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January 6, 2007 22:56 - What Is Diabetes Type 2 - Your Question Answered

By Michael Kohler

A common question that is asked today in our ever-increasing insulin deficient society is what exactly is type 2 diabetes. The long answer to this question is that it is a chronic endocrine disorder characterized by the inability to properly utilize sugar, specifically glucose, a simple carbohydrate. Unfortunately, this results in excessively high glucose levels in the blood which can be toxic due to the body's inability to produce enough insulin. So what is the short answer to what is diabetes type 2? Very simply it is the body's inability to produce enough insulin to rid the bloodstream of excessive amounts of glucose. Here are a few tips on how to help yourself if you have type 2 diabetes.

There are a few problems associated directly and indirectly with those that have diabetes type 2. Patients having type 1 or type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar levels and this condition can lead to severe complications like kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. Children and young adults are increasingly being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is mainly known as adult-onset diabetes. Also studies show that one third of the children born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes and this also leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, and undermines the brains to work correctly.

So if your body isn't making enough insulin or using it correctly to help this fueling process, and sugar starts to get backed up in your blood, diabetes mellitus could start the pancreas on the road to complete failure unless beta cells in the pancreas can be provoked to release insulin into the bloodstream. If this is possible, the failure of the pancreas can be averted and perhaps the pancreas will once again be able to regulate blood sugar levels.

If you are currently suffering from diabetes type 2, carry a sealed pack containing hard candies or glucose tablets in case irregular eating makes your blood sugar drop too low. Although these symptoms are very similar to people that suffer from hypoglycemia, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure that the treatment that you are on is for the disease that you are suffering from.

When you call your doctors' office for an appointment, be sure to tell them you are experiencing possible diabetes or hypoglycemia symptoms.Sometimes there are similar symptoms such as blurred vision, but often you won't know which disease you are suffering from until you get a proper diagnosis from your doctor.

In conclusion, you have learned the answer to "what is diabetes type 2". It is now up to you to go to the doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to get a proper diagnosis and proper treatment for your condition. The thought of getting a disease such as diabetes can be worrisome, but it helps to be aware of what diabetes symptoms are and be able to recognize them early enough to get the help you will need to get the disease under control.

For more information on the popular question what is diabetes type 2, please visit: http://www.diabetessupplydirectory.com

December 5, 2006 01:47 - Seven Ways to Avoid Diabetes

By Jeremy Parker

Diabetes is a disease that strikes more and more people every year, and the increase seems to only continue. This disease can lead to severe complications such as heart problems, kidney trouble, blindness, and amputation of limbs.

There is some thought that diabetes is genetic and that we may be born with a tendency for this disease. It is well known that it runs in families and women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at risk as well. Can we prevent or delay the onset of diabetes? Yes, here are some simple ways to allow you to avoid or delay this disease.

1. Eat healthy and wisely. Eating smaller portions is a great way to lose weight. You can make it look like more by using a smaller plate or a salad plate. Avoid snacking while you are cooking. Don’t be tempted to eat the unfinished food to keep from throwing it away or storing it in the refrigerator. Eat breakfast every day, and make your meal and snack times regular by having them at the same time each day.
   
   
2. Limit your meat, poultry, and fish intake to no more than three ounces a day. In size, this is equal to about the size of a pack of cards. Another good tip is to listen to music instead of watching TV while you are eating. If you are watching TV while you are eating, you are not aware of how much you are eating and will almost always overeat.
   
   
3. Skip desserts and refined sugars. When eating out, have a good-sized vegetable salad to take the edge off your appetite. When you receive your entrée, share it with your dinner companion, or ask for a take-home box immediately after receiving your meal. Have meals that have been stir fried or baked.
   
   
4. Use low-salt broth instead of oil and butter.
   
   
5. Drinking a full glass of water before eating will also help reduce your appetite.
   
   
6. If you are eating at a fast-food restaurant, choose the healthier foods, such as grilled chicken, salads and fruits.
   
   
7. Increase your exercise. Next to diet, exercise is vital to a healthy body especially for diabetics. If nothing else, try walking every day or swimming at your local club. Taking walks is a nice way to keep up with your friends and an enjoyable, healthy way to take a break from work related stress. If possible, avoid the elevator and take the stairs as much as you can. You can try to march in place if you cannot get outside for some reason.

All of these activities can help you prevent the onset of diabetes and all can improve your overall health levels. Try them!

For more information and resources on type 1 Diabetes, type 2 Diabetes, symptoms, diet and solutions visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on Diabetes.

November 3, 2006 20:27 - Losing Weight After Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery

By Donald Saunders

The secret to weight loss following adjustable gastric band surgery lies in no small part with the skill of the surgeon in placing the band correctly in the first place and then with his skill in adjusting the fill of the band in the weeks following surgery.

In many cases the band will not be filled at all during adjustable gastric band surgery to allow for normal post-operative swelling of the stomach, or will be given only a minimal fill, depending upon the preference of the individual surgeon. This means that, initially, there is relatively little restriction on the passage of food between the two sections of the stomach and some patients are surprised to find that they can eat fairly large portions.

The role of the surgeon post-operatively is to gradually inflate the inner lining of the band until the point is reached at which the restriction on food intake creates the maximum weight loss, while still allowing enough food to be eaten to meet the body’s need for water and nutrition.

In many cases the starting point is to assess the placement of the band (as well as the associated access port and connecting tube) to determine the initial level of restriction and to see whether or not there are potential concerns such as an enlarged pouch, a prolapse of the stomach or dilation of the esophagus. This investigation is normally carried out using a fluoroscope. This is a relatively simple form of x-ray investigation in which the patient is given a small quantity of liquid to drink and the radiologist then records a series of x-ray pictures as the liquid passes down the esophagus into the newly created small pouch and then on through the restriction created by the band into the main section of the stomach.

For a small number of patients the initial restriction provided during adjustable gastric band surgery will be sufficient and there will be no need for adjustment. However, in the majority of cases, a series of adjustment, or "fills", will be made with the number of adjustments varying between patients. In most cases the surgeon will allow up to six or eight weeks for the stomach to heal before starting to fill the band and then will allow between two and four weeks between fills until the desired restriction is achieved.

One major difference between surgeons can be seen in the speed with which the band is filled after surgery, both in terms of the degree of fill and the time between fills, with some surgeons adopting a far more aggressive stance than others.

As a result it is vital that you discuss post-operative care plans and diet with your surgeon and other members of his team before surgery, as there can be considerable variation in treatment between weight loss teams. Choosing a team with a post-operative care plan to suit your needs will not only make a considerable difference to your experience of the whole process, but will also be reflected in the weight loss seen in the weeks and months following adjustable gastric band surgery.

For further information on adjustable gastric band surgery please visit Gastric Bypass Facts today.