HEALTHY NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS

Archive for May, 2009

Are You or a Family Member Suffering from Diabetes?

If you have a family history of diabetes, there is a great chance that you or your children may inherit the illness.

It is therefore a very good idea that you become very informed about the condition. The following are some of the things that people who are prone to diabetes should really consider:

• TYPE OF DIABETES – Experts say that the severity of diabetes can be determined through its types including:
  • type 1 diabetes – also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes which is an auto-immune type targeting the body’s immune system.
  • type 2 diabetes – which is the least common type and is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes.   This type of diabetes affects the amount of insulin produced in a person’s body.
  • gestational diabetes – which is common among women who are conceiving or pregnant is also a type 2 diabetes.

• SYMPTOMS – It’s a good idea to know the symptoms for each type of diabetes especially if you are at risk. Be sure to have regular checkups and speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have about your health
  • symptoms of type 1 diabetes – thirst, dryness of the mouth despite drinking lots of fluid, the urgent need to urinate more often, drastic weight loss even while eating fairly well, exhaustion or feeling of being weak or tired despite less workload, and blurring of vision in most occasions.
  • symptoms of type 2 diabetes - blurring of vision, wounds, sores, or cuts that takes a long time to heal, itchiness of skin in many parts of the body, frequent development of yeast infections, increased or onset thirst, drying of mouth, frequent urination, and mild to extreme leg pains.
  • symptoms of gestational diabetes – this type of diabetes has very similar symptoms as type 1 and 2, however they are short termed because the disease ends once the woman gives birth. However, people who have this type of diabetes should be more careful because it can lead to type 2 if not monitored and treated immediately.

To find out whether or not you suffer from diabetes you must be tested by your doctor. Although the symptoms can give you a hint as to whether or not you may suffer from diabetes, you cannot rely on this alone. Experts say the only way to confirm if one has diabetes or not is to get a test.

Here are some of the different types of tests giving to determine if a person has diabetes:

- a fasting plasma glucose test which, is considered to be the most preferred test for people with diabetes and requires a person to fast (go without eating for a specific amount of time) at least eight hours or ideally the night before the test to ensure that the blood sample that will be drawn and examined for glucose levels is accurate;
- a random blood glucose test which, unlike the fasting plasma glucose test, doesn’t require fasting but the blood samples should be drawn out immediately after the person has eaten or has drank something;

- an oral glucose tolerance test which requires the person to fast not less than 8 hours and prohibits the smoking of cigars and coffee drinking before drawing blood samples for the testing;

- a glucose challenge test is for women who are prone to gestational diabetes when they are pregnant;

- an impaired fasting glucose test which is considered a new diagnostic category for people with diabetes. Blood sugar levels from this test can determine the likeliness of the test taker becoming a diabetic.

Remember, although you may experience some of the above symptoms, the only way to determine if you have diabetes or not is have a test.  Be sure to have regular checkups and  communicate any concerns with your doctor.

And if you’re looking for Diabetes Supplements you can go to Diabetes Supplements

~To Your Health and Well Being.
Healthy Nutritional Production.

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