Monday, September 27, 2010

Blood Sugar Problems - Know the Causes and Natural Remedies

Are you suffering from high blood sugar levels? If yes, gain comfort knowing that you are not alone. A lot of people have the same concerns and this normally leads to a diagnosis of type II diabetes. This is considered as a chronic disease that can cause many health complications and may ultimately lead to early death. Hence, early treatment is a must. I have great news for all diabetic sufferers: Ayurveda, a system of holistic health and wellness which has been around for 5 centuries, approaches blood sugar problems the most natural way by making good changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Ayurveda combats blood sugar problems with a multiprong approach:

1. Diet modification comes first. Simple carbohydrates and sugar is eliminated from the diet while giving more focus on complex carbohydrates. The intake of protein is restricted, mainly because too much protein intake can cause damage to the kidneys. People suffering from diabetes are also advised to stay away from fat because diabetes causes a deficiency in the pancreatic enzymes which makes the digestion of fat difficult. More importantly, a detoxification or cleansing program is required, since people with diabetes have autoantibodies.

2. Panchakarma is used for detoxification. Body cleansing following Ayurvedic principles starts with herbal massages coupled with a herbal steam sauna. Fasting should go hand in hand with this, to properly cleanse the body.

3. Panchakarma is followed by a herbal treatment for the pancreas, liver and spleen. As soon as everything is good, colon therapy is administered, to reconstitute the system and properly cleanse the body's digestive tract.

What about your diet? Ayurveda uses the kapha-pacifying diet to address diabetes:

1. Excessive intake of sweets, dairy products and carbohydrates is strongly discouraged.

2. Eating bitter herbs and fresh vegetables is the way to go.

3. Eating other useful foods such as fried or roasted barley, light and bitter vegetables, corn flour, ghee, barley porridge and rice will help regulate your blood sugar.

4. Special herb preparations from gokshura, triphala, gudmar, fenugreek, coriander and cardamom - all mixed with honey is used for treating diabetes.

Other methods used to treat blood sugar problems include oil massage, exercise, sitz, steam or waist bath, as well as sprinkling of ointment and water. You may take cardamom, sandalwood and dry ginger or use them in baths. A nice fusion of shilajit and gudmar is used by lots of Ayurvedic practitioners because of their excellent therapeutic properties.

Choosing The Right Diabetes Diet Plan For You

Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in the developed World. Over 17 million Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and this figure is rising. Thousands more are pre-diabetic, the precursor before full blown diabetes. The importance of following a good diabetes diet plan has never been so great.

The most worrying aspect of this is that there has been a huge rise in the cases of children contracting the disease. Our fast food and low exertion lifestyles are causing us to increase our waistlines and become obese. Obesity is a direct link with diabetes.

There are three types of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 is when the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin at all and has therefore got to be controlled by replacing the lack of insulin manually through injections. This type is often diagnosed in childhood. Thankfully, type 1 diabetes only accounts for around 10% of diagnosed diabetics.

Type 2 diabetes can be contracted at any time but is especially prevalent during adulthood. It can be controlled through diet and is sometimes backed up with medication such as insulin injections and tablets depending upon its severity. This is the most common type of diabetes and it is usually treated by going on a good quality diabetes diet plan.

The third type of diabetes is gestational. Diabetes can occur during pregnancy and must be monitored closely as it can prove additional strain on the internal organs and the unborn child. The good news is that with gestational diabetes it often disappears after the birth, so tends to only be a temporary condition.

There is also good news for those type 2 sufferers as not only can it be controlled with diet, it can in some cases be reversed if specific diet plans are adhered to.

The first step to getting clear is to lose weight. The majority of diabetics are either overweight or obese and this is a contributory factor of why the illness has occurred in the first place. Following a good diabetes diet plan will help you to shed the pounds safely and steadily. In fact, following a plan is a healthy option for anyone wanting to feel healthier.

There is nothing particularly different about a special diet and it's a myth that you cannot eat your favorite treats. It's more a matter of ratios of sugars, fats and carbohydrates that is the key to success.

Some diet plans will advocate stripping carbohydrates out completely and then introducing them back in gradually until the body accepts them again.

Blood Sugar Problems - Discover How It Can Be Treated Naturally

We all face various health concerns, regardless of our diet, living conditions, daily activities or routine. There are times when we become affected by certain health tragedies without us knowing how or why we are affected or infected. I'm sure you'll all agree that even though there are surgeries, invasive treatments or regimen to remedy these concerns, opting for the natural and holistic route is the best way to go. Take blood sugar problems for example. This disease is becoming one of the leading health problems most people are faced today.

Ayurveda, the Sanskrit for 'The science of life,' is the most ancient and one of the leading holistic option for treatment that you have - through the help of specialized authentic herbs that gives ample support to the digestive and glandular systems, proper diet and exercise, you are on your way to a natural recovery.

Below are some powerful herbs proven to prevent and treat blood sugar problems:

1.Gymnema Sylvestre - also known as Gurmar, researchers found that taking increased doses of this herb extract aids in regenerating and repairing the beta cells of the pancreas, which play a vital role in the secretion and production of insulin. Here's a very interesting fact: for thousands of generations, people in India suffering from diabetes have chewed the herb's leaves and have successfully regulated and controlled their blood sugar. Special preparations from this herb are made today, and they are widely used to treat diabetes mellitus. The term GUR MAR literally means "kill sugar."

2.Momordica charantia - also referred to as karela or bitter gourd. Studies have established that the fresh extract or juice of this unripe fruit has exceptional blood sugar lowering properties. The extract of bitter gourd contains an insulin-like or hypoglycaemic action and has been considered as a plant-like insulin. Hence, it has been proven that karela extract is extremely beneficial in lowering both urine and blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic, it would do you good to include bitter gourd extract liberally in your diet.

3.Azadirachta indica - also known as Neem, it is an ancient herb used to successfully treat diabetes. It has also been scientifically proven to prevent and treat the said condition. It has been found that oral doses of azadirachta indica leaf extracts considerably decrease insulin needs for insulin-dependent diabetic sufferers.

Blood sugar problemscan be prevented and treated successfully. Don't let it complicate your life. Choose to support your body the natural way.

Preventing Strokes in People With Type 2 Diabetes!

Strokes are the result of 'accidents' involving blood vessels in your brain. These 'accidents' can consist of bleeding into the brain or of blockage of a blood vessel, so part of the brain suddenly cannot receive a supply of blood and brain cells in that area die due to lack of oxygen. According to an article published in the Saudi Medical Journal, Sept 2010 controlling other risk factors, as well as blood sugar levels, is important for Type 2 diabetics to prevent having one or more strokes.

Researchers in the Faculty of Internal Medicine, Al-Anbar College of Medicine, Anbar, Iraq, looked at 200 victims of stroke. Eighty-two patients had diabetes, 66 smoked, and 138 had high blood pressure. One hundred and forty-six, or 73% had more than one risk factor. The researchers agreed that having more than one risk factor made patients more susceptible to strokes.

Smoking is known to be one of the risk factors for stroke. Why? It can be responsible for increasing your blood pressure and reducing the oxygen level in your blood.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, has a website dedicated to helping smokers to quit. At smokefree.com you can find a great deal of support. Live counselors from the National Cancer Institute are available online or by telephone. Quizzes can help smokers assess their knowledge of smoking and find out the best approaches to stopping based upon their individual needs. An online savings calculator helps smokers to calculate how much money they can save by quitting. One article explains about 'smoky thinking'... erroneous reasons for smoking. An assessment of reasons for quitting helps remind smokers why they want to stop smoking.

A craving journal is available to help smokers plan ahead to avoid cravings when they strike. Assistance in finding smoking triggers in order to cope with them, is another available tool. There are also listings of more free resources and studies in need of volunteers.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects:
one in four adults in the United States11% of adults in Australiaover 24% of adults in Canada, and28% of adults in Europe

The condition is known as the silent killer because it causes no pain before it strikes. It can be controlled with weight normalization, exercise, and medications. Everyone is advised to have regular blood pressure checks carried out by his/her physician, and develop a plan to lower it if necessary.

There is a very strong link between Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Unfortunately both increase the risk of a stroke. And of course, the good news is that strict control of both Type 2 diabetes and blood pressure keeps down this risk.

Knowing the level of your blood pressure is a good way to stay involved with your own care. High blood pressure is defined as 140/90 or higher... research shows if you have Type 2 diabetes your blood pressure should be kept below 140/80. If your blood pressure measurement goes above these numbers consistently, this may mean taking a combination of tablets to achieve this target. Lowering blood pressure to normal protects your kidneys from damage also.

The possibility of stroke is a serious threat to health and life, particularly for Type 2 diabetics, but fortunately the likelihood of stroke can be reduced.

And now I would like you to claim your Free E-Book when you click on Answers to Your Questions

You will then have access to information diabetics have requested over recent months.

Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
http://nowdiabetesfree.net/
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers

Beverleigh H Piepers - EzineArticles Expert Author

Recognizing Adult Diabetes - 5 Top Tips!

If you suspect you may have adult diabetes then there are some symptoms that you should check through to see if it could be the case. The earlier you catch the illness, the easier it is to stabilize, treat and ultimately get under control. Early treatment means less disruption to your life as well as less strain on vital organs.

The following symptoms are typical when type 2 diabetes is present.

Polyuria - This is the term given to an excessive need to urinate. Practically all diabetics have this symptom and it happens due to the kidneys becoming strained due to the increase of glucose present in the urine. The body will naturally try to rectify this imbalance and dispel the glucose but then has the effect of drawing fluids back into the body.

Feeling Thirsty - As a consequence of the excessive urination the diabetic will feel an unquenchable thirst. This will not go even if you consume plenty of water of other drinks. Many sufferers will mistake excessive urination as being due to them drinking more, in fact it's the other way round. This is a classic sign that you may have type 2 diabetes.

Taking A Long Time To Heal? - If you are finding that any cuts and bruises are not healing quickly then this could be due to poor circulation caused by diabetes. Pay close attention to wounds that are on the arms, hands, legs and feet as these areas are often the most poorly circulated by the blood. Infections tend not to heal well either as the lack of blood flow means less white cells get to the area where they are needed.

Tiredness and Lethargy - This is a symptom that is often explained away as just being 'a bit run down' or 'too many late nights'. It occurs because the blood cannot get the glucose it needs to create the right level of energy. You may constantly feel tired and sleepy despite having plenty of sleep.

Fluctuation In Weight - Diabetes has been directly associated with obesity. Sudden weight loss for no apparent reason may seem great but it is a classic sign that something is not right. The downside of this is that the body begins to burn up muscle tissue as well as fat cells which in turn can cause damage to vital organs that are made up of muscle such as the heart. This symptom is more typically found in type 1 diabetes as opposed to adult diabetes.

Take Charge of Your Neuropathy Treatments

If you suffer from diabetes, you have likely heard your doctor speak of diabetic neuropathy. This condition is often characterized by numb feet and tingling feet. Studies have shown diabetic neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, to be one of the most commonly noted side effects of diabetes. It typically strikes the feet first, as well as the hands, as the peripheral nerve damage is seen in these extremities.

Devising a Foot Neuropathy Treatment Plan

You will need to work closely with your doctor, or nurse practitioner, to devise a foot neuropathy treatment to help you retain, or even better, your quality of life. This means a significant reduction in further nerve damage as well as the tingling feet and numb feet that are usually noted with the onset of peripheral neuropathy. Pain relief is another important factor when evaluating a foot neuropathy treatment plan for yourself.

While your doctor will probably want to provide you with a medication that offers you significant pain relief, you will likely find some additional measures are necessary in your neuropathy treatment in order to provide you with an optimal quality of life. A neuropathy cream will probably be recommended as a weapon in your foot neuropathy treatment. These types of topical creams give pain relief by addressing the actual area that is afflicted.

Indeed, there are many people who suffer from the effects of diabetes and who find that neuropathy cream infused with capsaicin gives them relief from the painful effects of the nerve damage from the peripheral neuropathy they have suffered. By massaging the neuropathy cream directly into your feet, you will first feel the soothing and gentle warming as the effects of the capsaicin spread through your numb feet. Soon you will likely find relief from your tingling feet as both the capsaicin and the massage reach deep into your tissues.

With this type of cream as part of your foot neuropathy treatment plan, you will have the flexibility to use more or less as you need to. In addition, you should find and use a neuropathy supplement that uses clinically proven ingredients to restore nerve health and fight pain. This convenience and flexibility puts you firmly in the driver's seat so that you can help decide which aspects of your foot neuropathy treatment plan to do at which times. 

Treatments for Hypoglycemia - Simple Guide to Help You Fight Hypoglycemia

If you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia and you are looking for ways to get rid of this in your life, it is important that you understand and know everything about the condition. Of course, the best treatment for hypoglycemia and any other diseases is prevention, so take time to know the causes and the triggers of such condition.

Changing your Diet

Diet plays a big role in the treatment of hypoglycemia. As hypoglycemia happens when you have low blood sugar, you have to be aware and you have to monitor your blood sugar levels. Of course, if you have problems with your blood sugar levels, one way to address it immediately is by taking in sugar and carbohydrates to level your blood sugar.

You may drink fruit juice or soda when you are feeling the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Candy bars or honey can also help as well.

As treatment for hypoglycemia, it is important that you also maintain a well-balanced diet. You have to make sure that you have the necessary nutrients and enough sugar that can help you maintain a good level of blood sugar.

It is also important that you do not skip meals or delay your eating time. If you have hypoglycemia, it helps also to eat smaller but more frequent meals. This allows you to attain balance in your blood sugar as well. Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol is also seen as one cause of hypoglycemia, do get rid of it before you put yourself at risk of developing the condition. Caffeine should also be avoided as well.

Avoid stress

Stress more or less have the same symptoms and signs with that of hypoglycemia, and aside from that, it can also decrease the capability of your immune system to fight diseases and infections, thus make sure that you manage everyday stress in your life to also avoid hypoglycemia.

Have a regular exercise

Exercising can also help you get away with hypoglycemia as this will help you balance your blood sugar levels as it regulates your metabolism. However, it is important that you do not also overdo it as this can also be a cause of developing hypoglycemia.

Watch your eating habits

Aside from eating healthy and having a healthy and well-balanced diet that can supply you with enough sugar and maintain a stronger immune system, it is also important to look into your eating habits. To help you attain balance in your blood sugar levels, smaller but more frequent meals can be helpful in fighting hypoglycemia.

You can also take vitamin supplements to help you deal with your health and help you attain balance in your blood sugar levels. However, you have to take note that you have to ask for advice from your doctor before taking any supplements.

These are just a few of the things that you can do as treatment for hypoglycemia, but remember always that if your condition does not change to the better, it is important to go see your doctor for advice.