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The heartMonitron Nutrition Journal

The heartMonitron Heart and Diabetes Gazette

The heartMonitron Cholesterol Chronicles

The heartMonitron Weight Monitor

The hM Nutrition Journal covers the basics on nutrition, diet and recipes for health improvement

The hM Nutrition JOURNAL

The hM Nutrition
JOURNAL

The hM Gazette covers the basics on heart / cardiovascular health and diabetes care

The hM Chronicles cover the basics on cardiovascular health and cholesterol management

The hM Heart & Diabetes GAZETTE

The hM Cholesterol CHRONICLES

The hM Weight MONITOR

The hM Heart & Diabetes GAZETTE

The hM Cholesterol CHRONICLES

The hM Weight
MONITOR

The hM Monitor covers the basics on nutrition, diet, weight loss and weight control

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Contents of Article

>> 1 - The Symptoms of Diabetes

>> 2 - The Reasons, the physiology

>> 3 - What is Type 1 Diabetes?

>> 4 - What is Type 2 Diabetes?

>> 5 - What is Insulin Resistance?

>> 6 -What is IFG"

>> 7 - The Use of Insulin

>> 8 - Other Diabetes Medication

>> 10 - NUTRITION and Diabetes

>> 9 - What are the Complications

... on Page 2

>> 11 - References

"What is Diabetes?"... Continued from page 1.

8- DIABETES MEDICATION (Other than Insulin)

People with type 2 diabetes generally do not need insulin. However they must take medication to control their glycemia (blood glucose level) and to ward off the serious complications caused by long standing hyperglycemia.

There are a variety of drugs available, they have different actions. Depending on the class of medication they either:

• Stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas.
• Reduce the production of glucose in the liver,
• Increase cell sensitivity to the insulin already produced by the pancreas,
• Or slow down the absorption of sugars.

Your condition will determine which class to use.

Diabetes medication is generally classified as to the type of molecule responsible for the particular action it is known for. The classes and the brand names on the market are:

• The "Sulfonylureas", Known to diabetic patients as DIABETA, DIAMICRON or AMARYL. They work by stimulating the production of insulin in the pancreas. They are generally taken 30 minutes before a meal. Possible side effects include a drop in sugar levels (hypoglycemia),
• The "Meglitinides", known to diabetics as GlucoNorm or Starlix. They work by stimulating insulin production in the pancreas. They are taken 15 minutes before eating. Hypoglycemia is a possible side effect.
• The "Biguanides", better known to diabetics as GLUCOPHAGE. They decrease the production of glucose in the liver. They are taken with meals. Possible side effects may include diarrhea or nausea.
• The "Thiazolidinediones" or TZD for short. Known to diabetics as ACTOS and AVANDIA. They are of the sensitiser class, sensitising your cells to your insulin. Can be taken with a meal or between meals. May cause water retention as a side effect.
• The "Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors" known to the patients as : PRANDASE. They slow down the absorption of sugars. They are taken immediately at the start of a meal. Flatulence is a possible side effect.

The fact that there are so many options is a very good thing for the diabetic patient. If, by chance the patient experiences side effects, for instance, the alternatives are available.

9- WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS FROM DIABETES?

We have seen previously that persistently elevated blood sugar levels are detrimental to the health of many tissues. From a biochemical standpoint, many things can happen to glucose while it is travelling in the bloodstream for a long period of time. Those chemical reactions may produce harmful molecules or particles.
These in turn may and will most likely create damage. This is why unchecked diabetes is associated with such a number of serious complications.

When one asks "What is Diabetes?", the answer might as well be: diabetes is a disease that will produce other health problems, very severe diseases as time goes by if one does not control it. The complications associated with diabetes include some debilitating ones that can affect one's quality of life or life itself. The following list is not a complete list. A person may suffer from one or more complications. These unwanted outcomes may include:

• Cardiovascular complications : from coronary heart disease due to atherosclerosis - or hardening of the arteries- and all the way to acute coronary syndrome (heart attack, often fatal).
• Other vascular problems such as strokes, and peripheral artery disease. Eventually PAD may lead to amputation. Every year, 50% of all amputations in the United States involve diabetics.
• Nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy cover a wide range, from tingling of the fingers to impotence,
• Eye damage or diabetic retinopathy. May lead to blindness.
• Ketoacidosis, an imbalance of the chemicals in one's blood. Ketoacidosis may lead to diabetic coma.
• Complicated pregnancy.
• Prevent wounds from healing properly. Especially in the lower limbs, wounds may become ulcerated or even gangrenous. The limb may then require amputation. This is the reason why, for diabetics, foot care is of prime importance.

Given the serious nature of those complications, diabetes care should never be taken lightly.

10- NUTRITION AND DIABETES.

Stating that nutrition is important for good diabetes care is stating the obvious. Diabetes is the body's inability to process one of the main nutrients properly. Therefore what one eats, how much of it one eats, when and how often become crucial elements in the management of glycemia. Many diabetics ( type 2 ) can actually control their condition mostly through diet. Of course just wishing that one " generally ate well" is not enough. A good knowledge of diabetes care and nutrition basics is required. For that very purpose, we will publish, soon, a lengthy article solely on the nutrition basics relevant to diabetes.

Since nutrition is the corner stone of diabetes care (especially type 2 diabetes), we encourage you to do the following:

• Become knowledgeable about nutrition and learn what diabetes is about.
• Discuss with your MD or your RD -registered dietitian (dietician in the UK and Canada)- about your dietary plan. Do this under professional supervision. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat.
• If you were prescribed medication by your doctor, do NOT stop taking the medication. Even if you have read about a "miraculous and magic" diet that guarantees you can throw your medication away. These gimmicks may cause you more harm than good. Assume at all times that your MD or your RD knows best.

11- REFERENCES :

11. 1 - Prof. Arthur C. Guyton MD, "Textbook of Medical Physiology" , Saunders Publishing.
12. 2 - The American Heart Association - " The Risk Test ", americanheart.com,
13. 3 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Dr. Nancy Touchette PhD, "The Diabetes Problem Solver", AHA
14. 4 - Ahajournals, " Mechanisms of Insulin Resitance in Humans and..." , Ahajournals.org
15. 5 - AHA "The Heart of Diabetes" Americanheart.org
16. 6 - The Canadian Diabetes Association: "Type 2 Diabetes: The Basics"
17. 7 - "American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes" , Diabetes.org

Links to trustworthy sources of information to learn ... and know what diabetes is all about

The American Diabetes Association, "Complete Guide to Diabetes" (book)

The American Diabetes Association Association, "The Diabetes Problem solver" (book) , DR Nancy Touchette PhD

The Canadian Diabetes Association, "Type 2 Diabetes, The Basics"

Category :Medical Books and Guides Diabetes Care

Title:
"Diabetes A to Z"
Authors:
The American Diabetes Association

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Category : Cooking Software - Diabetes Care - Heart Health

"Cook'n for Diabetes"
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Author:
The American Diabetes Association

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Category Medical Books and Guides - Diabetes Care- Meal Planning

Category : Medical Books and Guides Diabetes Care - Nutrition and Food

American Medical Association Guide to Living with Diabetes: Preventing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes - Essential Information You and Your Family Need to Know By American Medical Association, Boyd E. Metzger MD

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Category : Cooking Software - Health Improvement - Recipes Management - Meal Planning

Title:
Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy
Authors: Warshaw
The American Diabetes Association

Disclosure:This ad space is sponsored by hM, the purchase of the above, contributes to keep hM going and keep membership free for everyone

Disclosure:This ad space is sponsored by hM, the purchase of the above, contributes to keep hM going and keep membership free for everyone

Disclosure:This ad space is sponsored by hM, the purchase of the above, contributes to keep hM going and keep membership free for everyone