Diabetes Mellitus is an increase of blood sugar called glucose in the body and is due to lack of insulin production in the body. Diabetes is one of the highest risk diseases in the world and it is also constitute one of the highest percentages of death every year. How can we tell if what we are going through is already a sign of diabetes? It is important for us to check the different signs of diabetes to assess and prepare ourselves of all the possibilities of acquiring the disease.

There are three main types of Diabetes: Type 1DM, Type 2 DM and Gestational Diabetes. Diabetes categorized as Type 1 takes only a few weeks to develop. Each of the types has different approaches. Symptoms of the first type include a massive urine production increase, increased appetite, fatigue, excessive thirst, weight loss, blurry vision, feel sick at times, infections and irritation of the genitals.

Type1 DM can be diagnosed using one or a combination of these test, Urinalysis, random (non-fasting) blood glucose, insulin test, blood glucose fasting, and C-peptide test. If type 1 DM will not be treated, the body produces ketones, a chemical that builds up in the blood and leads to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis and causes additional symptoms such as vomiting, stomach ache, sleepiness, increased pulse rate and rapid breathing. If diabetic ketoacidosis is not treated this can lead to coma or eventually death. You might think that the first type of diabetes is just as simple as this, but mind you, if it will not be managed accordingly, death will eventually be the end.

Two thirds of the people with type2 DM does not show symptoms at all. If present, the common symptoms are tiredness, increased urine production, weight loss, increase in appetite, feel sick, also infections and blurry vision just like Type1 DM. Type2 DM can be diagnose by performing some blood testing like Fasting blood glucose level, random (non fasting) blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test.

With Fasting glucose level, a patient is diagnosed with diabetes if the glucose level is far beyond the normal which is 126mg/dL. Patients that will take this test needs to fast from 12 midnight until patients has gotten a blood sample. Using the non-fasting glucose level, suspicions will arise if the value is beyond 200mg/dl.

Using the test called glucose tolerance in oral form, diabetes is diagnosed when glucose level exceeds 200 mg/dL beyond 2 hours. If the person has Type2 DM they just simply feel a bit not well or assuming they are just aging. However, it is not as simple as that and normally, it is discovered late.

It is recommended to seek medical advice if some irregularities are felt or noticed to avoid complications. What we deemed as normal might be a manifestation of a more serious disease that we are just taking for granted the signs that we feel. So, to avoid further complications, listen to what your body is telling you. We should not let worst come to worse. It is always a positive attitude to be alert and to be vigilant with our body state. In the end, we will be the one who will suffer.

Type 2 diabetics can develop a host of oral health issues if steps are not taken to prevent them. Periodontal or gum disease is a common complication of type 2 diabetes, as high blood sugar levels raise the risk of developing this problem, and the problem in turn often raises blood sugar levels. Glucose is excreted into your saliva when your blood sugar level is high… this may contribute further to you having cavities. You can develop tooth decay from these high blood sugar levels, not because you eat too many sweet foods.

Fortunately, preventing periodontal disease can be fairly easy with good oral care.

Dry mouth is another common side effect of diabetes and can be supremely annoying, especially at night. It can also promote tooth decay, as the lack of saliva leaves your teeth unprotected from acids and bacteria, which would otherwise be diluted. A humidifier can help at night, as can cutting out caffeine, alcohol and tobacco in the hours leading up to bedtime. During the day you can sip water or sugarless drinks to keep your mouth from feeling dry.

Hard candy or chewing gum sweetened with xylitol can also decrease dry mouth. Xylitol is a type of carbohydrate that will not be broken down completely by your body, and thus has little to no effect on your blood sugar levels. Xylitol can also decrease plaque on your teeth, meaning better oral health and less risk of periodontal disease. Some studies show that Xylitol actually increases bone density and promotes collagen growth, leading to better jaw and teeth health.

Sugar-free chewing gum is also a good way to promote dental health without increasing blood sugar, and can increase saliva in your mouth as well. Chewing gums containing magnolia bark can also help eliminate bad breath provided the gum is chewed for at least five minutes. Diabetics often have a sharp smell to their breath that is difficult to mask.

Sugar free candy containing licorice root can kill bacteria that causes tooth decay without adversely affecting blood sugar levels. So can certain beverages, such as oolong tea or cranberry juice; reducing acid as well as making it harder for unattached bacteria to stick to plaque already present in your mouth. Cranberry juice should be drunk in very small servings as the natural sugar can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.

Its also wise for type 2 diabetes to see their dentist regularly… also ask for advice about your dental hygiene so you can minimize any risk of damage. Don’t forget to tell your dentist you have type 2 diabetes.

Scientific Breakthrough – Diabetes Can Be Reversed

A diagnosis of diabetes is not a death sentence for your child. It does mean that you, as parents, must make some significant lifestyle changes, because this disease is reversible.

Diabetes takes hold when the pancreas stops or reduces its flow of insulin into the body. Insulin is a hormone that converts sugar into glucose, from which the cells in our muscles and body tissues derive their energy. No glucose, no energy to do much of anything. The problem is that too much sugar and carbohydrates that are converted into sugar overload the pancreas. It’s only one organ and can only do so much. And in some case the body cells refuse to accept deliveries of glucose.

The National Institutes of Health says,

“Physical activity and weight loss help the body respond better to insulin. By losing weight and being more physically active, people with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes may avoid developing type 2 diabetes.”

Therein lies the problem. Where do you start to rehabilitate whatever has been damaged?

Here’s an explanation of what the medical profession says is going on:

Type 1 Diabetes – The cause for this diagnosis is simply that the pancreas has stopped making insulin. Your pediatrician may believe that the answer to this problem is to prescribe drugs and/or injections of insulin. This, of course, treats the symptoms of diabetes, but it does nothing to fight what’s causing the disease-the pancreas.

Type 2 Diabetes is the diagnosis when the pancreas manufactures less and less insulin needed to convert the sugar into glucose. Another scenario is when the pancreas is supplying enough insulin but the body cells are refusing to accept it.

Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery.

Pre-diabetes refers to people who have a problem with high blood sugar but have not yet reached the chronic stage.

Recent research discovered just what may be going on and respected physicians and microbiologists have found the answer.

People living in the Western world began a downhill slide 100 years ago. People began adding more and more carbohydrates to their diet-things like sugar-loaded soft drinks, white enriched bread, biscuits, cakes, pies, snack foods, candy, tobacco and alcohol.

People in undeveloped countries seldom contract cardio-vascular disease, various cancers, arthritis, and, of course, diabetes… They have diets with fewer carbohydrates.

Some members of the scientific community agree that Western Civilization is destroying the pancreas by forcing it to struggle against the sugar onslaught. In many cases the pancreas just wears out.

So where is my government? What is the FDA doing,” you ask?

“The thing that bugs me is that people think the Food and Drug Administration is protecting them — it isn’t. What the FDA is doing and what the public thinks it’s doing are as different as night and day.”

– Dr. Herbert L. Ley, former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration

Does that answer your question?

The most important tips I can pass along to you in this article are once the diagnosis is confirmed, regardless of what type diabetes your child has, to begin making significant lifestyle changes.

1. Begin by setting the example. Cut way back on the carbs: Eliminate the “white” foods like potatoes, rice, white bread, cakes, pies and cookies.

2. Regulate what your child drinks – absolutely no sugar-packed soft drinks. Water is the best thing going to begin cleansing the body.

3. My wife (she was pre-diabetic) and I just started taking Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements. They are a powerful anti-oxidant and will benefit the diabetic. (Get them at Walmart.)

4. Learn all you can about the disease.