Diabetes Symptoms

As the baby boomers age, they are faced with an array of diseases that accompany the golden years. Along with grandchildren and retirement, they are faced with ailments from arthritis to diabetes. The thought of getting a disease such as diabetes can be worrisome, it helps to be aware of what diabetes symptoms are and be able to recognize them early enough to get the help you will need to get the disease under control.
1- There are some common diabetes symptoms that should be checked out by a physician. By themselves, each symptom is not a cause for alarm. However, if more than a couple are noticed at one time, an appointment with your primary care physician should be made without hesitation.
2- The first thing that you should know about diabetes is, it is very important to pay attention to your body. There are over one million new diagnoses of diabetes that are made each year. Diabetes is directly or indirectly the cause of approximately 200,000 deaths every year. It is estimated that 17 million people in America have diabetes, it is also estimated that approximately one third of these people do not even know they have the disease.
3- The reason that so many people do not know that they may have diabetes is because some people show no diabetes symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to have blood work checked every year after the age of 45. This is often part of a routine physical at this age, but it is always a good idea to check with the doctor to make sure the test is being run.
4- There are several diabetes symptoms to be on the look out for, they include, but are not limited to:
Sudden weight loss
Drinking excessive amounts of water
Excessive urination
Feeling a numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Having infections more often than usual
Being slow to heal from a wound
It is also important to note that any one person may have all, some or none of these diabetes symptoms. These symptoms can also be experienced in any combination.
5- Along with this list of symptoms, diabetes can also be accompanied by stomach pains, vomiting or nausea. If these symptoms occur in conjunction with the list, it could be the immediate onset of type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes. When you call your doctors' office for an appointment, be sure to tell them you are experiencing possible diabetes symptoms and that you need to be seen right away.

See my other guide on Diabetes

Pancreas

The pancreas is made up of exocrine and endocrine cells. Endocrine cells are responsible for creating and secreting insulin and it's counterpart glucagon. Glucose is effectively the energy that keeps the cells in the body functioning. Without glucose the body would starve. Glucose is absorbed from food via the stomach. The bloodstream passes glucose to all the cells in the body.
Within the pancreatic islets are many smaller cells. Two of these cells produce the hormones insulin and glucagon.
The beta cells create and secrete insulin.
The alpha cells create and secrete glucagon.
Insulin has the effect of acting on many cells in the body to create glycogen. Glycogen is a form of storage for glucose in cells. The principal cells that insulin works on are the liver, fat and muscle cells. Thus glycogen is stored in these cells. This has the effect of keeping the glucose level in the blood to a constant and normal level.
When the blood sugar level is low, glucagon is created and secreted. The glucose can then by used by the body's cells to continue functioning via the bloodstream.

See my other guide on Diabetes

Obesity

Obesity is simply fatness in a degree higher than being overweight. Obesity has quite an impact in one’s physical health that many degenerative diseases are directly and indirectly linked to obesity as observed in the history of obesity. Throughout the history of obesity, its reputation varies from appreciation and the opposite among cultures and in time.

Take a look in the history of obesity and we’ll learn that this is truly an age-old health condition. Ancient Egyptians are said to consider obesity as a disease, having been drawn in a wall of depicted illnesses. Ancient China have also been aware of obesity and the dangers that come with it. The Aztecs believed that obesity was supernatural, an affliction of the gods. Throughout the history of obesity, the public’s view and status of obesity changed considerably in the 1900’s. About the same time, the incidence of obesity began to increase and become widespread. In 1996, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was published. The history of obesity should be well studied so precautions can be practiced and thus prevent obesity from spreading.

See my other guide on Diabetes

Sugar

Are you a diabetic and do you check your blood sugar level regularly ? Know Your Levels :Check your blood sugar level frequently. However for those who take insulin, you may need to check your blood sugar levels several times a day. Regular self-monitoring of blood glucose levels gives us a gauge on where our blood sugar levels are right at the moment and provide us sufficient time to act before complication sets in.
Good Control Keeps Complications at Bay: Complication sets in if your blood sugar level remains consistently high and you do nothing about it. The longer the blood sugar is high, the more severe the damage. Tight control of blood glucose levels by performing your own self-test regularly will therefore prevent, delay and minimise the risk of diabetes-related complications.
If your medication is not effective in maintaining your blood sugar within the right range, it needs to be adjusted. Minimizes The possibilities of Life-threatening Emergencies: High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) can occur during stress or when taking medications that affect the blood sugar. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) can happen if your blood sugar level drops too low. Our advise is, if you exercise, test your blood sugar level before, during or after exercise to avoid a dangerous dip in blood sugar. Do take note too that drinking alcohol can also lower your blood sugar and thus, monitor your level closely if you drink. This occurs slowly over time while your blood sugar remains consistently high. Save your heart and kidney by keeping your blood sugar in control.

See my other guide on Diabetes

Diet

Atkins Diet Program
The Atkins diet program is based on the principle of switching your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates to obtain energy. The main difference to other diet programs is in what you are allowed to eat ie eggs, meat including beef, pork, turkey, chicken, duck, wild game, veal & lamb also fish such as shellfish. Fats are also permitted ie butter, olive oil & mayonnaise, certain cheeses are also permitted.
You cannot eat the following:
Fruit & fruit juice.Cottage cheese, farmers cheese & other fresh cheeses.Diet Program Pro’s
No need to starve and are encouraged to eat when hungry.
Diet Program Con’s
Must stick to diet for good to keep off unwanted pounds. No breaks or cheat days allowed. South Beach Diet Program
Similar to the Atkins diet program in that it changes the way you eat whilst still allowing plenty of popular foods such as meat, fish & eggs but you can also eat cheese & vegetables.
You can also have dessert & diet soda. Diet Program Pro’s
Based on a healthy way of eating rather than a diet. Many of your favourite foods are probably still allowed. Some alcohol ie wine is allowed.
Diet Program Con’s
Zone Diet Program
Developed by Barry Sears a biochemist, the Zone Diet is about controlling your insulin level through a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins & fat, also known as the 40-30-30 diet (40% carbohydrates, 30% Proteins 30% fat). The Zone diet encourages eating regularly throughout the day & eliminates many jink foods such as sweets & chips.
Diet Program Pro’s
Balanced diet rather than cutting out foods you may enjoy.
Diet Program Con’s
Mediterranean Diet Program
Saturated fat is known to raise cholesterol levels.
The basic diet followed is one that has a low consumption of red meat, low to moderate consumption of sweets, fish, eggs & dairy products except cheese & natural yogurt, a high consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables & a higher consumption of breads, pasta, rice, potatoes & couscous. Diet Program Pro’s
Not a “fad diet” but a traditional way of eating with known health benefits.
Diet Program Con’s
Weight Watchers Diet Program
There are 2 main diet programs for you to follow; one a points system where all foods are allocated points according to their calorie, fat & fibre content. The other diet program is a no points system which allows you to eat from a range of wholesome foods without having to count the calories.
Diet Program Pro’s
Diet Program Con’s

See my other guide on Diabetes