The basic premise of the Atkins diet is to make the average Americans eat healthier than what they normally eat in their diet. The main intention is to strike a healthy balance between proteins and carbohydrates. This is of course totally different from what Americans consume in their normal diets. There is quite sadly a surfeit of processed foods being consumed in the nation which have sugars present in them in various forms and carbohydrates that are processed to a high degree. Quite unsurprisingly then, the rates of diabetes and related conditions are spiraling in America. This is regardless of the fact that diabetes worsens in stages and can be easily identified at its onset.

When we speak about diabetes, one factor to be taken into account is the glycemic index. This is an index of carbohydrates taking into account the reactions they produce with insulin. If a carbohydrate has a high glycemic index, it will release a lot of insulin for metabolizing the sugars (producing high glucose amounts). America consumes a lot of refined sugars which rank highly on the glycemic index.

When we are children, we can digest these carbohydrate foods easily, that is because the metabolism of the body is more efficient when the body is younger. Side-effects like weight gain and mood swings are too obscure in youth to be noticed to drastic levels. But as we advance in age, these effects make their presence felt in stronger ways. One clear-cut indicator of the side-effects happening with advancing age is the alarming rate at which Americans are becoming obese as they reach their middle age.

Obesity also causes insulin resistance. This is a dangerous situation, because when it happens, the person is not able to use the insulin for the proper elimination of glucose from the bloodstream. This also leads to excessive strain on the pancreas, due to which a lot of insulin might be discharged, sometimes scores of times of what the body actually needs. The obvious effect of this is the dipping of blood sugar to tragically low levels. The human body has a wonderful coordinating system, and that causes a surge of adrenaline release in the body to rectify this problem of low blood sugar.

As a person grows older, this relation between the blood sugar and insulin becomes more and more drastic. The hyperinsulinism, as it is called, is the precursor to type II diabetes. Symptoms of the condition are hypertension and high levels of fats in the body.

When people continue their high carbohydrate diets for a long time, they finally become diabetes. Insulin creates the fat in the body, and if the weight increases, it can lead to late onset diabetes. Diagnosis might reveal pre-diabetic conditions. These must be nipped in the bud, or they will lead to permanent and irrecoverable diabetes conditions.
The warning signs of incoming diabetes are easy to diagnose, though. They can be found out through an insulin test. When confirmed of a pre-diabetic condition, it is absolutely necessary to switch over to a low-carbohydrate diet like the Atkins diet. This helps to control the blood sugar immeasurably.

The Atkins diet contains a combination of essential carbohydrates with fats and proteins. They help to keep the body feel satiated and mitigate the frequent cravings for food. Also, reduced levels of carbohydrates will protect the body from the incessant insulin surges. The pancreas functioning remains normal and pre-diabetic conditions are avoided. The vicious cycle is cut off and the body blood sugar level remains at desirable levels. This is what the Atkins diet can do… it can protect you from the onslaught of a diabetic condition.

Diabetes is a condition that results when the human body fails to produce enough insulin or fails to make proper use of the insulin which is available. This situation will often result in problems because insulin is a rather essential hormone when it comes to the human body. Insulin performs many functions; it converts sugar, starches as well as other foods into the energy that we need in order to live and go about our daily chores. Diabetes is a big problem the world over; statistics have shown that over 20 million children and adults in the United States suffer from diabetes. Out of this number, over 6 million people are unaware of the fact that they have the condition.

What is the major cause of diabetes? Well, in reality no one knows the real cause of diabetes but there are a lot of factors which seem to contribute to the condition. The most common of all these factors is genetics. Obesity and lack of exercise, or a poor diet, are just some of the other factors which may lead to diabetes as well. Proof exists which supports the theory that lifestyle has a great impact on the likelihood of a person developing diabetes or not. Lifestyle can also have an immense impact on the rate of progress of your disease and how bad your symptoms are.

Different types of diabetes exist but there are two main classifications. Diabetes can either fall under a Type 1 or Type 2 classification. One condition known as gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women and usually goes away as soon as the baby has been delivered. Despite this, the chance that the woman will contract diabetes much later in life increases greatly if she has experienced gestational diabetes. If you suspect that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, your doctor can carry out some tests in order to ascertain if you are right. You will be given either a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). When you take the FPG, a reading between 100 and 125 mg/dl means you could have pre-diabetes. If you have a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher you are said to have diabetes.

In the OGTT test, you will need to fast and then drink a glucose-based drink. Two hours afterwards you will be tested. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, it is said you have pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, then you are said to have diabetes.

If the tests carried out on you prove that you have diabetes, the normal thing is for a doctor to order another test in order to verify and start you on a treatment plan. A large number of different treatment options exist for various people and these treatment options depend on the nature of the diabetes, the current state of health of the person involved, the severity of the disease as well as your past and present medical history. The sooner diabetes is detected and controlled, the better for the health of the person involved.

Different kinds of diabetes exist. The condition affects millions of people the world over. Current statistics show that there are millions of people who have diabetes and a large number of this population is unaware of the fact that they suffer from the disease. If anybody you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is only natural that you would want to learn as much as possible about the condition so that you can render some assistance in the treatment process. The first thing you will have to know is the kind of diabetes which the person is suffering from.
Four main kinds of diabetes exist and they are:

1. Type 1 Diabetes
2. Type 2 Diabetes
3. Gestational Diabetes
4. Pre-Diabetes

Just as they differ in nature, they also require different types of treatment, thus it is essential that you understand what exactly you are dealing with. When Type 1 Diabetes is involved, the problem is that the body fails to produce enough insulin. A lot of people who have diabetes are born with the Type 1 kind of diabetes and this is the sort of diabetes which affects children the most. Insulin allows glucose to enter into the body and fuel the cells which keep us alive and functioning properly. People, who have Type 1 Diabetes, fail to produce insulin and as a result will not be able to fuel the body properly. Statistics have shown that 5-10% of the people with diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes. Such people will need insulin shots in order to make up for what the body does not produce.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body fails to use insulin properly, this sort of diabetes is sometimes called insulin resistance and it can be combined with an insulin deficiency in the individual it affects. The bulk of people who have Type 2 diabetes tend to develop it at any time in their lives but it usually occurs in people who are middle aged and in much older people who are overweight and already have existing health problems.

The next type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, occurs in pregnant women. Statistics show that it can occur in 4% of pregnant women in the US- that’s around 135,000 people each year. Gestational diabetes only lasts for the duration of the pregnancy but having it can increase the mother’s chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

The last kind of diabetes is pre-diabetes and it is a condition which occurs when a persons glucose level is higher than normal but not necessarily high enough to result in full-blown diabetes. If left untreated, this condition eventually turns into Type 2 diabetes. Available statistics have shown that about 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes and a huge number of these people are unaware of their condition. In order to ensure that you are free from this condition, it is usually recommended that you take a test early and avoid the consequences of developing full-blown diabetes later in life.

Perhaps you suspect that someone close to you has diabetes. What exactly are the symptoms of diabetes? Can you detect diabetes early by recognizing some of these signs and symptoms? The longer the period which you have diabetes and you leave it untreated, the more harm that the disease is likely to cause to your body as well as the rest of your organs. If you catch it soon enough and you start to treat it with the right medical care, then it becomes much more possible for you to reverse the damage it has caused, stop progression of the disease and engage in some positive treatment of the symptoms which you already exhibit.

As soon as you know what exactly the symptoms of diabetes are, you can easily look out for the signs of it in yourself or in someone you know and seek out treatment from a doctor. Something else that you should do is find out the probability that you have of developing diabetes. If you are a medium to high risk case then you should ensure that you have regular medical checkups and familiarize yourself with the warning signs which may indicate the onset of diabetes.

At certain times, the symptoms are instant and pronounced and they may occur all at once. At other times these symptoms are not noticed and they creep in slowly on you before full taking effect. A lot of people don’t pay attention to the warning signs until it is way too late. If you know the symptoms to expect then at least you can be on the lookout.
Some symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Tingling in your hands and feet
• Very dry skin

One reason that diabetes often goes unnoticed in people who have it is that these symptoms can often be signs of something else. It’s also common for the signs and symptoms to come on very slowly and in such a small way that you are not sure they are related or even that they are anything important at all. Most people wait until their diabetes has progressed to a more serious state before seeking help from a medical professional. Often by this point, their diabetes has already worsened and progressed to the next stage.

The signs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are mostly of the same nature because both types of diabetes lead to the body not getting the right amount of insulin that it needs. The body and cells tend to react the same way to the lack of insulin regardless of the reason they do not possess it. Symptoms of gestational diabetes are almost the same as well but there is a tendency of many women to blame the symptoms of their condition on their pregnancy and they may be unaware that something else is wrong. Gestational diabetes can be very dangerous where babies are concerned and it should be treated with immediate effect.

If you have any of the various signs and symptoms listed in this article and you suspect that you have diabetes of any kind, you should seek out the help as well as the opinions of qualified medical professionals immediately. You should always remember the importance of getting your diabetes treated as soon as you possibly can.

Type 1 Diabetes is also known as Juvenile Diabetes due to the fact that it tends to occur mostly in children. Type 2 Diabetes is rather different because it tends to occur later in life, Juvenile Diabetes usually accounts for 5- 10% of the cases which are recorded every year. Certain children may show signs of Juvenile Diabetes after they are born while it takes a long amount of time to develop in others. Children tend to become sick from a lot of other things so it is difficult to know whether diabetes is the main cause of their health problems until they usually become very ill.

One of the most essential steps which is involved in treating Childhood/Juvenile Diabetes properly is to recognize the symptoms early. If you catch these symptoms early, you could get help quickly for your child and save them from a lot of harm. The sooner the signs and symptoms are noted and reported to a doctor, the sooner your child can get a diagnosis and get some treatment for their diabetes. This treatment can also aid in reducing some of the damage which the diabetes has already caused, this treatment can also prevent death and severe damage to bodily organs which come from not treating diabetes early enough and ultimately this could help your child lead a much more normal life.

Here are some of the warning signs of Childhood/Juvenile Diabetes:
• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Sudden vision changes
• Increased appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Excessive drowsiness/lethargy
• Sugar in urine
• Fruity, sweet or wine-like odor on the breath
• Heavy and labored breathing
• Stupor, unconsciousness (typically in extreme cases)

If your child happens to have one or more of these symptoms listed above, it is quite possible that they could already have Type 1 Diabetes. It is essential that you get in touch with your doctors right away for proper testing in order to determine whether this is the case. You should never attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat juvenile diabetes. Every case and child is a different one so it is essential that you get a medical professional to assist you with it.

Juvenile Diabetes may be commonly misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed due to the fact that the symptoms are usually similar to other conditions such as the flu. A lot of people with Juvenile Diabetes tend to get diagnosed before they turn 30. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and the treatment of the condition starts, the more which can be done to prevent much more serious problems and even death from occurring.
With studies showing that 35 or more children are diagnosed with diabetes on a daily basis and an excess of 13,000 each year, some attention has to be paid to the issue. Because no known cure exists for diabetes, it is essential to attempt to resolve the condition before it leads to damage that cannot be resolved. If you know the warning signs and you do something about your diabetes early enough, it can help you save your child’s life.

A pregnant woman is a witness to the many changes which take place in her body during a pregnancy. Hormones tend to have different modes of operation and this can easily hamper the way that the body manages and produces its own store of insulin as well as a number of other hormones. Gestational diabetes is usually the term for diabetes which occurs during periods of pregnancy and usually the only way to cure such diabetes is to give birth to the baby. As soon as the baby has been born, most women usually notice that their diabetes disappears, although it tends to put them at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life. It is common for gestational diabetes to affect about 4% of all pregnant women and it is typical for doctors to test for it in women who are receiving prenatal care. The reason for this is that early detection and treatment are essential to the life of the baby as well as the well-being of the mother. Testing for gestational diabetes usually occurs around the 28 week mark of the pregnancy.

It is normal for the doctor to order glucose testing in order to determine whether the woman has an abnormally high level of glucose. The tests will usually involve ingesting a glucose based liquid in the doctor’s office and then waiting an hour in order to get your Blood Glucose Level tested. If your Blood Glucose Level is normal, you may have nothing to worry about, if your Blood Glucose Level is high on the other hand, your doctor may request more tests in order to confirm. A 2 hours Blood Glucose Test is available but if you scored rather high on the 1 hour test, your doctor may skip this and go straight to the more advanced blood tests. Something else such as the 4 hour Glucose Blood Tests will require that you drink more of the glucose based liquid and have your blood drawn every hour for 4 hours.

As soon as the test is complete and the lab has sent your test results to the doctor, the doctor will then inform you whether your score is high enough for you to be considered as someone who has gestational diabetes. Certain pregnant women are usually at a higher risk than other people for example those people who have a family history of diabetes, people who are overweight or people who have had multiple pregnancies previously. In certain cases of gestational diabetes, the signs and symptoms will occur before the 28 week mark and before the doctor has requested routine testing for glucose. As soon as you are aware of these signs, you can easily look out for yourself and then discuss with your doctor such a discussion is needed.

What are the signs of Gestational diabetes and what can be done if it is found that you have it? In many cases, there are no signs at all but when there are, here are some of what you may notice:
1. Extreme and excessive hunger and thirst.
2. Excessive weight gain or even unexplained weight loss during pregnancy.
3. Recurring vaginal yeast infections.
4. Excessive urination.

If it is actually determined that you have gestational diabetes, your doctor will then discuss with you in order to find the right treatment plan. Some people may be overweight but pregnancy is not the right period to think about a diet. You can start a safe and healthy exercise plan and adjust your diet to one which is much healthier. In certain cases you will also need to administer insulin shots yourself but a lot of women are able to stop this as soon as their baby is born and their blood glucose levels return to normal.

If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or at least if someone close to you has, then you’ll probably be aware of certain lifestyle changes that need to happen. Regardless of the nature of diabetes that you have, your diet will play a rather prominent role when it comes to your health and the progression of your diabetes.

As soon as you have understood how your diet affects your diabetes, it will be possible for you to create a healthy eating plan designed at assisting you with controlling your blood sugar and living a healthier life. As soon as you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will be able to offer some assistance by discussing about the best diet plan for you. You can also create a plan that you will have the ability to adhere to. Alternatively you can also change bad eating habits that can make your diabetes condition a lot worse than what it is now. It is also essential for you to try and keep your weight within a healthy range, being overweight can easily make your diabetes condition worse.

The first thing that you want to do is to plan your meals ahead of time. What this does is that it makes it easier to adhere to a healthy eating plan; you should establish a plan for what you will eat on daily basis. Eating small meals several times daily is a lot better than taking only 1 or 2 large meals, you should plan your meals only when you go shopping, then it will be a lot easier to maintain a healthy routine and you will be less tempted to eat food which is not healthy for your diabetic condition.

The next thing you will need to do is focus on what you are actually eating. You will want to reduce the carbohydrates in your diet. You will want to count carbohydrates in the foods you eat to help reduce the daily intake and also try to stick with healthier complex carbohydrates if you must eat them. Using the glycemic index can help you learn to manage your carbohydrate intake.

Being consistent and having some degree of variety are all equally important when it comes to your diet. Eating the same foods all the time is not only boring and makes you less likely to want to eat good foods, but it also makes your body adjusted to a certain type of food and you can develop food allergies and sometimes not get the same benefit from the food. It is essential to eat an appropriate balance of good foods in your daily diet in order for your body to benefit from all the needed nutrients.

The right diabetes diet can help with maintenance of energy levels, reduction of various diabetic symptoms and the regulation of your blood sugar level within a reasonable and acceptable range. Making a few essential changes to your diet can improve your life in many aspects and this does not involve diabetes alone.

Has anyone in your family recently been diagnosed with diabetes? When a person discovers that they have diabetes, it can be a very frightening experience indeed. It also requires a lot of lifestyle changes which are to be made if the person involved wants to live a normal and healthy life. Millions of people are diagnosed annually with some form of diabetes or the other and though no cure currently exists for the disease, a lot of available treatment options can help with the condition.

Anyone who is first diagnosed with diabetes will often experience shock when they are told of their condition, after this they may also be frightened and confused. The treatment plan involved may also require them to make changes which are usually difficult for a lot of people, these changes may include changing the way you eat or the way you exercise. You can do a number of things to help someone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, that way the person doesn’t feel they are experiencing the condition alone. Your support can make a huge impact when it comes to their treatment, recovery and future health issues.

What are some ways that you can help a family member with diabetes? Here are some tips to help you help them:
1. Learn all you can about diabetes and about the type that they have.
2. Know what your loved one’s diabetes health plan includes.
3. Help your loved one make healthy decisions (such as diet and exercise).
4. Change your own eating habits to help your family member and to show your support.
5. Try not to be forceful with your opinions or give advice that wasn’t asked for.
6. Know that your loved one may become angry or frustrated at times.
7. Attended family member support groups.
8. Help your loved one find diabetes support groups.
9. Provide a ride or support to doctor’s appointments and testing.
10. Provide emotional support.

All of the listed ways are means through which you can be supportive and helpful to a family member who has been diagnosed with diabetes. Occasionally you will feel the urge to jump right in and tell them what to do but you should remember that it is a very sensitive and trying time for that member of your family. Your helpfulness and concern may be misconstrued as bossiness so you have to be gentle. You should ensure that they want your help before you decide to step in and take control of the situation.

You should also be patient, caring and available when that member of your family needs you. When they need time alone in order to do things for themselves, you should be able to let go as well. Over time they will adjust properly to the changes in their lives and they will be able to cope with their diabetic conditions without much hassle. Diabetes is hardly the end of the road for anyone, but when most people are diagnosed with the condition, they may feel this way; your actions will help them see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyone who has diabetes will be required to take certain medications in order to help treat their symptoms and manage their blood glucose levels as well. Type 1 Diabetes requires insulin and so do other types of diabetes as well. Type 2 Diabetes may require an extensive amount of oral medications some of which are listed below:

• Sulfonylureas
• Biguanides
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
• Meglitinides

It all depends on the kind of oral medication that is prescribed for you; any medication will work to manage your diabetes in a variety of ways. What Sulfonylureas do is that they force your pancreas to create more insulin and lower your blood sugar at the same time. This medication will not function unless your pancreas makes some insulin, if your pancreas has stopped making insulin completely, then this won’t help you. All you have to do is take these medications once on a daily basis and they will work their magic for you. The doctor will advise you on the best time of the day to take your medication. Common side effects of the drug include:

• low blood sugar
• an upset stomach
• skin rash or itching
• weight gain

Biguanides are medications which function by ensuring your liver does not produce an excessive amount of sugar which may lead to diabetes. These drugs should be taking 2 to 3 times weekly as instructed by your doctor. A number of side effects may be experienced when using this medication, most especially if you’re the sort that drinks alcohol on a regular basis. This medication isn’t for everybody and your doctor will give you advice on whether it is suitable in your own case.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by blocking the enzymes which digest starches in the food you consume. These drugs are to be taken 3 times daily along with meals. Its side effects may include stomach problems such as gas and bloating.

Meglitinides are fairly new types of medications that work by helping your pancreas make more insulin right after you eat a meal. These drugs are rather fast acting and your body tends to use them up quickly after your meal, they may result in weight gain as well as low blood sugar.

Oral medications tend to work their magic most for people who have Type 2 diabetes and who have had high blood glucose for less than a decade. It is also excellent for people who have normal weight. A number of people find out that when they have been taking oral medications for some years, such medications may cease to be effective. Switching to another brand of medication will usually help and at other times, the need for insulin may also arise.

As long as you take your medications properly and as has been instructed by your doctor together with a healthy diet and exercise plan, these medications will work better and you can defer the need to start taking insulin. If you have any questions about your medications and how they are to be taken, you should ask your doctor immediately.

Type 1 Diabetes is often usually referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, the reason for this is that most people are typically diagnosed to have been born with it or they get their diagnosis before their 30th birthdays. It is unlike most other diabetic conditions which you develop later in life. Type 1 Diabetes usually occurs due to the failure of the body to produce enough insulin as required. People who have Type 1 Diabetes will usually have to give themselves insulin injections in order to make up for the insulin their bodies do not produce.

A lot of people, especially children, tend to go for long periods with undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes and lacking the proper treatment early, such diabetes may start to cause permanent damage to the entire body. The longer the period you spend with untreated diabetes, the more problems you are likely to have and the more severe the condition may become. This is why it is essential to seek treatment as soon as you notice that you have symptoms of diabetes.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, you don’t necessarily have to let it rule your life, a lot of treatment options exist and though no cure for the condition exists, you can learn to maintain a healthy life with diabetes.
Some important things should be kept in mind if you have Type 1 Diabetes. One of these things is that people who have Type 1 Diabetes are more susceptible to other diseases and conditions. Being sick usually tends to affect such people with more severity than others. For example, if you get the flu, you tend to suffer more than a healthy person would; it is essential that you get the flu shot and remain as healthy as possible in order to prevent other conditions like this from happening. You also need to take extra care when traveling.

Unfortunately some people with Type 1 Diabetes also have to deal with emotional strains that this disease causes such as:
• anger
• depression
• denial

These emotions are very common for someone with Type 1 Diabetes. You may feel angry that you have this condition or depressed that you cannot live a “normal” life. It is very common for people to feel denial about their situation and not want to take treatment or face the truth about their condition. It’s important to understand that it’s normal to feel this way and that you are not alone. There are also support groups that can help you learn to manage these feelings and emotions that come with Type 1 diabetes.

Anyone with Type 1 Diabetes has to be prepared for a wide range of emergencies. You need insulin as well as various tools and supplies which will help you appropriate this insulin. You should always ensure that you have enough on you at all times. When you are travelling or if you are going to stay in an area likely to have poor weather or any other conditions which keep you out of touch with normal society, it is very essential to keep enough supplies on you to ensure that you do not run out of the needed items.

Any child with Type 1 Diabetes will need help for his/her parents in order to understand how to properly cope with their condition, eat and live healthily and administer insulin to themselves as required.