Sometimes we just take it for granted when we have an instance of blurred vision. Being very busy as we are, we tend to dismiss such episode as maybe due to eye strain arising from spending too much time in front of the television or the computer. For adults, one should not rule out the emergence of diabetes when confronted with this episode. Diabetes is a very common but grave metabolic disorder that people generally take very lightly.

Many people who take diabetes lightly are not aware of the complications that diabetes can cause to a person. If you study carefully the complications, you will find that damage to the blood vessel is the main starting point for the complications. As the complications involve various important organs, people tend to equate these with the specific organs but actually it mainly involves the blood vessel. If diabetes is not properly controlled, gradually it will damage the eyes, kidneys, heart and the limbs. Aside the damage to the blood vessels, diabetes can also cause havoc to the nerves.

The diabetic complication that involves vision initially presents itself as blurred vision. This is a critical stage because the high blood sugar levels will cause the fluid to be drawn out from the eye cells. When this happens, the lenses will be affected and thus vision becomes blurred,.

With further attack by diabetes, the blood vessels nourishing the retina becomes affected.? When you have a long term damage to these blood vessels, diabetic retinopathy develops resulting in blindness. In such cases about 2% of the people inflicted become blind after 15years of diabetes while about 10% of these diabetics live with severe visual impairment.

It is thus very critical for everyone to be aware of the complications of diabetes, and an early detection and control of this metabolic disorder will save?lives.

Foods for diabetics are really not any different from what the standard HEALTHY diet should be. In an ideal world, everyone would be eating a healthy, plant-based diet, and enjoy their good health into the old age.

However, the reality is that what most of us are eating today cannot in any way be described as healthy. And the results are devastating. Obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes - all these disorders are the direct result of our food and life-style choices.

Foods that should be eaten include generous amounts of fresh vegetables eaten mostly raw or lightly cooked, fresh, raw fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Animal protein, such as meats, fish, dairy, eggs - should be consumed in limited amounts only once or two times a week. All animal foods are rich in fat and protein and deficient in fiber and the antioxidant nutrients that protect against heart disease and cancer.

Various studies of populations eating about 30% of calories from fat (this is the current recommendation of both USDA and ADA - American Diabetes Association), demonstrate that such populations have higher incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases than populations that consume less than 15% of calories from fat, in which diabetes and heart disease are virtually nonexistent.

Diet high in fat contributes to diabetes, because fat interferes with absorption of sugar from the bloodstream into cells. Diet high in protein is risky for diabetics because such diet puts too much stress on kidneys, speeding up the progression of kidney failure.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 then I know that you have heard all about your blood glucose and how important it is to keep it normal, but you need to know what is your target blood glucose level.

You should be given a target glucose number by your doctor. If you keep your blood sugar within the target range this will keep you healthy and prevent the complications from diabetes.

Target Blood Glucose before meals should be in the range of 70 to 130.

Target Blood Glucose one to two hours after meals should be less than 180.

Once you talk to your physician about your target blood sugar then keep a record of your blood levels to see how close you stay within the target range.

Once every three months your doctor will take a blood lab that is called A1C. This test will tell the doctor the average blood sugar that you have had over the past three months. This is a test that you do not want to make a high score on because the lower the better.

Average A1C of 6% = average blood glucose of 135, 7% = 170, 8% = 205, 9% = 240, 10% = 275, 11% = 310, and 12% = 345.

What is your goal for blood pressure? High blood pressure can cause damage to the kidneys, heart and blood vessels. Your physician should give you your target blood pressure. Usually 120/70 is about average. Take your medications and start a physical activity program if you have not already done so.

Watch your numbers, keep up with blood glucose and stay within the target range, and take your blood pressure as often as prescribed by your doctor. It will take planning to manage your diabetes and diet is a large part in keeping your glucose within the target range and losing weight.

There are those who have started a diabetic meal plan and lost 20 to 30 pounds and have actually been able to stop taking some of their medications.

What causes high blood sugar? This is a reasonable question for any parent of a child that has diabetes. High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high levels may be caused by missed oral diabetes medicine or insulin injection, eating too much, skipping physical activity, or illness or stress. Unfortunately the rapid growth during the teen years can make it more difficult to keep your child’s? levels within a target range.

High readings tends to develop slowly, typically over a period of hours or days. However, if you eat a large meal or miss an insulin dose it can develop quickly (typically in just a few hours). Slightly elevated blood sugar levels may make a person feel tired and thirsty. Unfortunately your child’s body will adjust to having elevated levels. Continued high? levels will cause damage to the eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves. Dehydration can easily occur if your child’s blood sugar continues to rise as his or her kidneys will increase the amount of urine produced. This is quite dangerous because if your child becomes severely dehydrated, he or she can go into a coma and possibly die.

Unless you or your child fails to notice the symptoms, you usually have time to treat high blood sugar so that it doesn’t become an emergency situation. Three steps can help you prevent high blood sugar problems:

• Test your child’s levels often, especially during illnesses or when he or she is not following a normal routine. Not every child has the typical symptoms of high blood sugar, which are fatigue and increased thirst and urination.
• Notify the doctor if your child has frequent high readings or the? level is consistently staying above the target range. Your physician may need to adjust the medicine or insulin dosage.
• Encourage your child to drink extra water or non-caffeinated, sugar-free drinks to prevent dehydration.

To explain is a simple way Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which the body is not producing insulin sufficiently or at all.

This is how there can be found excess amounts of sugar in the blood and in the urine. The main harm can happen to organs such as the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, and heart. These organs, once defected by the lack of sugar might complicate patient’s heath and even risk life.

There is no known cure to diabetes yet there are a few proven treatments to it. The initial symptoms might be a feeling of hunger, thirst and excessive urination.

Once the patient is diagnosed with diabetes there are many methods proven to be able to keep the condition stable and the preserve the patient’s well being.

Diabetes Nutrition Tips

• The main treatment for diabetes is a balanced diet. The basic idea is to control the amount of sweet foods the patient is having and stick to a healthy balanced diet. It is not true that no sugar should be eaten. This is an ancient myth.
• Another important factor for controlling diabetes symptoms would be regular exercise.
• Working together with your doctor you should be able to plan a diet.that would be personalized for you, your taste and preferences.
• Yes, you can include sugar in your diet, but make sure it is as a part of a well planed diet. You can include carbohydrates that are found in foods such as breads, and of course have plenty of dairy foods, vegetables and fruit.
• Fresh foods should be always preferred, whether you are diabetic or not. Avoiding processed food and canned foods is a good idea for everyone.
• Finally, don’t attempt to make your own decisions regarding the diet you’d like to have for your diabetes. Speak to your doctor first

You’ve probably heard this time and time again - take care of your body, and your body will take care of you. Here are my 10 daily essentials for a healthier you:

1. Blood sugar testing. Out of control blood sugar can have a damaging affect on your body. It is very important to test your blood sugar at varying times each day to see how your routine (meals, activity, medication, sleep, etc.) affects your blood glucose levels.
2. Keep a log to know your patterns. Keeping track of your blood sugar results in a logbook or downloading it on your computer allows you (and your doctor or nurse) to see your glucose patterns. Make testing count! Consider tracking your meals, exercise activities, and even your stress levels.
3. Treat possible low blood sugars with glucose tablets. Always have glucose tablets ready should you experience low blood sugar. You don’t want to put yourself in danger with a low blood sugar that can’t be treated immediately.
4. Blood pressure self-monitoring. Controlling blood pressure protects your heart and your kidneys - two possible complications of diabetes. There are affordable and convenient BP monitors which allow you to measure your blood pressure at the best, most convenient times.
5. Feet TLC. With diabetes, you may lose some feeling in your feet and wounds may heal more slowly. You need to check them each day for cuts or any other kind of wound. To give your feet tender loving care, I recommend that you keep these foot care items handy:
   • Telescopic mirror to examine your feet.
   • Moisturizing foot cream to prevent dryness and cracking. (Look for a medicated foot cream if you are experiencing foot pain.)
   • Sensory test kit that you can self administer to test sensation in your feet.
6. Watch out for wounds. With diabetes, wounds heal more slowly so be careful and be alert of any cuts, scrapes, blisters, or other wounds that are not healing properly. If so, don’t delay, see your doctor!
7. Teeth TLC. Due to the high blood sugar, there is bacteria overgrowth, tartar and plaque build-up that exceeds what a person without diabetes would produce. A proper Teeth TLC program includes brushing, flossing, rinsing and having check-ups at the dentist and/or periodontist.
8. Body TLC. Try to weigh yourself daily with a regular scale or a body fat scale. Be active every day - including exercise (if your doctor approves). Think of using a pedometer to count the steps you are taking. Consider using a heart monitor to gauge yourself and make sure you are working your body in your target range. Example: 220 minus your age x 60% (low end) to 85% (maximum heart rate).
9. Snacking. Keep your blood sugar as even as you can! Try to avoid fluctuating glucose levels by eating every 3-4 hours. If that’s difficult, try carrying “diabetes-friendly bars or shakes” like Extend? or Glucerna?. They come in various flavors and taste great!
10. Be Stress-Less. I love giving this advice. Watch a funny movie. Play a game. Do anything that takes you away from daily stress. Stress may affect your blood sugar and your health in general. Take time for yourself - you’re worth it!

Although you don’t need to incorporate the following in your daily routine, they are important to taking the best care of YOU!

• A1c home test. An A1c test measures the Average Blood Glucose (ABG) in the body over the previous 90-120 days.
• Fresh glucose control solution. Be sure you are using up to date glucose control solution (It expires 3 months after opening).
• Sick days “care kit.” Be ready to take extra special care of yourself with a sick day kit which includes ketone test strips (primarily for Type 1 diabetes), thermometer, sugar free/alcohol free cough syrup and/or cough drops, sugar-free versions of over-the-counter remedies and products, regular and sugar-free soda and Jell-O?, unsweetened applesauce, soup, and crackers.

Exercise is part of the treatment for diabetes and you probably already know this, but do you know how important it is in preventing heart attacks and strokes. It even improves your mood. Exercise will lower your blood glucose level which helps control the damage caused by it.

The oxygen used by your body when exercising will make your muscles use more glucose and this will lower your blood glucose level and improve your insulin sensitivity.

Lower insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics is compounded from lack of physical activity. A proper exercise program will add years to your good health.

A person that does a regular exercise routine will have more muscle mass which burns more calories for keeping off unwanted weight. It improves circulation in the legs where diabetics get many problems.

Exercise will help lower your blood pressure and may prevent a stroke. Lower blood pressure will also make it easier for your kidneys to remove excess sugar from your blood.

Keeping fit will change your whole outlook on many things like doing more outdoor activities. Fresh air and sunlight helps to keep you in a better mood.

Do not just depend of medicine for controlling your diabetes, get a bicycle, buy some walking shoes, and whatever else interests you for physical activities. This type of exercise is good for the body and the mind. Group activities like camping or softball will keep you away from your TV and couch, so they have to be good for you.

A good picnic lunch included with all of this and you are set to go.

Hyperglycemia is a condition in which the blood plasma contains too much sugar. Many of us don’t know the normal range for blood glucose levels. In fact, many of us don’t know that we have high blood sugar until we are already experiencing symptoms. Some of us don’t find out until it is too late.

A high blood glucose level is anything above 180. You might not notice any symptoms until you reach 270 and above. After you reach these levels you can experience a number of different health problems. If you don’t know what these numbers mean, you aren’t alone. Blood sugar levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter.

Moreover, blood sugar rates vary depending upon the time of day, what you have eaten, and when you last ate. Still, a normal range for a healthy person who took a fasting test would be in the 80 to 120 range. A person who tests at 126 most of the time would be considered Hyperglycemic.

Having high blood glucose levels can seriously damage your body. However, you can have high blood sugar levels without being hyperglycemic. As state before, blood sugar ranges change according to what your body is doing. However, it is when you are consistently exposed to those high levels that you start to damage yourself.

Some of the smaller symptoms may include dry mouth, and fatigue, among others. In extreme cases, you can damage your kidneys, or even end up in a coma. If you suspect that you have high levels of glucose, you should see your doctor and get tested. Knowledge is the best fight against any medical condition and this is also true for hyperglycemia.