Type 2 Diabetes is a result from insulin resistance, a condition which cells fail to use insulin properly. It is globally common metabolic disorder affecting many adults and now found as well in young adults and children around the world. This is known to be the most common type of diabetes known as an adult-onset diabetes and non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Persons with type 2 diabetes symptoms usually don’t know they have diabetes unless certain test are conducted, like:

* Food fasting blood glucose level diagnosed. If higher than 126 mg/dL on two occasions, diabetes is assumed.
* Oral glucose tolerance test diagnosed. If glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours, diabetes is assumed.

In order to be aware of type 2 diabetes symptoms I have listed some below:

* Excessive passing of urine
* Constant thirst
* Tiredness
* Blurred vision
* Itchy skin around your genitals or regular infections like thrush
* Dry skin
* Slow healing of infections
* Weight gain or weight loss
* Erectile dysfunction
* Increase in appetite

If you have a family history of diabetes, it is recommended that you undergo glucose tests every 3 months. Expect the doctor to check on you the following:

- Blood pressure
- Skin and bones on your feet
- Sensation on your feet
- Examine the back part of your eye with a special lighted instrument called Ophthalmoscope

The following tests will help you and your doctor to prevent and/or treat diabetes from further complications:

* Blood pressure goal should be 130/80 mm/Hg or lower to be checked annually.
* Hemoglobin count every 6 months if your diabetes is well controlled or every 3 months if not.
* Cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked annually and maintain LDL level below 100 mg/dL.
* Annual kidney test to make sure kidney is working properly.
* Eye check-up at least once a year, or more if you have signs of diabetic retinopathy.
* Dental check-ups every 6 months, for dental cleaning and exam.

If your type 2 diabetes symptoms are proven to be true, you will learn basic diabetes management skills, like:

- To test and record your blood glucose
- To know the proper diet best suitable for you.
- To take medication if needed
- To recognize and treat low and high blood sugar level
- To handle sick days
- Where to buy diabetes supplies when needed
- Self- monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)

Diabetes is classified into 3 types; type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. The development of each type of diabetes varies with each risk factor, therefore it is best to know they are. I have gathered causes of diabetes based on it’s type, such as:

Type 1 Diabetes – developed due to the body becoming insulin dependent and/or unable to produce any insulin accompanied with the following possible causes:

* Infection with specific bacteria
* Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins
* Cow’s milk for infants as there are unidentified components that trigger an autoimmune reaction.

Type 2 Diabetes – caused by insufficient production of insulin. And when cells do not react to the insulin or become insulin resistant. Some other factors that cause the development of diabetes are:

* Increasing age
* Obesity
* Physical Inactivity
* Certain medicines
* Underlying illness that damages the pancreas and effects its ability to produce insulin. (like pancreatitis)

Gestational Diabetes – said to be caused by pregnancy. The placenta supplies a growing fetus with nutrients and water, as well as produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of the hormones can have a blocking effect on the insulin, which usually begins about 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Furthermore, gestational diabetes is a condition in which the glucose level is elevated and other diabetic symptoms appear during pregnancy. (commonly to a woman who is not already diagnosed with diabetes) In most cases symptoms disappear following delivery, but women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life, especially if they were overweight before pregnancy.

The major cause of diabetes is wrong diet. Improper consumption of food nutrients, either too much or insufficient. And if you are diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor will recommend a diet that is best suitable for you. This will include what foods to eat and not to eat. It is very important to watch what we eat. It should be healthy food that nourish our body.

Taking precautions is a very wise move as diabetes is know to be an adult-onset disease. It is better to be safe than sorry later on.

Type 1 diabetes is developed because the body becomes insulin dependent. It is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. As with type 2 diabetes, type 1 is also a metabolic disorder. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream which leads to increased hunger, frequent urination and excessive thirst.

Effects of Type 1 Diabetes

* Excessive thirst
* Increased urination
* Weight loss despite increase in appetite
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Abdominal pain
* Tiredness
* Absence of menstruation

Tests conducted to determine of the patient is diabetic;

* Urinalysis it shows glucose and ketone bodies, blood test is required to confirmed the diagnosis
* Fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL
* Random blood glucose (non-fasting) exceeds 200 mg/dL
* Insulin test
* C-peptide test

Since type 1 diabetes has no known cure yet, the objective of treatment is to prevent diabetes-related illness like blindness, kidney failure and amputation of limbs. The goal of the treatment can be accomplished through educating diagnosed patients with meal planning, weight control, exercise, foot care, insulin use and self-testing of blood glucose level.

Insulin – injected into the body to deliver insulin to the cells. It is used to lower blood sugar by leaving the blood stream and penetrating into the cells. Must be taken everyday.

Diet – requires consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood glucose level. It is best to seek proper advice by a certified dietitian for the specific foods to eat and the amount of “dietary control for diabetics.”

Exercise – regular exercise is very important to the type 1 diabetes patient because it helps to control the amount of sugar in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fats to achieve their required weight.

Self-testing – monitoring of blood glucose by checking glucose content from a small amount of blood. Must be done on a regular basis. The results will help the patient and doctor to decide the proper medication, adjust in calorie count diet, and exercise to work together for better control.

Foot care – necessary as most patients are prone to foot problems due to complication related-illness. Diabetes causes damage of blood vessels and nerves which result in a decreasing ability to sense trauma or pressure on the foot. A small infection can rapidly progress because diabetes alters the bodies immune system resulting in decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection. Possible amputation of the affected limb may occur.

Having diabetes can certainly limit the food you want to eat, but with the right Diabetic Recipes you can still enjoy your favorite foods.

The major change to food to make them a Recipe for Diabetics is to remove any fat except olive oil, remove all sugar and use sugar substitutes, add fiber, and use lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Keep in mind that while many Diabetics Recipes are fairly simple and fast to make, some may be more complex and take a little longer.

Because of the high sugar content of most desserts, many diabetics feel they would have to give them up. However, there are many Diabetic Dessert Recipes that are safe to eat, such as a diabetic cake recipe or a diabetic cookie recipe.

There are also many diabetic safe breads, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and any other food category you can think of.

Some of these recipes may incorporate small amounts of refined sugar per serving, while some may be Sugar free Recipes. Recipes with refined sugar may not be suitable for all people with diabetes.

Some recipes may also be high in fiber (i.e. more than 5 grams). For some diabetics, carbohydrates from fiber sources may have a more blunted effect on their blood glucose levels. Your Healthcare Provider will be the best person to tell you whether or not you need to adjust your insulin to carbohydrate ratio if much of the carbohydrate you’re eating is fiber.

Changing What You Eat

For those who are living with diabetes or watching their weight, there are some fairly simple things that you can alter in many of your current recipes to make them safe and healthy.

You can remove foods that have a high glycemic index or that might contribute to heart disease, from your daily diet.

In particular, foods such as potatoes, corn, refined white flour products (pasta, noodles, pastries, cakes) should be reduced or avoided completely in Diabetic Recipes.

In addition, certain types of fat are particularly unhealthy for the diabetic, including hydrogenated oils or fats (trans fats) which have actually been associated with the development of diabetes.

Animal fats such as butter, full fat cheeses and other dairy products should be reduced and low fat or non-fat products used instead.

Now of course you’ve heard all of this before and maybe it’s boring but if you want to keep yourself or your diabetic relative/partner healthy, then these are the basics.

Excellent Foods to Enclude In Recipes

In a Diabetic Recipe, you want to use low glycemic foods such as most vegetables, fish, low fat meats and dairy products. Fish, in particular, is a very healthy food for the diabetic because of the high percentage of DHA fatty acids found in them.

Wild caught salmon and sardines are best. These fish, when eaten a couple of times per week, help to prevent heart disease and prostate cancer. A recent study done in Japan showed that people whose main protein food is fish, have a very low rate of heart disease.

Beans and other legumes, such as lentils are excellent foods for diabetics.

For protein, you can add tofu when cooking or a bit of low fat cheese when you serve it.

Vegetables to include in Recipes for Diabetics are chard, kale, spinach, lettuce (especially romaine), celery, cucumber and most vegetables. Salads are very healthful; use olive oil in the dressing with lemon or vinegar and any herbs or spices that you like.

To be absolutely sure about what to eat and what not to eat, you and your dietitian should work together to design a meal plan that’s right for you AND includes foods that you enjoy.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 16 million Americans have Diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease because of its harmful effects on the body. Half the people who have it don’t even realize they have it.

Every year nearly 170,000 Americans die from diabetes.

There are two reasons that diabetes causes a problem for the human body. Either the body has insensitivity to the insulin produced, or the body cannot produce enough.

In a healthy body, glucose is derived from the food we eat and insulin transports it into cells where it provides energy for daily life. Diabetes prevents the glucose from entering the body’s cells and thus it simply stays in the blood unable to complete its function. High levels of glucose in the blood can cause damage to many of the body’s organs and requires immediate attention.

The good news is that diabetes, while not curable, can be treated. With early diagnosis, many of its complications can be avoided.

Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Type 1 usually affects children and young adults. It’s when the body does not make any insulin.

Type 2 ordinarily affects adults over 45. With type 2 diabetes the body does not make enough insulin. (Insulin is a hormone needed to change sugar, starches and other food into energy.)

Gestational diabetes can develop in women during pregnancy. This happens when a pregnant woman’s body can’t make and use all of the insulin needed during the pregnancy. Otherwise known as hyperglycemia.

The most common type of diabetes is type 2. Of the total people who have diabetes, 95 percent have type 2. Even if you have no signs of diabetes, it is wise to consult a doctor if your children or any other blood relative has diabetes or any sign(s) of diabetes.

Signs of Diabetes In Youths And Adults

Vision changes, frequent urination, a constant feeling of thirst, fatigue or extreme weight loss are all signs of diabetes. While the disease can manifest in any person, Hispanics, African Americans and American Indians are more prone to develop it.

There are also many risk factors for the condition, including having a child over 9 pounds, being over 45 years old, having a parent with the disease, or weighing 20% more than you should for your height and sex. Lack of exercise is another large risk factor for diabetes.

Diabetes in children and teens is known as Juvenile diabetes. There are a variety of symptoms for juvenile diabetes, including dramatic weight loss, extreme thirst, often for sweet or cold drinks, hunger beyond normal, weakness, feeling of tiredness, vision changes, restlessness or irritability, frequent urination or bed wetting, and nausea or vomiting. In the worst cases, diabetic coma may be the initial sign of Type I diabetes. Unsurprisingly, children experiencing these symptoms may have difficulty in school.

Diabetics not only suffer from the disease itself, but can also suffer from complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and amputations. In the extreme, it can even result in death. Therefore, it is critical to recognize any signs of diabetes as soon as they appear.