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Know about diabetes : Awareness on diabetes is more important educate your self.Healthy emotional adjustment along with life style modifications is required. ABC's: To lower the long term complications HbA1c should be checked A for A1c-The HbA1c test tells about the blood glucose values of last two to three months.The target HbA1c is <6.5% B for Blood Pressure- diabetics are at a greater risk for high B.P..the goal is 130/80mm/Hg C for cholesterol - the risk of high cholesterol is common in Diabetes which leads to heart decease.So target for total cholesterol is <180mg/dl,Good cholesterol(HDL)>45 mg/dl,Bad cholesterol(LDL) <100mg/dl Triglycerides <150mg/dl On every medical visit measure weight and blood pressure,review medicines,self monitor glucose readings,dietary needs,physical activity. Get your feet checked Check HbA1c and dental exam twice a year Lipid profile,serum creatinine,eye exam and foot sensitivity test annually Every day follow a healthy eat

Visit an endocrinologist and obstetrician before you conceive i.e. when you are planing for a baby There are 2 risk factors to the foetus from a diabetes mother.The first birth defect happens when organs start growing(early stage)and later happens due to increased growth of baby which leads to delivery problems These problems can be prevented by maintaining HbA1C(average 2-3months blood glucose)below 7%.Type 2 diabetes are prescribed insulin during pregnancy Obesity increases pregnancy complications.So better to lose weight for safe and easy delivery Don't use statins or painkillers.Folic acid should be used daily with doctor consultation to prevent deformities Tests like HbA1C,thyroid profile,blood pressure,eye examination,kidney function test should be done regularly During first 3 months some women may have hypoglycemia.During sixth month insulin resistance increases leading to high blood glucose levels.At 9th month insulin needs may be double.So it is better to test more

Insulin and few blood glucose lowering medicines adds to the weight of diabetics. This weight gain may not be permanent if you take help of your dietitian/doctor in balancing blood glucose control with your weight This weight gain occurs when blood glucose level improves glucose lost in urine decreases.This glucose is stored as fat if you take more calories than required Having more insulin build tissues like fat cells as insulin is a growth hormone.These fat cells with extra calories add weight. Some medicines stimulate appetite and increases the chance of low blood glucose.Due to this hunger and fluid retention increases.This add calories which increases weight Ways to decrease the weight gain Speak to your doctor about the medicine and its side effects.Ask for help and a plan to reduce the side effect Adjust calorie intake regularly Increase physical activity to burn more calories Don't eat too much to treat hypoglycemia.It can raise blood glucose and add excess calorie

SOYA FOR DIABETES Soya foods are naturally cholesterol free with low fat Soya beans contain protein that decrease cholesterol levels thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.Since cholesterol is also one of the major risk factor of diabetes soya helps to lower the bad cholesterol levels Soy foods contain antioxidant called isoflavones.Isoflavones reduce cholesterol,osteoporosis,cancer risk,easing of menopause symptoms Soya has low glycemic index which controls blood sugar levels Soy foods slow the glucose absorption in blood stream Soya beans are good source of fiber,iron,calcium,zinc and B-vitamin Soy milk made from soybeans is rich in soy protein that helps to control blood sugar Soya is available in different forms like soya flour,soy milk,soya nuggets,sprouted soya plus....in market

CORIANDER BENEFITS Coriander is used world wide as garnish It is a good source of iron and fibre Contains 11 types of essential oils,6 types of acids,minerals and vitamins It has antibacterial properties and used to treat diarrhoea It reduces the level of bad cholesterol and increase the level of good cholesterol in blood The seeds of coriander have anti-inflammatory properties The leaves of coriander have anti rheumatic and anti arthritic properties Helps to increase the secretion of insulin so that blood glucose level decreases The leaves of coriander removes heavy metals like mercury,aluminium and lead from the body It enhances digestion and treats anorexia Stimulates endocrine glands secretion for proper menstrual cycles Prevents nausea,urinary track infection Coriander juice is used to treat anaemia Its juice with turmeric cures pimples,blackheads

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D IN DIABETES Long term deficiency of vitamin D increases the risk of type 2 diabetes Due to deficiency of vitamin D cholesterol levels increases in blood that cause hypertension People with low vitamin D cannot lose weight in case of obesity As obesity, high cholesterol,high B.P leads to diabetes deficiency of vitamin D is also linked to diabetes Lowest vitamin D levels may increase HbA1C levels in diabetes Vitamin D may be essential for proper functioning of beta cells and secretion of insulin Vitamin D is protective against type 1 diabetes Vitamin D supplementation in infants reduced the risk of type 1 diabetes Vitamin D present in cod liver oil consumed during pregnancy reduces the risk of type 1 diabetes Natural source of vitamin D is sunlight.This vitamin is produced in the skin during sun exposure People in cold climate have vitamin D deficiency and older people may also at risk of vitamin D deficiency as the ability of the body to convert this

Can a diabetic take sugar free foods Diet plays a major role in controlling diabetes Many sugar substitutes & foods are available in the market.before choosing them better have a look at the food labels for ingredients Though the product is sugar free read for carbohydrates present,if the carb value is low then choose it 'No Sugar Added' products means no sugar added during packaging or processing.These foods may still be high in carbs Artificial sweeteners : These are Sucralose and Aspartame Sorbitol is derived naturally from fruits and vegetables. These sweeteners  contain calories and carb but they give less calories as they are not completely absorbed by the body Sugar free foods containing less than 5 gm of carb and less than 20calories per serving does not raise blood sugar levels.Diet soda,vegetables like spinach,lettuce...etc Check for low calorie,low carb sugar free foods

How  to achieve balanced mind: Balance is stage of mind at a particular moment It is inner feeling of our body and mind Balance is not constant or stable it varies from individual to individual and time to time The first step in achieving balance is caring and respecting oneself Try to sort out or recognise your problem Fulfil your needs to control your emotions and mind Be aware of your tensions Daily schedule or planner relieves imbalance Enjoy and celebrate your success Accept critics and compliments Proper nutrition and regular exercise helps in balancing the mind

Jamun (Black berry) and its health benefits Jamun has a great medicinal value Jamun fruits,seeds,leaves and even bark are all useful in the treatment of diabetes Jamun helps to prevent and control diabetes The seeds of jamun contain a glucoside called Jamboline which has the power to control conversion of starch into glucose Jamun fruit pulp is rich in anti-oxidants,vitamins and minerals.It stimulates liver and pancreas Jamun leaves are natural anti-biotic.They help in healing of wounds,skin infections,bleeding gums The bark of jamun is used to prevent stomach disorders Jamun has also anti-cancer anti-viral properties Jamun is blood purifier Jamun boosts immunity Jamun is a power house of health Jamun capsules,jamun juice,jamun chips and jamun green tea are available in market

GREEN TEA - ADVANTAGES Green tea contains a substance called catechin.It increases the immunity level and weakens the tumor cells. Due to this the body becomes strong enough to fight against diseases Some of the major benefits are Increases the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol Risk of heart diseases reduces Oxidizes fat increasing metabolic rate Decreases the risk of cancer To prevent depression and headaches Helps to weight loss Prevents tooth decay Lowers blood pressure May control sugar levels Boosts energy Healthy skin and hair Prevents Alzheimer’s CONSUMPTION: one can take 2-3 cups per day

TYPES OF HEALTHY FOODS GOOD MOOD OR HAPPINESS FOOD These foods regulate the emotions and make mentally strong. Some of those are fruits, vegetables, pulses (these come from plants and contain the essential elements like minerals, vitamins) which make the brain function well. Sweet foods that contain more sugar fluctuates the mood. Better decrease processed food intake.Omega-3 fatty acids enhance the formation of new brain connections as it is an essential element of happiness. These essential elements make the brain sharper, stronger, happier.These are present in fish oil, beetroots, tomatoes, garlic. ENERGY FOODS These foods enable the brain to be strong and controls anxiety. Dark leafy vegetables, walnuts, small potatoes contain all the trace elements Vitamin E, Iodine.Iodine regulates the mood. It helps in proper functioning of thyroid gland. Some studies shows that cup of coffee contain antioxidants which act as antidepressants. Replace sugar with honey. Honey is rich in iron, ma

How to manage diabetes in children Children with diabetes are dependent on insulin so they should be under regular paediatrician/diabetologist treatment Educate the children about the disorder Let them take insulin on their own when they attain enough age Explain the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia clearly Diet : Diet should be followed according to the advice of a qualified dietician Give more fibre food,they should take food at least 6 times a day Plan the meal with good food,fruits,vegetables,nuts,pulses etc......(Balanced carbohydrates,fats and proteins) Exercise : Physical activity is a must for any child due to exercise blood sugar levels may go down so they should always carry chocolates,sugar sachets,glucose,juice etc..... for immediate consumption In school : As they spend more time at school parents should inform the principal,staff and care takers primarily about this disorder Parents has to make them aware of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia If t

How to prevent Diabetes ! The two major factors to prevent diabetes are diet and exercise Some of the factors that leads to diabetes are over weight(More waist size) leads to diabetes than more BMI Inactive life style Irregular food habits Family history Consuming more carbohydrates and more calorific foods High blood pressure Stress High cholesterol Some simple steps to prevent diabetes: Physical Activity: Increase physical activity.Do full body workouts to loose the weight No need to join Gym try to walk at least 30 minutes a day.Use steps avoid lift Don't use vehicles for nearby distances Swimming,gardening,playing badminton,playing with kids etc.... keeps the body fit Practice yoga Avoid sedentary life style Diet: No need to avoid favourite foods but reduce the amount of intake Have sufficient calories(look at the calorie vale before consuming the food products) Take fibre rich food Cutoff carbohydrates Reduce white bread,rice,potatoes,sweets,soft dri

People with uncontrolled sugar levels or foot ulcers need medical footwear and diabetic socks Diabetes patients develop swelling,flattened arch sometimes.So,the shoe size varies accordingly Better to use cotton,cushiony socks and well fitting shoes HOW TO SELECT THE FIT SHOE? Always shop in the afternoon The toe area of the shoe should be spacious.Narrow toe areas leads to foot wounds and blood circulation decreases Hard rubber sole protects the feet from sharp objects Insoles made from Micro Cellular Polymer are used for cushioning effect The shoe inner area should be wide to face the swelling problems or to insert insoles Adjustable straps are required to adjust during swelling Select shoes with low arch incase of flat foot The shoe should be completly covered to avoid  from hard objects Wear low heel shoes

What is diabetic neuropathy? Nerve damage a long term complication in diabetes is called neuropathy Symptoms:numbness or tingling in toes initially and gradually passes to ankle & leg No sensation or too sensitive feet Prevention of diabetic foot problems is very important although treatment has improved HOW TO PREVENT FOOT PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY OCCUR? More care for feet is important than face Examine the foot everyday by using a hand mirror.Check toes,sides carefully Wash the feet with mild soap or soak the feet in refreshing foot soak.Dry them completely and moisture them Cut the nails with a clipper straightly and file smoothly Don't walk with bare feet.Wear shoes at beach.Cover with socks in cold season Always wear comfortable shoes.Use cotton or wool socks Quit smoking as it damages small blood vessels due to which circulation shows and leads to foot infections Keeping blood sugar levels under control by taking medicines regularly,exercising regularly,taking

Type 1 Diabetes : This type of diabetes begins in childhood and develops rapidly It is an autoimmune disease(i.e the body attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas) Thus insulin is not produced which is a hormone necessary to convert food into energy. In Type 1 diabetes children may also develop rheumatoid arthritis,thyroid disorders,insufficient adrenal 5-10% of total diabetes population are type 1 diabetic The type 1 diabetes symptoms are polyurea,excessive thirst,bed wetting,excess hunger,fatigue,weight loss They should undergo HbA1C(gives  blood sugar value for last 60-90 days),cholesterol,vitamin d status,microalbumin test and eye examination These tests helps to precvent long term complications like nerve damage,kidney failure,heart diseases,blindness Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependants Educating about diabetes is more important like treatment Along with insulin injecting techniques they should learn self blood glucose monitoring also.It helps t

Exercise in Diabetes Exercise is must in diabetes if the body permits to do.It plays a vital role in controlling diabetes 30 minutes exercise per day helps: Proper utilization of insulin in diabetics taking insulin stress release lower blood sugar and blood pressure reduces bad cholesterol lose weight makes heart,bones,muscles strong keep joints flexible SIMPLE EXERCISES Walking - Simple to do and cost effective-requires a pair of shoe only Swimming-one can walk in water or move the feet in water though they don't know swimming.It is also a sort of exercise Gardening-watering,removing weeds,pulling flowers or plants is also a good exercise Playing-playing with kids or grand kids in the park,throwing a disk are also good exercise PRACTICE YOGA Yoga also controls diabetes.Asanas like Dhanurasana,shavasana,bhujangasana,paschimottanasana helps in proper functioning of pancreas and insulin Before doing any exercise stretching of muscles in the following manner helps t

Weight loss tips: Weight:How to access the correct weight i.e whether the weight is more or less than desired Calculate the body mass index(BMI) BMI=Weight/height in meter*2 Check height in meters Find out weight in kilograms Then calculate BMI If BMI<19   underweight    BMI is between 19&25   recommended weight range    BMI is between 25&30   overweight    BMI is more than 30 obese. Waist size:Waist size gives the storage of fat around belly.Apple shaped bellies indicates obesity. Healthy waist less than 40inches in men and less than 35inches in women One can monitor their BMI,body fat byusing body fat monitors analyzer scales like karadascan…..etc Overweight leads to many diseases like high blood pressure,stroke,diabetes,sleep apnea,cancer,osteoarthritis,stress. How to reduce the overweight: Our body needs energy for metabolic activities. If the energy is released more than required due to excess food intake it is stored in form of fats in the body which leads to we

GESTATIONAL DIABETES It is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy During pregnancy to meet babys needs mothers body should produce extra insulin.If it doesnot happen gestational diabetes develop It can be diagniosed by the presence of sugar in urine test during antenatal checkup and  blood glucose tests Women with high blood pressure,obese,insulin dependent parent or sibling,late mothers(giving birth at older age) may develop gestational diabetes Due to more sugar in the blood of mother the growth of baby increases which leads to difficulty in delivery There is possibility that these babies may develop diabetes in future Gestational diabetes can be treated by regular checkup with the doctor by controlling diet,by exercise,by monitoring blood glucose levels using glucometer regularly

In diabetes its not only important to take balanced diet but also regular exercise and stress less life style plays a vital role The following are some of the ways to control the stress: Healthy mind is the soul of healthy body To maintain healthy body awareness on healthy food is necessary Practise yoga and meditation.It refreshes the mind Walk for at least 15min a day Maintain hobbies like gardening,listening music,painting,cooking a new dish,dancing....etc. Avoid junk food,caffeine drinks,alcohol. Create time for your own.Spend sometime with your family/dear ones Share the problems with your dear ones Follow a schedule to prevent work backlog Good sleep is necessary

Managing the emergencies in Diabetes: In case of any emergency,query,clarification do not delay to contact your doctor The three emergencies of diabetes are hyperglycemia,hypoglycemia and keto-acidosis HYPERGLYCEMIA: In hyperglycemia blood sugar level dangerously rises high(above 250 mg/dl).It is seen more in type1 diabetes Reasons: Neglecting or skipping the medicines such as insulin.                  Infection.                  Eating high calorie food.                  High stress.                  Avoiding exercise..... Symptoms:Headache,blurred vision,excessive hunger,thirst,tiredness.In such cases its better to check blood sugar levels   immediately.Glucometer can be used for immediate checking. If sugar level is more than 250mg/dl contact your doctor immediately and drinking lots of water helps to lower the blood sugar level before reaching the doctor HYPOGLYCEMIA It is seen more in people with type 2 diabetes.This condion is charecterised with the blood sugar l

Diabetic Diet: DIET: To manage diabetes everyday diet plays a vital role. Awareness on type of food, its calorific value and maintenance of time intervals is necessary. VEGETABLES:(3-5 servings)-One serving can be 1cup of raw leafy greens/beans/carrots/sprouts or ¾ cup vegetable juice or ½ cup of chopped/cooked vegetables. FRUITS:(2-4 servings)-One serving can be 1 medium apple/banana/orange or 1slice of melon/3/4 cup of fruit juice or ½ cup of chopped fruits/berries. MILK:(2-3 servings)-One serving can be 1cup skimmed milk/1 cup buttermilk or one serving can be 1 cup non-fat yogurt/1cup fruit flavored yogurt. MEAT & OTHERS:(2-3 servings)-One serving can be 30g cooked fish or 30g cooked chicken or 30g cooked meat. PULSES(2-4 servings)-One serving can be 1 cup cooked thin, watery tur dal/moong dal/cowpeas/masoor dal or ½ cup cooked rajmah/channa/baked beans/lentils or 25g if uncooked. CEREALS AND CARBOHYDRATES:(6 or more servings)-One serving can be 1 chappati/idly/dalia or ½

Insulin : Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells of pancreas Insulin is a substance that controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood Insulin is always used in patients with Type1 Diabetes and may be required in Type2 or gestational diabetes Insulin can be taken through delivery devices like syringe and Insulin pens   Insulin Pens : They are most convenient and easiest way of insulin administration No need to use syringes and vials No need to mix and measure the insulin Accuracy in dosage Can be easily carry in purse or pocket There are two types of insulin pens:Disposable and permanent Disposable pens : They are premixed,prefilled and ready to use by just dialing the dosage Permanent Pens: These are reusable pens,Pen fills or cartridges (Insulin contents) are changeable after the completion of insulin They are easy,convenient and accurate even at extremely low dosage Needles are to be changed when ever there is  pain Storage of Insulin : Insulin is to