Type 2 Diabetes – Know Your HbA1c ? Is It Under Control !

If you have Diabetes 2 , knowing your current HbA1c levels may save your life and limbs over the long run. The HbA1c screens for the current levels of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. It expresses the amount of glucose that your blood has encountered over the past six to eight weeks. Glycated hemoglobin develops when blood glucose attaches to hemoglobin. Evaluating this form of hemoglobin gives a precise depiction of how much glucose is in the blood. It is a test performed on a regular basis on diabetes patients to see what effect modifications in diet, exercise, and medications are having on their long-term glucose levels.

 

What do the results of the test indicate? A normal HbA1c test will come back with 6% or lower of glycated hemoglobin. Marginal results land between 6-7%. If your results are over 7%, your type 2 diabetes may not be in check. Every occassion you undergo a HbA1c, you need your count to go down or persist below the 6% mark. If your numbers begin to increase, your current diet, exercise, and medication regimen is not functioning and you may need to make modifications. If the numbers are substantially over the 7% mark, you are on the road for trouble very rapidly since the glucose levels are potentially doing damage all over the body.

 

How do the results of an HbA1c differ from your everyday glucose monitoring? Day-to-day monitoring indicates what your current glucose levels look like. It will establish spikes and falls in the amount within the blood after a meal or physical exertion. On the other hand, screening for HbA1c is not for day-to-day monitoring of blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes. HbA1c shows the average quantity of glucose in your blood for the past few weeks. It doesn’t display the day-to-day ups and downs.

 

How do you use HbA1c in keeping your type 2 diabetes under control? Since it quantifies the long-term levels of glucose in the blood, periodic screening will show if you have your glucose in check or not. For the best possible results, getting it down below 6% is best. Holding it under 7% will help hold up the onset of severe health complications. You and your doctor should have these tests done at least a few times a year to make sure your diabetes is under control. This will give you the information you need to make adjustments where necessary.

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This post was written by admin on July 5, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – WHO (World Health Organization) Says “Out Of Control”

The World Health Organization, also known as WHO, recognizes that type 2 diabetes is a spreading epidemic throughout the world. This unfortunate Type 2 Diabetes epidemic grows more and more every year and there seems no end to its growth. Diabetes is a chronic condition that happens in two ways: either the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t use insulin properly. In either case, the amount of blood glucose begins to rise. That rising level of glucose leads to a variety of symptoms that mark diabetes such as excessive urination and thirst. The worst part is that these symptoms come on gradually, almost silently.

 

As this diabetes epidemic spreads around the globe, developing countries as well as those already modern see increasing medical costs and the loss of people to disability and death. Costs run into the billions every year. It is also a drain on the work force when normally healthy people fall to this disease. People with type 2 diabetes have increased risks for heart disease and stroke. The terrible disease causes nerve damage and could lead to amputation in some Type 2 Diabetes|Diabetes 2|Type two Diabetes|Type II Diabetes|Diabetes Type 2] people. Blindness is a common consequence as well. Diabetics require more medical care and may die sooner than their healthy counterparts will.

 

The most ironic thing is that what seems to be improvements to diet and lifestyle are actually causing or kicking off this epidemic. So many communities and villages a generation ago lived just off what they grew and stored. So, if they had a bad food crop, the coming winter would be harsh. Today processed and packaged foods help get people through the winter months without worrying about running out of food. However, those same foods help bring on Diabetes. These foods contain less fiber and more sugars. They also help communities gain weight faster. All of this can lead to insulin resistance and the development of Type two diabetes.

 

The World Health Organization is working around the world to combat type 2 diabetes. The first step is education of the medical communities as well as the populations in developing nations. They also provide advice on standards for diabetes care around the world. They are working at the international level to promote awareness of this spreading scourge. They also monitor areas Diabetes 2 is developing and how fast the epidemic is increasing. All of this is in the hopes of slowing down and eventually stopping the spread of this silent killer. It means the life or death of millions around the world.

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This post was written by admin on June 25, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – Best High Fiber Foods

 

Adding high amounts of fiber to the diet is a good practice for those with type 2 diabetes. Fiber helps regulate how fast the body absorbs food. With diabetes, that makes regulating blood glucose levels, a bit easier. The body absorbs highly refined foods that have little or no fiber very quickly. When carbs hit the blood stream too quickly, it will then certainly spike blood glucose levels. In people with Diabetes 2, that can surely lead to big trouble is looming. For those attempting to regulate their Diabetes through a new diet regimen, fiber can be one of your new best addition.

 

What are the best high fiber foods to add to your diet if you have type 2 diabetes? Let’s look first at foods that contain grain. The more a grain is processed, the less fiber it will have. If one adds whole grain foods to your diet will boost your nutritional intake fiber intake very quickly. This means selecting brown rice instead of refined white rice. It means passing up dreaded white bread for the brilliant whole grain varieties. When in the pasta aisle, look for the boxes with whole grain pasta instead of white. Refined cereals usually contain more sugar than fiber. Select the cereals with at least 3-4 grams of fiber and less than that in sugar.

 

Other high fiber foods to add to your diet include raw or lightly cooked vegetables and fruits. Most vegetables are easy selections for the diet of someone with type 2 diabetes. Leafy greens and squash are excellent ones to start with. Both of these add fiber and a good deal of nutrients. The ones you need to use with caution are the starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, and peas. The same goes with most fruits. All of these contain sugars that can get blood glucose levels out of sync. Apples are good choices for diabetics since the pectin helps regulate insulin naturally and the pectin fiber is a good choice for hiking fiber intake.

 

Legumes fall into the good fiber category with a bit of caution. Beans bring great nutrition and fiber to the diet of anyone with type 2 diabetes. However, if used in large quantities, beans and peas can contribute to spikes in blood glucose levels. It is important with these foods to regulate how much you eat and when you eat it. That is true with most foods when dealing with diabetes. Everything in moderation keeps glucose levels in check.

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This post was written by admin on June 22, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – When To Measure Your Blood Sugar

 

Each patient with type 2 diabetes will have a different time schedule they need to measure their blood sugar. Did you know the first required step is learning how a person’s body with Type 2 Diabetes sees physical activity and meals. It requires building something known as a blood glucose profile. You take a blood sugar reading after regular activities such as eating breakfast, going for a morning walk, or taking an afternoon nap. After a few days, you will start to see a pattern emerge that shows what effects your blood sugar levels. For some it may be eating breakfast triggers a glucose spike. For some other sufferers with Type II Diabetes it could be that a morning walk triggers a dramatic drop in their blood sugar levels.

 

When should you measure your blood sugar levels? When someone with type 2 diabetes uses insulin, the general rule of thumb is to monitor blood glucose levels before every meal. For those using oral medications or managing it without medication, it’s okay to measure blood glucose less often. Many patients only do it once or twice a week or when needed. Healthcare experts advise most individuals with Diabetes Type 2 do for only one day measurements of blood sugar readings at least once a month to monitor for any abnormalities. If you feel unwell or feel your glucose levels may be off, take a glucose reading to see what the situation looks like.

 

Each person with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes will need to learn their own patterns. Once you have a blood profile and do a few readings, you will learn how things feel when blood sugar levels are too high or too low. The first signs of a spike or plummet will be physical symptoms. Once you recognize the symptoms, you will know when you need to take a measurement. The people normally around you also need to become aware of the signs. Sometimes a spike or plummet can come on quickly. Others may see external symptoms before you notice them.

 

You have a wide selection of monitoring tools available today. Many patients must select from a small set if their insurance (in the USA) is paying. However, the technologies have improved greatly over the past few years. A couple of decades ago you might have needed a large drop of blood. Now it only requires a speck of blood. Many monitors will store the results for several readings to allow you to review your recent history. Some may even hook up and download to your computer. Monitoring your blood sugar is a matter of good health and poor.

 

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This post was written by admin on June 19, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – What Is Insulin Resistance?

When you start getting information on Type 2 Diabetes you will frequently hear the term insulin resistance bandied about. What exactly does that term mean? This medical term refers to the decreased ability of some body cells to use insulin to convert blood glucose into glycogen. In a normal healthy situation, the human body turns the carbohydrates into glucose in the digestion process. That glucose travels through the body until a cell picks it up. The cell needs to turn the glucose into a form of energy it can burn, namely glycogen. That is where insulin comes in. The cell grabs insulin out of the blood and uses it to turn glucose into glycogen.

 

When insulin resistance develops, the cells of the body seem to ignore the insulin in the bloodglucose. Once the insulin levels drop, the amount of glucose begins to climb. That is when a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is likely. stream. They continue to send signals that they need the insulin. In response, the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas start overproducing insulin. This will help lower levels of glucose for the short term. However, over a long time period, an over production of insulin can have dire results. One is that the islets of Langerhans cannot keep up the pace of overproduction. This is likely from damage due to the overproduction of insulin or from the overconcentration of

 

Who is likely to develop insulin resistance? Excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle are major factors in developing this resistance. Genetics may also be a part of the picture as well. But, don’t be comforted if nobody in your family has Diabetes 2. Anyone, despite a clean family history, can develop type 2 diabetes if they carry too much weight or do not exercise enough. Insulin resistance develops without looking into your genetic history or familial background. In the past, this resistance developed more in older age. It is unfortunate that many more people are receiving a diagnosis of Diabetes 2 at younger ages. The most alarming is in children and teens.

 

Insulin resistance is reversible in many people before type 2 diabetes develops. It means making the right changes early enough to count. Exercise has a direct link with diminishing the condition. The greater you undertake exercise the less insulin resistance is likely to develop. Losing weight also helps reduce the resistance. These changes are the same pre-diabetics and diabetics need to make. They are smart ones for just about anyone else as well.

 

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This post was written by admin on June 18, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – Managing Risk !

 

How can you manage your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes? Many people face an increased risk developing this disease due to family history and lifestyle choices. If someone in your family develops the disease, you are much more likely to get this disease than the general population. Nevertheless, having a risk doesn’t mean you will always develop the disease. You can manage the risk with a few changes in your daily life. Just making a few changes can significantly reduce the chance you get the disease. This includes changes in diet, exercise, and weight.

 

The best diet for someone trying to manage their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is just about the same as the best diet for everyone else. It includes limiting the amounts of sweets and unhealthy fats in your diet. It includes adding more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. It includes adding whole grain and fiber as well. Choosing healthy fats over unhealthy fats is important. Most plant-based proteins provide healthy fats. Meat, poultry, and fish are usually guilty of having unhealthy fats. The good news is fiber is also ideal as it helps regulate how fast the body absorbs food and it gives a fuller feeling faster.

 

Exercise is important for managing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance appears to increase the more sedentary lifestyle you lead. That reverses when you increase the amount of physical activity in your life. Just adding 30 minutes once a day for five days a week will help you manage your risk. It will also help reverse any insulin resistance already in place. It helps combat heart disease and other conditions that those with diabetes face in higher numbers than the general population.

 

Exercise and diet changes will likely lead to losing any excess weight and maintaining an ideal weight. Many people can manage their risk by just losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of their body weight. Even that modest change can significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Another fact is that minimising a potential Diabetes 2 sufferer’s risk of developing the condition is making sure your medico is aware of the risk. Regular screening may detect rising glucose levels early. Your doctor can give you a heads up if you need to do more. Remember, Diabetes will come on silently at first. It is important to move now to manage your risk of developing it.

 

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This post was written by admin on June 12, 2010

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Type 2 Diabetes – Raw Foods Are Great !

Why are raw foods so great for those with type 2 diabetes? When you look at raw foods, you see them in their most natural forms. They contain higher amounts of fiber and essential nutrients in that state. As soon as you cook them, you lose a good deal of that fiber and nutrition. That fiber and nutrients are good tools in regulating your diabetes. Eating raw foods, helps regulate your glucose and insulin levels. They also contribute important vitamins and minerals to your diet. Introducing those, helps lower your chances of heart disease as well.

 

Some prescribe to eating a diet completely filled with raw foods. They will not cook anything. Quite a few with type 2 diabetes have tried that option. The results are a mixture with some having great results while others do not. Whether you choose to ultimately be a total raw foodie or just add more raw foods to your diet is something you need to follow up with your healthcare provider about. There are definite issues involved with switching to a completely raw diet. None is insurmountable. However, for those seriously trying to regulate their blood glucose levels at the same time, it can be challenging.

 

What sorts of raw foods make the most impact on those with type 2 diabetes? Adding raw non-starchy vegetables does top the list easily. These foods provide a good deal of nutritional value as well as good doses of fiber. Starchy vegetables are good additions also in moderation. The more starch is present in a vegetable the faster it will likely absorb into the body. This also applies with most fruit. It is accepted that the best approach to any of these is moderation and spacing portions out throughout the daily. Raw nuts and seeds are considered great additions as well. Keep an eye on the levels of fats they bring though.

 

Raw foods are usually better choices than cooked ones whether you have type 2 diabetes or not. Research, however, has shown that some vegetables release more nutrients when lightly cooked. These include things such as broccoli, carrots, and zucchini. Eating these raw is great, but maybe cooked is better in some cases. For most people, it is a matter of adding things into their existing diet to boost the nutrition or flavor profiles. For those with diabetes, it is a matter of keeping their glucose and insulin levels in check. That is a matter of life and death.

 

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This post was written by admin on June 9, 2010

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