Diabetic Day: Work out The all over Medicine for Diabetes

Diabetic Day: Work out The all over Medicine for Diabetes: I know that the cartoon image up above may seem a little on the harsh side, but being diabetic I have learned one thing and that is withou...

Work out The all over Medicine for Diabetes

I know that the cartoon image up above may seem a little on the harsh side, but being diabetic I have learned one thing and that is without exercise we risk much more than just high blood sugar. 

Diabetes brings with it much more for us to be concerned about, like Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, and a broad range of Brain, Eye, and Nerve issues.  Circulation and getting blood flow and Oxygen to our vital organs and lower extremities is key to better health and saving our lives as Diabetics. 

Taking the time to at least get 30 minutes of exercise a day can better your chances of  lowering your Blood Glucose levels, keeping blood flow to your legs and feet, making your Heart stronger and aids in better and Liver function.  It is even better if you can put in an 60 minutes a day.  But if you can not find the time then 30 minutes is standard.

Walking of course is one of the best exercises for Diabetics.  It is low impact and brings great results for our Blood Glucose levels.

"George Griffing, MD, professor of endocrinology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine says that small bouts of exercise per day is fine.  He says that as long as they equal to 30 minutes a day it will work. "

Source:   http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20425548_2,00.html

It is important that Diabetics maintain movement and keep that oxygen and blood flowing throughout our bodies.  We should try to increase any type of activity that we would normally do, such as housework, or walking up and down our stairs.  Any type of exercise that will get that heart pumping.  Be sure you connect with your physician before you begin an exercise program to be sure it is safe for you.

I have used a pedometer for about 3 years now.  I had a mild Heart Attack in 2010 and since then have relied upon my pedometer to make sure I am getting enough steps in per day.  I was recommended 10,000 steps to equal five miles. This can make your Blood Pressure lower,  and lower your Blood Glucose and Cholesterol.

It is also important at the time to consider what caloric intake you have.  Keep yourself a daily journal there are applications you can put on your smart phone to keep track of your calories and how many proteins, fats, and carbohydrates your calories equal. You can also use programs on your computer to do the same as well as a regular notebook and do a handwritten one.  The Application I use on my Android Phone is :  My Diet Diary by GE healthymagination.  You can find this app on Google App Store
Find more Information out @ http://www.medhelp.org 




Source:  http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression


Source:  Fifteen tips for Diabetic Exercise

What a wonderful source of happiness.  It is so much safer and better than pain medications and sleep medications.  It is also much better than us having to take medications for Depression and Anxiety Disorders.  Side affects of Chemicals can damage our bodies, but with exercise we are okay for better ways in which our bodies handle stress and sleeplessness.  The benefits of exercise outweigh the alternatives of no exercise.  Happier, Healthier, and alive.

Together we as Diabetics must keep the conversations happening.  We need the information and communication that can get us healthier and keep us strong.  If you would like to write a blog post information or have an idea or comment or question please contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Diabetic Day: New Discovery Insulin May be A Thing of the Past

Diabetic Day: New Discovery Insulin May be A Thing of the Past: The Harvard School of Public Health has discovered a new Protein (Hormone) that have been found in fat cells.  This Protein (Hormone) help...

New Discovery Insulin May be A Thing of the Past

The Harvard School of Public Health has discovered a new Protein (Hormone) that have been found in fat cells.  This Protein (Hormone) helps regulate how glucose is controlled and metabolized in the Liver.  The Scientists have discovered that by switching off the Protein, leads to a better control of  production of glucose from the Liver. 
Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130507134555.htm

Scientist and Physicians alike have been puzzled over the fact that not all obese people obtain type 2 Diabetes.  They have decided that there must be a missing factor or component that they had not found that aided in the production of glucose by the Liver up until the discovery of aP2 which has been considered a protein that resides within our fat cells.

The study was done on mice they increased the amount of aP2 in healthy mice which was the same in obese mice and humans, this caused the mice to have an increased amount of glucose which impaired glucose metabolism.  Next they reduced the amount of aP2 in obese and Diabetic mice. This caused the blood glucose metabolism to be that of blood glucose seen in lean healthy mice.  This restored blood glucose metabolism to normal ranges again. 

Conclusion: The amount and action of aP2 in blood was critical for diabetes, opening up new avenues for potentially being able control or prevent type 2 diabetes. The researchers also identified a potential therapeutic role for a novel aP2 antibody that neutralizes aP2 activity and corrects type 2 diabetes in mice.
Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130507134555.htm

Journal Reference:

1. Haiming Cao, Motohiro Sekiya, Meric Erikci Ertunc, M. Furkan Burak, Jared R. Mayers, Ariel White, Karen Inouye, Lisa M. Rickey, Baris C. Ercal, Masato Furuhashi, Gürol Tuncman, Gökhan S. Hotamisligil. Adipocyte Lipid Chaperone aP2 Is a Secreted Adipokine Regulating Hepatic Glucose Production. Cell Metabolism, 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.04.012

Every day they are discovering new ideas and finding new sources to help in aiding in the fight against Diabetes.  It is really important to keep up on reading in regards to what potentially could be a cure for the disease and make it treatable to all those who have it.  I encourage reading and keeping informed.

As a Woman with Diabetes I need to be responsible for my own well being, no one can take care of me except me.  I have to be in control over what my body is going through with the outer influences or environment that surrounds me as a Diabetic.  I encourage you also to take control and learn all you can, share with other Diabetics and keep the conversation open and flowing.  Together we can make a difference in each others lives.

If you have a story or a comment, if you wish to write a blog page for here and be a contributor please contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to answer any mail that is sent to me.  We can do this together as a community.  

Diabetic Day: Type 2 Medication Madness...or What am I taking?

Diabetic Day: Type 2 Medication Madness...or What am I taking?: The First thing that happens as a Diabetic is that they decide what type of medication is best suited for where you are in the disease....

Type 2 Medication Madness...or What am I taking?

The First thing that happens as a Diabetic is that they decide what type of medication is best suited for where you are in the disease.  My first medication was Metformin then went on to add Glipizide.  I am a type 2 Diabetic so these are pretty standard drugs.  I don't really know much about the Diabetic Drugs out there so I am doing some research so that I can learn about the options and alternative's  if I have to change drugs to manage my Diabetes.

The Oldest type of Diabetic Drug is a Sulfonylureas.  These drugs work to stimulate the pancreas to increase the production of Insulin.  Currently the oldest one of these drugs on the market is Chlorpropamide  Diabinese.

 The second-generation Sulfonylureas are taken once or twice a day. They include Glipizide Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, Glyburide Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase, and Glimepiride Amaryl.

Source: http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104192

Meglitinides also stimulate the release of more insulin from beta cells. Repaglinide Prandin and Nateglinide Starlix are taken before each of three meals.

There is a medication that decreases your glucose production and increases your insulin on This Drug is a Biguanides.  Metformin Glucophage, is the only medication that  works by decreasing production of glucose by the liver and by making muscle more sensitive to insulin.

Source:  http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104192

Thiazolidinediones work in a simular manner as Metformin does. These drugs are:   
 Rosiglitazone Avandia  Pioglitazone Actos.

The interesting thing that I found while reading was that there were drugs that slowed down the breakdown of carbohydrates and sometimes even stopped them or blocked them from absorption.  My doctor has never spoke of the option of drugs with me and since I now know that this information is out there I can talk with him and stay better informed on the options that I have. 

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are the drugs that slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.  These drugs slow the inhibiting the breakdown of starches in the intestine, these medications slow the rise in blood sugar normally seen after a meal.
Source:  http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104192

The drug DPP-4 inhibitor Sitagliptin Januvia. This drug works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme in the body that leads to increase in insulin release. It also decreases the production of glucose by the liver.
 Source:  http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104192

There are non-insulin injectable drugs that are also used for type 2 Diabetes to read more about these types of drugs available for use as a Diabetic go to this website.
 http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104192&page=2

There are options out there also for natural help and I will be doing a follow up article on it so that you are aware of naturopathic options.

I hope this has helped you on some of the type 2 medications and by reading the links you will be able to understand these medications even further.  By staying informed you can make proper decisions along with your doctors on how to best manage your Diabetes.

Together as a community we can support one another and offer each other the knowledge to get through this one day at a time.  If you have a story a blog post you would like to write or any other things you wish to discuss or chat about connect with me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  

Blah, Blah, Blah...Depression and Diabetes

I hate those days when I just feel really down in the dumps.  I wake and say hurray its another day.  I don't always mean that.  I feel like since I have had Diabetes that Depression can plague me quite often, probably not every single day but enough that it becomes bothersome. 

Its really hard to know what to do about it because I was told that my sugar could be causing it.  I was told that by so many people including a couple of doctors.  When I asked how I really got a vague explanation so I of course want to know more.  What I have found I am sharing with you.  Maybe together we can understand this plight of Depression and Diabetes.

I was amazed to find out that most people with Diabetes do not have Depression.  However being a Diabetic we have a much greater risk of having it because of our Diabetes.  They say that there is no easy answer as to why this is true. 

They say that a few of the factors could be that managing Diabetes is a daunting task and it takes so much extra work that we could find ourselves set apart from our friends who don't have it.  Complications such a nerve damage, not being able to keep your blood sugar managed could cause stress and tension between you and your health care providers. Feeling like you cant get your Diabetes under control can cause worry and depression. 

Depression can spiral into a vicious cycle.  It can cause you to not manage your Diabetes carefully, missing meals, over eating, self care, loss of energy and even being anxious or having anxiety.  Lack of sleep and maybe sleeping all the time lack of exercise. 

Here are some Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

1.  Loss of Pleasure.  You no longer take interest in doing the things that brought you pleasure before. 
2.  Early to Rise.  You no longer sleep you wake up and can not go back to sleep. 
3.  Change in Appetite.  You eat more or less then you usually do which leads to rapid weight gain or
     weight loss.
4.  Trouble Concentrating.  You cant watch T.V., Visit, Read, Do Crafts or Work without other
     thoughts getting in the way.
5.  Loss of Energy.  You feel tired all of the time.
6.  Guilt.  You feel you cant do anything right or that you are a burden to others.
7.  Morning Sadness.  You feel worse in the morning than any other time of the day.
8.  Suicidal Thoughts.  Wanting to end your life or thinking of ways to do self harm.
If you have three or more of these symptoms, or if you have just one or two but have been feeling bad for two weeks or more, it's time to get help.
Source:  http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/mental-health/depression.html

Sometimes other things can be the cause of why you might be feeling some of these things like medication side affects, Thyroid issues, or maybe a drug or alcohol issue.  Always talk to your doctor if you are feeling any of these signs or symptoms.  Your doctor can help see you through it.  There is always the Suicide Prevention lines as well to use. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Causes underlying the association between depression and diabetes are unclear. Depression may develop because of stress but also may result from the metabolic effects of diabetes on the brain. Studies suggest that people with diabetes who have a history of depression are more likely to develop diabetic complications than those without depression. People who suffer from both diabetes and depression tend to have higher health care costs in primary care. Source: http://psychcentral.com/lib/diabetes-and-depression/0001380

This is a very good site to help with the recovery from Depression.  It is a self help site.  It can be hard but will be much worth the effort if you can bring yourself out of your depression a small step at a time. 
Source:  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_tips.htm

• The road to recovery
• Supportive relationships
• Negative thinking
• Taking care of yourself
• Exercise
• Healthy diet
• Getting additional help

Dealing with Diabetes and its complications are never easy.  It can be a struggle daily just to get up out of bed and many times I even hear myself saying Why Bother.  I find the bother just isn't about my life but about my family and my friends as well.  It is hard, but we can do it if we stick together as a Diabetic community and Caregivers of those that are Diabetic.

If you have any information you wish to share, a blog you wish to write or just would like to chat contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  

Diabetic Day: Eye See You or Not. Diabetes and Vision

Diabetic Day: Eye See You or Not. Diabetes and Vision: So lately my eyes are having alot of issues.  They have begun to stay blurry a majority of the day.  I was a able to not where any glasse...

Diabetic Day: Stress me out...Ouch! How Stress Affects Diabetes...

Diabetic Day: Stress me out...Ouch! How Stress Affects Diabetes...: I have been told recently to stop stressing out so much, whew that is a hard one for me.  I am a natural born worrier.  I really dont mean...

Diabetic Day: Natural Helps and Diabetes

Diabetic Day: Natural Helps and Diabetes: We all have heard of different types of things that are out there and supposed to help us with Diabetes instead of having to take our per...

Diabetic Day: Normal! "Huh, I'm Diabetic!"

Diabetic Day: Normal! "Huh, I'm Diabetic!": If you are like me life as a Diabetic has been more than confusing at times.  I have had a very difficult time trying to get everything ...

Diabetic Day: Feet, Feet Beautiful Painful Cracking Ulcered Feet...

Diabetic Day: Feet, Feet Beautiful Painful Cracking Ulcered Feet...: If you are like me I have always loved to be barefoot and enjoy feeling things under my feet.  Now that I am Diabetic I can no longer enjo...

Diabetic Day: Being Comfortable in the Skin Your in with Diabeti...

Diabetic Day: Being Comfortable in the Skin Your in with Diabeti...: I began wondering why is my nose always have flakey dry skin and my body would peel in places just like if I had been burned by the sun.  ...

Diabetic Day: Fantastic Friday Diabetic Freebies

Diabetic Day: Fantastic Friday Diabetic Freebies: Like every Diabetic our supplies and the things we need to take care of ourselves can be quite expensive, but did you know there are seve...

Diabetic Day: How our Weight is affected by Diabetes

Diabetic Day: How our Weight is affected by Diabetes: I was diagnosed at the age of 11 years with being borderline Diabetic.  I was always a chubby kid when I was growing up.  A little over we...

How our Weight is affected by Diabetes

I was diagnosed at the age of 11 years with being borderline Diabetic.  I was always a chubby kid when I was growing up.  A little over weight for me at 5ft 5in.  I was told then I had to control my weight and my foods or I would become Diabetic in the future.  Unfortunate for me I had a mom who cooked very country foods and I guess because I was the last child at home she wanted me to feel not alone so much so she let me eat sweets much to often.  I don't think she realized the seriousness of what my pediatrician had told us. 
It was in the 70's.

As an adult living with Diabetes I now know that what I had done up to the time of being told I was diabetic was really only harming me.  I didn't listen to what doctors said to me either about losing weight, or I had been told that I had Celiac Disease, which causes a problem from any type of products with gluten in it. 
That was a key fact I should have listened to, but didn't.  I never really understood why I was always craving noodles, starchy foods.

The fact is many things can play a part on why a Diabetic is having weight Issues.  To understand
more about this I did some reading and researched the why's of Diabetes and Weight.

1.  Our body converts digestible Carbohydrates into Blood Glucose (Sugar)
2.  Our Blood Glucose can affect how much energy we have and how hungry we get and how
      energetic we  feel.
3.  This determines if we will store fat or if we will burn the fat.

Our pancreas creates a hormone called insulin that transports blood sugar into our body's cells where it is used for energy. When we eat refined grains that have had most of their fiber stripped away, sugar, or other carbohydrate-rich foods that are quickly processed into blood sugar, the pancreas goes into overtime to produce the insulin necessary for all this blood sugar to be used for energy. This insulin surge tells our body that plenty of energy is readily available and that it should stop burning fat and start storing it.
  However, the greater concern with the insulin surge is not that it tells our body to start storing fat. Whatever we eat and don't burn up eventually gets turned into fat anyway.
 Source:  http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_sugar.php

 There are things to watch for regarding Carbohydrates.  Here is a list of things and a great source for information regarding Carbohydrates.  

1.  Simple Carbohydrates, such as sugar, sucrose, fructose, lactose, glucose any of the ones ending in "ose".
2.  Hidden Sugars in Processed Foods, Peanut butter, applesauce, jelly, canned fruits, ketchup, soups,
     salad dressing....etc.
3.  Beverages also hold large amounts of sugars, so be careful to watch how much they have. 
     Try to stay on  the low end of the sugar count. 
4.  Fat Free Products often replace the lack of taste of being fat free with sugar.  Be aware of this fact
     and check your labels on packages.
5.  Cereal is another one that uses deceptive ways to change sugar content but still remain high in sugars.
     They do this by calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and other nutrients that are almost identical to
     the full-sugar cereals. Always Check labels on products and try to stay to more Raw grain products.
6.  Things that say No Sugar Added does not mean they don't contain natural sugars.  Most of your fruit    
      items will contain Fructose a natural form of sugar,
Source:  http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_sugar.php

I hope this has helped in understanding the breakdown of what creates our weight and why we have so much of an issue with trying to take it off.  It seems that our body is quite confused when we have this Diabetic Disease.  It doesn't know when to store fat and when not to thus weight becomes an issue for us.  The best way to fix this is to maintain a good Diabetic Diet and exercise program.  There are many good sources out there on the internet and in our communities for Diabetics.  Use your resources and if there isn't anything then start one.  I bet your community would love to have a free Diabetic exercise program. 

We as a community will win the battle over this disease with continued support and dialog among us.  If you have a story or a blog idea, even if you just have a question or want to chat contact me at :  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.

Fantastic Friday Diabetic Freebies

Like every Diabetic our supplies and the things we need to take care of ourselves can be quite expensive, but did you know there are several ways to get the things we may need for FREE?

I am posting resources that can help us find the free things we can get by doing very little. 

Mr. Free Stuff has a bunch of Diabetic Freebies on his site.  Click here to go to Mr. Free Stuff Web Site

He offers a list of things:
A Diabetic Meter from Alliance Health
Free Diabetic BBQ Recipes
Free Diabetic Awareness Wrist Band
Free Diabetix Trial (Supplement)
100 Free Diabetic Recipes

* His site offers so much more so be sure to check him out.

There is a site that offers a tremendous amount of links that offer different types of things for Diabetics for free or little cost.

 It is called Debby's Doodles Diabetic.
 Click this link to take you to Debby's Doodles Diabetic

She offers a list of things:

Free Diabetic I.D. Bracelet From the Diabetes Wellness Foundation
Free Diabetic Gourmet Magazine
Life Adventure Series Free CD Rom (Teaching Kids about their Diabetes and bodies)
Free Meal Planner
Joslins Diabetes Center (Diabetic Courses)

There are many sites out there like AARP, CVS Pharmacies, The American Diabetic Association and much much more that offer a good variety of free things for Diabetics.

Where to find news, information, free stuff for Diabetics 
Click here to go to Where to find, news, information, free stuff for Diabetics

Find Out if you qualify for free Diabetic Supplies. The American Diabetes Services offers you many benefits. Their diabetic company handles all the paperwork for you. Log on to this site and fill out the free questionnaire to see if you qualify. http://www.americandiabetes.com/
Source:  http://voices.yahoo.com/where-find-news-information-free-stuff-for-2865591.html

Today I have chosen Xubex Free Diabetic Kits and Supplies as my Number One pick of the Freebie Friday.

For More information on the kit go to
http://voices.yahoo.com/where-find-news-information-free-stuff-for-2865591.html

APPLY ONLINE:  http://www.xubex.com/Diabetes.aspx
PRINT APPLICATION FORM:  http://www.xubex.com/pdf/FreeDiabetesKitAppForm.pdf
 

Being Comfortable in the Skin Your in with Diabetic Skin and its Care

I began wondering why is my nose always have flakey dry skin and my body would peel in places just like if I had been burned by the sun.  I just didnt know what was happening and this was a very long period into my Diabetes. 

One day while at my doctors office I asked my doctor why my skin was peeling and why was I having such an issue with my dry skin.  She told me that with Diabetes it is part of the disease and that moisture is not there like it used to be.  I still have never understood that so I went on a fact finding mission.  I am going to share what I have learned with you all.

As a Diabetic we are more prone to have different types of skin issues. Here is what happens:   The body loses fluid when blood glucose gets high, making skin drier and thus itchier and sore. If the skin becomes dry enough to crack, germs are liable to enter and cause infection. High glucose levels also inhibit sweating, which keeps skin moist. Because high glucose levels provide breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, the body's ability to heal itself is compromised.  Source:  http://www.ehow.com/facts_5729502_skin-diabetes_.html

Some of the types of the skin issues include:

1.  Diabetic Dermopathy
2.  Necrobiosis Lipoidica
3.  Diabeticorum Lipoidica
4.  Diabetic Blisters
5.  Eruptive Xanthomatosis
6.  Acanthosis nigrica

This is a breakdown of the skin issues and a definition of what they are:

1.  Diabetic Dermopathy (also known as "shin spots") is a type of skin lesion usually seen in people with diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by dull-red papules that progress to well-circumscribed, small, round, atrophic hyperpigmented skin lesions usually on the shins. It is the most common^{[1]:540[2]:681} of several diabetic skin conditions being found in up to 30% of diabetics. Similar lesions can occasionally be found in non-diabetics usually following trauma or injury to the area, however >4 lesions strongly suggests diabetes.
Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_dermopathy

2.  Necrobiosis lipoidica is a necrotising skin condition that usually occurs in patients with diabetes but can also be associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.^[1] In the former case it may be called necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). NLD occurs in approximately 0.3% of the diabetic population, with the majority of sufferers being women (approximately 3:1 females to males affected). 
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrobiosis_lipoidica. 

 

3.  Necrobiosis  Lipoidica Diabeticorum A skin condition called necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) occurs when collagen breaks down, deposits of fat build up and the blood vessel walls thicken.
Source:  http://www.diabetescare.net/content_detail.asp?id=815

4.  Diabetic Blisters are also called bullosis diabeticorum or diabetic bullae. They can sometimes develop in people with diabetes, although the condition is relatively rare. Only about one-half of one percent of those with diabetes is ever diagnosed with diabetic blisters. 
Source:  http://www.diabetescare.net/content_detail.asp?id=813

5.  Eruptive Xanthomatosis is due to high concentrations of plasma triglycerides, as occurs with uncontrolled diabetes. The xanthomas usually disappear when the underlying condition is treated, as when the diabetes comes under control.  Source:  http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31584

6.  Acanthosis Nigricans (affects mostly Native Americans, Latinos and African Americans)  (ak-an-THOE-sis NIE-grih-kuns) is a skin condition characterized by areas of dark, velvety discoloration in body folds and creases. The affected skin can become thickened and may smell bad. Most often, acanthosis nigricans affects your armpits, groin and neck.
Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acanthosis-nigricans/DS00653

The Skin is one of the largest Organs on a humans body.  Being a Diabetic your organs get affected by the disease.  It is of utmost importance that we have the best skin care possible so to avoid major issues with it.  Take proper care of your skin making sure to keep it clean, moisturized and in cases that there is a skin issue seek medical attention and make sure to follow the insturctions of your doctor. 

We have to take care of ourselves in able to support other Diabetics with complications.  Together we make a community that is over 26,000,000 Americans alone.  We are large and growing.  It is important to offer each other a variety of good solid information so we can care for ourselves and others better. 

If you have a story a question or would like to write an article for this blog please contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Understanding Diabetes and How It Works in Our Bodies

There is just no way around it, Diabetes is a very serious and dangerous disease if left untreated and unmanaged.  In some cases it still may be very dangerous because of not being able to control it.  So what most of us who have it want to know is how it works on our bodies systems.  I have gotten some general answers to the question but I want to know exactly how it affects my body. 

Diabetes is being redefined as an Autoimmune Disease.  It is a Metabolic Disease at this time.  What does this mean? 

1.  Autioammune Disease:   An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, including infectious agents. Patients with autoimmune diseases frequently have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues.
Source:  http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2402

2.  Metabolic Disorder:  Metabolic disorders: Disorders that affect the metabolic system in human. Metabolic disorders: A congenital (due to inherited enzyme abnormality) or acquired (due to failure of a metabolic important organ) disorder resulting from an abnormal metabolic process. -- 2003
Source:  http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/m/metabolic_disorders/basics.htm

What happens to my Body During The Diabetic Disease Process?  Metabolic disorders develop when normal metabolic processes are disturbed. Normally, food is broken down by the body into simpler components (proteins, fats and sugars) in a highly regulated manner. Metabolic disorders are defined by a breakdown in any one of the steps of this complex process. Disorders in metabolism can be inherited, in which case they are known as inborn errors of metabolism, or they may be acquired.
Source:  http://www.localhealth.com/article/metabolic-disorders

Type 1 Diabetes:  Do not Produce Insuline
Type 2 Diabetes:  Are Insuline Resistant meaning they produce it but the cells are resistant to it. 

The body does not effectively produce insulin, and it is more difficult for the glucose to enter the cells. The pancreas may try to make more insulin, but the cells do not respond. High levels of glucose build up in the bloodstream. 
Source:  http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4567479_diabetes-affect-body.html

The added sugar or glucose in the blood vessels damages the walls, allowing cholesterol to build up and creating poor circulation.

What is Glucose: 
Glucose is a sugar serving as the fuel that provides energy for the body's cells. Your liver produces some glucose and your body gets the rest by digesting sugars, starches, and other foods you eat.
Source:  http://www.healthcommunities.com/understanding-diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-overview.shtml

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in a part of the pancreas known as the islets of Langerhans. Insulin controls how much glucose the liver produces and also helps to move glucose from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is needed as a source of energy.
The uptake of glucose into your cells occurs through a complex series of events. It begins when insulin attaches ("binds") to receptor sites on the surface of cells in muscles and other tissues and causes carrier proteins (called glucose transporters) to move from inside the cell to the cell's surface. Like little dump trucks, these transport proteins deliver glucose from outside the cell to the inside. Without the initial binding of insulin to the receptor sites, glucose enters the cells too slowly.  Source:  http://www.healthcommunities.com/understanding-diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-overview.shtml

If you do nothing to treat this disease such as diet and excercise, then complications can occur in the form of Nerve damage, Heart problems, Liver problems, Kidney problems, Eye Problems, Dementia or Alzhiemers, and even Limb Amputations and Coma or Death.

If you have these syptoms consult your physician immediately to get a check up:  Excessive thirst, Frequent Urination, Blurry Vision, Dizzyness, Heart palpatations, High blood pressure, Numbness or Tinglinging in the Legs, Feet or Hands.  Diabetes is a very serious Condition and should not be taken lightly.

I hope this information has helped you to understand how it works within our body systems.  I know that as a team we can keep informed and share what knowledge we have with each other to become more aware and to be able to live healthier as a Diabetic community.

If you have information would like to write a segment for this blog or would like questions answered for you as a Diabetic or a caregiver of a Diabetic contact me at  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com together we can take care of each other and give each other support.

Feet, Feet Beautiful Painful Cracking Ulcered Feet. Ouch!

If you are like me I have always loved to be barefoot and enjoy feeling things under my feet.  Now that I am Diabetic I can no longer enjoy the thrill of being barefoot. 

Diabetes does some interesting things to the body, but one of the worst things it does is it messes with the brain and the nerves that care for our feet.  The brain needs to be able to send messages and receive messages to and from the feet. 

Chronic Glucose levels can damage the Nervous System.  The nerves are what sends and receives the messages from the brain about pain.  The Nervous System receives messages from our environment and how the body is affected by it through our five senses. Source:  http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/diabetes/how-diabetes-affects-the-feet.htm  The greatest problem then occurs when your feet as a Diabetic can not send the information about pain to your brain and the environmental information needed to detect problems with the feet, this is caused to over exposure of glucose to the Nervous System.

Things that may seem minor to most people such as scrapes, cuts, blisters, or cracking in the skin are not minor things to those of us with Diabetes.  A staggering 60% of all amuputations bellow the knee are from People with Diabetes. 

Along with Nervous System issues we also have Peripheral Vascular Disease for 1 out of 3 people with Diabetes over the age of 50.  This means narrowing and stiffeness of the arteries in the legs making a lack of oxygen and blood flow and nutrients to affected area's in the lower extremeties.  This makes it harder for a Diabetic person to be able to heal. This is also called Peripheral Artery Disease. 

This all leads to Diabetic Neuropathy or numbness in the feet and legs making it harder to tell if you have been injured or have any unusual cuts or skin problems in your feet and legs. 

How you should care for your feet being Diabetic:  Every day you should check your feet for any abnormalities, cracking between your toes and on your heel, bottom of your feet for cuts and blisters on your entire feet. 

Make sure your doctor checks your feet on a routine basis as well, if they dont then ask them to because it is part of your regular check up and the sooner you find an injury on your foot the faster you can have treatment for it.  Remember you run a risk of it becoming amputated if left untreated. 

1.  Take care of your Diabetes
2.  Check your feet Daily
3.  Make sure you get an annual foot examination by your physician
4.  Stay Active it gives a better chance for good circulation in your legs feet and for your heart.
5.  Trim your toe nails if you can or have a Foot Care Professional do it.
6.  Wear Shoes and Socks
7.  Protect your feet from Hot and Cold as they affect the blood vessels in your feet and your circulation.
8.  Keep blood flowing to your feet and legs by not crossing your legs, moving your feet and legs several
     times a day, and put your feet up if you can when sitting. 
9.  Make a routine to check your feet at the same time daily so you will get into a habbit of it.

After bathing or showering make sure your feet are dried off good especially in between the toes.  Make sure you moisturize them with skin care lotion to maintain a non dry skin to prevent cracking in the skin. 

Remembering it is up to each one of us to insure that we still are up and going, taking care of our feet is a priority for us as Diabetics.  Follow a daily routine of check our feet and staying active will help us to maintain better foot care.  There are shoes and socks for Diabetics that make foot care easier. 

We are together on this and as long as we stay in a community that supports each other and offers information for each other then we can stay healthier and improve our lives. 

If you have a story a comment or something you would like to share with me please contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  I cant wait to hear from you.

Normal! "Huh, I'm Diabetic!"

If you are like me life as a Diabetic has been more than confusing at times.  I have had a very difficult time trying to get everything straight.  I sometimes wasnt sure if I was coming or going. 

Some things about being Diabetic was easy to get ahold of, but not all of it.  I have still been trying to figure out my eating and snacks and excersize and what affects my blood glucose. 

The things I have learned over the past almost 8 years living with Diabetes is that there is always new things to learn and things changing in our worlds, so yes it can be very confusing at times. 

Here are some of the things that I have learned. 

1.  Stress is one of the number one things that create fluctuations in your blood glucose levels.  It is important to figure out the stresses in your life and try to eliminate or just manage them better.

2.  Getting proper rest is so important.  If you do not get proper rest your body will be under stress and we know now that both Mental and Physical things can stress our body and cause our blood glucose to rise.

3.  Illness can create a higher gluclose level for us Diabetics because once again with illness our bodies are once again under stress.  The same goes for injuries to our bodies our blood glucose will be higher as our bodies try to heal.  Diabetes is an Autoamune Disease. 

4.  Eating is probably the most difficult to get right and it affects our bodies ability to maintain a fairly level glucose, however if we are not sure how to eat or we are not understanding how things affect our glucose levels then it will be difficult for us to change.  Reading I have found and experementing with foods is the best way to know what works best for your body.

5. Excersize will lower your glucose level but once again if you do not have the proper carbs in your body before excersize it can be dangerous when and if your glucose drops to low.  Make sure you know what you need to do as a diabetic to deal with this situation.  Always contact your Doctor to make sure you have an okay to proceed with the excersize program you choose.

6.  Medications will also affect your blood glucose.  It is important to keep up with your Doctor on any supplements or medications you may be taking.  Sometimes we have more than one doctor for many things and they can prescribe different medications, so make sure you always have an up to date list of all medications to take with you to your primary care Doctor.
Daily routine how it affects your Diabetes

One of the things I have struggled with the most is trying to figure out how to eat properly and exactly what I can eat.  If you have struggled with this also then we can figure this out together.

The American Diabetes Association has a really wide variety of articles on how to eat and what to eat.  They say that once you get used to eating right it is basically routine.  http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/?loc=DropDownFF-whatcanieatWhat Can I Eat

Finding infromation on the internet is easy when it comes to Diabetes and eating such as great recipes and meal guides and plans.  Recipes for healthy living

I am really just beginning to understand the Importance of Skin Care, Dental Care and Foot Care as a Diabetic and there are some really interesting things to know.  The information is all out there on the internet or in your libraries.  If you are confused ask your doctor there are programs that are information packed that the doctor can refer you to.  Sometimes on the Diabetes Association Website you can also find events in your area and as always you can always donate time and effort in finding a cure for this disease.  In my Community Via ADA

I will be expanding on other topics of Diabetes as we continue on our journey together as Diabetics and Caretakers of Diabetics.  As a community I think we can support each other much better than standing alone.  There are over 26 Million people with this disease, that is a pretty large population.   We can become healthier by sharing and caring. 

If you have a story or a question you would like to give then get ahold of me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Natural Helps and Diabetes

We all have heard of different types of things that are out there and supposed to help us with Diabetes instead of having to take our perscription meds.  Even though we have heard of things we dont really get the information we properly need to know if that is the direction we should go or try.

So let me start out by giving you some of the names of these Natural herbs and plants dealing with Diabetes.  North American Ginseng, Chromium, Magnesium, Cinnamon, Zinc, Aloe Vera Gel, Vanadium, Momordica Charantia, Nopal, Fenugreek, Gymnema.

1.  North American Ginseng:  Diabetes

Several human studies found that American ginseng lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The effect was seen both on fasting blood sugar and on postprandial (after eating) glucose levels. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar drink experienced less of an increase in blood glucose levels. However, more research is needed.
One study using mice found that the American ginseng berry was more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than the root.  Source: American ginseng | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/american-ginseng#ixzz2ZhP5Wojb 

2.  Chromium:   Diabetes

Researchers have studied the effects of chromium supplements for type 2 diabetes for many years. While some clinical studies have found no benefit, other clinical studies have reported that chromium supplements may reduce blood sugar levels as well as the amount of insulin people with diabetes need.
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people with type 2 diabetes who took chromium picolinate had better HbA1c values -- used to measure long-term control of blood sugar levels -- than those who took placebo. The group taking chromium also had better fasting blood glucose levels, a measure of short-term control of blood sugar levels.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at a combination of chromium and biotin. Half the people in the study took chromium picolinate and biotin, and the other half took placebo. Those who took chromium and biotin had better fasting glucose levels as well as HbA1c values.
One study found that women who have diabetes as a result of being pregnant improved their blood sugar control when they took chromium.
But not all studies agree, and if chromium does help reduce blood glucose, it’s not clear how big the benefit might be. More research is needed.  Source: Chromium | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/chromium#ixzz2ZhQHYmQ6

3.  Magnesium:  Magnesium and diabetesDiabetes is a disease resulting in insufficient production and/or inefficient use of insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Insulin helps convert sugar and starches in food into energy to sustain life. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents, and results from the body's inability to make insulin. Type 2 diabetes, which is sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It is usually seen in adults and is most often associated with an inability to use the insulin made by the pancreas. Obesity is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. In recent years, rates of type 2 diabetes have increased along with the rising rates of obesity.  Source: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

4.  Cinnemon:  Researchers have been investigating a number of powerful natural agents that can help you stabilize your blood sugar, and once again, cinnamon has proven itself as a viable contender in the fight against diabetes, as the study in Diabetic Medicine reveals.(1)  Source:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/cinnamon-diabetes-_b_839487.html

5.  Zinc:  According to Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy, a professor of chemistry and of biophysics,  amylin,  a protein forms dense clumps that shut down insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and disrupts the body’s ability to control  blood sugar levels. Zinc  may help prevent this disruption that amylin causes.  Source:  http://howtogetwellfaster.com/health-2/nutrition/does-zinc-help-type-2-diabetes

6.  Aloe Vera Gel: 
The first study was conducted by Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Thirty six human type 2 diabetics were treated with 2 tablespoons of 80% aloe vera juice. There was also a control group of 36 patients, who did not receive the trreatment. All 72 patients had similar blood glucose levels at the begininng of the study.
By the end of week two of the study, the aloe vera consuming group had lowered their fasting blood glucose by 17 percent. By the end of six weeks, this group had lowered their fasting blood glucose 57 percent (43 percent of the starting value).  Source:   http://www.diabeteswellbeing.com/aloe-vera-and-diabetes.html

7.  Vanadium: 
Vanadium is a mineral. It was named for the Norse goddess of beauty, Vanadis, because of its beautiful colors. Vanadium supplements are used as medicine.
Vanadium is used for treating diabetes, low blood sugar, high cholesterol, heart disease, tuberculosis, syphilis, a form of “tired blood” (anemia), and water retention (edema); for improving athletic performance in weight training; and for preventing cancer. 
Source:   http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-749-VANADIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=749&activeIngredientName=VANADIUM
How does it work? There is some evidence that vanadium might act like insulin, or help to increase the effects of insulin.

8.  Momordica Charantia:  Three randomised controlled trials with up to three months duration and investigating 350 participants met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias of these trials (only one study was published as a full peer-reviewed publication) was generally high. Two RCTs compared the effect of preparations from different parts of the momordica charantia plants and placebo on the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There was no statistically significant difference compared to placebo. The effects of preparation from the leaves of the plant and glibenclamide were comparable in the third trial. No serious adverse effects were reported in all the trials. There were no documentations of death from any cause, morbidity, (health-related) quality of life and costs.  Source:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166099

9.  Nopal:  Although research on nopal as a treatment for diabetes is somewhat contradictory, there is some evidence to suggest that the plant has a mild blood-sugar lowering effect. The raw plant contains complex carbohydrate and fiber, which may help to slow glucose digestion and absorption. Dried prickly pear capsules are popular both in Mexico and the United States, but while a study has shown that this supplement may help to lower cholesterol levels, there is not good evidence to support the use of nopal capsules for the treatment of diabetes Source:  http://diabetes.about.com/od/nutrition/a/Nopal.htm

10.  Fenugreek:  How does fenugreek work to help fight diabetes? One study reports that a substance called 4-hydroxyisoleucine, isolated from the seeds of the herb, has shown significant potential as an anti-diabetic agent because it suppressed progression of type 2 diabetes in mice by improving insulin sensitivity and uptake of glucose. Fenugreek contains fiber and pectin, which may help lower blood glucose.  Source:  http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/fenugreek-type-2-diabetes

11.  Gymnema:  How does it work? Gymnema contains substances that decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. Gymnema may also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is the place in the body where insulin is made. 
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-841-GYMNEMA.aspx?activeIngredientId=841&activeIngredientName=GYMNEMA

Here we have some of the most affective natural substances Plants and Herbs that can help with Diabetes.  Make sure you read up on it and discuss it with your doctor and always follow the best form of control for your Diabetes.  Consult with your physician before going out on a limb and trying to cut yourself off from medications you may be taking and also there could be interactions between the medications you take currently. 

Together as a community we can learn.  We can help each other with information and support.  If you or anyone you know is Diabetic or is a caretaker of a Diabetic and have something to share or just have information to share contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com . 

Stress me out...Ouch! How Stress Affects Diabetes

I have been told recently to stop stressing out so much, whew that is a hard one for me.  I am a natural born worrier.  I really dont mean to be, but my nature as a female, mother, caregiver tells me otherwise.  I also am busy working on things that concern the country like cold cases all over the united states.  So like most people time management is important and being a sort of perfectionist when it comes to things can cause the utmost stresses for me.  I have had to learn to let some of that go.

Diabetes doesnt pick and chose one race over another, one sex over another or even what social status over another.  It is an equal opportunity disease.  How we manage it though is up to us and even though it is easier to manage if you have the means it is not necessarily that hard if you dont have the means it just means you have to be creative and use alot of free resources to help you maintain it even the stress management part.

Stress is many things it can be Physical, Mental, Emotional and Environment can play a huge part in all of these.  We may have every day stresses like work, home, family, economics, or we could have physical stresses such as Illness (Diabetes), and injuries to our bodies that can be stresses. 

I know when I first talked to a my doctor and she found I had a Kidney infection she said this is why your blood sugar is high, infections raise it because it puts stress on your body.  I was unaware of that now 4 years into the disease.  But it is true it can really stress the body.

When stress occurs, the body prepares to take action. This preparation is called the fight-or-flight response. In the fight-or-flight response, levels of many hormones shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy — glucose and fat — available to cells. These cells are then primed to help the body get away from danger. In people who have diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the blood.  Diabetes affected by stress explained

I have found a few ways to deal with my stress now that I know how it affects my Diabetes that are free and enjoyable.  I use the internet alot for this either on my cell phone or on the computer itself.  I have found that Youtube is a great source for free videos on relaxation, meditation and excersize such as Yoga.  If you have a cell phone there are alot of free Apps that help with this and will give you the opportunity to get free excersize, meditation and even sleep programs to use. 

Taking time out for your needs are very important when you are dealing with a disease like Diabetes.  If it affects your whole body then you must take time to help your body stay healed. 

Remember to try and lower your blood sugar and stay healthy with excersize, eating right and sleeping well.  Remember not to get to stressed out.

Together we can do this as a community.  If you have a story or want to ask questions or share something contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Eye See You or Not. Diabetes and Vision

So lately my eyes are having alot of issues.  They have begun to stay blurry a majority of the day.  I was a able to not where any glasses for a long time to see reuglar things just needing them to read with, but now its an all day thing.  I feel changes in them so I am about to take a trip to the eye doctor to see where we are going with them. 

I am wondering what could be going on.  As a diabetic I know that Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people ages 20 to 74. In this blog I would like to share information about eye health for Diabetics.

 High blood sugar in diabetes causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of eye problem, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range (70-130 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after a meal). It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal. Eye Problems Explained

We as Diabetics are at the most risk for Glaucoma, Cataracts, Retinopathy.  I will explain what each one of these is and why we need to care for our eyes as Diabetics. 

Glaucoma is when fluid inside the eye does not drain properly. That fluid leads to excessive pressure inside of the eye. The pressure inside the eye causes nerve damage to the eyes and blood vessels.  It is caused by Blood Pressure, Cholestrol, and Vascular Disease as well as High Blood Glucose.  There is more than one type of Glaucoma.  The most common type is open-angle Glaucoma.  Usually with this type of Glaucoma there are no symptoms until it has gotten to be much worse.  In the less common type of Glaucoma symptoms can include headaches, eye aches or pain, blurred vision, watering eyes, halos around lights, and loss of vision. Glaucoma Explained  Treatments can vary from eye drops to laser surgery.  Any changes in vision or having any unusual symptoms or pain contact your eye professional right away.
 
Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the vascular (blood-vessel related) complications related to diabetes. This diabetes eye problem is due to damage of small vessels and is called a "microvascular complication." Kidney disease and nerve damage due to diabetes are also microvascular complications. Large blood vessel damage (also called macrovascular complications) includes complications like heart disease and stroke. Diabetic Retinopathy Explained  There are three different types of Diabetic Retinopathy Background Retinopathy, Maculopathy, Proliferative Retinopathy

Cataracts  is a clouding or fogging of the normally clear lens of the eye. In Diabetics it usually happens early instead of later in life. If you have a cataract, there is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye that results in the inability to focus light, and your vision is impaired. Symptoms of this eye problem in diabetes include blurred or glared vision. The clouding is removed by surgery.  Cataracts explained

Please contact your eye doctor if any of these symptoms or other unusual symptoms occur:  Black Spots in your vision, Flashes of light, Holes in your vision, Blurred vision. 

As a Diabetic I worry about my eye health all of the time and when changes are happening to them I know it is time for a visit to the Eye Doctor.  My grandmother went blind at the age of 36.  I know all to well what Diabetes can do to your vision. 

There are things you can do to help improve your eye health and maintain vision, keeping your blood glucose levels at a moderate and acceptable level, excersize keep your heart and cardiovascular system healthy, lower your blood pressure and eat eye healthy foods while getting good sleep. 

Click here for more links for Diabetic Eye Information

Remember as a Diabetic we all have to work as a community to keep informed and to share what we know with each other.  We work together because we have a common factor living with Diabetes or caring for someone with Diabetes.  Check out the healthy recipes and soon to come natural health options to help manage and care for Diabetes.

If you have a story or a question and are interested in contacting me here is the contact information: diabetic.day2013@gmail.com Looking forward to hearing from you.

Living With Diabetic Complications (What?)

I used to think that since I had Diabetes the medication would take care of it all.  Boy was I sadly mistaken.  I was diagnosed in 2007 when I got sick after work and began to vomit and just feel generally ill.  Needless to say, I took myself to the hospital and found out that day that I was probably Diabetic and was told to contact my doctor right away and get a thurough set of testings.  Not even a week later and I was given the diagnosis.  I was started on Metformin and that was the minimum amount.  Since that time I have had very few days when my Diabetes was under controll.  I have always felt I was good at taking care of myself dealing with my Diabetes, but why then am I having the difficulties I am having with these Diabetic Complications.  In 2010 I had a mild heart attack, after going to the doctors I was told that it damaged my kidneys and my liver.  I didnt understand how could that happen?  I was always very active and I didnt eat alot of sweets, so what was causing all these issues with my health.  I began to learn more by understanding the disease of Diabetes.  How it affects the Kidneys, Liver, Heart and Eyes, but also the biggest organ we own our Skin, then less not forget our nerves. 

Diabetic Neuropathy is when we have damage to our nerves from excess high glucose levels and it actually damages the endings of the nerves and the blood vessels that supply blood to the nerves has thinning walls from the glucose as well. Diabetic Neuropathy what causes it.  I have had issues with that off and on throughout my journey with Diabetes.  It can be quite painful and it seems to happen at night most of the time.  I was given different types of medications to help with it and currently take  numerous supplements and Gabapentin.  Each doctor deals with these issues according to the patient.  I have noticed that Natural Oils help as well I currently use them from a family member of mine who deals in Medicinal Oils Daelene Burris Oils Instructor/Business Owner.  It does help my pain almost immediately.  Kidneys are controlled by medication for High Blood pressure and are always evaluated in an every three month blood test that is done to see how the functions are.  This is a little more complicated to explain how this works but basically when you have Diabetes abnormality in carbohydrate metabolism that leads to persistently high levels of blood glucose and the coexisting high levels of fat in the blood cant be filtered correctly and the protiens are leaked from your kidneys into the urine causing damage.  How Diabetes affects the Kidneys  Heart issues from Diabetes happen when lipids clog, harden and narrow the blood vessel walls, leading to what is called atherosclerosis. How Diabetes Affects the Heart  Along with your Kineys, Heart, your liver is often affected as well. How does Diabetes affect the LiverInsulin is metabolized in the liver, where it promotes the production of glycogen, protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides and stimulates the formation of low density lipoproteins, or LDL, which transport cholesterol into the arteries. How Diabetes affects the Liver  Usually for both the Liver and Kidneys the Doctor prescribes Cholesterol Medications and High Blood pressure Medications such as, statins and Some high blood pressure medication such as Lisinopril. The key is excersize as well since that also helps regulate the sugar level or gluclose level and insulin your body produces.  Now I have had the opportunity to realize it also affects the Mind and our Brains.  Diabetes affects the Brain because of the lack of sugars or the excessive amounts of sugars in the blood, (Better known as Gluclose), they believe that Dementia and also Alzhiemers is more prevelent in type 2 Diabetics.  How the Brain is affected by Diabetes  All I know is that many times it affects most or a majority of your body.  It has deffinantly affected mine.  I am hoping by sharing information and stories we can figure out some things together.  I think we have hope and as long as we as Diabetics or caretakers of Diabetics stay connected we can get through this together.  If you have questions or would like information and if you have a story you would like to share with me feel free, we can inspire one another to care for ourselves and others much better working side by side to make changes in our lives.  Email me @ diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.