Diabetic Live

Treating Glaucoma: Diabetics in addition to maintaining their blood glucose level on a daily basis in order to keep their diabetes in check must also be on the lookout for certain other medical conditions which may arise due to their diabetic condition. One type of medical condition which diabetics may face is that of glaucoma. In fact, diabetics are 40% more likely than non-diabetics to get glaucoma. The risk of getting glaucoma will increase both with age as well as with the time in which one has diabetes. Therefore, the older an individual is and the longer they have had diabetes the more likely they are to have glaucoma.

What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when there is a pressure which builds up in the eye. It is this pressure which causes aqueous humor drainage to slow down which in turn causes a build up in the anterior chamber region. The pressure which is felt by the individual is what leads to the pinching of the blood vessels. Since it is these blood vessels which are responsible for carrying blood to the two important areas of the eye, the retina and optic nerve, the pinching of the blood vessels causes the blood flow to be hindered and results in gradual vision loss. The vision loss is the result of the damage to the retina and optic nerve areas.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?
The type of treatment which is prescribed for individuals suffering from glaucoma will vary depending on the severity of the glaucoma and what is in the best interest of the patient. In general, various treatment methods may include glaucoma medications, eye drops and/or surgical procedures. Since glaucoma is unable to be treated completely by restoring one’s eyesight to their pre-glaucoma perfect vision, the medical health professional will do his/her best to preserve the eyesight which exists upon diagnosis. Doctors will usually start by prescribing medications to the individual who suffers from glaucoma and if these do not work or side effects are an issue then one of two surgical procedures may be necessary.

Medications Used to Treat Glaucoma
If you suffer from the condition of glaucoma, your doctor may prescribe one of many different medications. These medications are often used to reduce pressure in the eye and/or prevent optic nerve damage. The physician will take into effect your diabetic condition so that the medications prescribed will not adversely interact with you current diabetes treatment methods. Some of the common medications prescribed to treat glaucoma include adrenergic, beta blockers, cholinergic, prostaglandin analogs, alpha agonist, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors or a combination of these medications. When considering which medications to prescribe your doctor will look at potential side effects, best treatment plans and any possibilities of interactions with current medications being taken. It may be necessary to switch medications from time to time per your doctor’s advice if the current medications are not working or produce unwanted side effects.

Surgical Procedures Used for Glaucoma Patients
In some more severe cases of glaucoma, surgery may be necessary to preserve the remainder of the patient’s eyesight. Surgery is often prescribed when medications are not working to relieve pressure in the eye. Two commonly performed surgical procedures include laser surgery and filtering microsurgery. Laser surgery will often be prescribed before filtering microsurgery.

The laser surgery procedure involves a laser making small scars in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, which is essentially the eye’s drainage system. Doing this will help the fluid to flow out of the eye. The filtering microsurgery consists of creating a drainage hole by using a surgical tool. This is recommended when laser surgery is unsuccessful in relieving pressure in the eye.

The medical condition known as ketoacidosis is a serious occurrence for diabetics to be aware of and prevent from occurring. This type of condition is what may lead to diabetic coma in certain cases and is life threatening in nature. Ketoacidosis occurs in type 1 diabetics but is very rare for type 2 diabetics. The following will provide some information on ketoacidosis including how this medical condition in diabetics is treated.

What Is Ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis is a dangerously high level of ketones within the body. Ketones are the acids which build up in the individual’s blood. When one doesn’t have enough insulin, these ketones will appear in the urine of the person. The ketones are poison to the body and a true sign that one’s diabetes is no longer under control. Stopping the ketoacidosis is essential for the recovery of the diabetic.

How Is Ketoacidosis Treated?
Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated in a quick manner in order to help the patient recovery as quickly and fully as possible. The treatment methods are varied and these are often used in conjunction with one another. The first step for treating ketoacidosis is replenishment of fluids. Those who experience ketoacidosis will lose large amounts of fluids so it is extremely important to rehydrate the individual. This is done via IVs or by mouth if possible. Rehydrating the patient will also help to dilute the high blood glucose levels.

The next step after rehydration is to replace the electrolytes within the body. These are minerals in the blood which carry an electric charge and include sodium, potassium and chloride, to name a few. Having enough electrolytes within the body is crucial as these are the items which keep the heart, muscles and nerve cells working properly. It is the lack of insulin which causes these electrolytes to be negatively affected. During the replacement of these electrolytes your doctor will monitor the levels and may even monitor the heart to ensure that it is in proper working order.

The individual diagnosed with ketoacidosis may likely need to obtain insulin therapy via IV. The insulin is what will help the cells take the glucose and use it for energy. The insulin will lower the concentration of glucose in your body and level out the blood glucose range. IV insulin therapy will stop once the blood is not acidic anymore and then you can resume normal insulin treatment.

How to Prevent Ketoacidosis
The best possible treatment method for ketoacidosis is preventing it from occurring in the first place. There are quite a few ways to keep your blood glucose level in check and prevent an episode of this serious medical condition from ever happening. One of the best prevention methods is to constantly monitor your blood glucose levels and ketone levels. Take note that certain occurrences can cause your levels to be altered greatly and some of these include trauma, infections, pregnancy and excessive amounts of stress. Excessive blood sugar levels could mean high ketone levels so constantly monitor both if your blood glucose levels seem extremely high.

Also consider if you are taking your insulin when you should and in the proper dosage amounts. If your insulin treatments are off then ketoacidosis may be the result. It is crucial to keep insulin at a stable level. With that said you should know the symptoms associated with low insulin levels and know what to do when these symptoms occur.

Lastly, preventing serious injury or death as a result of ketoacidosis can be related to the length of time in which it takes you to obtain treatment. Therefore, get medical attention immediately should something seem not right or seem to be one of the various symptoms of ketoacidosis. Quick treatment is a necessity with this type of medical condition.

Treating Kidney Disease: One of the medical conditions which diabetics may suffer from in addition to their diabetes is nephropathy, or kidney disease as it is more commonly known. Diabetes can sometimes cause the kidneys to stop functioning correctly and lead to kidney disease and multiple health problems associated with such a disorder. High levels of blood glucose can cause kidneys to filter too much blood and produce a leak in this waste disposal system which is the kidneys main responsibility. If kidney disease is diagnosed early on, the good news is that there are many treatment methods available to help in correcting the problem. However, when kidney disease is diagnosed after a good period of time has passed, the treatment options tend to be fewer in number.

Treatment Options for Those Suffering From Kidney Disease
One of the main ways to treat kidney disease is to keep one’s blood glucose levels and blood pressure at a stable level. For diabetics, keeping the glucose levels stable is a high priority to begin with. Blood pressure should be checked constantly as rises in blood pressure can cause the progression of kidney disease to increase. Keeping your blood pressure down can be accomplished by maintaining a good weight, lowering salt intake, try not to drink or smoke and exercise regularly. All of these things will help keep your blood pressure at a good level and in turn prevent kidney disease from worsening.

Another treatment option for those suffering from kidney disease involves taking certain medications. Medications may include blood pressure medicine and ACE inhibitors. Diabetics may be prescribed ACE inhibitors as opposed to other types of blood pressure medications as it will not interfere with their diabetes treatment. ACE inhibitors often slow kidney disease progression as well as lower one’s blood pressure.

A low-protein diet is another way to treat less serious forms of kidney disease, or kidney disease which is caught early on. Your doctor will often put you on a diet low in proteins which will prevent the kidneys from having to work as hard to keep your body in tiptop shape. In addition, diets which are low in protein will decrease protein loss and increase protein levels. Always consult your doctor before starting this type of diet to ensure that doing so will not adversely affect your diabetes treatment.

If the kidneys have failed, then dialysis will often be necessary. While going through dialysis treatments, it is usually time to contemplate a kidney transplant. Obtaining a kidney transplant is a serious decision and one which should be given much thought. Consult with your doctor first and foremost as well as family, friends and any other medical health professional whose advice will come in handy. Make sure that you know all that a kidney transplant will entail from start to finish prior to making a final decision.

Preventing Kidney Disease
One of the best ways to prevent diabetic kidney disease is to keep your blood glucose levels within the desired target range. Individuals who keep their blood glucose levels at favorable degrees can in fact reduce their chances of getting microalbuminuria, or the first stage of kidney disease, by 1/3. For those who have already been diagnosed with microalbuminuria, keeping track of your blood glucose levels will reduce your chances of getting macroalbuminuria, the later stage of kidney disease, by 1/2. To go even a bit further, there is even a possibility of reversing the occurrence of microalbuminuria via tight blood sugar control. Diabetic individuals have enough to worry about with their current diabetes diagnosis that preventing additional medical conditions from occurring is well worth keeping an even closer eye on the blood sugar levels on a daily basis.

Treating Retinopathy: Individuals who suffer from diabetes not only have to worry about keeping their blood glucose level in check but also have to be cautious about various side effects which may occur as a result of the diabetes. One such side effect of having diabetes which some individuals experience is the medical condition known as retinopathy. Retinopathy is generally disorders of the retina which are caused by diabetes. There are two main types of retinopathy which are proliferative and nonproliferative.

Proliferative retinopathy is the more serious type of retinopathy which is the result of many years of having retinopathy. Those who experience this type of retinopathy can experience a vitreous hemorrhage or a retinal detachment. Fortunately, proliferative retinopathy is the less common type. The more common form of retinopathy, or nonproliferative retinopathy, is the blockage of blood vessels which can cause vision impairment, or macula edema. The good news is that this type of retinopathy can be stopped and perhaps even some vision regained if the diabetic gets medical attention quick enough.

How Is Retinopathy Treated?
Perhaps the most important thing one should know about retinopathy is that it can be treated if caught early on. In order to diagnose retinopathy the diabetic must have regular eye exams as this is the way for your doctor to take notice of any possible retinopathy conditions and work to repair vision loss while preventing future vision impairment. There are a few different ways in which retinopathy is treated and these include scatter photocoagulation, focal photocoagulation and vitrectomy.

The general purpose of photocoagulation is to restore vision by making a series of small burns on the retina with a laser. The laser is used to seal the blood vessels and prevent further leakage. With scatter photocoagulation, the doctor will use the laser to burn a couple hundred dots on the retina. Such treatment is often performed at least two times in order to produce effective results. This treatment method is used when vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment have started to occur but can only usually be successful so long as the hemorrhage or detachment is not fully complete nor has it progressed too far. There are only a couple of side effects currently known to be associated with scatter photocoagulation and these include blurred vision for a few days post-treatment and potential loss of peripheral vision.

As for the focal photocoagulation, this type of treatment consists of a laser being used to treat the macula directly. This type of treatment will not reverse prior vision loss but it is a way to help prevent future vision loss from occurring. This is often used in the case of macular edema associated with nonproliferative retinopathy.

For the more serious type of vision loss associated with retinopathy, a vitrectomy is required. This is used when neither type of photocoagulation will aid in restoring or preventing vision loss. This procedure is used in the case of complete retinal detachment or extreme leakage of blood into the eye. A vitrectomy is the removal of the scar tissue and cloudy fluid from inside of the eye. Removal of the excess blood will usually be successful however the success rate of retinal reattachment is often only 50% in many cases.

Determining Which Treatment Method is Required
The main way to know which treatment method for retinopathy may be required is to consult your medical health professional. Your eye specialist will examine the eye(s), diagnose the medical condition and offer you proposed treatment solutions. No matter what your condition is and which treatment method is proposed, always be sure to thoroughly understand both the condition and treatment procedure. Ask your doctor any questions which you have so that you may better understand what the problem is and how you can best fix it.

Lactic Acidosis is a term that describes high levels of lactate in the blood. Lactate is the by-product of the breakdown of sugar in a person’s body. It is rare, but people who have Lactic Acidosis can become very ill, and even die from having it. Lactic Acidosis is caused by damaged mitochondria. Mitochondria are cellular machines that are found in cells that are known to produce energy. People who suffer from Diabetes can get Lactic Acidosis.

Laboratory tests can determine if someone is in risk of getting Lactic Acidosis. It can be difficult to get an accurate result because in able to measure lactate levels, a more reliable area to get blood from is the artery instead of the common choice, veins. Not many people would enjoy having this done frequently. People can have the blood taken from their vein, though. It may not show the exact amount of lactic acid in the blood this way.

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. The first signs of having Lactic Acidosis are gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, bloating, loss in appetite and abdominal pains. Other symptoms that can occur include insomnia, headaches, and difficulty swallowing.

Lactic Acidosis can be caused by a class of Biguanides, with the common medicine known as metformin with its brand name being called Glucophage. A different biguanide known as phenformin was taken off shelves in the United States in the 1970s because of such a high rate of people getting Lactic Acidosis when using it. Lactic Acidosis actually caused a delay in the introduction of metformin in the United States until 1995, even though it was widely used in other countries without many cases.

Majority of people who use metformin will not get Lactic Acidosis. There is a small amount that will develop it, though. Lactic Acidosis can be up to 50% fatal in known cases. This condition has been more common in people who have kidney issues. Liver problems can also induce the risk of getting Lactic Acidosis.

There have been reports done that concluded that people who take metformin at any time have a 5 out of 100,000 chance of getting Lactic Acidosis. It was also reported that people who used phenformin had a greater risk of getting Lactic Acidosis. It has not been proven that the use of metformin truly is the reason people get the condition. The Lactic Acidosis could be due to the persons Diabetes or other pre-existing health issues.

Since the mortality rate amongst people who get Lactic Acidosis is high, there are some treatments available. The person should be taken to the hospital. These treatments are aggressive, targeting the participating cause of the Lactic Acidosis. If the person is taking metformin it should be stopped immediately and regular health measures should be taken.

Knowing about Lactic Acidosis is the best way to prevent it from happening. Learning how it occurs and its symptoms are crucial. If you would like more information about Lactic Acidosis, you can always discuss with your doctor who should be knowledgeable about the condition.

Dental Disease And Diabetes: Diabetes can lead to many uncomfortable diseases and problems. Many people however are dealing with one problem that has been common for many years and can be most painful to them and their body, Dental Disease. Dental Disease has been known about in its connection with diabetes for some time; however that doesn’t make dealing with it any easier. There are bigger problems in dealing with diabetes such as Hyperglycemia; dental disease comes in, in sixth place amongst they opathy’s that is related with diabetes. Other complications include vasculopathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy also including autonomic and peripheral neuropathies.

Among those in the world a little over 80% have periodontal disease this is where you have so much inflammation in your and around your teeth that destruction has taken over the soft tissue and bones that surround your gum line and teeth. On the other hand, those with diabetes run a greater risk of developing this disease. It is very important to have many exams in getting older, but it is also important to get many continuous exams when you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Periodontal Disease takes shape in four-different steps, first gingivitis will be seen. This is where inflammation is noticed around the collar of the gum. Gingivitis however can be avoided and also curable by simply taking better care of both your teeth and gums. Flossing is very important since your toothbrush can never reach plaque that is stuck between your teeth. Secondly early periodontal disease will be noticed and diagnosed. This is when deposits of calculus are seen on the teeth and some destruction starts happening in the teeth. The third step in when this destruction starts to take on a whole new level, however not so much damage has been done that it can’t be prevented and helped. The last step is the worst and most likely there will be no helping it when it has been reached. This is when 50% or more of the bone that supports your teeth has been destructed. You’re teeth begin to loosen which will cause your teeth to eventually fall out.

Dentists use a special tool so that they can check for this disease among your teeth, this tool being referred to as a “probing depth” tester, it does just that. The “Probing Depth” test help Dentists to know how much damage has been done to a person’s mouth and what can be done to save as much tooth structure as possible.

Studies have showed that gingivitis shows up in more children who have diabetes than adults who have it. With the periodontal disease people who have a higher level of glucose will find themselves at risk more for the disease than those who have normal glucose levels. Some different factors however may present this complication in having diabetes and those are abnormal collagen metabolism, decreased polymorphonuclear leukocyte function and if your body seems to be taking longer to heal from wounds that can also be assign.

Sometimes when you find yourself having some high glucose levels, it may not be caused by Diabetes there is a chance that it can be caused by diseases in your oral cavity. The first thing you should do when you have checked for diabetes and it has come back negative but you still have diabetes is get a screening from a dentist. The dentist will ask you some of the following questions before starting the exam.

• Do your gums bleed with you brush your teeth?
• Do you have any pain in your teeth?
• Do you chew foods with out any pain?

You will also be asked about dental history and dental future, whether or not you will be having any work done in the near future. The dentist will then move on to the examination process which entails him/her to look in your mouth for abscesses, hypertrophy, recession of the gums, excessive plaque buildup, inflammation, and of course any decay. If the dentist uncovers the signs and symptoms of dental or gum disease they will refer you to a specialist who deals in diabetes.

There are ways that you can prevent dental disease if you have diabetes however, you first step is definitely the most important and that is to regulate your glucose level. You’ll also need to watch your diet and oral hygiene, you should be sure to watch out for the snacks you are eating in between meals and always wash down any food that you have eaten during meals with a drink. Water is preferable but not everyone drinks as much water is preferred. Sugar is the tooth’s enemy, so stay away from sugary candies, dried fruits, fruit rollups and glucose tablets. It is imperative that you try and see your dentist every 6 months for an exam on how your teeth are doing, that way any problems can be taking care of and rectified before the problem gets to far out of hand.

Four other ways to avoid problems with dental disease is to use cleaning aids that your dentist has recommend, if they have not recommended any then have them recommend you something. Floss at least once a day to remove food and plaque between your teeth. Always use a soft bristle brush to brush your teeth others are too hard and could end up hurting your teeth. Finally do not smoke or chew tobacco that is like polishing your teeth with acid very slowly.

If it is too late and you already have dental disease then you will first need to hear some treatments from your dentist. On the other hand, many people do not like taking medication that is produced over the counter by pharmacies. So question your dentist about any herbal medication you might be able to take to help turn around your complication in the mouth. One know herb has helped many people in the area of diabetes for years, Bilberry. Bilberry is blueberries cousin and can be found in the forests of the United States and Europe.

Some people choose to eat bilberries and cream like yogurt, this provides the much needed antioxidants to your body which helps your immune system to fight infections. However, both the leaves and ripe fruit have been used to treat diabetes. These berries do nothing for lowering blood sugar but the help to produce more strength to the blood vessels and lessen the damage that is done to the vessel in which are associated with diabetes. You can also use bilberry extract which can reduce some of the tingling sensations in your arms and legs that you feel when developing neuropathy. Some studies show bilbeery extracts to help dilate veins and arteries. They also help to keep platelets from clumping together, which will thins the blood which will in turn improve circulation.

Eye problems can also be helped with bilberries; such as diabetic retinopathy, night blindness, degeneration of the macula and cataracts. You should always ask your doctor before taking any herbal medicines since some have been known to have some bad side effects with having diabetes. You could also try some of these herbs listed.

• Propolis – it’s a bee product which helps to stimulate the creation of new tissue, it is anti-viral and helps those who are suffering from mouth sores and ulcers.
• Myrrh – is an astringent from North America and Arabia.
• Bloodroot – comes from the eastern woodlands and helps to fight plaque and the decay that is causing bacteria.

Depression And Diabetes: Depression can be a horrible condition that leads to many other problems therefore making you feel and sick and feel immobile to the world around you. It can come into you’re your world and shake things up so much that you do not know who you are or perhaps what you are living for. Depression can cause you to neglect things in your life that you would ordinary love to do such as play with your children or go out to different places. Things like sports or your job would take a down slope in your life and the only thing left is just you and the depression. Depression is a hard condition that leads people to do and think things that would regularly repulse them such as suicide. It needs to be diagnosed and taken care of before it is too late.

Something that can be much worse then depression alone however it having depression and also having diabetes. Depression is twice as likely though in those who have diabetes and major depression exists in over 15% of the diabetic patients. When you have high glucose levels your health becomes hazardous and thus bringing a lack for motivating yourself to do anything which can very much lead to a depressed life. Therefore those who have been diagnosed should be screened on a regular basis to make sure they have not become depressed. Depression is a disease just like Diabetes and it can take over your life if you don’t get something done about it. It can make you feel horrible, hurt yourself, hurt your family and depress your children. Your children could get the back draft of depression and end up being depressed or wanting nothing to with you because of your sad life. They may never see you smile and children need to see their mother or father smile, it gives them a sense of security in their little lives.

Studies have shown that those who have a history of diabetes are much more likely to obtain depression during diabetes then those who have never shown any signs of having depression before being diagnosed with diabetes. In the last twenty years there has been enormous studies done on the brain to try and help discover depression and why it happens the way it does and what can be done about it. However to much disappointment depression has won out and they have not discovered a way to diagnose it or even treat it. What they have seen however is that depression leads to poorer physical and mental health not to mention its effect on the emotional status in your life. Many people can’t even get out of bed because they have no reason to, smiling faces of their children can even give them a reason to move or a reason to believe they should live.

There are ways to try and help depression however; I don’t recommend the prescription drugs given as a helper. They can produce more harmful effects that strengthen depression but that would be your decision on whether or not you want to take prescription drugs. I would however before taking them read up on them and some effects they have had on other people. That way you have no reason to fear them or every reason in the world to fear them. I would suggest though using Psychotherapy. I know what you are thinking, “I’m not a Psycho, and I’m just depressed.” And you are right you are not crazy, but you should talk to someone who is qualified in the life of the depressed. They can help you to sort out reasons for your depression and what those reasons are doing to you and your family. A psychotherapist is never there to judge you; they are there to listen and offer advice that could help you to feel like a new person and help get your life back to a happy status.

When taking anti-depressants it can take up to several weeks to feel any change and sorry to say sometimes that change can be good at first but then bad for you later. You must always discuss the topic of medication with your doctor whether you are taking drug prescriptions or herbal medications. Recently an herbal drug that has been known to help people fight off depression has shown some side effects that are bring doctors concern. When mixed with other medications that patients are taking it can have some harmful effects. So it is important to consult your doctor and ask any questions no matter how awkward you may feel.

There is a program that has been helpful to those who have found themselves depressed on a daily basis for two weeks or longer. You must however have some of following symptoms to meet the criteria for this program.

Changes in sleep pattern, loss of appetite or eating more, loss of weight or you have gained weight, feeling of self-worthlessness, loss of energy, and loss of enjoyment in activities that you would normally love to do.

These are all signs and symptoms of depression that is not going to get better by itself and should be seen as nothing short of serious. If you show these signs for more then a week’s consultation of a doctor is very important. Depression leads to other mental diseases which take the shape of someone who is not you and you may find yourself doing outrageous things you would have never done before being depressed.

Sometimes depression just happens in your life and there is not explanation, sometimes someone had caused you harm and you don’t know who to deal with the pain. Teenagers show more depression then any other age group because they are simply growing up and it can be hard for them to deal with, or they have a bad home life. And of course sometimes you have a disease causing the depression. Whatever is causing your depression there is someway to get relief.

Spa treatments can be a wonderful way to help those who have a black cloud hanging over there everyday life. Place some happy music around you, open up the blinds and dance even if you don’t feel like the hardest thing to do when you are depressed and take the first step to fixing it. Once you’ve made that first step though you will find yourself on a faster and safer road to recovery. Sometimes all depression really needs is a kick good-bye and you can do that by living your daily routine even if you feel like you can’t. Depression is like a big bully that loves to throw you down when you are fighting to stand. If you stay lying you may never know what it is that you could fight for. A happier you means a happier family, never let depression control you or your family just as you would never let a person do that.

If you want to try some herbal treatments after consulting your doctor try Gingko. It is an herb for depression which comes from two tiny areas of the world Zhejiang province and Eastern China. In this area nearly 1,000 years ago it was said that Chinese monks may have tended and restored these Gingko trees. It is used to help memory and concentration while also helping to stop the awful signs of vertigo.

Heart Disease And Diabetes: Diabetes is a complicated medical condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate insulin and thus, sugar levels in the body.  According to the recent statistics there are over 23 million people in the United States with diabetes.  Having diabetes takes a serious toll on the body and puts a person at greater risk for many other serious diseases including heart disease.  In fact, a person with diabetes is two times more likely to develop heart disease than someone who does not have the illness.  Diabetes in one of the top five causes of death and although it has no “cure,” proper treatment can help a person live a longer healthier life.

Why does having diabetes increase a person’s risk for heart disease?  Researchers discovered a link between the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream and the occurrence of heart disease many years ago, but how those high cholesterol levels occurred was based on an incorrect assumption.  The scientists, doctors and media latched on to the incorrect idea that eating a diet high in cholesterol leads to an increased risk of heart disease.  The idea spread like wildfire and the low-fat diet became the standard advice from physicians.

The problem was that there was no evidence linking cholesterol in food to heart disease, it was the blood levels of cholesterol.  This is where the connection between heart disease and diabetes comes in.  High blood levels of cholesterol occur when there is too much sugar in the blood.  The liver can only process a certain amount of sugar at a time and the rest is stored in the body in the form of fat—cholesterol laden body fat.  It is also widely understood that increased body fat puts a person at greater risk for heart disease and diabetes sufferers often have increased weight.

So what can be done to prevent heart disease and control diabetes?  Fortunately, by taking the same actions that help keep diabetes under control, a person can also help to reduce the risk of heart disease.  Losing excess weight, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in protein, whole grains and vegetables and low in sugar can greatly improve diabetes control and help to reduce the risk of heart disease.  It is also important to see your doctor for regular check-ups and to have your blood tested.

Diabetes And It’s Complications: Diabetes is a serious condition that must be managed, and most although most people are aware of the dangers of not staying on top of their diabetes, there are several other complications that can be caused by diabetes.  Below, we will discuss some of the more common complications that are associated with diabetes.  However, it is important to note that this may not be a complete list of all of the complications that can be associated with diabetes.  Diabetes can cause both physical and mental complications, and it is important that individuals stay on top of any new symptoms that arise once they have been diagnosed with diabetes.

A common disease that affects the blood vessels within the eyes is diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.  This disease can lead to either visual impairment or blindness.  Unfortunately, over 12,000 new cases of blindness are caused by diabetic retinopathy each year.  Although, it is more common among males, it is the leading cause of blindness among adults who are between 20-74 years of age.

Kidney disease is developed in 10 to 21 percent of individually with diabetes, typically those with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.    And, diabetes is the leading cause of ESRD, or end stage renal disease, which requires a patient to need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to survive.  Although much less severe, diabetes also causes urinary tract infection.

Diabetic neuropathy is another very serious condition that is a result of diabetic complications, and is the result of long term damage to nerve fibers.  In diabetic patients, the most common symptom is reduced sensation in the feet.  And, if the nerve damage continues, the reduced sensation will spread to the legs.  The damage itself can be either acute or chronic.  The acute condition will go away once the diabetes is under control; chronic is more serious and long term in nature.  The most severe form of this condition is one of the major contributing factors to lower extremity amputation.  As it stands, over half of the amputations in the US occur among individuals with diabetes.

Cardiovascular or heart disease is another very serious problem that can be caused by mismanaged diabetes.  This disease is caused by an excess build-up of plaque on the inner wall of the large blood vessel, and restricts the flow of blood.  Unfortunately heart disease is one of the most common caused of diabetes-related deaths.

Another common, yet less severe condition associated with diabetes is gum disease.  Typically occurring in people with diabetes who are at least 19 years, and who have type I diabetes.  Diabetes can also affect your body’s immunity, by causing a decrease in your body’s immune cells.  This will inevitably lower your body’s chance to ward of infections, viruses, and bacteria.

Although it is not a physical condition, diabetes can also lead to depression.  Though it may not seem severe depression can be very serious and may even lead to sufferers seeking to commit suicide, withdrawing from friends and family, or losing interests in otherwise favorite hobbies.  For many people, being diagnosed with diabetes is a life altering event.  Often prompting a new lifestyle, that individuals may have a hard time getting used to or coping with, causing them to show signs of depression.

If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to a multitude of complications, many of which can be extremely severe.  So, it is more than important to stay on top of your blood sugar, by checking it frequently.  Allowing your diabetes to lead to another serious condition will increase the one thing that no diabetic patient needs…. more medicine.