Medical Information

When you have type 2 diabetes it is essential that you know the importance of healthy blood sugar levels so that you can achieve optimum health. When you maintain your blood sugar levels effectively you will be able to avoid the nasty complications that are associated with this terrible disease.




Understanding the importance of how blood glucose affects our bodies is vital. Your blood glucose is the body's fuel that feeds our brain, tissues and our nervous system. When you have a healthy body your body makes glucose from the carbohydrates, proteins and fats that you consume.



Glucose is directly absorbed into your bloodstream from your intestines that results in an increase in your blood sugar levels. The pancreas releases a natural hormone called insulin that helps the prevent your blood sugar levels rising too high and it also helps to move the glucose into your cells. When this process occurs, it gives you the energy requirements that your body needs to function properly.



Your blood glucose levels are at a healthy normal range when your readings are between 4mmol/L and 7mmol/L. If your readings are constantly outside of this range you at a high risk of developing complications that can be very serious.



Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is vital and can be achieved by following the guidelines listed below:





Eating on a regular basis and at the same time each day is essential

Drink plenty of water each day

Make sure that you add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet

Make sure that you do at least 30 minutes of exercise per day

Add fish to your diet at least twice a week

Always choose lean meats

Always choose the low fat variety of food products

Avoid processed foods at all times

Avoid all foods that are high in saturated fats

Limit your salt intake

Limit your alcohol intake, and

Add the right amount of carbohydrate, proteins and fats to your diet



A glucose test will be conducted to see if you have type 2 diabetes and whether you have healthy blood sugar levels if you have the following symptoms:





An increase in thirst

An increase in urine output

Blurred vision

Fatigue

Infections that won't heal



It is vital that you realise the importance of healthy blood sugar levels when you have type 2 diabetes, by maintaining your levels effectively you can reduce your risk of long-term complications that are associated with diabetes.



Sue Kennedy is the author of the physician-endorsed e-book "Defeat Diabetes Now," and operates a membership channel devoted to health & wellness. Readers of her book also receive instant access to expert interviews, articles, diet plans and other resources designed to maintain optimum health and prevent disease. Learn how you can defeat diabetes now



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

A word about alcohol... many would say unwise is the word! Unwise is the most major word that can be applied to drinking alcohol in excess. So if you have been overindulging in alcohol in the past and you have Type 2 diabetes, it would be wise to temper those ways. After all, there are numerous ways in which alcohol affects your blood, your ability to do necessary things, your judgment, and even your weight (which also can, pardon the pun, weigh heavily on your health).




When you drink a little bit of alcohol, you take in carbohydrates that will raise your blood sugar. But another effect of drinking only a fairly small amount of booze is that alcohol is processed by your body in the same way that fat is. So when you drink, your blood sugar levels may begin to rise to dangerous levels. And while we are on the subject of your blood sugar, remember the old axiom of "the more you drink, the more you can eat". This also applies in reverse, but we're discussing drinking here. When you imbibe ample booze, you may tend to also overeat. This also raises the sugar levels in your blood, which does not help anything.



While drinking reasonably low amounts of alcohol, raises your blood sugar a little, drinking larger amounts can actually lower your blood sugar especially if you drink on an empty stomach. In some cases, you can actually get into the level of hypoglycemia, which as you may know causes your cells to essentially starve, even if you have eaten plenty of food. This is for the same reason that alcohol can interfere with your body's use of insulin and oral diabetes medicines. In short, even if you take your meds, your body may end up with the very same problems (such as becoming unable to function, or even passing out), if you decide to indulge in "the drink". And this isn't just drunkenness or being able to "hold your liquor". This is about your body failing in some very important ways.



There is a strong possibility diabetes and booze ought not to mix, there are times you should probably skip alcohol altogether. For one thing, Type 2 diabetes gives you too many blood sugar issues on its own, without alcohol just complicating the matter even further. Drinking alcohol does not help with anything, as it is literally a poison. The most important thing you can do as it regards alcohol is to simply avoid it.



However, you are a grown person and the choice to imbibe is yours. The rule of thumb is, no more than one drink every two hours will keep your blood sugar (and level of intoxication), down to a reasonable degree. Any more than that could prove very unwise. Alcohol in combination with certain medications may trigger a serious low blood sugar reaction... it would be wise to check with your doctor if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or high triglyceride levels, before drinking alcohol.



To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Answers to Your Questions



Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes ... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.



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

Type 2 diabetes springs from defects in the mechanisms of secretion and the utilization of insulin, the hormone that facilitates the transfer of energy-providing glucose, a type of sugar, across cell membranes. With decreased energy utilization, the cells demand more glucose supply. To try to meet glucose needs, the pancreas works double time to produce more insulin. In time, the over-worked pancreas becomes "burned-out" resulting in decreased insulin-production.




According to the Royal College of Nursing Guidance for Nurses, more than ninety percent of people with diabetes have Type 2. Diabetics have a two to four times higher chance of developing cardiovascular complications such as heart disease compared to the general population.



Other complications include:





blindness

end stage renal disease and

lower extremity infection and amputation



The only way to prevent the development of these problems is through rigid blood sugar control.



Starting insulin therapy can often times be challenging, not only to the user but also to the health care provider. Insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes poses a greater problem in dose adjustment compared to those with Type 1 diabetes. To start with, Type 2 diabetics need a higher insulin dosage compared to their Type 1 counterparts.



If you are a Type 2 diabetic patient with poorly controlled blood sugar, your doctor may decide to start insulin injections to enable better sugar control.



So, what are the indications for starting insulin injection therapy?



1. Acute illness or surgery: Illness and surgery are two stressful events for the body. The usual body response to stress is to increase blood sugar levels. If you happen to have an ongoing infection in the face of uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may decide you need to take insulin injections to control your blood sugar. In fact, this decision may be a life-saving step to prevent further complications associated with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.



2. Glucose toxicity: Glucose toxicity or very high blood glucose levels can predispose you to the development of hyperosmolar hyperglycemia, a life-threatening condition that can result in coma and sometimes even death. Insulin injections are the most needed medical intervention to prevent hyperosmolar hyperglycemia.



3. Failure to achieve goals with oral anti-diabetic agents: If your body fails to give a positive response to oral anti-diabetic medications, your doctor may decide taking insulin to control your spiking blood sugar. Remember, better control of your blood sugar is necessary to prevent both acute and chronic complications of Type 2 diabetes.



4. Pregnancy: In reproductive-age females, the usual indication for the use of insulin injections is pregnancy. Most oral anti-diabetic medications can never be used in pregnancy, thus, insulin is the number one choice at this time.



Having better control of your blood sugar levels is the ultimate goal needed for the prevention of possible acute and chronic complications of Type 2 diabetes.



To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Answers to Your Questions



Clicking on this link will help you to see how to Beat The Belly Fat Blues Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.



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