Diabetic Live

Shoes And Socks For Diabetics: I know that it seems weird to have socks and shoes specifically for diabetes but they are very necessary. Some socks can help solve the very thing that many diabetics need their toes and feet amputated for. They can lessen in-shoe plantar pressure that has become a high-risk to diabetic patients. It has been said that high plantar pressure is a huge risk in the production of plantar ulcers in a diabetic neuropathic foot.

An examination was done providing the fact that diabetic socks reduced plantar foot pressures in a group of 19 diabetics who had Peripheral Neuropathy. Fifteen of those patients were male of at least 65 years old and showed no ulcers at the time of the study.

These socks consist of a double layer material that show a padded outer layer which cushions the feet and a low-friction fiber inner layer that help to reduce friction at the sock top layer. When in comparison with regular socks there is a major difference, normal Wal-mart socks have a maximum foot contact of 0.7 millimeters while special designed diabetic socks have 2.3 millimeters around the toe area.

Diabetes affect nearly 20 million people in the United States and nearly half those people do not even realize that they have it. It is chronic disease that can cause long-term damages all over your body such as your eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, feet, blood vessels and nerves. Over 15% of diabetic patients will develop some sort of skin ulcer on their feet which will cause pain and unnecessary agony to their daily life. Sad to say that over 20% of those people who have an ulcer will need to have their foot or toe amputated.

Sometimes a person with diabetes will find that their foot will swell more than twice the normal size of their foot. They will also experience some loss of nerve sensation which is called neuropathy. There are some ways that you can help take care of your feet when having diabetes. You need to first make sure that you are putting your feet into comfortable fitting shoes and socks. Making sure that you have proper fitting shoes and socks will stop the onset of both irritation and infections. You will also need to see a podiatrist who specializes in the care of feet. They can let you know of your condition of what can be done to ensure healthier feet.

When you look at your feet for ulcers which you should do daily when being a diabetic you will need to look for these signs to make sure you are not developing an ulcer on the foot.
Look for these conditions:

Color changes in your skin, swelling of the foot or ankle, open soars of any kind on the foot, elevation of the skin temperature, corns or calluses that show bleeding within the skin, cracks in the skin around the heel, ingrown and fungus infected toes.

Some samples of diabetic socks can be found all over the internet, on of them is called a DiaSox and generally costs about $13 for one pair. Even though they are fairly more expensive then regular socks I would have to say it would be worth the extra money to not loose your foot. This sock is made of 88% breathable cool-cotton yarn. It is helpful to those who have their feet or leg swollen up. It has a knit top that stay up so that there is no binding or marks left that can cause ulcers. Flat toe stitching for maximum comfort and can be worn by both genders. You can find them in size small through sixe XX and you can also find some with a large calf for the larger calf people. You can find them in both black and white.

Another sock you can find online is called the Therapeutic/comfort seam-free sock which generally costs up to $40. This sock is loved and offered by Podiatrists all over the world, they are seamless and designed to ensure a smooth fit that does not lie across pressure points. They are made from thin, strong yarn so that there is plenty of room in your shoe that won’t make the sock bunch up. The sock was designed to follow the shape of your foot from your toes to the tops of your leg.

There are certain things you can do help with your diabetes so that way it may never even affect your feet. You much always follow the diet plan that you have worked out with your doctor. You should stay active at least 30 minutes on most days, you can ask your doctor to provide activities that might be good for you. Always take the medication that is described to you. You’ll need to be sure to check your blood glucose every day. Check your feet for blisters, cuts, sores, redness, swelling or sore toenails. Floss and Brush your teeth daily. Don’t smoke, that is harmful in itself. Also control your blood sugar and cholesterol.

The two things from diabetes that can hurt your feet is nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage is caused by the damage that happens in the nerves of your legs and feet, sometimes a cut on your foot or leg will worsen because you can’t even feel that is there. Poor circulation happens when not enough blood flow is getting to your feet and legs. Be sure to do the following things to try and prevent any foot problems while having diabetes.

Feel the inside of your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no sharp edges sticking out. Wash your feet daily with warm water, but be sure the water is not to hot and never soak your feet and always dry them. Pay attention to your feet, when you are diabetic, this can be the number one way to say your feet. If you see any scraps, cuts, sores or blisters you need to start medical attention right away because it could eventually cause amputation. Sometimes your skin will feel over dry, you can try and rub lotion on your heels and the palm of your foot, but never put the lotion in between your toes. After taking a bath you can try using a pumice stone or file to get rid of those annoying corns and calluses. You should wear socks continuously even while you sleep to avoid blisters and sores. Always wear shoes that fit your feet well, never wear shoes that are smaller or larger then your feet because that can cause damage to your feet and toes. Cut your toenails once a week so they don’t have to chance to scratch you other toes or other foot.

These things do not insure a safe way to keep your feet from ever getting sores or blisters but they do help in trying to keep them safe. Once you have a blister you need to take very care of it and watch it to make sure it does not get any worse if it does get worse immediately see your doctor. Having diabetes is very hard and developing Neuropathy can make it that much harder, so take care of yourself and your feet.

The American Diabetes Association has one mission and that is to prevent and cure diabetes. While they work on that, they also are working on improving the lives of everyone who is affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is when your body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is the hormones that is used to change sugar, and starches into energy for your body’s cells. Today there are nearly 20.8 million people in the US, both adults and children that have diabetes. If you do the math you will see that it comes out to nearly 7% of our population. The American Diabetes Association wants to see this number drop down.

In order to see this number drop down, The American Diabetes Association not only helps those who have already been diagnosed, they also show ways that it can be prevented. They offer a diabetes risk test which will ask you questions concerning your weight, and whether or not you have a sibling or a parent who suffers from diabetes. They also show you how to prevent diabetes by eating healthy and exercising. They know that thirty minutes a day of moderate physical activity combined with a 5-10% weight loss can reduce the chance of diabetes nearly 85%.

More and more people today are starting to utilize what the American Diabetes Association has to offer. Last year alone nearly thirty five thousand people called the American Diabetes Association with questions, concerns and general support. This number not only included people who have been diagnosed with diabetes but also people who have a loved one who is recently been diagnosed.

Another plus about the American Diabetes Association is the amount of support they do for diabetes research. In 2006 they provided nearly 46.4 million dollars. They also offer research grant applications so that scientists and researches can continue to investigate every option regarding diabetes and the treatment and prevention of it.

For those of you who might be trying to lose weight to better manage your diabetes, they have a section for you also. You can visit a virtual cookbook and find hundreds of recipes that have been taken from their cookbooks. They give you the exchanges and the nutritional information right there on the recipe. They also give you healthy alternatives to juice drinks such as cranberry spritzer.

The American Diabetes Association also organizes many fundraisers. In fact, each year thousands of people participate in their events and fundraisers. You can find a community based program and also learn how to organize walks in your local area.

The American Diabetes Association is a live saver for so many people. You can educate yourself there on this disease and also talk to people who are either suffering from diabetes themselves or they have a loved one who is going through it. You can read about the latest break through in diabetes research.

When you join the American Diabetes Association you will receive support, and more importantly the American Diabetes Association Annual Resource Guide for Diabetes Supplies. This book will help you shop for diabetes products that you may need.

The American Diabetes Association wants to help squash out diabetes. They are the ones who give the many nameless diabetics a voice.

Published by diabetic live.

What Is Diabetes: Over 100 million people suffer from diabetes. It doesn’t matter your age, race or sexuality, diabetes can affect anyone. There are two types of diabetes. There is type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Both are due to problems with insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and if not enough insulin is produced, diabetes can form.

Type one diabetes which is also known as juvenile onset is when a person has a total lack of insulin. Insulin is needed to turn the body’s glucose into energy and for some currently unknown reason the pancreas in type 1 diabetes just does not produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. In fact, the insulin that the pancreas does produce is seen as the enemy by the body’s immune system. The immune system starts to create antibodies to fight the insulin. There is no prevention of this type of diabetes. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in childhood which is why it is sometimes called juvenile diabetes. Some symptoms include fast weight loss, and dehydration. Due to the fact that the body is not producing any insulin, the only way to treat type 1, is to manually administer insulin daily. Insulin moves the sugar from the blood stream.

Type 2 diabetes is the more common diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually develops by age 14, but type 2 usually happens later in life. Type 2 diabetes is when the body does not respond properly to insulin. Type 2 diabetes results in high blood sugar. This can and will starve your cells of energy and over time can cause problems with the eyes and kidneys.

Some symptoms of type 2 diabetes are increased fatigue. This is because the body is not able to convert the glucose into energy. Some sugar is moved out of the body but not as much as there would be if it were a normal working pancreas. People who suffer from type 2 diabetes also lose weight without even trying. Another common symptom of this form of diabetes is blurry vision and irritability. Most of the time, the treatment for type 2 diabetes could be exercise, diet, weight lose and some medication. Sometimes shots of insulin can be given to control the blood sugar level in the body. However most of the time the best way to treat and beat type 2 diabetes is with diet and exercise.

It has always been thought that type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when a person is young and that only adults could be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However more and more kids are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Could this be because of the fact that more and more children are obese? Most people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight and once they lose the weight, they find that their diabetes has gone away. Unfortunately with type 1 diabetes, there is no cure. Type 1 diabetics will have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: There is nothing harder in the world than watching our children suffer. Can you imagine if your child suffered from diabetes, specifically type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as juvenile diabetes because it is usually diagnosed by the time your child is fourteen. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the place for you to go to. It was founded by parents of children who have been diagnosed with diabetes and want to make a difference in this world.

In order to make a difference, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) knows that they have to make sure that everyone has a clear understanding about diabetes and what it is. There are a lot of misconceptions out there regarding type 1 diabetes.

For starters, taking insulin does not cure diabetes. Most people are under the assumption that taking insulin will cure diabetes is not true. Insulin only helps in the management of the disease. Another myth is that diabetes is caused by obesity and eating too much sugar. Obesity is defiantly a trigger for type 2 diabetes, but not for type 1 which is what the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is for. The myths it also dispels are that kids only get juvenile diabetes. More and more we are seeing people developing it at any age.

Next, the JDRF offers one on one support and suggestions from volunteers who have been there. This is not a organization where you or your child will be dealing with someone who has no experienced with diabetes. Here you and your child can learn how to manager their diabetes in school with some advice from parents who again have been there. You will also find useful information on how to travel with diabetes and go to college.

Going to college can be a real challenge for some. For probably most of their school aged lives, they have had you, their parents watching over them, or at least telling the school to watch over your carefully. At college your teen is on their one. JDFR will give you some tips on how to make the transition easier on you and you’re teen. Not only does it give you examples on how to tell their roommate that they suffer from type 1 diabetes. Perhaps most important is that it talks about the risks that come with drinking alcohol.

Type 1 diabetes can be very hard to deal with especially for kids. Not only do they have to deal with the normal “growing up” issues, but when you throw diabetes into the mix, it can make growing up even more challenging. JDRF can help you and your child deal with it. You can see that there are others like there that have lived with diabetes and went through everything that your child will go through. You will also find the latest news on research that is being done and any opportunities for clinical studies. Thanks to JDRF, there is no need for you and your child to go throw this alone.

Diabetics Looking At LASIK Surgery: Just because you have diabetes, it does not automatically mean you are not qualified to have LASIK surgery. Chances are you can but there are some things you need to consider before hand.

Keep in mind that the statistics show that almost half of the people with diabetes experienced complications after LASIK. The amount of people who experience complications and didn’t have diabetes is only 7%. Some of these problems you could experience if you have LASIK and diabetes is visual alterations due to changes in blood glucose control. A lot of research has shown that any major change in glucose levels can cause short-term changes in your vision. So as a result, it you have diabetes you might experience blurry vision. If you wear contacts or glasses, this is not a big deal. All you need to do to fix the problem is get a new pair of contacts or glasses. However when you are talking about the permanent changes after LASIK surgery you can’t do that. In order to avoid the blurry vision, you must have good control over your blood glucose both before and after your LASIK surgery.

You might also experience slower healing of your eye’s cornea after surgery. It is not uncommon to have some abnormalities in your cornea due to diabetes and these abnormalities can lead to slow healing after surgery. You may also experience some epithelial defections that can last a long time. You might also experience further damage to your retina also, especially if you have >diabetic retinopathy. Before you have the surgery make sure you are looked at by an ophthalmologist who specializes in retina disease if you have retinopathy.

Remember that during the LASIK surgery there will come a point when suction is applied to your eye. In some cases this suction causes increase pressure in the eye and it might be harmful for you if you have diabetes. Because of all this risks there are a few things you have to make sure you have taken care of before you will even qualify for LASIK.

First, you have to have your diabetes under good control. As stated before, when you have shifts in your glucose level, your vision gets a little blurry. If this happens after the surgery you have no way to correct it. You can not just get a new pair of glasses or a new pair of contacts. It is essential that you keep your glucose level under control. Next, you can not have any preexisting complications at all before the surgery. If you do, chances are you will not qualify for the surgery. If you meet both of those then you will need to go through an extensive thorough screening to make sure you can have a successful surgery.

Just because you have diabetes, it does not mean that you should not have LASIK surgery. You can, if you fit the criteria and are aware of the higher risk you may have versus someone who doesn’t have diabetes. Talk to your doctor and get their opinion and make sure you tell the surgeon that you are a diabetic. As long as you have no preexisting complications and keep your diabetes in check, there is no reason why you can not go on to have a successful LASIK experience.

Understanding Your Pancreas: Some people don’t give their pancreas a second thought. The pancreas is a complicated organ. Not only does it produce digestive enzymes which break down the food you eat it also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon. Insulin and glucagon’s main function is to control the sugar levels in your body. It is essential that your body produces the correct amount of insulin. Problems with you pancreas could lead to problems with your insulin production which can lead to diabetes.

Your pancreas has a small section that is made of cells that are known as islets of Langerhans. This is because these cells sit in tiny groups which look like small islands. The hormones that these cells produce are secreted right into the blood flow by four types of cells. The beta cells which make up of 65% of the Iselts of Langerhans produce Insulin and Amylin. The alpha cells which are about 20% of The Iselts Of langerhans release glucagons. The Delta cells which make up anywhere between 3-10% of the cells produce somatostian and the PP cells which make up 1% produce Pancreatic polypeptide.

Insulin and glucagon are perhaps two of the most important hormones that the pancreas produces. They work to regulate the amount of sugar in your body so that it stays in a healthy range.

After you eat food, the carbohydrates that you eat are broken down into glucose and passed into your bloodstream. Your pancreas takes notice of this rise in blood glucose and starts to secrete the insulin. The insulin takes the glucose out of the bloodstream and puts it into cells. Once it is in the cells, it is used as energy to fuel cells while they are doing their different jobs. The other thing that happens is that it is stored in the liver or muscle cells as glycogen. Once the glucose level in the blood starts dropping off, the pancreas will stop producing insulin.

Glucagon has the opposite effect to insulin. When you work out, your muscles are using glucose for fuel and your blood glucose level drops. Once this happens, your pancreas notices the drop and will slow down the production of insulin and increase the production of glucagon. Glucagon is going to break down the stored form of glucose that is in the liver. This stored form is called glycogen. Once the liver breaks it down and releases the stored glucose back into the blood stream, the pancreas will then stop producing glucagon.

Diabetes is a problem that occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced does not work right. Sometimes your body might not respond properly to insulin. What ever the cause might be, how the body reacts is the same. Your body is going to try and get rid of the high glucose level how ever it can.

This is why it is so important to take care of your pancreas and your diet. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to help prevent some forms of diabetes such as type II diabetes.

Using Insulin Pumps To Administer More Insulin: Insulin pumps emerged about two decades ago. However, they just became on the forefront in about half of that time. The insulin pumps are very convenient for diabetics who don’t want to deal with carrying syringes and needles. It also helps them to be flexible in their daily lives. They will still be able to maintain normal blood glucose levels. The pump is the key to administering more insulin when you need it without having to use a syringe and needle.

The pumps were first used by people who were diagnosed as Type 1 diabetics. This was assisting them to keep the glucose levels stable. It also assisted them in preventing recurrences of low blood glucose levels. If you are a Type 1 diabetic, it is imperative that your blood glucose level stay at a reasonable point. Hypoglycemia can set in, and can wreak havoc on you and others. When you use the insulin pump, it can regulate the insulin you use by administering more if it’s needed.

Type 1 diabetics are not the only ones using the pumps. Type 2 diabetics are using them as well. Even for them, using the pump is another way of administering more insulin without having to use a syringe and needle. With Type 2 diabetics, sometimes their blood glucose level can shoot through the roof. That can be just as bad as encountering low blood glucose levels, but on the opposite end of the spectrum. With the insulin pump, it can be used to administer more insulin if needed. This can help to keep the blood sugar at a reasonable level. The pump will allow you to have control of how much insulin you need to administer.

The pump is great to have because you are free to do more things. You can schedule more activities as long as you don’t go overboard. You can eat without having to constantly set aside time to use the syringe and needle. You have a better selection of what kind of foods you can eat, as long as their detrimental to your overall well being.

If you’re thinking about getting an insulin pump, check with your physician to see how it would work in your plans. You would have to learn how to administer the insulin. You would also have to know how much more insulin you’d have to pump into your system. You don’t want to pump more insulin than needed; on the other hand, you don’t want to pump less either. Once you learn the ropes, using the insulin pump will be a cinch.

Using the pump will help improve your lifestyle as well as your overall health outlook. You will have more time to do things.

Before you make a final decision, find out from your insurance carrier if the insulin pump will be fully covered or not. Also, if you need any assistance in regard using more insulin with the pump, consult your physician for additional help.

An insulin pump may be just the thing you need to get more insulin in your system and create more energy for you.

Ways To Increase Your Blood Sugars In An Emergency: There are a number of different ways in which you can increase your blood sugar in emergencies– they are widely available, and most are not difficult to use. However, it cannot be stressed too strongly that these measures are intended for emergency situations only– they are not meant to be a substitute for being responsible about monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it stable on a consistent basis.

Whether your blood sugar problem is due to diabetes or hypoglycemia, it is wise to discuss this subject with your physician when he diagnoses your condition. The reason for this is that each person’s system is different, and therefore responds differently; so your physician may wish to recommend which specific method you should use if such an emergency arises.

One popular method of increasing low blood sugar is by the use of glucose tablets. The reasons for this method being so popular include their convenience– glucose tablets can be easily and discreetly carried in a purse or pocket; the fact that they are simple to use; and also that there is nothing unpleasant about this product in terms of its taste or aroma. Most people also appreciate the fact that glucose tablets are quite inexpensive. You can find glucose tablets in round or square forms; they are available in orange and lemon flavors. Glucose tablets are sold in pharmacies, as well as some larger grocery and department stores. For on-the-spot blood sugar emergencies, they are a very beneficial product to have on hand.

While liquid glucose is not yet as popular as glucose tablets, its use is becoming more and more prominent. One important reason for this is that you can find liquid glucose which also contains other beneficial elements. Instead of being plain, pure glucose, it will provide you with the additional benefits from vitamins E and B-complex, and magnesium and chromium minerals. As these elements contribute to overall health, the combination makes using liquid glucose for stabilizing your blood sugar a positive choice.

Glucose shots are often used for increasing blood sugar when a person is too severely affected to be able to use other methods. One example is if the person is having difficulty swallowing, or is approaching unconsciousness. Although it should be obvious, glucose shots should not be given to anyone unless their use has been advised by a physician, as the concentration of this product can cause serious complications or even death. Only a physician can recommend whether glucose shots are safe for the individual patient. With the doctor’s recommendation, and used correctly, glucose shots can save a life.

In order to be on the safe side, discuss the ways to increase your low blood sugar with your physician before any emergencies occur. After he has completely assessed your condition, he will be in the best position to advise you as to which method you should have on hand in case you have any such emergency. It is important to keep in mind, however, that monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it as stable as possible is the best way to avoid emergencies.

What Is An A1C Test: If your physician has recommended that you have an A1c test, it may be the first time that you have ever heard this term and would like to know more about it before you have the test.

As diabetes is a very serious condition which has the potential to cause even more serious complications, keeping it “in check” by monitoring it on a regular basis is absolutely essential for the sake of your longterm health. An A1c test is a very positive aid in the process of monitoring the specifics of your diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, having an A1c test performed immediately is preferred. The reason for this is so that your physician can monitor whether or not any changes occur after the initial onset of your diagnosis. If he concludes that you should have this test on a regular basis, such as a number of times each year, this is to alert him to any changes, whether small or significant, so that he can proceed with whichever type of treatment he deems necessary in your specific circumstances.

An A1c test is a procedure to check and keep track of the glucose level in your blood by measuring your hemoglobin-A. This test is one of the surest methods of calculating the progress of your diabetes. While other testing methods, such as urine samples, can detect the presence of high blood sugar, the A1c test is much more comprehensive, thorough, and will provide much more accurate results in determining the overall state of your diabetes.

There are two methods of performing the A1c test; while the choice of which method is most appropriate is usually at the physician’s discretion, most physicians will consider your preference. In other words, some people may intensely dislike or fear the process of blood-drawing, while others do not have an issue with it at all. The A1c test may be performed by drawing blood from the arm, or by a needle-prick to a finger. Once the blood sample is collected, it is then analyzed for its hemoglobin concentration.

Although the A1c test is primarily used for patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is also a good idea for anyone who has pre-diabetes or hypoglycemia. If you fall into either of these categories, keeping track of your glucose level in this manner is a very positive way for your physician to determine, as early as possible, if your condition has changed or progressed into diabetes.

While the medical aspect of an A1c test may sound overwhelming, it need not be– a good way to look at it is that the best method of preventing serious complications from diabetes is with early and regular testing. This one minor test can help your physician to spot a change before it has the chance to become a serious problem, and then to be able to recommend the best treatment accordingly. The A1c test is an essential diagnostic tool which can help to keep you healthier!