Introduction :

This article is mainly intended to make the reader understand what diabetes is, what causes diabetes, the diagnosis, the signs and symptoms, the types and the treatment to help the reader remove his worst fears about this disorder.

So What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the elevated blood sugar level. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or put in other words, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

What Causes Diabetes?

Diabetes is basically a genetic disorder influenced by environmental factors such as obesity, lack of exercises and stress which may trigger the disease in predisposed individuals. Heredity is also one of the main reasons.

Signs and Symptoms :

Diabetes can appear with or without symptoms. The most common symptoms are increase in frequency in urine(poly urea), increase in thirst(polydypsia), giddiness, weakness, delayed wound healing and unexplained weight Loss.

Diagnosis :

Diabetes is diagnosed by a simple blood test for the presence of excess sugar. The blood sugar is measured in milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL which is the standard measuring unit. Any blood sugar reading that is 126 mg/dL, or higher is considered a diabetes diagnosis. If your reading is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you will be categorized as prediabetes with Type2 in future unless you can reverse the direction.

Typical Glucose or Blood Sugar Level

- Fasting Blood Sugar: 70-99mg/dL

- 2 hours after eating(Post Prandial) : 70-145mg/dL

- Random(casual): 70-125mg/dL

Types of Diabetes :

There are three types of diabetes: Type1, Type2 and Gestational diabetes. Type1 diabetes is also known as insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. It is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. Type2 diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent

Diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. Gestinal diabetes occurs in pregnant woman(most commonly 24th to 28th week of gestation), but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over, Women who have had gestinal diabetes are at the increased risk of later developing Type2 diabetes.

Effects of Diabetes :

Diabetes can damage body vessels and nerves and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection.That is why it leads to all sort of complications. Diabetes can contribute to eye disorder and blindness, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and nerve damage.

Treatment :

First and foremost, you should consult a doctor as soon you find one of these symptoms. Depending on the type of diabetes[falling under one of the above mentioned categories] you would be prescribed a treatment. Natural diet and exercises help diabetic people to a great extent. Practising yoga is a natural way of keeping your body healthy and your mind peaceful. A life without stress and a light happy heart will help one to have good control over your body.

Conclusion :

Ok, the fact is ‘Diabetes is complex and complicated’. But it is definitely in your hands to make it ‘Simple and Keep it well under your Control’. Diabetes is a universal problem. Consult your doctor regularly and get your levels checked. Type2 diabetes is the prominent type, almost more than 80% of people have it. By maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, practicing yoga and leading a sound healthy way of life, one can even get away without medication for Type2 Diabetes!!!!

Approximately ninety to ninety-five percent of Americans with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, and the key to preventing or reversing this deadly disease is to understand the presenting signs and symptoms.

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism, whereby the body cannot utilize the glucose it consumes from food. There are two types of diabetes, each having very different causes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by destruction of the pancreatic cells that produce and secrete insulin, which most often occurs in children and is not thought to be linked to diet or exercise. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and is directly linked to obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. We are more focused on diabetes type 2 here because it is controllable through proper diet and exercise.

Some of the warning signs of diabetes include fatigue, increased hunger, unexplained weight-loss, and frequent urination. These early warning signs should raise a red flag and warrant seeking medical attention.

There are serious complications that can result from this disease, and even though you may not have the early warning signs, it is important to be aware and seek regular check-ups, especially if you are overweight, eat a poor diet, and do not exercise.

Some of the complications of diabetes include:

1. Nerve damage, which causes tingling and numbing of the hands and feet. This may lead to the development of infections and amputation.

2. Eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and even loss of vision.

3. Skin infections are more common when diabetes is present.

4. High blood pressure, which may cause strokes.

5. Cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in America

6. Kidney failure, which is also a deadly and very miserable condition.

If you already have diabetes or have risk factors for it’s development, it is important to realize that this disease can be controlled, eliminated, or prevented by taking a few important steps.

Here are some important steps that you should adopt in order to prevent and even control diabetes:

1. Exercise for at least half an hour each day.

2. Lose weight.

3. Avoid trans fats, which are also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

4. Avoid simple sugars as well as refined white flour.

5. Eat plenty of fiber every day.

6. Do not smoke, and if you already do, please try to quit.

7. Limit alcohol intake.

8. Educate yourself, because education is your best tool in your quest for health and wellness.

For much more information on preventing diabetes and many other life-threatening illnesses, please visit www.ultimatefatloss.org/-Get_Ripped__Book.html. Here you will find information that will help you prevent illness and live a long and healthy life.

Diabetes is known as one of the “silent killer” diseases. Over 23 million people in the United States have diabetes; only about three quarters of them know they have the disease. The other six million sufferers go undiagnosed until symptoms of the disease become serious. When the disease is just beginning signs of diabetes seem harmless; the sufferer does not seek medical advice, the disease progresses and the symptoms continue untreated.

The early symptoms of diabetes are normally very mild and are often overlooked. Many people who have the symptoms put off seeking medical attention because they feel the symptoms are too trivial to warrant medical treatment. Other people have a hectic lifestyle and put up with the symptoms because they find it difficult to make time to go for medical tests.

The tell-tale beginning signs of diabetes are as follows:

Increased frequency of urination

A need to urinate much more frequently than normal is often the first sign the diabetes sufferer will notice. This symptom might seem like nothing more than an inconvenience. It should, however, be taken seriously as it is caused by the kidneys having to work overtime to filter the blood when it contains high levels of sugar.

Excessive thirst

A need to drink unusually large quantities of liquid is another early sign of diabetes that seems trivial, but it is caused by the body’s need to take in extra fluid to balance the loss caused by the increased kidney activity.

Extreme hunger

An unusual increase in hunger does not seem serious but it is caused by lack of insulin in the body. The energy levels drop and the body gives out hunger signals because it needs food to restore the energy levels to normal.

Unexplained weight loss

Many people welcome weight loss but, if it occurs suddenly and is not associated with deliberate attempts to lose weight, it should be taken as a sign that something is wrong. A medical check up is always advisable in cases of unexplained weight loss.

Feeling unusually fatigued

Feelings of fatigue occur when there is insufficient insulin in the body to efficiently absorb sugar into the blood, the body’s energy levels drop and feelings of tiredness afflict the sufferer.

Feeling uncharacteristically irritable

Irritability is caused by the presence of low energy levels in the body. The sufferer feels sluggish and normal activities become a challenge. Depression is often experienced alongside the irritability.

Blurry vision

Blurred vision or any other unusual disturbances to the vision should always be investigated immediately. If the problem is caused by swelling of the eyes’ lenses, it could cause blindness.

Type 2 diabetes can cause a lot of health complications if it goes on unchecked. Without treatment, type 2 diabetes can be fatal due to the complications that arise from it. So a speedy diagnosis is of utmost importance here. However, sometimes the patient is ignorant of the symptoms of diabetes. Hence they go on without check ups until things get really bad for them. This should be avoided at all costs. This is why it is important to know the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

The possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes caused by high blood sugar level are as follows: -

* Increased hunger (especially just after you have finished eating).

* Increased thirst.

* Mouth drying out inexplicably.

* Urination occurring frequently.

* Unexplained weight loss, even though you have a good appetite and are feeling hungry as you normally do.

* Fatigue. You feel tired very easily, you feel weak.

* Your vision keeps blurring.

* You get unexplained headaches.

* You lose consciousness (this a rare thing to happen but it does happen).

If you think that you have any of these symptoms, you must contact your health care professional at once. This is a disease that is not to be trifled with. You will be putting yourself at a great amount of risk if you choose to ignore the symptoms.

If you are unsure about your symptoms, you should still consult your health care specialist. He will be able to explain to you the exact nature of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

The main problem with type 2 diabetes is that the symptoms either do not show up at all or they develop so gradually that the person cannot tell that it is happening. This is why it is said that many people who have type 2 diabetes do not even know they have it. This is what makes it all the more important to go in for a check up even if all you have are faint suspicions. In most cases, diabetes is only diagnosed when the symptoms show themselves fully. By this time, the disease has already progressed to an advanced stage. So catching it earlier on would be a huge advantage in your favor.

Here are the other symptoms that people suffering from type 2 diabetes might develop: -

* Cuts and sores take longer to heal.

* Person develops itchy skin, especially in the area surrounding the genitals.

* Yeast infections become more frequent. This is actually a direct result of the higher blood sugar level - yeast love sugar.

* Weight gain (yes, it contradicts the earlier list but it happens).

* Acanthosis nigricans - the skin around the neck, armpit and groin turns dark and velvety.

* Hand and feet feel numb and tingle sometimes.

* Your vision is worsened, meaning you have trouble seeing things.

* Impotency

So if you have one or more of these symptoms, it might be a good idea to get checked for type 2 diabetes.

The typical American lifestyle reads like the ADA’s list of risk factors. We’re obese and inactive. We eat foods that give us high blood glucose and high cholesterol. We stress ourselves out and raise our blood pressure. It’s not surprising, then, that there are over one and a half million people with type 2 diabetes in California alone.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of diabetes. If you find yourself experiencing them, it may be a good idea to check with your doctor.

• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability

Some people get “pre-diabetes,” a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels, but nothing high enough to diagnose as diabetes. This can still be harmful to the body, but if you are aware of the possibility, you can prevent it from ever becoming full-blown diabetes.

The best way to avoid diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels healthy now. This means eating right - plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains over Wonderbread, fish, dried beans, lean meats, diet drinks over sugar-laden ones, liquid oils over solid fats. This also means cutting back on the desserts and generally watching portion sizes. Really, it’s the wonder diet you’ve been looking for.

The other key to avoiding diabetes is lots of exercise. If you can walk instead of driving, do it. Anything that gets you moving will help, whether its running or climbing or swimming or playing tennis. If you feel that you may be at risk, talk to your doctor about safe exercise for people who may have trouble maintaining healthy glucose levels during exercise.

Diabetes has become an epidemic in America, but if we can wise up, it doesn’t have to continue to be one.

High blood sugar symptoms can be sign of diabetes, a serious condition, that - if not treated - can lead to devastating consequences to your health, including kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness, and diabetic coma.

However, the most common symptom of high blood sugar is having no symptoms at all! Which is why many people are living with diabetes without knowing about it!

Because of this fact, it’s very important that you test your blood glucose levels on a regular basis using a blood glucose analyzer and also to be aware of the following high blood sugar symptoms.

But first, let me explain what it means to have “high blood sugar” or hyperglycemia. One is considered to have hyperglycemia, when one’s blood glucose level elevates and stays elevated above the normal levels. Normal glucose levels are between 70 and 150 mg/dL. Levels typically are lower in the morning, when you wake up after a whole night of fasting, and increase after meals.

Levels rising consistently above 150 mg/dL are indicative of hyperglycemia.

If your blood glucose level is too high, you may experience the following symptoms:

- Increased thirst- it seams that you are always thirsty

- Frequent urination - you constantly have to go to the bathroom

- Dry mouth

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Shortness of breath

- Extreme fatigue, feeling weak and tired

- Difficulty concentrating

- Blurred vision

- Slower healing of wounds

- Unexplained weight loss

- Frequent yeast infections

- Blood sugar higher than 180 mg/dL

It is important to know that not everyone with high blood glucose levels will experience the exact same symptoms. If your symptoms are not severe, you may feel normal and not think that may you have high blood sugar. Also, your symptoms can be very mild or develop at an extremely slow pace. Some people do not experience any symptoms at all. That is why it is important to pay attention to your body, and have blood sugar levels checked periodically.

The good news is that while diabetes is a serious and potentially devastating disease, it is also highly preventable. Even if you already have it, you can control the symptoms or reverse the disease entirely, with a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Because diabetes is caused mainly by poor diet choices, lack of or insufficient physical activity, and stress; simply by improving your diet, exercising, and eliminating stress from your life, can have a profound effect for your health!