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What is diabetic neuropathy?

What is diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is by far the common neuropathy and it is a peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar levels, especially if remains for long periods and poorly controlled, damages the linings of the small blood vessels that supply blood to the hands, feet, and the vital organs of the body like heart and the eye. In diabetics, retinal neuropathy and blindness caused is very common. Neuropathies per se have no treatment and it is the root cause that is to be identified and treated. In diabetic neuropathy, it is the diabetics that is treated and controlled. The neuropathy does not help matters any. With the loss of sensation in the extremities, they become highly prone to injuries and infections. High blood sugar levels, delay healing of the wound, opening up opportunities for recurrent infections. This vicious cycle ultimately leads to amputations of part of the limbs like digits or the whole limb in extreme cases. Generally, when the sensation is lost in the limbs protective gears like specially designed footwear or gloves are fitted to protect them from injury. During the treatment of diabetes patients tested and monitored for development of neuropathy. The skin of the patient is closely checked for dryness, cracks and other blemishes.
Uses of alpha lipoic acid

Uses of alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is found extensively in yeast, kidney, liver, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. Along with these foods, it is also made in laboratories to be used as a supplement or medicine. Alpha lipoic is a chemical like vitamins and is called an antioxidant. Alpha lipoic acid is used for diabetes and other never related symptoms of diabetes like burning, pain, and numbness in the legs and arms. Germany has allowed intaking of high doses of alpha lipoic supplements to counter these problems. Alpha lipoic acid has many other uses, let us look at some of them: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery : Alpha lipoic supplements can decrease the complications related to the CABG surgery. Research shows that consuming a product containing alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and selenium can provide the required help. This product should ideally be consumed for two months before the surgery and one month after it. Diabetes : This use of alpha lipoic acid cannot be guaranteed to a large extent. As far as lipoic acid is known to affect the blood sugar levels in the body. There is some research that shows alpha lipoic acid could also cause side effects and lead to a drop in the blood sugar levels or not affect them at all.
3 diabetes diet breakfast rules to follow

3 diabetes diet breakfast rules to follow

Diabetes is a medical condition wherein the blood sugar levels are higher than normal and one should take care of his or her meals when such a medical condition arises. Breakfasts are the most important meal of your entire day. You cannot skip going to the restaurants, we agree, but one should always have breakfast at home. If you are wondering what can be a perfect diabetes diet breakfast, then here are a few tips that can help you get a healthy bowl of breakfast and control diabetes. Oatmeal “ keeps the blood sugar under check With 4 grams of fiber per cup, oatmeal is one of the best breakfast meals you can eat in case you have diabetes. Fiber, as we all know, helps in keeping the blood sugar steady. There are also some studies that prove the benefits of having oatmeal during diabetes. If you have oatmeal at least five to six times a week, the chances of developing type 2 diabetes reduce drastically. Oatmeal is a better option as compared to other sugar coated, flaked cereals. Nonfat milk or yogurt for breakfast   is a must Having yogurt or nonfat milk for breakfast is a healthy way of reducing the risk of diabetes.
Gout and diabetes – How to manage the conditions

Gout and diabetes – How to manage the conditions

Gout is one form of arthritis, and it appears when the uric acid level in the blood is high. The chances of gout are high if a person has type 2 diabetes and vice-versa. Gout causes sudden swelling and pain in the joints, and it affects the big toe at the initial stage. Uric acid is a waste that the body makes when it breaks down purine found in food and other substances. Usually, the waste dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys and leaves the body through urine. Gout occurs when the body makes extra uric acid or if the kidneys are unable to remove enough of them. Instead of being dissolved in blood, they form crystals and get stuck on the joints and soft tissues. The link between gout and diabetes Hyperuricemia is the condition that occurs after gout affects the body. Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes are likely to be more affected by this condition. On the other hand, individuals with high level of uric acid and gout have more chances of having diabetes. When the body becomes insulin resistant, and sugar stays in your blood instead of dissolving in the cells, type 2 diabetes occurs.
5 drinks that diabetics should avoid

5 drinks that diabetics should avoid

It is important that people with diabetes keep a strict watch on their diet. Since several foods and drinks contain carbs, sugars, and artificially sweetened agents, people with diabetes must exercise caution before choosing foods rich in artificial or added sugar. It is, therefore, important that the drinks for diabetics exclude sugary drinks that can raise the blood sugar levels and spike up the daily calorie intake. Here is a list of harmful drinks for diabetics that they must certainly avoid. Regular soda The American Diabetes Association ranks soda as one of the most harmful drinks for diabetes that should strictly be avoided. A single can of soda contains about 40gms of carbs and a whooping 150gms of calories. The sugary soda drinks also account for rapid weight gain, tooth decay, and high blood sugar levels. A good swap for soda can be fruit infused water or unsweetened herbal teas. Energy drinks While all energy drinks may claim to spike up your energy levels, it is important that to note that they are also full of caffeine and carbs. Many studies prove energy drinks to be a great cause of increasing your blood sugar and causing insulin resistance. People who do not have diabetes may also fall at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes: Symptoms and prevention strategies

Diabetes: Symptoms and prevention strategies

Diabetes refers to the condition of your blood carrying an excess of sugar. Sugar is a source of energy, and when it is ingested, the body secretes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps to “open” cells so that the glucose can enter the cells and energy can be released. Now when there is a shortage of insulin or if insulin is unable to open, the cells for energy is released. The sugar which is ingested is not processed and remains in the bloodstream. This causes diabetes. Although there are different types of diabetes, the symptoms for each of the types are more or less the same. Most of the time, diabetes occurs in people who do not show any of these symptoms at all. Symptoms If you happen to show one or two symptoms from the below list, then it’s best you get a blood test done first thing. Excessive thirst on a frequent basis Increased appetite (sensation of hunger even after large meals) Excess urination Fatigue Weight loss Blurred vision Small changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of getting diabetes by a long way. What Is The Normal Blood Sugar Range? The blood sugar levelis lowest in the morning and the blood sugar level at this time is the Fasting level.
Ideal food items that help control diabetes

Ideal food items that help control diabetes

When people have diabetes, they must give attention to their food habits. It does not mean leaving out all the delicious food in the world. It means having a balanced diet that will provide you exactly with the amount of nutrition that you need. People with diabetes need to be more careful about their diet because a slight deviation may increase the chances of heart disease. Here is a list of items recommended as part of a diabetes diet. Lots of vegetables whether raw, cooked or roasted Vegetables, as you know, form an important part of almost all diet plans. But you must choose them carefully. Always choose low-carbohydrate veggies. For example, mushrooms, Brussels sprout, tomatoes, onions, etc. They not only provide flavor to your food but also are healthy and must be included in all diabetes meal plans. Avocados Avocados are very well known for their utility to the heart as they contain a monosaturated type of fat. Because of these fats present in avocados, they can decrease the rate of heart diseases, which is a major complication associated with diabetes. They also help to enhance insulin sensitivity. Asparagus It is a very tasty food and is preferred by many.
Controlling diabetes using vinegar

Controlling diabetes using vinegar

With apple cider vinegar, diabetes control can be achieved as it is a natural diabetes remedy that works more efficiently than even some of the pharmaceutical medications. Although its use is not common, studies have shown that it reduces blood sugar levels. Besides being efficient, it is also cheap and easily accessible. Even people with insulin resistant diabetes are known to improve when they take this product. People who use it together with insulin normally experience wonderful outcomes. You should use it regularly to have enhanced results. Apple vinegar works safely without any side effects. Research results To prove the efficiency and safety of apple cider vinegar, diabetes control was studied after administering this product to patients with diabetes. Another group was not given the vinegar and the results were obtained after three months. Those who took the vinegar showed a reduction in blood sugar levels, while those who did not remain with high blood sugar levels. This showed the effectiveness of apple cedar vinegar.Diabetes control was found to be possible with it. Although the dosages were not revealed, vinegar is not that expensive even if it is used in high amounts. New studies Because vinegar is not an expensive item, pharmaceutical companies do not want to invest in research on it, since they know it will not bring the kind of profits they want.
5 Symptoms Of Diabetes you should be aware of

5 Symptoms Of Diabetes you should be aware of

Diabetes is the talk of the town at the moment with everyone from the age of Justin Bieber to Al Pacino being susceptible to this sugar monster. Let’s look at what the disease is and what are the symptoms associated with it. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a medical condition where the sugar content in your bloodstream is higher than the recommended levels. The blood sugar level in the morning known as the fasting level is the lowest. The normal blood sugar levels for a nondiabetic person at this time is between 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L, while the normal blood sugar level for a diabetic person is between 4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L. The blood sugar level rises after a meal. So, the normal blood sugar level for a nondiabetic person is between 6.5 to 7.8 mmol/L and the normal blood sugar level for a diabetic person is approximately 10.0 mmol/L. What are the symptoms of diabetes? The 5 common symptoms of diabetes are: Urge to urinate frequently, especially during the night Unquenchable thirst Tiredness and fatigue Loss of weight Thrush or itching in the genitals What causes diabetes? To analyze the reason behind diabetes, it’s essential to understand the role insulin plays in your bloodstream.
All you should know about lowering your A1C levels

All you should know about lowering your A1C levels

Low A1C levels are crucial for our wellbeing. This is because it lowers the risk of eye diseases, kidney problems, nervous and cardiovascular diseases. A blood test will provide you the current A1C level, and if it is on the higher end of the spectrum, it is essential to adopt remedial measures. Now that you are acquainted with the reasons as to why you should have lower A1C levels, let us see the ways in which you can do it. Make a plan to lower a1c levels First of all, you need a plan according to which you will be performing your day to day activities with the aim of lowering your A1C levels in a certain span of time. Your plan may include goals like losing weight, eating healthy and reducing all kinds of stress. A holistic approach is important in this regard. Eat more vegetables: Vegetables are the solution to most problems. Consume green leafy vegetables which have low carbohydrate content like asparagus, tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach and so on. You can make a chart or print it out to keep track of what to eat and what not to eat. Eat lots of fruits: Consume fruits that help lower your LDL cholesterol levels and promote the health of your cardiovascular system.
All you need to know about farxiga invokana treatment

All you need to know about farxiga invokana treatment

Diabetes is said to be a life-long disease which affects the way your body handles glucose in your blood. Type-2 diabetes affects kids, teens as well as adults. The primary causes of diabetes are genetics, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are so mild that one may not notice until tested. Farxiga and Invokana are oral medicines prescribed to people with Type 2 diabetes. These two therapeutic drugs are found effective in research and are FDA approved. Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dapagliflozin tablets to improve sugar control in January 2014, provided the patient follows a proper diet and exercises as recommended by the doctor. Farxiga, a Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is beneficial in lowering the level of blood sugar, but it does not help patients who are insulin-dependent. The medicine can be procured by the doctor’s prescription only. There are certain guidelines that one must follow during the consumption of Farxiga. The dose as prescribed by the doctor should be taken, neither less nor more. You should never continue with the medicine for an extended period as it may affect you adversely. Following a diet plan, taking daily exercise and regular checking of sugar level in your blood or urine are the guidelines to be followed along with oral medication, to bring your diabetes under control.