- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (aka juvenile diabetes) is a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance, inflammation, and nutrient deficiency relative insulin deficiency.
Pathophysiology
Insulin resistance means that body cells do not respond appropriately when insulin is present. As a result, the cells cannot pull in glucose from the bloodstream, causing the blood glucose level to rise.
Severe complications can result from improperly managed type 2 diabetes, including renal failure, erectile dysfunction, blindness, amputation, slow healing wounds (including surgical incisions), and arterial disease, including coronary artery disease. The onset of type 2 diabetes has been most common in middle age and later life, although it is being more frequently seen in adolescents and young adults due to an increase in child obesity and inactivity.
Screening
Diabetes screening is recommended for many people at various stages of life, and for those with any of several risk factors. The screening test may be a random blood glucose test, a fasting blood glucose test, a blood glucose test two hours after 75 g of glucose, or an even more formal glucose tolerance test. Many healthcare providers recommend universal screening for adults at age 40 or 50, and often periodically thereafter. Earlier screening is typically recommended for those with risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, high-risk ethnicity (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander),.
Many medical conditions are associated with diabetes and warrant screening. A partial list includes: high blood pressure, past gestational diabetes, testosterone deficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, fatty liver, and cystic fibrosis. The risk of diabetes is higher with chronic use of several medications, including long term corticosteroids, some chemotherapy agents (especially L-asparaginase), as well as some of the antipsychotics and mood stabilizers (especially phenothiazines and some atypical antipsychotics).
People with a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes are tested routinely for complications. This includes yearly urine testing for microalbuminuria and examination of the retina of the eye for retinopathy.
Prevention
The onset of type 2 diabetes can easily be prevented through regular exercise and a superior nutritional program, such as the Death to Diabetes wellness program, described in the book Death to Diabetes..
In 2005, an evidence report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that "there is evidence that combined diet and exercise may be effective in preventing diabetes.
Studies indicate that meals and snacks that have a balance of plant-based carbohydrates (i.e. vegetables), plant-based and lean proteins (i.e. Omega-3 eggs, wild salmon, nuts, seeds, legumes), plant oils (i.e. extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil), and filtered water reduce the risk of becoming insulin resistant and diabetic.
More importantly, the reduction or avoidance of fast foods, junk food, processed foods (that contain high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oil), flour-based foods (i.e. breads, pasta), starchy foods (i.e. potatoes, corn), and grains (i.e. cereals, rice), bottled beverages (i.e. soda, diet soda, fruit juices), prescription/OTC drugs, and recreational drugs (i.e. alcohol, tobacco) help significantly to prevent the onset of type2 diabetes.
There are numerous studies which suggest connections between some aspects of type 2 diabetes with ingestion of certain foods or with some drugs. Breastfeeding may also be associated with the prevention of type 2 diabetes in mothers.
Diabetes Management
Left untreated, type 2 diabetes is a chronic, progressive condition, but there are well-established treatments which can delay, prevent or reverse the consequences of the disease. If blood sugar is properly maintained, then, patients are at no heightened risk for neuropathy, blindness, or any other high blood sugar complication. A study at UCLA in 2005 showed that the Pritikin Program of diet and exercise brought dramatic improvement to a group of diabetics and pre-diabetics in only three weeks, so that about half no longer met the criteria for being diabetic.
The keys to a successful diabetes management program include the following:
Pathophysiology
Insulin resistance means that body cells do not respond appropriately when insulin is present. As a result, the cells cannot pull in glucose from the bloodstream, causing the blood glucose level to rise.
Severe complications can result from improperly managed type 2 diabetes, including renal failure, erectile dysfunction, blindness, amputation, slow healing wounds (including surgical incisions), and arterial disease, including coronary artery disease. The onset of type 2 diabetes has been most common in middle age and later life, although it is being more frequently seen in adolescents and young adults due to an increase in child obesity and inactivity.
Screening
Diabetes screening is recommended for many people at various stages of life, and for those with any of several risk factors. The screening test may be a random blood glucose test, a fasting blood glucose test, a blood glucose test two hours after 75 g of glucose, or an even more formal glucose tolerance test. Many healthcare providers recommend universal screening for adults at age 40 or 50, and often periodically thereafter. Earlier screening is typically recommended for those with risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, high-risk ethnicity (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander),.
Many medical conditions are associated with diabetes and warrant screening. A partial list includes: high blood pressure, past gestational diabetes, testosterone deficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, fatty liver, and cystic fibrosis. The risk of diabetes is higher with chronic use of several medications, including long term corticosteroids, some chemotherapy agents (especially L-asparaginase), as well as some of the antipsychotics and mood stabilizers (especially phenothiazines and some atypical antipsychotics).
People with a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes are tested routinely for complications. This includes yearly urine testing for microalbuminuria and examination of the retina of the eye for retinopathy.
Prevention
The onset of type 2 diabetes can easily be prevented through regular exercise and a superior nutritional program, such as the Death to Diabetes wellness program, described in the book Death to Diabetes..
In 2005, an evidence report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that "there is evidence that combined diet and exercise may be effective in preventing diabetes.
Studies indicate that meals and snacks that have a balance of plant-based carbohydrates (i.e. vegetables), plant-based and lean proteins (i.e. Omega-3 eggs, wild salmon, nuts, seeds, legumes), plant oils (i.e. extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil), and filtered water reduce the risk of becoming insulin resistant and diabetic.
More importantly, the reduction or avoidance of fast foods, junk food, processed foods (that contain high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oil), flour-based foods (i.e. breads, pasta), starchy foods (i.e. potatoes, corn), and grains (i.e. cereals, rice), bottled beverages (i.e. soda, diet soda, fruit juices), prescription/OTC drugs, and recreational drugs (i.e. alcohol, tobacco) help significantly to prevent the onset of type2 diabetes.
There are numerous studies which suggest connections between some aspects of type 2 diabetes with ingestion of certain foods or with some drugs. Breastfeeding may also be associated with the prevention of type 2 diabetes in mothers.
Diabetes Management
Left untreated, type 2 diabetes is a chronic, progressive condition, but there are well-established treatments which can delay, prevent or reverse the consequences of the disease. If blood sugar is properly maintained, then, patients are at no heightened risk for neuropathy, blindness, or any other high blood sugar complication. A study at UCLA in 2005 showed that the Pritikin Program of diet and exercise brought dramatic improvement to a group of diabetics and pre-diabetics in only three weeks, so that about half no longer met the criteria for being diabetic.
The keys to a successful diabetes management program include the following:
- Superior nutrition
- Consistent exercise
- Frequent blood glucose testing and good record-keeping
- Spiritual health and emotional support
- Education
- Periodic doctor visits and physical exams
