The Relationship of Diabetes to Other Diseases and Conditions

The U.S. diabetes epidemic is more dangerous than most people realize. The Center for Disease Control recently indicated that more than 63% of Americans are at risk for diabetes due to a Body Mass Index (BMI) qualifying them as overweight. Diabetes not only causes other conditions and symptoms, but also is linked with kidney and cardiovascular diseases. To prevent complications, it's important to understand the relationship between diabetes and other diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that causes decreased and blurry vision, and eventually blindness. The effect of diabetic retinopathy on vision depends on the stage of the disease. Diabetes' effect on the retina is a severe threat, mostly seen in elderly sufferers. People with diabetes also tend to experience long-term effects on the circulatory system. As diabetes progresses, the arteries in the retina weaken and form hemorrhages. In later stages of the disease, circulation problems cause areas of the eye to become oxygen-deprived. Consequently, new vessels develop that hemorrhage easily, and blood may leak into the retina as well.

Obesity

Obesity and diabetes are scientifically proven to be directly linked. In fact, obesity is a direct cause of Type II Diabetes. Obesity is dangerous because an excessive proportion of body fat causes elevated blood glucose levels. The human body manufactures insulin after every meal to alert cells that higher levels of glucose are on the way. Type II Diabetes sufferers lack the ability to use this insulin hormone. And when insulin isn't used properly, the body can't digest food correctly, hence increasing the risk of additional weight gain, as well as diabetes.

Kidney Disease/Kidney Failure

Diabetes affects many parts of the body. According to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetic kidney disease results from injured small blood vessels in the body. When blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly. At this point, the human body retains more water and salt than it should (which results in weight gain and ankle swelling). In addition, protein appears in the urine and waste materials accumulate in the blood. In addition, Type II Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can result in urination problems. The pressure resulting from a full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. When urine remains in the bladder for too long, the high levels of sugar can cause the rapid growth of bacteria, resulting in an infection.

Heart Disease & Stroke

The American Diabetes Association says two-thirds of people with Type II Diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. As such, diabetes and heart disease work in tandem - and people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. A person with diabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels. These high blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body, including blood vessels. Heart disease is a direct result of narrowed or blocked blood vessels that lead to the heart. Hence, increased blood sugar levels, common with Type II Diabetes sufferers, causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Breast Cancer

Scientists have investigated the possible relationship between breast cancer and diabetes and suggested that high levels of insulin increases the risk of breast cancer. Since many factors, such as obesity, increase the risk of both breast cancer and diabetes, it's been difficult for scientists to determine if diabetes itself is the issue. However, research indicates that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One recent study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer, even among pre-menopausal women. In addition, significant weight gain (more than 55 lbs. since age 18, or 22 lbs. after menopause) acts as a catalyst in causing diabetes - and can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Foot Problems

Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, more than 25% will develop foot problems due to the disease, according to Foot.com. Diabetic foot problems develop from a combination of factors, including poor circulation and neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy causes an insensitivity to feel pain, heat and cold. As a result, people with diabetes may be unaware they have developed minor cuts, scrapes, blisters or pressure sores. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result, lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation. Foot.com also states that diabetic neuropathy can cause deformities, such as bunions, hammer toes and Charcot feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

CTS is another common complication of diabetic neuropathy. Because of the decreased or distorted nerve function, a patient's ability to feel nerve sensation is lessened. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, weakness and burning sensations, usually beginning in the fingers and toes and progressing to the arms and legs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 2005 study reported that about 85% of patients with Type I Diabetes develop CTS. Development of CTS was related to the patient's age, as well as the length of time they had diabetes.

All of the conditions listed above are related to diabetes, and are becoming growing concerns for Americans. Awareness of these associated diseases will hopefully lead to better prevention, such as healthy diet and exercise.

For more information on diabetes, prevention and treatment, like breast cancer and diabetes, visit the Diabetes Articles & Resources section of DiabeticCareServices.com

By Susanne Svette

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Do you have Type 2 diabetes? How do you feel about taking oral anti-diabetic medications or insulin for the rest of your life?

Many diabetics experience medication fatigue... imagine taking the same set of bitter bad-tasting medications day in and day out just for the sake of controlling your blood sugar. For some people, seeing and tasting the same medications everyday can give them enough stress that may last a lifetime. One of the most common questions raised by many diabetics is this: "How can we possibly control our blood sugar without the aid of anti-diabetic drugs?"

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic problem that results from high blood sugar levels caused by the increased resistance of your body's cells to the action of insulin. Insulin, a special hormone that facilitates the transfer of sugar extracted from your meals to your cells, is essential to life and has wide-spread effects all over your body. Risk factors for the development of blood sugar problems include:

* age... the older you are, the greater your risk for Type 2 diabetes
* being overweight or obese... being overweight predisposes you to diabetes
* lack of exercise goes hand in hand with obesity
* heredity... if you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you are at a greater risk for getting it yourself
* sleep habits... insomnia makes you more prone to diabetes
* decreased "good" cholesterol level, increased "bad" cholesterol level, high blood pressure and a history of diabetes in pregnancy.

Many experts consider Type 2 diabetes as a lifestyle disease, therefore, with proper correction to the lifestyle you live, this condition really can really be managed without the use of drugs.

According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, many diabetics control their blood sugar levels without the aid of anti-diabetic medications by:

* normalizing their body weight
* by having regular physical exercise, and
* by eating a proper diet

Many studies have shown how both weight loss and exercise can increase the body's sensitivity to insulin, thus reducing insulin resistance. The more sensitive your cells are to insulin, the healthier you body is. Choose to eat properly and to exercise, and your pancreas will thank you by functioning well. Then no drugs are involved.

However, according to Joslin Diabetes Center many diabetics fail to normalize their blood sugar levels despite their best efforts. For these diabetics it will be necessary for them to continue taking their anti-diabetic medications.

Check your blood sugar reading every day... if your blood sugar still spikes even with your best efforts, there is no other choice but to continue your anti-diabetic medications. This is important in order to prevent both immediate and long-term complications associated with high blood sugar.

Diabetes Supply has often been an issue of where the best place to get your supplies is and what the best place as far as cost is. Obviously you have seen the television advertising for Liberty Medical Diabetes Supply.

When it comes to advertising for Diabetes Supply, no one comes close to Liberty Medical. There are other outlets where you can obtain your diabetic supplies and at reasonable rates. Not everyone qualifies for Liberty's Diabetes Supply. They basically work directly with Medicare, so based on your Medicare qualifications you could be turned down.

Diabetic Express com is an online diabetes supplier that may be a good alternative for your insulin, lancet, test strips, and pump supplies. They offer discount prices on over 1,000 items and accept Medicare and private insurance. They supply only the brands and products you want. They have pharmacists on staff to interact with you for fast accurate service. Diabetic Supplies.com is another diabetes supply online that specializes primarily in lancets, test strips, and test meters.

After you complete the online diabetes supply enrollment form, or call, the online diabetes supply companies listed above can verify your diabetes supply benefits with your insurance and obtain an authorization from your doctor. Every three months, with your authorization, they will mail your diabetes supply order, including blood glucose meter strips, directly to your door, free of charge. Diabetes supply is a necessary function that thousands of people need and require in order to live a healthy life. If you have diabetes and require diabetes supplies, be sure to check your blood count often and find a diabetes supply company that fits your needs for accuracy, timeliness, and price.

It's possible you can qualify for a free diabetes supply today.

Getting the Best Deal on Diabetic Supplies
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.