Type 2 Diabetes – At What Age Do People Get It ? I Need To Know !
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
At what age do people develop type 2 diabetes? The answer a few decades ago was mainly as older adults. The answer today is anyone at any age can receive a diagnosis. A few decades ago, the Western diet was much more healthy. It had more fresh vegetables and fruits in it. Meat didn’t contain all the hormones and other additives. Physical activity levels were also much healthier. People walked more. Many worked on farms or used the bicycle more. Kids played outside more. All of this leads to a healthier body weight and activity level. Well, that is not the reality today.
People are much more sedentary now. They live in front of the television and the computer. Our diets have changed significantly as well. More and more meals involve packaged and processed foods. The amounts of sweets and unhealthy fats consumed have skyrocketed in that time frame. All of these changes have a direct link to the rising numbers of people with type 2 diabetes. At this point in time, most Type II Diabetes patients are adults who notably have excess bodyweight and have a sedentary lifestyle. If one is over the age of 45, your likelihood of getting a diagnosis increase dramatically. However, the ages of those diagnosed gets younger and younger however.
Children are still more likely to get a diagnosis for type 1 instead of type 2 diabetes. Type 1 goes by the alternate name of juvenile Diabetes for that reason. However, the number of cases of children getting Type II Diabetes is ever growing. Those between 10 and 20 are more likely than children below 10 are. Even though the number of children and teens with Type two Diabetes are very minor when compared to adults, the ever rising numbers is a worry. Many new cases in these age brackets stem from the increased numbers of overweight and sedentary children.
Age is an important consideration when looking at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Those older than 65 have a much higher chance than those younger do. Those over 45 with excess weight have a much higher chance than those younger or slimmer do. Nevertheless, age is not the only factor to consider. Anyone carrying excess weight has a higher chance than those who are slimmer. Those with a family background have an increaed risk than anybody with a clean family history. As you age, take more care to avoid diabetes. However, monitoring your health is critical at any age.
Best Oils: For Type 2 Diabetes? What Do You Mean ?
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
Cooking with the right oils helps those with type 2 diabetes and for those that do not have it. But, those with Diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease than the general population. That is why finding the right oils are so important. Several good options on the market will help keep the unhealthy fats at bay. Some are good for cooking at high temperatures. Others aren’t. As oil reaches the smoke point, it starts to breakdown. At that point terrible free radicals release into the oil and awful carcinogens are release into the air.
Canola oil is a good example of healthy oil for someone with Type ii diabetes. It is known as a mono-saturated fat that works in baking, sautéing, stir-frying and in salads. It has a higher smoke point than many oils at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). It is also more affordable than many other healthy oils. It is highly regarded for most cooking needs. Safflower oil is another common oil choice that is also very healthy. This polyunsaturated oil is great for many cooking methods. With a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius), it can handle almost anything you can throw at it. Sunflower oil is another excellent choice with a high smoke point of 460 degrees Fahrenheit (238 degrees Celsius). The highest temperatures of sautéing and frying will not limit this oil in any way.
There are other oils to consider, however. Manufacturers extract oil from many plant sources all over the world. These oils are gaining popularity amongst those that want healthy oils in their cooking. Flaxseed oil is a popular selection. It introduces omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids into the equation. It comes along with a fairly low smoke point of 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). That means using it in cooking over heat is not a good idea. It makes a great addition to salad dressings or other cold preparations though. Walnut oil is yet another healthy choice. It is classified as a polyunsaturated fat and full of omega-3s. It has a higher smoke point at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
Olive oil is a great option when looking for oil for dressings or low cooking temperatures. With a smoke point at 325, it is not a good choice for sautéing or frying. Grapeseed oil is good for cooking and grilling. It adds a mild nutty flavor for use in salads and other preparations. It has a higher smoke point at 420 degrees Fahrenheit (216 degrees Celsius). Almond oil, avocado oil, and peanut oil are all other good options for healthy oils.
Nasty Saturated Fats : Best To Keep Away From Them In Type 2 Diabetes !
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
Those with Type two diabetes face an increased chance of heart disease. It is very important for patients to watch the quantity and types of fat in their diets. The healthy fats are the mono and polyunsaturated varieties. Saturated fat falls squarely into the unhealthy fat camp. Compounds in the saturated fats group raise the nasty forms of cholesterol in the blood stream. A further terriblefat that falls into the unhealthy group is trans fat. This type of fat is obtained from the hydrogenated oils. It acts much the same as saturated fats since it also raises the bad form of cholesterol. Cholesterol also occurs naturally in some foods.
What foods contain saturated fats? Any meat or poultry will contain saturated fats. Most fish do as well. Processed meat products like lunchmeat, hot dogs, and ground meats contain high levels of it. A list oils such as palm and coconut contain it as well, despite even being derived from plants. You might know that Regular dairy products also contain high levels of the saturated fats. To keep the chances of heart disease developing down, experts recommend that those with type 2 diabetes get less than 7% of their calories from saturated fat. This means about 15 grams at most daily. A single dairy serving can contain half of that amount.
What foods contain trans fat? Trans fat develops when liquid oils transform into solid fats. Many fast food establishments use hydrogenated oils in their deep-frying. That means anything cooked in that oil will get trans fat transferred during the cooking process. More and more restaurants are getting away from these oils. Check before you order anything. Many processed foods also contain trans fats since these hydrogenated oils are used somewhere in the prep process. Stick margarine and shortening are common household cooking essentials that you should avoid when you have type 2 diabetes.
Saturated fats, along with trans fat, raise cholesterol levels in both type 2 Diabetes patients and the general population. Understand that cholesterol can also be derived directly from some forms of food. When studying with the terrible bad fats, you need to undestand what food lists contain cholesterol so you can don’t touch them as well. Egg yolks are likely the most famous culprits. However, organ meats such as liver and kidneys are also guilty. Many regular dairy products also contain cholesterol. Keep the amount of saturated fats down in your diet. It will help lessen your chance of developing heart disease. That is true for diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
Type 2 Diabetes – Know Your HbA1c – Is It Under Control – Help Me With This Please -
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
If you have Type 2 Diabetes , knowing your current HbA1c levels may save your life and limbs over the long haul. The HbA1c screens for the current levels of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. It expresses the amount of glucose that your bloodglucose levels. has encountered over the past six to eight weeks. Glycated hemoglobin develops when blood glucose attaches to hemoglobin. Evaluating this form of hemoglobin gives a precise depiction of how much glucose is in the blood. It is a test performed on a regular basis on diabetes patients to see what effect modifications in diet, exercise, and medications are having on their long-term
What do the results of the test indicate? A normal HbA1c test finding will come back with 6% or lower of glycated hemoglobin. Marginal results land between 6-7%. If your results are over 7%, your type 2 diabetes may not be in check. Every occassion you undergo a HbA1c, you need your count to go down or persist below the 6% mark. If your numbers begin to step-up, your current diet, exercise, and medication regimen is not functioning and you may need to make modifications. If the numbers are substantially over the 7% mark, you are on the road for trouble very rapidly since the glucose levels are potentially doing damage all over the body.
How do the results of an HbA1c differ from your everyday glucose monitoring? Day-to-day monitoring indicates what your current glucose levels look like. It will establish spikes and falls in the amount within the blood after a meal or physical exertion. On the other hand, screening for HbA1c is not for day-to-day monitoring of blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes. HbA1c shows the average quantity of glucose in your blood for the past few weeks. It is accepted that it doesn’t display the day-to-day ups and downs.
How do you use HbA1c in keeping your type 2 diabetes under control? Since it quantifies the long-term levels of glucose in the blood, periodic screening will show if you have your glucose in check or not. For best results, getting it down below 6% is the best. Holding it under 7% will help hold up the onset of severe health complications. You and your doctor should have these tests done at least a few times a year to make sure your diabetes is under control. This will give you the information you need to make adjustments where necessary.
Type 2 Diabetes – Amputation Of Legs And Feet – Is That The Case
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
Why do so many people with Type 2 Diabetes require amputation at some point in their life? Diabetes causes many complications. One of the most devastating is diabetic neuropathy. This is actually the diabetes doing damage to the nerves in the periphery nervous system. It happens most often in the legs and feet. This medical problem usually begins with a tingling sensation in the area. For people with Type II Diabetes, eventually the tingling turns to pain or numbness. Another health problem that Type II Diabetes causes in the feet is reduced circulation. In the extremities of the feet, the size of the blood vessels constrict due to diabetes. When these to risks combine, it can lead to severe problems in the feet or lower legs. That is when amputation may become an option.
How do you avoid getting to the point of an amputation with type 2 Diabetes ? Good footcare is very important. This means monitoring the feet for any signs of infection. It means keeping them clean at all times. It means wearing good shoes and the proper support socks. It means managing any small injuries as a major one. If a minor injury happens in an area with nerve damage and poor circulation, infection becomes a real possibility. Severe infection can lead to gangrene. That, of course, could result in amputation. Seeing your doctor about any injury to the foot is important for that reason alone.
There are other ways to help prevent the need for amputation if you have type 2 diabetes. People with Diabetes Type 2 are advised to quit smoking since it also affects the size of blood vessels throughout the body. Keep a close eye on your glucose levels. Managing those levels will help keep diabetes damage to the nerves down to a minimum. Get and stay physically active. This helps increase circulation to the legs and feet. It also helps with flexibility. Visit your doctor regularly to monitor for any problems. Get your weight under control. Excess weight on the legs and feet do not help people with Type 2 Diabetes.
If you already have nerve damage or circulation issues in your feet, don’t think that amputation is inevitable. Taking good care of your feet is extremely important. Visit your doctor if you find sores developing on your feet. Take care with wearing shoes at all times. Loss of sensation may not let you know if you step on something that causes a wound. With type 2 diabetes, taking care of your feet is almost as important as monitoring your blood sugar .
Type 2 Diabetes- I Am New At This – Help Me Cope – What’s Next – Where To Now
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
You have just got a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. Now, what do you do? Your very first reaction may be shock or disbelief. Even if you have a family history of the disease, your mind often doesn’t deal well with thinking it might happen to you. When it does happen, you will likely react very emotionally. That is not a really bad thing. It is your way of coping with this new change in your life. Some people may even go through the classic stages of grief while dealing with this diagnosis. However, you need focus on something else first. The faster you get your Diabetes under control the better off you will certainly be in the long run. For individuals with Diabetes 2, while dealing with the mental side is indeed critical, this needs to be just as high on a sufferer’s large list of priorities.
The first thing to consider is how severe is your diabetes and what are the recommendations from your doctor. In less severe cases, with or without signs of Diabetes Symptoms many people can manage their type 2 diabetes through exercise and diet for many years. If you didn’t catch your diabetes in that stage, you may be looking at medications or even insulin injections. Get an honest look at your real and current situation. Your doctor may give you referrals to nutritionists and diabetes specialists to help you get on top of the condition now. If you have any questions, call your doctor for more information.
The second thing to do is start building a good team around you that will help you control this disease. This means your immediate family first. You will need to make changes in your diet and exercise. It really does help individuals with Type Diabetes 2 to have their immediate family with them on these essential life-style changes. Your healthcare team is definitely a big part of your team. Add additional support people around you if you can. Get the help of a nutritionist or dietician that deals with diabetic patients. Understand that they can give you directions on what, how and when to eat. Seek the help of diabetes coaches that help people adjust to their type 2 diabetes diagnoses. If you are having trouble dealing with the diagnosis, adding the help of a therapist may help. They can help you work through the emotional process.
The next thing to do is start making the necessary changes to your life. You will likely make changes to your diet, activity level, and weight if you want to manage your type 2 diabetes. Once you begin managing your diabetes, you will feel more control over the situation.
Type 2 Diabetes- Stop Pre-Diabetes. I Need To Start Learning How -
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
In order to stop pre-diabetes, you need to know what it is first. Pre-diabetes is a diagnosis given by doctors to people who have elevated levels of blood glucose but do not reach the point of a diabetes diagnosis. Since diabetes is a progressive disease, in its very earliest stages of development, blood glucose levels begin to build. However, it may take years before full-blown diabetestype 2 diabetes. It is also a wakeup call to prevent the other medical complications that accompany develops. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is actually a good thing. For many people, it is a wakeup call to start taking preventative measures to hold off the development of Diabetes.
How do you stop pre-diabetes? In some people, stopping pre-diabetes is currently impossible. In a lucky few, stopping pre-diabetes is actually possible. The outcome depends on the patient’s overall health and other factors. The good news is that taking preventative steps early will benefit even those that later develop full diabetes. Most experts recommend making moderate steps in order to slow down or reverse the progression of pre-diabetes. Their recommendations also include losing five to ten percent of a Diabetes 2 patient’s bodyweight and exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days each week. Subsequently, those may sound very modest, but they can definitely lead to a much higher impact.
Those modest changes give most people a fighting chance to slow down or diminish the progression. However, more radical changes ups the chances of stopping pre-diabetes. Getting down to your ideal weight is a major factor. Upping physical exertion is another. As the body gets back into normal active range, the amount of insulin resistance often diminishes. This means that blood sugar levels begin to normalize. Even if the amount of insulin resistance only goes down a bit, it is still progress in the right direction. With diabetes, getting out of the danger zone is a good thing.
Another aspect of pre-diabetes is getting regular blood sugar work done. Most people do not need a test for diabetes every year. Once they get a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, however, it becomes imperative. At least once a year, get a Type 2 diabetes test to see if the disease is progressing or if you have made headway to delaying it. Monitoring this regularly gives you the information on what other steps you may need to take. Pre-diabetes brings increased risk of heart disease with it. Therefore, getting this condition under control not only will prevent diabetes, but other issues as well.
Type 2 Diabetes – Lower Blood Glucose Levels After Meals
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
Getting a blood glucose spike after eating is very common in those with type 2 diabetes. Most times, it’s moderate if you are practicing moderation and portion control with carbohydrates, fats, and sweets. However, at times, the spikes may be more dramatic. Some people get surprised when they get their A1C test results and see their glucose levels are significantly higher than expected. If they have not monitored their glucose levels after eating, it may be a real shock. A1C measures the amounts of glucose that passes through the blood over a two to three month period. Your daily readings may not show the spikes after eating, but your A1C will show it.
If you are not practicing moderation and portion control, the spikes in your blood glucose may be severe. If you suspect you are getting these spikes, alter your glucose monitoring. Check your blood glucose readings right before you eat and then also again about an hour after you eat. Compare the two figures to see how high your glucose level rose. If you see a significant change, you likely are seeing these after meal blood glucose readings spikes in your blood glucose. It is imperative to get these under control if possible. Your type 2 diabetes will only get worse if you do not.
How does a sufferer with 2 Diabetes decrease their blood glucose readings levels after eating? Take a walk right after eating. Physical exertion and exercise lowers blood glucose readings. It also slows down digestion and that steadies the glucose levels. Another method is to change what you are eating. Anything with low value carbohydrates will cause glucose to rise sharply. Starchy foods are particularly bad with this. The good news is you can, or should, add more fruits and vegetables to your diet plan. Add more fiber to slow down the speed of digestion. Experiment with your injections of insulin. You need to time them so that they are at the highest level when the glucose is.
For anyone with type 2 diabetes, you need to know your glucose profile. Take regular blood glucose levels for a couple of weeks and record the results. You may begin to see patterns with what you are eating affecting your glucose levels. Patients with 2 Diabetes should ensure they document food ingestion and exercise as well as their blood sugar readings. This gives the information that will point to problems and issues. Your doctor or other diabetes specialists will also love to see this information to see how well you manage your Diabetes and follow their Diabetes Diet from day to day. All this will help you keep away Diabetes Symptoms for a long time or even possibly avoid them.
Mexican Food In Type 2 Diabetes – So There Are Some Things I Need To Watch Out For
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
You just got a diagnosis of Type two diabetes. Does that now mean one can not go to their favourite Mexican restaurant again? The answer is a no. You can still enjoy Mexican food. You can actually ill enjoy almost any food you want. There is definitely one proviso though. You must watch what you eat and how much you eat. Mexican restaurants serve many foods high in carbohydrates. Always be aware of what you are eating. That basket of chips they often bring to the table is the place to now start using caution. The corn in the tortillas contains high levels of carbohydrates. The deep fried chips bring high levels of fat. Some salsas have a really high degree of salt or sodium.
What else do you need to watch when eating at a Mexican restaurant? Rice is certainly not your friend. They make most rice dishes with refined white rice. Eating too much rice can spike glucose levels. Beans may be another red flag. Legumes are also a good sourcs for the healthy fats and fiber. Beans in a Mexican meal will more than likely send your glucose into the stratosphere. Refried beans have added fat and calories that is often saturated. The refrying process breaks down the fibre value also. You get the taste of beans but none of the nutritional value. Tortillas, from either corn or flour, are not good either. Both come from refined grains that hold little nutritional value and high levels of carbohydrates.
What can one enjoy at a Mexican eatery? Chicken fajitas are a good choice. You get a pile of chicken and vegetables. You can moderate the level of sour cream and cheese you add as well as the tortillas you eat with it. Shrimp fajitas are also good options. Soft tacos with chicken or broiled fish are also another option. Getting a taco salad and not eating the deep fried shell is another option. All of these options allow you to control the amount of rice, tortillas, and beans you eat.
Portion control is the vital with any restaurant. If you order an entrée, consider asking for a box at the beginning of the meal. Put half in the box and take it home with you. You get to enjoy your food and don’t need to deal with a glucose spike in the process. Getting a diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes does not now mean one has to stop eating their favorite foods. It is a question of getting control of portion size and regulating when you eat.
What Is The HbA1c That Doctors Measure In Type 2 Diabetes – Your Life Depends On It – What’s Going On
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Managing Diabetes
When people first receive a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes , they enter a whole new world of medical terms and testing. One of the primary tests they will undergo in the doctor’s office is the one for HbA1c. What exactly is this oddly named health test? HbA1c blood tests for the current levels of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. This form type of hemoglobin is generated when blood glucose attaches to hemoglobin. By examining this type of of hemoglobin gives an accurate picture of how much glucose is in the blood. Did you know a normal HbA1c test finding will come back with 6% or less of glycated hemoglobin. Borderline results are agreed to be between 6-7%. If your results are over 7%, your diabetes may not be under control.
How do doctors perform the test on those with type 2 diabetes? For adults, the doctor will order blood drawn from a vein. In small children, the doctor may use a lancet to prick the skin and then collect the blood in a pipette. The blood goes off to the lab where they measure the amount of glycated hemoglobin in the sample. The results go back to the doctor for analysis. That is when you may get the results. If yourglucose levels are out of range, your doctor may require other testing. He may also order some tablets or pills or alterations in lifestyle to counteract the readings.
Testing for HbA1c is not for every day monitoring of blood glucose levels. The value in the result from the HbA1c blood test does not easily react or be influenced by the everyday ups and downs. It does not show daily spikes or drops inglucose . As a result, some people may show increased HbA1c values if they have conditions such including kidney failure, alcohol abuse, or hypertriglyceridemia. Some people may show decreased amounts of HbA1c if they have acute or chronic blood loss, thalessemia, or sickle cell disease. Those patients with type 2 Diabetes use this test to look at blood sugar readings over the recent weeks or months.
HbA1c makes a good companion in monitoring your progress in getting your type 2 diabetes under control. Since it measures the long term amounts of glucose in the blood, periodic testing will show if a sufferer with Diabetes 2 has their glucose under control or not. For best results, getting it down below 6% is the best. Keeping it under 7% will help delay the beginning of any major medical complications. Taking this reading will become routine in those with diabetes. It can be either a hindrance or a guidepost.
