Type 2 Diabetes - Beating Diabetes Before It Starts

The number of new Type 2 diabetes cases is increasing at an alarming rate. But what is even more alarming is the fact that Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. So why does its occurrence continue to spread all over our planet? Because not enough emphasis is being placed on preventing it before it has a chance to occur.

Here are some ways that can help you to avoid diabetes before it's too late...

1. Lose weight. It sounds simple enough, right? Yet, obesity is consuming society almost as quickly as Type 2 diabetes. But losing weight should not only be used as a tool to ward off developing prediabetes or full-blown Type 2 diabetes. It holds many other benefits, as well. Maintaining a healthy weight is good for controlling:

• heart disease,
• stroke,
• high blood pressure,
• cancer

and a host of other medical ailments that cripple and dramatically shorten our lives.

2. Avoid the fads. When many people think of losing weight, they immediately want some type of magic pill, drink, supplement, food or medicine to help them do so. But fads are not meant to be a long-term fix. Besides, many are notoriously dangerous, too. The ONLY way to effectively lose weight in a healthy manner is to eat right - period. Fad diets might allow you to drop some weight in the beginning, but it will never keep it off. If you are going to commit to losing weight, change your lifestyle so the effects will stay with you.

3. Exercise. Although this often accompanies weight loss, this is recommended whether an individual has excess weight to lose or not. Exercise is an excellent way to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The good news is you don't have to act as if you are training for a marathon in order to reap the benefits derived from exercise. Simple, low-impact exercise will do just fine.

4. Eat the right foods. People don't typically put on and hold onto excess weight because they are over-indulging in broccoli or green leafy vegetables. Extra weight is put on due to making poor food choices - either having the wrong foods or too much of it. Adopting a healthier eating plan will not only allow you to drop excess weight, but it will also benefit you in many other areas of your life. You will be able to sleep better, feel more rested throughout the day, think clearer and have more energy for other things - such as exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Pancreatico Biliary Diversion and Insulin

Pancreatico biliary diversion (PBD) is one procedure for treating obesity. Normally the stomach empties into the upper part of the small intestine, where much of its contents are absorbed. In pancreatico biliary diversion the contents of the stomach are rerouted into the lower part of the small intestine and on into the large intestine, where they are not absorbed. Part of the stomach is removed, which encourages the person having had surgery to eat less.

It has been discovered this particular surgery and several other types of obesity surgery can sometimes be curative in Type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the State University of Campinas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, hypothesized that beta cells, the pancreatic cells that release insulin, could be improved by this particular surgery and set out to investigate.

Their study, published in Diabetes Care in October 2013, the publication of the American Diabetes Association, included: 

• 31 obese women with Type 2 diabetes,
• 18 obese women without diabetes, and
• 19 lean women without diabetes.

Twenty women with diabetes underwent pancreatico biliary diversion. One month after surgery it was found the beta cells were better able to respond to rising blood sugar levels by releasing insulin. Patients livers were also better able to take in insulin, and their bodies became more sensitive to insulin.

From these results it was concluded improvements in beta cell output, liver absorption of insulin, and insulin sensitivity, all contributed to improved blood sugar control.

Because of the risks associated with pancreatico biliary diversion, only morbidly obese individuals, or those with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or more, are usually considered for the procedure. After surgery some patients experience:

• nausea,
• weakness,
• sweating,
• fainting, or
• diarrhea shortly after eating, particularly high-carbohydrate foods.

Because absorption of calcium and vitamin D is poor, bones can become fragile, a condition known as osteoporosis. Absorption of other nutrients, including fat, iron, and vitamins A, B12, E, and K can cause offensive odors in stool, and cause various health problems. Vitamin B 12, for instance, is needed for making red blood cells. So is iron. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. After the procedure patients have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of their lives.

Other dangers are inherent in all types of surgical procedures:

• excessive bleeding,
• infection,
• bad reactions to anesthetic, and
• surgical wounds that accidentally reopen after surgery

are all uncommon but real possibilities. This is why the possible benefits of the procedure must be carefully weighed against the risks.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Managing Diabetes in the Workplace

Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes could really affect how you work day-to-day. Often a lot is spoken about the physical effects having diabetes can cause. Whilst this is vital, a part often overlooked is just how much of a mental toll it can take on a person.

Be Honest with Your Employer & Colleagues:

The moment you find out you have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, you should tell your boss or line manager. This way, if anything happens to you out of the blue, they will have a better understanding of how to help you.

Also, keep anyone you are close to at work in the picture as well, and I would suggest explaining to all those you work with what to do should you for example, suffer from a diabetic hypo.

Your boss is not legally permitted to fire you if you are diagnosed with diabetes during your employment, but they may wish to change your job description or number of hours to help you to best manage it.

It might be wise to carry some form of ID on you at all times so if you ever become unwell and can't communicate in an emergency; people will know from this ID that you have diabetes and how to help.

Types of Diabetic Identification:

• Identity Card
• Bracelet
• Necklace

Keep Positive:

Diabetes is sadly becoming a very common modern-day lifestyle disease. But out of this, more and more people are becoming aware of it and so in turn, there is less and less stigma towards people living with the disease.

Even so, some people at work may still occasionally say nasty things to you about your health and, if this is the case, you should remember you never have to put up with this form of bullying. It should be reported immediately to someone senior.

Remember, if anyone says anything hurtful to you do not believe a word these bullies say to you and do not let them affect your confidence levels. No one is permitted to say anything nasty to you just because you have Type 2 diabetes and if they do, no matter who they are, they need to be reported because they are breaching the human rights and equality act.

You are not alone in having diabetes, in fact many celebrities have Type 2 diabetes. Celebrities such as Halle Berry, Drew Carey, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Randy Jackson, Tracy Morgan and there are many more.

Try to associate yourself with positive, happy and upbeat people at work as this will not only make you feel better about living with a health issue, but will be good for managing your stress levels and in turn, your Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience. Staying positive will also help you.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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I've Found the Cure for Diabetes

It's not a pill or an injection. It's not a juice drink or a tea or a supplement. It's good old-fashioned diet and exercise. It's living a healthy lifestyle. It's getting your lazy butt up off the couch.

I've worked as an inpatient dietitian for a while now, and I've served as the educator for many patients who were just diagnosed with type II diabetes that day, and I've also been the educator for even more people who have been diagnosed years ago. 95% of them have one major thing in common: No one has ever told them that their diabetes is REVERSIBLE. No people, you do NOT have to have this for the rest of your life. You do NOT need to spend the rest of your days pricking your finger to take your glucose level and shooting yourself up with insulin. I'm not sure why I'm the first person to tell my patients this. It seems like everyone has this stigma that diabetes is this disease that just happens and you can't control. Type II diabetes, just like heart disease, is something that takes years and years of bad lifestyle choices to develop. It is not something that just pops up overnight, and you can't blame it on anything but yourself. I know some people will try to blame it on heredity, but guess what? I bet your parents ate like crap and didn't exercise, and that's probably where you learned it from, so I'm throwing that excuse out the window. I'm not sure if our portrayal of this disease has been formed by money-hungry pharmaceutical companies and careless overworked physicians/caregivers with no time to explain, but regardless of why, it needs to change.

People need to know the truth, as hard as it may be to hear. I can't count the number of times I've asked one of my diabetic patients, "has anyone ever talked to you about the importance of diet and exercise?" and the answer is no. But, you better believe their physician has talked to them about their medications they need to take. The FIRST line of defense, the FIRST thing that should be talked about is DIET, not a sidebar, not something that you can do in addition to medicine, it needs to be brought to the forefront and into the limelight, considering it is what caused the condition in the first place.

Let me back up for a second. There is a difference between type I and type II diabetes, type I being the type that is diagnosed when you are an adolescent or younger, that lifestyle does not control. About 5-15% of diabetics are classified as type I. Those with type I are usually thin, and their pancreas does not secrete insulin the way a normal pancreas would, which is why type I's always need insulin. We used to call this type "juvenile-onset diabetes." Unfortunately, due to the rise in obesity in the younger population, we can no longer call it this since adolescents are now being diagnosed with type II diabetes as well (the youngest on record being five years old- yes, FIVE!). The more common type II diabetes usually occurs in overweight, sedentary individuals. Unlike type I, the pancreas continues to secrete insulin, but the bodies cells, overrun with fat, are unable to properly recognize the insulin. Risk factors for type II (other than obesity and sedentary lifestyle) include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high alcohol intake, and those who've had gestational diabetes while pregnant.

I'm no longer interested in teaching my patients how to "manage" their diabetes. I want to help them reverse it. A weight loss as small as 10 percent of body weight can improve blood sugar levels and make you less dependent on medication.

Get your nutrition advice from a professional, a registered and licensed dietitian- not a celebrity endorsement. Visit Nutrition Awareness at MeganWareRD.com, a website by Megan Ware, RDN, LD, for personalized weight loss plans with a no-BS approach and up-to-date nutrition news.

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7 Important Steps for Good Diabetes Care

Diabetes affects almost every organ of your body and effective care for diabetes requires a dedicated team of healthcare providers. They include your doctors, dieticians, counsellors, eye specialists, dentists, etc. Every individual who has diabetes has different needs. Communicate with your healthcare team to better understand which treatment is suitable for you.

7 Steps for good diabetes care

Step 1: Educate yourself about Diabetes

The more you learn about diabetes, the better equipped you are at managing it. It will enable you to understand what line of treatment you must follow based on the 'type' you have been diagnosed with.

For example, type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. Diet and daily physical activity can help control type 2. Most type 2 patients may also need to take diabetes medication or insulin.

Diabetes is a serious condition and sadly most people who have diabetes don't even know that they are suffering from it.

Identify the factors that put you or your loved one at risk for diabetes.

People at risk include those who:

1. Are overweight

2. More than 45 years of age

3. Have a close family member who has diabetes

4. Had gestation diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

5. Suffer from high blood pressure

6. Have a history of high cholesterol levels

7. Follow a sedentary lifestyle

If you know a anyone who has any of the risk factors for diabetes, advise them to talk to their doctor about getting tested.

Step 2: Follow a regular care regime

If you have diabetes, remember to have regular follow-ups with your doctors. Make sure that you adhere to the treatment regime. Ask your family, friend and colleagues to support you.

Remember to:

1. Ask your diabetologist how often you need to see them for check-ups.

2. Jot down the date and time for your next appointment.

3. Make a note of all the questions and issues you would like to discuss with your doctor at the next visit.

Step 3: Learn How to Manage Your Diabetes

Diabetes affects many organs of the body. It is important to monitor the foods you eat, your level of physical activity and how to take care of yourself.

1. Follow a balanced meal plan

2. Examine your feet daily

3. Monitor your glucose levels

4. Quit smoking

5. Get regular physical activity

Step 4: Know Your Diabetes ABC's

One major goal of diabetes treatment is to control its ABC's i.e.:

A= A1C (average blood sugar levels)

B= Blood pressure

C= Cholesterol

Step 5: Monitor Your ABCs

You can reduce your risk of diabetes associated complications such as kidney problems, blindness, foot infections, etc. by monitoring your ABCs.

1. Get the A1C test done

The A1C test lets a doctor measure your blood glucose levels over the past three months. It lets you know how well you are taking care of your diabetes and it is advised that you have it done twice a year. The target A1C level for most diabetics is less than 7.

2. Monitor your Blood Glucose levels

Have your blood glucose checked on a regular basis to help keep it in check. Maintain a record of your results and show it to your doctor. Some glucose strips report blood glucose results as plasma glucose values that are higher than whole blood glucose values by 10 to 15 %. Inquire with your doctor whether your meter or strip provides whole blood or plasma results.

a) The target glucose range using whole blood is 80 to 120 before meals and 100 to 140 at bedtime.

b) The target glucose range using plasma is 90 to 130 before meals and 110 to 150 at bedtime.

Check Your Own Blood Glucose

You may need to check your own blood glucose on a regular basis to help control your diabetes. It will tell you what your blood glucose is at the time you test. Keep a record of your results and show it to your health care team. Some meters and test strips report blood glucose results as plasma glucose values which are 10 to 15 percent higher than whole blood glucose values. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your meter and strips provide whole blood or plasma results.

· The target glucose range for most people using whole blood is 80 to 120 before meals and 100 to 140 at bedtime.

· The target glucose range for most people using plasma is 90 to 130 before meals and 110 to 150 at bedtime.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes your heart work harder. This may lead to strokes and other problems such as kidney disease. You may need to check your blood pressure at every doctor visit

· The target blood pressure for most diabetics is less than 130/80.

Control Your Cholesterol Levels

Low Density Lipids (LDL) is the bad cholesterol that builds up in your blood vessels. It may cause blood vessels to narrow and harden, which could lead to a heart attack. Your doctor should check have your LDL levels checked at least once a year.

· The target LDL cholesterol for most diabetics is less than 100.

Step 6: Prevent Long-Term Diabetes Issues

People with diabetes need to control their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol in order to prevent related problems such as heart attack, kidney problems, nerve damage, foot infection, gum disease, etc.

· Eat a balanced diet as prescribed by your dietician.

· Increase the level of physical activity

· Take your medications from time to time.

· Take good care of your feet. Examine them regularly for injuries.

· Examine your teeth regularly for dental problems.

Step 7: Get regular examinations to check for Long-Term Problems and Treat Them

Visit your doctor regularly for problems that diabetes can cause. Regular check-ups will help prevent problems or find them early on o that they can be treated and managed well.

Medical writer at a Leading Healthcare and Medical Marketing Firm.Check out his blog a Medical Mantra, a pharma blog with a difference.

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