Diabetes - The History of Treatment

The treatment of diabetes stretches back more than 2,000 years. Well, what we now believe to be diabetes anyway. Writings found in China and India over the years discussed a condition that sounded exactly like diabetes mellitus. The descriptions they wrote were the same symptoms as the Greeks and Romans had reported as well. Those descriptions? That urine tasted sweet. That leads one to wonder why someone would be tasting urine, but that's a discussion for another time.

Another things that the writings from China and India described was the frequent urination condition. But it wasn't until 1776 - a very good year here in the US - that researchers discovered the cause of the sweetness of urine - glucose! Then, it wasn't until the next century before doctors developed a chemical test that had one purpose - to measure the glucose level in the urine.

Discoveries in later times indicated that the pancreas was responsible for producing insulin - a critical substance that plays huge role in the body by controlling the glucose in the blood. Once that discovery was made, it was only a matter of time before ways were developed to extract insulin and purify it. That purified insulin was then given to people who had low insulin levels.

Once insulin was discovered, folks who specialized in diabetes - with Elliot Joslin at the helm - came up with a simple three treatment plan. Funny how this plan is the same today as it was back in 1921 when it was put into play:

1. Control your diet

2. Employ an effective exercise plan

3. Use of medication to control diabetes

Insulin saved thousands of lives once it was discovered. Until that time, the only real treatment known was starvation. But the discovery didn't solve all of the problems associated with diabetes. Not by a long shot. Problems with eyes, kidneys and the nervous system started to surface in those with diabetes as they aged.

Another issue was the insulin didn't offer any assistance to those in a much larger group of people with what is now know as Type 2 diabetes. The problem for these folks wasn't a lack of insulin, but a resistance to it. Fortunately, doctors now have the tools needed to bring the disease under control.

The next big event in the overall effort to effectively treat diabetes was in 1955 when the group of drugs called sulfonylureas were discovered. These drugs were the first that a patient could take by mouth that would actually lower their blood glucose levels. But there was still a big problem. Sure, those drugs were a big help, but the only way someone would know if their blood glucose levels were high was via a urine test. Not only was this inconvenient, it was really not something that permitted someone to control their diabetes.

Finally, in the early 1980's, the very first portable blood glucose meters were made available. Once that happened, it then became possible for someone to relate treatment to an actual measurable outcome! Once this development took place, it allowed for the discovery of other drugs for diabetics such as metformin, pioglitazone and likely many others that aren't even on the drawing board yet.

Portable meters make the job of monitoring your diabetes so much easier than it ever has been in the past.

Three Natural Cures For Diabetes

Diabetes and its complications can be cured without taking any drugs. There are Natural cures for diabetes available.

There are three basic Natural cures for Diabetes available,

1. Diet

2. Exercise

3. Nutritional Supplements

Diet

Diet is the first and the best natural cures for diabetes patients. A proper diabetic diet menu must have a low glycemic index which means the food containing low level of carbohydrates, moderate protein and high fiber. This kind of diet will reduce diabetes blood sugar levels; reduce intake of insulin levels, and lesser the need for medications. It will also help to reduce weight, reduce blood pressure; this cures the diabetes and supports body's overall health and energy.

Eating a handful of groundnuts everyday will helps the diabetic patients and taking honey daily basis also will help them to reduce diabetes.

Juices of tomato, Rose apple, Lemon, Cucumber, Bitter gour, Spinach, Carrot, and Cabbage are helpful to cures the diabetes in natural way.

Exercise

Many studies have proven that exercises are great benefit to diabetics and can significantly cures them. The regular Natural physical activity helps diabetes patients to reduce the weight, lower the blood glucose levels, improve the insulin's sensitivity, helps the immune system and strengthen them, helps improve blood circulation, lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and improve the good (HDL) cholesterol . And this is natural way of reduce the risk of heart diseases.

Asanas - Yogic asanas are also helpful to cures the diabetes in natural way. Some of the asanas trainers prefer are Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Shalabhasana, Sarvangasana, Paschitmottasana and some of other asanas are also helps to cures diabetic patients.

A daily walking in the morning or little jogging can also helps to cures diabetics.

Game like badminton also helps reduce the level of sugar in the blood.

Nutritional Supplements

There are many of nutritional supplements that every diabetic should be taking on a daily basis in order to cure diabetes in natural method. These supplements are very good and that really helps to lower blood sugar levels and insulin levels, lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve energy, and lower the risk of heart disease. These supplements are really very natural and these supplements can also protect your tissues (eyes, kidneys, blood vessels) from the damage that diabetes often causes. They also help to cures the lower blood circulations.

The usefulness of these supplements is not at all theoretical, but they do the magic that cures the diabetes in natural way is fact. There are thousands of published studies proving the beneficial effects these supplements have on diabetic patients. Amazingly enough, despite the overwhelming evidence, most of the medical advisors do not recommend nutritional supplements to their diabetes patients.

But Natural way is far better then medications.

10 Warning Signs of Diabetes Mellitus

There are some warning signs and symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus which the sufferer must be familiar with, or as an individual you must be aware of these signs so you should know what to do in case you have them. So many people end up with the complications of diabetes either because they neglected the warning signs and symptoms or because they never knew the implication of such negligence.

Knowing some of these warning signs and symptoms would enable you act promptly to find out if what you have is diabetes, or to prevent complications from setting in. These warning signs and symptoms include:

1. Excess urine: A high amount of water is needed to eliminate free-flowing glucose from the blood stream or the kidneys as a result of the high molecular weight of glucose. The individual has the frequent urge to pass urine and in most cases the quantity passed is high. This condition is termed 'polyuria'.

2. Glucose in urine: The renal tubular re-absorption of glucose is impaired as a result of excess glucose in the blood. This leads to the excretion of some quantities of glucose in the urine. This condition is referred to as glucosuria. The patient may suspect that he has glucose in his urine if he sees ants gathering round his urine each time he urinates.

3. Dehydration: As the patient continues to excrete high amount of water he becomes dehydrated. Dehydration presents with sunken eyes, dry lips, loss of skin turgidity, etc.

4. Excess thirst: Patient feels thirsty most of the time as a result of the quantity of water he loses through frequent urination. The body tries to create a balance; there is therefore the urge by the patient to drink more water to compensate the one the body is losing. This in medical terms is referred to as polydipsia.

5. Hunger: The body is deprived of the glucose needed for its normal metabolic activities. Since glucose is not made available the body is deprived of energy. The body,s energy demand has to be met. Therefore, the patient feels hungry frequently and tries to eat in order to meet this energy demand.

6. Blurred vision: Excess sugar in the blood impairs capillary blood supply to the eyes. This in turn leads to visual impairment. Excessive sugar in the blood stream can also be deposited on the retina which obscures the patient's vision.

7. Itching in the vulva: Itching of the vulva (pruritus vulvae) is very common in female diabetics. In most cases, it is due to the heavy growth of fungi such as candida albicans around the vulva which now thrive on the excess glucose deposit on the vulva. The itching can be troublesome leading to minor injuries resulting from scratching and these minor injuries could become infected if not properly cared for.

8. Loss of weight: The breaks down its fat and protein stores in order to meet the body's energy requirement which can no longer be met by the body's glucose. This makes the patient become weak and lose weight. Continual breakdown of fats and proteins lead to a rise in the level of ketone bodies in the blood which in turn leads to keto acidosis, resulting in hyperventilation, loss of water, sodium and potassium from the body.

9. Weakness: Weakness usually comes as a result of starvation of the body, breakdown of fats and proteins, as well as loss of fluids and electrolytes.

10. Numbness of the extremities: The individual experiences numbness and tingling sensation of the limbs as a result of peripheral neuritis (inflammation of a nerve of the extremities with pain, tenderness, and loss of function).

Diabetes: Its Causes, Symptoms, And Management

Diabetes mellitus is a multi-organ, chronic disease identified by excessive levels of sugar in the blood. It has two variants, namely, type 1 diabetes because of the absence of insulin-manufacturing cells in the pancreas, which in turn brings about insulin deficiency, and type 2 diabetes that comes from insulin resistance or cellular inability to take up insulin. The number of cases of diabetes is increasing quickly in all parts of the world, but most notably in developed countries. As of 2010, approximately 285 million males and females around the world have diabetes, with Type 2 DM taking up 90 percent of these cases. It is projected that by 2030, this number will grow by a 100 percent.

What causes diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes

This variant of diabetes is partly inherited, and it often is triggered after an infection. In type 1 DM, the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, leaving the body devoid of or with only negligible amounts of insulin. This form of diabetes is not related to lifestyle, and it can occur during childhood.

Type 2 diabetes

This form of diabetes is a lifestyle disease, and it is strongly associated with obesity, but not all type 2 DM affected individuals are overweight. Genetics can also contribute to type 2 diabetes, and environmental variables triggers this predisposition. Particular disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome for example, and some medications, such as glucocorticoids, can elevate the risk for diabetes.

Diabetes symptoms

Both forms of diabetes can demonstrate the same signs and symptoms. Diabetes patients often experience excessive thirst and therefore frequent need to pee, extreme food cravings and fatigue due to cellular starvation, and recurrent infections. Unexplained weight loss may also be seen, but not all the time. Poorly managed diabetes can also cause microvascular changes, which can result in vision changes, slow-healing wounds especially in the legs, and diminished sensation in the hands and feet, which increases their risk of being wounded without their knowledge.

Diabetes treatment

At present there is no cure yet for diabetes, but it can be managed by means of medicines, like insulin and oral hypoglycemics, and lifestyle modifications, which include following a controlled diet and increasing physical activity. Keeping track of blood sugar and periodic check-ups with a doctor are also essential to check the effectiveness of diabetes management as well as the progression of the disease. For diabetes that is tough to control, a pancreas transplant is also an alternative, but only employed as a last resort. It is also vital that you quit smoking and reduce taking in of alcohol because these can hasten the development of complications.

The 4 Natural Steps For Beating Diabetes Your Doctor Won't Tell You About

There are 4 natural steps to beating diabetes that your doctor won't tell you about. This is unfortunate because the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes are severe: blindness, kidney failure, increased risk of heart disease, and painful peripheral nerve damage.

Today, most practitioners focus treatment on strict blood sugar control. While diabetes is characterized by excess blood glucose (the form of sugar used by cells as energy), this simplified approach can actually hasten the progression of the most common form of diabetes and does nothing to address the damage it causes.

Beating diabetes naturally is a new approach that's needed because the conventional wisdom has failed us. America is in the midst of a diabetes epidemic. Over the past 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled, and children are being diagnosed with diabetes in alarming numbers.

The following 4 steps offer diabetics new hope to beating this devastating disease. Each step utilizes a proven nutrient that when taken together can help you improve your prognosis.

Step 1: Stop Blood Sugar Spikes

After eating a meal, blood sugar levels often spike to dangerous levels. The rapid rise in blood sugar forces excess amounts of insulin to saturate your blood stream. Normally, insulin helps transport blood sugar into your cells. However, in excessive amounts, cells become resistant to insulin and blood sugar levels rise. This is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

In order to prevent insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels, you need to stop sugar spikes after eating. According to medical studies, a water-based cinnamon extract is the best way to prevent blood sugar spikes. People supplementing with cinnamon can successfully reduce blood sugar spikes by as much as 50%. In addition to supporting healthy glucose metabolism, cinnamon has been shown to support levels of lipids such as triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that are already within normal ranges.

Step 2: Improve Insulin Sensitivity

The hallmark of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. When cells no longer respond to insulin, blood sugars rise quickly leading to diabetes. Traditionally, a drug called Metformin is prescribed to improve insulin sensitivity. Unfortunately, Metformin is often not strong enough to help many people and increasing doses are prescribed. As dose increases, so does the incidence of side effects.

The solution: lipoic acid. Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant that improves insulin sensitivity. Even though your body makes it, production decreases dramatically with age. Supplementing with lipoic acid as proven to be paramount in beating diabetes. It also preserves youthful energy levels for many aging Americans.

Step 3: Reduce Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is one of the leading theories of aging. Oxygen is not only necessary for life, but also can damage cells and tissues throughout our lifetimes. Free radicals, left over from oxygen metabolism, damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. The result is aging.

Diabetes is characterized by high levels of oxidative stress and rapid aging. Protect your cells and tissues by eating a wide variety of anti-oxidants from a wide variety of vegetable sources. Anti-oxidants from plant-based sources sacrifice themselves by reacting with free radicals, keeping your cells protected. But that is not enough.

Start supplementing with CoQ10, your bodies best defense from the damages of free radicals. Diabetes depletes your levels of CoQ10. Taking 100 to 200mg of a high quality CoQ10 supplement, can help you reduce oxidative stress and beat diabetes.

Step 4: Prevent Glycation

Glycation is the driving force behind the medical consequences attributed to diabetes. Blood sugars, like glucose, react with critical proteins and essential fats, leading to their dysfunction and destruction. Without these important nutrients working properly, diabetes leads to clogged arteries, nerve damage, and rapid aging.

Mainstream medicine completely fails to recognize glycation and the horrible consequences. But there's hope...nature provides anti-glycation nutrients! These nutrients, like anti-oxidants, sacrifice themselves and react with blood sugars. This keeps the sugars in your blood from damaging critical proteins and fats.

Preventing glycation is the most important step for beating diabetes. Try supplementing everyday with carnosine. Carnosine is a small protein that effectively reduces and prevents glycation in diabetics. Take 1000-2000mg per day of carnosine to beat diabetes.

Summary

Beat diabetes naturally by following these 4 steps: stop blood sugar spikes with cinnamon, improve insulin sensitivity with lipoic acid, reduce oxidative stress with CoQ10, and prevent glycation with carnosine.

To learn more about these nutrients, visit Dr. Smith's web page on the diabetic food pyramid.

Diabetes - What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is an auto immune disease that destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Type 1 Diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes because it usually struck people under 20. In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas produce little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters a cell, it is used as fuel.

Type 1 Diabetes is largely inherited.

Without adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger.

In addition, the high levels of glucose in the blood causes the patient to urinate more, which in turn causes excessive thirst. Within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed, and no more insulin is produced making people with type 1 insulin dependent.

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in people younger than 30. Symptoms are usually severe and occur rapidly.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year. There is 1 new case per every 7,000 children per year. New cases are less common among adults older than 20.

The result is Type 1 Diabetics are hungry all the time trying to make up for the shortfall of insulin. Amazingly though since the body cannot process the nutrients weight loss is symptomatic along with extreme thirst and excessive urination. The kidneys try to process the excess glucose to balance things out. Weakness is another symptom.

Facts About Diabetes in Dogs

If you think dogs can't get the same illnesses and diseases as humans, then you are barking up the wrong tree because your dog can get any illness that you can. Diabetes is not different in dogs than it is in humans because your dog can still suffer.

This can be a life threatening disease in dogs and if you don't catch the symptoms right away you could be putting your pet at risk. Here are a few facts that you need to know about diabetes in dogs.

In dogs, diabetes is a disease that attacks the endocrine glands and makes them not function properly. As in the human world, there are two types of diabetes in dogs and they are diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is the lack of vasopressin in your dog. Vasopressin is a hormone that controls the way your dog's kidneys take in water. Diabetes mellitus is when the dog's body can not produce insulin.

Now that you have a slight understanding about on the difference about the two types of diabetes in dogs, let's take the other type now. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most deadly diseases that your dog can get if you don't know the symptoms to catch it right away but it can be handled. There are 2 types of diabetes mellitus. Just like human disease of diabetes, you have type 1 and type 2. They are very similar to the affects that humans are dealing with every day.

Type 1 diabetes in dogs is also known as juvenile dog diabetes. It gets its name because this form of diabetes usually shows up when the dog is a younger dog, puppy to age 2 roughly.

Type 2 diabetes is about the same as humans because this disease usually comes into play when the dog gets older and their body can no longer produce the insulin that the dog needs to make its internal organs function. If your dog has this type of diabetes you have to give your dog insulin shots and make sure you check your pets blood sugar level so that your dogs insulin is low you can give them a shot.

No matter if your dog has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your dog is worth the money and the time you spend on your dog because of the happiness that a pet brings to you and your family. A dog is a pet that is irreplaceable because of the loyalty and the companionship that a dog brings to your family. Take your time and try to understand about diabetes in dogs because it can make a world of difference in your dog's life.

Diabetes Mellitus Pathophysiology

Diabetes Mellitus is divided into two categories, namely type 1 and 2 respectively. In both types of diabetes mellitus pathophysiology they are more likely to be similar as the blood sugar is high. Firstly, it is either due to less production of insulin, or no production which resulted insulin resistance. Either case could result in inadequate glucose in the cells, where it can be identified through certain signs and symptoms or pathophysiology. These diabetes mellitus pathphysiology are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated and also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems.

Diabetes Type 1:

The main cause of type 1 diabetes is due to dysfunctional pancreas as this resulted in low or no production of insulin. Primary diabetes mellitus pathophysiology include nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, at latter stage, diabetes type 1 leads to ketoacidosis in which body starts breaking down muscle tissue and fat for energy and resulted in weight loss. Next, individual will undergo dehydration due to electrolyte disturbance. In advance stages, patients may proceed into coma, in some cases death may occur.

Diabetes Mellitus or Type 2 Diabetes:

The pathophysiology for type 2 diabetes and type 1 is somewhat similar, but include more diversified symptoms which include the following:

1. Polydipsia - Individual feel thirsty due to increase glucose concentration in the blood as brain receives signal for diluting concentrated glucose.

2. Polyuria - Increase in urine production is the result seen when excess of glucose is present in body. Body tries to get rid of the extra sugar in the blood by excreting it through the urine. This can also lead to dehydration because excreting the sugar which carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it.

3. Increase fatigue - Due to inefficiency of cell to metabolize glucose, reserve fat of body is metabolized to gain energy. When fat is broken down in the body, it uses more energy as compared to glucose, hence body goes in negative calorie effect, which results in fatigue.

4. Weight fluctuation - Factors like loss of water (polyuria), glucosuria , metabolism of body fat and protein may lead to loss of weight. Few cases may show weight gain due to increased appetite.

5. Blurry vision - Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome is the condition when body fluid is pulled out of tissues including lenses of eye, which affects the ability of lenses to focus resulting in blurry vision.

6. Irritability - It is one of the sign of high blood sugar because of the inefficient supply of glucose to brain and other body organs, which makes us feel tired and uneasy.

7. Infections - Certain signals from the body is given whenever there is fluctuation of blood sugar (due to suppression of immune system) by frequent infections of fungal or bacterial like skin infection or UTI (urinary tract infection).

8. Poor wounding healing - Wounding is dependent on white blood cells as it contains lymphocytes which aid in attacking foreign particles and blood vessel repair. However, with increase blood glucose level, it resists the flourishing of white blood cells. This in turn resulted in low immune system and may affect proper blood circulation as glucose aid in blood thickening.

All the above are the diabetes mellitus pathophysiology and in order to improve blood sugar level and to reduce the usage of insulin shots, a comprehensive guide by Julia Hanf on diabetes guide provides a better insight on how to defeat diabetes and the secret to cure diabetes patients. This Diabetes Guide have proven to be effective and aid in improving individual health and lifestyle.

Diabetes Symptoms - How to Know If You Might Have the Disease

Millions of people suffer from diabetes, a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood sugar. These levels can result from ineffective production of insulin, inadequate insulin action, or a combination of both. Because many of the early symptoms of diabetes seem harmless, the condition can go unnoticed for a long time, meaning many people don't get treatment until they are very ill. Early detection is an important part of getting the right treatment and adjusting your lifestyle to take diabetes into account. Here are some symptoms that might indicate you have Type 2 diabetes:

(1) Frequent urination and excessive thirst - Excess sugar causes your kidneys to work overtime. If they can't keep up, the sugar is excreted into urine, and takes fluid from your tissues with it. This means you have to visit the restroom frequently, and often causes you to crave liquids.

(2) Unusual weight loss or gain over a short period of time - Losing sugar regularly can cause you to lose calories and weight. People with Type 1 diabetes are particularly prone to this problem. You may also gain weight unexpectedly, which will make your tissue less responsive to insulin action. This is why overweight people are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

(3) Frequent or extreme hunger - Diabetes can keep sugar from food from reaching your cells. This can lead to constant feelings of hunger.

(4) Recurring fatigue - When you can't use sugar to properly fuel your cells, you may feel tired, even though you haven't exerted yourself.

(5) Vision seems blurred - Diabetes can cause fluids to be pulled out of the tissues in your eyes. This makes it harder to focus. If this goes untreated, new blood vessels can form on the retina and old ones can become damaged. This causes lights to develop rings around them or appear to flash. People with this problem may also see dark spots. In serious cases, diabetes can cause blindness.

(6) Numbness or tingling sensations in your legs and feet - Excessive sugar levels can create nerve damage. This causes tingling and sensation loss in the extremities and is most often noticed first in the legs and feet.

(7) Illness or flu-like symptoms - If you fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, or other flu-like symptoms, you may actually be suffering from poorly controlled blood sugar. Diabetes can cause your body to be unable to efficiently use sugar to provide energy, leaving you feeling rundown and ill.

(8) Consistent or recurrent infections - If you develop a wound that's slow to heal or becomes easily infected, this may be because your high blood sugar levels impair your ability to heal. Women may also have bladder or vaginal infections when they develop diabetes.

Remember that treatment is vital to managing diabetes. If you suspect that you have this condition, talk to your doctor as soon as you can. He or she can perform tests to help you discover whether or not you have diabetes, and can help you manage the symptoms.

Dog With Diabetes - Symptoms and Treatment Tips

Did you know that your dog is susceptible to getting diabetes? It's true. Older dogs are found to be at increased risk, as well as certain breeds, such as poodles, Old English Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, Daschunds, Miniature pinscher and schnauzer, and Beagles.

Diabetes is marked by the non production of insulin, causing blood glucose levels to rise in the blood. Insulin must be given to lower high glucose levels. For dogs, insulin made especially for them can help your dog live a normal happy life.

Two forms of Diabetes:

Diabetes Insipidus: Is the the lack of the anti-diuretic hormone called Vasopressin. Vasopressin controls how the kidneys absorb water.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM): Is insulin insufficiency. It is the most common and the most dangerous for dogs.

Diabetes is comprised of two types:

Type 1 - Is insulin dependent diabetes. The pancreas is not making insulin at all. Type 1 is seen mostly in younger dogs.

Type 2 - Is non insulin dependent diabetes. The pancreas is making insulin but the body is resistant to it. This type is mostly seen in older dogs.

Bigger dogs have a higher risk for diabetes than smaller dogs. It is also an autoimmune disease that dogs can inherit from their parents.

Symptoms - If you notice that your dog is:

Eating more

Drinking more

Weighing less

Diagnostic Testing:

If your dog is showing symptoms of this disease, a visit to the vet is in order. The vet will conduct blood tests to check your pet's glucose level. He will also do a urinalysis to check for kidney function and urinary tract infection. If your pet is positive for diabetes, changes in diet and getting more exercise will aid in reducing the symptoms and prevent complications.

Treatment:

Fido will most likely be put on a diet that is high in fiber and protein. Fats and carbohydrates will be restricted. Depending on the severity of your dog's disease, you may need to feed him prepared meals instead of what is regularly eaten. Proper nutrition given the same time each day will help to keep glucose levels as normal as possible. Insulin is given after meals, and it is important to not limit your pet's fluid intake. Let him have his fill.

Exercise:

Regular daily exercise at the same time each day helps to keep blood glucose down, thus preventing a detrimental affect of up and down glucose levels. Glucose need to be consistently within normal levels.

Hormonal changes in your female dog puts her at higher risk for diabetes. Consider having her spayed prevent any undue complications of diabetes in dogs.

Natural Cure for Diabetes

Food Therapy should be followed under the supervision from your doctor. Check your sugar level frequently so that sugar levels do not go beyond the recommended level

Foods to avoid

It is always advisable to avoid some foods if you are diabetic such as refined sugar, sweets, syrups, glucose, jam, molasses, fruit sugar, ice-cream, cakes, pastries, sweet biscuits, chocolates, soft drinks, condensed milk, cream and fried foods. Fats like butter, ghee and hydrogenated vegetable oil should also be avoided. White sugar and white flour should be reduced drastically. Avoid all processed foods, junk food, pastries, cookies, canned and preserved foods. They contain harmful preservatives and lot of salt. Avoid soft drinks since these have a lot of sugar. Try to avoid fried foods from your diet.

Smoking results in the using up of oxygen in the body. It will result in less of oxygen needed by the body to metabolize glucose. So smoking should be avoided.

Foods to be limited

Salt consumption should be reduced to a minimum. You will get enough salt form the vegetables and fruits you eat. Reduce animal foods especially red meats. Reduce poultry and egg. Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Do not drink tea and coffee more than 2 cups a day. Try to replace it with green tea or herbal teas like Parsley tea, Blueberry leaf, Tea made of tender walnut tree leaves, Water in which kidney bean pods have been cooked is good diabetes.

Do not consume alcohol in empty stomach. Alcohol on an empty stomach can cause low blood glucose or hypoglycemia.Foods that should be consumed in moderation are honey and other natural sugars like palm sugar, dates which can be used instead of white sugar. Remember these should be consumed in very little quantity only.Pasta, coconut, other nuts, unsweetened juices, eggs should be limited. You can replace it with whole grain, unpolished rice and Soya products. Try to eat whole grain bread instead of white flour. Fats like olive oil and peanut oil are more advisable that hydrogenated fats. Low fat food like skimmed milk and low fat home made cottage cheese can be taken in moderation. You can also substitute it with yoghurt. Sea food and fish also can be taken in moderation.

Foods to be taken

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

An alkaline diet with natural food is recommended. Wholegrain, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and dairy products form a good diet for the diabetic. Raw vegetables can be taken in high quantities. It has been found that cooked foods raise blood glucose higher than raw, unpeeled foods. Cooking destroys many of the enzymes and some vitamins and minerals.

Eat at least five fruits every day. Fruits like grape fruit, pomegranate juice, Indian blackberry, banana, granny smith apples, fig, cranberries, black berry, kiwi fruits, and citrus fruits are highly recommended. It can be taken as a snack. Cucumber, Lettuce, onion, garlic string beans cucumber radish, tomato, carrot, leaves; spinach turnip, cabbage and Jerusalem artichoke are good for diabetes. Colorful vegetables are good for the functioning of pancreas. Drink Fruit juices without sugar. Brewer's yeast and sprouted alfalfa and mung beans are good for the body. Unripe banana also can be cooked and eaten.

The most important of all is eating high fiber diet which lowers need for insulin. It releases energy into the body slowly. It has also been found that diabetes decreases and may even disappear in people eating a high fiber or whole food diet. High fiber diet has more chromium and chromium is very good for people with diabetes.

Eat lot of potassium rich foods like raw peanuts, tomato, bananas, melons, dried peas, potatoes, apple cider vinegar, skimmed milk powder, wheat but do not take potassium supplements.

Include soluble fiber in your meals like barley, oatmeal, almond meal, dried beans, kidney beans, cooked black beans, peas, cereals, chickpeas, Bengal gram which has low glycemic index, , Black gram, lentils and corn or garbanzo beans to helps considerably in reducing blood sugar levels. Soy products like tofu, tempeh, soymilk, soya powder, soy bean sprouts, nuggets etc are also very good in containing neurological complications in diabetes. You can make bread out of any of the whole grains. Get a lot of soluble fiber into your diet. When you eat lots of bread, cereal and starchy vegetables you will get enough of starches which is very helpful for diabetes. Insoluble fibers, found in bran (oat bran, wheat bran), whole grain breads, whole grains and nuts, act as intestinal scrubbers by cleaning out the lower gastrointestinal tract. Fiber cleans your intestinal tract by moving out the food so that it wouldn't stay there and putrefy. Butter milk and yoghurt diet are very beneficial.

Helpful herbs and vegetables

1. Bitter Gourd (Karela): Bitter gourd Momordica-charantia or bitter melon juice contains plant insulin and should be taken 2 ounce 2 times daily on an empty stomach. It is found to be very effective for diabetes.

Or

It can be cooked as any vegetable and eaten.

Or

The bitter melon powder can be made by drying. Take bitter gourd powder I teaspoon daily in empty stomach.

2. Taking half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day may help prevent the onset of diabetes. Even soaking a cinnamon sticks in your tea, could also benefit non-diabetics who have blood sugar problem but are unaware of it.

3. 30 gram fenugreek seeds can be soaked in a glass of water at night and after 12 hours take it and grind it into a paste with the soaked water and drink it on a empty stomach.

Or

2 teaspoon if powdered seeds can be taken with water or milk.

Or

You can add fenugreek into anything you cook.

4. Eating upto 3 grapefruits a day has also been helpful.

5. 1 tablespoon of amla (Emblica officinalis) after removing the seeds extract the juice and mix with a cup of bitter gourd juice and take daily for 2months in a empty stomach.

6. Gymnema Sylvestre a traditional ayurvedic herb the leaf of which is to be taken up to 4 grams per day.

7. Indian blackberry seeds or Jamun seed powder (scientific name of Jamun is Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium cumini L and) is very good for diabetes. Take 1/4th teaspoon with 1 teasoon honey for 50 days.

8. Eating freshly crushed raw garlic 3-4 grams a day lowers blood sugar. You can wash it down with a glass of water.

9. Neem seeds daily 2 times a pinch. Taking a gram of neem leaf daily helps in diabetes.

10. Bael (Aegle marmelos) : The leave of the bael tree when chewed are very useful in diabetes. Pulp of this fruit could be dried and taken in doses of 5 to 10 gms a day.

11. A pinch of pure turmeric powders mixed in amla juice (Indian goose berry) and eat daily in empty stomach.

12. Use of turmeric and gooseberry in equal quantities in powder form taken with warm water is very useful in this behalf. These activate the pancreatic cells and more insulin is produced.

13. Wild jeerakam cumin seeds black colored 60 gm in 1 liter and boil a reduce it ti 1/4th liter and take half divide it into two equal parts and drink one part in the morning and one in the evening 2 times daily.

14. Grind (Bacopa monnieri )Bhrahmi and add a teaspoon of it to milk and drink.

Vitamins that help

Supplements in natural forms are more conducive to the body.

Magnesium supplementation has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity.

Vitamin C: 500 mg is recommended. Vitamin E: This vitamin is very valuable for diabetes. A daily dose of 200 i.u. of Vitamin E is recommended for a fortnight at a time.

Chromium: Whole grains, seeds, mushrooms, corn oil and brewer's yeast are relatively good sources of biologically valuable chromium.

Vitamin A:. Take A dose of 15,000i.u. on alternate days.

Vitamin B: Avoid large dosage of vitamin B because this vitamin interferes with the absorption of insulin by cells.

Things to do

Controlling your Weight is the best way to treat diabetes. Exercise improves the body's response to insulin. An exercise program should be started only with the advice of a doctor to avoid unnecessary complications. Walking, light games, jogging and swimming are also good.

Yoga can help a lot. To relieve stress do meditation once a day for 10 to 40 minutes. Yogic asanas like Siddhasana, Vajrasana, Talasana, Yastikasana,, like Yogamudra, Hastapadasana, Paschimottanasana, Chakrasana, Ustrasana, Bhujangasana, Sarvangasana and Viparitakarani, as halasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana, Pratipaksabhavana and shavasana will also be beneficial.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Special areas in the pancreas gland, the Islets of Langerhans, produce a hormone called insulin. This hormone is a protein of small size. Insulin stimulates muscle cells and other body cells to take up glucose from the blood and convert the glucose to glycogen, a kind of starch, and then store the glycogen. By need the body cells convert the glycogen to glucose and use it as fuel. In this way insulin keeps the glucose level in the blood at a normal size.

By diabetes type 2, the cells in the body do not react properly by stimulation from insulin. Therefore they do not take in enough glucose from the blood to store it or to use it as energy source. This condition is called insulin resistance. The amount of glucose in the blood therefore rises. Also the insulin production can rise to regulate the glucose amount down, but this effort to reduce the blood glucose is not effective enough. If the disease persists for many years, the insulin production may tire out, so that the amount of secreted insulin decreases.

THE CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2

The exact mechanism that causes the disease is not known. There may be an autoimmune response to insulin or to the molecules on the cell surfaces that the insulin connects to. However, these lifestyle factors can cause the disease:

-Too high consume of sugar and fat

-Over-weight

-Too less exercise over many years.

Therefore diabetes type 2 can be prevented by a right diet and with regular exercise.

When the glucose uptake into the body cells is reduced, but glucose instead accumulates in the blood, the following physiological effects occur:

-The body cells do not get enough fuel for the work they shall do.

-The molecular thickness (osmality) of the blood increases. This causes water to be pulled out from the body tissues and into the blood. The tissues thus get dried out and the urine production increases.

-The tissues begin to break down protein and fat to get energy, causing weight loss and muscular reduction.

The symptoms of diabetes type 2 are a consequence of these mechanisms.

THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2

Diabetes type 2 is the most common kind of diabetes, actually 10 times more common than diabetes type 1, where the insulin production is reduced or stopped. The disease usually appears after the age of 50, but the high sugar and fat consume in western countries nowadays also causes young persons to acquire the disease. Symptoms of diabetes type 2 come gradually. The symptoms are.

-Increased urine production

-Dehydration, that is a lack of water in the body

-Abnormal high thirst

-Dry mouth

-Increased appetite

-Slow healing of physical injuries

-Itching in the skin

-Infections caused by yeasts

-Impaired vision

In the long turn, the disease can cause atherosclerosis with blood vessel narrowing, heart disease and stroke.

LIFESTYLE TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2

The treatment of diabetes type 2 is most often diet with a low sugar and fat amount, and with the amount of sugar and carbohydrates strictly controlled. A weight reduction program is a part of the treatment for over-weighted persons. An exercise program is also an important component of the treatment, both in order to get rid of excessive blood sugar levels and to loose weight.

A general healthy diet will also help. Such a diet contains food sources like fish, fouls, seafood, mushrooms, whole corn cereals, whole corn bread and vegetables. The following fat and sugar containing food types are recommended in moderate amounts: Nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, eggs, spawn and fruit.

These fat types are also recommended in moderate amounts: Olive oil, walnut oil, rape oil, sunflower oil. Soy oil, corn oil and butter can be used in small amounts, but these fat types should not be your only fat source. If you only use these fat types, you will not get all essential fatty acids that the body need to work properly. Things to be avoided in the diet are: Snacks, fast food, fat read meat, cookies, margarine, chemically altered fat and sweet beverages.

The listed measures will usually lighten the burden upon the blood sugar control of the body so that it manages to normalize the blood sugar levels.

The listed lifestyle measures will also prevent diabetes type 2, but for prevention the control of the daily carbohydrate intake does not have to be controlled so strictly.

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2

If lifestyle measures do not work good enough, medication to lower the blood sugar is used. There are several classes of medicaments against diabetes type 2 to be taken by mouth and that work in different ways:

-The first class of drugs against diabetes type 2 developed, and which are still in use, are the sulfonylureas drugs like Glucotrol® and Micronase®. These drugs stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Side effects from these drugs that may occur are: Low blood sugar levels, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and allergic reactions. Law blood sugar levels occur more easily if the drug is used together with alcohol.

-The biguanides like Metformin make the liver to slow down the brakedown of stored complex carbohydrates to glucose, and thus lower the blood glucose level. This drug class also help to control weight. Possible side effects form this drug class are lactic acidosis, nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea, abdominal gas and metallic taste.

-Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors like Precose® and Glyset®, inhibit breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the gut to simple sugars and the uptake of sugars from the gut into the blood, and thus lower the content of sugar in the blood. They may give side effects like abdominal gas and diarrhea.

-The thiazolidinediones like Avandia® and Actos® make body cells more sensitive to insulin and thus make skeletal muscle take up glucose form the blood. Side effects that may occur by this class of drugs are anaemia, head-aches, muscle aches, tooth aches, sore throut, increased upper respiratory tract infection rate, water retention, edema, weight gain, heart problems and liver injury.

-Meglitinides like Prandin® are taken by meals and controls the blood sugar levels after meals by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin when the sugar from the meal comes into the blood. Possible side effects are low blood sugar levels, increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection, headache, joint and back pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and weight gain.

If the insulin production is reduced, insulin injections are also used.

There are also natural products in the market that can help to normalize the blood sugar level by diabetes type 2. Those products cannot heal the disease, but they can help the body to regulate the blood sugar. These products contain minerals that are working components of enzymes that stimulate the glucose metabolism in the body. They also contain herbs that have been used for a long time in traditional medicine to regulate the glucose level and have proven their effects in scientific studies.

Complications of Canine Diabetes

When your dog has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, it is only natural to want to know all you can about this disease. There is no cure, but treatments can help keep your dog with you for years to come. Learning about complications of canine diabetes that can occur is an important way to prevent disaster.

One of the most common complications of canine diabetes is an increased vulnerability to illness and infection. Because of the higher blood sugar levels in your dog, bacteria have a great opportunity; the sugars provide food and breeding grounds optimal for infections. On the flip side, the higher bacteria count produces more sugars (from cellular division) and raise blood sugar levels even higher. The common types of infection are prostrate, urinary tract, and skin.

Three more of the possible complications of canine diabetes is cataracts, glaucoma, and uveitis. Cataracts usually develop within a year as a result of the high glucose levels and are a cloudy to white coloring in the eyes lenses. Cataract surgery can reverse these complications of canine diabetes so that your dog can see again. Glaucoma is a permanent loss of vision as a result of cataracts and is a leakage of protein from the lens into the eye itself. It must be treated immediately, or uveitis progresses into full glaucoma.

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the complications of canine diabetes that leads to a diabetes diagnosis. This condition occurs when your dogs back legs become weak. It may start small, as in a sluggish start or not wanting too run. Full progression can look as if your dog is about to start dragging his legs behind him.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the most severe and dangerous complications of canine diabetes. Most commonly found in dogs with a delayed diagnosis, ketoacidosis causes a break down of your dogs vital organs like the kidneys and liver, as a result of sugar levels staying too high for too long. Ketoacidosis can also lead to permanent blindness without cataracts or glaucoma as the damage continues to include the eyes.

Diabetic Diet: How Lemon and Lemon Water Can Help Cure Diabetes

I started buying fresh lemons by the bag after I found out how they can help cure diabetes. They are quite literally a miracle from Mother Nature! I have always loved fresh lemon but now I make an extra effort to eat lots of them. In fact, I believe lemons should be an important staple in every diabetic diet.

Lemon Lowers the Glycemic Index of Other Foods

Research has shown that lemon lowers the glycemic index of any food it is added to. And... we are not talking a few points here. The drop is very significant! To benefit from this, all you have to do is add a little squeeze of fresh lemon over your food. Almost like waving a magic wand, this will instantly lower the glycemic index of your meal. Best of all, lemon is such an excellent flavor enhancer, it makes many foods taste better too. I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon to a hot bowl of soup (yum!), casseroles, stove top goulashes, almost any kind of salad (including salads containing fruit), and sauteed vegetables (especially greens!). Anything with chicken or fish of course tastes especially good with lemon. Please note that it is best to add the fresh lemon right before you eat the food. If you cook it in soup, for example, it can become a little bitter and the health benefits won't be quite as great.

Have A Glass of Lemon Water First Thing In the Morning

A glass of lemon water is the perfect way for a diabetic to start the day. Most people start their day with coffee (very acidic) and food that shift the pH of the body toward the acid side. However, if you shift the pH back toward the alkaline side, you will notice your blood sugar will go down. Moreover, your cell membranes will become more sensitive to insulin - i.e. you will be LESS insulin resistant. In fact, this will actually aid your body in repairing those damaged cell membranes.

Although lemons contain a weak acid, when they are metabolized by the body they have an alkalizing effect. If fact, they are the strongest alkalizing food you can eat! This is why adding lemon to your diet can go a long way toward restoring the pH of your body to the alkaline side where it should be. It has been found that most diabetics have a very acidic body pH (as have cancer patients). Bringing back to the alkaline side will go a long way toward helping to cure your diabetes.

Making lemon water is very easy. Just squeeze the juice from a half lemon (or a full lemon if you are a larger person) into a glass of water, swirl it around a little, and drink it up. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before you have your coffee or breakfast.

Lemons Have TWICE the Vitamin C As Oranges

This was a fact that surprised me as you always hear that orange juice is so loaded with vitamin C. Well, the orange's citrus cousin has it beat with twice the vitamin C. Most people don't realize but vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is important to note that vitamin taken in the form of food is MUCH better absorbed by the body than vitamin C taken in the form of a pill!

Vitamin C is at least part of the reason lemons interact with the cell membrane and make it less insulin resistant. However, vitamin C also have other very important benefits to the diabetic as well. For example, it increases the production of collagen which strengthens blood vessels. This is key since many diabetics have problems with circulation and arterial damage.

Aids In Repairing Digestion

Most diabetics have impaired digestive enzymes and lowered acidity in the stomach. This means that they don't always reap the full benefit from the nutritious food they eat. Lemon goes a long way toward curing this problem as well.

Diabetes in Dogs - Canine Diabetes Symptoms, Diet, & Treatment

Diabetes in dogs becomes a common phenomenon. Diabetes Mellitus or type 2 diabetes affects the dogs. Diabetes also affects obese dogs. The study reveals one in five hundred dogs show the sign of diabetes mellitus. Some dog breeds seem to be more risk prone towards diabetes. These dogs breed can be -

1. Keeshond

2. Poodles

3. Samoyed

4. Daschund

5. Alaskan malamute

6. Miniature schnauzer

7. Chow chow

8. Beagle

9. Doberman

10. Labrador retriever

11. Hungarian puli

12. Golden retriever

13. Miniature pinscher

14. Old English sheepdog

15. Springer spaniel

16. Schipperke

17. Finnish spitz

18. West Highland white terrier

19. Cairn terrier

Canine Diabetes

Canine diabetes include diabetes mellitus in comparable to people with diabetes, and diabetes insipidus. Both diabetes belong to endocrine diseases group. The body system that produces the hormone becomes defective causing canine diseases, diabetes. Kidney controls water resorption relating to antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin, lacking of this system, Diabetes Insipidus occurs. Diabetes mellitus is based on insulin deficiency. Hormones play the crucial role in sugar metabolism, and these features are common in two types mostly.

Canine diabetes is categorized in two branches. These are congenital type and acquired type. The congenital type is immature, comparing to type 1 diabetes and the acquired type is mature relating to type 2 diabetes. The canine diabetes mellitus requires insulin and it is comparable to type 2 in human being, terming as IDDM.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dog diabetes can be -

1. Lethargy

2. Excessive water consumption

3. Too much urination

4. Incomprehensible weight gain or loss

Lethargy is a common symptom of many dog diseases but always not for diabetes.

Diet

Some veterinarians like to formulate anti-diabetes diet for young dog. The same diet plan does not include all dogs with diabetes. Dogs suffering from some problems in pancreas had better leave high-fat foods. The canned foods are to be omitted from the diet plan and vet will take care of this dieting. Fiber-rich foods can help dogs digest and absorb carbohydrate better. Carbohydrate reduces the glucose content in the blood. Blood glucose level rises up after the each meal. Feed dogs high fiber foods; it can reduce the high blood glucose level.

Natural herbs and teas can be included in the diet plan of the dogs with diabetic. These can be -

1. Bejak

2. Vinegar

3. Karela

4. Cinnamon

5. Gurmar

6. Grapefruit

7. Herbal extracts

Treatment

Veterinarians prefer Vetsulin for canine diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Vetsulin is composed of 30% amorphous insulin and 70% crystalline insulin. The first thirty percent actively raises high in four hours after the injection, and lasts up to eight hours. The rest 70% acts slowly and raises high in eleven hours.

Glipizide is another option. It uses to control the blood sugar level. To use for animals FDA has not approved it yet. It contains sulfonylurea, an effective anti-diabetic agent. Based on mild cases and severe cases, the diabetes remedies will take place. In mild cases, simple diet moderation and necessary drugs can come, and in severe cases, insulin injections requires.

Metabolic Acidosis in Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder characterized by an insufficient secretion of insulin or insulin-resistance by the major target tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, and adipocytes). A severe metabolic acidosis may develop in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Acidosis occurs because insulin deficiency leads to decreased glucose utilization, a diversion of metabolism toward the utilization of fatty acids, and an overproduction of ketone body acids (acetoacetic acid and _-hydroxybutyric acids). Ketone body acids are fairly strong acids (pKa 4 to 5); they are neutralized in the body by HCO3_ and other buffers. Increased production of these acids leads to a fall n plasma [HCO3 _], an increase in plasma anion gap, and a fall in blood pH (acidemia).

Severe acidemia, whatever its cause, has many adverse effects on the body. It impairs myocardial contractility, resulting in a decrease in cardiac output. It causes arteriolar dilation, which leads to a fall in arterial blood pressure. Hepatic and renal blood flows are decreased. Reentrant arrhythmias and a decreased threshold for ventricular fibrillation can occur. The respiratory muscles show decreased strength and fatigue easily. Metabolic demands are increased due, in part, to activation of the sympathetic nervous system, but at the same time anaerobic glycolysis and ATP synthesis are reduced by acidemia. Hyperkalemia is favored and protein catabolism is enhanced. Severe academia causes impaired brain metabolism and cell volume regulation, leading to progressive obtundation and coma.

An increased acidity of the blood stimulates pulmonary ventilation, resulting in a compensatory lowering of alveolar and arterial blood PCO2. The consequent reduction in blood [H2CO3] acts to move the blood pH back toward normal. The labored, deep breathing that accompanies severe uncontrolled diabetes is called Kussmaul's respiration. The kidneys compensate for metabolic acidosis by reabsorbing all the filtered HCO3 _. They also increase the excretion of titratable acid, part of which is comprised of ketone body acids. But these acids can only be partially titrated to their acid form in the urine because the urine pH cannot go below 4.5. Therefore, ketone body acids are excreted mostly in their anionic form; because of the requirement of electroneutrality in solutions, increased urinary excretion of Na_ and K_ results.

An important compensation for the acidosis is increased renal synthesis and excretion of ammonia. This adaptive response takes several days to fully develop, but it allows the kidneys to dispose of large amounts of H_ in the form NH4.The NH4_ in the urine can replace Na_ and K_ ions, resulting in conservation of these valuable cations.

The severe acidemia, electrolyte disturbances, and volume depletion that accompany uncontrolled diabetes mellitus may be fatal. Addressing the underlying cause, rather than just treating the symptoms best achieves correction of the acid-base disturbance. Therefore, the administration of a suitable dose of insulin is usually the key element of therapy. In some patients with marked acidemia (pH 7.10), NaHCO3 solutions may be infused intravenously to speed recovery, but this does not correct the underlying metabolic problem. Losses of Na_, K_, and water should be replaced.

When Diabetes is Not Diabetes

Mention the word diabetes and the vast majority of people will assume that you are talking about either type 1 diabetes, which affects about 10% of diabetes sufferers, or type 2 diabetes, which is the most commonly seen form of the disease and is currently growing alarmingly. But did you know that there is a third type of diabetes which has no connection whatsoever with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, apart from sharing the name diabetes.

Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is a condition in which the body is unable to process sugar satisfactorily and, for this reason, it is sometimes known as sugar diabetes. By contrast, diabetes insipidus, is a condition in which the body is unable to process water correctly and, accordingly, it is sometimes known water diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus is characterized by an unusually high intake of fluid, high output of urine and, in some cases, an excessive thirst. The symptoms of diabetes insipidus include the frequent need to urinate, awakening at night to urinate or involuntary urination while sleeping. Also, the volume of urine output increases because the body is unable to concentrate it and it is usually very pale in color or colorless in appearance.

There are four types of diabetes insipidus:

Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Neurogenic diabetes insipidus (also commonly referred to as pituitary diabetes insipidus) is caused by a lack of the hormone vasopressin, which is produced by the pituitary gland and is needed in order for the kidneys to function properly and to concentrate urine.

Gestagenic Diabetes Insipidus

Gestagenic diabetes insipidus (also known as gestational diabetes insipidus) occurs during pregnancy and is often the result of destruction of vasopressin within the placenta.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus occurs when, in spite of the normal production of vasopressin, the kidneys still fail to properly concentrate urine. This form of diabetes insipidus can be inherited and can also be the result of kidney disease and taking certain types of drug.

Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is a type of primary polydipsia in which an excessive fluid intake suppresses the effects of the hormone vasopressin. This is usually caused by an abnormality in the part of the brain that regulates thirst. Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is easily confused with neurogenic diabetes insipidus and the only way to identify which form of the disease you are looking at is to measure the body's production of vasopressin.

There is also a second type of primary polydipsia known as psychogenic polydipsia which, as its name would suggest, has a variety of psychosomatic causes.

Despite the fact that there is some similarity in the symptoms of diabetes and diabetes insipidus it seems strange, and more than a little confusing, that the medical profession should have decided to give these two quite different conditions the same name.

How To Recognize Pre-Diabetes Symptoms and Prevent Diabetes Naturally

It is good that you are among those who are not diabetic. However, your body might be silently developing this disease keeping you unaware of your exact health condition. But if you are health conscious, a few symptoms will alert you about your pre-diabetic condition. During this phase, you still have time to reverse diabetes and lead a healthy live.

Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes

Sudden Blurred Vision: If your ability to focus is impaired frequently but remains normal at other times, then you are in your pre-diabetic phase

Excessive Thirst: Your body needs to flush excess sugar therefor you feel extreme thirst quite often. It simply means that you are on the verge of being diabetic very soon.

Slow Healing: As blood circulation slows down due to high sugar levels, you skin does not heal bruises and wounds as fast as it should. If you notice slow healing, then it is time to visit your physical and get yourselves examined.

Fatigue and Low Energy: Once insulin resistance is developed, your body cannot convert glucose into energy therefore you start feeling tired for no reason. It is a pre-diabetic condition.

Sudden Weight Gain or Loss: Get alarmed, if you start gaining or losing weight for no apparent reason.

How to Prevent Diabetes

Prevention is always better than cure no matter what the ailment is. It is true for diabetes as well. You can prevent this sweet disease easily if you are prepared to do what it takes to lead a diabetes free life. Type 2 diabetes is preventable in 90% of cases by taking simple steps which include going for diabetic diet plans and incorporating physical activities in our daily lives.

Reduce Weight: Obesity is one of the most common reasons of Type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, then the sooner you burn fat the better especially if you want to remain diabetes free.

Walk Daily: Brisk walking for half an hour daily or general walking for an hour daily will reduce your risk of developing this disease by almost 30 per cent.

Avoid Sugary Drink: It is obvious. Avoiding sugary drinks will keep your sugar levels under control.

Caffeine is better than Carbonated Drinks: Coffee, tea or cocoa are much better alternatives than sugary drinks, especially when it comes to diabetes prevention. However, make sure that you do not add extra sugar and cream in your coffee or tea. Caffeine boosts metabolism therefore it not only prevents diabetes but also helps in burning fat.

Avoid Highly Processed Carbohydrates: There are various other whole grain options that can replace your refined carbohydrate based food without compromising on taste and satisfaction. Going for whole grain and fiber food is the best way to keep your digestive system related organs in good condition.

Remain Stress Free: In order to prevent, treat or manage diabetes, you need lead a stress free life. Though it is somewhat difficult to keep stress at bay, it is not impossible. Incorporating yoga and meditation in your daily life will not only keep you stress free but will also energize you cope up with your regular work and family life pressures

Nursing Care Plan - Diabetes

Bellow you will find a copy of one of the nursing care plans for type 2 diabetes authored by myself (a registered nurse manager). An detailed commentary by myself can be found below the nursing care plan. Please read through the care plan to better understand standards of type 2 diabetes care.

Please refer to the link at the end of this article for more in-depth Diabetes information for both patients and medical professionals!

Nursing Care Plan NANDA Nursing Diagnosis (problem statement)

Imbalanced nutrition r/t excessive intake of nutrients as evidenced by Type II Diabetes:

Nursing Care Plan Goal Statements:

1. 
   Patient will acknowledge his or her behaviors / feelings that exacerbate imbalanced nutrition (excessive) within 8 hours. (this is a great example of a short term goal statement).
   


2. 
   Patient will design a realistic dietary plan which will assist him / her with decreasing caloric intake, within 24 hours. (the key word in this statement is REALISTIC, to increase compliance).
   


3. 
   Patient will incorporate at least 30 minutes of well tolerated exercise into daily schedule by the end of 48 hours. (another short term goal statement, a lifestyle change in the longterm).
   

Nursing Interventions for Imbalanced Nutrition (Excessive):

The Nurse shall explain and have patient verbalize the relationship of diabetes and diet, and the patient shall give a return explanation is his / her own words. (this nursing intervention will help clear up and misconseptions and reinforce the medical value of a healthy diabetic diet).

Patient will consult with a dietician to find out what an optimal caloric intake for her size, activity level and goal of weight loss is, so that she knows where to start in planning her dietary needs. (initial education and working knowledge).

Patient will keep a journal of total intake every time food is consumed and mark where improvement can be made. (accountability, ongoing education experience)

Patient will display (you choose how) a working knowledge of how to read a food label after nurse demonstrates (you choose method according to patient's best way of learning)

Promote family member or caregiver participating in the above mentioned 30 minute exercise program. (increases compliance through a support system, motivation).

The nurse shall have patient record an exercise log. (accountability)

The patient should have a list of goals and reward for those goals related to reducing overall caloric intake. (will increase compliance).

Comments: The most important fact to remember in dealing with type 2 diabetes is well thought out diet can completely negate the diabetic disease process. The Diabetic diet can be strict, but some "cheating" in moderate, planned ways are actually a GOOD idea. Human behavior dictates, and research has shown, a strict diet is rarely followed. With type 2 diabetes the diet is a lifetime diet and overall adherence to the diet is the overall goal. Lack of a regulated diet can easily lead to type 1 diabetes and more severe medical problems such as neuropathy, vision loss, and premature death related to diabetic complications.

Three Types of Canine Diabetes

Humans commonly suffer from diabetes. There are different forms that can affect people, but most people know about the form that causes an imbalance of sugar in the bloodstream. Dogs can also be affected by one of these three types of diabetes.

The three different types include mellitus, insipidus, and gestational. The most common form is diabetes mellitus when it comes to both people and dogs. Let's take a look at these three forms of diabetes that can occur in dogs.

Diabetes Mellitus

Canine diabetes mellitus is a condition in which your dog's body is either insensitive to insulin or doesn't produce enough of it. Insulin. If the pancreas is functioning like it's supposed to, then it will secrete insulin, which is the hormone responsible for regulating glucose. There are various symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus include increased urination and thirst, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

The main treatment for this form is a daily or twice a day injection of insulin. You will also need to change your dog's diet. A diet that is high in protein and fiber is usually best. Your dog will also need less carbohydrates and fats. It is also important that a dog with diabetes mellitus gets plenty of exercise.

Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by your dog's inability to retain water. This rare disease comes in two forms, namely central and nephrogenic. The central form occurs when the pituitary gland doesn't produce enough of the anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressine. Central canine diabetes insipidus can be caused by congenital defect or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. It can be treated with desmopressin in the form of nose drops, eye drops, or injections.

The nephrogenic form of diabetes insipidus occurs when the kidneys are insensitive to vasopressine secreted by the pituitary gland. This condition can be caused by medications, kidney disease, kidney trauma, or congenital defect. It's usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics.

Gestational

The last form of canine diabetes is the gestational variety which only occurs during pregnancy. This condition occurs when the female dog's body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use the produced insulin properly. Dogs with this form of canine diabetes display the same symptoms as dogs with diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes can be treat with a proper diet, exercise, and insulin injections. The condition usually goes away after she has given birth to her litter.

Canine Diabetes - Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Treatments

Diabetes is caused when the pancreas no long produces enough or entirely stops producing insulin. Without insulin, the body's cells cannot use glucose for aiding in digestion and for energy. The excess glucose builds up, causing diabetes. There are two types of Canine Diabetes. Canine Mellitus I and II and Diabetes Insipidus. Mellitus I and II are the most common. Type I is often found in puppies and younger dogs. It usually has a congenital connection. Type II is typically found in middle age, senior and unspayed female dogs (estrogen interferes with insulin).

There are also two types of Diabetes Insipidus. Nephprogenic is found when the kidneys do not respond to the body's production of antidiuretc hormone (ADH). This type is commonly caused by congenital factors, infections and/or medications. Central Diabetes Insipidus is a deficiency in the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). It is most commonly caused by congenital factors, trauma and/or tumors. Of the two types, Diabetes Insipidus is the more dangerous.

Predisposed Breeds

No breed is immune to canine diabetes. However, certain breeds appear to be more predisposed than others. They include: Poodle, German Shepherd, Keeshond, Golden Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, Samoyed, Doberman Pinscher, Miniature Pinscher, Beagles, Cocker Spaniel, Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, Maltese, Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, Labrador Retriever, Hungarian Puli, Springer Spaniel, Schipperke, Schnauzer, and Bichon Frise.

Causes

Origins of diabetes include:

1. Heredity - Congenital factors/breed


2. Obesity


3. Infections of the pancreas i.e. pancreatitis


4. Trauma


5. Tumors


6. Medications


7. Estrogen interference

Signs and Symptoms

Veterinary attention is imperative if you notice:

1. Excessive hunger and thirst - High sugar levels trigger excessive thirst. Lack of proper digestion triggers excessive hunger.


2. Frequent urination - The excess sugar increases the amount and frequency of urination.


3. Sweet breath - Excessive levels of glucose produce a sweet odor that can be detected on your dog's breath.


4. Dull coat


5. Lethargy


6. Vomiting


7. Shaking - Seek immediate veterinary attention.


8. Seizures - Seek immediate veterinary attention.

Be Prepared

By taking certain precautions, your dog can lead a quite normal life. They include:

1. Keep a glucometer handy to check your pet's sugar level.


2. Water, water, everywhere! Make sure your dog has access to plenty of water. Keep more than one bowl filled with fresh water at all times.


3. Exercise in moderation. Over exercise can trigger an episode.


4. Diet - Keep their weight in check. One of the most common causes of Canine Diabetes is obesity.


5. No sweets!


6. Keep honey or Karo Syrup handy should they have a hyperglycemic episode (blood sugar drops). Immediately rub Karo syrup or honey on their gums.


7. Keep emergency numbers for more than one veterinarian handy.


8. Regular checkups.

Diet

1. Avoid sugars and sweets.


2. Avoid foods with high fat content - Stresses pancreas and obesity triggers and exacerbates diabetes.


3. High fiber diet to assist in the digestion of carbohydrates - Helps lower glucose and aids proper digestion.

Treatments

1. Vetsulin - Canine insulin. Cannot be used by dogs allergic to pork.


2. DDAVP - A synthetic antidiuretic hormone used for Central Diabetes Insididus.


3. Glipizide - An insulin pill used as an alternative for dogs allergic to pork.

Canine Diabetes is serious! It can lead to:

1. Ketoacidosis - Excessive ketones, caused by lack of insulin in the body. Watch your dog's breath for what smells like nail polish. Can be fatal.


2. Ongoing infections - Immune system is stressed. Sugar attracts bacteria, causing reoccurring infections i.e. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI).


3. Blindness

Bottom line: Canine Diabetes does not have to be a death keel for your puppy or dog. When timely recognized, diagnosed and treated, the quality of your dog's life should not change too drastically. It may mean more of a commitment on your part, but one look into your dog's eyes will make it well worthwhile.

Information on Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that prevents the body to utilize glucose completely or partially. It is characterized by raising glucose concentration in the blood and alterations in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. This can be due to failure in the formation of insulin or liberation or action. Since insulin is produced by the ² cells of the islets of Langerhans, any receding in the number of functioning cells will decrease the amount of insulin that can be synthesized.

Many diabetics can produce sufficient insulin but some stimulus to the islets tissue is needed in order that secretion can take place. In the early stages of the disease the Insulin Like Activity (ILA) of the blood is often increased, but most of this insulin appears to be bound to protein and is not available for transport across the cell membrane and action of the cell.

The hormones of the anterior pituitary, adrenal cortex, thyroid and ± cells of the islets of Langerhans are glucogenic, that is, they increase the supply of glucose. Possibly they could increase the demand, decrease the secretion or antagonize and inhibit the action of insulin. The body releases hormones that raise blood glucose levels to provide a quick source of energy for coping with stress. In the stress conditions diabetes mellitus may precipitate with genetic predisposition.

Diabetes Insipidus is a condition that shares some of the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, large urine output, great thirst and sometimes a large appetite. But in diabetes insipidus these are symptoms of a specific injury, not a collection of metabolic disorders. The impaired pituitary gland produces less anti-diuretic hormone, a substance that normally helps the kidneys retain water.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Type 2 Diabetes - Polyuria, Polydipsia and Polyphagia!

Complications from Type 2 diabetes can also cause many side effects. While some are more commonly known, there are others an individual may be experiencing and not even know they are related to their disease. Some complications often overlooked are:

• polyuria,


• polydipsia, and


• polyphagia.

In all three of these conditions, the first part of the words, "poly", means too much of something.

1. In polyuria, it refers to when an individual urinates excessively or has increased urination. What is considered excessive or increased urination? The average amount of urine expelled is considered to be around 3 liters per day for adults and 2 liters per day for a child.

This condition can be due to a defect in the water balance of an individual who does not have control of their Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. But it can also be due to polydipsia, which refers to excessive thirst.

2. Polydipsia can be found in both children and adults, but is most often found in middle-aged women or with individuals who are taking certain medications. Certain medications can have their own side effect of giving the sensation of having a dry mouth.

But there is another cause for this condition and it has to do with the presence of hypothalamic lesions that work directly against the thirst sensation. These lesions are often associated with certain medical conditions such as sarcoidosis, which is inflammation of certain areas of the body, most often the lymph nodes, liver, lungs and other tissues.

It also occurs when individual are not taking their Type 2 diabetes medication correctly, or when the prescribed doses are no longer effective. Regardless of the cause, this is a condition that can become very serious. If the body is consuming far more liquid that it is effectively able to excrete, then the individual's serum sodium level can become dangerously high, resulting in possible seizures and even cardiac arrest.

3. Polyphagia: The last of the conditions, known as polyphagia, has to do with an individual having an excessive appetite or enormous feelings of hunger. In relation to diabetes, this condition occurs when the body's cells are not getting enough glucose, or sugar. It can be due to the body either being resistant to insulin so the sugar that is "knocking" at the cell's doors and cannot be processed, or the body is simply not able to produce enough insulin for its needs. This causes the sensation of feeling hungry.

A person with this condition goes through a vicious, and often uncontrollable cycle. They eat large quantities of food from which excess sugars are flushed out in their urine. The energy the body would have benefited from is gone, the cell's cannot absorb sugar, so the body reacts in the only way it knows, which is to feel hungry. Polyphaiga is most commonly found in diabetics, Type 2 diabetics. Unfortunately, this is also probably the most difficult to prevent.

What Is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus signs and symptoms are characterized by extreme versions of a few very common Diabetes Mellitus symptoms. These include:

• Extreme and often excessive thirst for cold water and sometimes even ice water


• Excessive urination due to extreme consumption of water


• Fever


• Vomiting


• Diarrhea


• Dehydration

The symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus mimic those of Diabetes Mellitus however one main distinction is that the urine will not contain excess glucose and hyperglycemia or, high blood sugar, will not be evident. Signs of dehydration are often the best indicator as sufferers of this disease are often unable to conserve any amount of water in large quantities. 

As a result of the extreme loss of liquids, Diabetes Insipidus can interfere with ones daily life. Constantly going to the bathroom can affect ones work life, appetite, and sometimes can affect growth in children. Depletion of electrolytes is also of large concern and is another excellent symptom of Diabetes Insipidus to watch for.

The diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus is both qualitative and quantitative involving both the documentation of the above listed symptoms as well as hormone-level testing to determine the type (if any) of DI in each case.

Types of Diabetes Insipidus

Neurogenic or central Diabetes Insipidus: This type of DI is caused by a lack of AVP or arginine vasopressin production in the brain. AVP is a hormone that controls retention of water in the body.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: This type of DI is caused by an insensitivity of ones kidneys to AVP. The kidneys do not respond properly to this antidiuretic hormone causing water loss.

Dipsogenic DI: This type of DI is caused by a defect or injury in the thirst mechanism located in the hypothalamus gland in the brain. This causes an increase in thirst and fluid intake that causes a suppression of AVP production and increases urine output.

Gestational DI: This DI type only occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant women produce an enzyme called vasopressinase. This enzyme breaks down AVP. It is thought that Gestational DI is a result of an overproduction of vasopressinase.

Just like other types of Diabetes, if you discover that you exhibit several of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor immediately. Check out our FAQ for common questions and answers concerning Diabetes or our articles section for other Diabetes articles.

Natural Cures for Diabetes Insipidus

A Guide to Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is referred as a condition where the kidneys fail to conserve water. It is a rare disorder that leads to frequent urination. For making up the lost water, a diabetic may feel the requirement of drinking large amounts of water and as a result urinate frequently, at night too. This may disrupt sleep and occasionally cause bed-wetting.

A child with this disorder is likely to be listless or irritable and may also have diarrhea, vomiting or fever. A mild form of diabetes insipidus is treated by drinking adequate water but in case of severe cases, if left untreated can endanger one's health. This however is a rare condition. There are various natural remedies that can help you cure this problem. These days' people are more in favor of using natural remedies to treat any kind of disease and diabetes insipidus is no different

The Top 7 Natural Cures for Diabetes Insipidus

1. A combination of turmeric powder, gooseberry powder and honey works wonders in treating diabetes insipidus. Juice made from gooseberries and turmeric can be consumed empty stomach. Alternatively, one can also consume grape juice daily. It is one of the most effective natural cures.

2. Mango leaves are one of the best natural cures for diabetes insipidus. For best results, those suffering from diabetes must boil few mango leaves and drink this water every morning on an empty stomach.

3. Rose Geranium: Rose Geranium helps to lower the level of blood sugar, lowers blood pressure as well as helps blood coagulation. This is one of the most beneficial herbs for diabetes. It works wonders for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus as often the sufferers have wounds that are opening on their feet along with skin ruptures.

4. Milk thistle is a very effective form especially amongst the diabetes herbal remedies. As per a research, it has been discovered that milk thistle contains antioxidant properties that contribute to the health of diabetics. It is one of the most recommended natural cures for diabetes insipidus.

5. Soak few black raisins in a bowl of water overnight. Strain this next morning and drink the clear liquid that is obtained. Taken on a regular basis, it helps to control blood sugar. It is one of the best natural cures for diabetes.

6. Chewing few leaves of Butea tree regularly helps to keep blood sugar in check.

7. Consuming jamuns, oranges and tomatoes diligently on a regular basis helps in bringing down the level of blood sugar.