intended for diabetics made available for those with the condition. Socks intended for peripheral neuropathy, which is as easily available, is best for diabetics. They are made with the most ideal fit to provide utmost comfort and relief from pressure. Materials are well chosen for these kinds of socks to provide needed warmth for colder climates.

Complex carbohydrates, also known as starches, may not be as healthy for diabetics as previously thought. Emerging research is challenging the conventional wisdom that complex carbs have minimal effects on blood sugar and, as a result, are diabetic-friendly.

Experts now agree that both types of carbohydrates, simple and complex, have similar effects on blood sugar levels. Traditionally, experts attributed the length of a carbohydrate to its complexity…the longer it is, the more complex it is, and the less effect it has on blood sugar levels.

Emerging Research Reveals a Different Story

Advancements in screening tests for diabetes, fasting insulin and insulin tolerance testing, demonstrate that some long-chained carbohydrates can significantly effect blood sugar levels. So what else determines the complexity of carbohydrates and, ultimately, their effect on blood sugar?

This is really important to figure out. Improving sugar metabolism (and preventing sugar spikes after meals) defines one of the diabetic diet guidelines that helps to optimize control.

It turns out that the overall shape, not just length, determines carbohydrate complexity. The more “bulky” the carb, the more complex. What makes it bulky?

A carbohydrate with several small fibrous side-chains attached to its main structure makes it bulky, or complex. The fibrous side-chains make it very difficult to digest the carbohydrate. It takes your body a long time to degrade the complex carbohydrate into glucose…the main fuel source for humans.

What You Need to Know

The longer it takes for a carbohydrate to digest, the less effect it has on blood sugar levels. Diabetic-friendly complex carbohydrates are long, bulky and full of fiber!

We have put together an up-to-date list of diabetic-friendly carbohydrates. The three categories are:

1. Good Carbs = High in fiber, minimal effect on glucose, 35-40 grams per day

2. Bad Carbs = Moderate fiber, moderate effect on glucose, >10 grams per day

3. Ugly Carbs = Low fiber, significant effect on glucose, 0 grams per day (do not eat)

According to the online edition of Time Magazine, the November 27, 2009 edition, researchers at the University of Chicago estimate that the number of diabetic Americans will double in the next 25 years.

Currently, 23.7 million Americans are diabetic. This number is expected to rise to somewhere near 44.1 million by 2034. Medical and pharmaceutical costs are expected to triple from the current $113 billion to somewhere near $336 billion. Researchers caution that these estimates may be too conservative. University of Chicago researchers say the figures they published in the December 2009 issue of Diabetic Care are estimated, based on current obesity levels remaining fairly constant over the next 30 years. The study authors based their figures on the obesity trends coming into a plateau, then declining by 2033. If research estimates are inaccurate the number of cases and their resulting costs could escalate.

Past estimates grossly underestimated how fast the surge in new diabetic cases would grow. Researching is showing a growing correlation between obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. If the trend continues, we will have a health crisis on our hand of mammoth proportions. Currently, there are two million American who weigh over 500 pounds.

It is curious how such alarming numbers come about because Diabetes is one of the most easily preventable chronic diseases. Unfortunately, we eat too much of the wrong foods, we get too little exercise and sleep and we do not manage stress well.

Until each of us is motivated to look after our own health and eat in a more sensible way, we will become a nation of diabetics or those waiting to become one.

Influenza is more dangerous for diabetics than it is for others. Why is this so? Any kind of sickness raises blood-sugar levels in diabetics. In fact, an Illness can prevent a diabetic from eating properly, which further affects blood-glucose levels. Diabetes compromises the immune system by causing people to become more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu, (Centers for Disease Control (CDC)). Diabetics who contract the flu usually get very sick, a lot sicker than other people who get the flu. In many cases, diabetics with the flu end up in the hospital.

People with diabetes can help keep themselves safe from the flu by getting a flu shot yearly, provided that they are not allergic to it, like many people are. The flu is definitely not good for everyone. Many people complain of getting sick after taking the flu shot. However, for the most part, it is very good in preventing the flu. It is recommended that everyone with diabetes, even pregnant women, should get a yearly flu shot, and the best time to get one is in October or mid-November before the flu season begins, (CDC).

According to the CDC, if one has diabetes, a flu shot can be the difference between life and death. In addition to the influenza vaccine, diabetics should also get the pneumococcal vaccine along with the Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) Toxoid vaccine. All measures should be taken to stay as safe as possible from infections.

There are some important measures one can take to avoid getting sick. Washing hands regularly is a very good practice in stopping the spread of influenza and other infections. One should avoid contact with sick people. Influenza for example is thought to spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with infected people. If one is feeling under the weather, the CDC recommends that one should stay home from work or school to limit contact with others to keep them from getting sick also.

Regardless of the circumstances, diabetics should continue taking their medications (pills or insulin), even if they cannot eat while sick with the flu. Health care providers may at times advise diabetic patients to take more insulin during sickness, depending on the situation, (CDC).

Very close supervision should be employed by diabetics when they are experiencing any form of sickness. Here are some critical steps to follow in the case of illness: test blood-glucose levels every hour–all results should be recorded and monitored; drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat normally; if eating normally isn’t possible, eat soft foods and liquids containing the same amount of carbohydrates one normally consumes; weigh oneself every day-losing weight without effort could be a sign of high blood-glucose; and check body temperature every morning and evening–an onset of fever could be a sign of infection, (CDC).

One should call her or his health care provider or go to the emergency room if any of the following occurs: feeling too sick to eat normally-unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours; episodes of severe diarrhea; losing 5 pounds or more; body temperature is over 101 degrees F; blood-glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL; experience moderate or large amounts of ketones in urine; feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly; and having trouble breathing, (CDC).

Diabetics have to be extra careful when it comes to the flu because diabetes itself compromises the immune system of diabetics. Therefore, prevention of the flu is the best medicine. Although the flu shot doesn’t agree with everyone, it is still the most effective remedy against the flu. So, all efforts should be made in getting a flu shot every year.

Please visit the CDC for more information on diabetes and influenza.

If weight loss is essential for people who are obese, it is more so for those affected by diabetes. And if a person is obese and has diabetes at the same time, then weight loss becomes mandatory. If you are obese or have diabetes or suffer from both conditions, you need to follow a program to burn stomach fat at a faster pace. If you had already made an attempt to lose weight and had failed, you can try some of the sure fire methods outlined below to lose weight naturally as well as in a more consistent manner:

? First of all, consult with your physician or dietitian before attempting to follow any program. With their assistance, set a short-term goal which would be easy for you to achieve. Attempt to lose 5% of your weight initially. Setting small goals and achieving them would motivate you and help you stick to the program.

? Start following a physical exercise program recommended by your physician. Physical exercise increases your body’s metabolism and helps you to lose more weight quickly. If working out at the gym or outdoors is difficult for you, you can use your backyard to do your workouts. Once exercise becomes a part of your daily routine, you will feel awful even if you skip a single day.

? Avoid all junk food and stick to a healthy diet prescribed by your physician or dietitian. This would really help you to burn stomach fat faster. The diet would also go a long way in treating your diabetes as well.

? A good night’s sleep is also extremely important for your body when it is losing weight. Going to bed early will help your body to get adequate rest. You can also wake up fresh the next morning and follow your daily exercise routine to burn stomach fat. On the other hand, going to bed late or cutting down on sleep can lead to more health problems.

Once your body and mind become accustomed to the idea of living a healthy lifestyle by exercising daily to burn stomach fat and following a healthy diet to combat your diabetes, you will begin to start losing weight in a more consistent manner, which is one of the safest methods for people suffering from diabetes.

When people with type 2 diabetes are advised on how to control their diabetes… the type of food they eat and the amount of exercise they should do each week, predominates in the conversation. Up until now sleep is usually not mentioned but according to research, sleep might be another important factor.

A study at the University of Chicago looked at sleep and glucose tolerance in eleven non-diabetic people, average age 40, who were overweight and under-exercised. They averaged slightly less than eight hours of sleep each night.

• for fourteen nights they were allowed to sleep for eight and a half hours, and
• for fourteen nights they were allowed to sleep only five and a half hours
• no exercise was permitted, and
• junk food was provided

During the two weeks of being sleep deprived, the volunteers had higher blood sugar levels and showed less sensitivity to insulin.

Another study at the same institution found similar results in younger, leaner volunteers. Nine people between the ages of 21 and 30 were allowed to sleep for eight and half hours for three nights in the lab. When the subjects went into deep sleep, sound was used to make them sleep more lightly. A glucose tolerance test was given and blood insulin levels were measured. It was found that sensitivity to insulin decreased by 25 per cent. In eight of the subjects, insulin production did not increase, causing their blood sugars to rise by 23 per cent.

Sleep apnea, or stoppage of breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep, is common among diabetics. About 40% of men with type 2 diabetes also suffer sleep apnea, and that number goes up to 61 per cent for men over 65.

Lack of sleep or at least deep sleep, may cause imbalances in substances like catecholamines and the hormone cortisol in your body. Catecholamines and cortisol prepare your body for the ‘fight or flight’ response, and one way they do this is by raising the blood sugar level. This is one possible mechanism for a connection between lack of quality sleep and type 2 diabetes.

Like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea is a disorder that people who have it, often don’t recognize.

Symptoms include:

• tiredness
• waking up tired
• lack of energy
• headaches, and
• falling asleep without trying to, such as when reading or watching television.

A lack of quality sleep places you at an increased risk of several health problems. If you are type 2 diabetic it will make weight loss and control of your blood sugar levels much more difficult. Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis makes your body less sensitive to insulin which puts you at an increased risk of weight gain.