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If you think that you are prone to diabetes, the first thing that you need to know is to understand what is the illness all about. Experts say that diabetes is a chronic disease, which develop among people who have the inability to utilize the glucose in their food to be used as energy. The illness develops when the accumulated glucose stays in the person’s bloodstream for a long time. Over a period of time, this amount of glucose, can bring potential harm to the person’s other organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, and even the nerves themselves.

After having sufficient knowledge about it and how the disease develops, the next step is to know what kind of diabetes that are known and acknowledged by experts and physicians. Today, there are three major types of diabetes including “Type 1 diabetes,” “Type 2 diabetes,” and “Gestational diabetes.” Knowing what they are and what sets each one apart from one other will help people who are prone to diabetes where to focus in trying to manage their condition.

What type are you?

Type 1diabetes otherwise known as “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes,” is considered as the least common type of diabetes there is. Experts say that it is an auto-immune disease that makes the body’s immune system–which serves as a shield against infection–gone not of working order, thus, savaging the cells located in the pancreas which is responsible for producing insulin. For people–especially those who are prone to diabetes–insulin is very important in breaking down the food once eaten.

People who suffer from type 1 diabetes has the inability to make insulin, thus, their body’s are easily damaged by the accumulate glucose in the body. Since they need insulin to get by, people who are suffering from this type of diabetes need a regular supply of insulin 24/7. Children and young adults are prone to this type of diabetes but this occur at any age or can be a result of an illness. Type 1diabetes sufferers exhibit characteristics such as onset thirst, often urination, and drastic weight loss. Next is the type 2 diabetes, which is also known as “non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus” and “adult-onset diabetes”. What sets it apart from the type 1diabetes is that the person suffering from this has the ability to make insulin it’s just that the amount produced in not enough for the body to use it efficiently.

This type is considered as the common type of diabetes, which usually develops among people who are more than 40 years of age. People who are prone to this type of diabetes are usually those who are overweight or obese and those that have sedentary lifestyle. Being a progressive disease, type 2 diabetes can also lead to more severe complications like diseases including the heart, the kidney, the eyes through blindness and amputation or loss of limbs. People who suffer from type 2 diabetes are also characterized by slow or onset thirstiness, repeated urination, and loss of weight usually develops is a span of weeks to weeks.

The last type is called “gestational diabetes” which develops during pregnancy. Normally, this type of diabetes ends after giving birth but there are also those cases in some women that develop this type diabetes as they get older. Gestational diabetes, though it is common among pregnant women, should be monitored because there’s a big chance of leading to type 2 diabetes.

Weight loss fanatics are not the only people who are crazy about artificial sweeteners. There are also the diabetics. But, for them, replacing sucrose or table sugar with more intense sugar substitutes mean more than shedding off a couple of pounds. On many occasions, these are a matter of staving off diabetes symptoms or not.

Pros Save on calories – The average American consumes around twenty teaspoons of sugar every day. These much sugar translates to more than 300 calories per day. It will only take you a little more than five days to pack up another pound by consuming the same amount of sugar alone on a daily basis. While at the outset, this problem is somewhat exclusive for obese individuals, those people diagnosed with diabetes also have issues with sugar. The solution to this problem of course is either to cut back on sugar intake or replace table sugar with zero-calorie sweeteners.

The good thing about these substitutes is that their taste is more intense (some sweeteners like sucralose are several hundred times sweeter than ordinary sugar). Consumers, therefore, require less of these sugars which eventually leads to lesser problems with blood glucose levels, or for overweight individuals, lesser worries with packing up more pounds.

But, beware. Sugar substitutes do not always mean they contain zero calories. Also, not all sugar substitutes can help fend off extra calories.

Lots of varieties – Low-calorie and no-calorie sugar substitutes come in varieties. In the market today, the most recognizable sugar substitutes are sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame-K, stevia, sorbitol, and mannitol.

Generally safe for consumption – All sugar substitutes are consumable. But, this does not suggest that all of them are free of properties that can lead to the development of certain conditions or properties that can pike up blood glucose levels. In general, those sugar substitutes that are not considered carbohydrates do not have any effects on blood glucose levels.

Cons Even if artificial sweeteners present good alternatives to weight thwarting table sugar, there are still a lot of drawbacks to using these products. First, there is the bitter after taste that many people find unpleasant. Some sugar substitutes like acesulfame-K tastes bitter when used alone.

Artificial sweeteners also tend to produce inferior quality baked products. Natural sugar plays a huge role in texture as well as taste. Laboratory-produced ones just don’t seem to keep up with natural products. The best alternative to sugar for baked goods is sucralose because heat does not affect its taste.

Prolonged use of artificial sweeteners can also lead to side effects like chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. There are also reports that frequent consumers of these sweeteners end up hungry all the time, which kind of defeats the purpose of using sugar substitutes in the first place. This is because there is no sense of fullness in consuming substitutes instead of the real, natural sugar.

Hidden calories are also a problem commonly encountered with sugar substitutes. Sometimes, bulking agents toss in a few calories that many consumers are unaware of.

The jury is still out on the efficacy of sugar substitutes as diabetic products. Current reports are contradicting and it is still quite hard to pin down whether using these is actually beneficial or not. But, experts agree that so long as artificial sweeteners are used in moderation, no adverse effects may appear. Or at least, not immediately.

It is not only the human kind that can develop diabetes. Even our beloved pets, no matter how well we care for them, can develop diabetes.

This is often a scary situation for the pet owner and the first question that is usually asked of the veterinarian is -will my pet need to be put to sleep-?

Of course this is a difficult issue and the answer may vary on the overall age and health of your pet.

Many older pets that are diagnosed with diabetes go on to live many more happy years, but this takes commitment and close care of your pet.

Diabetic cats and dogs can live just as long as perfectly healthy pet if the diabetes is diagnosed and treated properly by both the veterinarian and the owner.

This takes great commitment from the owner. Pets must be cared for and watched daily with a high level of care and patience.

There can be no feeding the cat and forgetting until the next day. There is no leaving the pet along to go on a trip. Every day your pet will need medication, fed a proper diet and his behavior will need to be monitored closely.

This doesn’t mean you will have to give up your job and stay home full time with your pet, but it does mean you will have to pay more attention to what his behavior is and know what to do if the situation should change.

It is also more of a financial obligation to have a sick pet. So it is something that should be discussed in length with your vet.

Pregnancy is probably the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to any woman. This is why proper nutrition and nourishment–despite having a chronic illness such as diabetes–should be paid attention in order to ensure the health and well being not only of the mother but of the baby as well.

One of the most important aspects of pregnancy that should be paid attention to is proper nutrition. This cannot only be achieved by eating a variety of foods from different food groups but also by taking in prescribed supplementation. Since not all pregnant women are very tuned into eating a broad range of foods that are good sources of crucial nutrients during pregnancy, taking in supplements such as calcium, multivitamins and iron is necessary to support the growing baby inside the womb.

Ideal nourishment

Generally, pregnant women are advised to eat well-balanced meals that comprise of foods coming from all food groups so she can provide the proper nourishment for the baby and herself. Good nutrition by eating healthy foods and a well-balanced diet does not only ensure that the baby gets the nutrients he or she needs but this also help in minimizing some of the pains and discomfort caused by the symptoms of pregnancy.

To achieve optimum nutrition, pregnant women are advised to consume foods that are rich in folate, calcium, iron, vitamins, and minerals that can be found in whole grain breads, pastas, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats and dairy products. The following are just some of the nutrients pregnant women need during the gestation period.

- calories. Pregnant women are advised to take in about 300 extra calories coming from a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains are needed everyday to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

- protein. Protein nourishment is very important during pregnancy because it provides the building blocks for the baby’s growth especially in proper brain development. Pregnant women with diabetes are advised to aim for 30 grams of protein or more daily that should come from various animal and dairy products such as cheese, eggs, fish, chicken, beef, lamb, yogurt, cereals, grains, pasta, legumes, beans, peanuts, broccoli, peas, and leafy green vegetables.

- Vitamin C. Enough supply of Vitamin C is quiet significant for a pregnant woman because it strengthens her immunity and helps in building strong collagen, bone and teeth for the growing baby. Since Vitamin C cannot be restored in the body, a fresh supply is needed daily to ensure that the mother gets enough of this nutrient. Excellent Vitamin C sources include green leafy and yellow vegetable as well as yellow fruits.

- calcium. For bone and tooth formation, calcium intake is another significant nutrient pregnant woman should increase. Experts say that about 1,200 mg of calcium daily is recommended for lactation and pregnancy. Calcium sources include dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

- iron. Iron is a very important mineral needed to avoid the possibility of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy. The recommended iron intake for pregnant women is 30 to 50 mg that should come from lean meats, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, and whole grain cereals. But since it is difficult to get enough iron in diet intake alone, the doctor usually prescribes iron supplement.

Pregnant women with diabetes should be more particular about their eating patterns now more than before because maintaining proper levels of glucose can highly contribute to the overall of both mother and child.

What is sad about people who are suffering from diabetes is that many of them remain undiagnosed mainly because of lack of knowledge on the disease and lack of resources to even visit a doctor and know their real condition. In fact, more often than not, “diabetics” or the people who are suffering from diabetes only know about their condition once their bodies exhibit signs and symptoms that can no longer be ignored. These include extreme blurring of vision, excruciating pains especially in the legs, and cuts or sores that takes time to heal and worse, wounds that don’t heal at all and needs to cut to avoid other affected cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

Treatment and medical options

Since diabetes is a chronic disease, people who are suffering from it should be more vigilant about their health more than ever. It means that they should visit their doctors more often, maintain a healthy lifestyle and take the necessary medications or undergo needed treatments for them to stay healthy.

Before taking in any medication or undergoing a specific treatment, it is a must that person knows what type of diabetes he or she is suffering from. Basically, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes wherein the person’s body doesn’t have the capability to produce insulin, which is crucial for sugar to turn the food into energy; the type 2 diabetes–the most common type–restricts the person’s pancreas to produce enough supply insulin for the body to use well; and the gestational diabetes which occurs among pregnant women and can lead to type 2 diabetes eventually if not monitored immediately.

Experts say that people with diabetes should aim for healthy diet and getting regular exercise to control the illness. At times, there will be the need to take in some medications or undergo treatments. The following are just some of the common medications advised for people with diabetes:

1. Insulin shots. Since insufficient insulin levels in the body cause diabetes, insulin itself can solve the problem. For diabetics, insulin is very important because it lowers the blood sugar in the body by moving the sugar from the person’s blood into the cells. Insulin should be taken at least two times daily to ensure that there will be stable blood sugar control. It should be taken at least 30 minutes before each meal or should be taken before one eats especially if she or he takes a fast effecting type.

2. Oral medications. People with type 1 diabetes are not advised to use oral medications since insulin shots are injected in their bodies 24/7 in order to survive. Oral medications work best to people with type 2 diabetes–especially those who have high blood sugar–because these can serve as a supplement for them. The most common oral medications include sulfonylureas which forces the pancreas to produce more insulin to lower the blood sugar levels; siguanides which helps achieve lower blood sugar by stopping the liver in producing too much sugar; metformin which helps the person lose weight which is the common cause of diabetes; thiazolidinediones which helps the cells develop higher sensitivity to insulin which moves the glucose from the blood; and meglitinides which is responsible for helping the pancreas produce more insulin immediately after each meal to effectively lower blood sugar levels.

Diabetes strikes at any age. But one type of diabetes is particularly notorious towards very young patients. It’s called juvenile diabetes. Although juvenile diabetes is not exclusive among children, it’s relatively high prevalence in the younger population make it a root of concern for parents whose children were diagnosed with this chronic, insulin-dependent condition. There are many things that a child with juvenile diabetes needs. Some of them are discussed below:

Blood glucose meter or glucometer – The first and one that should be at the top of your list of priorities is the glucometer. This is a portable device that measures the glucose levels in the blood of the patient. You don’t normally have to pay a high price to get this device since manufacturers sell these at a very low price. Also, many insurance companies provide coverage for this device. When considering a particular brand or model, it is best to first check the price and availability of compatible test strips. This is because these strips usually have a huge cut on the expenses incurred on monitoring blood glucose levels. Test strips are usually priced at $1 per piece, but it is not uncommon to find 50 cent per piece strips.

Insulin pen – An insulin pen is a portable insulin delivery system that looks very much like a regular pen. This injects controlled doses of insulin into the bloodstream without the need for a health care personnel’s assistance. There are two types of insulin pens: the pre-filled pen and the durable pen. The former is a disposable pen that contains pre-mixed insulin and the latter is a pen that only needs cartridge replacements. There is, however, a new type of insulin pen that has built-in memory. This can contain up to a hundred values which should make recording of time, date and insulin dosage easier for the user.

Emergency glucose tablet – This diabetic product for children is one way of controlling insulin reaction. Whereas adults use candy and other sweets, diabetic children are administered with emergency glucose tablets that deliver precise amounts of glucose into the bloodstream to normalize blood glucose levels. Although a lot of people see these as candy substitutes, these do not look candy at all so parents and teachers will not have any problem with missing glucose tablets.

Insulin pump – Otherwise known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy, an insulin pump is a medical device that is used to administer insulin to treat symptoms of diabetes mellitus. This device comprises of a pump, a disposable reservoir that is attached inside the pump, and a disposable infusion set. Taking the price out of the equation, an insulin pump is a good alternative to daily injections of insulin using injections products since it makes a person do away with multiple insulin injections. When used alongside a carb counting device and a blood glucose monitoring device, this can make for an intensive insulin therapy.

Injection products – Many children run away from injection products like syringes and needles. This should not be the case, however. Parents should help condition their children’s thinking towards injection products.

Lancets and lancet devices – These are devices used to draw blood samples for blood glucose testing. The priority in choosing these products is to find those that could give the least discomfort to their users.

Blood glucose meter is a portable device is something that all diabetics cannot live without. Constantly monitoring blood glucose fluctuations is very important since blood glucose values often dictate how the healthcare team attending the patient can best deliver treatment.

But, blood glucose monitoring is most important for parents whose children were diagnosed with diabetes, specifically type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. These parents need to monitor their children’s glucose levels so that appropriate measures can be set in place and so that the onset of symptoms can be staved off. But, above all, children who depend entirely on insulin injections need to keep watch of their blood glucose levels. Doing so will not only help them find a rest from constantly shooting up blood glucose levels, but will help them function more normally.

So what is type 1 diabetes? Also called juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a condition that is charcaterized by the pancreas’ lack of capacity to produce its own insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows the delivery of glucose into individual cells to give them energy. Without this ability, all cells in the body will lack the energy to continue performing at their optimal capacity, leaving the patient very weak and bodily functions compromised. Also, without insulin, the bloodstream will be flooded with so much glucose or sugar, which leads to a host of uncomfortable diabetes symptoms.

To prevent symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, constant fatigue and others, patients to keep blood glucose levels under control. Among the best ways of doing so is by using blood glucose meter.

Blood glucose meter comes in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the manufacturer and brand, in a variety of technologies. To know which one can help the patient best, the following pointers can be considered:

Cost This device come in cheap, in fact, many manufacturers even give it away for free. So you shouldn’t be paying a lot for a blood glucose meter. But, remember that these companies do not give their products away at a very low cost because of purely altruistic reasons. You should beware of the test strips that are used alongside this device. When considering a blood glucose meter, check first the price of the test strips that are compatible with the product. This should be anywhere from 50 cents to one dollar per strip. You might use three or more of these strips every day to continually monitor your child’s blood glucose levels.

Insurance Like blood glucose meters manufacturers, insurance companies also provide coverage for the device, but not usually on the test strips. Be sure to check with your provider regarding the coverage your kid will get in terms of his diabetic expenses.

Ease of use Look for convenience when buying a glucometer. Your child should be able to use it on his own without supervision to see whether it is easy enough to be used. It should also be light enough to be carried around since your kid will have to take it with him on a constant basis. If you or your child has vision problems, it is best to stick with a glucometer that has a mid-sized to large display screen so both of you would not have difficulty reading the values.

Built-in memory Some blood glucose meters come with built-in memory that is powerful enough to record up to a few hundred readings. If your kid manages to be with his own a lot, you should try getting him one that has good memory capacity so you can keep track of the trends on the fluctuations of blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form found in the US. Ninety to ninety-five percent of people diagnosed with diabetes have this type.

Usually developed later in life, it is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of fifty-five, but in many cases as young as forty or even younger.

This is because eighty percent of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. With obesity at an all time high, the diagnoses for type 2 diabetes is also at an all time high.

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is still producing insulin, but for some unknown reason, the body is not able to utilize it effectively. As a result, just as in type 1 diabetes, type 2 people develop a dangerous buildup of glucose in the blood and the body is not able to utilize it for fuel.

People who have type 2 diabetes may see their symptoms develop over time. They are not usually as noticeable as the type 1 symptoms.

Symptoms include fatigue, frequent urination, especially throughout the night hours, unusual thirst, weight loss, frequent infections and slow healing sores.

In fact, sores may never heal and if not treated it is common for people to have limbs amputated. This usually occurs in the legs, feet and toes.

Also as with type 1, if the symptoms go untreated and insulin is not administered when necessary, the patient runs the risk of slipping into a diabetic coma, which can be fatal.

It is important if you have any symptoms of type 1 or 2 diabetes you speak with a health professional and get tested.

The cost of having diabetes is financially draining. From buying a blood glucose meter to maintaining an ample supply of insulin, expenses just keep on adding up. You spend a few thousand dollars on test strips in one year alone and that still does not include expenses on blood monitoring supplies like glucometer that may need to be replaced from time to time, disposable insulin syringes, injections, needles, pens, foot care products, and frequent trips to the doctor. Needless to say, cutting back on your expenses is a welcome prospect. Here are some useful tips that can help you save on diabetic products:

Talk to your insurance provider – Although very limited, there are insurance companies that cover your expenses on diabetic products. Some companies pay for your blood glucose meters, insulin injections, medications, and other diabetes supplies. To know the extent of coverage you can get, it is best to talk to your insurance provider. But, be sure to clarify all your concerns with a qualified insurance personnel. Many consumers end up paying more than what they initially expected because they were misinformed. Be sure to ask whether only a particular brand is covered and whether test strips, for example, can be reimbursed.

Ask for a free glucometer – Many companies, insurance companies and manufacturers alike, give away free glucometers. Drugstores and pharmacies have a lot of perks that could help you save a couple of dollars on glucometers as well. If you look hard enough, you may even find free coupons on magazines and pharmacy flyers. The truth is, glucometers don’t really have to burden your budget for diabetes treatment. The easiest way to get them for free is to simply call the manufacturer of the blood glucose meter and ask for a free sample, if they are offering one, or express your interest on buying their new product. This can also work with all other diabetic products like syringes, lancet, infusion sets, needle tips, and insulin cartridges.

Buy your supplies online – You will be surprised by how much money you can save by just browsing on diabetic products online. With the exemption of some online vendors that mark up their products excessively, there are plenty of online sellers who give huge discounts on their products. Some sellers can give as much as 50% discount on their products with free shipping and sometimes a free item or two. When looking for an online supplier, see to it that you find one that provides all the supplies you need.

Buy in bulk – Buying your diabetic supplies wholesale can save you delivery cost, dispensing fee and other expenses associated with purchasing drugs regularly.

Replace your medications with generic drugs – Generic drugs may look different from brand name drugs, but their efficacy and effects on the body are practically the same. Their price does not speak of their quality, but of the absence of patent protection which costs a lot.

Do not let up on your medications – People have the tendency to stop taking their medications once symptoms of diabetes subside thinking that they can save on medication expenses this way. In the long run, this would not only prove detrimental, but will also pile up of expenses because there is further need to address complications that are caused by intermittent use of drugs.

Contrary to popular belief the only older people suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, more and more kids are now are diagnosed with this illness all over the world. The type of diabetes that kids are prone with is the “type 1 diabetes.” Also known as ” juvenile diabetes,” this type is diagnosed in almost 40 children everyday in the United States of America alone.

Type 1 diabetes can be considered as the rarest type compared to other diabetes types such as “type 2 diabetes” and “gestational diabetes” but now, more and more people–especially the younger ones suffer from it. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs person’s body is stopped form producing enough insulin, which is a type of hormone that every human needs. In order to survive, people–especially kids–with this type of diabetes should have insulin injected in their bodies every single day in order to continue living.

With the help of modern technology, kids with type 1 diabetes can live a normal life because they have better options in terms of blood glucose testing and insulin administration which are just some of the common processes that diabetics undergo. To help kids cope up with their condition, more and more medical facilities now offer treatments that can help the child live an active, healthy, and a life filled with fun excitement just like other regular kids.

Dealing with diabetes in children

Parenting a child is enough challenge for a parent once he or she has decided to form a family. But when a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, parenting and raising this child become more difficult, challenging and at times, frustrating. To help parents deal with their children when diabetes attacks them at such an early age, experts say that they should:

1. encourage and help the child to develop healthy eating habits. Once a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it makes his or her world smaller. There will be more restrictions especially in eating. These restrictions can lead to eating problems that will be harder to manage once they get older. So as early as now, parents must instill among their kids the importance of eating healthy and well-balanced food to avoid further diabetes complications. Parents must also make sure that the child follows the regular schedule in taking in snacks and eating meals. But if the child doesn’t want to eat a certain type of food you’re offering, don’t force him or her. Instead, give the child a variety of healthy foods that he or she can choose from.

2. ensure to test blood glucose levels regularly. The ideal frequency of blood glucose testing is at least four times per day. If possible, the parents should monitor this themselves to ensure that if the child is coping up with the condition or not.

3. instill in the child the importance of regular exercise. To avoid being obese that can lead to more complications among kids with diabetes, parents must make exercise a part of the child’s daily living. This exercise should not be so rigorous, it can be a simple walk, jog, or even helping out with household chores as long as there’s enough movement for the day.

4. reassure the child of your love and support. There are kids with diabetes who think that having the chronic illness is their fault. Many of them also think that they have that condition because they did something bad or they are not just good enough for their parents. To erase these doubts in the child’s mind, parents must always ensure their child that they will support him or her no matter and they will love the child no matter what.