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Importance Of Having Diabetic Friendly Treats Available

Importance Of Having Diabetic Friendly Treats Available: There are many things that you want to think about as you are planning meals for yourself as a diabetic, or for someone else who is a diabetic. First of all, you’ve probably put a lot of time into thinking about the various ways that you can incorporate sugar free foods into the meals that you cook. This might take up a lot of your planning time, and be a big part of your life for awhile. Once you’ve figured it out, it will be easy, but to start with, it is going to be difficult. However, you might be overlooking something else that is important when you are planning your life as a diabetic, or when you are running a household that contains a diabetic.

Sugar is an important part of the problem when it comes to diabetics, but there is another side to the equation, and that is the side of having enough of it. There are different kinds of sugars – bad sugars and good sugars – and usually a person is able to regulate these on their own, by the insulin that their body makes. However, diabetics don’t’ make insulin, and it is often hard for them to regulate the levels of sugar in their bodies. While it is important to cut out the instances of bad sugar, it is also important to makes sure that the levels of good sugar are right for people who have diabetes.

Therefore, it is important for you to have diabetic friendly treats that are available around the clock in your house. Often, a diabetic will need to eat a snack at certain times each day, and will need to make sure that their meals are set up like clock work as well. Regulating when you eat and how often you eat is a big part of managing your diabetes, so you will need to focus on having snacks and meals that are available to the diabetic in your life.

A good way to start is to regulate the times for each meal of the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner should all be at certain times, and you should not deviate from this. In order to make sure that you stay healthy, eat at the same time each day for all three meals and make sure that the meals you are eating are what your doctor considers balanced meals for you and for your type of diabetes. Then, be sure that you also schedule regular snacks. You will need to eat small snacks between meals as part of your general health, so be sure that you have diabetic-friendly snacks that are available.

Lastly, you will need to keep several things handy. Diabetics often have changes in their diet that cause them to need certain things. Some diabetics might need a stash of sugary snacks or foods in order to help them regulate their blood sugar in an emergency. Therefore, it might not be wise to get rid of all of the sugar in your home. You will also need to have some food on hand that a diabetic can snack on regularly, in order to keep their blood sugar up on normal days. Be sure that you have plenty of healthy snacks that they can eat. Lastly, pay attention to the snacks and what a diabetic person is eating. Too much or too little can often be a sign of problems ahead.

Chef Brings Personal Experience to Diabetic Meals

He swears like a sailor, wears his hear long and dons an apron daily. Tom Valenti is a chef’s chef. He is well known in New York for his inspired way with food and he’s not shy about trying new things. Oh, did I mention he’s diabetic?

Chef Brings Personal Experience to Diabetic Meals: He swears like a sailor, wears his hair long and dons an apron daily. Tom Valenti is a chef’s chef. He is well known in New York for his inspired way with food and he’s not shy about trying new things. Oh, did I mention he’s diabetic?

Valenti was informed back in the 1990’s he had Type 2 diabetes. This can have a very negative effect on a chef. After all they make their living with food and much of their success depends on experimentation. They need to taste their creations to know if they have succeeded. Could he continue his life’s passion with diabetes? Valenti found a way.

The News and Observer reports, “When Valenti got his diagnosis, he changed his diet, but he didn’t change his cooking. And he didn’t talk much about it.”

Besides making the recipes that made him famous Valenti also began slowly experimenting in foods that were both pleasing to his palate and acceptable to his diabetic dietary goals.

WABC says, “This gourmet superstar chef is a healthy eater now and keeps his diabetes in check. And while he still craves food he shouldn’t have, his cooking is satisfying for him and he hopes for others.”

At some point Valenti decided that others might enjoy dishes he specifically created to trick his tastebuds into finding renewed zest for mealtime. This began his journey into writing a very accessible cookbook entitled, “You Don’t Have to Be Diabetic To Love This Cookbook”.

CBS quoted Valenti in a portion of his book. “Beyond discovering how useful my standard operating procedures were for my new scenario, I found that very often honoring the limits of diabetes simply meant rejiggering the proportions in a dish, emphasizing proteins and vegetables over pastas, legumes, and so on.”

Many who have tried his dishes believe Valenti has succeeded in quality ‘rejiggering’.

The following Valenti recipe is courtesy of ABC news.

Fish en Papillote

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 lemon, divided into sections, sections peeled
4 white fish fillets, such as cod (4 ounces each)
4 plum tomatoes, seeded and thickly sliced crosswise
¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
8 fresh tarragon leaves (optional)
2 small shallots, minced
½ teaspoon coarse salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Cut 4 pieces of aluminum foil (or parchment paper), each about 18 inches square. Smear butter on each piece and top each with a fish fillet. Neatly pile the tomatoes, lemon sections, parsley, tarragon, if using, and shallots on top of each fillet and season them with the salt and pepper. Sprinkle each fillet with ¹/8 cup of the wine and 1½ teaspoons of the olive oil.
Fold the foil up over each fillet and crimp the edges together to create a packet. Put the fish packets on a baking sheet and set the baking sheet over medium heat on a stovetop burner until you hear a sizzling sound, about 45 seconds. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the fish until cooked through, about 7 minutes.
Carefully put a foil packet on each of 4 plates and serve. Remind diners to cut the packets open cautiously.

“You Don’t Have to Be Diabetic To Love This Cookbook” by Tom Valenti retails for $32.95 hardcover, $19.95 paperback and contains 250 recipes specifically for diabetics and those who love them.

Diabetics Going Vegan

An expo recently held in New York City was sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The expo had a variety of educational stations designed to help people understand and manage diabetes. A vegan diet was part of the discussion.

Diabetics Going Vegan: An expo recently held in New York City was sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The expo had a variety of educational stations designed to help people understand and manage diabetes. A vegan diet was part of the discussion.

One of the guests was referred to in the New York Times blog, Well. Chef Jason Wyrick was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes eight years ago. At age 28, Wyrick struggled with his eyesight and his blood sugar was extremely high. As a personal choice he gravitated to a vegan diet and indicates his condition was completely turned around by making this choice.

The New York Times blog indicates, “A 2006 study published in Diabetes Care compared a low-fat vegan diet to a standard diet following the traditional American Diabetes Association guidelines. Both diets improved glycemic and lipid control in patients with diabetes, but the low-fat vegan diet produced the best results.”

Chef Wyrick used the avocado as his main vegetable in his cooking demonstrations. What follows is one of his recipes.

Roasted Red Pepper Avocado Dip

1 avocado
2 roasted red peppers
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 clove of garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground salt
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (optional)

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree. Serve with sliced cucumber.

For more clarity on a vegan diet in relation to Type 2 diabetes we checked in with the Mayo Clinic. They indicated, “Changing to a vegetarian diet probably won’t cure your diabetes. But it may offer some benefits over a nonvegetarian diet — such as helping to better control your weight, reducing your risk of some diabetes-associated complications, and possibly even making your body more responsive to insulin. This, of course, depends on the type of vegetarian diet you choose and the particular food choices you make when following the diet.”

Weight gain is the most common link to the development of Type 2 diabetes. The Mayo Clinic further notes, “Significant weight loss resulting from a vegetarian diet can improve type 2 diabetes in people who are obese. But this is also true of similar weight loss from a nonvegetarian diet. Some research indicates that a vegetarian diet makes your body more responsive to insulin — which is a very good thing if you have diabetes. In fact, in a 2006 study published in the journal Diabetes Care (the same report listed above), 43 percent of people with type 2 diabetes who ate a low-fat vegan diet reduced their need for diabetes medications.”

As far as what plan might be best the May Clinic suggests, “There’s no single vegetarian eating plan. A vegan diet is the strictest of all vegetarian diets. Vegans eat no animal meat and no foods that come from animals, such as dairy products and eggs. Other types of vegetarian diets may allow dairy products and eggs.”

In the Vegan Food Guide (think food pyramid) the most common item that should be consumed are 6-11 servings of grains followed by at least 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit. As you move higher on the pyramid there are 6-11 servings of soymilk or alternatives as well as 2-3 servings beans or alternatives. At the top of the vegan pyramid are vitamin supplements including Omega 3, vitamin D and vitamin B-12.

A vegan diet may not be for everyone, but for those who have tried it as part of a diabetic management plan they have been very pleased with the results. If nothing else perhaps this can provide some encouragement to try to vegetable-based meal ideas to help lower cholesterol, fat and calories.

Diabetes and Rice Choice

What is true for processed flour appears to be true for processed rice. Making it more refined makes it less nutritionally sound and more apt to induce weight gain as well as subsequent health issues such as diabetes.

Diabetes and Rice Choice: What is true for processed flour appears to be true for processed rice. Making it more refined makes it less nutritionally sound and more apt to induce weight gain as well as subsequent health issues such as diabetes.

Obviously family history, physical exercise and additional health factors will play into the potential for diabetes, but according to the British Medical Journal, “Rice has been a dietary staple in Asian cultures for centuries and is now very popular in the UK and other non-Asian countries. There are many types of rice, but one of the most basic distinctions-is it white or brown?-comes not from crop type but from how the rice is processed after harvest. Brown rice is partly milled, while white rice is heavily refined to strip away its outer bran and germ portions. This makes white rice cook faster, and some say taste better, but it also removes much of the nutritional value, leaving mainly the starchy, carbohydrate-rich interior.

“This difference has led researchers to wonder whether a person’s choice of white or brown rice might affect their risk of getting type 2 diabetes-a disease in which your diet can play a key role. If you have diabetes, your body can’t control how much glucose (sugar) is in your blood, so you end up with too much.”

Researchers discovered that white rice, central to Asian cooking, has been key to increased diabetes risks within those countries. The real question was whether a similar risk existed in American and European cultures that relied less on rice as a food staple. The British Medical Journal discovered, “People who ate five or more servings of white rice per week had a 17 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate less than one serving a month. In contrast, people who ate two or more servings of brown rice per week had an 11 percent lower risk than those who ate less than one serving a month.

“Based on these results, the researchers estimated that replacing 50 grams of white rice per day (around one-third of a serving) with an equal amount of brown rice would lower a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 16 percent.”

This study was conducted over a twenty-year period by researchers at Harvard University in Boston. The findings seem to suggest, “If you eat white rice several times a week, this study suggests that you may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Switching to brown rice might lower your risk,” according to the British Medical Journal who also reported, “When rice is on the menu, consider opting for brown instead of white. Although we’re not yet certain how this might affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, we do know that brown rice is a healthier choice overall, as it is a better source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. And, yes, some people even prefer its taste.”

What follows is a recipe from the Mayo Clinic for a diabetic meal including brown rice.

“Fried” brown rice

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: approximately 10 minutes
Standing time: 7 minutes

Cooking spray
2 teaspoons reduced-calorie margarine
1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
1 chopped green onion
1 1/2 cups instant brown rice
1 1/2 cups 50% less sodium, fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, unthawed (alternatively, unthawed frozen mixed vegetables can be used)

Coat a large, nonstick skillet with cooking spray; add margarine, and melt over medium heat. Add egg substitute and stir-fry until egg is set (like scrambled egg). Stir in onion, rice, broth, and peas and carrots; stir to mix. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir, and cover. Let stand 7 minutes, fluff with a fork, and serve.

Yield: 3 1/2 cups
Serving size: 1/2 cup

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
Calories: 98
Carbohydrate: 16 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 2 g
Saturated fat: <1 g
Sodium: 163 mg
Fiber: 1 g

Exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
Carbohydrate choices: 1 (Source: Mayo Clinic)

A Diabetic’s Guilt-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has traditionally been thought of as a day of indulgent feasting. We rationalize the overeating as a minor indiscretion that can be made up by eating less before and after the big day. For diabetics this may not be a choice that promotes good health.

A Diabetic’s Guilt-Free Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving Day has traditionally been thought of as a day of indulgent feasting. We rationalize the overeating as a minor indiscretion that can be made up by eating less before and after the big day. For diabetics this may not be a choice that promotes good health.

The truth is there’s a lot to honor about the Thanksgiving meal. According to Yahoo Health turkey is a great protein source with very little fat. Sweet potatoes provide abundant nutrition including beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and have antioxidants. And finally roasted chestnuts, “Provides about 150 calories with only 1 gram of fat. They’re a great source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber (5 grams per half-cup!).”

Despite the good news diabetics can get into trouble for Thanksgiving when they assume they can enjoy the feast without consequence. Yes, there are positives about most of the foods typically found at the turkey-day feast, but moderation becomes the friend of the diabetic.

Registered dietician Lisa Frazier told OzarksFirst.com that diabetics should, “Have lots of vegetables [and] lean meats.”

Lisa realizes that well meaning relatives may push family recipes on the diabetics in their midst believing that one day of feasting will not hurt the diabetic. If this happens in your family it may be time for some education. This can come in the form of delivering your own revised recipes for those who are willing to enjoy great taste with no guilt.

OzarksFirst.com provides a couple of diabetic friendly, yet very tasty treats that may garner more fans for your ‘restricted’ diet than you might believe possible.

MONSTER COOKIE BARS RECIPE:
provided by Skaggs Hospital

6 eggs
2 cups of Sugar Twin Substitute
2 oz. of Splenda Sugar Substitute
1/2 tbsp. of Vanilla Extract
1/2 tbsp. of light corn syrup
4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 margarine, solid
3 cups Peanut Butter, creamy
9 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup chocolate chips, semi sweet

Mix all ingredients together. Flatten cookies with spoon dipped in water. Bake at 300 F for 10 to 13 minutes.
Makes 66 portions.

MOZZARELLA PEPPER SALSA RECIPE:
(Provided by Midwest Dairy Association)

Ingredients:
1 block (8 ounces) of Mozzarella cheese, diced into 1/4 inch cubes
1 cup diced roasted red peppers
2 green onions, cut diagonally into thin slices
3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 head Belgian endive, separated into leaves

Preparation:
Combine Mozzarella cheese, red peppers, green onions, fresh basil and olive oil in medium bowl. Mix well. Season with pepper. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight. Serve on endive leaves with whole grain crackers.

-Can also spoon onto whole grain bread and cook in oven until cheese begins to melt.

If you can plan a little bit better in advance of Thanksgiving you will likely enjoy the day, not just because you may enjoy the food, but also because you will feel better during and after the family gatherings.

If you’ve lived with diabetes for a while then you may remember seasonal gathering where you literally felt as if there was a terrible payment needed once the event was over. By paying more attention to your body and less attention to the misinformed suggestions of friends and family you can enjoy their company – and your festive meal.

Diabetes Connecting Food Choices

When you decide to eat out you should know that a recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that burgers and fried chicken may be problematic for some who may be doing their best to avoid type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Connecting Food Choices: When you decide to eat out you should know that a recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that burgers and fried chicken may be problematic for some who may be doing their best to avoid diabetes.

Over the course of ten years research was gathered to determine what factors might be present in the development of diabetes. This particular research focused on African American women and discovered a measurable link between eating out two or more times a week and obesity. Obesity often becomes the trigger for the development of type 2 diabetes.

It may be important to note that other fast foods did not seem to provide the same trigger as hamburgers and friend chicken. A third food that was also found to contribute to obesity was Chinese food.

This report suggests that over a ten-year period respondents who engaged in fast food meals (using the criteria described above) were as much as 70% more likely to develop diabetes than those who did not.

Apart from this very specific study it is interesting to note that many fast food restaurants are expressing a greater awareness and respect for caloric intake and health choices for customers. Some restaurants will provide a listing of low calorie entrees and will allow for healthier side order substitutions (i.e. sliced apples for French fries and juice or milk for soda).

Some restaurants are also featuring menu items that demonstrate a ‘less is more’ philosophy. Right-size and portion control items are being discovered in both fast food and casual dining restaurants. The primary reason this is happening is likely a response to customer concern. If a restaurant wants to retain customers they will need to respond to the needs of those consumer. This is why low calorie choices are now highlighted and value menus are being consulted as much for smaller portions as for financial reasons.

Perhaps fast food restaurants are beginning to understand that there is a need to infuse health in the subject of choice. For too long this option was not routinely available in many fast food chains.

Consumers are beginning to understand that increasing the size of the meal doesn’t always translate to long-term life satisfaction. Choices are more abundant and there has been a significant shift from burgers and fried foods to sandwiches and salads.

As the consumer becomes more aware of improved choices they are forcing other fast food locations to up the ante in a dynamic of health. If the consumer responds well to health choices that are offered those same consumers are likely to notice additional health related choices becoming available.

You don’t have to fall into the specific parameters of the study mentioned above to understand the need to make choices that not only leave you satisfied today, but can also provide the best potential for a future with improved health.

Yes, it is true that you will ultimately find the best choice in food using food at home that you select and control. However, it may become easier to find choices that pay attention to glycemic control and caloric intake at fast food restaurants.

The hope is that a trend in health at your local burger joint translates to a reduction in the development of diabetes. This may be a choice the benefits you, your children, and future generations.

Kidney Disease

When a doctor has a diabetic patient, he or she worries about the chances that that patient might develop microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is a type of kidney disease. The appearance of microalbuminuria indicates the occurrence in the kidneys of dangerous changes. Those changes lead to the development of proteinuria.

Kidney disease and diabetes. When a doctor has a diabetic patient, he or she worries about the chances that that patient might develop microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is a type of kidney disease. The appearance of microalbuminuria indicates the occurrence in the kidneys of dangerous changes. Those changes lead to the development of proteinuria.

Whenever a patient’s urine has an abnormally high amount of protein, that patient is said to have proteinuria. Proteinuria can be used to refer to large or small amounts of protein in the urine. The first signs of proteinuria manifest themselves when a diabetic patient has a low level of protein in his or her urine. Such a patient has microalbuminuria.

A physician can check for microalbuminuria by screening for the presence of albumin in a patient’s urine. That screening should conducted at least once a year. If done according to the traditional method, such a screening demands collection of urine for a period of 24 hours.

Diabetic patients should know that there is an alternative to the traditional screening method. That alternative employs spot testing of morning urine specimens. By using that alternative method, a laboratory can check the albumin to creatine ratio in the urine.

Diabetics should also understand the importance of watching for symptoms of proteinuria. Evidence of one or more symptoms should send the diabetic to the phone. The diabetic knows that he or she needs undergo a screening for albumin in the urine.

What are the symptoms of proteinuria? Foamy urine tells a diabetic that he or she has probably developed proteinuria. Foamy urine indicates damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys. A diabetic who sees that he or she has foamy urine should know that his or her urine puts out between 30 and 150 grams of protein every 24 hours. This is an abnormally high protein content for any 24 hour sampling of human urine.

Why does the presence of protein in the urine signal the occurrence of kidney damage? And why do patients with diabetes need to make an added effort to watch for evidence that such damage might have occurred?

A patient with diabetes needs to understand that 20% of the blood pumped by the heart goes to the kidneys. The kidneys perform a number of vital functions. The kidneys hold constant the concentration of ions in the bloodstream. They keep the volume of water in the blood constant. They remove wastes, and they insure maintenance of a proper acid/ base balance in the blood.

A well-functioning kidney can help to control the blood pressure in the body. A well-functioning kidney can hold steady the level of calcium in the body. In addition, the kidneys stimulate the production of red blood cells.

Each kidney has millions of tiny tubular structures called nephrons.. Each nephron is closed at one end. At that closed end, two twisted regions of the nephron have a hair pin loop between them.

Two capillary beds flow into and out of the twisted, closed region of the nephron. Those capillary beds form a connection much like the light bulbs in a series circuit. The capillaries in the nephron connect the arteries going into the kidney with the veins coming out of the kidney.

The construction of the vessels within the kidney allows completion of three different processes by an undamaged kidney. The kidney sends 20% of the plasma and non-cell elements in the blood into the nephron; there those elements pass through a filter. Diabetics should realize that there is glucose in the filtrate that emerges from that filter.

In a healthy kidney, the amount of any substance in the filtrate shows little fluctuation. The amount of any substance in the filtrate represents the product of the concentration of that substance in the blood and the rate of filtration in the kidney. Changes in the filtration rate, changes such as those that can take place in a diabetic patient, send a warning signal to the physician who had detected those changes.

After plasma from the blood has been filtered by the kidney, then the kidney starts to reabsorb from the lumen any components that must be returned to the blood. The kidney relies on proteins called transporters to carry out this re-absorption process. The set of transporters that grab the glucose molecules and return them to the blood also grab sodium molecules.

Diabetics must realize that the number of transporters in the kidney remains fixed. The body can not make extra glucose transporters, when blood full of glucose passes through the kidney. Among that fixed amount of transporters, each transporter can grab only a pre-determined number of molecules during any specific period of time.

As can be seen from the above paragraphs, the kidney’s ability to function properly can be hampered by the appearance of blood that contains a high concentration of glucose. The presence of that glucose forces the kidney to work harder and harder. Eventually, it fails to function as nature intended.

The kidney has one other function that insures removal of unwanted substances from the blood. The kidney can detect the presence of waste products and toxic materials in the blood stream. The kidney secretes those substances into the nephron. Those substances then pass into the urine.

The kidney of a diabetic notes the excess glucose in the bloodstream. The kidney interprets the flood of glucose as a sign that the body does not need that glucose. The kidney of a diabetic secretes the excess glucose into the nephron, thus sending it into the urine

If a diabetic has too much urine in his or her urine, that diabetic could develop an infected bladder. Bacteria love to grow in a warm environment, especially an environment with a rich source of nutrients. The warm, glucose-laden bladder of a diabetic can easily become an inviting home for bacteria.

In other words, patients who have diabetes need to be concerned more than just a possible kidney disease. They must also watch for signs that they might have an infected bladder.

Skin Disorders

A statistical analysis of diabetics in the United States has shown that up to one third of the patients with diabetes have or have had some type of skin disorder. Hypoglycemia can affect the skin, because the skin cells do not get the required amount of glucose. Whenever administration of insulin exceeds the amount needed for the metabolism of ingested carbohydrates, a diabetic can experience hypoglycemia.

A statistical analysis of diabetics in the United States has shown that up to one third of the patients with diabetes have or have had some type of skin disorder. Hypoglycemia can affect the skin, because the skin cells do not get the required amount of glucose. Whenever administration of insulin exceeds the amount needed for the metabolism of ingested carbohydrates, a diabetic can experience hypoglycemia.

Hyperglycemia can also cause skin disorders. Hyperglycemia changes the nature of the skin environment. Normally, bacteria in the air do not want to reside on the surface of the skin. The veracity of that statement changes whenever the skin gets an added amount of glucose. The extra glucose in the blood of a diabetic can make a once forbidding section of skin seem like the ideal place for bacteria or some other group of microbes to grow.

The term “skin disorders” does not refer to wrinkles or folds in the skin. An aging diabetic can expect to get some wrinkles. A once obese diabetic who has lost a great deal of weight can expect to have some folds in his or her skin. The term “skin disorders” refers to changes in the integrity of the skin.

Sometimes changes to the integrity of the skin can lead to alterations in the skin pigmentation. Sometimes an area of hyper-pigmentation can be associated with a skin lesion. By examining such a lesion, a physician can better tell whether or not it should be seen as a symptom of diabetes. The next paragraphs explain what the doctor checks for.

First, the doctor notes the location of the lesion. Is it on a bony surface? Is it somewhere where the bone rises above the level of the adjoining body parts? Diabetics often develop a lesion on the prominent bones of the back or the bones on the feet. Those are regions where the skin might feel particular stimuli—heat, cold or pressure from blunt objects.

Next the doctor studies the appearance of the lesion. Is it round or oval? Does it have reddish or brown color? Is the skin in the lesion scaly? If the answer to all three questions is “yes,” then the doctor has good reason to view the lesion as a symptom of diabetes.

Of course not every diabetic who has a skin disorder has a lesion such as the one described above. Some diabetics develop what is called Acanthosis Nigricans (AN).
A diabetes patient with AN will arrive at a doctor’s office with dark, velvet-like patches on parts of his or her skin. Those patches normally form on the back or the neck.

Unlike the other skin disorders, AN can not be viewed as an “equal opportunity disorder.” The percentage of diabetics with AN rises markedly among Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans. While not all diabetics have the same chance for developing AN, all patients who have AN appear to have some type of insulin resistance.

The other skin disorders most often associated with diabetes are infections. An infection develops when the body attempts to destroy an invader, usually a microbe. Bacteria and fungi are the two types of microbes that have been shown to take advantage of any opportunity to grow and to reproduce in the body of a patient with diabetes.

Although one-celled organisms, bacteria are the most abundant and the most pathogenic of all the known microorganisms. Not all bacteria harm the body. Some bacteria perform useful functions within a healthy body. Other bacteria, what might be called “bad” bacteria, release harmful chemicals. Some of those chemicals digest body cells, and other chemicals disrupt specific body functions, causing disease, and sometimes death.

Bacteria find the high glucose levels in the blood of a diabetic to be an excellent source of food. A physician can expect to see some of his or her diabetic patients present with a stye. A stye is a bacterial infection in the glands of the eyelid.

Not all bacteria choose to grow in the glands of the eye. Some bacteria take up residence in area of the skin that holds a hair follicle. When bacteria grow around the hair follicle of a diabetic, their growth can lead to formation of a boil.

While no bacterium has more than one cell, a fungus can be either a one-celled or a multi-celled organism. Some of those cells form thread-like fibers. Other cells form spores, the structures that allow fungi to reproduce. When fungi have access to an inviting environment, they ramp-up the rate of their reproduction.

The fungal infections that most often complicate the life of a diabetic are those caused by contact with a fungi-infested surface. A diabetic who wants to participate in sports should know that many such surfaces exist in the typical locker room. The fungus that causes jock itch awaits contact with a warm body. Hiding there on apparel in the locker room, that fungus welcomes contact with a glucose-laden body. The fungus that causes athletes’ foot can grow on shower walls in a locker room that wasn’t well sanitized.

While male diabetics usually need to be concerned about the above-mentioned fungal infections, female diabetics need to watch for evidence of a different sort of fungal infection. Female diabetics can develop yeast infections. Such infections are usually vaginal infections.

In order to understand the nature of vaginal infections, one must recall the earlier mention of “good” bacteria, bacteria that perform a useful function in the human body. Some bacteria normally prevent fungi from growing in the vaginal area. Yet the body has a fixed amount of bacteria. If those bacteria can not reproduce as rapidly as the fungi, then the fungi take over.

That is what happens in the female diabetic. The high glucose levels in the blood spur the growth of fungi in the vaginal area. The woman then develops a vaginal infection.

All infections, both those caused by bacteria and those caused by fungi, are treatable. The infected diabetic must consult with his or her physician.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease can affect anyone. However, a person with diabetes is more susceptible to heart problems. Diabetes attacks an individual’s immune system as well as their nervous system. The blood vessels shrink and less blood flow to the heart can occur. With all the health problems that can arise, it is vital to know how to take care of the body for a long and vital life. An individual can discuss with their personal physician on what they need to do to prevent a tragedy from happening. When a person is first diagnosed with diabetes, their lifestyle must change. They will need to know how to control their issues through healthy means. Heart disease is a leading complication in a diabetic patient. It is a serious problem; however the risk can be lowered with the proper medication and lifestyle changes.

Cardiovascular disease can affect anyone. However, a person with diabetes is more susceptible to heart problems. Diabetes attacks an individual’s immune system as well as their nervous system. The blood vessels shrink and less blood flow to the heart can occur. With all the health problems that can arise, it is vital to know how to take care of the body for a long and vital life. An individual can discuss with their personal physician on what they need to do to prevent a tragedy from happening. When a person is first diagnosed with diabetes, their lifestyle must change. They will need to know how to control their issues through healthy means. Heart disease is a leading complication in a diabetic patient. It is a serious problem; however the risk can be lowered with the proper medication and lifestyle changes.

Stroke takes a large number of diabetic patients each year. This is because when your blood vessels shrink, the movement is limited. An individual’s brain needs to have a certain supply of blood to keep it active. When this supply slows down, stroke complications happen. A part of the brain dies. Strokes, heart attacks and poor circulation can all be devastating to an individual as well as their families. A person that has gone through a stroke may lose their sight, hearing or motor skills.

There are preventive measures than can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patents. It is a lifestyle change that must be made to stay active as well as vital throughout the years.

Diet and exercise. Diet is a major lifestyle change for most people. However, when a person is overweight and has diabetes, the risks are much higher. With the proper diet of low sugar foods and low fat content, an individual can become healthy. An exercise regiment should be discussed with a doctor. Too much or too little may cause an individual to experience cardiac arrest. With the correct amount of each of these steps, an individual can become healthier and reduce their risks by 40%.
Blood sugar. The blood sugar for a diabetic is vital for long lasting effects. When this is too high, the human body’s system begins to break down. The physician can explain what range a person should stay in. Check this often, at least 3 or 4 times a day for maximum security. As well as taking the proper medication when directed.
Cholesterol. It is important to keep a person’s cholesterol at appropriate levels. There are methods and medication that can be used to stay in the correct range. Discuss with a doctor on the best techniques to keep the cholesterol in safe amounts.
Smoking. Smoking can cause various health effects in everyone. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to stop when a person has been diagnosed with diabetes. This habit can cause blood vessels to shrink, circulation to slow down even further and create new health risks as well. Patents that continue to smoke have double the chance to have a heart attack and a stroke.
Blood pressure. An individual with high blood pressure is more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. A person that experiences high pressured lifestyle through home or office problems may have a heart attack or stroke. It is vital to stay clam and find relaxation techniques. There are at home kits that can assist in checking blood pressure often. A doctor may prescribe a medication that can help with this issue as well.

With simple and easy to follow steps, an individual can reduce their risks dramatically. It is vital to take the proper medication, lose weight and accomplish the exercise regiment fully. Cardiovascular disease can be controlled with a lifestyle change.

Foot Care

Foot care is ideal for the overall health of an individual. Diabetics have lower immune systems as well as nervous system breakdowns. Each person faced with the diabetes disease must take extra precautions when it comes to this feature of the body. There are several causes as well as preventive measures that need to take place for the overall health of a diabetic. Swelling, cracks, dry skin as well as itching can occur. Cuts and sores on an individual’s feet can turn quickly into an infection or even worse. Preventive measures must be taken before unexpected health problems arise. With the lowered immune system, sores and cuts can not heal as quickly. They must be treated right away or an individual may lose the proper use of their foot.

Foot care is ideal for the overall health of an individual. Diabetics have lower immune systems as well as nervous system breakdowns. Each person faced with the diabetes disease must take extra precautions when it comes to this feature of the body. There are several causes as well as preventive measures that need to take place for the overall health of a diabetic. Swelling, cracks, dry skin as well as itching can occur. Cuts and sores on an individual’s feet can turn quickly into an infection or even worse. Preventive measures must be taken before unexpected health problems arise. With the lowered immune system, sores and cuts can not heal as quickly. They must be treated right away or an individual may lose the proper use of their foot.

Complications and Causes
The complications for improper foot care can be painful, a disruption of lifestyle and harmful in the future. They can lead to sores, dried skin as well as calluses and even ulcers inside one or both feet. Some individuals that have had high blood sugar for years can develop poor circulation as well as damage to the tendons and nerves. Skin discoloration or deformation of the toes and overall foot can be a cause for alarm. Most of the complications can be treated. However, some may lead to amputations if preventive measures are not taken.

There are several causes that can be attributed to poor foot care. Even though, not all forms of complications can be prevented, over 90% can with the proper technique. The most common causes are as follows:

Footwear. This is a rather simple concept. Nevertheless, it is overlooked frequently. There are specialized shoes and socks that can be purchased for a diabetic’s needs.
Continual damage. Certain medical issues can arise when an individual has experienced high blood sugar for a long period of time. Nerve impairment and horrible circulation can happen with continual damage to the body.
Poor cleaning and maintenance. It is vital for a diabetic to understand the proper method in cleaning their feet. Lotions, soaps and inspections are important for overall excellent health care.
Toenail trimming mishaps. The correct method in trimming the toenails is an important part of feet care. If you make a mistake while trimming, it may cause an infection. This will take some time to heal, if at all, because of the lowered immune system.
Smoking. This habit will lower your circulation as well as your immune system even further. The release of toxins inside the body creates slower blood circulation. This, in turn, will cause an even further decrease in the blood flow in the feet.

Symptoms Of Poor Foot Care
There are several symptoms that are apparent for improper foot care. It is vital to watch closely if a symptom appears. After this occurs, the correct measures need to take place.

Swelling. This is a major tell sign of a problem associated with diabetes. Nevertheless, other health problems may show signs of this issue as well. If swelling does occur, look closely at other symptoms that may be present.
Redness or warmth. This problem can be a sign of an infection. Either on the outside of the foot or an issue inside, infections can be very serious. If this lingers for more than a couple of days, seek a medical professional.
Pain or discomfort. Major pain or a small amount of discomfort can be caused when the feet are not properly taken care of. Preventive measures can control this from happening.
Cuts, sores, scraps or drainage. These types of issues can be caused by various injuries. If a person is experiencing fever, hot or cold spells or any strange sensations, a physician need to be contacted.