By Denchi Minh

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day for any living person. An average person eats breakfast in order to supply the energy he or she needs to go to work or school. Preparing for this meal of the day is a tough job for someone who is diabetic. A tasteful meal is hard to achieve when one is critical of their blood sugar.

People who have been diagnosed with diabetes fear of having to eat foods that would increase their blood sugar. Most restaurants and food experts would give out food samples that are "good for you" but are rather tasteless or bitter. Upon reading a variety of books that feature diabetic diet menu, I have discovered recipes that taste great! These recipes are not only good tasting but are also good for anyone who are diabetic.

This is a simple diabetic diet menu that involves just 20 minutes of your time to prepare. The ingredients for the Light Denver omelette are as follows:

• Canola cooking spray
• 1 medium green pepper (chopped)
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 4 green onions sliced diagonally
• ¼ tablespoon dried basil
• ½ cup water
• 3 ounces of lean ham
• ½ tomatoes
• ½ cup egg substitute
• 2 eggs, separated

To cook this diabetic diet menu first coat the medium non-stick frying pan with canola cooking spray and set the flame at over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, basil, green pepper and green onions. Stir fry for about 30 seconds and then add the ½ cup of water. Keep stirring until tender then add the tomatoes and cook for another minute to get the heat through the vegetables.

Blend the egg substitute and egg yolk in a bowl and set it aside for a while. With the use of a mixer, beat the egg yolks until firm. Pour the egg white unto the egg yolk mixture.

Once again coat a non-stick omelette or a small non-stick frying pan with canola cooking spray and put the flame just above medium - low heat. Spread half of the egg mixture unto the pan. Heat the mixture for about 2 minutes or when the top looks firm already. Please take note that if your frying pan cooks hotter than normal, place the flame just over low heat. Flip the omelette over and cook for another minute.

Add the vegetable and ham filling and fold once again. Now you have a nutritious breakfast that tastes good but also is good for your sugar.

By Robin Hale

There is Hope

The first bit of information you should take to heart is the fact that there is hope. Contrary to many medical professionals beliefs, type 2 diabetes is treatable, and in many instances, completely reversible. It's going to take some dedication and effort on your part, but reversing type 2 diabetes is a realistic goal. Let's look at the steps you'll need to take.

Regroup and Get Support

The first thing you need to do is clear your mind and reduce all outside stress. Stress prevents you from thinking clearly, promotes feelings of depression, and reduces energy levels. These are all things you will need as you take the next steps.

Make the Decision to Change Your Eating Habits

Since many individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight and living sedentary lifestyles, this is one of the things you'll need to change. It all begins with a decision on your part. A lack of exercise combined with other lifestyle factors and poor, unhealthy, eating habits helped to get you to where you are today. This can be changed, and it's not as difficult as you may think.

The first rule to changing any habit is to realize it won't happen overnight. You aren't going to wake up tomorrow, shed that extra weight, and suddenly have the knowledge or ability to change all of your eating habits. Instead, you need to make the decision to change the things you are currently aware of and then get the help and support you need to learn the facts about food and exercise you may not be aware of. Starting slow and setting realistic goals will help you to stay encouraged and on the right track. What are some changes you can make right now to your diet and exercise? Here are some ideas.

· Purge your pantry of junk food, salty over-processed snacks, packaged sweets, and other diet offenders that you normally reach for when you are bored, tired, stressed, or upset. Many individuals put on pounds just because they get into the habit of reaching for food as a source of comfort.

· Next comes "replacement therapy." Instead of reaching for unhealthy snacks when you aren't even hungry, try drinking a couple of tall glasses of water with a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice. Lemon water is great for promoting healthy flora in your intestine, which, in turn, helps to strengthen your immune system. Another replacement for food is getting out of the house for a while. Take the dog for a walk or play catch with your children. Doing so will give you enough time to push past the temptation for snacks, while giving you some fresh air, Vitamin D from the sun, and exercise all at the same time.

· Only eat at the dinner table and always put your food (even snacks) on dinnerware. Eating at the table will get you out of the habit of mindlessly snacking while watching television and eating on dinnerware will keep you aware of how much food you are actually consuming.

· Promote fat burning by switching from two or three large meals per day to five or six mini-meals. That way your body won't go into "starvation" mode. Starvation mode is when your body senses a food intake reduction and sends signals to start storing fat.

· Find fun and interesting ways to exercise. If you like fishing, take out the canoe or play basketball or tennis outdoors with your family. Find an activity you enjoy and it won't feel like work.

These are just a few ideas to help you get a good start after you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Reversing type 2 diabetes is possible. You'll just have to make the decision to adopt a new, healthy lifestyle one step at a time.

By Jenny H Jordan

The two main forms of diabetes are either type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. They both have varied symptoms and treatments. Overweight men and women are at risk later in life, have a higher chance of getting diabetes type 2, and in many cases children can get type 1 diabetes. This will be the general way that diabetes occurs in most situations, but folks can get both kinds, at any time.

Recent studies have revealed that there are about twenty-four million cases of diabetes reported inside US alone and although this number is high there are about six million cases that will go unreported with a lot of people unaware that they have this disease.

In addition to these figures, around fifty-seven million folks had pre-diabetes. These numbers are staggering and the sooner an individual can curtail the onset, or get medical advice to keep the disease under control, the greater their wellbeing will be.

Several symptoms which will indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes are:

* Extreme hunger and thirst
* Frequent urination
* Unusual tiredness or fatigue
* Deep breathing
* Weight loss
* Vomiting
* Nausea
* Sores that take ages to heal
* Constantly feel that your skin is itchy
* Blurred vision
* Frequent yeast infections of the skin, gums or vagina
* Numbness in hands or feet
* Skin rashes or diabetes dermadromes may possibly also happen

Specific eating habits are vital in for both types of diabetes with some foods need to be eliminated all together fat ladened food as in junk food ought to be avoided, also ditch those sugary and fatty snacks for example chips and candy. Boost your intake of low-glycemic foods which include fruits like pears, apples, oranges and grains like barley, oatmeal, granola and peanuts. Vegetables like asparagus; broccoli, green leafy ones, peas and beans are also excellent.

Aim for an eating habit, which is overall low in cholesterol, carbs and fat. Stay clear of pasta, potatoes, and white bread. They convert rapidly into glucose and enter your bloodstream quickly. Chicken turkey and seafood is fantastic for diabetics. It is possible to get your vitamins from salads. Aim for four or five small meals each day rather than a couple of large ones. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water so it is possible to flush harmful toxins from your body.

Get hold of some wonderful diabetic recipes to create your diet regime more appealing. The more range of and color and freshness with your diabetic diet regime, the simpler it is to stick with it and get pleasure from life.

Insulin or Not:

For type I diabetes, there are both pumps and injections of insulin, either will assist to control the blood glucose level. Work out with your doctor a balanced diet regime as well as monitored insulin treatment for this kind of diabetes.

With type 2, weight control, exercising and diet regime are utilized. If the latter fails, and under recommendation from your physician, it really is achievable that obese or morbidly obese men and women will require a gastric bypass or lap band surgery. It has been reported that as soon as this method is completed, you will find there's dramatic decrease within the symptoms of sort 2 diabetes and in some situations, they will disappear altogether.

Medications:

If all other methods have failed to lower a person's blood sugar levels, or aren't an option, then oral medications may possibly be employed. If that also fails then insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes is left.

Constantly check with your physician if you're under care for diabetes, and never obtain over the counter drugs or supplements unless you consult care provider. Use blood glucose monitors or meters at home on a standard basis and often visit your medical professional on a regular basis.

By Christine M Harrell

Eating a sensible breakfast is very important for diabetics. They must regulate their blood sugar daily after waking up. It needs extra attention because the body has gone a long time without any food while the individual was sleeping. Because the morning is often a rushed event for people who must attend school or go to work, breakfast is often skipped or eaten as an afterthought. For those with diabetes, these are dangerous solutions to lack of time and effort. It is important to check blood sugar regularly with a testing kit. These are available through companies selling home medical supplies. Keeping track of calories and protein will help to keep glucose levels at a manageable level.

No More Coffee and Doughnuts
While coffee and doughnuts or muffins are a popular choice for most people, this is one of the worst choices a person with diabetes can make. The excessive caffeine in the coffee at mealtime raises the blood glucose levels. The doughnuts are high in carbohydrates and sugar, but low in protein and nutritional value. This leads to an overload on the body's blood sugar, resulting in problems such as dizzy spells and diabetic coma. Trade in the coffee for tea or decaf, and the doughnuts for something with more nutritional value, like eggs or cottage cheese.

Try Some Eggs and Ham
Focus on a low calorie count combined with a higher protein level. Scrambled eggs, toast and juice with a slice of ham or turkey bacon are reasonable, nutritious choices. Eat multi-grain bread instead of white. Cook the eggs and bacon in the microwave to save time. Use whites only or egg beaters for an even higher nutritional value with a lower fat and caloric intake. Avoid juices with sugar added and treat even natural fruit juices as if they were carbohydrates. A little bit of juice in moderation is good for vitamin and mineral value. Using home healthcare supplies to track the effects on blood sugar is especially helpful.

On the Go
For those on the go that prepare food the night before and eat it on the way, there are a number of unconventional foods that can be eaten for breakfast. Most people might consider them as snacks or for lunch, but as long as a diabetic's blood sugar levels are in check, it is really a matter of personal preference. Have half a ham sandwich on whole grain bread with low-fat spread.

A slice of cheese will add protein and calories, but could be just what the doctor ordered. A hard boiled egg can be eaten quickly and easily on the bus or at the desk. A pack of melba toast or whole grain crackers makes a nice accompaniment to the hard boiled egg. Wash it down with a cup of green or chamomile tea. If a diabetic is feeling light-headed after a regular breakfast at home, keeping a bag of almonds or peanuts on hand for a quick boost in protein is an alternative, as well.

By Beverleigh H Piepers

The term "sleep apnea" describes a potentially dangerous sleeping disorder where breathing abnormally stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. There are two main types:

* obstructive sleep apnea: this is the more common form. In fact, as mentioned by the International Diabetes Federation, this type is seen in 80% of cases
* central sleep apnea: this is a type of sleep apnea where the brain and muscles that control sleep become uncoordinated and temporarily stop sending the correct breathing signals

There is a strong link between the development of obstructive sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, forty percent of people diagnosed with the obstructive type sleep apnea have Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, among the number of people with Type 2 diabetes, twenty-three percent may have this sleep-associated disorder.

What other conditions may help bring about sleep apnea in Type 2 diabetics?

1. Overweight and obesity: It is likely both these conditions play a role in the development of the obstructive type of sleep apnea. However, some recent clinical investigations reveal being heavier than normal may be an independent risk factor for this condition. This means being Type 2 diabetic and obese at the same time doubles your risk for this problem.

2. Poor blood sugar control: According to the International Diabetes Federation, having poor blood sugar control may also have a negative effect and encourage development of this condition.

3. Cardiovascular complications: Diabetics with cardiovascular complications such as heart failure, stroke and hypertension, are also at greater risk for developing this sleeping condition.

What are other risk factors not associated with Type 2 diabetes that can potentially worsen the symptoms of the obstructive sleep disorder?

* neck circumference: according to Mayoclinic.com, a neck circumference that is greater than 17 inches (43 cms) may serve as an independent risk factor. Why? A large neck circumference means that the neck is thicker and this can obstruct the airway giving rise to sleep apnea

* males: males are more prone to sleep apnea compared to their female counterparts, says Mayoclinic.com. In fact, men are two times more likely to have this problem compared to women

* age: anyone in the age group of 65 years and above are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea compared to people in the younger-aged group

* muscle relaxants of the throat: alcohol, tranquilizers and even sedatives may cause your muscles to relax so much bringing about a continuous stopping and starting irregular breathing pattern

* smoking: are you a smoker? This is one warning for you. Smoking may lead to an irregular stop/start breathing pattern while you sleep. In fact, if you are a smoker, your risk for developing sleep apnea is three times more than those of non-smokers

By Robin Hale

Conventional medicine attempts to treat diabetes by managing the symptoms. This approach, more often than not, causes complications while never actually addressing the root problem or cause of type 2 diabetes.

With almost 1 out of every 4 Americans currently either pre-diabetic or diabetic, with no end in sight, something must be done.

Good news! Preventing or reversing diabetes can be accomplished. There is hope. If you are currently engaged in a diabetic management program, it is certainly not recommended that you stop taking your insulin or other prescribed medication. Instead, read the following helpful information about preventing or reversing type 2 diabetes through natural methods and discuss these facts with a licensed medical professional:

5 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Prevent or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

1. Begin an Exercise Regimen Today! - Starting tomorrow isn't going to work. You've tried that before. Instead of planning an all out exercise boot camp that you won't be able to stick to, take things one step at a time. Begin by making small changes in the way you perform daily tasks in order to work in some much needed exercise. Park further away from the office and walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take your pooch for a walk instead of just letting him out back and waiting for him. These small changes will lead to bigger changes. Reversing your type 2 diabetes is going to involve a complete life change and you can do it, as long as you take it one step at a time. After a week or two, try some light cardio. Swimming or bicycling are wonderful, full body exercises. Start with short distances and work your way up to longer time periods of exercise.

2. Eliminate Sugars From Your Diet - Your current blood sugar levels (and your current weight) don't need the additional sugar. The worst offender is High Fructose Corn Syrup. This is found in sodas, energy drinks, and many condiments. High Fructose Corn Syrup isn't processed the same as natural sugar (which should also be avoided right now) and can be damaging to your health.

3. Eliminate Processed, Packaged and Frozen Foods - Today's grocery shelves are lined with canned stews and soups, frozen entrees, and packaged snacks that boast a shelf life of up to a year. If you take the time to read the ingredient label, you will see that the list is lengthy and usually includes sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrin, or dextrose. These ingredients are actually sugar so should be avoided.

4. Eat as Close to Nature as Possible - When choosing foods that will help your body's own natural healing processes, you'll want to say as close to natural as possible. The organic fruit and vegetable section of your grocery store or market is a perfect place to start. Unsalted nuts are also excellent for quick snacks on the go. Don't forget your protein. The best meats are lean poultry and fish.

5. Avoid All Fried Food - Fried foods are one of the worst choices for those battling type 2 diabetes. Cut out all breading and switch to grilled or stir fried with fresh vegetables and olive oil. Yes, olive oil is fat, but it's good fat...There's a difference.

By Lynn Woods

A bezoar is a mass of hardened, undigested food or other material trapped in the digestive system, usually the stomach. Bezoars can also form in the large intestine, the trachea, and the esophagus (especially in children).

The word "bezoar" comes from the Persian for "protection from poison". Bezoars from animals were once believed to be antidotes for any type of poison, and were highly prized and sought after in Europe as a type of medical good luck charm for centuries.

People would place bezoars in their drinking glasses as an antidote to any potential poisons, and even set them into jewelry. There was a gold-framed bezoar in the Crown Jewels of Queen Elizabeth I as recently as 1962. Animal bezoars are still in demand from some practitioners of Asian medicine.

Bezoars are often found in people with diabetes mellitus and impaired gastric functioning, both of which can cause underactive digestive systems. Food that sits motionless in the digestive system mixes with mucus and solidifies into a stone-like lump.

Bezoars are classified by their content. Phytobezoars are the most common type, and are formed from undigested plant material. A diospyrobezoar is a common sub-type of phytobezoar formed specifically by the consumption of unripe persimmons.

Pharmacobezoars are masses of undigested drugs, usually found after an overdose of sustained release medications or heavy use of antacids. Lactobezoars are formed from milk and other dairy products.

Trichobezoars are basically a large hairball, and typically result from a psychiatric condition called trichophagia which involves the compulsive pulling out and eating of hair, which humans can not digest. In 2007, Chicago surgeons removed a ten-pound hairball from the stomach of a young woman with the condition.

Doctors usually treat bezoars by attempting to dissolve them with enzymes, with many doctors directing their patients to swallow meat tenderizer. Severe cases may require surgery, laser therapy or shock wave therapy. Since 2002, there have been a number of cases, primarily in diabetes mellitus patients, where doctors successfully used cola therapy to dissolve diospyrobezoars.

One documented case involved a diabetic gastroparesis patient with three large diospyrobezoars in his stomach. He was instructed to drink two cans of cola every six hours. Within 24 hours, the bezoars softened and began to dissolve. The doctors then injected cola directly into each bezoar, which caused them to completely dissolve by the next day. Doctors aren't sure why cola helps dissolve bezoars, but assume it's because of its acidity, possibly aided by its carbonation.

The symptoms of a bezoar are similar to those of gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a feeling of being full after eating a small amount of food. As diabetes and gastroparesis often occur together, any such symptoms should be taken seriously by a diabetic.

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Short-term complications may happen in a child suffering from early onset Type 2 diabetes. This may be due your child's recent physical activity, food intake or medications he/she is currently taking. Short-term complications associated with childhood Type 2 diabetes requires immediate attention.

What are the signs of trouble in childhood Type 2 diabetes?

1. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar concentration: Your child may experience low blood sugar concentration or hypoglycemia when he/she:

* tries to skip a meal or not eat enough
* has more intense physical activity than normal
* is sick, and
* takes too much medication or insulin

Early signs of hypoglycemia include:

* feeling shaky, sweaty or clammy
* hunger
* nausea
* headache
* dizziness, and
* drowsiness

On the other hand, severe hypoglycemia may result in passing out or coma, seizures, or behavioral changes.

How do you manage your child's hypoglycemia? Give your child something to eat or drink that contains sugar. This may be in the form of 2-3 glucose tablets (4g carb each), candy (hard candy such as lifesavers), regular soda or fruit juice. (4 to 6 oz or 120 to 180 mls). Recheck his/her blood sugar fifteen minutes later, and if it is not coming up, give more juice or glucose tablets. If for some reason, blood sugar does not rise, or symptoms become worse, call your doctor. Report low blood sugar episodes to your child's doctor so adjustments can be made in his/her plan of care.

2. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar concentration: Your child's blood sugar level may spike due to certain situations. This may include:

* eating too much
* illnesses, and
* not taking his/her medications

The symptoms of hyperglycemia may include:

* increased frequency of urination
* excessive thirst
* blurring of vision
* tingling in fingers or tongue
* nausea, and
* tiredness and weakness

Severe cases of hyperglycemia may lead to nausea and vomiting and sometimes even coma. If you think your child has increased blood sugar, check his blood sugar level. If the blood sugar is really quite high, the best thing to do is call your child's doctor.

3. Diabetic ketoacidosis or increased ketone concentration in your child's urine: Ketones are formed if glucose is not available; the body burns fat for energy and this is when ketones are formed. It usually happens when your child's cells crave more energy causing his or her body to breakdown fat stores from the fatty tissues. This condition is quite common in children with Type 1 diabetes but it can sometimes happen in Type 2 diabetes also.

Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

* loss of appetite
* gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pains
* fever and sweet fruity smell of your child's breath

may signal ongoing development of ketoacidosis. If you suspect ketoacidosis, check your child's urine for ketones. If your child's ketone is above normal, contact your child's doctor immediately as this is considered an emergency.

By Dr Brandon Credeur, D.C.

If you have diabetes you may already be aware that it can have a serious impact on your health, but you may not realize just how wide reaching that impact can be.

When you have type 2 diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin or has become resistant to it. Anytime you eat, your body depends on insulin to take the glucose from the foods you eat and transfer it to your cells where it's used for energy.

If your body does not have enough insulin, or your body has become resistant to the insulin it does have, glucose builds up in your bloodstream, leading to a range of complications.

Among the most talked about are the risks to your heart. Diabetes may quadruple your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and about 65 percent of diabetics die from one of these two conditions.[1] That said, there are many other diabetes risks as well, including several that you may not be aware of.

Have You Heard of These 5 Serious Diabetes Risks?

One in 10 U.S. adults currently has diabetes, but if rates keep increasing as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts, that number could increase to one in three by 2050.

Needless to say, this is a condition that's incredibly common and with commonality often comes a feeling of familiarity and acceptance... and at times a tendency to downplay or ignore the risks involved. This is why if you're struggling with diabetes or even pre-diabetes, it's so important to be aware of the steep risks involved, including those that are less publicized.

1. Cancer

An analysis of data from 97 studies involving more than 820,000 people found that diabetes increases your risk of dying from cancer by 25 percent.[2] Cancers of the liver, pancreas, ovary, colorectum, lung, bladder, and breast were all moderately associated with diabetes, the study found.

2. Depression

Diabetes not only impacts your body on a physical level -- it can take a toll on your mental health as well. It's estimated that up to one-quarter of people with diabetes also suffer from depression, a rate that's nearly twice as high as it is among those without diabetes.

Feelings of anger, denial and depression are common after first being diagnosed. Diabetes also demands daily attention and lifestyle changes to keep it under control, and this can take a heavy psychological toll. On the flip side, depression may also make it more difficult for you to manage your diabetes properly, leading to poor glycemic control and an increased risk of diabetes complications.

3. Kidney Disease

Diabetes can damage your kidneys' filtering system, making it difficult for them to remove waste from your blood. However, most diabetes patients are completely unaware that the condition may impact their kidneys, according to new research from the University of Bedfordshire in England.[3]

In severe cases, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney failure or irreversible kidney disease that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Diabetes is actually the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States.

By keeping your blood sugar levels in the healthy range, the risk of early kidney disease drops significantly and, as the American Diabetes Association states, the risk of severe kidney problems is cut in half.

4. Diabetic Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage the blood vessels that support your nerves, leading to diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage. Up to 56 percent of diabetics have never heard of diabetic neuropathy, even though the majority of diabetes patients experience it, a survey by the American Diabetes Association revealed.

Diabetic neuropathy can lead to tingling, numbness or pain, most often in your legs and feet but also in your hands and arms. In severe cases, the nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness and difficulty walking. It can also impact the nerves in your heart, bladder, lungs, stomach, intestines, eyes and sex organs, leading to related complications with those body regions.

5. Shortened Lifespan

Diabetes lowers life expectancy at every age. An analysis commissioned by the National Academy on Aging Society found that at age 50 diabetes lowers life expectancy by an average of 8.5 years. At age 60, over 5 years are shaved off your lifespan, and at age 90 lifespan is lowered by one year.[4]

The shortened lifespan undoubtedly comes from the array of health complications associated with the disease. As the report revealed, those with diabetes are more likely to suffer from health problems including heart disease, depression and disabilities that interfere with daily life.

The secret to avoiding the health complications mentioned above is to keep your blood sugar well under control. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels will increase your risk of virtually every diabetes complication out there.

A knowledgeable health care practitioner can help guide you on how to control your blood sugar levels, and manage your diabetes, using lifestyle interventions along with identifying the unique underlying causes of your condition.

Be sure to remember that despite its commonality, diabetes is a very serious condition; it can cause debilitating complications and even kill you. So if you are diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, or you have risk factors for the disease, it's important that you take it very seriously. But, you should also know that diabetes is not a death sentence... nor is it a "life sentence," as the condition is often easily prevented, treated and ultimately reversed.

References

1. American Heart Association, Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes Statistics

2. New England Journal of Medicine March 3, 2011: 364(9):829-41

3. Journal of Renal Care 2011 Mar;37(1):2-11.

4. The Gerontological Society of America November 30, 2010