Mention the word diabetes and the vast majority of people will assume that you are talking about either type 1 diabetes, which affects about 10% of diabetes sufferers, or type 2 diabetes, which is the most commonly seen form of the disease and is currently growing alarmingly. But did you know that there is a third type of diabetes which has no connection whatsoever with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, apart from sharing the name diabetes.

Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is a condition in which the body is unable to process sugar satisfactorily and, for this reason, it is sometimes known as sugar diabetes. By contrast, diabetes insipidus, is a condition in which the body is unable to process water correctly and, accordingly, it is sometimes known water diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus is characterized by an unusually high intake of fluid, high output of urine and, in some cases, an excessive thirst. The symptoms of diabetes insipidus include the frequent need to urinate, awakening at night to urinate or involuntary urination while sleeping. Also, the volume of urine output increases because the body is unable to concentrate it and it is usually very pale in color or colorless in appearance.

There are four types of diabetes insipidus:

Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Neurogenic diabetes insipidus (also commonly referred to as pituitary diabetes insipidus) is caused by a lack of the hormone vasopressin, which is produced by the pituitary gland and is needed in order for the kidneys to function properly and to concentrate urine.

Gestagenic Diabetes Insipidus

Gestagenic diabetes insipidus (also known as gestational diabetes insipidus) occurs during pregnancy and is often the result of destruction of vasopressin within the placenta.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus occurs when, in spite of the normal production of vasopressin, the kidneys still fail to properly concentrate urine. This form of diabetes insipidus can be inherited and can also be the result of kidney disease and taking certain types of drug.

Dipsogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is a type of primary polydipsia in which an excessive fluid intake suppresses the effects of the hormone vasopressin. This is usually caused by an abnormality in the part of the brain that regulates thirst. Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is easily confused with neurogenic diabetes insipidus and the only way to identify which form of the disease you are looking at is to measure the body's production of vasopressin.

There is also a second type of primary polydipsia known as psychogenic polydipsia which, as its name would suggest, has a variety of psychosomatic causes.

Despite the fact that there is some similarity in the symptoms of diabetes and diabetes insipidus it seems strange, and more than a little confusing, that the medical profession should have decided to give these two quite different conditions the same name.

By Donald Saunders

For everyone who is diabetic it is very important to be aware of his or her blood glucose readings and never fail to keep up with them. This tracking of blood glucose readings usually requires a whole armory of diabetic testing supplies. Diabetics should always have on hand these diabetic supplies. The common diabetic supplies include an accurate glucometer, alcohol wipes, lancets, and test strips.

Depending on the type of your insurance, you may be able to choose where to take your diabetic supplies. For example, at first Medicare and Medicaid will cover the expenses for your diabetic supplies. The trick is that if you happen to damage your diabetic supplies, they may not allow you to take more diabetic supplies for a certain period. So, if you lose your diabetic supplies or if you destroy them in any way, you will not be able to take new diabetic supplies. If you have insurance, it will cover most of the expenses for the diabetic supplies. However, if you have no insurance, the diabetic supplies will be at your expenses. Nowadays, online medical stores are available. Such stores are libertymedical.com, diabeticsupplies.com and diabeticexpress.com. They all offer diabetic supplies at low price. In addition, they offer answers to any question you may ask about their products.

Most of these online shopping companies offer free delivery for their products. If you prefer to buy your diabetic medications together with the diabetic supplies, you can order them online with the new service the company Liberty Medical offers. The prescription medications service is available in order not to waste time by shopping online.

I think it is not necessary to remind how important for every diabetic is to have diabetic supplies available. Ask your physician about the regular basis of the blood glucose levels. Then, keep your blood glucose levels on this regular basis, as this is the only way to control this chronic disease. Monitoring of blood glucose levels is only possible with diabetic supplies. Your diabetic supplies should be always somewhere around you.

It is very important to test your blood glucose levels often enough. If the blood glucose levels are either too high or too low, something must be done. For insulin dependant diabetics the blood glucose reading is necessary because in this way they get to know what quantity of insulin is needed. You can be sure that diabetic treatment is working only by blood glucose testing.

Testing is best way to cope with the diabetic disease and that is why having on hand enough diabetic supplies is so important. Of course, some diabetic medications and food diabetic diets will be necessary but can only be sure that they are effective if you test your blood glucose levels with your diabetic supplies. With proper diabetic supplies, diabetes is an entirely manageable disease.

Diabetic Supplies and Medicare
Diabetes is a disease whereby the body does not produce insulin or cannot use the insulin it creates effectively. Insulin reduces the amount of glucose in the blood. A high glucose level in the blood is harmful to the body and indicates that the body can't convert glucose into energy that it needs to function. Consequently diabetics with type 1 diabetes have to monitor their glucose levels and inject insulin into the body to perform this function. Diabetics with type 2 diabetes also have to monitor their condition but don't have to inject insulin. They might take medication that makes the body more responsive to the insulin that their body creates or simply exercise regularly and eat a specialized diet. As yet there is no cure for diabetes so this treatment and care is a lifelong task. This article will outline some of the supplies needed to treat diabetes and how Medicare helps with the costs of the supplies.

Medicare and Diabetes
Medicare is a Federal health insurance program run by the Health Care Financing Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare covers people over 65 and people with disabilities. It comes in two forms: Part A and Part B.

Part A Medicare covers costs like hospital bills, nursing homes and hospices. Most people eligible for Medicare get Part A for no cost. Part B is concerned with diagnostic and screening tests and medical supplies and equipment. Most people eligible for Medicare have to pay a monthly premium to receive the benefits of Medicare Part B. Screening for diabetes is free under Medicare. Diabetic testing supplies like a glucose monitor, testing strips and lancets are covered by Part B of Medicare. You pay 20% of the Medicare approved cost for these items. Before you can take advantage of this saving you have to get a certified statement from your health care provider. This can be given to the pharmacy where you get your supplies from along with a Medicare claim.

Training and education on treating diabetes is also covered by Part B. Your health care provider must approve that you need assistance with your management of diabetes. You will pay 20% of the costs of the approved Medicare programs.

Medicare does not cover things like insulin, syringes, insulin pumps or diabetic medication.