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For most people the symptoms of diabetes do not seem very serious when they first experience them. In fact a great majority of diabetics go undiagnosed. There is an estimated 17 million diabetics in the United States alone and it is estimated that 5.9 million have yet to be diagnosed with this life threatening disease.

Many people may even express some sort of disbelief when they are diagnosed with diabetes. The diabetic symptoms can seem so minor that saying “I don’t feel any different” or ” I don’t feel sick” is a pretty standard response for many people newly diagnosed. Because the symptoms can seem rather minor when they first start they can be attributed to other conditions or problems. Unfortunately diabetes is a serious disease and is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States today.

According to the American Diabetes Association the most common symptoms of diabetes include:

1. Frequent urination - Caused by high blood glucose which increases blood flow to the kidneys.

2. Excessive thirst - Results from dehydration from the increased urinary output.

3. Extreme hunger - Because glucose is unable to get into the body’s cells from the lack of insulin the body suffers from an energy deficit, causing hunger.

4. Unusual weight loss - Despite eating more the body actually loses weight as it breaks down proteins and fats to make up for the perceived energy deficit.

5. Increased fatigue - Caused by the decrease in energy

6. Irritability

7. Blurry vision - Caused by the increased blood volume that causes a swelling of the lens of the eye.

It’s easy to see why these symptoms may be mistaken for something other than diabetes. There are many day to day conditions that could cause some of these symptoms. For instance the stress of everyday life can lead to fatigue or irritability and as can depression which can also cause weight loss. Any number of minor illnesses such as colds or the flu can also cause diabetes like symptoms.

As the diabetes gets progressively worse so will these symptoms. Another thing to keep in mind is that unlike symptoms associated with an illness or other problems in life these will not go away. If your experience any of these symptoms and they do not go away it is important to schedule a doctors appointment and discuss your symptoms with a physician.

The sooner diabetes is diagnosed the sooner preventative treatment can be undertaken. This is important because the longer it is left untreated the more damage it can do to the body and its organ systems. While there is no cure for diabetes it can be successfully managed with positive lifestyle changes.

To learn more about the symptoms and complications of diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.

Diabetes is a disease that if left untreated will lead to a wide range of complications involving a variety of bodily organs and systems. These complications are all very serious and can be crippling or deadly. For the diabetic the best way to prevent or minimize any disorder arising from their disease is through proper management of their disease. This is accomplished through lifestyle changes involving diet, exercise, medication and regular visits to the doctor.

The primary cause for many of these complications revolves around high blood glucose (sugar) levels and the damage that it causes.

1.Diabetic Retinopathy - This condition involves the retina of the eye. The capillaries of the retina undergo changes that lead to decreased blood flow, known as ischemia. This leads to the presence of exudates or fluid in the eye, “cotton wool” patches on the retina, and a build up of fibrous tissue. This will result in vision impairment and even blindness if the diabetes is not properly managed. There is also an increased risk of cataracts due to high levels of glucose in the lens of the eye.

2. Diabetic Ketoacidosis - This is primarily a condition that is specific to type 1 diabetes. It occurs when there is an insulin deficit and glucose can not enter the cells to be used for energy. The body responds by metabolizing fat and protein which causes blood pH to drop and the dropping of ketone bodies into the urine. This affects respirations, which can have a fruity smell, disrupts heart function, depresses the central nervous system, drops blood pressure, and a number of other symptoms which can lead to coma and death.

3. Diabetic Neuropathy - Neuropathy is a deterioration or loss of nerve function. It is caused primarily by a thickening of the blood vessels that supply the nerves with nutrients. The symptoms first start in the toes and feet and work their way up to the rest of the body.

4. Diabetic Nephropathy - A disorder of the kidneys, diabetic nephropathy affects about 20 to 40 percent of all diabetics. Although the exact cause is unknown it is believed that high glucose causes damage glomerulosclerosis which affects the filtering function of the kidneys. This disease is usually accompanied by high blood pressure which needs to be aggressively treated.

5. Diabetic Hypoglycemia - Also known as low blood sugar this condition is common in those who have type 1 diabetes. It will occur in type 2 diabetics who are taking oral hypoglycemic medications. The symptoms, which include dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness and in severe cases coma and death are a result of a lack of glucose needed for proper brain function.

6. Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease - Diabetes causes a variety of changes to the cardiovascular system of it sufferers including atherosclerosis, structural defects in the blood vessels and thickening of capillary basement membranes. All of this can lead an increased risk of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Diabetes is a disease that affects all ages and types of people. Its effects can be devastating if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. Left untreated it can cause serious health problems and even death. Everyone needs to be aware of this diseases and how some simple lifestyle changes can make the difference in the lives who suffer from diabetes.

To learn more about these complications and disorders of diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here

Diabetes is a common medical concern that millions of people live with. It can be controlled and treated so that the majority of individuals with diabetes are able to live a fairly normal life. There are three types of diabetes people are diagnosed with - type I, type II, and gestational. While each of the three types of diabetes is caused by the pancreas not being able to produce enough insulin, they do have several differences.

Type I diabetes often results in the immune system not working properly. This is the most severe type of diabetes because the individual is at a very high risk of getting illnesses such as pneumonia. There is also the risk of infections in the body, especially the extremities. Insulin has to be taken by individuals with type I diabetes. It is generally diagnosed during childhood or the teenage years.

Type II diabetes usually doesn’t cause too many issues for the body as long as the blood sugar is regulated. Both Type I and Type II diabetes are treated with a variety of methods including insulin, a proper diet, plenty of exercise, and working closely with doctors and dieticians. Type II diabetes generally is diagnosed in adulthood.

Gestational diabetes takes place only in pregnant women due to changes in the body that are taking place. It is very important for the woman to get prenatal care and eat properly throughout the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is known to be linked with low birth weight and premature labor.

If diabetes is not treated properly or it is so severe it can’t be controlled, it can result in a variety of health issues. It can lead to blindness and in some cases amputations of the arms or legs. Some individuals have to receive dialysis treatments several times a week due to their diabetes.

The sooner an individual is properly diagnosed with diabetes, the better chance they have of leading a normal life. The amount of insulin has to be adjusted to the individual so that they get enough to balance out the other body functions. Some common symptoms of diabetes that has not been diagnosed include frequent urination, constantly feeling thirsty, high blood pressure, and either weight loss or gain.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to contact a doctor. A screening for diabetes includes a simple blood test to check the glucose levels in the body. If it goes undetected, diabetes can cause a person to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other serious medical problem.

Article brought to you by the makers of diabetes management software: http://www.chirondata.com

Insulin resistance is now being understood to be a major contributor to the onset of diabetes. While we know that glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin tests can be used to detect diabetes type I or II, many in the general public did not realize that higher glucose levels over a long period of time can create insulin resistance, thus setting the stage for the more serious forms of diabetes in the future.

What causes insulin resistance? One can point to current dietary habits and lack of exercise as the main contributors.

The body’s cells need sugar in order to run their metabolic functions, from brain activity to running to the tasks of everyday living. Most of this sugar is presented to the cells through the bloodstream in the form of glucose. Glucose is produced by the liver from foods that are digested in the stomach and small intestine, and whose components end up in the liver for further processing. The liver produces enough glucose to power the then-needs of the body, while converting the rest of the sugars to fat for storage for later use.

The liver creates glucose from all food types, but is particularly stimulated by the carbohydrates, which are easier to convert to glucose with fewer byproducts (such as ketones, which are poisonous byproducts of the production of glucose from proteins).

Two general types of carbohydrates stimulate the liver in different ways: the ’simple’ carbohydrates are converted much faster, and create large amounts of glucose relatively quickly after ingestion. Simple carbohydrates include all the things that we love to eat, but are regarded as junk food by the general media: unrefined sugars, such as those found in soft drinks and in our cereals, flour, such as that found in white bread and fried foods, and sugar found in candies like chocolate bars and ‘energy bars,’ which are mainly sugars.

The ‘complex’ carbohydrates, on the other hand, are converted to glucose at a much slower rate, which means that there is less of a glucose peak after one eats complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates include whole-wheat bread, spaghetti and other forms of pasta, and starches found in legumes like beans and potatoes. These are ‘complex’ because the liver must perform a series of chemical transformations before converting to the end-product, glucose.

Insulin resistance is the result of too much glucose circulating in the bloodstream for too long a time. The high levels of glucose stimulate the pancreas (more specifically, the Islets of Langerhans) to produce more insulin. And more insulin circulating in the bloodstream means that the cells are ‘tired’ of the excess of hormonal signal, and develop a resistance to the chemical.

Simple carbs, consumed in too great a quantity, are clear causes of this insulin overproduction. The other factor which contributes is inactivity. That is, the less one exercises, the less the body is able to absorb the glucose which is produced in such high quantities by the liver.

If, for example, one eats too many simple carbs, but goes out and runs for an hour, much of the insulin messages are accepted by the cells, glucose levels are reduced and insulin resistance doesn’t occur.

Insulin resistance is therefore caused by two main factors: the types of food one eats, and the amount of exercise one does after eating. Both affect the level of insulin circulating in the bloodstream, and therefore can have an important influence over insulin resistance by the body’s cells.

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Insulin Resistance.

Recent research findings may offer some new hope to 20.8 million individuals in Dallas, Houston, elsewhere in Texas and throughout the rest of the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unfortunately unaware that they have the disease.

Researchers recently identified seven new genes connected to the most common form of diabetes. The findings, presented in three reports by university scientists and one by a private company, offer novel insights into the biology of a disease that affects 170 million people worldwide.

The reports bring the number of well-attested genes involved in adult-onset, or Type 2 diabetes up to 10, from the three known previously. The new genes do not immediately suggest any new therapy, but may point to a new biological basis for the disease, from which effective treatments could emerge in time.

DeCode Genetics, an Icelandic company responsible for one of the reports, has dominated the genetic-research field for the past five years. The other papers come from three academic consortia, led by Dr. David Altshuler of the Broad Institute, Michael Boehnke of the University of Michigan and Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford in England.

Several researchers said that the new diabetes studies, and a soon-to-be-released report on seven major diseases prepared by the Welcome Trust in London, were a turning point in the pursuit of the genes that underlie common diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and schizophrenia. The variant genes are common, but each makes only a small contribution to disease, rendering them hard to identify.

There is considerable overlap in the diabetes genes identified in the recent four reports, giving the authors confidence that at last their whole genome association method is producing reliable results.

Until recently, “there was no sense of progress” in tracking down the genes of diabetes or other common diseases, Dr. Altshuler said. The logjam started to break a year ago with DeCode’s report of its TCF7L2 gene, and the consistent findings reported by the academic centers “has to be acknowledged as substantial progress,” Dr. Altshuler said.

Dr. Boehnke agreed, saying, “It’s very exciting to have results in which we truly believe.” Up until now, he said, diabetes research has been what his professor warned would be “a geneticist’s nightmare.”

The importance of the new genes is that they point to previously unknown pathways involved in diabetes. Dr. Altshuler agreed with Dr. Stefansson’s view that DeCode’s TCF7L2 gene has the greatest effect on diabetes, but said the other genes provide new insights regardless of the size of their effects. “The fact that none of the genes found were on anyone’s radar screen shows how much there is to learn,” Dr. Altshuler said.

“I tip my hat to DeCode,” he said. “But the technology is now widely available,” and, in his view, the only barrier to other teams contributing to gene discovery would be if they dropped the high standards of statistical rigor developed by the three academic consortia.

Several of the new variant genes make the pancreatic beta cells produce less insulin, Dr. Altshuler said. That suggests that diabetes may start as a disease of too little insulin production, even though patients turn up in the doctor’s office making too much insulin, to which their tissues have become resistant.

The variant genes found so far account for only two to 20 percent of the overall risk of diabetes, implying there are many more to be found. The present genes are not sufficient to distinguish reliably between people at low- or high-risk for diabetes, Dr. Boehnke said.

By mapping the human genome, scientists are discovering which individuals are more prone to certain diseases and conditions. But genetics are just half the story - how you treat your body when you’re young will also certainly affect your health when you get older.

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

Insulin resistance appears to have a major effect on heart disease. Work at Stanford Medical Center, the University of Buffalo Medical Center, and other medical research facilities have pointed to the higher incidence of CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) amongst patients with insulin resistance. Congestive Heart Failure is a rapidly-growing healthcare problem in the United States, with over five and a half million people suffering from the consequences of an inefficient, enlarged heart. Many in later stages are unable to walk or even get out of bed.

CHF can come from many sources, but insulin resistance is an independent causative factor which does not depend on lack of exercise or obesity to cause its damage to the heart and circulatory system.

How does insulin resistance affect heart health? The answer is difficult, as it is tied to complex interactions between various hormone levels and the reaction of organs to chronically higher levels of insulin in the blood. Those who have insulin resistance tend to have other factors (or ‘co-morbidities’) which, taken on their own, also increase the dangers to the heart and circulatory system.

For example, patients with insulin resistance also have lower levels of HDL (high-density lipids), the ‘good’ cholesterol which is associated with fewer heart attacks, and higher levels of LDL (low-density lipids), which are associated with artery-clogging plaque. They also tend to have higher blood pressure, another heart risk factor.

What lies behind these greater co-morbidities, and resultant risk for patients? Androgen levels were found to be higher in patients with insulin resistance, and androgen is the male hormone that is associated with stress and increased heart disease. Just as estrogen seems to have some heart-helping qualities, androgen has some inhibitors to heart health, both by diminishing estrogen levels and increasing stress-related inflammation.

In addition to the hormonal effects, high insulin levels in the blood over a longer period of time can lead to breakdowns in organs, particularly those sites in the body where changes arteries and capillaries can result in food and oxygen starvation. Diabetics are generally known to have higher incidences of heart disease, but they are also much more likely to have problems with lower leg circulation (because the blood circulates particularly slowly in the legs), vision (because of the network of small capillaries in the eyes, which are subject to blockage) and peripheral vascular systems, such as kidneys and the carotid arteries.

Recent work in Canada points to the effect of insulin resistance on inflammation and associated plaque production. Plaque is implicated in a number of diseases, including that which causes ’silent’ heart attacks in individuals who seem healthy. The effect of insulin resistance on plaque formation could be a primary one, or a secondary effect from other hormonal and metabolic changes in the body related to cholesterol levels and inflammation.

The overall conclusion in early research is clear. Insulin resistance poses problems to the body directly, through influence of high levels of insulin to critical organs, and indirectly, through influence on the secretion of other hormones and inflammatory substances which can lead to heart disease. While many diabetic patients are insulin-resistant, and diabetic patients tend to have much higher rates of heart disease, insulin resistance in itself poses an increased risk of complications for patients.

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Insulin Resistance.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormone imbalance that occurs in women, and can often be mistaken for something else. Women who have it have high testosterone and high circulating insulin levels. Without diagnosis, women with PCOS risk infertility, persistent weight gain and, if left untreated for a long period of time, Type-II diabetes.

It’s estimated that over 50% of women with untreated PCOS contract Type-II diabetes before their fortieth birthday. Women with PCOS have a five to seven times higher incidence of heart attacks than women of childbearing age without the ailment. PCOS therefore poses an important danger to women, and should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

What causes PCOS? Simply put, PCOS represents multiple cysts on the ovaries. Cysts originate in follicles which should be producing oocytes (eggs) for reproduction. Because of a higher level of male hormones, these follicles do not fully mature, and instead remain as cysts in the ovaries. Since the follicles don’t mature, the ovaries put out less progesterone and are less likely to have their periods. With less estrogen and progesterone, a woman’s testosterone secretions increased and PCOS results.

These cysts are sources for testosterone, which counteract a woman’s natural estrogen level and lead to other problems. These problems can include excess facial hair, obesity and a diminished number of periods. Although all women secrete some level of male hormones, PCOS-afflicted women’s levels are much higher, which stimulates other symptoms. Other symptoms can include:

Acne
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Thinning hair or male-pattern baldness

In more severe cases, patches of brown spots at the elbows, breasts, knees and other points on the body (note: these are also symptoms of Type-II diabetes

In reviewing the symptoms, it is clear that many women with PCOS are at a heightened risk for heart and other circulatory diseases. Of all the symptoms, high and persistent insulin levels may be the most harmful to a woman’s health. This symptom causes blood vessels to constrict, and may lead to insulin-dependent diabetes in some cases if left untreated.

How does one treat PCOS? There is no one perfect therapy. Each woman’s case must be treated in a different way. Those women who suffer from severe symptoms should be given steroids to reduce acute problems. Over the longer term, many women are given one or more of the following:

Birth control drugs, in order to regularize their periods and counteract the increased production of male hormones

Anti-diabetes medicines, including glucophage and Avastin, to reduce the effects of higher levels of insulin being circulated in the bloodstream.

Fertility medications, both to stimulate normal female hormone production and, in the case of infertility, to stimulate a pregnancy. The two drugs most often prescribed are Clomid and mettformin if the Clomid is not enough.

In the case of reduced pituitary output, gonadotropins are also administered.

Anti-androgens, such as Minoxidil (topical) are administered in order to counteract the male hormones’ influence on hair loss. Their secondary effect is to reduce the overall effect of male hormones on the female body.

If these drugs are not enough, a woman with PCOS can undergo surgery to reduce the number of cysts in the ovaries. By “cyst drilling,” the surgeon can reduce the amount of male hormones and insulin secreted by the ovaries and improve the relative output of estrogen and progesterone. Although any surgery is potentially dangerous (particularly with obese patients), this is a relatively non-invasive procedure which can be performed using laparoscopic tools.

It is estimated that five to ten percent of women have PCOS. Women who have a family history, or are obese, are more likely to contract PCOS.

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, and PCOS.