Author Archives: Staff Writers

About Staff Writers

Content published on Diabetic Live is produced by our staff writers and edited/published by Christopher Berry. Christopher is a type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed in 1977 at the age of 3.

What Exactly is Diabetes Insipidus?

What Exactly is Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes Insipidus: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Condition

Diabetes insipidus, often misconstrued as a form of diabetes mellitus, is a rare condition characterized by excessive thirst and urination. Unlike diabetes mellitus, which affects insulin production, diabetes insipidus stems from a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate water absorption. This imbalance leads to the production of large amounts of dilute urine, leaving the body in a state of constant dehydration.

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A1C chart showing normal, prediabetes, and a1c levels in diabetic ranges.

A1C Levels

A1C Chart: A Guide to Understanding Your Results

The A1C chart is a valuable tool for understanding your blood sugar control. It measures the average amount of glucose attached to your hemoglobin, the protein in your blood that carries oxygen. A high A1C level means that you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

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Understanding Ketones and Diabetes

Understanding Ketones

Understanding Ketones: A Foundational Overview

Ketones, a byproduct of fat metabolism, play a crucial role in the body’s energy production. While generally harmless in healthy individuals, for type 1 diabetics, elevated ketone levels can pose significant health risks. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of ketones, exploring their formation, implications for type 1 diabetes management, and strategies to maintain optimal ketone levels.

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Understanding Diabetic Nerve Pain: A comprehensive Overview

Diabetic Nerve Pain Overview

Understanding Diabetic Nerve Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

Diabetic nerve pain, also known as diabetic neuropathy, is a common and often debilitating complication of diabetes. It affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes, making it one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in the world. Diabetic nerve pain can cause a wide range of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, burning, and sharp shooting pains in the hands, feet, legs, and arms. It can also lead to muscle weakness, loss of balance, and difficulty with urination and sexual function.

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A Budwig Protocol Diet Recipe

The Budwig Protocol Diet And Recipe

Overview

This is a follow-up article to our original Budwig Protocol article. VERY IMPORTANT:  Check with your doctor before using this recipe.

  • 3 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese (90 calories, AND 270 mg sodium per ½ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil (120 calories)

Stir together (or use a hand blender) to mix thoroughly, and then eat within 15 minutes, OR the flaxseed oil will go rancid and your dish will be worthless.

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Benefits of a high fiber diet for people with diabetes

Can A High-Fiber Diet Help Manage Diabetes?

A high fiber diet is important for everyone, but especially for people with diabetes. Fiber can help to lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance that can help to slow down digestion and absorption of glucose. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and helps to keep the digestive system healthy.

Benefits of a high fiber diet for people with diabetes

  • Lower blood sugar levels
  • Improved cholesterol levels
  • Reduced risk of heart disease
  • Reduced risk of constipation
  • Increased satiety (feeling of fullness)
  • Weight loss

How much fiber should people with diabetes eat?

The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day for women and 30-38 grams of fiber per day for men. People with diabetes may need to eat more fiber, up to 50 grams per day.

Good sources of fiber

There are many good sources of fiber, including:

  • Fruits: apples, pears, berries, oranges, grapefruit, bananas
  • Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes
  • Whole grains: oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta
  • Legumes: beans, lentils, peas
  • Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseed

Tips for increasing your fiber intake

  • Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal or whole-wheat cereal with berries and nuts.
  • Add fruits and vegetables to every meal.
  • Choose whole grains over refined grains.
  • Snack on nuts and seeds.
  • Add beans or lentils to soups, stews, and salads.
  • Sprinkle chia seeds or flaxseed on yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies.

Conclusion

A high fiber diet is an important part of managing diabetes. By eating a variety of fiber-rich foods, you can help to improve your blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and overall health.

Ketoacidosis: A Comprehensive Overview

Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis: A Comprehensive Overview

What is Ketoacidosis?

Ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition that can occur in people with diabetes. It is caused by a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acids that are produced by the liver when the body does not have enough insulin to use glucose for energy.

Types of Ketoacidosis

There are two main types of ketoacidosis:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): This is the most common type of ketoacidosis and occurs in people with diabetes.
  • Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA): This type of ketoacidosis can occur in people who drink heavily.

Symptoms of Ketoacidosis

The symptoms of ketoacidosis can vary depending on the severity of the condition. However, some common symptoms include:

  • High blood sugar
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme thirst
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Fruity breath odor

Causes of Ketoacidosis

DKA can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Not taking insulin injections as prescribed
  • Illness, such as an infection
  • Injury
  • Surgery
  • Emotional stress
  • Pregnancy
  • Certain medications

AKA can be caused by:

  • Heavy drinking
  • Fasting
  • Low carbohydrate diets

Diagnosis of Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms and medical history. A doctor will also perform a physical exam and order blood tests to check for high blood sugar and ketones.

Treatment of Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency and requires treatment in a hospital. Treatment typically includes:

  • Fluid replacement: People with ketoacidosis are often dehydrated, so they need to receive fluids intravenously (through an IV).
  • Electrolyte replacement: Ketoacidosis can also cause electrolyte imbalances, so people with ketoacidosis may need to receive electrolytes such as sodium and potassium intravenously.
  • Insulin therapy: Insulin is needed to lower blood sugar levels and stop the production of ketones. Insulin is typically administered intravenously.

Complications of Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis can lead to a number of complications, including:

  • Hypokalemia: Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate muscle and nerve function. Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness, cramps, and heart problems.
  • Cerebral edema: Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain. Cerebral edema can be caused by a number of factors, including ketoacidosis. Cerebral edema can lead to headache, confusion, seizures, and coma.
  • Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia can damage nerves, blood vessels, and organs.
  • Ketoacidemia: Ketoacidemia is a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketoacidemia can lead to a coma.
  • Pulmonary edema: Pulmonary edema is fluid buildup in the lungs. Pulmonary edema can make it difficult to breathe.
  • Myocardial infarction: Myocardial infarction is a heart attack. A heart attack can be caused by a number of factors, including ketoacidosis. A heart attack can damage the heart muscle and lead to death.

Prevention of Ketoacidosis

The best way to prevent ketoacidosis is to manage diabetes effectively. This includes taking insulin injections as prescribed and monitoring blood sugar levels regularly. It is also important to seek medical attention promptly if you experience any signs or symptoms of ketoacidosis.

Conclusion

Ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition that can occur in people with diabetes. It is caused by a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency and requires treatment in a hospital. The best way to prevent ketoacidosis is to manage diabetes effectively.

An Instructional on Diabetes Diet Guidelines

An Instructional on Diabetes Diet Guidelines

When it comes to a diabetes diet, there are many important things to know. One of the most important things to know about a diabetes diet is that different diabetic diagnosis can change each diabetic diet.

Before we get into all that however, let’s talk about the way weight can increase diabetes.

People who are obese or overweight are 80 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who maintain a healthy weight.  In a study produced by the Medstar Research Institute in Washington, D.C., almost 2,000 non-diabetic, overweight adults that were between the ages of 25 and 74 were measured for their risk of developing diabetes, they were also measured to see if they reduce their risk by losing weight. They study proved that in just losing two pounds a year for ten years, their risk of developing diabetes reduced by a third.

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