Natural Health Alternatives
Archive for the ‘Signs Of Diabetes’ Category
Being Healthy Means Proper Nutrition & Exercise
While many people are confounded and confused about how to stay in shape, the answer is actually quite simple: exercise and eat healthy. You can find nutrition programs to help you choose the right food to eat and how to prepare healthy meals. This is very important, especially if you have medical conditions that require you to monitor your food intake.
People who are diabetic should really have a good diabetes nutrition program to help minimize their diabetes symptoms. They really need to be mindful of every piece of food they eat and develop a plan for sustained healthy habits. Adding a little light exercise to your daily routine can also help to keep the disease in check.
If you are losing protein in your urine from many years of of having diabetes, and your wondering if you should eat more protien to replace it, the answer is no.
The reason you are losing the protein is spilling over so bad is because your kidneys are damaged from many years of high sugar and high blood pressure.The filters in your kidneys are like a screen so to speak, filtering out wastes in your blood .This is one of the diabetes symptoms that causes great harm to the kidneys.After the long damage to the filters in the kidneys, it lets the protein escape , which is supposed to stay in the body and only let water through.So by adding more protien is not in your favor ,the waste products alone from the protein is very stressful to the kidneys.
By reducing the amount of protein you eat daily , will help greatly in slowing the damage to your kidneys. You must keep track of the food you eat daily especially the amounts of protein. Start reading labels on everything, or talk to a dietician for your meal planning to reduce the overall protein but gives you essential proteins and amounts you need.
Did you ever wake up with your feet burning, just as if some lit a match under your feet? This is a sensation related to diabetes, this is also known as neuropathy. People usually describe neuropathy as having pins and needles stabbing their feet or the sensation of a dull burning in the feet and legs, which is more evident at night when trying to sleep.
Experiencing leg cramps is not that unusual with painful neurophy,with these kind of symptoms of diabetes, the best way to prevent it is to keep your blood sugar under control. Men seem to have more nerve problems than women, also people who are tall,they smoke,have poor blood circulation and have had diabetes for many years are affected.
If you are experiencing painful neuropathy, you can use some natural treatment options to taking prescription meds like ,creams made from chili peppers (capsaicin). These creams are rubbed on the feet to desensitize them. Or use alpha-lipoic acid, ALA can be used to reduce the pain, burning, paresthesia, and numbness associated with diabetic neuropathy, to increase glucose transport, and to improve cardiovascular function.
Alpha -Lipoic acid can improve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy as it works as an antioxidant in water and fatty tissues, allowing it to enter all parts of the nerve cell and protect it from damage. There is some good news though, over a period of time seems as though the pain of neuropathy lessons.
Alert! Dry Red Eyes could Be Signs of Diabetes
How to determine if your dry , itchy, red eyes are indirectly related signs of diabetes.
If you have symptoms of red eyes or have a feeling of pressure like a throbbing sinus infection pain and you do not have a cold,you might want to go a get an eye exam .This can be signs of Glaucoma , which is a condition where the pressure in the eye is elevated.The signs of Glaucoma can be very little until it gets to a point of vision loss , just that quick. People who had sudden vision loss reported having pain and redness in or around their eyes, so don’t ignore it!
People with diabetes , glaucoma is a very common symptom, so you should make yearly eye exams a part of your routine.If your doctor can detect signs of glaucoma early enough , it can be treated with prescription eye drops. By not treating the symptoms or ignoring them you could go blind.
Besides treatment you can take supplements to help your eyes to stay healthy, like lutein and bilberry for example,or even Q10 for circulation,necessary nutrients for the eyes.There is ways to stay ahead of the game so start today. Don’t let the signs of diabetes get you down , get your eyes checked out as soon as possible!
How to Treat Diabetes Symptoms with Flu and Colds
Getting sick is no fun for anyone , but being diabetic and treating your diabetes symptoms with the flu still means you have to take care of your sugar.You still need to take your medications, especially your blood sugar meds and check for keytones also.If you are having trouble keeping food down, here are some tips from the American Diabetes Association.
1. Keep your liquids clear.Sip liquids like apple juice,sports drinks and regular sodas if you cannot keep anything else down.
2. Any broth is good. Drink vegetable juices ,sports drinks to replace potassium and sodium during bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
3. If your eating gets of schedule , you need to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates about every hour to keep your sugar from dropping to low. Types of food with 15 grams of carbs are : A cup of any broth you choose, a cup of cream soup, 1/2 a cup of a vegetable juice , 1 cup of milk or yogurt , 1/4 cup of sherbet , 1 small frozen juice bar , 6 saltines, also 1 cup of a sports drink or 1/2 cup of a regular soda.
You can also ask for sick day meal plans from a registered dietitian. Also you must watch the OTC medications. There is available products for people with diabetes and high blood pressure for the cold and flu season.
We generally do not think of our liver as symptoms of diabetes.You see our liver is under attach all of the time with various factors.
Many of these can weaken your liver functions , such as viruses,hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes or has been abused by alcohol, drug abuse or long-term prescription drug use.
We can help our liver function better with antioxidant support.By taking an antioxident you can protect your liver from free radical damage.In turn you can help your liver build up defenses against many types of diseases.
Supplements with Milk Thistle ,Alpha Lipoic , Selenium are such Antioxidant’s to boost your livers function in ridding your body of toxins.
So when thinking of health , think of your organs, they need your support to help you live a healthier life.
Diabetes Symptoms of Nueropathy Pain Relieved With Capsaicin
Capsaicin is an herbal ingredient that is in many brands of lotions or creams used regularly to have prolonged pain relief of muscle pain, joint pain, nerve pain,diabetic neuropathy and arthritis. Generally you can buy it in creams,ointments,stick ,pad , gel ,liquid and lotions without having a prescription.These preparations are all available OTC.
Studies from the University of Toronto showed how effective a 0.075% capsiacin cream or a placebo used by 143 patients for neuralgia. After a 6 week period ,those using the capsaicin cream had major pain relief compared to those who did not.
In another 5 controlled trials ,showed that the capsiacin cream to be more effective in relieving pain of the diabetes symptoms of neuropathy.An 8 week study of 235 with diabetic neuropathy of the feet had dramatic relief in reducing the pain. There is no side effects , but you do have to caution in over using it.High doses can cause burning , inflammation or even blisters,be careful not to rub your eyes with your hands .
You will likely experience a warm, burning, stinging sensation when you begin using capsaicin. The sensation, which is expected when beginning use, may actually continue for 2 to 4 weeks. The sensation should lessen the longer you use capsaicin. Reducing the number of daily doses of capsaicin will not reduce the sensation, but it may reduce the pain relief achieved.
Some Precautions :
- Wear gloves when applying capsaicin cream.
- Do not apply it immediately after a hot bath or shower or use it with a heating pad.
- Avoid getting capsaicin cream in eyes and other mucus membranes or broken skin.
- The safety of capsaicin cream in pregnant or nursing women hasn’t been established.
No drug interactions have been reported . Does not interfere with prescriptions.
Avioding Diabetic Retinopathy Symtoms of Diabetes
One symptom of diabetes is Retinopathy,but of course there are many others to talk about also .Diabetics need t take care of their eyes to prevent blindness, so they must keep their sugar in check all of the time. They need to have yearly eye examinations to avoid any eye complications.
Along with eating right kind of food, doing regular exercising is also like a key to ensure that the blood sugar levels will be normal. Diabetes can happen at any age so you must take control of your life before life takes the control out of your hands. There are treatments available for diabetic retinopathy and laser surgery is one such treatment. The laser surgery will be carried out to stop the leakage from the blood vessels.
You can also supplement with some herbals as a preventitive measure for good eye health and sugar balance
Alpha Lipoic Acid (thioctic acid), a powerful antioxidant: supports healthy glucose metabolism, healthy energy levels and healthy immune function, maintains healthy liver function.
ALPHA LIPOIC is a powerful antioxidantthat works with other nutrients such as vitamins C & E and gluththione to defend against excessive free radicals. It is called an universal antioxidant because it is soluble in both water and lipid based tissue.
Health Claims
Acts as a powerful antioxidant for the whole body. Supports healthy glucose metabolism to keep sugar in balance. May support healthy energy levels so you can keep going all day. Assists enzymes in conversion of food to energy . Used by professionals in the treatment of nerve damage . May support healthy liver function .,Studies indicate may be used in prevention of cataracts . May support healthy immune function to help prevent infections.
Bilberry, or Baccinium myrtillus, is another herb that is native to many parts of Europe. The blue-black berries contain flavonoids, particularly anthocyanosides. Bilberry extracts are considered non-toxic even if taken at high doses. The most well known therapeutic effect is in the treatment of night blindness, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and varicose veins.
There have been recent studies that show ,ginkgo biloba is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Ginkgo biloba increases the bloods flow to the eye’s retina. Ginkgo slows retinal deterioration, leading to an increase in visual acuity.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the major carotenoids present in the retinas of healthy eyes. Lutein is an abundant carotenoid found in many fruits and vegetables and, in nature, protects cells against light-induced damage. Spinach and kale contain the highest levels of lutein, but it is also present in such foods as corn and egg yolks.
- 86% of eye doctors believe consumers who take a multivitamin should take one that includes lutein.
- 89% of eye doctors believe lutein is natural and safe.
- 55% of all eye doctors consider lutein to be as important for eyes as calcium is for bones.
- 71% of all eye doctors believe consumers should supplement their diet with lutein daily.
- 90% percent of all eye doctors believe consumers should eat foods naturally high in lutein, such as spinach.
- 58% of eye doctors believe that lutein is the nutrient that best supports long-term eye health.
These are a few anti-oxidents that will help in the prevention of blindness, not just in diabetics alone. Everyone needs good eye health.
What Causes Diabetes,a Great Possibility is Syndrome X
Metabolic Syndrome,or Syndrome X ,is a condition now epidemic in the U.S. More than 64 million Americans have the Metabolic Syndrome (roughly one in four adults) and 40% of adults over age 40. Sad to say more and more kids are being diagnosed with the syndrome as well.
If you are diagnosed at having Metobolic Syndrome you are at serious risk of having diabetes and heart disease. Dr. David Herber an expert of UCLA’s School of Human Nutrition , believes that in the next decade roughly 80% of all heart disease will be due to the Metabolic Syndrome, and what causes diabetes type 2 , or both.
There have been guidelines set by the Nationtioal Cholesterol Program , that if you have 3 or more of the following 5 risk factors you probably have Metobolic Symptom.
Below is a list of the risk factors you should take in consideration.
- Abdominal obesity: a waist of 40 inches or more for men, 35 inches or more for women.
- High triglycerides: 150 mg/dL or more.
- Low HDL (”good”) cholesterol: below 40 mg/dL for men, below 50 for women. Most people with the syndrome also have more small, dense LDL (”very bad”) cholesterol particles. (These small, dense LDLs are usually not measured with standard blood lipid profiles.
- High blood pressure: 130/85 or higher (or if you are taking hypertension medication).
- Elevated fasting blood sugar (glucose): 110 mg/dL** or more. (Recently, the American Diabetes Association lowered the cut point for elevated fasting glucose to 100 mg/dL.
An affective approach for treating the Metabolic Syndrome is the most natural one - a healthy diet and regular exercise, argue experts like Dr. Paul Ridker of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. A healthy lifestyle targets what are often the causes of Metabolic Syndrome: poor diet and excess body fat.
Eat Healthfully
- Eat more fruits and vegetables; cut down on drinking juice.
- Choose lean cuts of meat.
- Rather than frying, bake, broil, or grill your poultry, fish, or meat.
- Reduce the amount of salt in your diet; do not add salt to foods and choose low-sodium foods.
- Cut down on saturated fats.
- Choose whole grain foods (whole wheat bread, brown rice) instead of refined or processed foods (white bread, white rice).
- Eat more fiber-rich foods (beans, fruits, vegetables).
- Eat less sugar.
- Eat less carbohydrates and other starchy foods.
- Limit or eliminate soda and other sugary drinks.
Increase Your Physical Activity
- Exercise a little each day; aim for a total of 30 minutes or more.
- Commit yourself to more physical activity. Join a health club or plan walks with friends.
- Include increased activity into your daily habits.
Diabetes Symptoms of Heart Disease Linked to Vitamin D Difficiency
An article from Researchers of the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis discovered why low levels of vitamin D nearly double the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.
Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, M.D., and his colleagues believes that diabetes symptoms of heart disease is linked to inadequate vitamin D. He says that the macrophage cells - which eat more cholesterol - eventually stiffen blood vessels and block blood flow. This build-up increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Doctors Bernal and Mizrachi believes that people with type 2 diabetes are very likely to have a vitamin D deficiency.Also most women with type 2 diabetes are one-third more likely to have insufficient vitamin D levels than women of the same age who do not have diabetes.
In reality our skin manufactures vitamin D in response to ultraviolet light exposure. But, in many parts of the United States, during the winter months when the sun’s rays are much weaker and more time we spend indoors , the average person does not make enough vitamin D.
In Doctor Bernal-Mizrachi ’s research they found it to be possible to slow or reverse the development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes by helping them regain adequate vitamin D levels.
“Oral vitamin D supplements may work best,” he says, “but if people were exposed to more sunlight ,if only for a few minutes at a time, that could be an option, too.”
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).