Type 2 Diabetes - Inflammation and Complications of Gestational Diabetes

When diabetes develops in a previously healthy woman during pregnancy it is termed gestational diabetes. It is similar to Type 2 diabetes and women who suffer gestational diabetes have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Researchers in the Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Puerta del Mar, in Cadiz, Spain, looked at women with a history of gestational diabetes to ascertain their levels of inflammation and risk of the metabolic syndrome and heart and blood vessel disease.

Their study, published in the medical journal Cytokine in November 2011 included:

63 women with gestational diabetes, and63 healthy pregnant women.

Women with gestational diabetes had:

a higher body mass index (BMI) before their pregnancy,higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),higher leptin levels, andlower adiponectin levels than the healthy women.

The body mass index is a measure of height and weight and is closely related to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. One particular study, published in 2006, associated obesity with a 16 times higher risk of Type 2 diabetes compared with normal weight individuals, and a high waist size was associated with a 20 times higher risk than that of a normal sized waist.

Heart and blood vessel disease, an important complication of Type 2 diabetes, is associated with being overweight and obesity. TNF-alpha is a protein made by the body's white blood cells to fight infections and cancer. When it is made in overly large quantities for too long it can be associated with inflammation. Diabetes is an inflammatory condition and has been associated with TNF-alpha. Several heart and blood vessel diseases are also associated with elevated levels of TNF-alpha. A study published in the Chinese Medical Journal in July of this year showed a possible link betwen TNF-alpha levels and irregular heartbeats. (Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease also associated with high TNF-alpha levels, and sometimes associated with diabetes).

Leptin is a hormone involved in fat metabolism. It is produced by fat cells and could be a signal to the brain that fat is present. Some studies suggest it has to do with pancreatic beta cells and their production of insulin. More study is needed before its complete role in the body is fully understood.

Adiponectin is a hormone that plays a role in the breakdown of fat and the regulation of blood sugar. Low levels are associated with a high risk of Type 2 diabetes. Low levels have also been found in the presence of heart and blood vessel disease.

Researchers concluded having a higher body mass index before pregnancy could be linked to the future development of Type 2 diabetes and heart and blood vessel disease. Women considering pregnancy should normalize their weight before conception for their future health and that of their children.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Using Diabetic Supplies As a Preventative Measure Against Diabetes Complications

Complications from disease are never a fun event. In the case of diabetes, complications can be difficult to manage, irreversible and life threatening. It follows that the advice that all diabetic patients should learn about and take preventative measures against complications arising is so important and should be taken seriously.

An example of a serious complication is nerve damage which occurs when there is too much blood sugar in the blood stream. Neuropathy, a type of nerve damage, occurs when the covering of the nerves is damaged by high blood sugar levels. The nerves then are unable to send signals appropriately. High blood sugar levels occur when the pancreas of a diabetic patient is unable to produce enough insulin or properly utilize the insulin it produces. With the lack of sufficient glucose absorption in the blood stream, the excess sugar can also lead to other severe medical conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Low blood glucose levels can also be problematic and should be treated immediately. If not promptly treated, some diabetic patients with low blood sugar can have seizures or go into comas and in some instances, death could occur. It is vital not to allow low or high blood sugar levels to persist. Low blood glucose warning signs include blurred vision, excessive sweat, experiencing confusion, nervousness, irritability, anger and sadness. Diabetic patients themselves may not readily connect these signs to diabetes. Ignoring low or high blood sugar warnings can be potentially dangerous indeed.

Although, there are a number of red flags symptoms such as unusual weight loss and blurred vision that could indicate the presence of high blood sugar in diabetic patients, these high blood sugar warning signs could go unnoticed. As in the case of low blood sugar, diabetic patients can easily attribute high blood sugar warning signs such as an upset stomach or headaches to less severe ailments and may not understand the urgency of the situation. Both low and high blood sugar should be treated immediately and the best way for diabetic patients to determine that they have low or high levels of glucose in their blood stream is to actually test their blood.

The use of diabetic testing supplies lets diabetic patients know when their blood glucose levels are low and, as in the case of high glucose levels, trigger the patient to find techniques for rectifying the situation without delay. Mail order diabetic supplies and diabetes supplies online suppliers are a convenient no-fuss way of ensuring adequate supply for the home and for office kits. Using diabetic supplies such as meters help patients understand triggers that generate abnormal blood glucose levels and learn more about the foods or medications that keep complications away. When patients use diabetes supplies to determine that they have low or high blood sugar, immediate treatment is required. The right type and quantity of supplies on hand and immediately accessible are vital for diabetic patients to have a way of keeping essential records to help manage the disease.

There is benefit in being able to test blood glucose levels immediately and in the comfort of a patient's home. There is no need to book a doctor's appointment and absolutely no need to develop severe complications that could result in comas or other life threatening conditions. Diabetic testing supplies such as accurate blood glucose meters, lancets and test strips meters kept conveniently to hand are among the most effective preventative measures against complications from diabetes.

9 Easy Ways to Prevent Diabetic Foot And Its Complications

Diabetic foot is a long term complication of diabetes mellitus. Foot infections are one of the most common problems in people with diabetes. Because of poor circulation in these individuals, wounds and infections are more difficult to treat. Another problem is peripheral vascular disease which can lead to gangrene. With chronic uncontrolled glucose levels, there can be resulting damage to the blood vessels and nerves in the feet. When this happens, there can be reduced feeling in the feet and even numbness. If the foot gets a blister or a small cut, this may go unnoticed and as a result, the feet may not heal well.

Below are nine ways to prevent diabetic foot and its complications.

First, control diabetes by monitoring blood sugar levels. Your doctor may ask for testing of A1C levels every three months. Generally, the result should be less than seven percent. Using a blood glucose monitor to self monitor your sugar levels can assist you in making proper adjustments to your medications. Discuss with your physician about what is an acceptable range. Be sure that you know what to do if your blood sugar is not within that range.

Next, examine your feet every day. Check for cuts, sores, blister, redness, calluses, corns, ingrown nails, skin cracks, or other problems. If you cannot reach your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to do it for you. Remember that no matter how small or minor the injury may appear, it can be potentially dangerous for diabetics because of the higher risk of infection. It is also necessary to check for changes in the shape of your toes and feet. The foot arch can drop or the toes may start to curl under. Charcot foot is a type of foot deformity due to neuropathy.

Third, keep your skin smooth and soft by using skin lotion on the bottom and over the tops of your feet. Do not apply lotion in between the toes as this may cause fungal growth. Dry and cracked feet can turn to ulcers that may not heal.

Because your nails protect the toes from trauma, it is important to keep the nails in good condition. The nails should be smooth and pinkish. If your nails appear thick and brittle, this can mean onychomycosis or nail infection. Get this treated without delay. When cutting the toenails, trim them straight across and smooth the edges using a nail file or emery board.

Fifth, if you notice any wart or growth, do not attempt to self treat. Never use a nail clipper, scissors, nail file, or chemicals to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself. See your foot doctor for proper management.

Sixth, it is important to protect your feet. Never walk barefoot and avoid anything that can hurt your feet. Avoid hot water, heating pads, and electric blankets that can burn or numb a skin area without you noticing it. Do not wear socks that are too tight.

Seventh, wear comfortable shoes that fit well and cushion your feet. If you have new shoes, do not wear them for more than a couple of hours at a time to break them. This would avoid the possibility of developing sore spots that could turn worse later on. Check inside your shoes before wearing them to see if there are little stones or objects inside that can cause injury. Make sure the lining is smooth and that there are no tears that can irritate your feet.

Eighth, see your doctor regularly. Consult immediately if you notice any changes in your feet or if you have increasing pain of numbness in the feet. Your podiatrist will examine your feet, check for blood circulation, and test for nerve damage.

And lastly, keep your home and workplace safe. Remove any clutter and keep the floor free from litter to avoid accidents.

By simply taking these basic practices, you can prevent diabetic foot and its complications. See a podiatrist for proper management of the feet. The best place to get the best treatment is at a specialized wound care center.

Lorinne Yen specializes in medical and health care articles.

Diabetic Education Can Save You From Complications

Diabetic education may save your feet from sores, your emotions from depression, your organs from complications, and your wallet from the high cost of medical care. Those are some powerful reasons to find out all you can about this condition of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic Education and Insulin Resistance

First, why are you a type 2 diabetic? There are genetic problems as well as life choices that got you here. One you can do nothing about, but the other you can. If you understand insulin resistance you will know what to do.

A healthy pancreas has beta cells in little islands running through it, and these respond to signals that tell them to send out insulin when you eat or when your liver releases its stores for exercising or during stress.

Fat stored around your organs is supposed to help regulate the reaction of insulin and sugar, but if there are too many fat stores, they slow down your body's ability to use insulin. That is the simplest picture of insulin resistance.

As your beta cells pump out more insulin to overcome the resistance, they weaken, are slower to respond, and may eventually die. Fewer beta cells equals less insulin equals harder to control blood sugar.

Changing How Often You Eat

Our modern life encourages eating light and then having a nice big meal once a day. That means you are putting stress on your pancreas to take care of a day's worth of calories all at once.

But if you spread those calories out through the day your beta cells don't have to work so hard, and for many of us that evens out blood sugar without having to use medications. As a borderline or prediabetic, you ought to be given this kind of diet first thing, so you can begin changing right away.

Changing Your Carbohydrates

Type 2 diabetics don't have to be told that sugar is now our enemy. But carbohydrates, like the flour in baked goods, bread, cereal and even sugar-free desserts, act just like sugar. Knowing that gives us the power to control our blood sugar without medications at all if we choose.

High glycemic foods are the carbohydrate bomb that blows a diabetic diet apart, and choosing to eat more from the lower glycemic carbs will affect the amount of insulin your body needs for the same number of calories. That might be all it takes for diabetic cures for many type 2's.

Changing Your Mind About Exercise

Two popular pictures, one of exercising for hours and hours, and the other of buying expensive equipment for quick results, can discourage those of us who don't really exercise at all.The best news in diabetic education is that doing something, anything at all, for two minutes every hour is going to help. Of course, the more you do the better. A little walking once a day or a few times a day, added to some strength training to build muscles, might be enough to end insulin resistance.

Strength training is the way to build muscles, and the more muscles you have the more weight you can lose with less effort. Also, muscle-building raises metabolism. Strength training usually involves working with weights of some kind, doing arm and leg raises, extensions, and things like that.

Full water bottles work for weights, and putting weighted bands around your ankles and wrists does too. eHow has exercise videos you can follow on your computer. They're short and easy. The only question is - are you willing to change?

Diabetic Education - Be Your Own Expert

Using your glucose monitor for blood testing, going to your ophthalmologist and foot doctor ever year, visiting your diabetes doctor every three months and doing the tests he recommends to watch your kidney and liver function, these are things a type 2 diabetic must continue to do.

Even after you enter the winner's circle of diabetic cures, those who have type 2 under control with diet and exercise, you must keep monitoring it with blood sugar checks. This beast can wake up without your knowledge if you don't.

Diabetic education can change your mind about diabetic eating and exercise, because they hold out hope for diabetic cures for those willing to change. Hope is there if you want it.

Martha Zimmer invites you to visit her website and learn more about type 2 diabetes, its complications and how you can deal with them, as well as great tips for eating healthy that will make living with diabetes less painful.

Go to http://www.a-diabetic-life.com/ and find out what you can do to avoid many of the pitfalls of this life-changing condition, like paying for cures that don't work and spending money for things you could have gotten free. Martha has made the mistakes and done the research so you don't have to.

How To Control Diabetes and Prevent Unwanted Health Complications?

Diabetes, also known as Diabetes Mellitus, is a metabolic disorder that is becoming increasingly common among people. The carbohydrates consumed by us are converted in to glucose and are made to enter the muscle, fat and liver cells. This fuels or energizes you to perform day to day tasks. An organ pancreas secretes insulin which allows the transportation of glucose from blood stream to the body cells. If this chain of phenomena gets disrupted due to some reason, glucose builds up in blood, leading to diabetes. Diabetes may be classified in to the following types:

1. Type1 diabetes: In this type, body produces less insulin. The amount produced is not sufficient for moving the glucose from blood stream to body cells. As a result glucose collects in blood making you diabetic.

2. Type1 diabetes: In this type, the body cells become unresponsive to insulin. Consequently they fail to absorb the glucose from bloodstream.

3. Gestational diabetes: This type affects women who are pregnant.

Diabetes produces symptoms like excessive thirst, excessive hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision, irritability and slow healing of wounds. The possible diabetes triggers are heredity, aging, obesity, consumption of high fat diet, pregnancy, excessive alcohol intake, over-eating habits, stress, hypertension, high blood triglyceride levels and physical inactivity. Diabetes can lead to life-threatening complications like, heart disease, stroke, renal failures, blindness, leg ulcers and nerve damage.

Ways to control diabetes:

1. Self monitoring is now possible with devices like Glucometer. This is a boon. You can check your blood glucose levels any time you want and at home. This will help you to take timely precautions and control your soaring blood glucose levels.

2. You can control your diabetes by using external or implanted insulin pumps.

3. Intake of oral hypoglycemic drugs like Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Sulfonylureas, Biguanides etc would help you to keep your glucose levels in check.

4. Consume a diet low in saturated fat and concentrated sweet and rich in fiber.

5. Exercise regularly to do away with obesity, inactivity and also for accelerating the metabolic rate. Brisk walking is quite beneficial as a diabetes control measure.

6. Give up alcohol drinking and smoking.

7. Relieve your stress through yoga, meditation, deep breathing or spas.

8. Learn from a professional the method of injecting insulin. You have to sincerely stick to the routine of taking insulin injections daily. Generally a patient has to take 2-3 insulin injections each day prior to meals.

9. Go for regular medical check ups. It will help you in controlling your diabetes.

10. You can try out the following home remedies for diabetes control:

a) Drink bitter gourd juice every morning to control your diabetes.
b) Chew fresh curry leaves two times daily to get rid of diabetes.
c) Soak fish berries in water overnight. In the morning, crush the berries to extract the juice. Drink it to lower your blood glucose levels.
d) Mix half teaspoon each of dry, powdered bay leaf and turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera juice. Take the mixture twice daily to check your diabetes.
e) Boil 10-15 mango leaves in 1 glass water. Keep overnight. In the morning, strain and drink the water in empty stomach.