10 articles diabetes

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Summary :
1. Diabetes in Children - A Guide for Families
2. Living with Diabetes - Practical Steps
3. Managing Diabetes with Diet and Exercise - Top Tips
4. Diabetes - How to Recognize and Prevent Complications
5. Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants, Children and Adults
6. Tips for Preventing Diabetes
7. Treatment Options for Diabetes
8. Types of Diabetes - Know the Difference
9. What Causes Diabetes?
10.Diabetes: What Is It and Who Gets It?

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Article 1 : Diabetes in Children - A Guide for Families
Has your child been diagnosed with diabetes, and you're worried? Or maybe he or she has had
diabetes for a while but you feel like you're floundering. Sometimes, parents and families need
to understand how diabetes affects the family dynamic, and how they can be supportive.
Whether your child is an infant, teen, or in grade school, families often need some guidance
on how they can help their children live a normal life.
Here is a brief guide for families living with children who have diabetes.
Be Ready for Misconceptions
Parents and diabetic children will have to deal with various misconceptions and myths about
diabetes. It's good to look over some of the more prevalent myths and questions, and have a
ready answer for them. You may want to coach your child in answering these misconceptions
as well.
* "Will I catch diabetes from you/your child?" Of course not - diabetes is not communicable.
* "I can't invite you/your child to my birthday party!" Children with diabetes may not be
invited to birthday parties because many hosts/parents do not want the responsibility of a
diabetic child, especially one surrounded by sugary birthday treats. Hopefully, you can work
with the parents of kids who are having birthday parties and let your child participate in
whatever capacity you're comfortable with.
* "Will you die if you eat sugar?" Some people think that diabetics will be "poisoned" if they
eat sugar.
* "You must have eaten too much sugar as a baby/child; that's why you have diabetes." Many
people think that eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Research
To help make the disease seem less scary, research the terminology and realities of the disease.
That way, when your doctor talks to you about the disease, you will not feel intimidated by
the terms and will know what he or she is talking about. Knowledge can help you feel
empowered. You can also use your research to help formulate a plan, which makes a lot of
families feel more secure.
Include Other Family Members
When you can, include the family in the scheduled meal times and even snacks. Some families
make a nightly together time of the snack before bed that most diabetics need. Everyone in the
family should know how to recognize signs of a problem - high or low blood sugar especially.
Get Involved

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Involve yourself in the diabetes community in your area and/or online. There are diabetes
camps, online forms, and various support groups that can help your family live with diabetes.
These groups can also help your child learn how to cope with diabetes now and in the future.
Article 2 : Living with Diabetes - Practical Steps
Regardless of what age you are diagnosed with diabetes or which of the two types you have,
it helps to have some coping strategies. Living with diabetes can be challenging, but it certainly
need not keep you down. Here are some practical steps for living with diabetes.
Connecting with Others
One of the most helpful things you can do is get to be a part of the diabetes community in your
area. You'll learn you're not alone; you'll probably pick up valuable information, tips, and
literature, and you'll learn about upcoming events, retreats, and camps.
This can be helpful for children who want to fit in with a peer group but aren't sure how or if
others will accept them, or for adults who feel isolated in their condition. It helps a lot just to
know there are others who understand what it's like.
Form a Group
If you don't have a local support group for diabetics, consider forming one. Members can meet
at your house or at a local venue, and you can set up social networking or a website to keep in
touch. You can plan outings, gatherings, meetings, and so forth, and keep your group informed
about events.
Take Control
While regular visits to your physician are important, diabetics ultimately have to be
responsible for their own daily care. You have to learn to take your own blood sugar and
administer your own insulin, and only you know when something feels "off." It's up to you to
implement an exercise regimen and eat the right foods. Learning this basic truth - you are
responsible for managing your diabetes - can take some of the stress out of living with this
condition.
Don't Beat Yourself Up
For those with Type II diabetes or for parents of children who have Type I, it can be tempting
to get caught up in the self-blame game. The development of Type II diabetes may in fact be
linked to certain lifestyle choices, but it's not necessarily so; and even if it is, you have to move
forward and into a healthy lifestyle.
Parents whose child or children have Type I may blame themselves - mothers may worry about
something they did while pregnant, or obsess over letting their child eat a lot of sugar before
the diagnosis. None of these blames are necessarily even true! It wastes time and energy to
worry, so focus on moving forward and getting the most out of life from here on out. This may
be the beginning of an opportunity for self-improvement and self-control.

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Have a Plan
Having a plan can help you stay in control in a given situation, and get the most out of parties
and holidays. Decide ahead of time how you will handle holiday and party treats so you don't
have to think on your feet each time you're offered a goody.
Article 3 : Managing Diabetes with Diet and Exercise - Top Tips
Generally speaking, Type II diabetes is the version of this disease that can be managed with
diet and exercise. However, for those with Type I, these healthy lifestyle tips may help relieve
symptoms and enhance management of the condition. Here are some tips for managing
diabetes with diet and exercise.
The Right Carbs
Carbs, or carbohydrates, have been on the "bad" list lately. But not unlike fat, there are good
and bad carbs, especially when it comes to diabetes management. Generally speaking, carbs
to avoid might include the following:
* White sugar
* White flour
* White rice
* Fruit juices
* De-germed cornmeal
Carbs to emphasize might include these foods:
* Whole fruits
* Whole grains
* Brown rice
* Whole cornmeal
Proteins and Carbs
Combining proteins and carbs at meals and snacks can help prevent blood sugar spikes.
Examples include :
* Whole grain bread with unsweetened nut butter
* Whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese
* Lean turkey breast in a whole wheat pita
* Brown rice and beans
* "Party mix" made from whole grain cereal, peanuts, and pretzels

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* Apple slices with peanut butter
* Brown rice and broiled salmon
* Whole wheat macaroni and cheese (made with low-fat cheese and skim milk)
Fats
While keeping your weight at a healthy level is important for managing your diabetes, eating
the right kind of fat has its place. In moderation, these healthy fats can help lower cholesterol
and provide other health benefits. Healthy fats can be found in:
* Fish (especially salmon and Arctic char)
* Avocados
* Almonds
* Olive, safflower, and canola oils
It's a good idea to avoid saturated fats and trans fats (hydrogenated fats). Saturated fats are fats
like butter and shortening that are solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated fats were once
liquid fats (sometimes healthy ones) that were artificially solidified using hydrogen. Trans or
hydrogenated fats are found in some types of peanut butter and in margarine, and in the
ingredient lists of countless packaged foods.
Exercise
To manage your diabetes, exercise is considered by experts to be essential. Interestingly,
strength training has been shown to be especially beneficial to diabetics, producing results that,
in some instances, rival medication. Aerobic exercise is also helpful; it gets the heart rate up
and burns calories.
The important thing is to exercise at least 30 minutes a day for a minimum of five days a week.
This helps keep your weight in check (vital for diabetics and pre-diabetics) and may even
reduce stress. Stress has been implicated in the development of diabetes symptoms.
Article 4 : Diabetes - How to Recognize and Prevent Complications
Learning to recognize the complications of diabetes in yourself and others can save a life.
Sometimes diabetes goes unnoticed, and until there's a complication, the person doesn't know
he or she has diabetes. If a shrewd friend can see some symptoms before the complications
hit, it may give the diabetic an edge on treatment. It's also a good idea to learn some of the
signs and symptoms of complications and how to stave them off in yourself.
Here are some tips to help you prevent and recognize diabetes complications.
Prevention
There are some specific actions you can take to help avoid complications and keep them from
developing.

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1. Don't smoke
Smoking is one of the worst things a diabetic can do. First of all, smoking constricts blood
vessels, further complicating the compromised circulation that comes with diabetes anyway.
Secondly, smoking increases diabetics' risk of cardiovascular disease and even vision
problems. So a good step toward staving off these complications is to stop smoking (or don't
start!).
2. Take your medication regularly
To help your body stay on an even keel, it's a good idea to take your prescribed medication as
directed. Don't self-medicate. If you want to change medications or try something different,
make sure you do so under the care of a professional.
3. Regular check-ups
Getting regular physicals is important, but so are check-ups specifically for your diabetes.
Your vision in particular should be monitored to prevent vision complications such as
glaucoma later on.
4. Maintain a healthy weight
Eating a healthy, diabetic-specific diet and getting enough regular exercise is key to
maintaining a healthy weight. You don't want to crash-diet, but getting on track with the right
foods and activity level is a good place to start.
Recognition
Recognizing complications early can help, whether it's an urgent, short-term complication or
a long-term one. Here are some tips.
Sources say that the body parts most affected by diabetes are:
* Eyes
* Kidneys
* Nerves
* Heart and blood vessels
* Gums
* Feet
Watching for abnormalities in these areas of the body is the first step toward recognizing any
complications in that area.
1. Neuropathy
Burning, tingling sensations in the hands and feet, sharp night-time pain, and difficulty
walking are signs of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). Swollen, red feet are also a sign of
serious nerve complications.

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2. Vision problems
If you have blurry vision, sudden losses of vision, what seems like flashing light or grey,
drifting films across your eyes, it could be a sign of diabetic vision complications. Pain and
pressure in the eye are also symptoms.
3. Kidney complications
Diabetics are prone to kidney problems. Signs of kidney complications include fatigue, poor
concentration, painful urination, and/or edema (puffy swelling) in the abdomen, around the
eyes, or in the ankles and feet.
4. High and low blood sugar
Symptoms of very low blood sugar may include nausea, extreme fatigue, confusion, emotional
imbalance, and ravenous hunger. High blood sugar may cause excessive thirst, headache, and
increased, frequent urination. High and low blood sugar need to be addressed immediately.
Article 5 : Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants, Children and Adults
Diabetes is not as uncommon a disease as some people may think. In fact, according to various
sources, there are between 25 and 26 million diabetics living in the United States. Diabetes is
not just a disease that affects older, overweight people; its various types can affect infants and
the elderly, and those in between.
To help get a better grasp on the nature of diabetes, it helps to know the signs and symptoms
for various age groups. Here are some of them.
Infants
Watching for the signs and symptoms of diabetes in infants can be tricky. Watch for symptoms
of low blood sugar in addition to high, warn experts. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is
usually associated with diabetes, but low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may also be a symptom.
Babies with low blood sugar may tremble, be cranky, or have pale or blue lips and/or fingers.
High blood sugar may present as dehydration, or a baby seeming to need to drink all the time
and urinate frequently. Also, a sweetish smell to the urine is indicative of diabetes.
Other symptoms of diabetes in infants include excessive sleepiness, extreme hunger, and sores
that are slow to heal. Some sources suggest looking for a dark rash on the back of your baby's
neck - it may feel somewhat velvety.
Children
Like infants, children with diabetes may exhibit extreme thirst and frequent urination. He or
she may lose weight despite all the ravenous hunger, and in fact, some sources say that
unexplained weight loss is the number one sign of diabetes in children. Other symptoms
include :
* Moodiness

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* Irritability
* Fatigue
* Uncharacteristic behavior (just not acting like him/herself)
* Vision problems, especially blurred vision that comes and goes
* Chronic yeast infections, especially in girls
* Tingling in hands and feet
Adults
Adults can develop Type I or juvenile diabetes, particularly young adults. Type II diabetes
occurs later in life and is different than Type I, but the symptoms of both are quite similar. For
adults, the following symptoms may indicate diabetes.
* Unexplained weight loss - Adults in particular need to be cautioned about this symptom,
because adults often think any weight loss is good. This is especially true if their doctor told
them that being overweight put them at risk for diabetes. But if the weight loss is unexplained
and is accompanied by any of the other symptoms, it might be a good idea to see your doctor.
* Thirst and urination - Like infants and children, adults with undiagnosed diabetes are often
extremely thirsty. And the more you drink, the more you urinate. If it seems like you do nothing
but drink and pee, and never feel satisfied as to your thirst, diabetes might be the culprit.
* Tingling in extremities - As with children, adults may experience tingling hands and feet.
If Not Diabetes - What?
There are disorders that mimic the symptoms of diabetes. Among these are liver disease,
morbid obesity, and the side effects of certain cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering drugs.
Article 6 : Tips for Preventing Diabetes
Diabetes is a growing problem. If you have diabetes in your family or otherwise are at risk, it
makes sense to take some preventative steps. Type II diabetes is the most preventable form of
the disease. Here are some tips that may help prevent diabetes from developing in your life.
Proper Diet - Foods That May Prevent Diabetes
Many sources suggest that a diet emphasizing plant foods is important for preventing diabetes.
Other foods that may help stabilize blood sugar and keep you from developing full-blown
diabetes include the following:
* Magnesium-rich foods like black beans, spinach, and almonds are said to help prevent
diabetes. Interestingly, diabetics are often deficient in magnesium, sources say.
* Onions and garlic are natural blood sugar regulators. Black bean soup with garlic or black
bean burgers with onions would be great!

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* Stevia is a very sweet, calorie-free herb; the extract is often sold in grocery stores and health
food stores as a sweetener. It may lower blood sugar, too, making is a good choice for those
with pre-diabetic conditions or those wishing to prevent the onset of diabetes.
Exercise
It's important for everyone, but for those who wish to prevent diabetes, exercise is especially
essential. For one thing, vigorous activity tends to lower blood sugar. For another, exercise
usually results in weight loss if it's practiced regularly and properly. Maintaining a healthy
body weight is key to diabetes prevention.
Just in Case...
There are some possible preventative measures you can take that are controversial, or at least
the jury is still out as to whether or not these measures are effective. If they're healthy
measures, though, it might pay to err on the side of caution and implement them even if their
effectiveness against diabetes is uncertain. Some examples of this type of prevention include:
* Reducing stress, whether through stretching, meditation, prayer, or other forms of stress
reduction. Some studies suggest that chronic stress may increase your risk for developing
diabetes.
* Reducing high blood pressure may also help prevent diabetes. These two conditions often
exist together, and research suggests that high blood pressure may even trigger the onset of
diabetes. Keeping your blood pressure under control is a healthy thing to do anyway, so you
really can't lose on this one.
* High fructose corn syrup, that sweetener we all love to hate, may or may not be implicated
in the development of diabetes. It may be no more of an issue than white sugar. Once again,
cutting HFCS out of your diet is not a dangerous thing to do and may even be healthier, so it's
a win-win if you cut it out of your diet for whatever reason.
* Trans fats and saturated fats are usually included on the "do not eat" list for those wishing to
prevent diabetes. It's been suggested that these artery-clogging fats can exacerbate or even
trigger Type II diabetes symptoms.
Article 7 : Treatment Options for Diabetes
There is always a significant amount of research going on in the field of diabetes. Scientists
are always looking for a cure or better treatment, developing new drugs and equipment, and
performing experiments with stem cells and other methods. New treatment options are
becoming available all the time.
As a diabetic, keeping your blood sugar levels steady is key. Once you have that under control,
many diabetics like to search out alternative treatments. In conjunction with your physician's
knowledge, you may find your health is enhanced by one or more alternative treatments.
Let's take a look at some of the treatment options available for diabetics.

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Insulin
Those with Type I diabetes will need to take insulin. This can be done in the form of a shot,
which the diabetic gives him or herself (except for small children, whose parents could give
the daily shots). Another option is an insulin pump, which is outside the body but attached by
a small tube. The diabetic enters what he or she eats into the pump, and the pump produces the
necessary insulin.
For Type II diabetics, insulin may or may not be necessary. If it is, there are some different
options for these diabetics. Inhaled or even oral insulin may be prescribed, or traditional shots
or "pens."
Medications
In addition to insulin, some diabetics take various medications. Some medications, like
Metformin, work by decreasing the glucose that the liver produces, which aids in the body's
response to insulin. Others, such as Glipizide and Glimepiride, increase the pancreas's own
insulin. This, of course, lowers blood sugar; but presumably it would only be effective if the
pancreas still worked somewhat.
Some newer medications are called DPP-4 inhibitors. These affect the pancreas both by
stimulating the secretion of insulin and by reducing the secretion of a hormone called
glucagon. Glucagon raises blood sugar.
Alternatives
Some natural substances have been considered for their ability to lower or stabilize blood
sugar. Chromium, a mineral that occurs naturally in whole sugar cane, may be low in people
with Type II diabetes. Chromium is said to stabilize blood sugar. Other minerals, herbs, and
foods that are said to help with blood sugar are:
* Stevia
* Magnesium (diabetics are often found to be deficient in this mineral)
* Essential fatty acids
* Cinnamon
* Ginseng
Acupuncture has also been explored as an alternative treatment for diabetes.
Diet and exercise are important for all diabetics, but these essentials are usually considered
"alternative treatments," probably because they do not directly involve drugs or conventional
therapy. But exercise and diet are important for keeping blood sugar regulated and maintaining
a healthy body weight.
Learn more about type diabetes II, click here.

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Article 8 : Types of Diabetes - Know the Difference
Many people know that there is a difference between Type I and Type II diabetes, but they
aren't sure just what those differences are. Others may not know that there are actually several
other types of diabetes in addition to Types I and II, and that there are diseases that may mimic
diabetes but are not the "real thing."
Here are some ideas and tips on how to know the difference between the various types of
diabetes.
Type I
Also called juvenile onset diabetes, Type I usually occurs in people under the age of 25. The
pancreas, often due to an autoimmune problem (the body attacks its own pancreatic cells)
becomes disabled and can no longer produce insulin. Type I tends to run in families and will
affect the person for the rest of his or her life. Insulin will be required and perhaps other
medications throughout the diabetic's life.
Type II
This type of diabetes usually occurs later in life. Its symptoms are similar to Type I - excessive
thirst, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, fatigue, tingling in the extremities, etc. -
but unlike Type I, Type II can often be managed with diet and exercise, especially if it's caught
early. Some sources note that it never really "goes away," but its severity varies.
Type II diabetics usually have a functioning pancreas; it just doesn't produce enough insulin,
or the insulin it does produce is not processed or recognized by the body (insulin resistance).
Diabetes Mellitus
The above types are both a form of diabetes mellitus. This is the form of the disease most
people think of when they hear the term "diabetes."
Diabetes Insipidus
This is a disease that many may not have heard of. While it shares the same first name and
even some of the symptoms (frequent urination and excessive thirst, for example), diabetes
insipidus is actually quite different from diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes insipidus is primarily a kidney disease, and is often connected to the pituitary gland.
This gland makes two hormones: one that stimulates the kidneys to make more urine (diuretic
hormone) and one that "shuts off" the production of urine (anti-diuretic hormone). In diabetes
insipidus, the kidneys either stop responding to this hormone or something goes wrong with
the pituitary gland so that the hormones are not secreted properly.
MODY
MODY, or Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, is often confused with Type I or II diabetes.
But it's neither one - sometimes it's called "Type 1.5." MODY is said to be caused by a single
mutated gene that can be passed on from parent to child. MODY itself has varying degrees of

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severity, with MODY 1 and 3 possibly requiring insulin, sometimes in the oral form only, and
MODY 2 not requiring any form of insulin.
Article 9 : What Causes Diabetes ?
hances are, you know someone with diabetes, or someone in your family has it. But what
causes it? How does a person develop the symptoms of diabetes?
There are basically two types of diabetes, Type I and Type II. These differ as to their cause
and treatment. Here are some ideas about what causes diabetes.
Type I
Type I diabetes is caused by a malfunctioning pancreas. What causes the pancreas to
malfunction differs from case to case. It tends to run in families, but some individuals have
developed diabetes in childhood when no one in their family has any history of the disease.
In some individuals, their own immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys its cells,
thereby rendering it useless. In others with Type I diabetes, an injury or pancreatic surgery
destroys the pancreas to the point that it can no longer produce insulin.
Type I diabetes has a different demographic than Type II. Children as young as 2 or as old as
22 can be diagnosed with Type I diabetes - hence the alternate name for Type I diabetes:
juvenile diabetes. However, older people can certainly develop Type I diabetes, especially if
there is injury to the pancreas.
Type II
Type II diabetes may have some hereditary factors, too, but not to the clear-cut degree that
Type I does. In Type II, the body becomes resistant to the insulin that the pancreas is still
producing. Or, Type II diabetics have a functioning pancreas but the organ does not produce
enough insulin. Older individuals and those who are overweight are considered more at risk
for developing Type II diabetes than those with a healthy body weight and lifestyle.
What Triggers It?
An auto-immune disorder might trigger Type I diabetes, as the body's immune system can
inexplicably attack the pancreas and destroy its cells. There might also be some other way that
the pancreas gets damaged, which is not age specific.
Type II diabetes may be triggered by unhealthy, sugar-rich diets and a sedentary lifestyle. The
pancreas may simply become exhausted trying to keep the blood sugar down in response to
the constant influx of sugar from the diet.
Other possibilities for triggers include high blood pressure and stress. While it's not directly
proven as a causal factor, individuals with high blood pressure are statistically more likely to
develop diabetes than those with normal blood pressure.
Stress as a causal factor has a similarly unproven status, but it is often thought by medical
professionals that prolonged, unrelieved stress increases the risk of diabetes. Sometimes the

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stress is caused by trauma or emotional disturbance, somehow making the individual
susceptible to developing diabetes.
Article 10 : Diabetes: What Is It and Who Gets It?
Diabetes is a significant problem in the developed world, and is especially prevalent among
certain ethnic groups. Yet many people are not really sure what diabetes is, who gets it, and
whether or not they are at risk.
The Basics
Diabetes means too much sugar in the blood. Its proper name is diabetes mellitus. The sugar
in the diabetic person's system also comes out in the urine, which diabetics produce a lot of -
the ancient Egyptians noticed that the urine of certain people attracted sugar-loving insects
like ants. The term "diabetes" comes from the Greek physician Arateus, and means "to siphon."
The term "mellitus" (meaning "honey sweet") came about in the late 1600s.
Diabetics need to take steps to control their blood sugar levels, something that is normally
done automatically within the body. How this is done and to what extent it is done depends on
the type of diabetes that is present.
Types
There are two basic types of diabetes. Type I diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, often
occurs in childhood. In this type of diabetes, the pancreatic cells are destroyed, either by the
body's own immune system or some external damage to the pancreas, such as injury or surgery.
Type I diabetics must inject insulin into their bodies since their pancreas no longer produces
insulin. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood and gets it into the body's cells where it can be
used.
Type II diabetes is far more common and tends to occur in adults. Generally, those with Type
II diabetes have a functioning pancreas; it just doesn't produce enough insulin, or the insulin
it produces is "ignored" by the body (insulin resistance). Type II diabetes can sometimes be
managed with diet and exercise, and insulin injections may or may not be necessary.
Who Gets Diabetes?
Type I diabetes tends to run in families. Type II diabetes can also run in families, and may
occur in at-risk individuals: those who are overweight, sedentary, over the age of 35, or had
gestational diabetes in the past. You cannot "catch" diabetes as it is not caused by a pathogen.
The prevalent opinion among medical professionals is that Type II diabetes can be prevented
or minimized through a healthy lifestyle. The theory goes that too much white flour products,
white sugar, corn syrup, and other refined sugars and grains cause the pancreas to become
exhausted or the body to resist the insulin that is produced.
Learn more about type diabetes II , click here.

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