Diabetic Test Strip Reviews

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Gestational Diabetes Symptoms, Changes Occurred During Pregnancy

Author: adrianna smith

Gestational diabetes is often a neglected infection of 1 to 2% of all pregnant women is typically in the second half of pregnancy. Because the disease almost always goes without any symptoms, but without treatment can have serious consequences for the fetus, every pregnant woman between the 20th and 28th week of pregnancy should be investigated. This is especially true for obese women and women whose close relatives have diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a disorder in carbohydrate metabolism that occurs or is discovered during pregnancy. If dietary measures alone are sufficient for the disorder under control, or whether this is insulin, does not matter.

What causes gestational diabetes?
Essentially a pregnancy can be compared to a state of chronic malnutrition. Both the growth of the maternal organs uterus, breast as the development of the child and the placenta to ensure significant changes occurred during pregnancy in the metabolism of the mother.
There is both more glucose into the fruit, while the mother herself fatter, especially free fatty acids, used as a primary energy source. The mother saves her glucose was, for her child. This has caused the fasting blood sugar or glucose in normal pregnant women is lower than outside pregnancy.
Despite the lower fasting glucose increases the blood sugar after glucose load, and so after a meal, during the pregnancy to higher values and it decreases more slowly than non-pregnant women. This is caused by some form of 'insulin resistance' or 'insulin resistance', based on the placenta. This is because a number of hormones that counteract the normal insulin function. The pancreas of the pregnant woman is obliged to produce more insulin in order to ensure that blood sugar rises too high, These ranges from a two to three times the normal production.

One can thus actually a pregnancy as a physiological stress state of the pancreatic beta-cells that produce insulin. How the sugar metabolism during pregnancy will continue normally, depends on the presence of adequate beta cell reserve in the mother. The latter is not large enough, gestational diabetes occurs.
In most cases, insulin resistance disappears a few days after birth, coinciding with the removal of the placenta, and the diabetes disappears.

Risks to the mother:
Although the disorder usually disappears after childbirth, the mother is a great opportunity to develop diabetes again in a future pregnancy.

Risks to the child:
The higher blood levels of the mother, who through the placenta to go over the fetus, encourage the child to an increased insulin secretion by the pancreas own. These elevated insulin levels cause an overgrowth of the Macrosomia with a greater accumulation of lipid, a larger placenta and amniotic more.
The risk of perinatal complications - including premature birth, trauma during delivery such as a shoulder dislocation, hypo ... - For such a child is larger than normal.
The child is usually heavier for gestational age and apparently looks healthier than in reality. Moreover, such a child to run a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment:
Since most women with gestational diabetes are obese, is a reduction of food intake as a measure for the first hand. Depending on the degree of obesity will be limited to energy intake from 1500 to 1800 calories per day, where a normal pregnant, especially in the second half of pregnancy, getting at least 2,000 calories. If women with gestational diabetes are not obese, then they may also hesitate to 2000 calories.

At least half of the energy should come from unrefined, slow contained carbohydrates (like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables, etc. Refined 'quick' sugars (like candy, chocolate, soft drinks ...) are highly undesirable.

Often it is useful, in addition to three main meals, a snack to take at bedtime, in order to avoid nocturnal hypoglycemia. Others have benefited with more frequent smaller meals spread throughout the day. Will usually be advised to not to extend to breakfast, but earlier in the morning to eat a snack.

Except for energy intake and the carbohydrate concern, the power of a different woman with gestational diabetes is not that of a normal pregnant in protein, iron, calcium, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals.

Important Notice: This article is only information based. So please always consult doctor first.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/gestational-diabetes-symptoms-changes-occurred-during-pregnancy-1810621.html

About the Author

Read more on pregnancy gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes treatment. And read more on treatment for diabetes symptoms

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Supplements Supporting Diabetes

Author: Sharyce Arciaga

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

The disease and its treatments can cause many complications as it is often detected when a person suffers a problem that is frequently caused by diabetes, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia. 

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.  

Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed "juvenile" diabetes because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children. This type appears to be triggered by some (mainly viral) infections, or less commonly, by stress or environmental exposure (such as exposure to certain chemicals or drugs). Type 1 diabetics have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females but is more common in whites than in non-whites. Additionally, this type of diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes may also cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or even increased eating) and irreducible fatigue.    

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. Type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced in many cases by making changes in diet and increasing physical activity. However, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes impede a person’s carefree life.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, especially in people who are overweight, and occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise. This type may go unnoticed for years because visible symptoms are typically mild, non-existent or sporadic, and usually there are no ketoacidotic episodes. 

Diabetes insipidus, a rare disorder, is not related to diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Diabetes symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, and fatigue. This type also appears to affect the speed of our thought processes as well. Diabetes is a costly disease associated with severe morbidity and premature death that affects millions of Americans.

Diabetes insipidus includes any of several types of polyuria in which the volume of urine exceeds 3 liters per day, causing dehydration and great thirst, as well as sometimes emaciation and great hunger.

Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.  

It is further the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Diabetes is a condition characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient levels of insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar levels are too high. Diabetes can also create the need to remove a limb. 

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. The disease can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body's ability to fight infection. It is the most common condition leading to amputations. 

Although this disease cannot be cured, it often can be managed with proper medical care, diet, and regular exercise. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in the US. It is a serious disease, but it is controllable. The good news is that diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. 

Treatment need not significantly impair normal activities if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken. 

Treatment for the disease also includes checking blood sugar levels to make sure that the disease is under control. Treatment usually includes eating healthy foods and spreading carbohydrates throughout the day, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar levels often, and possibly taking medicine.

And most of all this disease shouldn't take all the fun out of shopping, cooking and dining. Diabetes treatment plans consist of a healthy diet, exercise, medications and sleep. 

Diabetes supplements can help you fight the effects of diabetes and help you to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized. Many people find natural diabetic supplements a valuable aid in improving their control of Type 2 Diabetes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/supplements-supporting-diabetes-723892.html

About the Author

Sharyce Arciaga is the Author of this Article and has been a natural health enthusiast and advocate for over 20 years. Concerned about your diabetic medication? Need something herbal? Experience an all natural, organic vegetarian Supplement & Diabetic Herb that helps support and control blood sugar levels from Remedies Direct.

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American Diabetes Association Exchange Diet

Author: Ogidi Patrick

American Diabetes Association Exchange Diet is the core subject behind this article. Diabetes medication presently is no more complex like it used to be,  though  it would  usually be overwhelming to be told by a doctor that you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes, especially if your knowledge of the disease is not much. Diabetes  can prompt  you to diverse  long-term illnesses  in almost all part of the body.

The body loses strength and also develop several health complications including  neuropathies, and  your immune system will be weakened when your body loses fuel supply while large amounts of it are trapped in your blood. Your  pancreas produces your insulin and this helps to get ready glucose for your cells for the production of energy.  When insulin is lacking, your  cells will get a small amount or no glucose,as an alternative glucose builds up in your blood making way for many other health abnormalities.

In digging deep into the American Diabetes Association Exchange Diet , we need to consider what causes diabetes. The causes of diabetes are numerous, but doctors who specialize in diabetes have  confirmed that genetics play a major role to play in some people developing  the diabetes. It's worthy of note that it is not all bad news in relation to diabetes and its patients. The good news is that science has so advance that there are now medical solutions and natural approaches like lifestyle changes that can help control diabetes conditions and enable you live a productive and problemm free life.

Diabetic coma death is avoidable with timely medical involvement, so it is important that the first medical expert to attend to a diabetic patient understand the true nature of your diabetes. Every childbearing woman should be diagnosed with diabetes to ensure that enough medication is given to the diabetic patient.

There is no correct statistics, but by approximation, it is alleged that more than fifty million US citizens live with diabetes. Bear in mind that if you are overweight or obessed, excess body fat might make it challenging for your body to make use  of insulin, therefore ensure that you lose that weight as fast as possible to avoid the development of diabetes. If no treatment is administered or there is an inadequate treatment for  diabetes type 2,  you are at risk of circulatory  disorder that might lead to  heart disease, neurological disease, sexual dysfunction and possible  loss of vision.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/american-diabetes-association-exchange-diet-1516847.html

About the Author

Then grab the much talked about DIABETES CONTROL MADE EASY. A safe, natural, and effective ways you can manage and even fully recover from your diabetes in as little as 90 days... and so that you never have to take insulin again, or have to suffer painfully dull diets even again!

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Effects of uncontrolled diabetes

Author: anthony turner

Effects of uncontrolled diabetes: The consequences of not controlling the blood glucose levels can be severe, depending on how long this glucose imbalance is allowed to continue. Damage as a result of diabetes can be broadly defined in three categories; irritation, shorter term complications, and long term complications.

Irritations

High blood glucose levels can result in mild and reversible irritations. Although not immediately life threatening, these can still be unpleasant. Some examples of these irritations are:

- Constant tiredness or fatigue

- Blurry vision

- Itching of the genitals - this is more pronounced in women

- Infections of the urinary tracts

- Obesity in sufferers

- Skin that heals very slowly

- Urinating frequently and constantly thirsty

Shorter term complications

These are more severe than mild irritations, and can be extremely serious, resulting in death if the remain untreated. Such complications are usually associated with very high blood glucose levels, generally above 400 mg/dl. The main examples are

- Ketoacidosis; Usually found in type-1 diabetes sufferers, the lack of insulin means that the body begins using fat for energy as the blood glucose level rises. In turn the blood becomes very acidic, leading to nausea and lack of appetite. In turn, the excessive loss of fluids dehydrates the body, while the constant urinating starves it of important nutrients such as potassium. Unless the patient is treated with a large amount of insulin and other fluids, death can result.

- Hyperosmola syndrome; Sadly, this commonly afflicts older diabetes patients. Their blood glucose levels can rise due to severe dehydration, making the blood thick, and requiring a large amount of fluids to repair. Unfortunately, not only can their kidneys not get rid of the glucose as quickly as young patients, but existing heart conditions can make it difficult for them to handle a sudden and large infusion of fluids. Excess fluid can end up in the lungs, and cause other complications. Having said that, the condition can be reversed.

- Hypoglycaemia; This is sometimes known as low blood sugar, and can be a result of over treatment. Patients on insulin drive their glucose levels down, but need to get enough food to maintain their sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia will include hunger, nervousness, increased heartbeats and sweating. Patients can also fall into a coma if this remains untreated. The treatment is feeding the patient glucose, or injecting it if they are unconscious.

Longer term complications

While irritations and short term complications can be treated, allowing a normal resumption of life, long term complications can substantially alter the quality of life of the patient. These complications are normally the result of a sustained period (years) of poorly controlled diabetes, or after years of pre-diabetes.

- Micro vascular complications are a result of damage to the small blood vessels. The result can be eye damage leading to blindness, kidney damage leading to kidney failure, and nerve damage which can lead to amputation of limbs.

- Macro vascular or arteriosclerotic complications result when the large blood vessels are damaged, and can also occur in pre-diabetic patients. Effects of this can be blocking of the heart's blood vessels, leading to a heart attack. Also possible is the blocking of the brain's blood vessels, leading to a stroke, or clogging of the legs' blood vessels, resulting in amputation.

Despite the severity of some of the ailments listed above, controlling blood glucose and cholesterol levels with the right diet, exercise and medication, means that they need never occur in most diabetes patients.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/main-course-articles/effects-of-uncontrolled-diabetes-1542113.html

About the Author

Interested in diabetes and other related diabetic health concerns. Here are some diabetes health and nutrition resources:
Diabetes Diets for Diabetics
Diabetic Cooking and coping with Diabetes
Diabetes Diabetic Test

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Types of Diabetes(type 1, Type 2 and Gestational)

Author: Tom alter

Types Of Diabetes

In medical parlance, this disease is known as "diabetes mellitus" - diabetes from the Greek word for siphon, to illustrate the excessive thirst and urination, which is characteristic of this condition, and mellitus from the Latin word for honey - as urine of a diabetic person contains sugar and is sweet.

Commonly, this disease is called diabetes.

There are many types of diabetes, but the three most common are:

« Type 1 diabetes

« Type 2 diabetes

« Gestational diabetes

1. Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin dependent diabetes):

This is an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. It can appear at any age, although mostly under 30 (very often in childhood or during teens), and is caused by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or people genetically predisposed. This type of diabetes, is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes.

It is not really known what causes type 1 diabetes and it is not caused by eating too much sugar or sweets.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period, although beta cell destruction can begin much earlier. Common symptoms include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme weakness. If not timely diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes can go into life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

2. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes):

This is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all diagnosed people. It is also known as late-onset diabetes, and is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.

Type 2 diabetes is genetic in origin, but other factors such as excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, ethnicity and faulty diet are its major risk factors. Symptoms may not show up for many years, and by the time they crop up, considerable harm may have been done to the body.

In this condition, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for reasons unknown, the body cannot use the insulin effectively - termed as insulin resistance. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make proficient use of its main source of energy.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Symptoms include weakness, nausea, frequent urination, excess thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds. Some people may show no symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, lifetime condition; and over time, it may be difficult to keep the blood glucose level in the target range. However, good diabetes care and management can prevent or delay the onset of complications.

One can do this by:

« Eating healthy meals and snacks

« Following regular physical activity

« Taking diabetes medications (including insulin), if prescribed.

3. Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. In most cases, all diabetic symptoms disappear following delivery. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 % chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years, especially if they were overweight before the pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by blocking effects of other hormones (estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen) on the insulin that is produced, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Normally, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance. However, when the production of insulin is not enough to overcome the effect of the placental hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Carbohydrate intolerance is diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal level after delivery, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes later on; while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life.

Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The complications of gestational diabetes are usually manageable and preventable. The key to prevention is careful control of blood sugar levels as soon as the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made.

Other types of diabetes -

4. Diabetes insipidus:

Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon condition, that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water as they perform their function of filtering blood. The anti-diuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin) controls the amount of water conserved. Diseases of the kidney (for example, polycystic kidney disease) and the effects of certain drugs may also cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

The common symptoms are excessive urination and extreme thirst.

5. Syndrome X:

Syndrome X, also known as the "metabolic syndrome" or "Insulin Resistance Syndrome", is a condition that is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

It is characterised by abdominal obesity, elevated levels of triglycerides, low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. Other symptoms include smoking, high fat and calorie diet, pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome.

This is more common in older people than in younger people. In addition, women were more likely to have the syndrome than men.

For diabetes information, Diabetes Testing, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/types-of-diabetestype-1-type-2-and-gestational-100619.html

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For diabetes information, Diabetes Testing, diabetes treatment, diabetes causes visit www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

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Lyme Disease

Author: Ray Lam

According to the World Health Organization, a few decades back diabetes was an uncommon disease, in both developed and developing countries. Today, the story is different. It is currently estimated that over 143million people worldwide are affected by the disease. This figure is ever increasing, by 2020 over 220million people are expected to be living with diabetes, if the current trend continues.

In the United States alone, there are 18.2 million people (6.3% of the population) living with diabetes. While another 13million people have been diagnosed with diabetes. Unfortunately, 5.2milion (or nearly one third) are unaware that they have the disease.

The figure for Nigeria is not readily available, but it is estimated that over 1.5million people have diabetes in Nigeria.

In developed countries, most patients of diabetes are over sixty, but in developing countries, diabetes is found to affect people in their prime.

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes Mellitus (or simply diabetes) is derived from the Greek word 'Diabeinein', meaning 'To pass through' describing copious urination, and Mellitus from the Latin word meaning 'Sweetened with honey'. These two words signify sweetened urine or sugar in urine.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use Insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed, in the body, to control the rate at which sugar, starch and other food are converted into glucose required as energy for daily life. The hormone is produced and released into the blood by an organ called 'Pancreas'. This insulin help to maintain the blood glucose level within a normal range. The World Health Organization (WHO) puts this normal range between 60 - 100mg/dl (Before taking any food for the day, hence this value is called Fasting Blood Glucose). In health, despite several demands for glucose in different situations, the blood glucose rarely exceeds this value.

After a meal the liver stores the glucose from the meal as glycogen and releases it into the blood in between meals. The role of insulin is the control of this storage and release of glucose. It ensures that the amount of glucose in the blood at every particular time does not go beyond or below the normal range.

TYPES OF DIABETES.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five classes of diabetes are recognized, these are; Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Type I Diabetes, Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Diabetes Insipidus and Bronze Diabetes.

INSULIN DEPENDENT/TYPE I DIABETES: This type of diabetes was initially called Juvenile onset diabetes because it affects adolescents and young adults. It is caused by a sudden failure of the pancreas to produce Insulin. It is, therefore, an acute disease, presenting with thirst, polyuria (passing large amount of urine), diuresis and weight loss. Type I diabetes is not common, it accounts for less than 10% of all diabetes cases.

NON-INSULIN DEPENDENT/ TYPE II DIABETES: This is the most prevalent type of diabetes, accounting for more than 80% of all diabetic cases. It is found in adults and the elderly. This type of diabetes develops gradually over a long period of time (unnoticed) and is characterized by insufficient insulin, deficient insulin in the blood or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin resent (Insulin resistance). Because of its slow and gradual occurrence, it is mostly undetected until one or more of its long-term complications appear.

Unlike in Type I Diabetes, the Insulin in the blood of a Type II diabetic may be normal or even high, but lacks the desired effect, due to insulin resistance, and this is prevalent among obese people.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and disappears after delivery, within 3weeks. An estimated 3% of all pregnancies are accompanied by gestational diabetes and almost half of these patients are prone to developing permanent diabetes later in life. WHAT CAUSES DIABETES.

As with hypertension and other non communicable diseases, no clear cut cause(s) can be attributed to the most prevalent type of diabetes (Type II Diabetes, Type I diabetes being secondary to failure of the pancreas). However, some factors are known to increase one's chances of becoming diabetic and these are called risk factors. For example, indolent and well-fed populations are 2 - 20times more likely to develop type II diabetes than active and lean population of the same race. Some other factors known to increase one chances of getting diabetes include:

OBESITY: It is estimated that three quarter () of all Type II diabetes patient are obese. Indolent and affluent lifestyles tend to contribute to this. It is believed that a 10kg loss of weight can reduce fasting blood sugar level by almost 50md/dl. An active lifestyle with frequent exercise is also known to increase Insulin sensitivity.

The International standard for measuring overweight and obesity is based on a value called BODY MASS INDEX (BMI). This value is derived by dividing the body weight (in Kilograms) by the square of height (in metres).

i.e. BMI = Body weight (Kg) / Height2 (Metres).

Note: 1ft = 0.305metres.

For adults, a BMI less than 25kg/m2 is preferred.

25 - 29kg/m2 is considered overweight and above 30kg/m2 is Obesity.

FAMILY HISTORY: A family history of diabetes increases one's chances of getting the disease. In such a situation, leading a healthy lifestyle and constant monitoring of one's blood sugar level becomes very important. AGE AND RACE: Most Type II diabetes patient are over 40yrs at presentation of the disease. However, the proportion of increase in the incidence of this disease with age is higher for those with a family history of diabetes, obese and probably those leading sedentary lifestyles. Moreover, diabetes tends to be more prevalent among Africans, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans. Belonging to any of the races is a risk factor in itself.

HISTORY OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES: in a woman also increases her chances/possibility of developing permanent diabetes later in life.

YOU CAN PREVENT/DELAY DIABETES! Diabetes have no permanent cure once it develops, it is managed al through life. But you can prevent ever falling into this life long pain. Before diabetes present in people, it is almost always preceded by a situation called PRE DIABETES. A situation where the blood glucose is higher than normal, but not yet enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Saddening, however, you cannot know when you fall into this category, if you have not being monitoring your blood glucose regularly.

Pre Diabetes is itself a serious medical situation, though can still be reversed by making changes in diet pattern and increasing physical activity. To determine one's blood sugar a test called Fasting Blood Glucose has to be conducted. This test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in one's blood before taking any meal for the day. It is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

A value below 100mg/dl is generally accepted to be normal, while a value greater than 100mg/dl but less than 120mg/dl is not full diabetes yet, so it is regarded as Pre diabetes. An individual with a pre diabetes blood glucose level need to take urgent steps to reduce his blood glucose or risk life long diabetes.

It should be emphasized, however, that the racial and genetic factors predisposing to diabetes are still beyond human comprehension and control. It makes common sense, therefore, to reduce all human controllable factors to the barest minimum. Most of these factors have to do with social occupational and diet habits.

The following tips can help reduce your diabetes risk:

* Reduce weight. Obesity seems to be the single most significant factor in diabetes. Reducing body weight and fat and maintaining an average body weight is very essential. To this end a body mass index (BMI) less than 25kg/m2 for males and less than 24kg/m2 for females is recommended.

* Increase Physical Activity. It is an established fact that diabetes is more common among people that lead a sedentary affluent lifestyle. Simple dynamic exercises like brisk walking for 30-50mins daily or 3-5times weekly has been shown to be very helpful. Exercise reduces bodyweight and fat, increases functionality of the heart, reduces the chances of diabetes and also boosts emotions and healthy living.

* Cut down or cut out alcohol. Alcoholic intake of more than 2units per day has been shown to adversely affect the body. Alcohol being an addictive drug makes it very difficult to maintain a definite amount of intake for a long time. It is better therefore to strive to cut out alcohol completely.

* Avoid Smoking. Cigarette smoke has been shown to contain several poisonous substances. Cigarette smoking and alcohol have been related to several disease. Stopping smoking will definitely reduce the chances of several other ailments apart from diabetes.

* Lean good eating habits, such as;

* Cut down on fatty food and junks

* Eat more of fish and poultry (without the skin is better).

* Garlic reduces blood pressure cholesterol; add it to your meal plan once in a while.

* Cut the number of eggs you take to 3- 4 weekly (better boiled than fried).

* Reduce salt intake to less than 5.8grams daily.

* Eat more of vegetables and fibre rich food, especially fruits.

* Finally, constantly monitor your fasting blood glucose, as this is the only way to know when you are getting into trouble.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes and Hypertension being so interlinked requires a comprehensive plan of care, and this revolves round one's dietary habits, social and environmental factors. Several lifestyle changes like regular exercise, maintaining a moderate body weight, reduction of fat intake and high fibre diet all help to live a normal healthy life. These measures are known to increase insulin sensitivity and also reduce blood pressure.

Conclusively, it is very important to create a more health conscious individuals in the populace. A people who practically believe that it is better and cheaper to prevent an illness than to treat it, when it has become stronger. Moreover, preventive health cannot be divorced from regular medical checks, as this two go hand in hand. There is no way to detect several non-communicable diseases without undergoing regular medical checks. The importance of these checks cannot be over emphasized. Be alive to your health. Know your Blood glucose values and live a healthier life free from the pains of diabetes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lyme-disease-323610.html

About the Author

Find out more on Diabetes by visiting http://raysdiscoveries.com a popular Information Portal that specializes in offering free online information on topics about health, wealth, wisdom.

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