Was Just Told I Have Diabetes | Diabetic Connect
By AG1980 Latest Reply2015-03-12 00:58:14 -0500 Started2013-07-23 11:27:44 -0500 14 Likes Hello, I'm 33 years old and have 2 little girls and a loving/caring wife. I was just told yesterday by my doctor that i have type2 diabetes. I was in shock when i first heard it and was lost for words. Confusion, scared and worried were my feelings. When i got home and saw my wife and kids i just broke down crying. My wife was awesome and told me she would help me get through this. I told her i don't want to die, i need to be here with my kids, they need their father. Last night was tough but today i started doing the research on learning about the disease and how to manage my diabetes. I found this app and wanted to read how others are dealing with this and to get advice. Well, thanks to everyone who read this and good luck to you all on your battle with diabetes. Take care One of the main things is willpower, determination and don't be fearful of the disease as stress won't help, look at it with a smile and a challenge.. Good luck. I thought my diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes was a death sentence after I almost croaked in the emergency room. I have survived since June 2014. I was okay with dying. After nine mos. of changing my diet, attitude, and being able to manage diabetes better, than I get the real death sentence "serous papillary Adenocarcinoma". (uterine cancer). I have always been healthy until 2 years ago when I was becoming diabetic and didn't know it. I have practiced yoga (taught yoga) and massage therapy for over 30 years. I thought I was going to die the very next day. I allowed myself to feel the sadness, the grief, the sorrow and the fear of dying. I am choosing to heal the natural way without surgery and chemo, etc. conventional methods. It saved my life in June, h Continue reading >>
Diabetes: How Do I Know If I Have It?
Please note: This information was current at the time of publication. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education website. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body doesn't make enough of a hormone called insulin, or if your body doesn't use insulin the right way. If left untreated, it may result in blindness, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and amputations. Only half of the people who have diabetes are diagnosed because in the early stages of diabetes, there are few symptoms, or the symptoms may be the same as in other health conditions. What are the symptoms of diabetes? Early symptoms of diabetes may include: Extreme thirst Frequent urination Unexplained weight loss Blurry vision that changes from day to day Unusual tiredness or drowsiness Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Frequent or recurring skin, gum or bladder infections If you have any of these symptoms, call your family doctor right away. Who is at risk for diabetes? The early stages of diabetes have few symptoms, so at first you may not know you have the disease. Damage may already be happening to your eyes, kidneys and cardiovascular system before you notice symptoms. You have more risk of having diabetes if: You're older than 45 years. You're overweight. You don't exercise regularly. Your parent, brother or sister has diabetes. You had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or you had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant. You are black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or a Pacific Islander. If you have one or more of these risk factors, your doctor may want you to be tested for diabetes. Continue reading >>
Diabetes Information Symptoms, Causes And Prevention
The Risks of Treating Diabetes with Drugs Are FAR Worse than the Disease There is a staggering amount of misinformation on diabetes, a growing epidemic that afflicts more than 29 million people in the United States today. The sad truth is this: it could be your very OWN physician perpetuating this misinformation Most diabetics find themselves in a black hole of helplessness, clueless about how to reverse their condition. The bigger concern is that more than half of those with type 2 diabetes are NOT even aware they have diabetes and 90 percent of those who have a condition known as prediabetes arent aware of their circumstances, either. The latest diabetes statistics 1 echo an increase in diabetes cases, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. By some estimates, diabetes has increased more than 700 percent in the last 50 years! At least 29 million Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and another 86 million are prediabetic . Whats hidden behind this medical smokescreen is that type 2 diabetes is completely preventable. The cure lies in a true understanding of the underlying cause (which is impaired insulin and leptin sensitivity) and implementing simple, inexpensive lifestyle adjustments that spell phenomenal benefits to your health. Also known as diabetes mellitus, type 1 diabetes is a chronic health condition traditionally characterized by elevated levels of glucose in your blood, often simply called high blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes dubbed juvenile onset diabetes is the relatively uncommon type, affecting only about 1 in 250 Americans. Occurring in individuals younger than age 20, it has no known cure. Whats most concerning about juvenile diabetes is that, these numbers have been going up steadily right along with type 2 diabetes: for non-Hispanic white youths ages Continue reading >>
I Have Diabetes; Now What? – Guidelines For Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Patients
There was a time when it was considered not unusual to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at fifty. The poor lifestyle choices, processed diet and nearly thirty years of work-life stress were expected to impact us by that age. These days, people are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at forty and with every passing year, the bar is lowered further, with the millennials now being diagnosed in their thirties and even their twenties! While a Diabetes Type 2 diagnosis can be overwhelming, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. Try to think of this diagnosis as the first step towards learning how to control your blood sugar levels and take charge of your life. Our guidelines for newly diagnosed diabetics will help you navigate your way through all the lifestyle and diet changes you need to make, gain a better understanding of your disease, educate yourself on how to manage it, and how to find the right support you need. I Have Diabetes, Now What ? A new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is sure to take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. It is completely natural to feel low after your diagnosis. Emotions run amok as you face the reality of future complications like heart disease, kidney failure and vision related problems, all while you grieve for lost health. Diabetes can be a tough condition to accept, so feelings of anger, shock, resentment, betrayal, shame and denial are completely normal. Studies show that it is not uncommon for newly diagnosed diabetics to go through a period of depression. But you can learn to deal with the emotions that come up with a diabetes diagnosis. We are not going to lie to you; you will need to commit to making changes so you can live a better life with diabetes, and that requires work. Since your body is no longer able to respond Continue reading >>
When To Get Tested For Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes happens when a person's body either can't make enough insulin to keep up with the body's needs or can't use the insulin it makes in the right way. Insulin helps your body turn sugar into energy. It also helps your body store sugar in your muscles, fat, and liver so it can be used later when you need it. Without insulin, your body can't use or store sugar for energy. Instead, the sugar stays in your blood. This leads to high blood sugar levels, putting you at risk for other serious health problems. Symptoms Some symptoms of type 2 diabetes, caused by having high blood sugar, are: Feeling more tired than usual Urinating more often Extreme thirst or dehydration More infections than normal Wounds that don't heal Dry, itchy skin Numbness or tingling in hands or feet Blurred eyesight Problems having sex Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Risk Factors Even if you don't have signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor about being tested for type 2 diabetes if you have any of the following risk factors: BMI: Overweight with a BMI (Body Mass Index) higher than 25 Age: Over the age of 45 Family heritage: African-American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian Family history: Mother, father, sister, or brother with type 2 diabetes Pregnancy history: Gestational diabetes Health history: Polycystic ovarian disease Testing If your doctor recommends that you get tested for type 2 diabetes, you'll need to come to the lab for a fasting blood glucose test, which is done in the morning before you've had anything to eat or drink. Your test results will tell us if you need to be tested again and how often. If your test result is a fasting blood glucose less than 100, you don't have diabetes. Plan to get tested every 2 years to make sure that yo Continue reading >>
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How Do I Know If I Have Diabetes?
When it comes to type II diabetes, identifying and assessing symptoms can be hard. The warning signs often seem so normal that they can be easy to overlook. You may not even realize you’ve been adjusting your life around complications and symptoms until they become impossible to manage. We’re all just trying to do our best, and sometimes that includes ignoring our own needs for the tasks at hand—and that’s no one’s fault. In many cases of diabetes, not knowing you’re at risk is quite common. Out of the estimated 30 million people suffering from this condition, around 7.2 million go undiagnosed. A very alarming percentage when considering the rapid increase in those affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last 30 years, diabetes rates have gone up more than 35 percent and an estimated 84 million Americans are now considered prediabetic. So, what’s happening with the body? How do you recognize the signs? And what do you do if you think you may be suffering from type II diabetes? What’s Happening Diabetes is the result of a complication within the body that causes sugar levels to rise higher than what’s considered normal or safe. Type II is the most common form of diabetes; when the body does not create and manage insulin correctly, it eventually builds up a resistance. Normally, the pancreas first responds by trying to make up for this deficiency by producing more insulin. As time goes on, it can’t sustain this workload, causing complications in the body and compromising function. Common Symptoms As mentioned before, the symptoms of type II can be sneaky in that they either don’t present themselves or when they do, they seem like they’re not a big deal. The mentality around health management in our culture is v Continue reading >>
Diabetes Warning Signs
Because type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, it's important to be aware of any diabetes warning signs and get tested for diabetes if you have any of these symptoms. Treating diabetes early can help prevent serious complications. We'll explain the various diabetes warning signs and also warning signs of specific diabetes problems. Discover why it's important to listen to your body and alert your doctor if you notice any new signs or problems. Sometimes type 2 diabetes can develop without any warnings signs. In fact, about a third of all people who have type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor about your risk for diabetes and determine if you should be tested. Common warnings signs of diabetes include: Increased thirst Increased hunger (especially after eating) Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry) Fatigue (weak, tired feeling) If you have any of the above mentioned warnings signs of diabetes, give your doctor a call and schedule a diabetes test. With the right diabetes diet, regular exercise, and medications, if needed, you can manage type 2 diabetes and live an active, productive life. If you have symptoms of the following diabetes complications, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Each brief discussion links to more in-depth information. As you'll learn in this health topic, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when the level of sugar or glucose in the blood drops too low to fuel the body. Hypoglycemia is not a disease but a condition that results from a variety of causes. Hypoglycemia is most commonly a complication of diabetes treatment (diabetic hypoglycemia). You can develop hypoglycemia by taking too much insulin or other diabetes medications or Continue reading >>
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In Diabetes
According to the National Kidney Foundation about 10-40 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes will develop kidney failure in their lifetime. Kidney disease, often referred to as nephropathy, is one of the many long-term complications of diabetes. Excess glucose in the blood can damage the delicate, small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter the toxins from our bodies. As a result, the kidneys cannot clean your blood properly and a build up of waste materials, water and salt can remain in your blood. The kidneys don't just fail all at once; instead the disease is progressive and can take years to develop. The good news is if it is caught early, it can be treated and further damage can be slowed. There are 5 stages of kidney disease, depending on the severity of the disease. For more information about the stages of kidney disease, you can read on here: Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease Some people do not experience any symptoms of kidney disease and instead, it is picked up on a blood test. If you have diabetes, your doctor should check for signs of kidney disease using a blood and urine sample about once per year. These are routine tests. If, however, you do experience symptoms of kidney disease, the symptoms are caused by either a build up of waste or fluid in the body or anemia. Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Diabetes Swelling or puffiness. This is called edema. It most commonly occurs in they legs, ankles and feet, but can also occur around the eyes, abdomen and less often in other parts of the body. Trouble urinating (either being unable to go, or going more than usual). Sometimes pain or burning can occur with urination. The urine could also be foamy, bloody or dark. Protein aversion: no longer wanting to eat meat. Fatigue, being unable to concentrate, or tiring Continue reading >>
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) condition that occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or when your body has trouble using the insulin that it does make. About 1 in 400 young people have this condition. What is insulin? Why is it important? Insulin is a hormone made by a gland called the pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach. Whenever you eat food, your body digests the food (breaks it down) into smaller parts: vitamins, minerals, sugar (called “glucose”), fat, and protein. Your body then uses glucose for energy. Glucose is the body’s major source of energy. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose enter the cells of your body so it can be used as energy. If your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or if your body has difficulty using the insulin that it makes, the glucose from your food does not get changed into energy. Instead, the glucose stays in your blood, causing your blood glucose (also called “blood sugar”) to rise. Why is high blood sugar a problem? High blood sugar is a problem because it can cause serious damage to the body. Some of the most serious, long term problems are loss of vision, kidney problems, heart problems, damage to circulation and stroke. This kind of damage happens slowly over many years and can be delayed or prevented if you take good care of your diabetes. There are also short-term problems that come from high blood sugar. Some common short term-problems (caused from high blood sugar) are: Being thirsty Having to urinate (pee) more often Feeling irritable or exhausted Weight loss If your blood sugar gets too high due to not having enough insulin, you can experience a very serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Signs of ketoacidosis are: Rapid deep breathing Stomach pain or chest pain and/or Continue reading >>
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Do I Have Diabetes Or/and Std?
Hello, Lately i been feeling alittle weird, i been extremely tired,having to frequently urinate,hungry even after i ate, increase in vaginal discharge, urine has a weird smell, long lasting headaches and my urine is warm whenever i pee. I check for UTI and it isn't that i really need some help? The symptoms you are describing are indeed concerning, and I would highly recommend scheduling an appointment to speak with your doctor, so that he or she can obtain a complete history, perform a physical examination, and run any tests that are indicated. Having said that, you do have a number of signs and symptoms that can be associated with diabetes. Fatigue, frequent urination and hunger, and changes in the smell and composition of the urine can be the first signs of diabetes. The urine will often smell and taste sweet, as there is actually sugar (called glucose) that is being spilled into the urine because there is a lack of insulin to the glucose into the body's cells in the appropriate manner. I would recommend having your doctor check your fasting blood sugar, as well as obtain a urine sample to see if there is glucose or ketones (a molecule in your body that the body produces when cells cannot take up as much glucose because of an insulin deficiency - as in diabetes) in the urine. The changes you are experiencing do fit with diabetes, and it is less likely that you have a sexually transmitted infection, although signs of STIs can include changes in vaginal discharge appearance and/or smell. Some women may even have an STI without any signs or symptoms at all. The risk of having an STI of course depends on how many partners you have had recently and if you are using barrier protection (condoms). It may be worth it to be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV as a screeni Continue reading >>
Diabetes Warning Signs
Because type 2 diabetes can lead to some serious health complications, it's important to be aware of any diabetes warning signs and get tested for diabetes, if you have these symptoms. Treating diabetes early, when treatment is most effective, can help prevent these diabetes complications. We'll explain the various diabetes warning signs and also warning signs of specific diabetes problems. Discover why it's important to listen to your body and alert your doctor if you notice any new signs or problems. Sometimes type 2 diabetes can develop without any warnings signs. In fact, about a third of all people who have type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor about your risk for diabetes and determined if you should be tested. Common warnings signs of diabetes include: Increased hunger (especially after eating) Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry) Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms You Can’t Afford To Ignore & What You Can Do About Them
In the U.S., diabetes — or diabetes mellitus (DM) — is full-blown epidemic, and that’s not hyperbole. An estimated 29 million Americans have some form of diabetes, nearly 10 percent of the population, and even more alarming, the average American has a one in three chance of developing diabetes symptoms at some point in his or her lifetime. (1) The statistics are alarming, and they get even worse. Another 86 million people have prediabetes, with up to 30 percent of them developing type 2 diabetes within five years. And perhaps the most concerning, about a third of people who have diabetes — approximately 8 million adults — are believed to be undiagnosed and unaware. That’s why it’s so vital to understand and recognize diabetes symptoms. And there’s actually good news. While there’s technically no known “cure” for diabetes — whether it’s type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes — there’s plenty that can be done to help reverse diabetes naturally, control diabetes symptoms and prevent diabetes complications. The Most Common Diabetes Symptoms Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results from problems controlling the hormone insulin. Diabetes symptoms are a result of higher-than-normal levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. With type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually develop sooner and at a younger age than with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes also normally causes more severe symptoms. In fact, because type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms can be minimal in some cases, it sometimes can go diagnosed for a long period of time, causing the problem to worsen and long-term damage to develop. While it’s still not entirely known how this happens, prolonged exposure to high blood sugar can damage nerve fibers that affect the blood vessels, heart, e Continue reading >>
Early Symptoms Of Diabetes
What are the symptoms of diabetes? Although the signs of diabetes can begin to show early, sometimes it takes a person a while to recognize the symptoms. This often makes it seem like signs and symptoms of diabetes appear suddenly. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your body, rather than simply brushing them off. To that end, here are some type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms that you may want to watch out for: If you’re experiencing frequent urination your body might be telling you that your kidneys are trying to expel excess sugar in your blood. The resulting dehydration may then cause extreme thirst. Along the same lines, the lack of available fluids may also give you dry mouth and itchy skin. If you experience increased hunger or unexpected weight loss it could be because your body isn’t able to get adequate energy from the food you eat. High blood sugar levels can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage, which makes healing difficult. So having slow-healing cuts/sores is also a potential sign of diabetes. Yeast infections may occur in men and women who have diabetes as a result of yeast feeding on glucose. Other signs of diabetes Pay attention if you find yourself feeling drowsy or lethargic; pain or numbness in your extremities; vision changes; fruity or sweet-smelling breath which is one of the symptoms of high ketones; and experiencing nausea or vomiting—as these are additional signs that something is not right. If there’s any question, see your doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are safe and rule out diabetes. So what are the low blood sugar symptoms you should look out for? It’s important to realize that the signs of… Polyuria occurs when your body urinates more frequently—and often in larger amounts—than Continue reading >>
7 Symptoms To Never Ignore If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes watch for these warning signs that something is amiss – and make sure you know how to respond #1. Blurry vision. Vision changes may mean your blood sugar is high, says endocrinologist Alan L. Rubin, MD, author of Diabetes for Dummies, Type 1 Diabetes for Dummies and other health books in the “Dummies” series. “High blood sugar draws more fluid into the lens of the eye, so your vision is less sharp,” he explains. “The first thing to do is to check your blood sugar more frequently and bring it under better control.” Temporary blurriness may also occur when starting insulin. What to do: If problems persist despite good glucose numbers, tell your doctor. Eyesight changes may be caused by an easy-to-fix problem like dry eyes, be a side effect of some medications or even computer eye strain. But it can also be a warning sign of diabetic retinopathy – when tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye swell and leak. It could also be a sign of other vision issues like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. All can be treated to prevent further problems. #2. Unusual thirst and feeling extra-tired. High blood sugar is usually the culprit, according to the American Diabetes Association. But don’t shrug it off —letting your numbers drift beyond the healthy range sets you up for complications and could be a sign of a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. What to do: Check your glucose level now and recheck frequently; make sure you’re following your eating and exercise plan and taking your medication as directed. If you’ve been sick, follow your sick-day plan; illness can make blood sugar rise. Extremely high blood sugar – over 600 mg/dL – can lead to seizures, coma and even death, the ADA warns. This condition Continue reading >>
A Diabetes Test You Can Do Yourself
Are you urinating more often, feeling very thirsty, hungry, or tired? Maybe you’re losing weight. You may have type 2 diabetes. To find out, you can make an appointment with your doctor and have your blood tested for the condition. Or you can go to the drug store, buy a blood glucose meter, and give yourself a diabetes test. An estimated 40 percent of adults with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it, which means they aren’t getting treatment that could protect them from very serious health problems down the road, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure. The best option is to go to a doctor if you’re having symptoms of diabetes. But if you’re reluctant to do that, for whatever reason, the next best thing is to buy an over-the-counter diabetes test kit. "If you have a family history of diabetes, are obese, or have high blood pressure, you should test yourself for diabetes, if your doctor hasn’t already done so," says Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports' chief medical adviser. "By being a proactive person, you might save yourself a lot of grief in the future.” Blood glucose meters can be purchased without a prescription. Models in our Ratings of more than two dozen devices cost $10 to $75. They usually come with 10 lancets, but you might have to buy a pack of test strips separately, which can cost $18 and up; check the package to see what it includes. If the meter doesn’t come with strips, make sure you buy a pack made for that model or you’ll get inaccurate results. Most models come with batteries. Here’s what you need to do next: Fast overnight. Don’t have anything to eat or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours, then test yourself first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Follow directions. Read the manual to ma Continue reading >>
