Diabetes Blog | Diabetes Type, Treatment, & Recipes

Diabetes treatment is one health problem that has been the topics of a certain number of studies now. Past researches have provided results, and up until now, the search for other means of treatment for this disease is still on its peak.

One of the many treatments discovered is the means of alternative therapies. The following are the alternative therapies used in treating diabetes.

• Water therapy is one of these alternatives. Water is best in cleaning our body and in flushing out of toxins. It is also effective in lowering the sugar level in blood.
• Weight loss is another means recommended for diabetes. Weight has always been associated with diabetes. Weight loss in terms of exercise and proper diet are both suggested. There are also other weight loss products considered as means of alternative therapy that can help treat diabetic people.
• Supplements like chromium, magnesium, and vanadium are used to control glucose, or sugar, inside our bodies. These supplements are yet to be recommended for issues about their benefits against risks.
• A lot of plant foods are beneficial to diabetic people. Quite a good number of plant foods rich in fiber are good in controlling the glucose levels in blood. Garlic, ginger, hawthorn, and nettle are some herbs being proposed as diabetes treatment. However, these are still yet to be clinically proven. Sage, peas, buckwheat, okra, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek seeds, broccoli and other related greens are some of the plant foods found to help those with type 2 diabetes.

A lot of herbal stimulants for diabetes have been banned due to issues about their side effects. While herbs are said to be effective in most cases, talking to the doctor first is still very important. Herbal stimulants for diabetes were found to have positive effects. However, to some people, the side effects were greater, resulting to other health problems such as urinary infection, high blood pressure, insomnia, and glaucoma. Some of these herbal stimulants were also associated to stroke.

The following are guides when considering using herbal products.

• Be sure to consult your doctor. Discuss with him or her all medications including herbal products. Even herbs can be dangerous when taken without approval from your doctor. Herbal products are indeed natural; however there are still side effects that might be harmful to your health.
• Side effects like skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, or diarrhea should be discussed with your doctor.
• When choosing a herbal product, as much as possible, avoid those made of more than one herb, unless with the approval from your doctor.
• Herbal products should be backed up with information that is scientific-based.
• Even herbal products expire. Be sure to have the expiration date in mind. Also, keep in mind the potential side effects. Know the herb used in the product, and also the manufacturer.

There are a lot more alternative therapies that are said to help treat diabetes like acupuncture. When considering any of these, ensure that you know how it works, including its potential risk.

What is Diabetes and the two types of it?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder syndrome that leads to higher levels of glucose or sugar in ones body.  Diabetes is generally classified as either Type 1 or what is called juvenile diabetes and Type 2.  Type 1 diabetes is mainly the inability of one body to produce insulin which is used to manage sugar levels in our system.  Type 2 diabetes on the other hand produces insulin but not in adequate quantities for body needs.

Is Diabetes curable and why should one be worried about it?

There are internet sites which claim to cure diabetes which is really false and misleading. At present there are no known cure for diabetes.  There are diabetes treatments though which can greatly minimize the effects of diabetes.  Diabetes needs to be treated simply because if one leaves it as it is and does nothing, it can lead to disastrous side effectives like blindness, coma or even death. 
There are many instances that people need to amputate their limbs simply because of high level of their diabetes.

How does one get Diabetes?

If your parent’s family has a history of diabetes then there is that probability that you will also have diabetes.   High percentage of diabetes is said to be hereditary in nature.  Others get diabetes to obesity, from consumption of sweeten products (high sugar intake) and from stress. 

What is the treatment for Juvenile Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is sometimes known as juvenile diabetes because of the high occurrence in kids.  Direct insulin injection is a must for juvenile diabetes treatment and should not be stopped.  Most of the time one must inject itself 2 to 3 times a day.  A healthy diet is recommended in order to control high level of diabetes.

What are the other kinds of treatments for Diabetes?

Aside from medicine to control or induce insulin in our body, there are many studies in the field of natural diabetes treatment which is said to have a good effect in controlling high levels of diabetes.  There are herbal supplements one can take for diabetes.  Another study pertaining hydrotherapy wherein type two diabetic patients where told to soak in a tub of hot water for 30 minutes a day, six days a week was effective in controlling high glucose levels.

The best natural diabetes treatment so far is a healthy diet which means knowing what food to eat and what to avoid plus a good exercise regime is said to be the most effective ways of controlling diabetes. 

Do not overeat, if one has diabetes the more you eat the higher your blood sugar level goes up.  Avoid food with saturated fats like meat and dairy products like butter.  Sweet and sugar products like candies, chocolate, jams, juice drinks, pastries and cakes, alcohol, coffee and tea are likewise not suitable for diabetics.  Even white bread should be avoided as studies have shown that white flour has alloxan which destroys the beta cells of the pancreas where insulin is produced.

Eating whole fruits like citrus fruits rather than the juice it more recommend.  Fruits like strawberry, peaches, pears and apricot are also good as they contain lots of vitamins and minerals.  Milk products are good for diabetics because it has lots of calcium, protein and vitamins.  Low fat products like yogurt can be consumed by diabetics.  Vegetables (high fiber foods) are highly recommended for diabetics as they contain less fat.  For white meat, chicken and fish areokay plus eggs and cheese.  As long as one can control food intake and have a good and healthy diet, there are some diabetics who can do without medicine to control their insulin levels.

The UK Children with Diabetes mailing list forum and the UK Children with Diabetes Advocacy Group are patient led support groups for families of children with diabetes living in the UK and Ireland/Scotland. It is run by families of children with diabetes. The UK mailing list was founded in 2002 and the UK CWD Advocacy Group was formed in 2006. The mailing list service is provided by the CWD Foundation Inc, USA and is part Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

For more information, visit http://www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray
4 scallions , white part and 1-inch green, thinly sliced
3 medium garlic cloves (minced)
2 tsp fresh ginger root  (minced)
1.5 tbsp curry powder
2 cup clam juice
2 medium russet potato (peeled & cubed)
3 medium carrots (peeled & sliced)
2 small zucchini (diced)
1/2 tsp lime peel zest
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2 lb monkfish , cubed (or other firm white fish of your choice)
1.5 tsp fresh lime juice
4 tbsp fresh cilantro
1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

Cooking Instruction:

Lightly coat a nonstick covered pot with the cooking spray. Add the scallions, garlic, and ginger. Stir & cook over medium heat for about two minutes.

Add the curry and stir for another one minute.

Add the clam broth, stirring to combine. Stir in the potatoes, carrot, zucchini, lime zest, cinnamon, and cloves.

Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes and vegetables are cooked.

Add the cubed fish, lime juice, and 3 tbsp cilantro. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the fish is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

To serve, place the stew in a serving dish. Garnish with the coconut and extra cilantro. Serve immediately.

Preperation Time: 15 Minutes | Cooking Time: 35 Minutes | Serves 6 people

You can add some curry powder if you want it to be little extra spicy

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Ingredients:

1 lb skinless and boneless chicken breast (4 pieces)
8 oz nonfat, sugar free mango apricot  yogurt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (minced)
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits (canned, drained)
Cooking spray (butter flavored)

Cooking Instruction:

1 In a small bowl, mix the yogurt with cilantro and pineapple tidbits. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Stir the mixed sauce before serving.
2 Coat a nonstick frying pan with butter-flavored cooking spray.
3 On medium heat, fry chicken breasts for 10 to 15 minutes, turning as necessary, until chicken is cooked.
4 Serve chicken hot, drizzled with mixture of mango yogurt sauce.

Preperation Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 10 Minutes | Makes 4 Servings

Best when served with vegetibles and/or rice

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Like any other affliction, when one is diagnosed with diabetes, it would seem like life has ended and hope for a happy living becomes suddenly shattered. Although this is normal, life can still become the normal life one would want to have even with the presence of diabetes. There have been advances in medical and scientific research and an enjoyable life should not necessarily cease. The task maybe daunting but if the plan, as prepared for you by diabetes specialists, is followed everything should fall into place and one should not become hopeless.

In addition to this, for pre-diabetic conditions, experts all agree that if people at high risk of developing the disease follow a proper diet and lifestyle change, the development of the disease into full-blown diabetes can actually be delayed for more than 10 years or reduce the risk of having the disease by as much as 58%. But with people who are already diagnosed with the disease, a strict diet and lifestyle change needs to be carefully planned and executed. First of all, everything is dependent on the responsibility of the person himself to adhere and be ready for a change from what he has been accustomed to in his life.

Blood Glucose Monitoring: Discipline is the key to having regular checks on the blood glucose level. With a well-followed schedule, the sufferer will be able to efficiently monitor if his diabetes control and management plan is working out well.

Exercise and Weight Management Program: If a person with diabetes used to have a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time for him to prepare himself since physical activity is necessary to keep the blood glucose control working well and prevent some complications of diabetes such as heart failures and stroke. Along with carrying out an exercise program should be the supervision of a doctor to see the appropriate type of exercise and when these exercise activities are best done. Most important of all, one need not enroll in an extensive exercise routine like going to the gym or getting a personal trainer. Just stand up move and enjoy the fresh air while doing your morning walk. Anyway, it’s free. To make the exercise program work, one has to quit smoking. If smoking is dangerous even prior to contracting any disease, it is even more compelling to get totally rid of it after having been diagnosed with diabetes.

Diet and Meal Planning: This is also one area where the patient needs to make drastic changes. The patient should be in always consultation with his doctor and dietician and be surrounded by the support of family and friends who understand the need to have a change in diet plan and who best understand their medical condition. The most important focus on the meal planning of a diabetes patient is a heart-healthy diet. A diet rich in fiber is very essential, whole grains (for carbohydrates needs) should be coupled with a high consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Saturated fats (from animal products) and too much sugar-rich foods should also be avoided. For protein source, soy protein, poultry, and fish should be eaten over meat. Adequate water intake should also be taken into consideration since dehydration can raise blood sugar levels.

Diabetes control and management can be really overwhelming and sacrifice is needed not only from the patient but also cooperation and support from the people around him. It is a daunting task to turn your back from what you have accustomed to prior to having the disease, but it will become easier over time and soon you will realize that it is possible to live with diabetes, and yes it is possible to live life well even with diabetes.

Why Men with Diabetes Can Still Have a Happy and Satisfying Sex Life

Several studies conducted have found that sexual dysfunction among is one of the complications of diabetes. Because the human sexual system involves the normal functioning of the other bodily systems, it is common to find people with long-term diabetes to be experiencing sexual problems such as decreased interest, pain and discomfort, and for men, impotence or erectile dysfunction.

A study by the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (published by the American Diabetes Association), showed that men and women are at an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, this study showed that for men, sexual dysfunction with diabetes is related to somatic and psychological factors and are easily treatable. As many as 50% of men with diabetes reported to have experienced sexual dysfunction more particularly erectile dysfunction but the good news is that studies conducted show that more than 95% of these cases can be treated successfully.

If the sexual dysfunction in men is found to be more psychological than physiological, men might found counseling beneficial. This might have resulted from the fear and low-self esteem that are caused by the symptoms and complications of diabetes. This is because physical and lifestyle changes including medical treatments might trigger the fear of becoming impotent and thus making the reason of the dysfunction more psychological. Achieving a well-gratifying sexual life requires a lot of factors such as normal sex drive, proper emotional make up, and a healthy and stress-free relationship between the spouses. It is thus important that he partners talk it out openly and seek medical consultation with their physicians, urologist, and sexual counselor.

But with the physiological side of the problem, impotence in diabetic men might well be a result of blocked or damaged nerves that are responsible for penile erection. Like any other patient with diabetes, good blood sugar level control may decrease the problem. Kidney problems as a complication of diabetes may also pose a risk of possible impotence so it is very important that the kidneys stay healthy.

As such, men with diabetes who encounter sexual dysfunctions should immediately consult professional medical help to determine whether it is psychological or physical (resulting from diabetes complications). With continuing medications to treat the complications of diabetes including sexual dysfunction, other steps can help prevent and treat it such as avoiding cigarettes and other tobacco products since smoking causes blood vessels to narrow contributing to blockages that run higher risks of achieving erection. It also means avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Other good health practices such as a healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate water intake could also help in keeping normal and unobstructed bodily functions including the sexual and reproductive system.

If left untreated, sexual dysfunctions in diabetic conditions can cause serious damage not only to a man’s health as he treats diabetes as a whole but also to his healthy relationship with his partner. Frustrations and stress resulting from it can lead to serious depression that can derail a man’s successful treatment of his diabetes. Men and their partners don’t have to suffer diminished sexual satisfaction and live with it along with other complications of diabetes. With a supportive environment that includes an expert medical team in diabetes control and men’s health, a loving, understanding and supportive partner, and a bunch of friends who should keep the positive spirits high, sex should never be impaired.

Diabetes is a disease a lifelong disease whose cure has not been found yet. It is one of the serious illnesses presently plaguing the society and burdening people, their loved ones, and governments. It has not been fully discovered yet what exactly causes the disease but genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle play a vital role in the development of this disease.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas malfunctions and not enough insulin is produced or when insulin is not used properly. Insulin is the essential hormone that breaks down glucose into essential energy that the systems in the body need to carry out their functions. As a result a condition called hyperglycemia occurs because of the abnormal level of glucose. This eventually damages the nerves and blood vessels and fatal complications like heart disease and stroke, kidney malfunction and blindness occur.

This illness currently afflicts close to 250 million around the world and is now fast becoming a pandemic. This figure only represents those who have been diagnosed with the disease. In the US there are now and estimated 17 million diabetics.

Nature 

Type 1 Diabetes, formerly known juvenile diabetes is one of two types of diabetes. In this type of the disease, the pancreas is unable to produce the hormone insulin thus glucose and starches are not converted to the needed energy form compared to type 2 diabetes where the body can still produce insulin however, it is not used properly. Type is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is usually found occurring among children, teenagers, and young adults but it can occur at any age. Symptoms of this type include increased thirst because of frequent urination weight loss even if appetite is normal, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and in women, the absence of menstruation. If these signs become marked, one should seek medical consultation so that proper tests are administered.

Tests are then done to diagnose the disease. Two initial tests are, urinalysis and blood tests, are done to check glucose and ketone bodies. Fasting blood glucose test shows normal blood sure level at not higher done 126 mg/dL. Insulin test is also administered. In C-peptide test, diabetes is diagnosed when the there is low or undetectable level of protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production.
 
Treatment

Initial treatment for newly diagnosed people with diabetes might require them to be hospitalized due to the sudden and severe symptoms at the onset of the disease. Proper care and treatment is needed if diagnosed patients wants to prolong his life, reduce the symptoms, and avoid the severe complications such as cardio-vascular diseases, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs due to wounds that would not heal.

Regular Insulin Intake: Because in this type of diabetes the body cannot produce its own needed insulin, insulin needs to taken in one to four times a day. Commonly it is entered through the body by injection it under the skin. In other cases, it is also inhaled.

Diet and Diet Plan: A healthy and balanced diet for patients is extremely important since the food taken in must work properly with the insulin intake to properly regulate glucose levels.

Physical Exercise: Equally important is regular exercise because it helps in burning excess calories and fat. It also boosts the other parts of the treatment in regulating blood sugar level to achieve a healthy weight.

Another thing recommended for patients would be self-blood glucose monitoring to check if diet, medications, and exercise programs are going well with each other in controlling the sugar level in the body. Regular simple self-administered tests will provide information to the patient and help him adjust the diet plan, medication, and exercise programs. Since diabetes destroys the nerves and blood vessels, it could make the patient numb to injury and wounds might go unnoticed especially in the feet until the infection could lead to amputation of the affected area that is why a foot care program is also recommended.

The regular monitoring program includes of course regular visit medical professionals that specialize in the disease: diabetes educator, ophthalmologist to check signs of diabetic retinopathy or eye complications, dentist (who is informed of the disease) for dental cleaning and exam, feet inspection by the diabetic health care provider.

With all these plans religiously done by the person afflicted with the disease, he can still manage to live a healthy and happy life and enjoy it to its fullest with his loved-ones.

There have been a lot of research and studies that have advanced the effective diagnosis and treatment of diabetes over the years. One of the more complicated situations where one with diabetes has to carefully take extra care of the disease is pregnancy. Diabetes involves the body not being able to convert glucose into energy vital for bodily functions because of either not being able to produce enough or utilize insulin, the hormone that functions in the breakdown of glucose. Because of this, pregnant women with inadequate care of their diabetic conditions not only put themselves at greater risks of the complications but also risk giving birth to babies with defects.

Out of 100 women in their childbearing age, at least 1 has diabetes. Medical professionals used to recommend not having pregnancy for women with diabetes but with the advances in medical science, women can now have the joy of pregnancy and motherhood even in diabetic conditions.

Before Pregnancy

It is very important that women with pre-existing conditions of diabetes to take extra care, planning, and control before deciding for a pregnancy. Diabetes experts recommend at least three to six months before pregnancy that extra control on blood sugar levels is done. A woman with diabetes needs to consult the following medical experts prior to deciding on pregnancy: a diabetes-trained doctor, who has experienced handling pregnant women with diabetes, an obstetrician who has a background in high-risk pregnancies, a pediatrician or neonatologist who can handle and treat diabetes-caused problems that might afflict the baby after birth, and a dietician who has special background on diabetes education who will manage the nutrition and diet as the pregnancy progresses.

During Pregnancy

Although the continuing intake of regular oral anti-diabetic medications was found to be safe during pregnancy, there are some that have to be changed. One is blood pressure medication, which can be very dangerous to the fetus especially during the first trimester when the vital organs are still being developed.

Proper nutrition and insulin ingestion is of course of high importance for diabetic pregnant women. A strict dietary plan, which of course includes balanced and proper food intake (includes daily calorie and carbohydrates level), also entails the timing of eating. The insulin treatment will also have to change especially during the last few months of pregnancy when insulin needs will increase.

Proper exercise regimen will also have to taken into major consideration during pregnancy especially for women with type 2 diabetes. This will help enhance the body’s response to insulin. Those with type 1 diabetes may do a stricter regimen prior to the pregnancy.

Women with diabetes can still enjoy themselves and live normal lives during pregnancy just as pregnant women without diabetes would as long as they religiously follow their diabetes care regimen. With a strictly carried out diabetes regimen during pregnancy, a pregnant women can look forward to that long awaited and exciting day of delivery.

Delivery and After Delivery

Although a pregnant woman with diabetes can still opt to have a normal delivery (vaginal) on the expected due date, most doctors would recommend inducing delivery a week or two prior to the due date using a caesarian section. This is to avoid possible delivery risks for both the mother and the baby. This would depend on the baby’s condition before the expected delivery date such as size and position, lung maturity, movements, heart rate and the amount of amniotic fluid. It would also depend on the mother’s general health and her blood glucose and blood pressure levels.

After the baby arrives, just as in any other cases, breastfeeding will be very essential to keep the baby healthy and well nourished. Of course the mother should continue to consult her dietician on the best and proper meal plan. Less insulin will also be recommended and diabetes pills will not ber recommended during the breastfeeding stage.

Indeed, becoming a mother is a life-changing event and this can never be denied even to a woman with diabetes. Thanks to the wonders of scientific advancements. The presence of a supportive and loving partner of course completes the arduous task of preparing for emotional and lifestyle changes and of going through pregnancy under diabetic conditions.

When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, initial treatments would include managing nutrition and diet, regular physical exercise, and in extreme cases, medication and regular insulin treatments.  Along with medications, it is vital that a patient follows a strict regimen on managing weight and sticking to a recommended dietary plan. Over the years though, natural remedies or diabetes herbal remedies have become most popularly recommended as alternative treatment to diabetes even by the medical world. Among these natural alternative methods is the use of herbal plants.

Since ancient times, long before patented drugs were invented out of clinical studies funded by pharmaceutical companies, medical practitioners have already sought the intrinsic power of herbal remedy plants. Most documented are ancient Chinese and the Ayurvedic (Sri Lankan monks and Indian doctors) medical treatment. Modern medicine also includes herbal remedies as natural alternatives and supplements to the treatment and management of diabetes and its complications.

The following are the most common diabetes herbal remedies recommended by diabetes specialists: Cinnamon, Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, seeds of the Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel plants, Milk Thistle or Sylimarin, Ginko Biloba, European Blueberry, Gymnema Sylvestre, and Banaba. 

·        Cinnamon. Methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) is the active ingredient found in this herbal plant. Science found that an intake of half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day helps improve the efficiency of insulin and according to experts it might even triple the body’s sensitivity to the role of insulin in converting glucose into energy. It also contains antioxidants that help fight the damaging effects of diabetes to the body.

·        Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon. This herbal plant has been the most commonly used traditional treatment for diabetes especially in countries in the tropics where this plant abounds. It was discovered to have blood sugar lowering ingredients. There are two active ingredients in this herbal plant. They are Charantin and Momordica. Charantin works potently like hypoglycemic drugs. Momordica on the other hand possesses capabilities that decrease blood glucose levels, the role that insulin does in the body. Homemade preparations and intake include crushing the leaves to extract the juice and an ounce of it twice a day is enough for the therapy.

·        Fenugreek. Like Bitter Melon, the juice of this plant is extracted and taken most recommended in the morning. This has been found effective to treat the early stages of diabetes.

·        Seeds of Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel Plants. Powder is extracted from the seeds of these plants and then mixed altogether to form the formulation, which is taken twice a day.

·        Milk Thistle or Sylimarin. This plant usually grows wild and the seeds from its flower are extracted and manufactured into either tablet or capsule form. Aside from its potency in cases of liver cirrhosis, tumors, prostate and lung cancer, it has also found to have capabilities of lowering down blood sugar levels in diabetic conditions. Its normal dosage is one capsule or tablet, ranging from 200-800 mg, per day.

·        Ginkgo Biloba. The use of this plant as an herbal remedy traces its roots to traditional Chinese medicine. The medice is extracted from its leaf and it is administered in standard dosage of 40-80 mg, three times a day. It has found to have effects on the prevention and early treatment of diabetes aside from its potency in improving the flow of blood in the peripheral tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.

·        Blueberry. The leaves of this plant have also found to have active ingredients that are powerful in getting rid of excessive sugar in the blood aside from its power to relieve inflammation of the bladder, kidney, and prostate. To extract the juice, leaves are boiled. Three cups a day is recommended to have its power in full blast. This is one of the herbal remedies that are found effective, non-toxic, and have tremendous cases of efficiency.

·        Banaba. The leaves of this crepe myrtle variety are also effective in handling glucose and lowering down blood sugar. It has also become a popular ingredient in weight-loss products. This plant grows wild in the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Australia and has been subjected to numerous studies in Japan due to its effective ingredients in the treatment of diabetes. It is taken in either as a tea or in tablet form. 

·        Gymnema Sylvestre. Called the “sugar destroyer”, this plant is native to the tropics of India and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for 200 years now as a treatment of diabetes. It was found to have the power of insulin in lowering blood sugar levels. As a home herbal remedy, its dry leaves are pounded with Coriander fruit and are taken orally.

Indeed, nature always provides countless cures and remedies to various diseases and herbal remedy have been in use for countless years. In the treatment of diabetes, it has become undoubtedly one effective part of relieving the damaging effects but a holistic approach should always be considered. This includes proper awareness of the disease, strict nutrition regimen, adequate physical exercise, and religious monitoring of blood glucose level with the guidance of a medical professional.