Fighting an illness is never easy, but it can be even more difficult if you’re diabetic. When you’re sick, your body fights infection by releasing hormones that raise blood sugar levels and interfere with the effects of insulin.

It’s harder to manage your blood sugar levels and urine ketones if you have a fever or experience nausea, diarrhea or dehydration. If you don’t properly manage your glucose levels, you could end up in a diabetic coma.

People with Type 1 Diabetes may be at risk to develop ketoacidosis, while those with Type 2 Diabetes, especially older adults, may be more susceptible to a similar condition called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma. Both of these conditions can be life-threatening. Don’t let a minor illness turn into a major one: develop a sick day action plan and stick to it when the time comes.

Be Prepared: Make a Sick Day Plan Before You’re Sick

The best way to fight an illness when you have diabetes is to be prepared with a plan. That way, when you become sick, you will know what to do and have what you need on hand to manage your symptoms. Be sure to consult your doctor, diabetes educator and dietician for their input, and have their phone numbers handy in case you need to reach them at night or during holidays and weekends.

Your sick day action plan should include instructions regarding:

• How often to measure your blood sugar
• How often to measure your urine ketones
• What you should eat and/or drink and when
• What medicines you should (and shouldn’t) take
• When you should call your doctor

Measuring Your Blood Sugar and Ketones

Your health care professional is the most informed person with respect to the proper testing regimen for you.  However, as a good rule of thumb, if you have Type 1 Diabetes and you’re ill, you should consider measuring your blood glucose and ketones approximately every four hours. For those with Type 2 Diabetes, you should check your glucose levels at least four times a day. If your blood sugar is higher than 300, it is important to monitor your ketone levels as well.

It’s important to measure your ketones because they are more likely to build up if you’re sick, especially if you have an upset stomach. Any time you have an upset stomach, you should check your ketones. If left unchecked, the accumulation of these waste products can lead to ketoacidosis.

You can check ketone levels with urine test strips or a blood test.  The blood test is better mode of testing because urine ketones will always lag behind blood ketone levels.

Be sure to keep a record of all your glucose and ketone levels, noting the time of day and how you were feeling or what symptoms you were experiencing at the time and advise your doctor of any changes.

What to Eat and Drink

Even though you may not feel like it, it’s important to stick to your normal meal plan when you’re sick. If you need to modify meals, eat foods that are easy on your stomach, such as soup, crackers, regular (non-diet) gelatin. Be sure to eat enough so you consume your normal number of daily calories.

It’s also important to stay hydrated because fluids help to eliminate the excess glucose in your blood. If you’re able to maintain your normal meal plan, you should drink a lot of non-caloric liquids such as water and diet soft drinks.

If you’re not able to keep food down, you should drink liquids containing carbohydrates – approximately 50 grams of carbs every 3 to 4 hours. This includes juice, regular (non-diet) soft drinks and broth. Other choices include semi-liquids such as frozen juice bars, sherbet, yogurt and pudding.

Medicines You Should (and Shouldn’t) Take

Whatever you do, do NOT stop taking your diabetes medicines when you’re sick. You need your insulin or diabetes medication to counteract the increased blood sugar your body makes when you’re sick.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, you may need to increase your insulin. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you might need to increase your medication strength or dosage or supplement with insulin. Check with your doctor and to determine what is best for you based on your symptoms.

Before you buy or take any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, check the label to see if they contain sugar. Small doses containing sugar may be okay, but you may want to ask your pharmacist or physician if there are any sugar-free alternatives.

Be aware, some OTC and prescription medicines that don’t contain sugar can also affect your blood sugar. If taken in large doses, aspirin can lower blood glucose levels, as can some antibiotics for those who have Type 2 Diabetes and take diabetes medication. Certain cold products, such as decongestants, can raise your blood sugars.

If you have to see a doctor other than your own, be sure to mention your Diabetes and what medicines you’re taking.

Know When to Call Your Doctor

If you have diabetes and you’re sick, call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

You’ve had a fever for 2 days and aren’t getting better You’ve been vomiting or had diarrhea for more than 6 hours You have moderate to large amounts of ketones in your urine You’ve increased your insulin but your blood sugar levels are still higher than 240 You take pills for your diabetes and your glucose level increases to more than 240 before meals and stays there for more than 24 hours You have symptoms of ketoacidosis or dehydration or some other serious condition (for example, your chest hurts, you are having trouble breathing, your breath smells fruity, or your lips or tongue are dry and cracked) You’re not sure what to do to take care of yourself

Your doctor will want to know how long you’ve been sick, what medicines and dosages you’ve taken, if you’ve been eating and keeping food down, if you’ve lost weight and what your temperature, glucose and ketone levels are, so make sure you keep an accurate journal of all the details while you’re sick.

Some people just don’t like to exercise at a gym, some people cannot exercise outside when it’s hot (or  cold, raining,snowing,etc)  Here is the perfect solution, if you can walk, then you can do this in a few square feet of your room, in front of the TV. 

Some people have not exercised in a long time, but are thinking about it, or want to do it, but don’t know where to start.  Start right here with Leslie, she cues you and encourages you, the moves are simple marching, walking in place, basic kicks, nothing fancy, nothing you can’t do at your own pace.   

Ske knows about Diabetes and will talk to you about that as you walk with her.  I think you’ll love her style.  I am a big fan of Leslie Sansone’s walking DVD’s.  You can walk for miles with Leslie and not get tired of her.  She gives encouragement, and imparts some knowledge, all in her sensible, easy going style. 

You know you want to exercise, your family wants you to exercise, your doctor wants you to exercise.  This DVD is perfect for someone who hasn’t exercised in a while.  You can do this with Leslie Sansone. 

Here is a link to Amazon for her Walk Down Your Blood Sugar At Home DVD

Let me know how you like it, and if you would also recommend it!

One third of the people who have diabetes don’t even know that they have it.  Do you think you might be at risk for diabetes?  Do you have a family history of diabetes? 

Here is a link to a questionnaire to find out how much risk you have of becoming a diabetic and what you can do to lower your risk right now. 

The Diabetes Risk Test is sponsored by RealAge.com, one of the projects Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen of Oprah fame are involved in.

Do yourself a big favor and go take the test right now!  So many people write in and ask if they are at risk of getting diabetes.  Here is a helpful way to find out just what your risk is and how you can minimize your risk.

If you have any friends or relatives who are concerned about getting diabetes, send this link to them.  They will be glad you did!  Let us know if you took the test and what your thoughts are!

 What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose to energy. It is caused due to insufficient production of glucose by the pancreas. In diabetes patients, the production of glucose is impaired.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Patients with Type-1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Fatigue
Nausea
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Vomiting

However, because Type-2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Impotence in men
Increased appetite
Increased urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Slow-healing infections

How to diagnose diabetes?

The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring blood glucose level. Usually blood glucose level tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Your health care team may also request that you have a glucose tolerance test. If two hours after taking the glucose drink your glucose level is 200 or above, you will be diagnosed as having diabetes.

How can I control diabetes?

Gather all the information about diabetes, its symptoms and causes
Check your blood glucose level regularly
If find any symptom of diabetes, visit your health care team for diagnosis of diabetes
Ask your health care team about how to check blood glucose level at home
Stop smoking
Exercise daily
Follow a healthy meal plan
Check your vision at regular intervals, If found blurred visit your health care team
Check your feet regularly for checking the occurrence of diabetes
If you are diabetic, monitor you diabetes regularly
Follow instructions of health care team strictly
Avoid sweet ingredients, use sugar free food

Can diabetes be cured?

As yet, there is no treatment for either type of diabetes, although there are many ways of keeping diabetes in control. Studies have shown that good control of blood glucose (blood sugar) is the key to avoid diabetic complications later.

What are the treatment options to cure diabetes?

Diabetes is incurable. The only option is to prevent ourselves from diabetes or to keep diabetes under control.

Is diabetes a hereditary disease?

You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to have a risk of stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. There are three conditions that make people with diabetes vulnerable to foot problems. These are vascular disease and foot deformities. About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body.

If your pet has just been diagnosed with canine diabetes, you’re probably feeling shocked and overwhelmed right now. But don’t despair. Managing diabetes in dogs can be challenging at first, but after a few months, you and your pet will be old hands at it. Here are some answers to questions you probably have. 

1. Why Are Blood Sugar Levels Important?

Your pet’s body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose during the digestion process. Glucose is what fuels the body. It’s transported by the blood to all parts of your pet’s body.  

Blood glucose levels go up after a meal. That’s when insulin, produced in the pancreas, is released into your pet’s system to keep the blood sugar levels from becoming too high.  

If not enough insulin is being produced, blood sugar levels will get too high, which causes damage over time to your pet’s organ systems. If your pet isn’t fed at the right time, or he receives too much insulin, blood sugar levels can plummet to dangerously low levels, which can quickly cause death.

Blood sugar is measured by how many mg of glucose are present in a deciliter of blood. Normal blood sugar levels in dogs range between 75 and 120 millegrams per deciliter (mg/dL). It’s normal for the blood sugar levels to rise after a meal. But if they stay above 180 for a long time, the body will try to get rid of excess sugar by excreting it in the urine. This is known as “sugar spilling.”  

Blood sugar levels below 80 are too low, and if the level drops below 60, this is a crisis situation. You need to get your pet’s blood sugar levels higher right away. 

2. What Does “Regulation” Mean For Diabetes In Dogs?

Your pet is considered “regulated” when the supplies of food and insulin are balanced, which results in blood sugar levels staying within normal levels all day. 

If your pet is left alone all day, it can be challenge to keep her blood sugar levels from gettng too low or too high. You don’t want her blood sugar levels to get too low, because this can be fatal quickly. If levels are too high for long periods of time, ketoacidosis can result, which is a different crisis. Until she’s well-regulated, you may need to have someone come home mid-day to check her blood sugar level.  

3. Regulating Canine Diabetes Takes Time

You’ll need to establish a routine of feeding your pet at the same time every day. Two meals a day, twelve hours apart, is usually recommended. You’ll also need to check her blood sugar levels and give her an insulin injection twice a day, usually at mealtimes.

It’s best to give her the insulin shot after she eats. If you give it to her before you feed her, and then she doesn’t eat, her blood sugar levels will drop dangerously low, which means an emergency trip to the vet.

Always warm insulin in your hand before you give it to your dog, as injecting it while it’s cold is painful for your pet.

Is There A Cure For Diabetes In Dogs?

Unfortunately, no. The best cure is prevention. Since the biggest risk factor for dogs with diabetes is being overweight, putting her on a diet is the best thing you can do for your pet. Plenty of exercise is essential, too. Exercise is a great way to control blood sugar levels naturally.  

Natural remedies for dogs contain herbs and dietary supplements which have been proven to control blood sugar levels naturally. Many pet owners have successfully used a combination of diet, exercise, and herbs to prevent diabetes in dogs.

Don’t wait for your pet to develop canine diabetes. While it’s still fresh in your mind, you’ll want to start learning now how you can prevent your pet from becoming a diabetic.

Diabetes is a hormone disorder that can cause problems with the kidneys, legs and feet, eyes, heart, nerves, and blood flow.Diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Diabetes is on the increase, probably because people are living longer, getting fatter and leading increasingly inactive lifestyles. Diabetes, without qualification, usually refers to diabetes mellitus, but there are several rarer conditions also named diabetes. The most common of these is diabetes insipidus in which the urine is not sweet; it can be caused by either kidney or pituitary gland damage. The term “type 1 diabetes” has universally replaced several former terms, including childhood-onset diabetes, juvenile diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes. “Type 2 diabetes” has also replaced several older terms, including adult-onset diabetes, obesity-related diabetes, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes.

Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus—formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus—previously known as adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. Some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. Most people affected by type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Diet and exercise cannot reverse or prevent type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent hyperglycemia. Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. Medications have also been shown to provide similar benefit. Both diabetes drugs metformin and Precose have been shown to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in people with this pre-diabetes condition. A group of medicines known as ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are sometimes used to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in diabetes and can also reduce the risk or progression of kidney and eye diseases. Microscopic or nanotechnological approaches are under investigation as well, in one proposed case with implanted stores of insulin metered out by a rapid response valve sensitive to blood glucose levels. Medications to treat diabetes include insulin and glucose-lowering pills called oral hypoglycemic drugs. Insulin preparations differ in how quickly they start to work and how long they remain active. Stop smoking, which hinders blood flow to the feet.

Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Diabetes is usually controlled by a healthy diet and regular exercise.

2. Magnesium may play a significant role in preventing Type 2 diabetes.

3. Use of metformin, rosiglitazone and valsartan.

4. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes.

5. Glucose in the blood is produced by the liver from the foods you eat.

6. Oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.

7. Maintaining an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

8. Strict control of blood glucose, or blood sugar, as well as blood pressure

Two million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. That’s one in 17 and the diagnosis continues to grow in numbers with one third of individuals currently unaware they have this chronic disorder.

Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. Symptoms may include excess thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision, poor wound healing and frequent infections to name a few. Complications are vast, especially with uncontrolled blood sugar regulation. They include heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and blindness, and autoimmune disorders [arthritis, thyroid disease, etc].

How can you best manage this disease?

Since diabetes is a condition in which your body cannot properly use and store food for energy, a healthy diet along with regular exercise is vital for diabetics and individuals with pre-diabetes and Syndrome X. Balanced meals containing whole foods (fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fibre and lean quality protein) are vital. Eating three times a day at regular times helps manage diabetes.

Whey Protein – an excellent form of lean protein, whey is immune-enhancing as it increases antioxidant protection. Whey helps minimize infection, improve gut health and when used in combination with exercise helps improve muscle mass and healthy body composition.

Healthy Fats – Omega 3 EFA’s [essential fatty acids] from fish oil rich in EPA and DHA protect against heart disease, help reduce triglycerides and apoproteins [markers of diabetes] and improves mood. Fatty fish [salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines] are excellent sources of omega 3 EFA’s. For those unable to consume adequate amounts of fish, the nutrition house omega 3 extra EFA supplement is the highest potency EPA/DHA in the natural health market.

Exercise and physical activity is essential to help manage [and prevent] diabetes. Weight loss including a decrease in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. Exercise can boost cardiovascular health, improve good cholesterol and mood.

Since early times, natural health supplements have been used to help improve quality of life or ease suffering in some capacity. Today, research continues to shed new light on the benefits of many natural remedies in various disorders and conditions. This is true of diabetes and its healthy management.

Nutritional and Herbal Supplements Specific to Diabetes

High Potency Multivitamin

Essential for most individuals, a high potency multi-vitamin is a must for diabetics. Many of the vitamins and minerals contained in these formulations carry a protective and necessary role for good health. For instance, vitamin E is considered the most potent and important fat-soluble antioxidant. It protects the lipid membrane of the cell walls [especially nerve cells] preventing free radical damage. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that amongst its many functions is vital for collagen production and wound repair. Its cardiovascular benefits include its ability to slow atherosclerosis and reduce blood pressure. Many diabetics are deficient in vitamin C. This important vitamin is normally found in high concentration in the eyes, so proper intake of this nutrient will support eye health. Speaking of deficiencies, diabetics often have low magnesium levels and those suffering from severe retinopathy appear to have the lowest levels. Magnesium plays an essential role in a wide-range of biological functions and deficiency appears to aggravate insulin resistance and predisposes diabetics to heart disease. The B vitamins are important for neurological health. Vitamin B6 helps prevent diabetic neuropathy while vitamin B12 supplementation may improve pain in patients suffering from neuropathy.

Chromium is a trace mineral that is required for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. It facilitates the uptake of glucose into the cells. Deficiency of this nutrient is a factor in diabetes and obesity. Supplementing with additional chromium can help improve blood sugar control, decrease triglyceride and LDL levels. For individuals suffering from a chromium deficiency, the use of chromium may aid in weight loss and improve healthy body composition.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that is both fat and water soluble. It is known for its ability to protect brain and nerve cells from free radical damage. Research shows that it may help regenerate nerve fibres as it is known to improve blood flow to peripheral nerves. Lipoic acid helps improve blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity and can help increase energy levels.

Gymnema Sylvestre is an herb that has can support metabolic control through its ability to reduce intestinal absorption of glucose and enhances insulin function. Gymnema improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics.

The above are only some of the nutrients to support diabetics and their specific health needs.  Proper blood glucose control is imperative to reduce the likelihood of complications in order to improve quality and length of life. Becoming informed is the first step in any prevention program to fully understand your options. For more information on supplementation visit your local nutrition house store or visit us on-line at NutritionHouse.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease. Diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure (diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of dialysis in developed world adults), retinal damage , nerve damage (of several kinds), and microvascular damage, which may cause erectile dysfunction (impotence) and poor healing. About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. As with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs more often in some ethnic groups and among women with a family history of diabetes.

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. Diabetes, without qualification, usually refers to diabetes mellitus, but there are several rarer conditions also named diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. About 65 percent of deaths among those with diabetes are attributed to heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy, and birth defects are more common in babies born to women with diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to develop rapidly, over a couple of weeks, and are more severe. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop slowly and are usually milder. At least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of the diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. Regular exercise is especially important for people with diabetes. It helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure. People with diabetes who exercise are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than diabetics who do not exercise regularly. Metformin this is often the first medicine that is advised for type 2 diabetes. Sulphonylureas for example, glibelclamide, gliclazide, glimerpirizide, glipizide, gliquidone, increase the amount of insulin produced by your pancreas.

The researchers all over the world are busy trying to find out the exact methods to manage diabetes. For, diabetes has assumed the settled form of a dreaded disease, not sparing children, pregnant women, adults and the old. The aged persons are the worst sufferers because it destroys the strength in their body at a rapid pace.

Scientists believe that environmental factors cause the immune system to destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When the insulin-producing cells are permanently destroyed, the only alternative for you is to provide insulin to the body through external resources such as injections! So, far no other remedy has been found!

There are two types of diabetes. Type I and Type II.

The former is incurable, and it will remain as your life-long partner- the most unreliable partner for that matter! Because many dreaded diseases are its likely companions. These dreaded companions will never shudder to attack you, should you be a bit less alert in taking care of your diabetes.

Type II is curable, it is reported that 9 out of 10 cases are successfully treated. There are certain preconditions however! You must have control over your diet and indulge in regular exercising. Consumption of alcohol as well as smoking is thoroughly prohibited. Body Weight Check is your watchword!

For type I, take 2 to 5 injections per day. Insulin has a dual function to play. It regulates both the blood sugar and the speed at which sugar moves into cells. But insulin is not to be treated as replacement for proper diet. The diet and exercise are the foundation stones for controlling diabetes. Insulin will have the favorable impact only after you take the necessary precautions.

With course of treatment of type I Diabetes, no chance can be taken. It is always to be considered as a dreaded disease and should be treated and respected as such. Some of the symptoms of your laxity of treating type I diabetes are continuous need to urinate, excessive thirst, weakness, coupled with tiredness, urinary tract infections, blurred vision and numbness in the feet.

If Type I diabetes is not treated and looked after properly, it is not a life and death situation, it is life or death, and chances for the later are more!

There are three different types of diabetes that are very common today. Diabetes effects millions of people around the world and it can be a life threatening disease if it is not properly treated or treated in time. Many people may not even know that they have diabetes. That is why it is so important to talk to your doctor about your family history and get regular checkups with your doctor.

Getting the right medications for your health conditions is very important. With the right medicines and a good exercise program, along with a good diet, you should be able to take care of yourself with only some limitations. You can lead a very normal life if you have diabetes. Of course you do have to take the right care of it.

Some people are choosing to only try natural remedies, which can benefit your diabetes symptoms almost as well as a prescribed medicine, but others may not have a choice but to have insulin injections, sometimes as often as six times per day. Listening to your health care physician is vital after being diagnosed with diabetes. He will be able to assist you on what types of medicines that you will need. He will also talk to you more about which kind of exercise program you will need to start on. And, of course, your diet which is vital to maintain.

After being diagnosed with diabetes you will have to monitor your blood sugar levels every single day. Your doctor might even ask you to keep a journal on these daily readings so that he will have the ability to view them upon your follow up visits. This will keep him informed on your progress and allow him to make any slight adjustments that may be needed to your medications. He will be able to determine by these daily readings if your medications,diet and exercise program are helping you as much as they should be. If not, then he will know what needs to be done from there. It is important to keep up with this kind of information for him so you will have the proper treatments.

Different Types of Diabetes

There are three different types of diabetes that are very common today.

Type1 Type2 Gestational

When a woman becomes pregnant she will find that during the last trimester of her pregnancy her doctor will be checking her for what is called gestational diabetes. Usually if a woman is diagnosed with this type of diabetes during pregnancy, after giving birth, their glucose levels will go back to normal. The risk of diabetes is still there, up to 10 years after delivery or if she has a family history of diabetes. If a woman develops this type of diabetes during her pregnancy, her child will be at higher risk of becoming diabetic sometime throughout their life.

The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. This is the kind of diabetes where the patient is not dependent on insulin shots. Being overweight has a lot to do with someone getting this type of diabetes, however, that is not the only thing to blame for it. With some people it may be genetic while with others it is caused by a high blood pressure level. Becoming physically active can help when treating this type of diabetes, along with a proper diet and medicine that your doctor will prescribe. He can give you an exercise program to follow along with the right kinds of food you should be eating. Number one rule is-follow your doctors orders fully.

The other kind of diabetes is Type 1 diabetes. This type is usually caused by pure genetics or your diet. This type of diabetes means that you are insulin dependent. Depending on the severity of this type of diabetes will determine how many shots you will need each and every day. As with the other types of diabetes it is vital that you put yourself on a regular exercise program along with a proper diet. Always get regular check ups with your family doctor. The patients pancreas is not producing any amount of insulin at all and that is the reason it is called autoimmune diabetes. If not treated properly and promptly, this can be the most dangerous one of all.

Enjoying Sweets With Your Diabetes

Many people believe that people with diabetes can not, in any way, have the enjoyments of indulging occasionally or ever, in getting to eat sweets. Those of you who are suffering with diabetes, if you do not already know, will be very happy to hear that you can in fact enjoy those sweet pleasures once in awhile. It is all about moderation, not just for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. The problem with any foods that are bad for us, is that so many of us eat entirely too much.

Studies have shown that people with diabetes that do enjoy the occasional sweets do have to worry about their blood sugars rising a little bit too quickly, but that also happens with any kinds of fatty carbohydrate foods that a diabetic might eat. I am not telling all diabetics to go out and get sweets anytime they please but just that if you choose to, if you crave it, if you feel like you need it, go for it, just do not over indulge yourself too much ok. It is important to keep your blood sugar in check at all times when you have diabetes.

If you do decide you want sweets one evening, just plan for the occasion, eat less carbohydrates throughout the day to give your body a fair shot at a tasty treat. Just remember to watch your portions. If you are creating your own special sweets then perhaps you could consider substituting the real sugar for one of the new substitues . That is very helpful when trying to watch your weight and also keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels. Having diabetes does not mean that you are going to suffer from now on with cravings that you can not ever satisfy.

Drinking Coffee For Diabetes

Now for the really good news for coffee drinkers. It has been discovered that drinking caffeine coffee actually reduces your risks of becoming a diabetic and it also helps in the many types of treatments for people who have type 2 diabetes. Many people may not be aware of this, so you should all consider doing a little research on the ways that coffee can actually help your health and talk it over with your family doctor. Several studies have been done on whether or not this is really accurate and the results are overwhelming in the ways that coffee can actually help your health. Usually women have more of a resistance to insulin than men do, so women may benefit from this knowledge more than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that with these studies, they have actually found that the risks for diabetes is going down somewhat with the increase of coffee consumption. Many people might be really happy with these findings because drinking coffee is something that many people all around the world enjoy, usually on an everyday basis.

If you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, drinking coffee several times a day will help with your insulin secretion because of the effects coffee has on your gastrointestinal hormones throughout your body. You can lower your glucose absorption rate and lessen your chances of futher complications by having a cup of coffee daily. Not only does your consumption of caffeine coffees help reduce your risks of diabetes and helps in treating some diabetes, it will also help in controlling a woman’s cholesterol levels.