The world today has developed to the extent that detecting diabetes is easy, and one does not have to suffer alone as it used to be the case in the past. There are several methods that can be used to diagnose diabetes. There are some glucose tests that physicians will usually carry out to be able to diagnose diabetes. While they are considering the information obtained from these test, the doctors are also required to confirm whether or not you have a record of any medical history, whether there were other symptoms and which they were having, and consider your physical state of mind and health. Though several methods of diagnosing diabetes have come up, there are two major ones that are world acclaimed for their significant success in detecting and dealing with diabetes. These are the Blood Sugar level test, also commonly known as the Fasting Blood Glucose, and the Oral glucose tolerance test.
To know how the Blood Sugar level works, first of all you must ensure you do not consume anything after midnight. After this, the blood sugar levels in the body will be measured. In the event that the level goes above 140 mg/dl on more than one occasion, chances are usually high that you might be having diabetes. A person with a normal blood sugar rate usually has a rate ranging between 70 and 110 mg/dl. The other test, the oral glucose tolerance test requires the person being tested to have fasted for around 10-16 hours, and is usually done under the confines of the doctor's office, or a medical lab. This test usually yields best results especially if the person under checking is of sound health, and must be normally active. The other requisite is to ensure that you are not under any drugs whatsoever, or any treatment, since this has a tendency of affecting the blood glucose levels, since the medications always have some percentage of compounds that can alter the level of sugar in one way or the other. To do this test, the blood sugar level is usually measured 5 times in a time span of 3 hours.
If you are free from diabetes, the glucose levels alleviate instantaneously, and then they drastically drop back to normal, since the glucose triggers the body to generate some insulin, whose function is to lower the level of blood glucose in the body. The diabetic person will experience the rise just as the non diabetic person will, but their levels will come down much slower than the normal person since their bodies are either deficient in insulin production, or the amounts produced just aren't as much as required to control the rapid rise in blood sugar levels. The glucose tolerant test usually has some common findings, which can be termed as the basis for judging whether someone has diabetes or not. All the same, there are so many ways of dealing with the news that you have diabetes, and one does not have to despair, but seek professional help.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Fact file for Diabetes
Basic facts
Diabetes is among those diseases which work as a slow poison and very gradually taken over a person's life. It is one of the most wide spread diseases in the world. And it will be very shocking to know that one in four people in USA suffer from diabetes. Whether young or old, diabetes can entrap anybody. When your body is unable to utilize or break sugar and starch into energy it means that you are suffering from diabetes. The level of glucose in this disease goes high and then causes the sugar levels to rise in an individual's body. Diabetes is of three common pre-diabetes, type- type I, type II and gestational diabetes. It is spread among all the age group across the globe.
The next thing that one needs to understand is what work does the glucose do for our body? As we all know that all the food that we consume contains sugar, and the food is broken into a sugar known as glucose. This glucose helps us to produce energy for our daily activities. The glucose circulates in the body and is absorbed by blood cells which work as a fuel to develop energy. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted fro the pancreas in our body which pushes this glucose into body cells. And if there is a breakage in this natural process, then the sugar levels in our body starts rising.
Diabetes starts affecting the body slowly and gradually. Increased urination, weight loss, constant hunger, increased thirst and fatigue are some of the crucial symptoms of diabetes. If these symptoms are diagnosed well in time, then, one might be saved from its ill-effects. But if the disease is not diagnosed properly in the early stage, then, it can take a very bad shape. The initial stage of diabetes is pre-diabetes. During the pre-diabetic stage, there is either a shortage or excess of insulin in the body. People who show the symptoms of diabetes early can be treated well in time and can keep out of this lethal disease throughout their lives. But diagnosing diabetes in the early stages is not that easy. Many people show its symptoms very late. People who get diagnosed of pre-diabetes are very vulnerable, and need immediate changes in their lifestyles and eating habits to control this disease. A pre-diabetic individual can control this disorder by exercising regularly and taking a balanced and nutritious diet.
The basic forms of diabetes are type I and type II diabetes. In the type I diabetes, an individual's body does not produces enough insulin that is needed by the body. This form of diabetes can happen anytime in life but usually happens in the early stages of life. In type II diabetes, an individual's body becomes resistant to insulin. This type of diabetes usually happens in the mid-years of one's life and is the most common type among people around the world. Unhealthy diet, which is high in carbohydrates, lack of exercise, obesity and hereditary are the basic reasons of this type of diabetes.
So, this information will surely help you to keep a check on your lifestyle and stay away from this disease forever.
Diabetes is among those diseases which work as a slow poison and very gradually taken over a person's life. It is one of the most wide spread diseases in the world. And it will be very shocking to know that one in four people in USA suffer from diabetes. Whether young or old, diabetes can entrap anybody. When your body is unable to utilize or break sugar and starch into energy it means that you are suffering from diabetes. The level of glucose in this disease goes high and then causes the sugar levels to rise in an individual's body. Diabetes is of three common pre-diabetes, type- type I, type II and gestational diabetes. It is spread among all the age group across the globe.
The next thing that one needs to understand is what work does the glucose do for our body? As we all know that all the food that we consume contains sugar, and the food is broken into a sugar known as glucose. This glucose helps us to produce energy for our daily activities. The glucose circulates in the body and is absorbed by blood cells which work as a fuel to develop energy. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted fro the pancreas in our body which pushes this glucose into body cells. And if there is a breakage in this natural process, then the sugar levels in our body starts rising.
Diabetes starts affecting the body slowly and gradually. Increased urination, weight loss, constant hunger, increased thirst and fatigue are some of the crucial symptoms of diabetes. If these symptoms are diagnosed well in time, then, one might be saved from its ill-effects. But if the disease is not diagnosed properly in the early stage, then, it can take a very bad shape. The initial stage of diabetes is pre-diabetes. During the pre-diabetic stage, there is either a shortage or excess of insulin in the body. People who show the symptoms of diabetes early can be treated well in time and can keep out of this lethal disease throughout their lives. But diagnosing diabetes in the early stages is not that easy. Many people show its symptoms very late. People who get diagnosed of pre-diabetes are very vulnerable, and need immediate changes in their lifestyles and eating habits to control this disease. A pre-diabetic individual can control this disorder by exercising regularly and taking a balanced and nutritious diet.
The basic forms of diabetes are type I and type II diabetes. In the type I diabetes, an individual's body does not produces enough insulin that is needed by the body. This form of diabetes can happen anytime in life but usually happens in the early stages of life. In type II diabetes, an individual's body becomes resistant to insulin. This type of diabetes usually happens in the mid-years of one's life and is the most common type among people around the world. Unhealthy diet, which is high in carbohydrates, lack of exercise, obesity and hereditary are the basic reasons of this type of diabetes.
So, this information will surely help you to keep a check on your lifestyle and stay away from this disease forever.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Lifestyle Changes for Pre-Diabetes!
A diagnosis of pre-diabetes indicates that your blood sugar levels are 100-125 milligrams per deciliter via the fasting plasma glucose test (people with diabetes have blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dL or more). This means that you're likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years unless you adopt a healthier lifestyle.
You may always be inching toward the edge, but Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease: You can always watch where you're stepping. By losing a mere 7 percent of your body weight by using body fat weight scales, avoiding added simple sugars by taking sugar free recipes for diabetics , added syrups, any grain but 100 percent whole grains, saturated and trans fats and exercising only 150 minutes a week, you can bring your blood-sugar levels back to normal. If you're normal, you're, well, normal. You technically don't have prediabetes, though you'll always have the genes for it and will be at risk. But you'll never have to have the disease or its consequences. It is important to know if you have prediabetes, because research has shown that some long-term complications associated with diabetes – such as heart disease and nerve damage – may begin during prediabetes
The good news is that studies show that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes with a combination of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, choosing healthy foods and diabetic meals, and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may also want you to use medications to delay the onset of diabetes. Research has shown that if you take steps to manage your blood glucose with diabetes test strips when you have prediabetes, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. You may be able to reduce blood glucose levels with simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing your physical activity and enjoying a healthy, low-fat meal plan.
Losing Weight
A weight loss of as little as 5% to 10% can make a big difference in your blood sugar levels because it reduces insulin resistance. To find the right diabetic meal plans for you, talk to your doctor or nutritionist.
Making Healthy Food Choices
To choose healthy foods for yourself and your family, follow these basic principles:
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables and sugar free recipes like green beans, spinach, and carrots.
• Select whole grain breads, rice, and pasta.
• Don't forget dried beans and lentils.
• Have fish 2-3 times a week.
• Think lean when you select cuts of meat, and remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
• Go for low-fat and non-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Avoid regular soda and other sweetened drinks. Instead, drink water and calorie-free diet drinks.
• Eat fats in moderation, and avoid trans fats.
Getting Exercise
Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week. Which type of exercise is best? Anything that gets you up and moving. That includes jogging, swimming, biking, aerobics, walking, and dancing. You can also count strenuous housework like vacuuming and washing floors and windows, and yard work such as mowing the lawn with a push mower or gardening and after that monitor your fat with body fat monitor and scale.
Medications
In conjunction with these lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend medication, such as metformin and another group of drugs called thiazolidinediones, which have been shown to delay the onset of diabetes.
You may always be inching toward the edge, but Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease: You can always watch where you're stepping. By losing a mere 7 percent of your body weight by using body fat weight scales, avoiding added simple sugars by taking sugar free recipes for diabetics , added syrups, any grain but 100 percent whole grains, saturated and trans fats and exercising only 150 minutes a week, you can bring your blood-sugar levels back to normal. If you're normal, you're, well, normal. You technically don't have prediabetes, though you'll always have the genes for it and will be at risk. But you'll never have to have the disease or its consequences. It is important to know if you have prediabetes, because research has shown that some long-term complications associated with diabetes – such as heart disease and nerve damage – may begin during prediabetes
The good news is that studies show that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes with a combination of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, choosing healthy foods and diabetic meals, and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may also want you to use medications to delay the onset of diabetes. Research has shown that if you take steps to manage your blood glucose with diabetes test strips when you have prediabetes, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. You may be able to reduce blood glucose levels with simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing your physical activity and enjoying a healthy, low-fat meal plan.
Losing Weight
A weight loss of as little as 5% to 10% can make a big difference in your blood sugar levels because it reduces insulin resistance. To find the right diabetic meal plans for you, talk to your doctor or nutritionist.
Making Healthy Food Choices
To choose healthy foods for yourself and your family, follow these basic principles:
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables and sugar free recipes like green beans, spinach, and carrots.
• Select whole grain breads, rice, and pasta.
• Don't forget dried beans and lentils.
• Have fish 2-3 times a week.
• Think lean when you select cuts of meat, and remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
• Go for low-fat and non-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Avoid regular soda and other sweetened drinks. Instead, drink water and calorie-free diet drinks.
• Eat fats in moderation, and avoid trans fats.
Getting Exercise
Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week. Which type of exercise is best? Anything that gets you up and moving. That includes jogging, swimming, biking, aerobics, walking, and dancing. You can also count strenuous housework like vacuuming and washing floors and windows, and yard work such as mowing the lawn with a push mower or gardening and after that monitor your fat with body fat monitor and scale.
Medications
In conjunction with these lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend medication, such as metformin and another group of drugs called thiazolidinediones, which have been shown to delay the onset of diabetes.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Can A Good Diet Keep Diabetes At Bay - Diabetes Test Strips
Upon first being diagnosed with diabetes, many patients ask can a good diet keep diabetes at bay. Most doctors will agree that a good diet, low in carbohydrates and sugars can help a person with diabetes avoid many of the complications that often accompany the disease. While a good diet can not necessarily cure the illness, a good diet can keep diabetes at bay.
People who have diabetes have a difficult time processing foods such as sugars and starches. Instead of processing normally through their system, they stay in the system and turn end up increasing the glucose in the bloodstream. When this occurs, it is called glycemia - which is too much sugar in the blood. People with Type I and Type II diabetes both suffer from having too much glucose in the blood. As the glucose does not digest normally, it causes problems with the kidneys, liver, eyesight, heart and blood circulation in general.
Depending upon the stage of their diabetes, a physician will normally prescribe either medication or insulin. Both help the body process the sugars in the blood, to break them down and allow the patient to expel them. However, insulin and medication are no substitute for a healthy diet. Just because a person is taking medication or insulin does not give them carte blanche to consume all of the sugar and carbohydrates they can get their hands on. It is absolutely essential that a person with diabetes not only take medication or insulin as directed, but also adhere to a diabetic diet. This means getting familiar with which foods should be avoided and which foods can be eaten sparingly.
The Glycemic Index was established in 1981 to rate which carbohydrates are the worst for those with diabetes. The carbohydrates that are high on the list, such as white bread, take longer to digest and should be avoided. Carbohydrates that have low scores, such as brown rice, can be eaten in moderation. It is very difficult for anyone to avoid carbohydrates completely, which is why familiarizing oneself with the Glycemic Index is so important in the treatment of diabetes.
In addition to carbohydrates that rate high on the Glycemic Index as well as low, there is also an intermediate group. It may surprise people to know that a chocolate bar is rated in the intermediate group on the Glycemic Index. This does not mean, however, that one should feel free to consume all the chocolate they want. The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to help individuals establish which foods should definitely be avoided and which foods are okay in moderation.
So, can a good diet keep diabetes at bay. The answer is yes. While it cannot cure a patient of diabetes, a good diet low in foods that have high ratings in the Glycemic Index and high in proteins can help an individual with this condition live a longer, healthier life. Until there is a cure for this potentially life threatening condition, it is important for all people who suffer from diabetes to familiarize themselves with the Glycemic Index so they can better understand how to control their disease.
People who have diabetes have a difficult time processing foods such as sugars and starches. Instead of processing normally through their system, they stay in the system and turn end up increasing the glucose in the bloodstream. When this occurs, it is called glycemia - which is too much sugar in the blood. People with Type I and Type II diabetes both suffer from having too much glucose in the blood. As the glucose does not digest normally, it causes problems with the kidneys, liver, eyesight, heart and blood circulation in general.
Depending upon the stage of their diabetes, a physician will normally prescribe either medication or insulin. Both help the body process the sugars in the blood, to break them down and allow the patient to expel them. However, insulin and medication are no substitute for a healthy diet. Just because a person is taking medication or insulin does not give them carte blanche to consume all of the sugar and carbohydrates they can get their hands on. It is absolutely essential that a person with diabetes not only take medication or insulin as directed, but also adhere to a diabetic diet. This means getting familiar with which foods should be avoided and which foods can be eaten sparingly.
The Glycemic Index was established in 1981 to rate which carbohydrates are the worst for those with diabetes. The carbohydrates that are high on the list, such as white bread, take longer to digest and should be avoided. Carbohydrates that have low scores, such as brown rice, can be eaten in moderation. It is very difficult for anyone to avoid carbohydrates completely, which is why familiarizing oneself with the Glycemic Index is so important in the treatment of diabetes.
In addition to carbohydrates that rate high on the Glycemic Index as well as low, there is also an intermediate group. It may surprise people to know that a chocolate bar is rated in the intermediate group on the Glycemic Index. This does not mean, however, that one should feel free to consume all the chocolate they want. The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to help individuals establish which foods should definitely be avoided and which foods are okay in moderation.
So, can a good diet keep diabetes at bay. The answer is yes. While it cannot cure a patient of diabetes, a good diet low in foods that have high ratings in the Glycemic Index and high in proteins can help an individual with this condition live a longer, healthier life. Until there is a cure for this potentially life threatening condition, it is important for all people who suffer from diabetes to familiarize themselves with the Glycemic Index so they can better understand how to control their disease.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tips for Dining Out with Diabetes
Many Diabetics feel overwhelmed when they first start dining out after being diagnosed with Diabetes. After all, dining out removes some of the control you have over what ingredients and options you have for your diabetic meals. However, learning the dining out ropes may seem intimidating at first, but once you have a handle on it, dining out can be a true pleasure – and a relief if you spend much of your time in the kitchen.
As a recently diagnosed Diabetic, you should keep in mind that the principles of good nutrition are still in effect. Therefore, just because the menu offers high sugar options doesn't mean that you should compromise your nutrition standards for the restaurant. Even if the menu does not offer items that are particularly low in sugar, you can (and should) always request that the chef take special care with your diabetes diet recipes. After all, your health is on the line! Many restaurants have special recipes for customers wishing to order sugarfree desserts or sugar free recipes. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask.
What to do when dining out:
• Fried foods are tempting appetizers. However, most menus also offer fresh fruit, seafood or soup options. Select the Salmon seafood or soup.
• When ordering eggs at breakfast, avoid scrambled eggs or eggs that could be mixed with butter or cream. Instead, opt for a boiled or poached egg.
• Always ask for the dressing on the side. Many restaurants also offer sugarfree desserts in addition to traditional deserts or dressings.
• Choose whole-grain breads when ordering rolls, crackers and biscuits. If whole-grain breads are not options, avoid eating breads made with refined flour.
• Select brown rice over white rice.
• Look for vegetables that come raw, steamed, stewed or boiled. Otherwise, make sure that the vegetables are not cooked with high-fat oils and butter.
• Select lean meats, such as meats ending in "loin" (tenderloin, sirloin). Always ask for the gravy or sauce on the side of the dish.
• For dessert, order fruit, yogurt or sugar-free ice cream. Though it may be tempting, unless there are other sugar free desserts on the menu, stick with the item with the lowest sugar level.
• Never drink soda. Always opt for diet beverages, unsweetened tea or water. • Eat small portions (like you may at home, and take a doggy bag.)
• Even when dining out, remember that you may have a special diabetes meal planning. Stick to it.
• Don't forget to take your medication. Grilled Fish Meal
• Fat free doesn't mean sugar-free. When in doubt, ask your waitress or chef for ingredients, or simply skip the item.
• Plan to take some of your food home, even before eating. That way, you will avoid over-eating.
• Approach buffets very carefully – start with a salad, take as much vegetables as you would like, avoid those croutons; tuck in the tomatoes; some sunflowers seeds, with no-fat or low-fat dressing and make that your first course. On the return trip, have more salad or follow the above guidelines for your entrée course.
For diabetic dessert, try the fruit. Remember some buffets, use canned fruit with sweetened juices, watch those; too much sugar. Fresh fruit is always best and they generically have those around the salad bar as well.
Dining out can often is a huge relief for families in which one person has Diabetes, but not everyone. When you dine out in such a situation, everyone can feel comfortable ordering foods that they enjoy and no one has to worry about cooking diabetic delivered prepared meals in addition to a meal that the whole family will crave. Keep in mind that by remembering your nutrition basics, you can eat large, very healthy diabetic diet meals without having to feel guilty. Bon Appétit. Enjoy.
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including; incontinence products, men's diabetic socks, delivered prepared meals, durable diabetes medical equipment, diabetes carbohydrates and facts about diabetes. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
As a recently diagnosed Diabetic, you should keep in mind that the principles of good nutrition are still in effect. Therefore, just because the menu offers high sugar options doesn't mean that you should compromise your nutrition standards for the restaurant. Even if the menu does not offer items that are particularly low in sugar, you can (and should) always request that the chef take special care with your diabetes diet recipes. After all, your health is on the line! Many restaurants have special recipes for customers wishing to order sugarfree desserts or sugar free recipes. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask.
What to do when dining out:
• Fried foods are tempting appetizers. However, most menus also offer fresh fruit, seafood or soup options. Select the Salmon seafood or soup.
• When ordering eggs at breakfast, avoid scrambled eggs or eggs that could be mixed with butter or cream. Instead, opt for a boiled or poached egg.
• Always ask for the dressing on the side. Many restaurants also offer sugarfree desserts in addition to traditional deserts or dressings.
• Choose whole-grain breads when ordering rolls, crackers and biscuits. If whole-grain breads are not options, avoid eating breads made with refined flour.
• Select brown rice over white rice.
• Look for vegetables that come raw, steamed, stewed or boiled. Otherwise, make sure that the vegetables are not cooked with high-fat oils and butter.
• Select lean meats, such as meats ending in "loin" (tenderloin, sirloin). Always ask for the gravy or sauce on the side of the dish.
• For dessert, order fruit, yogurt or sugar-free ice cream. Though it may be tempting, unless there are other sugar free desserts on the menu, stick with the item with the lowest sugar level.
• Never drink soda. Always opt for diet beverages, unsweetened tea or water. • Eat small portions (like you may at home, and take a doggy bag.)
• Even when dining out, remember that you may have a special diabetes meal planning. Stick to it.
• Don't forget to take your medication. Grilled Fish Meal
• Fat free doesn't mean sugar-free. When in doubt, ask your waitress or chef for ingredients, or simply skip the item.
• Plan to take some of your food home, even before eating. That way, you will avoid over-eating.
• Approach buffets very carefully – start with a salad, take as much vegetables as you would like, avoid those croutons; tuck in the tomatoes; some sunflowers seeds, with no-fat or low-fat dressing and make that your first course. On the return trip, have more salad or follow the above guidelines for your entrée course.
For diabetic dessert, try the fruit. Remember some buffets, use canned fruit with sweetened juices, watch those; too much sugar. Fresh fruit is always best and they generically have those around the salad bar as well.
Dining out can often is a huge relief for families in which one person has Diabetes, but not everyone. When you dine out in such a situation, everyone can feel comfortable ordering foods that they enjoy and no one has to worry about cooking diabetic delivered prepared meals in addition to a meal that the whole family will crave. Keep in mind that by remembering your nutrition basics, you can eat large, very healthy diabetic diet meals without having to feel guilty. Bon Appétit. Enjoy.
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including; incontinence products, men's diabetic socks, delivered prepared meals, durable diabetes medical equipment, diabetes carbohydrates and facts about diabetes. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Diabetes, Hypertension Linked to Mental Decline
Last week, a couple (both are my clients), walked into my clinic and the husband wanted to know if there was any definitive test for ‘mental power' as he put it. On probing a bit deeper he said he felt his mental abilities had declined somewhat but that he wasn't very sure of it. I knew he was suffering from diabetes and more recently also had blood pressure problems.
Hi everyone!
I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. I've written several dozen blogs covering various aspects of diabetes including symptoms, monitoring, explaining glycaemic index, carbohydrate counting, and correlation between body weight, lifestyle and diabetes and so on. This week I shall write about the possible link between diabetes, blood pressure and mental decline.
Over time, all of us undergo changes in our diabetes mental abilities. Up to 50 or so, research seems to indicate that healthy individuals get smarter. Between 50 and 60 our body maintains the status and post 60 years of age, it begins to decline gradually and then more rapidly as we age. In some individuals however, the decline might begin sooner than expected.
When this couple visited me, I decided to dig up all research papers on the subject. Here are my conclusions:
Studies have indicated that high blood pressure when combined with diabetes in middle aged people can trigger a decline in mental function earlier than expected. However, in none of the papers was there any conclusive evidence presented that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and hypertension had anything to do with mental decline. The presence of these two medical complications along with mental decline was assumed to be reason enough to link all three.
The most detailed study was conducted by physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Researchers. They studied close to 11,000 people between the ages 47 and 60 over a six-year period. Tests were taken at the start and end of the six year period and found that people who had high blood pressure and diabetes at the start of the six year period fared worse in the mental tests at the end of the six year period.
While I do not dispute the findings, I personally feel it is too early to jump to conclusions. The mere presence of diabetes and high blood is not conclusive. More similar research will have to be conducted before we can acknowledge the link. However, I do agree that something in bodies of those suffering from diabetes and high blood, seems to point towards a decline in cognitive function. So if you are already a diabetic and also have high blood pressure then you need to ensure you keep both under control because irrespective of whether or not it leads to a decline in cognitive function, untreated diseases will lead to a decline in your happiness and well-being.
Hi everyone!
I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. I've written several dozen blogs covering various aspects of diabetes including symptoms, monitoring, explaining glycaemic index, carbohydrate counting, and correlation between body weight, lifestyle and diabetes and so on. This week I shall write about the possible link between diabetes, blood pressure and mental decline.
Over time, all of us undergo changes in our diabetes mental abilities. Up to 50 or so, research seems to indicate that healthy individuals get smarter. Between 50 and 60 our body maintains the status and post 60 years of age, it begins to decline gradually and then more rapidly as we age. In some individuals however, the decline might begin sooner than expected.
When this couple visited me, I decided to dig up all research papers on the subject. Here are my conclusions:
Studies have indicated that high blood pressure when combined with diabetes in middle aged people can trigger a decline in mental function earlier than expected. However, in none of the papers was there any conclusive evidence presented that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and hypertension had anything to do with mental decline. The presence of these two medical complications along with mental decline was assumed to be reason enough to link all three.
The most detailed study was conducted by physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Researchers. They studied close to 11,000 people between the ages 47 and 60 over a six-year period. Tests were taken at the start and end of the six year period and found that people who had high blood pressure and diabetes at the start of the six year period fared worse in the mental tests at the end of the six year period.
While I do not dispute the findings, I personally feel it is too early to jump to conclusions. The mere presence of diabetes and high blood is not conclusive. More similar research will have to be conducted before we can acknowledge the link. However, I do agree that something in bodies of those suffering from diabetes and high blood, seems to point towards a decline in cognitive function. So if you are already a diabetic and also have high blood pressure then you need to ensure you keep both under control because irrespective of whether or not it leads to a decline in cognitive function, untreated diseases will lead to a decline in your happiness and well-being.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Tobacco smoke and diabetes are happy companions
Tobacco and diabetes I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. I've written over three dozen blogs covering various aspects of diabetes including symptoms, monitoring, explaining glycaemic index, carbohydrate counting, and correlation between body weight, lifestyle and diabetes and so on.
The other day one of my clients walked into my clinic with a half smoked cigarette in his hand. He put it out as he walked in but I used the opportunity to talk to him about the effect of cigarette smoke on his family members. He said he smokes inside the house only during winter. During other times of year he smokes a single cigarette after dinner while relaxing in the porch. "What about other family members?" I asked. "Well, we all sit in the porch and discuss something or the other" he admitted sheepishly.
The problem with cigarette smoke is that it induces type 2 diabetes for the smoker as well as those around him. More the smoke greater the risk and this not mere hearsay; research carried out by various government and non-government agencies is quite conclusive, has been well established and has not been disputed even by the cigarette manufacturers. Obviously, due the volume of cigarette smoke entering the lungs, the cigarette smokers are first to get diabetes type II and people inhaling secondhand smoke are next in line.
In the case of women, cigarette smoke presents an even bigger problem. Not only can the smoke induce diabetes, it (diabetes) can also be passed on to any unborn or future child.
For those who quit smoking cigarettes, the probability of getting diabetes is only slightly reduced. The only real solution is to not smoke at all and to avoid second hand smoke effects to whatever extent possible. If you have just started smoking then quit now before your internal organs are permanently impaired. This is not to say that people who have been smoking for many years should not quit. The earlier you quit the less damage your internal organs suffer.
Those who smoke, especially if you smoke in excess of 2 packs of cigarettes a day, and have been doing so for more than a few years, the chances are you will be insulin resistant. Research has also proved conclusively that the risk of diabetes increases with every year you spend smoking or inhaling 2nd hand smoke. And here's the final nail in the coffin for cigarette smoke inhalers: you have an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.
Patients suffering from Diabetes Type II who are or were heavy smokers, usually also suffer from macrovascular complications, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Also, achieving glycemic control in smokers or ex-smokers suffering from diabetes is always a challenge and requires consultation of senior doctors.
At the end of my short lecture, he said "if I'm certain to get diabetes, what does it matter if I smoke or not?"
Unfortunately it does matter – smoking continues to degrade your internal organs and in the process creates further unnecessary complications. Imagine tobacco and diabetes in combination with lung or throat cancer – do you really want that kind of complication?
The other day one of my clients walked into my clinic with a half smoked cigarette in his hand. He put it out as he walked in but I used the opportunity to talk to him about the effect of cigarette smoke on his family members. He said he smokes inside the house only during winter. During other times of year he smokes a single cigarette after dinner while relaxing in the porch. "What about other family members?" I asked. "Well, we all sit in the porch and discuss something or the other" he admitted sheepishly.
The problem with cigarette smoke is that it induces type 2 diabetes for the smoker as well as those around him. More the smoke greater the risk and this not mere hearsay; research carried out by various government and non-government agencies is quite conclusive, has been well established and has not been disputed even by the cigarette manufacturers. Obviously, due the volume of cigarette smoke entering the lungs, the cigarette smokers are first to get diabetes type II and people inhaling secondhand smoke are next in line.
In the case of women, cigarette smoke presents an even bigger problem. Not only can the smoke induce diabetes, it (diabetes) can also be passed on to any unborn or future child.
For those who quit smoking cigarettes, the probability of getting diabetes is only slightly reduced. The only real solution is to not smoke at all and to avoid second hand smoke effects to whatever extent possible. If you have just started smoking then quit now before your internal organs are permanently impaired. This is not to say that people who have been smoking for many years should not quit. The earlier you quit the less damage your internal organs suffer.
Those who smoke, especially if you smoke in excess of 2 packs of cigarettes a day, and have been doing so for more than a few years, the chances are you will be insulin resistant. Research has also proved conclusively that the risk of diabetes increases with every year you spend smoking or inhaling 2nd hand smoke. And here's the final nail in the coffin for cigarette smoke inhalers: you have an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.
Patients suffering from Diabetes Type II who are or were heavy smokers, usually also suffer from macrovascular complications, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Also, achieving glycemic control in smokers or ex-smokers suffering from diabetes is always a challenge and requires consultation of senior doctors.
At the end of my short lecture, he said "if I'm certain to get diabetes, what does it matter if I smoke or not?"
Unfortunately it does matter – smoking continues to degrade your internal organs and in the process creates further unnecessary complications. Imagine tobacco and diabetes in combination with lung or throat cancer – do you really want that kind of complication?
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