FitSugar

5 Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:57:53 -0700

As he aged, my grandfather developed type 2 diabetes, and since the disease can be hereditary, I've become especially aware of ways I can prevent it. The condition occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or if your body doesn't recognize insulin and is unable to use it properly. If you're worried about developing type 2 diabetes, here are five things you can do to help prevent it.

Since obesity plays a big role in developing type 2 diabetes, maintain a healthy weight by eating appropriate portion sizes.
Get moving. Exercise not only prevents obesity, but it also improves your body's use of insulin.
Go for whole grains. Research shows that a diet rich in whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal can reduce a person's risk for type 2 diabetes.

For the last two prevention techniques, keep on reading.

Diabetes Awareness Has a New Face: The Rock

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:00:55 -0700

As the new national ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says,

"Get outside. Play a game. Do something active together. We can make a difference in our own families through exercise, eating right, and teaching healthy behaviors to our children."

Past ambassadors include Halle Berry, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Dustin Hoffman, so hopefully The Rock can continue to raise awareness about reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes Aware helps educate folks on type 1 diabetes as well.

We should be seeing Diabetes Aware public service announcements starring The Rock soon, but until then, if you want to see the most recent PSA starring Kevin Kline and Jon Lovitz, then read more.

Diabetes and Asia

FitSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Diabetes doesn't recognize international boarders, it just plows on through. Although much has been made of the rampant rise of type 2 diabetes here in the US, it is a growing problem in Asia as well. A study in the Journal of American Medicine Association highlights how in Asia the age range of people affected by diabetes is significantly younger than the West.

In western countries the disease affects people between the ages of 60 to 79 years, but in Asia the age range is 20 to 59 years. Another striking contrast is that in Asia the population affected by the disease is less likely to be overweight than those in the West. Sedentary life seems to be the culprit on both sides of the globe. Also of note, Asian women are two- to three-times more likely to develop gestational diabetes as white women, which is significant since women who experienced gestational diabetes have a 60 percent increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes during their lifetime.

Based on analyzing hundreds of articles, data, and studies researchers concluded that the worldwide population living with diabetes could grow by a third by 2025. Unfortunately, low and middle income countries are worst hit and diabetes is an expensive disease to treat.

Source

Trials, Tribulations, and Rewards of Insulin Pump Therapy

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Two months ago, a good friend of mine went on an insulin pump after living with type 1 diabetes for 20 years. Needless to say, it's a big transition. I asked her to share her experiences, and here she tells us woman to woman what to expect - from getting it on to fashion choices - when switching from daily injections to an insulin pump.

While I've resisted switching from syringes to an insulin pump for the past five years, the fact that my husband and I would like to have children finally convinced me to make the switch. Plus, as someone who was on intensive insulin therapy, I was giving myself five or more shots a day, and had the stomach bruises to prove it. Even though I have very good control of my disease, all of my doctors encouraged me to get on the pump before getting knocked up.

Overall, I am absolutely thrilled to be on the insulin pump . . . now. The first month of use was pretty rough. Low points included an accidental infusion set, which sent my bloodsugar level to 584 when it is normally 90 to 140, hooking my catheter on doorknobs (extremely painful), and a lot of issues with how the heck to wear this thing.

To see my top considerations about and reasons for going on an insulin pump, read more.

Be prepared to fight tooth and nail with your insurance company. This piece of equipment costs between $5,000 and $6,000, so if your insurance company covers part of the cost (mine covered 90 percent), you're going to have to be diligent about contacting them to keep things on track.
You will likely be miserable for the first month. The longer you are on syringes (like I was), the harder it will be for you to adjust to having something on your body constantly. Hang in there, though. You will get through it, and eventually you will absolutely love your new diabetic therapy.
This is absolutely essential for diabetic women. Women have to deal with more diabetic wonkiness due to hormonal cycles (my bloodsugars fluctuate a lot right before my period), so insulin pump therapy is perfect for us ladies. Also, this is a great way to ensure that you'll have a healthy pregnancy. Go on the pump before you get pregnant, if possible, because a month of adjustment time is a lot harder when you're a few weeks pregnant, on both you and your little one.
You can eliminate the "dawn effect." Since I was first diagnosed, I've had the "dawn effect," which means that my bloodsugar tends to go up in the middle of the night and correcting the insulin levels with syringes is very difficult. But I have virtually eliminated the dawn effect since going on the pump, as I can program different basal rates to counteract the creeping rise in bloodsugar.
You'll have to get creative with your wardrobe. I'm a big fan of dresses with pockets, and cutting a hole in one pocket and sewing the edges so they don't fray has allowed me to string my catheter tubing through the pocket, and keep my pump in my pocket. I've also sewn little pouches/pockets on the interiors of pocketless skirts and pants.
Not getting a pump for aesthetic reasons is just silly. I resisted going on the pump for years for aesthetic reasons: I was afraid that it would look weird with a swimsuit, or it would mark me as a diabetic to the rest of the world. The truth is, hardly anyone is going to notice it, even if it's clipped onto your belt. As for the swimsuit, I place the infusion set high on my abdomen, and it isn't noticeable at all under my one-piece halter suit.
Adjustable insulin rates mean you're going to be physically healthier. If you care at all about your long-term health, you need to consider going on the pump. It helps keep bloodsugar levels consistently lower, which lowers the chances of developing long-term complications such as retinopathy, which can lead to blindness, or neuropathy, which can lead to amputation.
This will not affect your sex life, except for the better. First things first: When you have sex, you detach your insulin pump, so the only thing you have to deal with is your infusion set. Initially, I was self-conscious about having the infusion set on my body, and my partner was afraid that he would pull it off when he touched my back or my stomach. We both got over this issue pretty darn quickly, and now, since my bloodsugars are under such amazing control, we don't have to worry about low bloodsugars or high bloodsugars affecting our sex life, which has only made things better between the sheets.
You're going to feel emotionally better on the pump. With tighter bloodsugar control, you'll be less likely to feel disoriented, woozy, or sleepy due to fluctuating sugar levels. This in turn has made my entire life better, including my moods, which used to dip and spike with my bloodsugars.
You may be more motivated to get active. While I've always been active, my pump has encouraged me to exercise even more. I love that I can dial down my basal rate (the tiny amount of insulin delivered hourly to maintain my bloodsugar level) to account for my increased activity level.

DrSugar Answers: Smelly Urine?

DrSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear DrSugar,
This is a little embarrassing and a little weird, but my pee doesn't smell like normal these days. It has smelled off for about a week. It smells bad and it doesn’t seem to matter what I eat. Trust me, I haven't eaten any asparagus in months. Maybe you know what causes this and am wondering if it is serious. I can't for the life of me figure it out! Any information would be helpful
-Distressed in the Loo

To see if DrSugar feels this is a symptom of something serious, read more

Smelly urine can be related to certain foods or medications, but it can also be a sign of certain diseases. The most common cause of foul smelling urine is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Sometimes the odorous urine precedes other common symptoms of a UTI such as: burning with urination, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain, and fevers. If the foul smell persists, a urinary tract infection can be easily diagnosed with a urinalysis test at your doctor’s office. A previous FitSugar post outlines some easy ways to prevent urinary tract infections, including drinking cranberry juice, wiping properly, and voiding your bladder after sex.

Other diseases can cause urine to smell abnormal. For example, sweet smelling urine can be a sign of diabetes. Other signs of diabetes include: increased frequency of urination, increased thirst, and fatigue. Severe dehydration and low carb diets are associated with an ammonia like scent in urine. Asparagus is by far the most common food-related cause of abnormal smelling urine, but you haven't been eating that so it cannot be the culprit. Other foods have been associated with abnormal urine odor, but nothing as consistent as asparagus. If the smell does not resolve soon, it would be a good idea to see your doctor for a urinalysis test, which can detect both diabetes and a urinary tract infection. Good luck.

Have a question for DrSugar? Send it by private messaging me here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Top Five Ways to Prevent Diabetes

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

I just read that the rate of diabetes in the US has doubled in the last decade. If you thought diabetes was a disease that only older people needed to worry about, you should think again. About 90 percent of the new cases of diabetes are the type 2 variety, which is the form of diabetes linked to obesity. There are many ways you can cut your risk, by up to half, by being a little proactive. Here are some suggestions from Care2.

Get as close to your ideal weight as possible. Carrying extra pounds poses a huge risk when it comes to developing diabetes. More than 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Include regular exercise in your schedule. Not only will exercising keep your weight down, but it also strengthens your immune system. Working out regularly, at least four hours a week, can significantly lower your risk for diabetes.
Watch those hot dogs and cheese. A diet high in saturated fat can raise the LDL (bad) levels of cholesterol in your body. This can lead to heart disease and also affect blood sugar levels for some people. So limit the animal products you consume.

To find out what else you can do, read more.

Don't overeat on a regular basis. Indulging in a few extra bites here and there is totally fine. The problem is when you consistently eat more calories each day than you burn, causing extra pounds to tack on. So be mindful of how many calories you're consuming.
Fiber, fiber, and more fiber. Not only does eating enough fiber keep your digestive system happy, but consistently eating enough has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels. Women should aim for 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day.

Source

Carrying a Few Extra Pounds May Not Be a Bad Thing

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Well, this news has come in just in time. Now that candy-driven Halloween is over and we're preparing to gorge ourselves on Thanksgiving, a new study shows that being 25 pounds overweight doesn't appear to raise your risk of dying of cancer or heart disease. Having a little extra weight may help you to survive various illnesses such as emphysema, pneumonia and certain injuries. Those between the ages of 25 and 59 benefit the most from being a little chubby.

Researchers aren't sure why extra padding may help. Some say that extra weight may provide “additional nutritional reserves.” University of South Carolina obesity researcher Steven Blair, believes that it's possible to be fat and fit. He feels that Americans have been slapped in the face by fears of the obesity epidemic. While it's true that many Americans are obese, the number of deaths attributed to it has been exaggerated.

There's more to this study though. To hear about it then read more

You see, a little extra weight may not cause any problems, but being 30 or more pounds over the recommended weight for your height categorizes you as obese. Carrying that much extra weight around can put you at risk for diabetes, kidney disease, certain kinds of cancer, and high blood pressure and cholesterol that could lead to heart disease.

Many experts feel that this study is just the tip of the iceberg, and that more research needs to be done to address whether or not cancer and heart disease occurs more often in people who are overweight, or if genetics or other lifestyle choices have more of an effect.

So the point here is that a few extra pounds won't kill you, but 30 pounds or more could be detrimental to your health. Don't obsess about being ultra thin because it doesn't necessarily make you healthy. Be sure to eat a diet full of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. Try to exercise regularly, and that should keep you at a healthy weight.

Fit's Tips: Your BMI (Body Mass Index) measures your body fat based on your height and weight. If you're not sure what a healthy BMI is for your height, check out Fit's Calculator.

Source

Randy Jackson Raising Awareness About Diabetes

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

What's up dawg? Did you know that "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about five years ago? He has it under control now, since he lost 110 lbs through gastric bypass surgery, improved his diet, exercises, and sees his doctor regularly. Back then, though, he had no idea. He was feeling really rundown and had a high fever, almost like he had a cold, and when he finally saw a doctor, he found out the surprising news.

Over 21 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and Randy has become the spokesperson for the American Heart Association's The Heart of Diabetes campaign. He's hoping to raise awareness about type 2 diabetes, since one third of the people who have it don't even know it (just like him).

It's important to know if you have type 2 diabetes since heart disease is the number one complication, and we all know you don't want to mess with heart disease. This new campaign, The Heart of Diabetes, hopes to encourage people to pay attention to possible diabetic symptoms. Catching the disease early can greatly reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. So see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms: feeling overly exhausted, thirsty, hungry, urinating frequently, or losing weight without trying.

Fit's Tips: Are you putting yourself at risk for type 2 diabetes? Read this post to find out.

Source

Another Reason to Not Drink Soda: Diet or Regular

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

You all should know by now that I am not a fan of soda. It is not good for your teeth or your bones and a new study has found that it may not be good for your heart.

This study found adults who drink one or more sodas a day, diet or regular, had about a 50 percent higher risk of a cluster of factors that increases the chance of having a heart attack or stroke and developing type 2 diabetes. Those zero calorie drinks are not as innocent as they appear. Some of the symptoms considered part of the metabolic syndrome are: excessive fat around the waist, low levels of “good” cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as other symptoms.

The study involved 6,000 multi-generational women and men who were tracked for over 4 years. At the start of the study, all the participants were healthy with no symptoms of the syndrome. Researchers speculate that even no-calorie sweet drinks increase the craving for more sweets, and that people who indulge in sodas probably have less healthy diets overall.

To read more on this study visit MSNBC. And think about cutting back on the sodas. Not only are they full of empty calories, they appear to be dangerous as well.

Source

How Do I Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

High levels of blood sugar have been linked to cancer in women. Knowing the importance of keeping blood sugars in target range, The World Cancer Research Fund has come up with a few simple, but important, tips on maintaining a healthy blood sugar:

The most important thing is not to become overweight. If you are overweight, then you should lose weight. This can be done through having a general healthy diet and be regularly physically active.
Always go for the wholegrain option. Replace white rice with brown rice, and make sure your pasta is whole wheat.
Cut down or completely stop having sugary snacks like sugary fizzy drinks and cakes. Temptation can be hard to resist, but cutting these out of your diet is a great step towards maintaining healthy blood sugars.
Make sure you get as many vegetables into your diet as you can. It's particularly easy to get your vegetable quota by chopping vegetables up and putting them into sauces.
Be as physically active as possible - it doesn't have to be exercise at the gym, but even walking instead of driving, or taking the stairs instead of the ~~lift~~ elevator, can really help.