Diabetes is when the pancreas does not function properly and glucose levels fall outside the normal range.  A normal glucose reading is lower than 110 mg/dL upon waking in the morning and lower than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating.  There are simple blood tests that are used to diagnose diabetes.  Once diagnosed a person will work with their doctor to determine a treatment.  Treatments can include diet changes, pills, or injections.  Any history, family history and people in certain ethnic groups may be at elevated risk for developing diabetes.  There are different types of diabetes.  Some start in childhood, some start in adulthood and another form occurs during pregnancy.  All can cause harmful effects on the body if not taken care of.

Long term effects of diabetes are usually due to a patient letting their glucose levels remain elevated for long periods of time.  That is why early detection is important.  Excess blood sugar levels have a horrible effect on the body.  Some common effects from diabetes include vision problems, kidney damage, nerve damage, heart and circulation problems.  A person with diabetes is at a higher risk for these types of conditions, but a person who does not control their diabetes is even more likely to develop one of these conditions.

Diabetes is a disease that does not have a cure.  Diagnosing and treating diabetes have evolved into easier processes.  A person with diabetes can normally live life as they did before their diagnosis.  Living with diabetes is a matter of taking control over the disease and preventing complications.

There are many changes people will have to make in order to live a healthy life. Though this may be difficult at first, the rewards later on will be plenty. Living a healthy lifestyle will make a person happier in their life, give them more energy during the day, and will prepare the body for illness and other complications down the road. No one likes to think about aging, but being prepared allows a person to live a full life.

If one is overweight, exercising thirty minutes a day and eating a healthy diet will cause the weight to decrease over time. This is the first step when making lifestyle changes. By losing weight, one will also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This will also delay the onset of diabetes. The earlier a person can begin their new diet and exercise plan, the better off they will be.

After the age of 45, one should be tested for diabetes. This does not mean, however, that a person should not practice good eating habits before then. Prevention is about taking measures to deter the disease for as long as possible.

To prevent memory loss when a person has diabetes, one should change their diet to include foods with fiber, protein, and calcium that will stimulate blood flow and also help replace some of the nutrients lost. Exercise will also promote blood flow.

Stimulating the brain by reading, solving crossword puzzles, and finding new hobbies are ways to keep the brain alert. Many times, it is the short term memory that will be affected. By stimulating the brain, one can minimize the damage that may be caused. Since memory loss can also be caused by other diseases, it is important to have a check up yearly to determine if diabetes is present.

Memory loss is one effect of diabetes that can be improved when diabetes is detected in its early stages. Although diabetes is a life long illness, this does not mean that a person has to suffer from all of the side effects that could occur. Memory loss can occur at any time during one’s life. While a person may be upset, they should not worry too much about it. By altering one’s lifestyle and staying busy both physically and mentally, one will be able to lead a long, healthy life.

• Walking is one of the best exercises one can participate in. Having a friend to exercise with will help keep one motivated. Try to walk everyday for thirty minutes.

• Swimming is another good exercise that burns calories and gives a good cardio workout.

• Team sports will help keep a person motivated about exercise and will also make it a fun activity.

Not only will a person lose weight, they will also lower glucose levels. When a person has diabetes, their bodies do not produce enough insulin to lower glucose levels. By exercising, the body will burn calories and use the glucose as energy instead of storing it. This will help the body function normally even with less insulin.

Another way to maintain a healthy weight is through diet. A diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates will help in losing the weight and keeping it off. A diet rich in protein will help the body burn more fat, calories, and sugar. By combining diet and exercise, one will be able to fight the effects of diabetes.

Kidney problems can affect anyone who has diabetes. Preventing these problems begins with a healthy diet and exercise regime. This is perhaps the best way to prevent many complications when a person has diabetes. By lowering one’s sugar intake, the kidneys will be able to function normally. When a person has a poor diet, the kidneys have to work more than normal to rid the body of waste. This can cause kidney failure over time.

Knowing the possible risks involved in not practicing good eating habits is usually enough to get a person motivated to change their eating habits. Smoking and drinking excessively can also affect the kidneys when a person has diabetes. It is recommended that a person stop these behaviors as soon as they can.

• Blurred vision
• Ability to see color is diminished
• Floaters across field of vision
• Nighttime vision decreased

When a person has diabetes, the tissue in the back of the eye that allows light in may be damaged or may be growing too rapidly. This can happen over time and may eventually lead to blindness. Having a doctor examine the eye is the only way to determine the causes and determine whether surgery or other options are available.

Surgeries can include:

• Laser photocoagulation – destroys blood vessels that are blocking the light from entering the eye.
• Cryoretinoplexy – freezes blood vessels and stops tissue from growing behind the eye.
• Vitrectomy – remove vitrous from the eye.

These surgeries will help remove tissue that has been damaged by diabetes.

While there are many problems associated with diabetes, losing one’s vision over time can be very frustrating. Having yearly check-ups, wearing glasses, and monitoring how one’s vision seems during the day will help. If a person develops constant headaches, blurred vision, or other symptoms, they should consult a doctor to see what can be done. Many times reducing stress and changing dietary habits may be enough to stop the symptoms from returning.

Eating a proper diet and maintaining blood sugar levels will also help. Diabetes affects millions of people, but not all will suffer eye damage. This depends on diet, exercise, heredity, and other factors.

If a person with diabetes does not stay on a strict diet, they may see changes in their teeth and gums. Gun disease, which can be treated, progresses more rapidly in a person with diabetes than in a person who does not. This is for several reasons. First, blood vessels in the body grow thicker when the body develops diabetes. This means that bacteria and other waste materials normally carried away by these blood vessels are carried away at a much slower rate. This can give plaque a chance to grow in the gums causing gum disease. Second, bacteria that needs glucose to survive has a greater chance of surviving in the mouth longer if a person has diabetes because the body produces less insulin which is needed to burn glucose.

These are the reasons why diet is so important when a person has diabetes. Advanced gum disease can occur if the problem is not addressed. A person could risk losing their teeth. It is important to eat foods that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. Instead, eat foods high in protein, fiber, and calcium. These foods promote healthy living. Having diabetes is not the end of the world, but a person will have to change their lifestyle in order to live a healthy, active life.

For those who are already suffering the effects of poor blood circulation to the feet, it is important to check the feet everyday since pain or discomfort cannot usually be felt. If a person has a cut on their foot, bacteria will build-up. This can have disastrous effects. Being aware of the dangers of poor circulation should help a person to decide if they want to lead a healthier lifestyle. Once a person has lost feeling in their feet, there can be other pain such as leg and knee stiffness.

Taking care of one’s body before the onset of diabetes is very important. There are many problems that can arise that could have been prevented. Consult a doctor to see what preventative measures can be taken to help reduce the risk of diabetes and complications that may occur. If one already has diabetes, changing one’s diet and exercise regime may be enough to keep problems associated with the foot from affecting one’s life.

• Medical history includes history of diabetes
• One reaches age of 45
• One is obese
• High blood pressure/high cholesterol detected

There are many reasons why it is a good idea to have a diabetes test, but the best reason is to prevent the onset of diabetes as much as possible. Early detection can help in many ways. It can encourage a person to change their diet and eating habits, detect kidney damage, vision problems, and future dental issues, and give a person time to help themselves lead a healthier life. Knowledge is power when it comes to diabetes.

Once the early signs of diabetes have been indicated, a person can change many things in their lives that can help them later on. Diet and exercise are the biggest ways a person can lessen the effects of diabetes. Eating less sugar and carbohydrates will help the body function normally. Exercising will help a person lose weight which will help burn glucose. When a person has diabetes, their bodies have less insulin which is used to burn glucose. Losing weight and reducing glucose intake by eating a proper diet will help the body digest remaining glucose in the body.

Being tested for diabetes is a smart decision for those who are at risk. Being able to help the situation by altering ones lifestyle will allow a person to take control of their lives so that they can live longer and enjoy good health. Ask a doctor for more information concerning diabetes testing.

Who are easy targets of Type 2 diabetes?

Although this disease is the most common form, and can afflict all people of ages, this is rampant to ageing population. Specifically, some racial groups, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders, and Latinos, are at a higher risk to contract the disease.

What are the complications of Type 2 diabetes?

· Kidney diseases – diabetes can fail your kidney. When the kidney fails, its ability to filter waste materials will also malfunction.

· Heart disease and failure – this can increase risk for heart failures because of poor blood circulation.

· Nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy – damage to the nerves that connect all throughout the body will lead to this complication.

· Eye complication – this should be immediately treated as diabetes can lead to blindness.

· Skin complication – this is usually the first sign that the person may have the disease. Skin complications, though, can be treated easily if given action early.

· Depression – this is usually the sign of most disease because of the tendency to feel hopelessness on their conditions.

· Gastroparesis – also common to type 1 diabetes patients

Most common type 2 diabetes symptoms

- Excessive hunger feelings

- Extreme thirstiness

- Increase fatigue feelings

- Blurred vision

- Frequent and excessive urination

- Weight loss

- Irritability

- Contractions of different forms of infections

- Poor healing of sores and cuts

- Impotence

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes patients

Blood samples are drawn for the checking of blood sugar content. Specifically, diagnosing is done through the following tests:

· Random blood glucose/ sugar test

· Fasting plasma glucose/ sugar test

· Urine glucose/sugar test

· Urine ketones test

· Glycosylated hemoglobin test

· Oral glucose tolerance test

How to manage Type 2 diabetes?

Similar to type 1 diabetes, proper management will reduce risk of later diabetes complications. The goal of this diabetes management is to maintain glucose or sugar content into at least close to normal level. Specifically, management would include the following:

- Proper diet management;

- Proper and appropriate physical exercises;

- Proper medications;

- Monitoring blood sugar levels; and

- Regular medical and doctor examinations

Complications associated with type 2 diabetes

· Heart disease, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disorders

· Nervous system disorders

· Kidney disorders

· Eye disorders

· Different kinds of infections

These mentioned complications should not deter patients from functioning normally with their activities. They can deal with this disease easily if they can follow religiously and properly the right management to reduce higher risks of diabetes complications. Regular check-ups will prevent any overlooked diabetes complications. Similarly, controlling your blood glucose content is essential in avoiding those diabetes complications.

Type 2 diabetes treatments

Type 2 diabetes, also medically known as non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, can be treated through diet modification, oral medications, and exercise. Insulin injection may also be needed to control the blood sugar or glucose content.