Tag: Blood sugar & diabetes

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EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

In India more than 62 million individuals are currently diagnosed with diabetes, which is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic. Most likely it is the combination of our food, lifestyle and genetics, which make Indians more prone to this medical condition. Physical inactivity and the consumption of fatty, high-caloric and sugary foods vastly increase the risk of becoming a diabetic. There are many early warning signs or symptoms of diabetes. Early detection and proper management of diabetes can reduce one’s risk of developing further complications associated with Diabetes. 

 Following are the symptoms of diabetes:

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POLYDIPSIA (excessive thirst) and POLYURIA (excessive urination):

These are the classic symptoms of diabetes.  During diabetes excess glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. The kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. When the kidneys can’t keep up with the pace the excess sugar is excreted into urine along with fluids drawn from the tissues. This triggers frequent urination which can lead to dehydration. As a result more fluid intake is required to quench the thirst resulting into more urination. It’s a vicious cycle with one symptom resulting into other. 

 SUDDEN WEIGHT LOSS and POLYPHAGIA (excessive hunger)

Weight fluctuation is one of the most common diabetes sign and symptom.  Losing sugar through urination also results in calorie loss which leads to weight loss. This also triggers excessive and constant hunger or POLYPHAGIA.

 FATIGUE

Fatigue can be attributed to dehydration from increased urination and body’s inability to function properly and to use sugar for energy needs.

 SLOW HEALING OF SORES AND INFECTION 

The possible reason for the slow healing can be that high sugar impairs body’s natural healing process and ability to fight infections. For women, bladder and vaginal infections are very common.

 TINGLING SENSATION

Excessive sugar can lead to nerve damage (NEUROPATHY), which may result in the tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet as well as burning pain at times.

 RED, SWOLLEN AND TENDER GUMS

Diabetes weakens the ability to fight germs, which leads to the risk of infection in gums. The gums may pull away from the teeth leaving it loose and may lead to developing sores.

 BLURRED VISION 

Diabetes symptoms many times involve vision. High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from tissues, including the lenses of eyes. This affects the ability to focus. Diabetes can cause blockages or abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina; the part of the eye that reads images. Blood vessel changes in the retina can lead to vision problems and even blindness. People with diabetes are also more likely to develop cataracts or glaucoma, two other serious eye conditions. 

Above symptoms can help in early detection of diabetes. Proper management and regular intake of supplements like FENFUROTM can help in combating the diabetes. Regular intake of FENFURO can maintain the blood sugar level effectively.  FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe dietary supplement derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique and patented scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

A clinical evaluation of FENFURO was carried out on a total of 154 Type 2 diabetics for a period of 3 months, to determine its efficacy and safety. At the end of three months, 83% of the patients reported decrease in fasting sugar levels and 89% patients reported decrease in PP sugar levels. The patients also showed significant decrease in HbA1C levels as compared to respective baseline value. 48.8% of the patients reported reduction in dosage of anti-diabetic therapy after regularly taking FENFURO.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

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Avoiding Diabetes Complications

 

Having diabetes can result in many other complications, such as damage to the heart, nerves, kidneys, feet, eyes, and skin. If you have diabetes, you may also have a greater risk for osteoporosis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Some diabetes complications are related to high or low blood sugar, while others are related to how long you’ve had diabetes.

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The best way to mange diabetes and avoid diabetes complications is by monitoring your blood sugar (glucose) with a glucose meter, or glucometer. “How often you monitor your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have, if you have diabetes complications, and your diabetes treatment plan,” says Amber Taylor, MD, director of diabetes at The Center for Endocrinology of Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Md.

Tips for Controlling Blood Sugar:

Spyros G.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, suggests these general healthy-lifestyle habits to make controlling your blood sugar easier:

  • Follow a low-fat, low-salt, low-carbohydrate diet.
  • Pass on processed foods.
  • Do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week.
  • Lose weight if you’re overweight.
  • Take any and all diabetes medications as prescribed.
  • Following your insulin treatment program if needed.

Work with your own doctor to personalize this general plan. “There isn’t a best way to manage diabetes — the right approach is the one that works well for you,” Dr. Taylor says. “Different people with diabetes need different treatment plans, and test results are used to watch for and prevent complications.”

There are many diabetes testing and management tools available to you for monitoring your blood sugar, such as glucometers, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitors.

At your doctor’s office, the A1C test is an important way to measure your average blood sugar control for the prior three months and gauge how good of a job you’re doing at home. “The A1C target for most people with diabetes is less than 7 percent, which is the lowest risk for complications from high blood sugar,” she says. “Some people, especially younger adults with diabetes, may have an even lower target to help prevent diabetes complications long-term.”

Use Supplement for Diabetes: FENFURO Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

The A1C test is used to:

  • Confirm that other test results, such as those done by self-testing or by your doctor, are accurate.
  • Show if your treatment plan is successful.
  • Demonstrate that healthy diet and lifestyle choices can make a difference in controlling your diabetes.

Minimizing Diabetes Complications

The best way to prevent most diabetes complications is to see your doctor regularly, and to call him or her if you experience any new symptoms. Some complications, such as eye disorders, occur after many years of diabetes. “It’s essential for people with diabetes to see an eye doctor at least once a year whether they have vision problems or not,” Taylor says. “Ophthalmologists have tools to stop retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye disorders from progressing.”

Good self-care and immediate medical attention for even a minor symptom are important steps in preventing the type of amputations often associated with diabetes. For instance, you can help to prevent foot ulcers by practicing good foot care, but if an ulcer develops, see your doctor or a foot specialist (podiatrist) immediately. “Even small foot ulcers can grow quickly and lead to infection,” Taylor advises. Infections that resist treatment can lead to amputation to stop their spread.

Follow these other steps to better manage your diabetes and help prevent diabetes complications:

  • Make and keep all needed check-ups with your doctors and others on your diabetes team.
  • Keep your immunizations up to date to fight infections.
  • Wear a diabetes tag or ID bracelet so that you receive the right treatment in an emergency.
  • Have a glucagon kit handy in case of a low blood sugar emergency.
  • Take care of your skin and your feet to prevent infections, and check for any signs of infection every day.

“It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all this information,” Taylor says. “When you think of questions, write them down and bring them to your next visit with your doctor. Advocate for yourself, know your targets for A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, and do everything in your power to achieve these goals.”

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Do Sugar, Alcohol & Diabetes Mix

People with blood sugar know they must carefully watch their sugar intake as part of their blood sugar diet and limit their alcohol consumption. But following a blood sugar diet does not mean you need to completely eliminate sugar from your daily meals and snacks. You just need to be smart about what you eat and keep close tabs on the sugars in foods.

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The same goes for alcohol — if you pay close attention to your blood sugar levels, you should be able to drink a little when you attend a social gathering or are out casually with friends. Here’s how to do it safely.

A major part of blood sugar management involves keeping your blood sugar levels stable. No matter what type of blood sugar you have, this is an ongoing challenge:

  • Type 1. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin, the hormone the body uses to regulate blood glucose levels. The amount of sugar or alcohol consumed has a direct effect on the amount of insulin and other diabetes medication you must take.
  • Type 2. With type 2 diabetes, you’ve developed a resistance to insulin, but can still produce the hormone. Controlling blood sugar levels can help you avoid having to take insulin or diabetes medications.
  • Gestational. Diabetes during pregnancy means you have high blood glucose levels, which can do damage to both you and your unborn child.

Sugar is a form of carbohydrate that the body quickly converts to glucose, meaning that, when eaten, it has the ability to cause blood glucose levels to quickly rise and create a condition known as hyperglycemia. This is why doctors and blood sugar educators warn people to track and limit the amount of sugar they consume.

Alcohol has the opposite effect. The body normally stores excess glucose in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen and converts the glycogen back to glucose when your blood sugar levels fall too low. But alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to make that conversion, and researchers have found that the reaction is even more intensified in people who are taking blood sugar medications. If you aren’t careful, your blood glucose level could drop quickly, a condition called hypoglycemia.

These facts don’t take alcohol or sugar completely off the table when it comes to a diabetes diet, experts say. It just means that you need to think about how consuming them will fit into your overall blood sugar management plan.

For example, though sugar can rapidly increase your blood glucose levels, researchers now believe the total amount of all carbohydrates you eat affects your overall blood glucose level more than what type of carb you ingest. If you want to, you should be able to substitute small amounts of sugar for other types of carbohydrates in your diet and still be able to stay on track. Just keep in mind that most sweets contain a lot of carbohydrates in a very small serving and will not keep you as full as the starchy carbohydrates contained in whole grains and certain vegetables.

When it comes to drinking alcoholic beverages, as long as you’re not pregnant, you should be able to enjoy small amounts socially, but you should always eat just before or while you are drinking — never drink on an empty stomach. Women should limit themselves to just one drink per day, and men should limit themselves to two.

When you do indulge, sip your drink slowly, so that you enjoy it fully and make it last. Hypoglycemia can occur shortly after drinking, and the risk persists for up to 12 hours. If you are drinking alcohol in the evening, be sure to check your blood sugar before you go to bed and, if it is less than 100 to 140 mg/dl, have a bedtime snack.

The hypoglycemia symptoms of drowsiness and confusion can mimic the signs of drunkenness. You should always wear a medical alert bracelet if you will be drinking at a social event, so that if you experience these symptoms, health care workers will not dismiss them as being due to drinking.

Women with gestational diabetes should avoid alcohol altogether, though for reasons unrelated to their diabetes. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Drinking while pregnant also increases a woman’s risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

If you’re not pregnant and want to make sure having a drink is okay, ask your doctor about any possible interactions with your diabetes medication. You might also consult a registered dietitian to see how occasional drinking, as well as eating sweets, could best fit in with your diabetes diet.

Use Supplement for Blood sugar: 

FENFURO Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Manage your diabetes with these essential tips

Eat the Foods You Like

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Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t eat your favourite foods. But you need to know how your choices will affect your blood sugar. A diabetes educator or dietician can help you learn skills — such as counting carbs, reading labels, and sizing up portions — that will let you keep your condition in check while still enjoying your favourite meals.

Define Your Plate

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Use a rule of three to build a healthy, satisfying meal. This can help you lose weight and manage your diabetes by eating more non-starchy foods. Divide your plate in half. Fill one side with vegetables like spinach, broccoli, carrots, or green beans. Next, divide the empty side into two halves. Use one for starchy foods such as potatoes, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, or whole-grain bread or pasta. In the last section, add meat or another protein. On top of that, you can also have an 8-ounce glass of low-fat milk and a half-cup of fruit.

Write It Down

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Get in the habit of jotting down your important information. Record your daily blood sugar levels to track how food, exercise, and medicines affect your blood sugar and A1c test results. A written record can show you and your doctor whether your diabetes treatment is working and what about it can be changed. Writing down your goals and feelings in a journal might also help you stay on track and clearly discuss things with your health care providers.

Have a Sick-Day Plan in Place

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Common illnesses like colds, flu, and diarrhea can raise your blood sugar. Having diabetes, in turn, might make it harder to fight off infections. Have a plan in case you get sick. Store snacks that are easy on the stomach but can still give you enough fluids and carbs. Check your blood sugar more often. Also, know when to check for ketones and when to call your doctor. Get a flu shot every year.

Manage Your Medicine Cabinet

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If you take pills or injections to manage your diabetes, keep 3 days’ worth of your medicines and supplies on hand in case of an emergency. Also keep a list of everything you take. Since some of your diabetes drugs might affect other medicines — even ones that can be bought without a prescription — make sure to tell your doctor before you take any new medicine. And always take your list to your regular doctor and dental appointments.

Use Supplement for Blood sugar

FENFURO Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

Get Active to Fight Everyday Stress

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Living with diabetes can make you sad or unhappy at times. Stress not only affects your mood, but it can raise your blood sugar, too. Stress might also cause you to make poor food choices. But an easy way to feel better from everyday stress is to get active. Being active raises the levels of chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. If you don’t want to exercise in a gym, join a sports team or take dance lessons to keep moving.

Exercise in Short Sessions

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Three 10-minute walks are as good as 30 minutes at once. So don’t hold out to exercise when you have a lot of time. Moderate levels of physical activity (both strength building and cardio) done regularly will help you control your blood sugar, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and ease stress.

Try Strength Workouts

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You can benefit from all kinds of exercise. But training with weights or other resistance equipment might help you prevent muscle loss. (Lost muscle often leads to more fat.) Several studies suggest that strength training — lifting weights, for example — improves how your body uses insulin and sugar. Of course, regular strength training can also improve your muscle mass and help you lose weight, too.

Check Your Feet Every Night

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Use a hand mirror or ask someone to help you look for cuts, swelling, or color changes on your feet. Don’t forget to look between your toes, too. If you see unhealed cuts or broken skin, call your doctor right away. Make foot care part of your daily routine: Wash and moisturize your feet, and trim your toenails as needed. Talk to your doctor about treating corns or calluses. Have him check your feet during every visit.

Choose a Date to Quit Smoking

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If you smoke, pick a date to quit. That gives you the chance to prepare for it. You might need help beating the mental and physical parts of nicotine addiction. Stop-smoking programs, support groups, and wellness centers can offer professional help. Whether you quit cold turkey or use other treatments to help you kick the habit, having time to prepare for it might boost your chances of success.

Drink Alcohol Only With Food

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Your doctor might say it’s OK for you to have an occasional drink. If you drink, have alcohol only when you can eat something along with it, because alcohol can cause low blood sugar. Also, have some water handy in case you get thirsty. Mixed drinks can raise your blood sugar if you use juice or a regular soda as your mixer. Women should have no more than one alcoholic drink per day, and men no more than two a day.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

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Diabetes and Depression

According to NICE, people who are diagnosed with a chronic physical health problem such as diabetes are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than people without it.

Depression can have a serious impact on a person’s wellbeing and their ability and motivation to self-manage their condition.

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder witnessed in the blood sugar community.

People with blood sugar suffering from depression are at greater risk of suffering from an episode of diabetic burnout which collectively can have adverse effects on physical health and potentially instigate more long term complications both to do with diabetes and independent from the condition.

Diabetes-and-Depression 

What exactly is depression?

Depression is the term given when an individual experiences a number of symptoms including:

  • Persistent sadness or anxiety, a feeling of hollowness
  • An overriding feeling of hopelessness and negativity
  • Feeling helpless and powerless to change your situation
  • Loss of interest in activities or pleasures
  • Lower energy and increased fatigue
  • Insomnia, oversleeping, awakening early in the morning
  • Concentration problems, memory problems and indecisiveness
  • Dwelling on death or suicide
  • Restlessness
  • Weight change and decreased or increased appetite

A diagnosis of depression is made if many of these symptoms are present, continuously, for a minimum of two weeks.

For people with blood sugar, dealing with a lifelong condition and managing the risk of complications can seem like an overwhelming task, particularly for newly diagnosed patients.

Many diabetics struggle to cope with the requirements, feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated.

If diabetes is not faced with an attitude of perseverance and defiance, often depression will prevail.

Depression is the perception of life situations as undesirable. Often, when individuals are faced with adverse events or conditions, they spend huge amounts of effort trying to escape or deny such circumstances.

Avoiding unpleasantness and expending energy trying to minimize discomfort can cause symptoms of depression.

The vicious cycle of depression

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How can depression affect diabetes?

Depression can affect a patient’s capacity to deal with their blood sugar, including managing blood glucose levels appropriately.

Research has found that people who suffer from both blood sugar and depression have poorer metabolic and glycemic control which has, in turn, been found to intensify symptoms of depression.

Additionally, anti-depressants have been found to have hypoglycaemic effects causing serious problems for self-management.

It has previously been reported that depressed people with blood sugar are likely to adherence to medication and diet regimens and subsequently have a reduction in quality of life and increased health care expenditure.

Research has shown that by addressing depression, glycemic control is enhanced, mood and quality of life is significantly improved.

Use Supplement for blood sugar:

FENFURO Regular intake of FENFURO can control the blood sugar level effectively. FENFURO is a first of its kind, safe nutraceutical derived from fenugreek seeds through a patented process.  Through its unique scientific process, FENFURO concentrates the bioactive part of plants into a manageable dose, while removing the inert parts such as cellulose. Also, since a lot of healthy botanicals are not palatable, consuming their concentrate in capsule form in small dosage is a lot easier. FENFURO contains a rich variety of saponins and flavonoids. These substances are known to lower blood lipid level and help in insulin sensitization and glucose regulation. FENFURO is the first dual action insulin sensitizer.

The statement and product have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.