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Alternative Answers: Demystifying Diabetes
Diabetes is the result of a metabolic disorder in which blood sugar
(glucose) levels are above normal. A fasting blood sugar test
measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after you fast
for eight hours. Your fasting blood sugar is normal if it's 70 mg/dL
to 100 mg/dL.
If your fasting blood sugar is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you may have
prediabetes.
A fasting blood sugar value by itself doesn't help distinguish
between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But a fasting blood glucose of
126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with either type 1 or type 2
diabetes when accompanied by classic symptoms of diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst or hunger, frequent
urination, weight loss or blurred vision. Your doctor may repeat this
and other tests on a different day to confirm their diagnosis.
Complications from diabetes include serious heart complications, loss
of limb, kidney failure and blindness.
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is an inherited disorder of
metabolism that comes in two distinct forms: type I (juvenile-onset)
and type II (adult-onset).
Type I (juvenile-onset) begins in childhood or adolescence, is more
severe, requires regular injections of insulin to prevent death, and
is an autoimmune disorder. The goal of juvenile-onset diabetics
should be to reduce their insulin requirement to a minimum while
maintaining the best possible health, especially of the
cardiovascular system, through attention to diet, exercise, and
stress reduction.
Type II (adult-onset) older adults, is less severe, not autoimmune in
origin, and often can be controlled by maintaining normal weight and
eating sensibly or by taking oral medication. The goal of adult-onset
diabetics should be to avoid insulin shots and other prescribed
medication altogether, keeping the disease in control by adhering to
a healthy lifestyle.
Insulin-dependent diabetics are not as likely to be able to get off
insulin completely and should never attempt to do so on their own,
although they may be able to reduce their insulin requirement through
natural therapies and lifestyle modification.
Insulin is produced in the Islets of Langerhans (in the pancreas) and
is a polypeptide hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.
Apart from being the primary effector in carbohydrate homeostasis, it
has effects on fat metabolism. It can change the liver's ability to
release fat stores. Insulin's concentration (more or less, presence
or absence) has extremely widespread effects throughout the body.
Insulin is used medically in some forms of diabetes mellitus.
Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus depend on exogenous insulin
(commonly injected subcutaneously) for their survival because of an
absolute deficiency of the hormone. Patients with type 2 diabetes
mellitus have either relatively low insulin production or insulin
resistance or both, and a small fraction of type 2 diabetics
eventually require insulin when other medications become inadequate
in controlling blood glucose levels.
Diabetes Facts
1. Diabetes affects millions and millions of people in the United
States according to the American Diabetes Association.
2. Heart Disease is the leading cause of diabetes - related deaths.
3. Approximately 73% of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure
and or use prescription medications for hypertension.
4. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among
adults 20 - 74 years old.
5. Nutrition can play a vital role in people with diabetes,
especially for those with adult onset diabetes ( type 2 diabetes).
6. Mexican-Americans are almost twice as likely and non-Hispanic
blacks are almost 50% more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy as
non-Hispanic whites.
7. About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms
of nerve system damage.
8. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations occur in
people with diabetes.
9. In 2002, 44,400 people with diabetes began treatment for end-stage
renal disease.
10. A total of 153,730 people where living on chronic dialysis or
with a kidney transplant.
The Glycemic Index
Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave
quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes
this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on
our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs - the ones that
produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin
levels - is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of
heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.
Glycemic Index Range
Low GI = 55 or less
Medium GI = 56 - 69
High GI = 70 or more
Glycemic Load Range
Low GL = 10 or less
Medium GL = 11- 19
High GL = 20 or more
Glycemic Load Per Day
Low GL < 80
High GL > 120
Foods with a high GI score contain rapidly digested carbohydrate,
which produces a large rapid rise and fall in the level of blood
glucose (this is not good). In contrast, foods with a low GI score
contain slowly digested carbohydrate, which produces a gradual,
relatively low rise in the level of blood glucose (this is good).
Managing Your Diabetes
Body awareness is very important in managing diabetes. See you doctor
regularly. Signs and symptoms can arise that may seem completely
unrelated, when in fact they could be. Do not allow your pride or ego
to get in the way of your physical health.
1. Proper eye care should be maintained. If any changes in vision,
sudden loss, dizziness, blurring or pain in or around the eyes occur,
see your doctor right away. Retinopathy, eye infections and blindness
are more common in diabetics. Eye Exam: Dilated eye exam - yearly.
2. Thyroid problems are more common with diabetes. Tell you doctor if
swelling or pain around the neck or throat occur.
3. Lung infections, pneumonia and influenza are more common in
diabetics. If you are a smoker, quit now!
4. Heart disease is a major cause of death in diabetics. Tell your
doctor if you are experiencing weakness, shortness of breath,
swelling, dizziness, palpitations, or other sensations in the chest.
Blood pressure: each regular diabetes visit.
5. Bladder infections and other bladder issues can be due to
complications from diabetes. Urine Test: Microalbumin measurement -
yearly (based on the HEDIS Diabetes Criteria).
6. Kidney failure is the lead cause of death among diabetics.
Nephropathy is caused by blood vessel damage, which disrupts the
kidney's filtering system. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce
the risk.
7. Foot care is most important. Exam you feet daily. Notify your
doctor if you have ANY signs of tingling, sticking, sharp, stabbing
or dull pain. Also if you have unexplained pain, spots or loss of
normal sensation. Neuropathy or nerve damage is a particular trait of
diabetes. Problems can often occur at the big toe. Foot ulcers, if
left untreated, can infect the bone and lead to amputation. Foot
Exam: Check feet at each regular diabetes visit Comprehensive foot
exam - at least yearly (more often in patients with high risk foot
conditions).
8. Loss of sexual function. High blood pressure, heart disease and
issues of circulation can effect nerves. Damage can occur, which can
inhibit orgasm. Infection, vaginal dryness in women or erectile
dysfunction in men can all be complications from diabetes.
9. Peripheral nerve damage can occur anywhere, but particularly at
the joints and extremities.
10. Take your readings as much as possible! Keep a watch on
hemoglobin A1c and blood fats to see if eating more sweets leads
these number on an unhealthy up swing. There are three distinctly
different times of day to consider testing blood sugars. First thing
in the morning, before meals, and after meal blood sugar numbers can
each reveal a wealth of information to help solve the mystery of
blood sugar numbers. Blood Test: A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) At
least 2 times a year if stable Quarterly, if treatment changes or you
are not meeting your goals.
11.Keep your blood fats in target range such as total cholesterol,
LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
12. Pay attention to good hygiene and skin care. Eat a proper balance
of nutritionally low GI foods. Weight: Each regular diabetes visit.
Most people who have diabetes know they should be testing their blood
sugar on a regular basis. However, many of them do not realize what
the numbers mean and simply go through the motions of testing.
Without realizing when to test and how important these numbers
actually are.
First thing in the morning is known as a FASTING blood sugar. It
should be taken soon after rising; before food, drink, exercise, or
medications of any kind.
Normal is less than 100. Goal is 70 - 115
A before meal blood sugar is known as PREPRANDIAL. This means before
lunch or before supper. At this point in your day, you've usually had
something to eat and drink, you've usually had some activity or
exercise, and you've probably taken some type of medications. All
these things can effect your blood sugar numbers. This is different
than a FASTING blood sugar test taken before breakfast, medications,
or exercise.
Normal is less than 100. Goal is 100 - 120
An after meal blood sugar is known as POSTPRANDIAL and means after a
meal. Timing is important on this reading because it should be taken
1 ½ hours to 2 hours after a meal.
Normal less than 140. Goal less than 160
For more on nutrition, natural remedies and our emotional connection,
please go to:
http://www.peacefulmind.com/diabetes.htm
Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
http://www.peacefulmind.com/diabetes.htm
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