Type 2 Diabetes - Managing Diabetes Through Diet and Exercise, Part 1

Managing Type 2 diabetes might seem like a daunting task... especially for those people who are newly diagnosed. But even though it can be rather difficult at times, it certainly shouldn't qualify as being impossible. There are plenty of ways to correctly manage the condition through diet and exercise... as long as the individual is willing to make the commitment.

In this first installment of the three-part series, we give you some great ideas on how to control your diabetes so it doesn't have the opportunity to control you...

1. Prevent blood sugar spikes following a meal. This is a big problem for many diabetics. Unfortunately, it's also a common one that can easily take away the enjoyment of a meal. But you can prevent these spikes from occurring by implementing a few, simple rules.

• first, is to make sure to plan your meal out ahead of time. Blood sugar spikes can come from the sheer volume of food that is consumed in a meal, the types of foods that are consumed, or both. If you know you are going to eat carbs at a particular meal then just limit their quantity. If you know you aren't going to be able to resist that piece of cheesecake then plan the remainder of your meal around having it.


• second, is to plan what you do before the meal. Having a big meal doesn't mean starving yourself leading up to it. Your body needs a constant source of fuel at all times. If you know you are likely to overeat at dinner, then skipping breakfast and lunch is not a reasonable option to help make up for the extra food you will be eating at dinner. All you will be doing is setting your blood sugar up to take a drastic jump after the meal.

2. Eliminate hypoglycemic episodes at all costs. If you are eating healthily at mealtime and also having healthy snacks in between your main meals, then you should never again have to worry about hypoglycemic episodes. The trick is Type 2 diabetics can't choose to do one or the other: it has to be both or it won't work. If you do happen to feel your blood sugar beginning to drop then do something about it immediately. The best idea is to always have something available to combat the low blood sugar reading before it has the chance to escalate into a full-blown hypoglycemic event.

Diabetes Diet News You Can Use

Looking for diabetes diet news? The American Diabetes Association diet plans are designed to improve blood glucose levels, blood pressure, cholesterol numbers and help you control you weight. But, is diet alone enough?

Researchers keep looking for more and better answers to type II diabetes. Research conducted by the Women's Health Initiative and recently published concerned a reduced fat diabetes diet, lower than that previously recommended.

Usually it is suggested that dietary fat be limited to 30% of the total caloric intake. A simple way to keep to that goal is avoid buying foods that contain more than 30% fat, especially if you buy a lot of processed foods.

The current American Diabetes Association diet recommendations do not mention fat as a percentage of daily caloric intakes. But, the diabetes diet tried by the Women's Health Initiative consisted of a fat intake of 20%.

It was a long-term study, conducted over a 12 year span from 1993 to 2005. It took three years to collect, analyze and publish the results. They compared the effects of a 40% total fat intake to that of 20% and found that the lower fat intake did not reduce risks.

The women in the study ranged from 50-79 years of age. Some of them took prescription medications to help control blood sugar levels, such as Metformin. Others used insulin.

The women in the lower fat group lost more weight than the control group, by about two more pounds per year. The women with the greatest weight losses did seem to have greatly reduced risks of complications. But, the lower fat diabetes diet did not account for the difference.

This study suggests that it is total calories consumed and increased physical activity that makes the biggest difference. This supports recommendations by the American Diabetes Association diet.

The Association suggests that you use a program called "My Pyramid" developed by the USDA. On-line tools allow individuals to calculate their caloric requirements and make healthy food choices. Of course, regular physical activity is always encouraged.

Personally, I feel that a diabetes diet, alone, is not sufficient to reduce the risk of complications, increase natural insulin production and sensitivity and promote glucose metabolism. But, there are a number of herbal and other natural supplements that can help.

They may not be allowed to say so on the label, since it is against FDA rules. But, you have to remember that people were using herbs long before there were drugs. In poor and undeveloped countries, they still use these natural remedies to control blood sugar levels.

Of course, the American Diabetes Association diet does not suggest the use of nutritional or herbal supplements. Major health organizations never make that suggestion. My suggestion is this, even if you find that the supplements work really well to control your blood sugar levels, don't stop taking medications, without consulting your doctor.

Certain foods could still cause a dangerous spike in blood sugar, so regular testing is imperative. But, as an important part of your diabetes diet, supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, as well as herbs, minerals and enzymes have proven effectiveness. Protect your health in every way possible.

A Diet for Diabetics Is Easy to Follow

If you are looking for an easy diet for diabetics, you are not the only one. Many diabetic patients are looking for the easiest way to manage diabetes. A diabetes diet is normally referred to as MNT which means consuming a variety of foods in moderate amounts. A diabetic diet is a health plan for eating that consists of low calories and high nutrients. In addition to that, it emphasizes on a person to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables. In fact, studies show that a diet for diabetics is the best diet for anybody trying to lose weight.

The Main Purpose of a Diet for Diabetics

If you have diabetes, your physician would advise you to see a nutritionist to assist you in changing your diet plan for that of a diet for diabetics. This is because you need a diet that would control your glucose level and weight.

Studies show that when you consume excess fats and calories, you body's blood glucose rises. If the blood glucose is not controlled, it may result in kidney failure, heart attacks, nerve failure and other chronic diseases. Changing to a diet for diabetics is very important as it will assist you in managing your blood glucose and a way of tracking it. It is important especially for people with type 2 diabetes, as these types of diet plans will make it easy to control the glucose levels in the blood. If you also want to lose weight, a diet for diabetics plan is the best way to achieving that.

What Does a Diet for Diabetics Consist of?

A diet for diabetics should be one that is based on your goals, health, lifestyle and taste. If you are unable to come up with a plan, you should consult the services of a registered nutritionist. Generally, the diabetic's diet should include firstly healthy carbohydrates. When you eat sugar and starches, they turn into glucose which is not very good for your health. Concentrate on healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, lentils, beans, peas and whole grains.

Any diet for diabetics should also contain food rich in fiber. These are kinds of food that your body cannot absorb or digest. It is important as it controls blood sugar and also decreases the risk of heart attack. Example of such kinds of foods includes legumes, nuts, fruits, wheat bran and whole flour.

A proper diet for diabetics should also include fish. Diabetic patients are advised to consume fish at least twice a week. This is very beneficial as fish can be a good option to red meat. Such kinds of fish include tuna, cod, herring, mackerel and salmon. These types of fish have low-fat and are high in omega 3 fatty acids. Medical studies advise that one should not eat fish which are high in mercury levels. Examples of these are the swordfish, king mackerel and tile fish.

Lastly is that your diet should have good fats. These include almonds, walnuts, peanut oil, avocados, canola and olive oil. These are very nutritious and also help in lowering the cholesterol level. Note that when cooking with such oils, you should only use a small amount as all fats contain calories.

When creating any type of diet for diabetics, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats. These are mainly animal products such as beef, sausage, hot dogs and bacon. You should also avoid trans fats. These are normally found in snacks, margarine, baked food and shortening products. They increase the levels of cholesterol which is not very good for the body.

In conclusion, if you find it hard coming up with diet for diabetics eating plan, consult a nutritionist who will teach you how to measure the portions, how to count carbohydrates and how to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.

Canine Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common hormonal disorders in dogs. Statistics show that one in 400 dogs develop diabetes. So you and your diabetic dog are not alone - many other pet owners are helping their dogs stay healthy and live normal lives with this disease.

Types of Diabetes

Most diabetic dogs have diabetes mellitus (pronounced MEL-uh-tus). In diabetes mellitus, the pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin are destroyed during episodes of pancreatitis or when the immune system attacks them (a form of autoimmunity). Dogs with diabetes mellitus usually require shots of insulin to help their bodies use the energy from the food they eat.

Diabetes insipidus means that either the body is not making enough of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that controls water regulation in the kidneys, or that the kidneys cannot respond to ADH. Diabetes insipidus is very rare in dogs; this article addresses only diabetes mellitus in dogs.

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is the inability of the body to properly use the energy from food. The disease is caused by a deficiency of insulin, a hormone that regulates how the cells absorb and use blood sugar. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, a gland in the endocrine system.

The pancreas serves two functions: one if the production of digestive enzymes; the other is the regulation of blood sugar. The pancreas produces and releases enzymes into the small intestine to break down food into nutrients. It also releases hormones into the bloodstream to help the body use sugar (glucose). One of these hormones, insulin, controls the uptake of glucose into cells. The cells use the glucose as fuel for energy production. When the body does not have enough insulin, the dog may show symptoms of high blood glucose, such as excessive hunger and thirst, increased urination, and weakness in the limbs.

A lack of sufficient insulin causes glucose to accumulate in the blood until the kidneys must use water to flush excess glucose into the urine, causing dehydration. Severe dehydration can causelow blood pressure and possibly shock, so it is important to start diabetes mellitus treatment as soon as possible.

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

Scientists are not sure about the cause of diabetes; it may be caused by various factors, including a genetic predisposition, diet, or even exposure to certain viruses. But they can point to risk factors such as obesity, a sedentary life style, and genetic history.

Risk Factors

The following are risk factors for diabetes in dogs:

• Age - Dogs are generally over seven years of age, but are occasionally diagnosed at a much younger age. On average, dogs are diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 12.




• Gender - Female dogs have diabetes at almost twice the rate of males.




• Breed - Although any breed of dog may get diabetes, several studies indicate that some breeds tend to be diagnosed with diabetes more often, which may point to a genetic predisposition to the disease.
  
  The breeds that are at higher risk include:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Keeshond
  
  
  
  
  • Cairn Terrier
  
  
  
  
  • Schnauzer (miniature and standard)
  
  
  
  
  • Poodle
  
  
  
  
  • Dachshunds
  
  
  
  
  • Beagles
  
  
  
  

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that can indicate diabetes are:

• Low energy, lethargy




• Losing weight




• Eating excessively, not eating, or other changes in interest in food




• Drinking large amounts of water




• Urinating frequently, which may cause waking up at odd times to urinate

By the time you notice that your dog's eating habits have changed, that he's drinking excessive water, or even vomiting, your pet may be losing weight and getting lethargic. Because diabetes can be controlled more easily with an early diagnosis, it is important to go to a veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms.

The longer symptoms persist without a diagnosis, the more the blood glucose level increases and damage can occur in the bladder, kidneys, liver, and eyes. Dogs with diabetes can also have a decreased resistance to bacterial infections.

Diagnosis

Tell your veterinarian all the symptoms you have observed in your dog, including the physical symptoms and any changes in mood, behavior, and energy. Your veterinarian may suspect diabetes right away and take a quick blood glucose test like the ones that human diabetics use. This kind of test can give an immediate reading of current blood glucose, but is not a definitive diagnosis since elevated blood glucose readings can be caused by problems other than diabetes.

Your veterinarian will know about many other health problems that cause similar symptoms, such as Cushing's Disease, and may order a blood test for blood glucose levels along with other tests of kidney and liver function, etc.

It may take several days to get the blood test back from the lab. Your veterinarian will want to meet with you to discuss the findings and the care you need to give your pet.

Treatment

Treatment for most dogs includes insulin therapy, weight control, dietary therapy and exercise.

Insulin

Most diabetic dogs need insulin, given in daily injections. Depending on the type of insulin your veterinarian suggests, your dog will need one or two injections per day.

Your veterinarian will show you how to handle insulin and administer shots to your dog. The veterinarian may have you practice giving the shot in the office, to make sure you know how to do it and to answer any questions.

Insulin shots are given under the skin, so you won't have to find a vein. Some veterinarians suggest you give shots in the buttocks area, others suggest the loose skin around the neck. Ask which area your veterinarian recommends for your pet.

Too Much Insulin

The greatest threat to your dog's health related to insulin is getting too much insulin. This causes blood glucose levels that are too low (hypoglycemia), which can make the dog very sick and can result in death. Just as human diabetics carry a candy bar or orange juice to treat their low blood glucose, you should carry corn syrup or sugar pills with you for your diabetic dog.

Symptoms of low blood glucose include:

• Dizziness or unsteady gait




• Lethargy




• Shaking




• Falling




• Seizures

Every dog shows a different combination of these symptoms. React immediately to the symptoms by giving your dog corn syrup or sugar pills. It's important to make sure your dog ingests glucose in one of these forms as soon as possible. You can dilute the corn syrup in water and let your dog drink it. If the dog does not willingly drink it, administer it orally using a turkey baster. Corn syrup absorbs into the blood stream through the tissues of the mouth, so it is immediately effective.

You should quickly see a change in the dog's symptoms and behavior since this treatment increases the blood glucose right away. Keep in mind that elevated blood glucose for a short time is much less dangerous than low blood glucose. To prevent low blood glucose, it's generally better to err on the side of too little insulin rather than too much.

Weight Control

A healthy weight for your dog will help you control the diabetes and keep your dog active. A diet that is low-fat, moderate complex carbohydrate, and high-protein is recommended. Your veterinarian can suggest changes in diet or a prescription food for your dog.

Make sure to feed your dog at specific times each day and stick to these prescribed times. Resist the temptation to feed extra food, such as table scraps, and ask others in your household not to give treats that may alter blood sugar or increase weight. Consult your veterinarian about acceptable treats.

Other Medications

Check with your veterinarian about other medications your dog is taking. Some medications should be avoided in diabetic dogs.

Consequences of Diabetes

Diabetes can cause many other health problems when not properly regulated. Some of the complications include:

• Eyes - diabetes can cause or worsen cataracts




• Kidney disease




• Liver disease




• Limbs - high blood glucose can cause weakness and instability in the legs




• Increased susceptibility to infections

Prognosis

Most dogs are diagnosed with diabetes when they are between 8 and 12 years old. Some are much younger, but with the consistent care, you can expect your pet to live a normal life and be active and healthy.

This article is approved by Ellen Miller, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM of Flatiron Veterinary Specialists

Please consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and before beginning any treatment program.

Canine Diabetes and How To Cure It Naturally

Treating your dog naturally can cure every disease under the sun, including canine diabetes. It can do this because the focus is on the immune system rather than the disease or condition. With a strong immune system, your dog is able to sail through any problem unscathed.

It doesn't matter whether the diabetes is the insipidus type or the mellitus type. Diabetes mellitus is normally a direct result of poor nutrition and excess weight. This is the sugar diabetes, when not enough insulin is produced. When the nutrition and weight problems are rectified, diabetes mellitus can be cured.

Diabetes insipidus is the less common version. Essentially it is an imbalance of water in the body. There are two types - the central type and the nephrogenic type. The central type involves malfunction of the pituitary gland. The nephrogenic type involves kidney malfunction. Both types result from an ineffective immune system.

In both types, your dog will have an increased thirst and an increased urine output, much like diabetes mellitus, but also similar to renal and liver problems as well as Cushing's syndrome. If your dog is an outside dog, these symptoms can go unnoticed for an extended period.

Common causes of both types of canine diabetes can be diet. Other causative factors can be medications, inbreeding or a metabolic disorder.

Veterinary diagnosis is normally by eliminating other conditions, so is not definitive. It may take some time (and expense) before a full diagnosis is made.

Veterinary treatment involves medications through eye or nasal drops, tablets or constant injections. Over time, these often become less effective, with the need for stronger or more frequent medication as the condition progresses.

Veterinary treatment does not address the cause of the disorder. Instead, it masks the symptoms. This has a triple whammy effect on your dog - the problem remains and the medicines are toxic to the liver and suppress the immune system. This does not bode well for your dog's future health.

The natural way to treat (or prevent) either form of diabetes is to eliminate the cause. Start by feeding your dog a quality, healthy, natural diet, one that will boost his immune system, and that will ensure all his health treatment is toxin free.

This treatment along can cure most forms of diabetes, as long as you follow certain guidelines. Even if it doesn't cure the problem completely, it will dramatically improve it in almost all dogs. It will also make your dog happier, more active and healthier, immune to other health problems.

Whatever remains of the canine diabetes after this initial treatment (if you can call it that), can be fully resolved with good homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy deals with the cause of every problem and includes the very personal and individual symptoms of the patient.

Download your free report on how to maximise the health of your dog.

Satisfying a Diabetic Sweet Tooth

Life sometimes doesn't seem fair - you love sweets and are known for your sweet tooth but now that you have been diagnosed with diabetes you are afraid you can't have them anymore. This isn't entirely true. Yes, if you previously indulged in many sweets you can no longer do that (and it may be a contributing factor to way you have type 2 diabetes). But there are ways that you can satisfy your sweet tooth and stick to your diabetic diet.

Even though sugar isn't the only reason blood sugars raise the combination of a high-sugar item and carbohydrates are. There are many sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners that are available to purchase on their own or in sweets such as chocolate and hard candies.

Another way to add sweets into your diet is to substitute them for other carbohydrates in a meal. If you were planning on having a tuna salad sandwich for lunch instead of having the bread try eating the tuna on its own and use the saved carbohydrates on a cookie or two (depending on size and serving information). This can be done with many different variations, but should be done in moderation - your body really will function better on those two pieces of whole wheat bread than it will on two chocolate chip cookies.

Speak with your dietician too. A dietician is full of ideas and suggestion on how to improve your diabetic diet. He or she may have suggestions on snacks or meals that you would not have considered to be sweet but can certainly satisfy your sweet tooth. Such as eating a banana to satisfy a chocolate craving. As time goes on you will begin to appreciate the natural sweet things in life too - such as a juicy apple or a fresh orange.

The Exchange Diet

The exchange diet is a method of eating that provide diabetic with a set of guidelines necessary to eat healthy. A dietician will help prepare and educate you on the exchange diet - the food groups and what substitutions you can make.

On the exchange diet all foods are divided into six food groups:

* Breads and other Starches

* Fruit

* Vegetables

* Dairy Foods

* Meat and Meat Substitutes

* Fats

Your dietician will provide you with the number of servings you should have from each group daily and at individual meal or snack times. Within each of the categories there are many food options. Each food has a specific serving size that equals one serving, in cases such as fruits and vegetables you probably will not have to measure your foods but for meats and other groups a food scale and measuring cup is recommended.

The exchange part of the diet refers to being able to swap a food in one food group for another in the same group as long as you adhere to the serving suggestion. For instance ½ cup of cooked pasta can be exchanged for 2 rice cakes in one meal. The list your dietician gives you will be pretty complete but there are bound to be items not listed. In that case, you can call your dietician for advice or keep a list of items that you need to know the proper serving size for.

At the beginning the exchange diet may seem like a lot of work, but as time goes on and you become accustomed to the serving sizes of your favorite foods it will become less so. Proper eating habits are crucial to managing diabetes and the exchange diet is a way to eat a healthy balanced diet full of variety.

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Tips For Diabetic Diet Plan

Experts agree that when it comes to managing this disorder, there is nothing as efficient as following a good diabetic diet plan. Any person suffering from diabetes needs to make some viable lifestyle changes in order to properly manage this kind of disease. The best part is that there are a wide variety of diabetic friendly diet plans and foods. One can find appropriate recipes in books or in the internet. These foods can greatly satisfy an individuals craving.

If you are planning on creating a good diabetic diet plan, it is advisable that you start by consulting your doctor. The doctor might not be able to map out the whole process for you but will give you general directions on what to use and what to avoid. The doctor is also supposed to advice you on a proper and registered dietitian who in turn will guide you on the diet plan.

If you do not have a doctor or if you just want another option you can visit the various websites that offer dozens of diet treatments. A good example of this is the American Diabetes Association (ADA) website. Such a website includes a list of foods that all diabetic individuals can eat and they come with recipes for creating such meals. Research and knowledge can also come in handy when fighting diabetes. Do a proper research and in the end you will figure out that a good diabetic diet plan is very important aspects that can help diabetic individuals live a long and healthy life.

Another point to remember is that an effective management of diabetes entails a consistent and regular healthy lifestyle. Most people think that just because diabetes is a condition caused by sugar regulation, they can restrict their intake of sugars. This is not the case most of the time and a healthy balanced diet is required. Below are some ways of controlling the complications of diabetes.

• Control of glucose intake

Various researches carried out have indicated that a good glycemic index diet can greatly benefit individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. One of the researches went ahead to indicate that for every 1% reduction in the results of A1C blood tests, there was a great decrease in the risks of getting some diabetic complications such as eye, kidney and nerve disease by up to 40%. For this reason it is advisable to take a diet with the proper mixture of low and high gi foods.

• Control of fats and lipids

It is a well known fact that control of fat and lipid intake greatly reduces cardiovascular complications. This combined with regular exercises can greatly help in the control of diabetic complications.

Some few pointers to remember in your diabetic diet plan.

-Eat about the same amount of food each day.

-ensure you take your medicines at about the same time each day.

-exercise regularly

-limit the amount of sweet foods and fats in your diet.

What Foods To Eat And Not To Eat For Diabetes?

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, there are ways to improve and control the symptoms of your disease. It is very important to find out what to eat and not to eat for diabetes. Scientists report the global rates of Type 2 diabetes are likely to double in the next twenty years. These statistics do not have to happen if we can begin to practice what foods to enjoy and avoid. A diet high in fiber, but low in fat is most often recommended for diabetics. You especially want to stay away from saturated fat and limit the amount of sugar you eat. Saturated fat is animal fat such as butter, and lard. Dairy products high in saturated fat include cream, cheese, meat, and chocolate.

What to eat and not to eat for diabetes:

Bread is a major source of carbohydrates in our diets. Carbohydrate is an valuable source of energy, vitamins, and minerals. It also provides fiber that helps maintain blood sugar levels. Beans, peas, oats, and barley contain this fiber. Whole grain products are the wisest choice because it takes longer for your digestive system to break down. This keeps the body from releasing sudden bursts of sugar. Potatoes, corn, and pasta are also carbohydrates.

Vegetables should be included on your list of what to eat and not to eat for diabetes. Tasty samples to include are spinach, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage and cucumbers. You should have three to five servings a day, mixing it up, serving both raw and cooked vegetables.

Fruits contain carbohydrates along with natural sugars, so you must be careful indulging in too much. It is a good idea to mix fruit with a protein or before exercise. Make certain the canned fruits you buy are packed in unsweetened fruit juice. Diabetics require two to four servings of fruit everyday.

Milk and other dairy products should be limited due to being high in carbs. Switching to low-fat milk, and unsweetened yogurt will help keep your diabetes in check, and an added bonus of saving calories. Two to three serving of dairy products are your daily requirement.

Protein can be meat or meat substitutes such as peanut butter, tofu, cheese, and eggs. You only require about six ounces of protein a day, broken up over two to three meals. One tablespoon of peanut butter or an egg weighs an ounce. Fish, poultry, beans, and nuts, are sources of protein.

Fats and Sweets are necessary for our bodies but only in moderation. Avocados make a delicious topping in the place of mayonnaise. Making your own dressing avoids the trans-fat in processed foods. Sweets are allowed for many diabetics if the portion size is strictly under control. Sugar free desserts are an option, but remember to take the extra carbs into consideration.

Take control of your diabetes and look into what a balanced diet plan can do for you. An important step is finding out what to eat and what not to eat for diabetes. With the popular food choices of today, our bodies are receiving only twenty percent of the necessary nutrients it craves. This fact is considered by experts to be what is behind the overweight crisis seen in many countries. Taking away from our mid-section could also lessen the appearance in development of adult on set diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes - Diet And Diabetes: Foods To Avoid

Diet is an important part of managing Type 2 diabetes, it is one of the three pillars of diabetes management. The other two pillars are exercise and, if required, medication. The problem arises when diabetics aren't exactly sure what is considered to be a bad food choice. Or they believe certain foods are not as bad as they really are. In either case, it can be detrimental to their condition.

French fries are one of the most common fast foods that we consume. They also hold the distinction of being one of the worst foods for a Type 2 diabetic. They are laden with saturated fat, calories, and then there's the enormous carb content. All of these make them something that should only be occasionally indulged in.

Hamburgers are also packed with saturated fat - even the ones made from lean-ground beef. Plus, you have to consider the buns - which are usually white - and the assorted condiments that accompany the hamburgers. However, hamburgers can still be enjoyed periodically as long as they are lean, with whole wheat buns and by using heart-friendly condiments.

Fried chicken is, unfortunately, as good as it is deadly. What makes it so unhealthy? Take your pick:

• the saturated grease that it is cooked in,


• the skin, which holds an extremely high fat content,


• the flour used for coating,


• or the dryness of the meat, which promotes multiple health issues of the mouth?

Pot pies, especially the frozen ones, are some of the most unhealthy small packages of food there are. For it's size, it holds a tremendous number of grams of fat. The carb content is also off the charts. They may be convenient to prepare, but they are certainly no friend to the Type 2 diabetic.

Jams and jellies are popular additions to toast, biscuits and other breads. Their number one drawback? Sugar. If you have a taste for the sweet stuff, try the sugar-free varieties that are made with real fruit, and not packed with additives and preservatives.

Flour is a big problem. That's because it is easily disguised in foods. Manufacturers come up with clever names to conceal the fact they are using white flour in their foods. Bread is the biggest problem. Consumers think that if the bread isn't completely white in color it must contain healthy wheat. But even small amounts of white flour throw off the good intentions.

Dressings and sauces are a hidden enemy. They are easily used to top off or accentuate main dishes, side dishes or even salads. They are also usually filled with sugar, fat and calories. They can quickly take a somewhat healthy entrée and turn it into an unhealthy one.

Diabetic Diet Secrets - How One Man Went From Death's Door to Glucose Control Without Medications

Diabetic diet secrets will propel people into thinking that what we eat affects our well-being. We have been grappling with the issue of what food means for health and now modern science has come to the table providing insights as to what will work. Meet the man who proved that the right type of diet helped him go from close to death to glucose control without medication.

The strategies he developed may not work for you but they did for him and the people who tried them. Mind you, you are not to stop your medications until your blood sugar is so well controlled your doctor will give you the go-ahead signal to stop taking them.

His journey has given some the insight that may surprise you. One is the fact that the diabetics themselves have become more experts at blood sugar control than the physicians who treat them. This is not surprising because we know our body more than anybody else. We can monitor our body's reaction 24/7 while the doctor has only 30 minutes at the office.

At first, this man followed everything he was told to the letter. Still his blood sugar reading remained high. So he decided to do it his way. It was difficult because he had to learn good health habits, how to prepare a meal and to analyze his meals. In addition, he had to change his way of thinking about food.

The dietary consumption in this man's version is different from both advocated by American Diabetes Association and that released by the Joslin Diabetes Center. In fact, this man's version falls between the two. It is also different from the Canadian Diabetic Association as this and ADA are more easygoing with counting and types of carbs.

Here are the guidelines of this man's dietary practice:

• Measuring the food accurately, recording and analyzing the food consumption is part of this strategy. There is therefore a need for a scale to weigh the food and to analyze and record them. Did I not warn you it is not going to be easy? Do not worry because with the help of the computer, this will lighten the burden.
  


• The 20-50-30 PCF ratio works well for most people who have type 2 diabetes. This ratio refers to the calories contained in protein, carbohydrates and fats. Most foods have those three nutrients. If the ratio does not work for some then there can be a reduction in the carbohydrates but perhaps not lower than 40%. Anyway what matters here is the type of carbohydrates consumed.
  


• All carbohydrate intake should be low glycemic ones. Why? Researchers have agreed in their findings that not all carbohydrates affect the blood sugar level the same way. The low glycemic ones raise the blood sugar slower than the high glycemic carbohydrates.
  


• It is not necessary to increase the consumption of protein to more than the 20-25%. In fact, this is not desirable. Any protein intake over 15% will be converted to glucose and may stress the kidneys.
  


• Contrary to the 1992 Food Pyramid that indicated fat is bad, there are healthy fats in the forms of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated ones. Where the old food pyramid recommended using fats sparingly, now it is 30% of the diet. Needless to say the old pyramid has been revamped to show the new way of thinking which works.
  


• Consumption of more than 1000 mg of omega 3 daily is recommended for healthy adults and as high as 4000 mg daily for the unhealthy ones. Foods that are rich in omega 3 are fish and seafood.
  


• There is no denying that weight loss is tied to caloric consumption. The caloric intake should equal the caloric expense. This is backed by medical teams.
  


• The human body does not absorb fiber which is a form of carbohydrate. Everyone has to consume 20-35 grams of fiber each day. It does a lot of things for the body. Among them is that it helps the digestive system, lowers cholesterol, keeps the heart healthy and slows down the rise of the blood sugar.
  


• And now for the last but not the least, drink plenty of water. Not only does water help the body get rid of the toxins but also it helps eliminate the extra glucose.
  

Those are the guidelines this man employed that helped him control his diabetes and made him healthier in the process. I bet you want to know who he is. It is no other than Toma Grubb who is willing to share with you the software to help employ the diabetic diet secrets.

Diabetes in Small Dogs

Dogs can develop a number of disorders that reflect similar conditions found in humans. One of these is diabetes, which can be classified in one of two categories - diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus is caused by a deficiency in the production of insulin, a vital hormone that controls sugar metabolism. Diabetes insipidus is less well known, and is caused by a lack of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. This hormone is responsible for controlling the absorption of water by the kidneys, and as a result is characterised by increased frequency of urination and dehydration.

Insulin plays a number of key roles, including the transport of glucose from the bloodstream to body cells where it can be converted into energy. Insulin also prevents excessive levels of glucose in the bloodstream and is involved in storing sugars. Without adequate levels of insulin, blood sugar levels can rise uncontrollably whilst body cells are denied essential glucose, leading to further complications. The production of insulin can be hindered in a number of ways, including disease or damage to insulin producing cells in the pancreas, which leads to diabetes mellitus. However, dogs can also inherit genetic disorders that make them more susceptible to developing diabetes. A number of breeds are particularly vulnerable, including Pulis, Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers and Cairn Terriers.

Fortunately, there are a number of symptoms that indicate diabetes in dogs. Increased hunger, thirst and urination are the first signs of the onset of diabetes, followed by weight loss as the dog's body begins to break down stored proteins in order to generate energy. If the diabetes continues to go unnoticed, further symptoms can include a lack of energy, loss of appetite and depression. The dog may also become more susceptible to infection due to a weak immune system, and in extreme cases liver and kidney problems may develop.

If you believe that your dog has diabetes, a vet will be able to perform a number of simple tests that will determine whether or not your pet is suffering from the condition. Depending on the severity, these tests may be carried out over a period of time to monitor the fluctuation in blood sugar levels of the dog. The results of these tests will be able to indicate the type of diabetes and how it will be best treated.

There are a number of options available when it comes to controlling and treating diabetes in dogs. Insulin injections are the most common form of treatment, and there are a number of different types of insulin available depending on the dog and stage of the condition. With training, the owner of the dog can be taught how to administer the insulin and what behaviour to look out for to ensure that their pet is responding correctly to the treatment.

Diabetes is most common in older dogs, though as some forms are a result of genetic inheritance, can be found in younger dogs as well. However, with careful monitoring, regular treatment and vigilance, it is quite possible for a dog with diabetes to lead a full and healthy life.

Diabetes

There are two forms of Diabetes: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is quite uncommon whereas diabetes mellitus is the common condition that is simply known to us as diabetes.

Diabetes Insipidus ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone) is produced in the hypothalamus and travels to the pituitary gland and from there is stored and released. ADH allows the kidneys to retain water, thus preventing the need to urinate frequently. Diabetes Insipidus occurs when there is a deficiency of ADH. When this hormone is deficient, the kidney actually creates more urine than normal, creating the need to urinate every half hour or so. This results in excessive thirst due to dehydration. The danger of not keeping properly hydrated is the possibility of coma and death.

With a healthy level of ADH, a person may go for several hours without drinking anything. The kidneys will conserve water to prevent you from getting dehydrated. If you pass urine in this state, your urine will be concentrated. With a deficient level of ADH, you will continue to pass urine and the urine will not be concentrated.

Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus is broken into two sections: Type 1? think of this as insulin dependent Type 2? think of this as non insulin dependent

After you consume food, the pancreas (an organ between your spine and stomach) releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin helps your cells extract glucose from your bloodstream to use as energy. In the case of diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin (also known as Type 1? insulin dependent) OR the cell is unable to acknowledge that glucose is available to penetrate the cell, thus causing an overabundance of glucose (sugar) to collect in the bloodstream (also known as Type 2? non insulin dependent). Glucose is a type of sugar necessary for your body as it provides the cells with necessary energy.

In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system slowly attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin can still be made by the pancreas for a short time, but eventually insulin production will fall to dangerously low levels. Remember that insulin lets your cells extract glucose from the bloodstream. With low levels of insulin, blood sugar levels will rise, and insulin injections will be necessary.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body eventually becomes insulin resistant and the cell does not read the signal to absorb glucose. This results in high levels of glucose in the blood. As blood sugar rises, the pancreas creates more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas becomes exhausted from producing excess insulin, and eventually will cause sugar to rise again.

As with all medical conditions, it is important to speak to your doctor concerning your health. If you would like further information or feel that Diabetes is affecting you, see a doctor immediately.

A Nasal Spray Treatment For Diabetes

DDAVP nasal spray or by it's generic label, Desmopressin Acetate, is a drug with a diversity of uses. DDAVP is a artificial form of the natural hormone arginine vasopressin which is vital in the balance of blood and blood pressure, abdomen and intestinal movements, as well as the proper functions of the uterus and kidneys.

DDAVP nasal spray is usually prescribed for young children above the age of six years who are having trouble with bed wetting or enuresis. The precise dosage will require trial and error to achieve the desired outcome with responsiveness to treatment being verified and regulated by the number of nights the patient has been able to sleep without having an incident or by how many times in a night the individual must wake to use the restroom.

What are the uses of DDAVP nasal spray?

DDAVP nasal spray is being used effectively as a management for Diabetes Insipidus and your physician can prescribe the suitable dosage for you after some testing to discern just how much medication your body requires and how responsive your body is to the treatment. Your physician will probably make some adjustments to your dosage before totally attaining the desired result because each individual will respond differently to care.

It is used in the management of bed wetting in young children, loss of excessive water in men and women suffering from diabetes insipidus, and to control excessive thirst and urination in patients with brain injuries. It has also been marketed under the name, Stimate, as a blood clotting agent for certain types of hemophiliacs.

For those not requiring much help, the spray will be adequate. Those with a more severe difficulty will require more drug and so the physician will most probably prescribe the nasal drops.

The use of DDAVP nasal spray, known as Stimate, is also used in the case of hemophiliacs as a blood clotting agent. Again the dosage will be controlled by your doctor and your own bodies responsiveness to the drug.

Is it safe for me?

While DDAVP is safe for most men and women, some individuals may need to practise caution. As with any medication, if you have an allergy to this drug or any of its different parts, do not take this medication. Also, if you suffer from high blood pressure or coronary illness, be extremely careful in the use of this drug as it may cause unusual spikes or drops in the blood pressure, creating an risky condition.

Conditions involving fluid and electrolyte imbalances, such as Cystic Fibrosis, can produce particular dangers for the individual taking DDAVP so make certain your physician knows if you have these conditions before beginning a DDAVP treatment. DDAVP may also have medication interactions with your different medications so be certain your physician knows every drug you are taking. Drugs that elevate the blood pressure pose a certain risk for interaction with DDAVP as do the drugs, Clofibrate, Glyburide and Epinephrine.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, make sure your physician knows this before you start taking DDAVP. While there is no clinical evidence to establish a link between DDAVP and childbirth defects, it is still recommended that pregnant women do not take the medication unless there are no alternative. There is also no proof that the medication is passed through breast milk but your doctor should be consulted prior to taking the medication while breast-feeding.

It is also to be noted that water toxicity, though uncommon, has been known to occur in young children and the elderly while using DDAVP nasal spray. Water toxicity is a risky condition where too much water is in the system which negates the obtainable sodium in the blood causing the victim to go into a seizure. To keep from having this complication, restrict your fluid intake to just what is required to satisfy thirst.

What Are The Causes Of Diabetic Insipidus And Effective Treatment For The Disease

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water as they perform their function of filtering blood. It is often confused with diabetes mellitus because a symptom that both diseases have in common is frequent and excessive urination.

The word diabetes comes from the Greek word for siphon. A physician in ancient Greece coined the disease diabetes because sufferers passed water like a siphon.

The addition of insipidus and mellitus is to differentiate the concentration of the water passed by the person. Insipidus comes from the latin for no flavor. Urine passed by someone suffering from DI is highly diluted. Mellitus is also derived from the latin for honey and consequently diabetes mellitus (DM) is noted for passing urine that is sweet and concentrated.

There are four types of DI. These are :

Neurogenic diabetes insipidus - also called central diabetes insipidus.

This is caused when the anti-diuretic hormone or vasopressin produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland is not produced in sufficient quantity. Vasopressin causes the kidneys to preserve water but excrete the same amount of waste products.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) also known as vasopressin resistance because the kidneys are unaffected by the secretion of vasopressin.

NDI is believed to by genetically passed on or caused by kidney diseases or as a side-effect of using drugs like lithium for other illnesses.

The third type is called gestagenic and occurs during pregnancy.

The fourth type is known as dipsogenic DI and is characterized by excessive fluid consumption. The excess fluids cause vasopressin to be suppressed.

The primary symptoms of diabetes insipidus are excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Symptoms for diabetes insipidus will be markedly abrupt. The sufferer will want to drink vast quantities of water. They will have difficulty sleeping as they will want to go to the toilet all the time. In the case of children there will be frequent bed wetting.

Diabetes insipidus testing involves a fluid deprivation test. As the name suggests the patient avoids drinking any fluids for a prescribed time period. The urine is then analyzed to determine it's concentration and composition.

Diabetes insipidus treatment involves having a good and plentiful source of fluid. In the case of neurogenic DI the drug desmopressin is taken to control the frequent thirst and urination.

There is no natural cure for diabetes insipidus but it doesn't pose any serious complications to the health if the person can take on fluids whenever they feel thirsty. It is confused with diabetes mellitus because the symptoms are similar but testing will determine which disease the person may be afflicted with.

Diabetic Diet Plan for Type 2 Diabetes

In most cases, types 2 diabetes develops due to overweight problem. Hence, a diabetic diet plan designed for a type 2 diabetic patient serves two purposes. They are:

• Keeping the sugar level in blood under control
• Reducing the excess body weight

In truth, type 2 diabetes can be easily managed by following a well-designed diabetic diet plan. There are several such plans which are particularly designed for type 2 diabetic patients. A type 2 diabetic patient can choose any one of those plans which fulfills his needs.

Now let me show you a type 2 diabetic diet plan which contains food items which control the sugar level in your blood. This diabetic diet plan is divided into several parts. They are:

For breakfast: You can have two slices of bread. But you must avoid white processed bread. You must include one cup of skimmed milk. In addition, you can include one boiled egg and a fruit which has lower sugar content.

For lunch: You can consume one bowl of pasta made from whole grain. Along with it, add two types of vegetables. Then take one serving of meat, either chicken or turkey.

For afternoon snack: This is very essential to prevent the sugar level from dropping down in your blood before the dinner. You can have a fruit and then, two or three saltines or crackers. A half cup of tea or coffee with sugar-free sweetener can also be taken.

For dinner: This is a very tricky part of any diabetic diet plan. Hence, one has to be very careful while choosing food items for dinner. You can have three servings of meat or fish with a half of a baked potato. Then include two types of vegetables and a fruit.

For after-dinner: Here, a cup of milk with a slice of cheese or a few saltines is enough before you go to bed. This will maintain the sugar level in your blood till next day.

Diabetes During Pregnancy

Diabetes is an age old disease, which is recorded as early as Greek civilization. This disease is characterized by excretion of large amount of very dilute urine. Diabetes can also be explained as a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and inappropriate blood sugar level.

On the basis of symptoms diabetes can be classified into two types - a) diabetes mellitus b) diabetes insipidus.

While diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood sugar level, resulting from low insulin (hormone which controls the sugar level in blood) level, the characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria), excessive thirst, and increased fluid intake (polydipsia) and blurred vision.

On the other hand, diabetes insipidus is characterized by excretion of large amount of severely diluted urine, which can not be reduced when fluid intake is reduced, leading to severe inability of kidney to concentrate urine.

World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes three main forms of diabetes mellitus; one of them is termed as gestational diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. Early diagnosis can cure the disease.

The basic cause of diabetes during pregnancy is that, mother's body is the sole supplier of glucose (sugar that results from the digestion of food) to the baby. This glucose is delivered to the baby through placenta. in return placenta produces certain hormones which helps the baby to develop, but on other hand these hormones prevents mothers body to use insulin and at later stage placenta increases these anti-insulin hormones which blocks the movement of glucose from the blood stream to the cell of the mother's body. This condition is termed as insulin resistance which leads to gestational diabetes.

There are several factors which increases the chance of developing diabetes during pregnancy, which includes the parents may have a family history of diabetes, obesity, the mother being over age 25 and the mother have a previous record of giving birth to a stillborn child or to a baby weighing nine pounds.

Though there are no obvious symptoms of gestational diabetes, but American diabetes association recommends all women to be screened for gestational diabetes between 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

The following are the names of such screenings a) blood glucose test b) glucose tolerance test.

There can be many cases that the woman may have pre existing diabetes. In that case the mother must be warned against the complicacies that may arise during pregnancy. Careful planning and preconception care can allow the diabetic woman to have a problem free pregnancy.

Diabetes in Young Dogs

Diabetes is a major concern no matter what gender, age, or even species you are. In addition to more children being diagnosed as a diabetic, it is also being found that some dogs, and puppies alike, can suffer from the lack of insulin as well. It is believed that some pups develop diabetes due to an autoimmune disorder or damage caused to the pancreas of the puppy from having parvovirus. It also seems to be an inherited trait most commonly passed along in the breed of Gold Retrievers. Larger dogs are often more prone to diabetes than small breeds of dogs. Overweight dogs are also at higher risk. While the disease once mainly attacked older dogs, pups and younger dogs are now more commonly being diagnosed also.

As with people, there are two types of diabetes that dogs may experience. Those two types are Diabetes insipidus and Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is formed by the lack of a certain hormone that aids in water absorption of the kidney. Diabetes mellitus is commonly divided into two subtypes: Type I and Type II. These types are characterized by the lack of insulin. Diabetes mellitus is the more common type.

Diabetes in dogs can be identified in pups by several different factors. Inadequate growth is probably the most noticeable symptom of a puppy with diabetes. The puppy fails to continue growing although it is hungry and eats heartedly. The pup will lose weight and may even become paralyzed, often in the hind quarter, to an extent. As with humans, dogs with diabetes may be thirsty and drink more often and also urinate more often than typically expected. If your pup or dog appears weaker, thirstier, is losing weight and urinating more often, then diabetes is a strong possibility.

If it is suspected that a dog or puppy has diabetes, there are several health complications that could result from no treatment or lack of proper care. High levels of sugar in the blood are potentially toxic to certain organs in the body. Diabetes may reduce the number of years of life that the dog lives and cause organ failure.

In most cases, injections are the only treatment that is effective at controlling diabetes in canines. Control through diet or pills are often ineffective for use in dogs. The pet owner must administer daily insulin injections. In addition, the level of sugar should be examined through blood testing and testing of the urine periodically and to determine the correct amount of insulin to give through shots. It is also important to monitor the feeding amount and schedule of the pet.

It is possible to have a dog with diabetes that appears as healthy as dogs without the disease. With the proper monitoring and care, the dog may live as long as or longer than the expected life span of any healthy dog. However, diabetes must be detected, diagnosed, and carefully treated. This takes much dedication, love, and attention on the behalf of the dog's owner.

How Much About Diabetes Do You Know?

Diabetes is a health problem in the body whereby sugar levels get to be tampered with hence making them either dropping or shooting up beyond their required levels. When this happens, the patient is always left to suffer all the consequences of this disease and if left unattended to, the condition may lead to death. This disease is believed to be genetically enhanced and usually runs in the family tree contrary to reports which suggest that diabetes is contagious. More about diabetes is that, the condition where by sugar rises beyond the body's expectation is known as Diabetes mellitus while the condition where by the sugar levels drop beyond the standard levels is referred to as Diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes that usually affects the ability of the body to either produce or respond to insulin, a hormone responsible for allowing blood sugar which is in the form of glucose, to enter the body cells and be utilized for the purposes of producing energy which is supposed to be used by the body. For this reason, too much glucose gets to stay in the blood which leads to the spillage of some of it into the patient's urine hence making him pass urine that is full of sugar. When the blood glucose levels continue to elevate, two major problems in the body usually occur. The first problem involves, the body cells becoming starved for energy while the second one involves, the damaging of the body nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, eye vessels not forgetting the heart vessels. Other than producing urine full of sugar, symptoms of diabetes mellitus may include excessive levels of thirst, extreme hunger, irritability, sweet smelling breath and vomiting episodes.

More about diabetes mellitus is that, it can attack anyone regardless of his or her age, sex, social status or body size. However, the condition is more severe in men than in women. The reason for saying this is that, men often have erectile dysfunction whenever they suffer from this disease. For this reason, men are usually advised to go and be diagnosed for diabetes whenever they start realizing that they are having erectile problems.

On the other hand, unlike in the case of diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus (DI) is usually characterized by the excretion of large amounts of extremely diluted urine that does not get reduced even when fluid intake is minimized. This problem denotes the lack of ability of the patient's kidney to concentrate urine. Diabetes insipidus is often triggered by a deficiency of a particular hormone in the body commonly known as the antidiuretic or vasopressin hormone. This deficiency is usually caused by the destruction of the posterior part of the pituitary gland a place where the hormone is usually released from. Another reason that may cause diabetes insipidus to occur when the kidneys become insensitive towards the vasopressin hormone. More about diabetes insipidus is that, children with this condition may have symptoms such as, vomiting, diarrhea or get to extremely urinate without stopping throughout the day. In the case of adults, they may remain very healthy for a very long period of time so long as they keep on taking enough water to substitute the one being lost through urination. However, a continuous risk of dehydration is usually inevitable even to them.

Unfortunately, non of the two forms of diabetes have cures up to today and the only way you can help yourself or be helped is by managing the problem so that it does not get out of hand. Once the doctor diagnoses you and finds out which type of diabetes you have, he or she will be able to prescribe to you the available treatments that may best suite your condition. For example, patients with central and gestational diabetes insipidus may be treated with desmopressin since they respond well to it but because nephrogenic diabetes insipidus does not respond to desmopressin, diuretic hydrochlorothiazide or indomenthacin may be used to treat it and the same process applies to the other types of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms and Signs

Diabetes Mellitus is an old age chronic ailment. It was recognized as early as was Greek civilization. Diabetes Mellitus was initially characterized by the excretion of too much diluted urine. Today we know that it is a disease of disorder of metabolism and results in inappropriate levels of blood sugar.

The disease is classified into two types

• Diabetes mellitus


• Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes Mellitus

The characterizing feature of this disease is high-level of blood glucose which results by low insulin production by the pancreas. The typical symptoms of diabetes mellitus are

• Excessive urination (polyuria)


• Unquenchable Thirst (polydipsia)


• Blurriness In Vision

Diabetes Insipidus

On the other hand the characterizing feature of diabetes insipidus are the excretion of too much extremely diluted urine. This flow of extremely diluted urine cannot be lessened down by reducing the fluid consumption. This leads to severe disability of kidneys for concentrating urine.

Types of Diabetes Mellitus: Gestational Diabetes: WHO (World Health Organization) has further identified three main types of Diabetes Mellitus. One of those types is termed gestational diabetes. This form of disease occurs during pregnancy. The good thing about gestational diabetes is that early diagnosis can cure the disease.

The prime cause of gestational diabetes is that body of the mother is the only supplier of glucose to the body of the mother as well as the body of the baby. The glucose is carried to the baby via placenta. As a result the placenta produces hormones which help the baby to build up insulin. But the same hormones hinder the body of the mother to use insulin. In the later stages of pregnancy the placenta increase the production f these anti-insulin hormones. This hinders movement of glucose from the blood to the body of the mother. The condition is termed insulin resistance and results in gestational diabetes.

There are many contributing factors that increase the chances of developing this problem during pregnancy. These includes

• Obesity


• Family history of diabetes


• Age more than 25


• History of giving birth to stillborn child


• Giving birth to a baby weighing no more than 9 pounds

There are not any obvious symptoms of this problem during pregnancy. However American Diabetes Association recommended that every pregnant woman should be screened for gestational diabetes during 24th to 28th week of her pregnancy.

Following screening tests are needed

• Fasting blood glucose test


• Oral glucose tolerance test

If a woman is already suffering from diabetes when she got pregnant then it is important to tell her about the possible complications and risk to the growing fetus.

Understanding Canine Diabetes In Beagles

Diabetes is a common disease in breeds like Beagles. It is important for every dog owner to know the facts about this disease.

- Diabetes is an endocrine disease. It has two types; diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. This disease occurs when the body produces insufficient insulin, a kind of hormone essential in sugar metabolism.

- Diabetes mellitus is the most common of the two types. Also called "sugar diabetes", this disease occurs when the body produces less insulin. Diabetes mellitus is further subdivided into two; Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when there is insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand occurs when there is an inadequate response by the dog to insulin.

- Diabetes insipidus is a condition wherein the excretion of diluted urine is in large amount and can not be reduced even if the fluid intake is reduced. This happens because of the kidney's inability to concentrate urine. This type of diabetes is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) known as vaporessin.

- The common symptoms of diabetes are excessive drinking and urination. The dog may also suffer weight loss though there is an increase in appetite. In addition, poor skin and hair coat, liver disease, vomiting, weakness in the rear legs, secondary bacterial infections, dehydration and rapid breathing may also be present in dogs with diabetes.

- The common symptoms of diabetes are excessive drinking and urination. The dog may also suffer weight loss though there is an increase in appetite. In addition, poor skin and hair coat, liver disease, vomiting, weakness in the rear legs, secondary bacterial infections, dehydration and rapid breathing may also be present in dogs with diabetes.

- Dogs between seven and nine years of age are usually the victims of this disease. Unspayed female dogs and breeds like Dachshunds and Beagles are at greater risk for developing this disease.

- Insulin, administered through injection, is the main medication of this disease. Types of insulin vary depending on its effect and on how the victim respond to it. Short-acting insulins are effective for one-to-four hours, medium-range insulins are effective for four to 24-hours and long-range versions of insulin last from eight to 28 hours. Too low dosage of insulin will not control diabetes and too high dosage can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). If possible, medication should be given at the same times everyday.

- There are also other measures to keep diabetes in control. The dog's weight and food intake should be managed well because blood sugar is hard to control in overweight dogs. Instead of giving one full meal a day, experts suggest to feed several smaller ones (at least twice a day). Another way to control obesity is through regular exercise.

Dog Diabetes: What To Look For, What To Do

Diabetes in dogs can be just as serious as it is in humans. Your pet may have a significant number of health problems if this condition, often referred to as the "silent killer", is left untreated.

Dog diabetes basically occurs as one of three types: mellitus, insipidus ("water diabetes"), and gestational.

• The most common and most dangerous type of diabetes that dogs can acquire is diabetes mellitus where the dog does not produce enough insulin to keep glucose levels under control.


• Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by your dog's inability to retain water. The condition is caused by kidney disease, kidney trauma, congenital defect, or medications.


• The last form of canine diabetes is the gestational variety which occurs in female dogs during pregnancy.

What Dogs Get Diabetes?

The characteristics of dogs that are more prone to diabetes include:

• Mixed breeds rather than purebreds


• Larger breeds more than smaller breeds


• Females or neutered males (twice as common in females as in males)


• Overweight dogs


• Middle-aged or older (average age 5 years; peak years 7 - 9 years)


• Dogs on high fat diet as opposed to high fiber diet

What Are The Symptoms?

Some of the symptoms of this disease in dogs are very similar to the symptoms people experience.

Excessive water consumption is one of the most frequent symptoms, caused by the overproduction of glucose. Increased urination may also occur which is often a result of drinking more water than normal. An unexplained weight gain or adversely, weight loss despite increased appetite, can also signify that there is something wrong.

Lethargy is another one of the more noticeable symptoms. If you observe this behavior, you should not assume that your dog is just being lazy; there could be something seriously wrong.

How Can I Help My Dog?

There are a number of treatments available once the disease is diagnosed. The important thing is to be able to identify the signs and get your dog started on treatment at an early stage which can prevent the occurrence of additional system malfunctions like heart ailments, pancreatic failure or other medical problems.

• The main treatment for diabetes mellitus is a daily or twice a day injection of insulin.


• Diabetes insipidus is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics.


• Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the female has given birth to her litter.

1. Diet

Similar to human diabetes, diabetes in dogs can often be reversed through dietary control and even weight loss. If a dog gains too much weight, his pancreas is no longer able to produce the right levels of insulin. Once the dog starts to lose weight, the blood sugar may come back under control.

A diet high in fiber and protein and low in fats and carbohydrates is recommended. There are prescription dog foods available for dogs with diabetes, or you can make up his food yourself based on a diet developed by a veterinary nutritionist. You should also make sure that he is not getting snacks throughout the day, and that no one in the family slips him "people food".

2. Exercise

Daily exercise is another important component of treatment. This can lower blood glucose levels at the same time that it helps to maintain your dog's optimum weight. The exercise should be performed at consistent levels of endurance and duration.

3. Medication

In many cases, dog diabetes is treated with insulin. The therapy starts at home and then the dog revisits the vet for blood sugar tests to see how the diabetes management program is going. Often a dog will stay under observation for 24 hours to observe the peaks and low points of their blood glucose. Once the insulin is calculated correctly, the treatments can resume at home.

Although there is no cure for dog diabetes, it can be managed with insulin injections, changes in diet and exercise. By learning what symptoms to watch out for and being diligent in managing this disease, your dog will live a long, healthy life!