How to keep your skin healthy

Don't have time for intensive skin care? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you're outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.

Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

How To Have Beautiful Skin

It's not enough to get a facial to keep your skin clear and beautiful. You need to have a great home skin-care routine. Here are the everyday habits you need to keep your skin beautiful:

•Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and leafy green. Good nutrition is the basic building block of healthy skin.

•Drink plenty of water every day. (I fill a carafe to remind myself.)

•Cut out skin-damaging habits like smoking, excessive drinking, tanning booths and excessive sun exposure.

•Search out a good esthetician by asking friends and doing some research. Then work with her (or him) on a regular basis.

•Get a professional facial to deep cleanse your skin and review your product choices at least four times a year, as the seasons change. Every four to six weeks is ideal.

•Throw away the soap and use quality products that are right for your skin type. Discuss your home skin-care routine with an esthetician.

•If you can't afford all the skin-care products right away, ask the esthetician which are most important to start. Invest in additional products as you can.

•Give yourself a home facial as often as once a week.

•Wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days and in winter. Use a good-quality, high-SPF, full-spectrum sunscreen. Sun damage is the single most important cause of premature aging. On my face, decolette and the back of my hands I useTi-Silc Sheer SPF 45 Sunblock (compare prices). It's reasonably priced and doesn't sting sensitive skin.

•Remember to put sunscreen on exposed areas like the back of your hands, neck and chest. They're often the first place to show your age.

 

How to Have and Keep a Super White Face

First be sure your food and treats have no added color. Stick to white or pale colored "cookies" and treats. Examples would be Old Mother Hubbard's puppy training biscuits, or IAMs biscuits or Nature's Recipe Lamb and Rice Bones. Better quality foods usually don't have color added. If the stools have a red tinge or if you use canned as a supplement check for a pinkish tinge. If it's there, chances are the food has been colored.

 

In many areas of the country, water is very hard, has a high iron content or has chemicals that aren't good for you or your little dog. Use bottled water or have a reverse osmosis water purification system installed in your home. (In some areas the water is so hard it is known to contribute to kidney and bladder stone formation in both people and pets. That's the first thing we were told by a local water company when we moved here.)

 

Be sure to use a quart glass water bottle. (Oasis brand is the best.) This way your dog's face will stay dry. He will always have fresh water, free of crumbs and debris. His face will stay cleaner, too, since he won't get into his food when his face is wet and start to look "muddy."

 

A stainless steel bowl is best. Shih Tzu, being a "brachycephalic," or short faced breed, prefer shallow bowls. Stainless steel is bacteriostatic, it doesn't chip or crack and is easy to keep clean. Some plastics are known to discolor faces. Plastic absorbs odors. Food or water left in plastic containers may have an unpleasant odor, undetected by humans but quiet obvious to dogs who have a much more developed sense of smell.

 

Some folks like to add a little cider vinegar to the water or even lemon juice. We found that our dogs didn't seem to drink as well. Adding about 100-200 mg. a day of vitamin C daily won't hurt, if you'd like to do that. Some vets say it works, others say it doesn't. A naturopathic vet recommended that I try a zinc supplement for face stain.

 

If tear ducts are blocked, often tears will spill over and possibly stain the face. Take your thumb and forefinger and gently massage the bridge of the puppy's nose up on the sides under his eyes. Most dogs like this. At first do it once or twice daily for a week or two then just once or twice a week. You may be surprised after a while when the hair starts to grow back in white.

Sometimes an eye inflammation contributes to the eye stain. It is probably "conjunctivitis." You can have your vet check to be sure. You can order or ask your vet for Tetracycline ointment, commonly called "Terramycin." Some folks like to use oral tetracycline. I am afraid we don't recommend it. Ask your vet. We would only recommend this as a last resort. Tetracycline can cause seriously upset stomachs and has to be eliminated through the kidneys. It is best to save an antibiotic for when it is really needed. And then always use enzymes and friendly bacteria to reseed the intestinal tract.

 

Some people use powders or corn starch under the eyes and on the moustache. Corn starch is fine, talc is not advised. Some dogs will tear and react to powders of any sort coming near their eyes. So use your own judgment here. When we use powder, we use a cosmetic "blusher applicator" brush. Some people use a baby toothbrush or use their fingers to work the cornstarch in. A plastic bottle with a pointed snipped tip is okay, too. You may add 1-2 Tbsps to 1/2 cup of boric acid powder to your cornstarch. Do not use boric acid if there is a chance of another dog chewing on the face hair. Don't get into the mouth. It is caustic to the stomach. The boric acid will help dry, whiten and kill germs on the face hair.

How to Steam Your Face at Home

Steaming is one of the best ways to get rid of all the impurities that are lying deep in your skin pores and on the surface of your face as well. Regardless of your skin type, steaming is the most effective way to prevent or get rid of clogged pores, acne, pimples, blackheads or whiteheads. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on expensive beauty treatments, today you can learn how to steam your face at home. Check out our tips and get ready to achieve a healthy, radiant skin.

 

Facial steaming helps to remove all the impurities from the skin's surface, deeply cleaning out your pores and revitalizing your face. It boosts the circulation and unclogs your blocked skin pores, letting them to breath, thus helping you to obtain a flawless, clear face. Due to the high temperatures, facial steaming opens the pores, loosening debris that has possibly embedded into your skin.

 

This way you can eliminate all the makeup residues, dust, excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, thoroughly cleaning off the toxins from your skin cells as well. If your skin pores are clean, your face will be healthy and blemishes will disappear.

 

If you have an oily skin, you can steam your face every day, while those with dry skin should use this procedure once a week in order to maintain a healthy, clear complexion. Follow these steps and pamper your skin with a rejuvenating homemade facial steam and enjoy a fresh and radiant complexion.

 

Start with cleaning your face from all the makeup residues and excess oil by using a mild soap having no fragrance that can cause skin irritations. Boil a pan of water and add a few lemon slices or fresh herbs in a large bowl to make it even more beneficial to your skin. For oily skin, lemon or peppermint is the best choice. However, if you have a sensitive, dry skin, you can add chamomile, ylang-ylang or lime to the water. In case you have a normal complexion, go for lavender or rosemary.

Drape a large towel over your head, making a tent around the bowl, in order to keep the steam in one place and prevent it from escaping so that steaming can be more efficient. Stand carefully over the steam and let it rise directly to your face. Make sure that you keep your eyes and mouth closed while you are steaming your face because the herbs added to the water may irritate your eyes.

Steam your face for about 15-20 minutes until the steam disappears, but don't steam any longer than 20 minutes. In case of sensitive skin, even 10-15 minutes are sufficient.

When you have finished with steaming your face, rinse your face well with lukewarm water and dry it with a towel. In case you feel that steaming is highly beneficial for your skin, you can steam your face up to two times per week and it will not cause any harm to your skin.

Now that your face is perfectly clear and your pores are open it is the best time to apply a facial mask that can absorb more easily into the skin. This is also the best time to get rid of your blackheads or blemishes by using sterilized materials that are specially designed to extract them or wrap a clean tissue around your fingers and squeeze them gently. Using your bare hands is the worst thing you can do to your skin as it can spread bacteria all over your face, leading to further acne problems and infections. After you are ready with steaming, use a tonic to disinfect the skin and then apply a good hydrating cream to provide your skin with a proper moisture and protection.

How to Keep Your Teeth White

Whitening treatments don't permanently whiten teeth. If you expose your teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining you may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as 1 month after treatment. Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening treatment or touch-up is needed.

 

You worked hard to get your teeth white. Here are some tips to help maintain your pearly whites.

• Avoid the consumption of or exposure to products that stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. If you do choose to consume beverages that stain, consider using a straw so that the liquid bypasses your front teeth.
• Brush or rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing beverages or foods.
• Follow good oral hygiene practices. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily to remove plaque. Use a whitening toothpaste (once or twice a week only) to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing. Use a regular toothpaste the rest of the time.
• Consider touch-up treatments. Depending on the whitening method used, you may need a touch-up every 6 months or after a year or two. If you smoke or drink lots of stain-causing beverages, you may need a touch up more often.

Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

The number-one killer in America (for both men and women), heart disease is the result of the narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This process, called coronary artery disease, can generally be traced to a condition called atherosclerosis, the build-up of cholesterol-rich fatty deposits, or plaques, on the inside of arterial walls. As these deposits accumulate over time, the coronary arteries narrow to the point that the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart is impeded. (Arterial spasms — triggered by smoking, extreme emotional stress, or exposure to very cold temperatures — may also cause coronary arteries to narrow suddenly and dangerously.)

 

Prevention and treatment centers around these risk factors — and these approaches will help you lower risk for many other types of illness, as well as helping you feel great and have more energy overall.

 

1. Don't smoke.
Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of cardiovascular disease in women, with more than 50 percent of heart attacks among middle-aged women attributable to tobacco. Risk of cardiovascular disease begins to decline within months of smoking cessation and reaches the level of persons who have never smoked within 3 to 5 years.

 

2. Lower your cholesterol.
High blood cholesterol is a condition that greatly increases your chances of developing coronary heart disease. Extra cholesterol in the blood settles on the inner walls of the arteries, narrowing them and allowing less blood to pass through them to the heart. Aim for total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL; LDL cholesterol below 130 mg/dL and HDL above 35 mg/dL.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are epidemics in the United States that contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of obesity has increased among both men and women in the United States in the past decade; currently about one third of adult women (or 34 million) are classified as obese. Also, 60% of both men and women get no regular physical activity. Obesity, especially abdominal adiposity, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women.

 

4. Exercise regularly.
Recent evidence suggests that even moderate-intensity activity, including brisk walking, is associated with substantial reduction of cardiovascular disease risk. These findings support the 1995 federal exercise guidelines endorsing 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week, a program that should be feasible and safe for most of the population. Regular exercise and maintenance of healthy weight should also help reduce insulin resistance and the risk of non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, which appears to be an even stronger risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women than in men. Diabetes is associated with a threefold to sevenfold elevation in cardiovascular disease risk among women, compared with a twofold to threefold elevation among men. Approximately half of all deaths in patients with non–insulin dependent diabetes mellitus are due to heart disease.

 

5. Eat less saturated fat, more produce & more fiber.
Diets low in saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, a recent study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal confirmed that eating fruits and vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, seems to have a protective effect against coronary heart disease. You may even think about moving toward more flexitarian or vegetarian eating habits: A vegetarian diet reduces the risk of coronary artery disease, and may even reverse existing coronary artery disease when combined with other lifestyle changes. A Mediterranean diet that uses olive oil can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.

 

6. Avoid trans fats.
Trans fatty acids have been linked to adverse lipid profiles and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This includes most margarines. The role of other fatty acids, including monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and marine omega-3 fatty acids, remains controversial.

 

7. Consume alcohol only in moderation.
Moderate intake of alcohol is related to reduction of cardiovascular disease — but may raise blood pressure and increase risk of breast cancer. Early surgical menopause is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which appears to be negated by the use of estrogen therapy.

 

8. Arm yourself with risk-reducing vitamins.
Antioxidant vitamin supplements, particularly vitamin E and homocysteine-lowering agents such as folate and B6, have promising roles in prevention of cardiovascular disease, but conclusive evidence may hinge on the results of several ongoing randomized clinical trials. When it is found in unusually high levels, homocysteine brings the same degree of risk as having high cholesterol does. The B vitamins, especially folic acid and B12, will drive elevated homocysteine levels down to normal, often without the need of any prescription medication.

 

9. Give yourself some new stress-management tools.
Poorly controlled stress may have an adverse effect on blood lipids. An attitude of hostility has been powerfully linked with a higher incidence of cardiac events, and cynical distrust has been associated with accelerated progression of carotid artery disease. Relaxation methods (meditation, breathing exercises), yoga, and stress management techniques are essential for preventing cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease and for reducing the risk of recurrent cardiac problems. Meditation improves exercise tolerance and decreases electrical changes associated with poor circulation to the heart. Meditation has also been shown to lower cholesterol and reverse carotid artery thickening. Also consider acupuncture, which has been shown to help relax the myocardium and improve circulation.

 

10. Ask your health professional about herbs and nutritional supplements that may be useful in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease

5 household products to avoid during pregnancy

Pregnant moms know well enough to steer clear of cigarettes and alcohol, but there are hazards hidden right in our kitchen cabinets—or even our bathroom! Here's a list of some household products that may hurt your baby.

1.Pesticides
Research shows that communities near areas that used agricultural pesticides have a higher incidence of miscarriage and fetal defects. While the results have been hotly debated (and more studies are still being conducted) it's still better to err on the side of caution. Minimize your exposure to insect repellants, especially those that contain "deet." If you're worried about your home's bug infestation, have someone else spray the chemical and stay clear of the room. Change the bed sheets and curtains after you spray, and keep the windows open for at least two hours so the fumes can escape. If you're spraying the kitchen, remove the food or place in air-tight containers. Close all the cabinets and drawers.

Trace amounts of pesticides can also cling to vegetables and fruits. Wash these well before cooking, and peel off the skin.

 

2. Cleaning products
Read the label of your household cleansers. Some oven cleaners and window cleaners use a chemical known as "glycol ether" which studies have linked to higher risk of miscarriage. Mildew removers, on the other hand, can contain "phenols" which have been associated with birth defects and even fetal death. Other products may be safe, but their strong chemical odors can trigger your morning sickness.

Ideally, your partner will take over cleaning the house so you can lie down and rest (after all, your body's already busy with a very important job: growing a baby!). But if you can't get help and your house is starting to look like a penicillin colony, switch to organic cleansers that are free of chemicals and strong odors. Another cheap, safe yet effective tool: baking soda (rub on bath tubs and ovens) or diluted vinegar (mix equal parts with water and wipe on glass and counter tops). In fact, many commercial cleansers can be replaced with homemade cleansers.

If you can't avoid using chemical cleansers, make sure the room's well ventilated. Open all the windows and doors, and turn on the fan.

 

3. Paint
It's fun to decorate the nursery, but after you've picked the color and theme, let somebody else do the painting for you. All paints are made from chemicals which can release dangerous fumes. While no studies have proven that they can be toxic to your baby, no studies have proven that they are safe, either. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency actually advises pregnant women to stay away from newly painted rooms for at least 48 hours.

It's also important to choose the safest possible paint. Your best bet is water-based, indoor (or latex) paint. Oil-based paints contain solvents that have been connected to miscarriage and birth defects.

If you live in an old home, have the walls checked for lead—which was often used in paint until it was banned in 1980. Lead has been linked to a higher risk for miscarriage and developmental problems.

 

4. Cat litter
Your cat's droppings can contain the bacteria that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection whose symptoms include fever and aching joints. While the disease isn't dangerous to adults (you'll just feel like you have a bad flu) it can be very harmful to your baby's vision and hearing.

For your child's safety, ask somebody else to clean out the litter box and the pet cage. Since the bacteria that causes toxoplosmosis can also thrive in raw meat, stay clear of sushi and sashimi, and make sure to cook all food thoroughly. You may also want to disinfect any cutting boards and kitchen counters with a hot water and soap solution.

 

5. Beauty products
Most beauty products are safe to use for pregnancy, but it's probably best to stay away from hair treatments. Dyes, permanent wave solutions and relaxers contain strong chemicals that have been associated with pregnancy complications and miscarriages. If you're really bothered by the fact that your roots are starting to show, then choose an organic hair coloring product that uses vegetable dyes. It's probably safer to do this at home than at a salon, where you can breathe in the fumes from other people's hair treatments.

Feeling bad that you can't fix your hair? Treat yourself to a manicure or a pedicure instead. Though the nail polish and nail polish remover do contain chemicals and solvents, the amount is so small—and exposure so short—that you really don't have anything to worry about.

QandA:Does Psoriasis Increase Type 2 Diabetes Risk?

Two to four percent of adults suffer from psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory disease, in which the irritated skin becomes red and flaky with silver-white scales. A new UK study, published Online First in JAMA's Archives of Dermatology, has now revealed that psoriasis could be a potential risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Rahat S. Azfar, M.D. from Philadelphia's University of Pennsylvania, and his team obtained data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) to evaluate the risk of T2DM in 108,132 people with psoriasis, compared with 430,716 participants without psoriasis, aged between 18 to 90 years. 

The researchers state:

"The adjusted attributable risk of developing T2DM among 1,000 patients with psoriasis per year is 0.9 extra cases overall, 0.7 cases in those with mild psoriasis, and 3.0 cases in those with severe psoriasis."

The population-based study also wanted to determine whether those with diabetes and psoriasis were more likely to be prescribed diabetic treatments in comparison with those who had DM but no psoriasis.

They declare: "We observed no difference in use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin among patients with mild psoriasis; however, patients with severe psoriasis were more likely to be prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents and had a trend toward being more likely to be prescribed insulin."

The researchers conclude:

"The data from this study suggest that psoriasis is a risk factor for the development of T2DM and that this relationship is dose dependent, with severe psoriasis conferring a higher risk than mild psoriasis. Mechanistically, this relationship may be driven by chronic inflammation because both psoriasis and T2DM are associated with elevated levels of TH1-driven inflammatory markers, and because several studies have pointed to endogenous insulin resistance in patients with psoriasis."

What fruits is not suitable for a diabetic to eat?

Diabetics often ask whether it is safe for them to eat large quantities of fruit. Many diabetic patients avoid eating fruit because they are worried that the high sugar content found in most fruits will worsen their condition. Fortunately, there are many fruits a diabetic can enjoy which do not significantly affect blood glucose levels, in fact certain fruits may actually improve glucose control and insulin sensitivity over time.

Fruits with high amounts of the sugars glucose and sucrose tend to have high GI values and should only be eaten in small amounts as they can spike blood glucose levels very quickly. Most however can still be enjoyed in small quantities as part of a healthy diabetic meal plan. High GI fruits include bananas, cantaloupes, dates, grapes, watermelon, pineapples, and oranges. Dates in particular should be eaten sparingly because they have an extremely high sugar content per serving (55g in half a cup of chopped dates). Combine this with a relatively high GI of 53 and you have a food that will produce a significant glycemic response, even in small amounts.

The GI of bananas varies widely depending on ripeness. This is because some of the starch in bananas is converted into more readily absorbed sugars as the banana ripens. The GI of a green banana is around 40 compared to 60 for an over-ripe banana. Diabetics who enjoy eating bananas should stick to slightly green bananas to avoid blood sugar spikes.

Fruit juices tend to be stripped of the pulpy fibrous parts of the fruit and therefore are very low in fiber and high in sugar. Many fruit juices manufacturers add additional sugar to their fruit juices to the extent that some fruit juices have higher sugar levels than carbonated sodas. A glass of fruit juice a day probably won't hurt but if you're drinking much more than this, consider cutting back by diluting the juice with water.

Dried fruits tend to have a significant effect on blood sugar levels due to their high sugar content by weight. Canned fruit in syrup also tends to be high in sugar and therefore should be eaten in moderation or drained of the syrup before consuming. Many fruits can be purchased canned in their own juices rather than in syrup – these should be used when available.

Simple Steps to Lower Your Risk of Diabetes

Making a few lifestyle changes can dramatically lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. The same changes can also lower the chances of developing heart disease and some cancers.

• Control Your Weight

Excess weight is the single most important cause of type 2 diabetes. Being overweight increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes seven fold. Being obese makes you 20 to 40 times more likely to develop diabetes than someone with a healthy weight. 

Losing weight can help if your weight is above the healthy-weight range. Losing 7 to 10 percent of your current weight can cut your chances of developing type 2 diabetes in half.

• Get Moving

Inactivity promotes type 2 diabetes. Every two hours you spend watching TV instead of pursuing something more active increases the chances of developing diabetes by 14 percent. Working your muscles more often and making them work harder improves their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. This puts less stress on your insulin-making cells.

Long bouts of hot, sweaty exercise aren't necessary to reap this benefit. Findings from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study suggest that walking briskly for a half hour every day reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30 percent. More recently, The Black Women's Health Study reported similar diabetes-prevention benefits for brisk walking of more than 5 hours per week. 

This amount of exercise has a variety of other benefits as well. And even greater cardiovascular and other advantages can be attained by more, and more intense, exercise.

• Tune Up Your Diet

Four dietary changes can have a big impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes.

1. Choose whole grains and whole grain products over highly processed carbohydrates.

There's a growing body of evidence that diets rich in whole grains protect against diabetes, whereas diets rich in refined carbohydrates lead to increased risk. In the Nurses' Health Studies I and II, for example, researchers looked at the whole grain consumption of more than 160,000 women whose health and dietary habits were followed for up to 18 years. Women who averaged two to three servings of whole grains a day were 30 percent less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes than those who rarely ate whole grains. When the researchers combined these results with those of several other large studies, they found that eating an extra 2 servings of whole grains a day decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21 percent.

Whole grains don't contain a magical nutrient that fights diabetes and improves health. It's the entire package—elements intact and working together—that's important. The bran and fiber in whole grains make it more difficult for digestive enzymes to break down the starches into glucose. This leads to lower, slower increases in blood sugar and insulin, and a lower glycemic index. As a result, they stress the body's insulin-making machinery less, and so may help prevent type 2 diabetes.  Whole grains are also rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that may help reduce the risk of diabetes.

In contrast, white bread, white rice, mashed potatoes, donuts, bagels, and many breakfast cereals have what's called a high glycemic index and glycemic load. That means they cause sustained spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, which in turn may lead to increased diabetes risk. In China, for example, where white rice is a staple, the Shanghai Women's Health Study found that women whose diets had the highest glycemic index had a 21 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to women whose diets had the lowest glycemic index.  Similar findings were reported in the Black Women's Health Study. 

2. Skip the sugary drinks.

Like refined grains, sugary beverages have a high glycemic load, and drinking more of this sugary stuff is associated with increased risk of diabetes. In the Nurses' Health Study II, women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had an 83 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to women who drank less than one sugar-sweetened beverage per month; drinking one or more servings of fruit punch per day doubled the risk of diabetes. 

The Black Women's Health Study, which followed 59,000 African American women for 10 years, found a similar link between sugary soft drinks and type II diabetes. The study also suggests that fruit drinks—such as Kool Aid, fortified fruit drinks, or juices—are not the healthy choice that food advertisements often portray them to be: Women in the study who drank two or more servings of fruit drinks a day had a 31 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to women who drank less than one serving a month.

How do sugary drinks lead to this increased risk? Weight gain may explain the link: In both the Nurses' Health Study II and the Black Women's Health Study, women who increased their consumption of sugary drinks gained more weight than women who cut back on sugary drinks. Several studies show that children and adults who drink soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages are more likely to gain weight than those who don't,  and that switching from these to water or unsweetened beverages can reduce weight. Even so, however, weight gain caused by sugary drinks may not completely explain the increased diabetes risk.  There is mounting evidence that sugary drinks contribute to chronic inflammation, high triglycerides, decreased "good" (HDL) cholesterol, and increased insulin resistance, all of which are risk factors for diabetes. 

3. Choose good fats instead of bad fats.

The types of fats in your diet can also affect the development of diabetes. Good fats, such as the polyunsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds can help ward off type 2 diabetes. Trans fats do just the opposite. These bad fats are found in many margarines, packaged baked goods, fried foods in most fast-food restaurants, and any product that lists "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" on the label. Eating polyunsaturated fats from fish—also known as "long chain omega 3" or "marine omega 3" fats—does not protect against diabetes, even though there is much evidence that these marine omega 3 fats help prevent heart disease.  If you already have diabetes, eating fish can help protect you against a heart attack or dying from heart disease. 

4.  Limit red meat and avoid processed meat.

People who regularly eat red meat have roughly a 20 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes than people who rarely or never eat red meat. It may be that the high iron content of red meat diminishes insulin's effectiveness or damages the cells that produce insulin. Eating lots of processed meat can also increase your diabetes risk. Red and processed meats are a hallmark of the unhealthful "Western" dietary pattern, which seems to trigger diabetes in people who are already at genetic risk. So skip the steak, bologna, and ham. Nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, or poultry are much more healthful protein choices.

• If You Smoke, Try to Quit

Add type 2 diabetes to the long list of health problems linked with smoking. Smokers are roughly 50 percent more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, and heavy smokers have an even higher risk. 

• Alcohol Now and Then May Help

A growing body of evidence links moderate alcohol consumption with reduced risk of heart disease. The same may be true for type 2 diabetes. Moderate amounts of alcohol—up to a drink a day for women, up to two drinks a day for men—increases the efficiency of insulin at getting glucose inside cells. And some studies indicate that moderate alcohol consumption decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes.  If you already drink alcohol, the key is to keep your consumption in the moderate range, as higher amounts of alcohol could increase diabetes risk. If you don't drink alcohol, there's no need to start—you can get the same benefits by losing weight, exercising more, and changing your eating patterns.

Hot weather and diabetes

Today's near perfect beach weather (at least in this part of the country) reminds me that it's time to put out some reminders of the precautions that diabetics should take as the temperature rises and summer approaches.

In parts of the country that have 4 seasons, it is important that we remind our patients of hot weather concerns that can adversely impact their glycemic control. I will mention a few significant points here, and I hope you will all add anything that I miss...or share how you approach this topic.

• Avoid exercising in the heat, choosing instead to do so in an air-conditioned place.
• Wear light colored clothing made of fabrics that can "breathe."
• Protect your feet — never walk barefoot on hot surfaces.
• Watch for signs of possible heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, fainting or excessive sweating. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms.
• Maintain adequate hydration, avoiding caffeinated or alcoholic beverages that can be dehydrating.
• Check sugar levels frequently throughout the day, especially during exercise, since blood sugars may fluctuate.
• On the road? Transport diabetes supplies and medications in an insulated bag protected by a cold pack. (Avoid freezing.)
• Dehydration:

Hyperglycemia itself can cause dehydration in addition to the dehydrating effect of sweating in the heat. Increased non-caloric fluid intake (preferably water) is a must even if blood glucose is within target range. If patients are taking metformin, they need to be reminded that adequate hydration is essential to prevent the buildup of lactic acid if the kidneys do not have enough fluid function properly.

• Blood Glucose Monitoring:

**Dehydration can cause blood glucose monitoring tests to be inaccurate in reflecting the person's actual blood glucose level.

**Exposure to extreme heat can permanently destroy the accuracy of blood glucose test strips

**Blood glucose monitors can give inaccurate readings if they get too hot (see specifics for each meter). Waiting until the meters cool down is usually OK for blood glucose testing as long as the test strips are accurate. Control solution should be used to test accuracy of test strips , and control solution itself should be replaced every 3 months and used before its expiration date. Control testing of test strips is especially necessary when blood testing supplies are delivered by mail order as they may have been exposed to hot temperatures in transit or when delivered on a hot day.

**Advise patients not to leave blood glucose meters or test strips in their cars or by a window that gets a lot of hot sun. Carrying cases with gel packs or the Frio packs are helpful for that purpose.

Insulin Pumps:

The pump itself will tolerate higher temperatures than the insulin in the tubing and reservoir. DKA can result if the insulin containing parts of the pump system are exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Keeping the pump and tubing protected from the heat is essential with a Frio pack or some other type of gel pack. The option to disconnect from the pump and switch to subcutaneous injections for prolonged sun or heat exposure can be discussed.

• Protect all medications:

*** Generally speaking insulin, insulin pens, exenatide, pramlintide pens and most oral agents should not be exposed to temperatures higher than 86degrees F (30 degrees C). Acarbose,repaglinide and nateglinide should be stored at temperatures less than 77 degrees F (25 degrees C)

3 steps to treat Diabetes

• Step 1: Fight diabetes with lifestyle changes.

Cost: Free or low cost.

If you are pre-diabetic or recently diagnosed, you may be able to dodge the expense of drug treatment with exercise and a better diet and by quitting smoking. None of this has to cost a fortune, and in any event healthier foods and, if necessary, a gym membership or other exercise program are well worth the investment. Even if you are taking medication, these lifestyle changes can help the medicine work better and longer.

• Step 2: If you need to begin taking a drug to control blood sugar, start with metformin, the most common and one of the least expensive diabetes drugs.

Cost: $36 for 100 pills (500 milligrams); usually taken twice a day. Prices may be even lower at Wal-Mart, Target and other discount pharmacies.

Metformin almost always works as a first-line drug, except for patients suffering from severe kidney disease, said Dr. Bennett. What's more, metformin generally does not cause hypoglycemia, a common and dangerous side affect of many diabetes drugs.

It also does not seem to cause weight gain, as some other diabetes drugs do, said Dr. Bennett. "The last thing you want if you've been diagnosed with diabetes is additional weight," she added.

A study published in Consumer Reports Health in February 2009 also found that older, less expensive diabetes drugs were just as effective as the new ones. Better yet, they have established safety records, while some newer diabetes drugs have been found to increase cardiovascular and other health risks.

"The expensive drugs are third- and fourth-line drugs," said Dr. Marvin Lipman, chief medical adviser for Consumer Reports Health and a practicing endocrinologist in Westchester County, N.Y. "If you don't get results with the less expensive drugs, you go to those. But you shouldn't start there."

• Avoid: Certain newer diabetes drugs have been associated with heart failure and other risks.

Avandia, for example, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. In September 2010, after years of debate, the Food and Drug Administration severely restricted Avandia's availability, allowing it to be prescribed only to patients in a special program who had not responded to other drugs and were taking the medicine under a doctor's strict supervision. This month the agency expanded those restrictions to include related drugs Avandamet and Avandaryl, which also contain rosiglitazone, the active agent in Avandia.

• Step 3: Choose combination drugs from among inexpensive generics.

Cost: Glimepiride, $13 for 100 pills (1 milligram). Glipizide, $64 for 100 pills (5 milligrams).

Most diabetics will have to eventually take more than one drug to keep blood sugar under control. The good news here from the Johns Hopkins study is that inexpensive metformin is also quite effective in combination with other generics, such as glimepiride and glipizide.

"Most combinations worked equally well, so when you're adding a drug, you could choose a generic to save costs," said Dr. Bennett. She added, however, that some drugs used with metformin might increase the risk of side effects such as hypoglycemia or weight gain. Patients should discuss each drug's pros and cons, as well as cost, with their doctors.

• Avoid: Do not start with one of the more expensive drugs in combination with metformin. In some cases, patients ultimately may need a combination of both generics and the newer drugs, but this usually becomes appropriate only after a less expensive combination has been used for some time or if the patient isn't responding to the less expensive combination, said Dr. Bennett.

Good medicine on Diabetes

The treatment of diabetes depends on the type of diabetes. It is aimed to decrease symptoms and prevent complications such as low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), eye problems, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

WHEN it comes to prescription drugs, newer is not necessarily better. And that's especially true when treating diabetes.

One in 10 Americans has Type 2 diabetes. If the trend continues, one in three will suffer from the disease by the year 2050, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most Type 2 diabetes patients take one or more drugs to control blood sugar. They spent an estimated $12.5 billion on medication in 2007, twice the amount spent in 2001, according to a study by the University of Chicago. (That figure does not including drugs that diabetics are often prescribed for related health conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.)

Why the increase? More diagnosed patients, more drugs per patient and an onslaught of expensive new drugs, according to Dr. G. Caleb Alexander, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study. Since 1995, several new classes of diabetes medications have come on the market. Diabetes drugs are important to the pharmaceutical industry, more lucrative than drugs for many other chronic diseases, Dr. Alexander noted in an interview.

Simply put, many of these drugs help the body produce less glucose or more insulin, the hormone that shuttles glucose into cells for use as energy, or they increase the body's sensitivity to its own insulin.

Patients and health care professionals have long hoped that as pharmaceutical companies found ways to help the body lower blood sugar, they would produce safer and more efficient alternatives to older medications. But a true breakthrough doesn't seem to have happened yet.

A report released in March by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University reviewed data from 166 studies to evaluate the effectiveness and risks of various diabetes medicines. The researchers concluded that drugs that have been around for years are more effective at lowering blood sugar and often work with fewer side effects than the newest drugs. And because so many older drugs now are available as generics, they often cost just a fraction of the price of newer brand-name drugs.

Low-cost treatment is imperative to turning back the diabetes epidemic, said Dr. Wendy L. Bennett, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the lead author of the A.H.R.Q. study. Experts estimate that only 25 percent of diabetic patients are getting the treatment they need, and expense is a big reason. Even well-insured patients may reel when confronted with the $6,000 a year it takes on average to manage the disease (not counting the costs of such complications as heart disease, stroke, and liver and kidney damage).

Becoming educated is the most important thing a person with diabetes can do to help stem the cost of medications as well as avoid complications, said Dr. Bennett. Here, three crucial things you should know.

DM1 needs treatment with insulin injections to replace the insulin that is not produced in the body. There are several types of insulin available. The most commonly used are the genetically engineered that are similar to human insulin. The difference in the various types of insulin is the times at which they "peak" or are most effective. Insulin schedule depends upon the meal pattern of the individual. This is required to avoid low blood glucose levels, causing hypoglycaemia. Insulin is administered with a syringe, and newer devices such as insulin pens and insulin pumps. The latter devices control diabetes more efficiently.

DM2 (earlier called NIDDM) is initially treated with weight reduction, diet control and regular exercises. When these measures fail to control the blood sugar levels, oral medicines are used. Sulphonylureas are a group of drugs that stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. Metformin reduces insulin resistance, and the production of glucose by the liver. Thiazolidenediones also increase insulin efficiency and sensitivity. Acarbose delays the absorption of glucose by the intestines. When the action of oral drugs is insufficient, insulin injections are added.

Exercise: It is an important component of diabetes therapy. Exercise utilizes blood sugar and makes the body more sensitive to insulin. It also reduces high blood pressure and high lipid levels, which are often associated with diabetes.

Diet: There is no such thing as a "diabetic diet". Persons with diabetes should eat a normal, balanced diet, which is designed to meet their nutritional requirements, maintain normal blood sugar levels and at the same time to help in achieving appropriate weight (i.e. reduction in case of obese persons, regain in case of very lean persons). It is also important to eat meals at regular time intervals, especially if insulin is used.

Heredity and lifestyle in diabetes

For years it was believed that heredity was the primary defining factor in whether or not a person got diabetes. Those with a family history watched their sugars and exercised more in the hopes of not getting diabetes and its secondary complications of kidney disease, heart disease, and eye disease.

Now it appears that a person's lifestyle is as important as heredity and those that don't have a family history of diabetes still can get diabetes if they have a poor diet, don't exercise, smoke and drink alcohol. These things have independently been found to increase a person's risk of getting diabetes.

Those with a family history who practiced healthy life habits had a lesser degree of getting diabetes, even if they were otherwise obese. Each additional lifestyle habit they changed had an impact on the risk of getting diabetes.

One of the questions that needs to be answered first is; "is diabetes hereditary?" this will help researchers develop treatment programs that can help prevent or cure this killer disease. While researchers are still not clear as to what causes diabetes there are many factors they have identified that provide a common link in the diabetes question.

Whiles the predisposition to get diabetes is hereditary, there are a number of heredity factors and environmental conditions that will play into if someone develops diabetes. Diabetes is what is classified as an autoimmune disease, where our body sees part of the body as an invader and attacks it.

Autoimmune diseases do tend to run in families and where you see one autoimmune disease you are likely to find others. So while nobody in your family may have diabetes, if members of your family have other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible to also see diabetes show up.

Aside from asking if diabetes is hereditary; researchers are also looking at environmental factors, such as obesity, lack of activity and age. Diabetes most often shows up in people over the age of 45 who are obese, and do not get enough exercise. This leads one to think that despite heredity that type 2 diabetes can also be prevented by proper diet and maintaining a normal weight.

With more children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at young ages, this is becoming more and more of a certainty. Children have become more sedentary and accustomed to a diet of processed, refined food and drinks leading to obesity and ultimately to diabetes.

Regardless of whether type 2 diabetes is hereditary or not, it is clear that it is both preventable and controllable maintaining a healthy weight and including a healthy diet and exercise into your life.

Diabetes is an epidemic that is costing governments a great deal of money and healthcare organizations are spending money on treating this disease and its many side effects and complications.

It is expected that people exercise at least 20 minutes per day, three times per week and never smoke if they want to keep diabetes at bay. They should limit their drinking to social drinking or around one drink per night for women and two drinks per night for men. These habit changes can affect the incidence of diabetes even if you have a strong family history for the disease.

Governments need to start programs in which these dietary and lifestyle habits are introduced and promoted in order to decrease the incidence of diabetic diseases. This can come from the Ministries of Health or other non-profit healthcare organizations interested in slowing the progression of disease. This needs to be a worldwide change in order to make sure that people all over the world can become healthier and decrease the worldwide incidence of the disease.

Fighting Your Diabetes during Pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth is a wonderful phase in your womanhood and in case you find yourself afflicted with diabetes during your pregnancy, then you need to take few extra caution with regard to your diet so as to have an uneventful pregnancy cycle. You should first be aware that few drugs meant for diabetics are not good on the developing fetus and hence at the first instance you should avoid all the possible medicines that may prove to be dangerous to your baby in womb.

Furthermore, you should also get your kidneys and eyes checked thoroughly besides stopping your smoking habits altogether in order to save your unborn child from any possible complications later.

At the first instance, you as a pregnant woman should strictly follow the recommended insulin regimen to keep your blood glucose level under control. Though you are likely to post a lower glucose level during your pregnancy for the reason that the developing fetus will be using some amounts of glucose, you should also keep a watch on your ketone levelas any increase in ketones might hamper the growth of fetus.

Choosing Your Diet is the Key

Today you have a voluminous information on the various diets meant for pregnant diabetic women, but you should be in a position to choose the one that suits you better and that could give you a better long-term benefit. You can certainly find the following diet tips helpful in your pregnancy journey:

During your pregnancy, your protein requirement will be calculated based on your body weight and it is two grams for every kilogram of your body weight. For instance, if you weigh 55 kilograms, then your ideal daily protein requirement will be around 110 grams and once you ensure that you take this recommended level, you can rest assured that your protein requirement is met.

Get to know your daily energy requirements in the form of kilocalories and note to get half of it from eating carbohydrates. And within the choice of choosing carbohydrates, it is better if you can choose some complex carbohydrates so as to derive quality calories.

When it comes to the fat that you can consume during your pregnancy is that it should not exceed 30 percent in your calorie scale. One gram of fat, being denser than carbohydrate and protein, can supply you with 9 kilo calories and hence ensure that you do not derive more than 30 percent of your calories from fatty foods.

During your entire pregnancy period ensure that you eat at least three meals in a day and if you so desire you can even break them into more numbers, say five or six meals. A small snack before bedtime can really help you from starving during your sleep process and save you from any lower blood glucose shock.

Insulin for diabetes

There are five different types of insulin available for people with diabetes, ranging from fast to long acting. Insulin injection devices (syringes, 'pens' and pumps) are used to administer the insulin.Often people need varying amounts of both fast and longer-acting insulin. Everyone is different and will respond differently, so the types and doses of insulin need to be individualised. 

Various devices are available to inject insulin. Discuss the options with your doctor or diabetes educator. Methods of taking insulin by mouth are still in development. 

The five types of insulin include:

• Very rapid acting insulin
• Short-acting insulin
• Intermediate-acting insulin
• Long-acting insulin
• Pre-mixed insulin.

Very rapid acting insulin

Very rapid acting insulin always looks clear. It is fast acting and starts to work within one to 20 minutes after injection. It peaks about one hour later and lasts from three to five hours. When you use this type of insulin, you must eat immediately after you inject. 

The three rapid acting insulin types currently available are:

• NovoRapid (insulin aspart)
• Humalog (insulin lispro)
• Apidra (insulin glulisine).

Short-acting insulin

Short-acting insulins always look clear. They begin to lower blood glucose levels within half an hour, so you need to have your injection half an hour before eating. 

Short-acting insulin has maximum effect two to four hours after injection, and lasts for between six and eight hours. Short-acting insulin brands currently available include:

• Actrapid
• Humulin R
• Hypurin Neutral (bovine – highly purified beef insulin).

Intermediate-acting insulin

Intermediate-acting insulins always look cloudy. They have either protamine or zinc added to delay their action. These insulins begin to work about 90 minutes after injection, peak at four to 12 hours and last for 16 to 24 hours. 

Intermediate-acting insulins currently available are isophane insulins (with protamine added), including Protaphane, Humulin NPH and Hypurin Isophane (bovine).

Long-acting insulin

There are two types of long-acting insulin and they both have a clear appearance. They are:

• Lantus (glargine insulin) – has no pronounced peak action, which means the insulin is released into the bloodstream at a relatively constant rate. One injection can last up to 24 hours. This is usually given once per day.
• Levemir (detemir insulin) – also has no pronounced peak, can last up to 24 hours and may be given once or twice daily.

Mixed insulin

Mixed insulin always looks cloudy. It contains a pre-mixed combination of either a very rapid acting or a short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin. 

If the insulin is '30/70' then it contains 30 per cent of quick acting and 70 per cent of intermediate acting insulin. '50/50' means 50 per cent of each. 

The mixed insulins currently available include:

• With rapid acting insulin – NovoMix 30 (30% Rapid, 70% Intermediate), Humalog Mix 25 (25% Rapid, 75% Intermediate NPH), Humalog Mix 50 (50% Rapid, 50% Intermediate NPH)
• With short-acting insulin – Mixtard 30/70, Mixtard 50/50 and Humulin 30/70.

Before injecting a cloudy insulin, the vial must be gently rolled to make sure the insulin is evenly distributed in the solution. 

Insulin injection devices

Insulin injection devices include insulin syringes, insulin delivery pens and insulin pumps.

Insulin syringes

Points to consider include:

• Syringes are manufactured in 30 unit (0.3ml), 50 unit (0.5ml) and 100 unit (1.0ml) measures. The size of syringe will depend on the insulin dose; for example, it is easier to measure a 10 unit dose in a 30 unit syringe and 55 units in a 100 unit syringe.
• Needles on the syringes are available in different lengths, ranging from 8mm to 13mm. Your doctor or diabetes educator will help you decide which syringe is right for you.
• Use each syringe once only.
• Syringes are free for people registered with the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS).

Insulin 'pen' delivery devices

Points to consider include:

• Each 'pen' device is specific to its own brand of insulin. Devices are either disposable or reusable. Disposable devices are pre-filled with insulin and the whole device is disposed when empty. Reusable devices require insertion of an insulin cartridge (3ml, containing 300 units of insulin). When finished, a new cartridge is inserted. Your doctor or diabetes educator will advise you about the right type for your needs.
• NovoPen 3 Demi and HumaPen Luxura HD dial up the insulin dose in ½ unit increments.
• Many people find pen devices easier and more convenient than syringes.
• Those who have difficulties with their sight or arthritis may find the InnoLet pre-filled device easier to use, however this is only available with Protaphane and Mixtard 30/70 insulins. Discuss this with your doctor or diabetes educator.
• Pen needles vary in length from 4mm to 12.7mm. They also vary in thickness or gauge from 28G to 32G. The higher the number, the finer the needle.
• It is recommended that the pen needle be changed with each injection.
• Pen needles are free for people registered with the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS).

Insulin pumps

Points to consider include:

• The insulin pump is a small programmable device that holds a reservoir of insulin. The pump is programmed to deliver insulin into the body through thin plastic tubing known as the infusion set or giving set.
• The pump is worn outside the body – in a pouch, on your belt or in your bra. The infusion set has a fine needle or flexible cannula that is inserted just below the skin (usually on the abdomen) where it stays in place for two to three days.
• Only fast or rapid acting insulin is used in the pump. Whenever food is eaten, the pump is manually programmed to deliver an amount of insulin into the body, similar to the way the pancreas does in people without diabetes. Between meals, a small and steady rate of insulin is delivered.
• The insulin pump isn't suitable for everyone. If you're considering using one, you must discuss it first with your diabetes healthcare team.
• The cost of an insulin pump is generally covered by private health insurance for people with type 1 diabetes (a waiting period applies). Some children (under the age of 18) are eligible for an insulin pump subsidy (see the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's website ). The consumables required for use (such as cannulas, lines and reservoirs) are subsidised by the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) and cost approximately $25 per month.

Tell you Causes of diabetes

Causes of type 1 diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, causing a severe lack of insulin. This is usually thought to be the result of the body attacking and destroying its own cells in the pancreas, known as an autoimmune reaction.

• 

It isn't clear why this happens, but a number of explanations and possible triggers have been proposed. These include:

• Infection with a specific virus or bacteria
• Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins
• Exposure as a very young infant to cow's milk, where an as yet unidentified component triggers the autoimmune reaction

However, these are only hypotheses and are not proven causes.

As with other autoimmune diseases, an underlying genetic disposition seems to play a part, leaving some people more vulnerable to these triggers.

In rare cases, damage to the pancreas by tumours, toxins or injury (including surgery), can also lead to type 1 diabetes.

Causes of type 2 diabetes

Development of type 2 diabetes is usually multifactorial - that is, several factors combine to cause it. The most important of these is genetics. Children of people with type 2 diabetes have a one in three chance of developing the condition themselves.

In this type of diabetes, the receptors on cells in the body that normally respond to the action of insulin fail to be stimulated by it. This is known as insulin resistance.

In response to this, more insulin may be produced and this overproduction exhausts the insulin-manufacturing cells in the pancreas. There is simply insufficient insulin available and the insulin that is available may be abnormal and so doesn't work properly.

The following risk factors increase the chances of someone developing type 2 diabetes:

• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity

Rarer causes of type 2 diabetes include:

• Certain medicines
• Pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Any illness or disease that damages the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insulin, such as pancreatitis

What doesn't cause diabetes?

It's important to be aware of myths about the causes of diabetes. Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. However, it may cause obesity and this is associated with people developing type 2 diabetes.

Stress alone does not cause diabetes, although it may be a trigger for autoimmune disease as in type 1 diabetes. There is also evidence that chronic stress increases the risk of the development of a complex condition known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome includes features such as abdominal obesity, abnormal blood fat levels , high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Stress can also make the symptoms worse for people who already have diabetes and make control of their diabetes difficult.

Diabetes is not contagious, so someone with diabetes can't pass it on to anyone else.

Foot and Leg Pain from Diabetes

Diabetics often suffer foot and leg pain as a result of complications that are associated with the diabetes. Because the legs are an extremity of the body, it is important for them to receive a constant flow of healthy blood in order to stay strong and healthy. Protect yourself from diabetic caused amputations.

 

However, because of many diabetes-related conditions, the legs do not get the proper attention that they need to stay healthy. Those complications include poor circulation, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and even slow-healing infections. Another reason feet and legs don't get proper attention in time is the early stages of blocked blood flow damage are painless. Just as Type 2 diabetes, there is no feeling that anything bad is going on – but it is! But, as the years go by, blood flow is reduced starving and damaging the nerve tissue in the feet and legs, as well as other parts of the body.

 

Many diabetics have conditions that affect the positive flow of blood throughout the body. When blood flow through the arteries in the feet and legs becomes blocked or limited, the feet and legs can get cramps, numbness, or loss of functionality. Often, cramps will form during exercise, such as walking or jogging. One should use diabetic support hose while exercising.

 

However, as the problem progresses, the feet may start to feel painful even when the body is at rest. Foot pain in such a case is usually the result of blocked blood flow to the feet, which can lead to a host of serious complications.

 

Risk Factors

There are a variety of conditions that can impact leg pain that is associated with diabetes. Among those risk factors include:

• Smoking

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Obesity

• Lack of physical activity

• Family history of heart disease

 

Symptoms of Leg Problems

• Decreased hair growth on the legs and feet

• Discoloration of the leg or footCompression Socks & Stockings

• Lack of pulse in the leg or foot

• Cold feet or legs

• Numbness, cramping, tingling, or pain

• Non-healing wounds

• Shrinking calf muscles

• Thickened toenails

• Gangrene

 

Foot Care with Diabetes shoes

 People with neuropathy need to take special care of their feet. The nerves to the feet are the longest in the body and are the ones most often affected by neuropathy. Loss of sensation in the feet means that sores or injuries may not be noticed and may become ulcerated or infected. Poor blood flow also increase the risk of foot ulcers and diabetes foot problems.

 

More than half of all lower-limb amputations in the United States occur in people with diabetes – 86,000 amputations per year. Doctors estimate that nearly half of the amputations caused by neuropathy, diabetes foot pain and poor circulation could have been prevented by careful foot care.

 

Follow these steps to take care of your feet:

• Clean your feet daily, using warm, not hot water and a mild soap. Avoid soaking your feet. Dry them with a soft towel and dry carefully between your toes.

• Inspect your feet and toes every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, calluses, or other problems. Use a mirror, laying a mirror on the floor works well or gets help from someone else if you cannot see the bottoms of your feet. Notify your health care provider of any problems.

• Moisturize your feet with lotion, but avoid getting the lotion between your toes.

• After a bath or shower, file corns and calluses gently with a pumice stone.

• Cut your toenails weekly to the shape of your toes and file the edges with an emery board.

• Always wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet from injuries. Prevent skin irritation by wearing thick, soft, seamless diabetic socks.

• Wear shoes that fit well and allow your toes to move. Break in new shoes gradually by first wearing them for only an hour at a time.

• Inspect your diabetic shoes carefully and feel the insides with your hand to make sure they have no tears, sharp edges, or objects in them that might injure your feet.

• If you need help taking care of your feet, make an appointment to see a foot doctor, also called a podiatrist.

 

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