A lot of people are now sporting the popular rubber bracelets that athletes and their sports fans wear. Because these bracelets are rather trendy, they are used to promote awareness. And so different kinds of rubber bracelets have been created to promote diabetic awareness throughout the society. But diabetes is merely one disease that these rubber bracelets carry. Rubber bracelets come in a range of colors and each of them represent a certain disease. For diabetes, the most common colors used are orange, white, green, red and blue.

Rubber bracelets are easily mass produced. This is the reason why they are the perfect bracelets used as fund raisers, especially for the diabetic community. Most of them are also individually packaged so that they are easily distributed, without losing its their appearance and good quality.

Fits All Sizes

Diabetic rubber bracelets also come in different sizes. There are children, youth, and adult sizes to choose from. This makes the bracelet universal, because everybody can actually use it. And being a sports bracelet, it also fits both males and a females. The adult size has a diameter of 8 inches. The youth size is 7 inches, while that of a child is usually around 6 inches. Rubber bracelets are flexible. And so, even those with unusually big wrists can be accommodated.

An Important Message

A diabetic rubber bracelet is usually inscribed with a certain message relevant to diabetic community and the research conducted for the disease. The most common ones say something like "Cure Diabetes Today" or "Help Cure Diabetes." There is also a type that says "Insulin is not a Cure." The actual message written over the diabetic rubber bracelet is actually dependent upon the organization that requested their production. These bracelets can be distributed to schools, communities, and other organizations. It is usually at a certain price.

Affordable

Diabetic rubber bracelets are normally priced for only $5. It is clear to see that they are very affordable. There are even organizations that sell them for only $2 plus shipping and handling. Helping people with diabetes has indeed become easier. For only $5, you can contribute to the diabetic society, including the friends and families of the patients.

Diabetic rubber bracelets can be bought over the internet as well as locally. The proceeds of these bracelets are usually transferred over to the government or private research institutions that are continuously seeking for the cure of this dreaded disease. The purchase of a single diabetic rubber bracelet could really go a long, long way. Don't think for a second that your $5 can do nothing. Because it can certainly do so much to further the research being carried out to finally find the most effective treatment for diabetes.

Bracelets for Diabetic Patients

But there are also diabetic rubber bracelets that are created specifically to diabetic patients. These are the types wherein information about a person's diabetic condition is inscribed on the silicon rubber itself. Instead of carrying a message in support of the research community being done for diabetes, the band will show the health of the patient, his diabetes type, and all other important information related to it. It also indicates in the bracelet whether the patient is dependent on insulin and whether he or she is using some type of insulin pump.

The diabetes rubber bands that show the patient's condition are going to be very helpful to health practitioners. More often than not, patients consult different doctors for different reasons. And if the doctor consulted immediately knew that a patient is diabetic, he can make accurate diagnosis and decisions accordingly.

A good example of the bracelet's use would be the time when a diabetic patient decides to go for tooth extraction or a hair transplant treatment. While these are rather non-surgical operations, the dentist or the doctor should know beforehand the health condition of their patient. If they know that the person who consulted with them has diabetes, then they can give only the options that are applicable to them. This is how important having this type of diabetic rubber bracelets can actually be.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as diabetes rubber bracelet [http://www.learn-about-diabetes.com/diabetes-rubber-bracelet.html], diabetes awareness bracelets [http://www.learn-about-diabetes.com/diabetes-awareness-bracelets.html] and diabetes alert bracelet [http://www.learn-about-diabetes.com/diabetes-alert-bracelet.html] which you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

By Flor Serquina

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Statins are a group of anti-cholesterol medication primarily used for lowering elevated total cholesterol levels and LDL, a type of "bad" cholesterol.

Over the years, statins have served as the mainstay for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, as mentioned in a study published in October 2009 by the American Diabetes Association's official journal, Diabetes Care, statins must be added to the lifestyle therapy of anyone with diabetes regardless of their baseline lipid levels. As well, a study released in the October 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology stated the cardiovascular outcome due to the use of statin therapy is significantly more positive in those diabetics who took this anti-cholesterol medication compared to those with Type 2 diabetes who had not been prescribed statins.

However, this is interesting to Type 2 diabetics: in a study, the results of which were published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine in March 2009, researchers noted the intake of statins may result in the elevation of fasting blood sugar levels of people with, and even without, diabetes!

As was also mentioned in an article published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the exact mechanism how statins cause an increase in blood sugar levels is still unclear. And it is still in question whether the hyperglycemia or high blood sugar noted in those people, is the result of a medication that was prescribed to them months earlier.

Here are the statin medications:

* atorvastatin (Lipitor, Advicor)
* simvastatin (Zocor, Lipex, Simcor, Vytorin)
* lovastatin (Mevacor)
* pravastatin (Pravachol)
* rosuvastatin (Crestor)
* fluvastatin (Lescol)

With this rising dilemma due to the intake of statins, there is still one question that still needs to be answered: "How else can cholesterol levels be reduced? "

1. Natural cholesterol reduction through lifestyle modification: Even without the existence of statins in the market, one of the best options for cholesterol control is still available for free: lifestyle modification. Shifting to:

* a low cholesterol
* low saturated-fat
* high fiber

diet is a must to lower the direct effects and the possible complications associated with high cholesterol levels.

Regular physical activity is also necessary to combat this problem. Another lifestyle modification that is very much needed is weight management. As mentioned by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, if you are overweight, losing those extra pounds can decrease the level of LDL.

2. Quit Smoking: The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute mentions that smoking can trigger the formation of plaques in the blood vessels resulting in atherosclerosis and possible heart attack. Smoking can also decrease the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, resulting in an array of cardiovascular diseases.

3. Other medications for cholesterol control: Statins are not the only group of medications that can decrease the "bad" cholesterol within your body. Other medications that can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels include fibrates, niacin and omega-3 fatty acids.

Having diabetes means a lifetime of maintaining their diabetes and the blood sugar and controlling their glucose levels. The blood sugar level shows of how much glucose, which is a basic sugar, is found in the bloodstream. Glucose, in one form or another, is in many of the foods that we eat, so diet is a very important part of controlling the glucose levels in your bloodstream.

Diet and exercise are also key factors in controlling diabetes; in fact some doctors say that diet alone can control type 2 diabetes. The diabetic will be given dietary guidelines by their medical practitioner no matter what type of diabetes you have.

It is suggested that diabetics pay rigorous attention to their diet and self-monitoring activities to establish which foods because the worst glucose-level peaks and troughs, then make "self adjustments".

However, the best way of controlling diabetes, and the only way for those with type 1 diabetes, is for patients to test their glucose levels regularly - as instructed by their doctor - and to take the appropriate levels of medication or injection of insulin.

Since a diabetics body either doesn't produce insulin, as in Type 1 diabetes, or cannot process the insulin that it makes, which is found in Type 2 diabetes, these blood sugar levels can vary much more then those of a person in perfect health.

Diabetics afflicted with type 1 diabetes should be checking their blood sugar levels daily before eating. The number of tests each day should a minimum of 2 times per day, but some patients may need as many as 6 tests in a day. These tests help determine how much insulin needs to be taken into the body to help process the glucose.

Type 2 diabetics are able to control their diabetes with drugs and dieting. However they too need to be monitoring their blood sugar levels a few times a week. This should be done immediately after eating a meal or up to 90 minutes after eating. To check your blood sugar levels, the most commonly used method of obtaining a blood sample is to prick the finger. You then take the blood that is released and put it onto a testing strip, which comes with blood sugar level testing kits. Lots of research is on going and a new gadget is now available that checks a diabetic's blood sugar and lets them know if it falls to a dangerous low. Monitoring devices are now coming on the market and by late summer will be available in the United States.

These monitors are not as accurate as "normal" blood tests, finger lances, but researchers are hoping that within a couple of years it will allow a diabetic to forgo putting their finger to test for blood glucose levels. If the monitor signals that blood sugar levels are low, it is necessary to take a blood test for confirmation. The monitors are also slow to show rapid changes that occur, especially when you exercise. This monitor is working to make finger lances outdated for all diabetics.

Those who have used the monitors report little discomfort. A patch worn on the abdomen may hurt when it goes on because there is a tiny wire placed under the skin to measure the glucose in cell fluid. The receiver is about the size of a cell phone. A patch can be worn for several days before changing.

Researchers are working toward pairing the new monitoring device to insulin pumps. These pumps have been on the market for years and could reduce the time needed for controlling diabetes to a minimum. The monitoring portion of the device will not be available until later this summer, so it isn't fully automatic yet, but it is promising news for those who are trying to control Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream.

Best Laboratory Tests for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.

• Urine sugar test
• Urine ketones test
• OGTT-Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, (also called glucose challenge test)
• Blood glucose tests
• FPG-Fasting plasma glucose Test
• Random plasma glucose Test

Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:
HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks

How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.

A- URINE SAMPLE FOR SUGAR AND KETONES
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketones which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.

B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.

C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
it is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.

D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.

Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.

No alcoholic beverages.
On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.

Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure:
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.

OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months.

Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.

Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia. In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.
Urine sugar test

Urine ketenes test

OGTT-Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, (also called glucose challenge test)

Blood glucose tests

FPG-Fasting plasma glucose Test

Random plasma glucose Test

Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:
HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks.
How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.

A- Urine sample for sugar and Ketenes
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketenes which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.

B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.

C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
It is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.

D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.

Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.
No alcoholic beverages.
On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.

Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.

OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months. Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.

Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia. In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

Always Get Your Blood Sugar Levels Tested To Monitor Diabetes
Although it is now common hearsay that one can easily detect the symptoms of this disease, but one cannot be perfectly sure of being diabetic. It requires a blood test to establish for certain that one has diabetes.

The blood test that is done for checking diabetes is a test to check the blood sugar levels in the body. The test is carried out in two phases on the same day. The first blood test is carried out on the patient’s blood when he is fasting. So, a patient coming for the test arrives without taking his breakfast or even a cup of morning tea or coffee. If the blood sugar levels are found to be 126 milligrams per deciliter or higher, on two separate occasions, after fasting, then there is a likelihood of diabetes.

Following this, another blood test is taken after the patient has had his breakfast and a cup of tea or coffee. This time the blood sugar levels should not go above 200 milligrams per deciliter. In case it is above this mark, then the likelihood of diabetes is high. At times the patient is given 75 gram glucose solution to drink. Then the blood sugar levels are checked for monitoring the blood sugar levels as well as the measurement of ketenes, which are the products from the breakdown of fats.

Once these tests have been successfully carried out, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment which involves both the physical and emotional aspects of his being, as diabetes is not a malaise of the physical body alone. It is also a disease that affects one’s emotions and reactions.