Diabetes. How to prevent it

Diabetes: the disease, the causes and how to prevent it

2008-10-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

If you have a disease like diabetes, you may conclude there is nothing you can do to avoid it. Anyway for type 2 diabetes it is possible to take concrete steps to live better and reduce its severity. Nowadays t is impossible to prevent type 1 diabetes. Generally the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. That is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to this destruction. Children, adolescents or young adults can be affected by this type of diabetes. At the present time, researchers have not completely understood this negative process. They also don’t know why this happens at different ages. Anyway there are many kind of promising researches, like a vaccine, that could target the immune system and prevent it from attacking the insulin-producing beta cells, or for example the pancreatic islet cell transplants. In fact for more than 20 years scientists have been looking for a way to transplant islets of Langerhans, where insulin is produced. Unfortunately, researchers have still a lot of obstacles, like the rejection or insufficient quantities of islets. Five years ago, a team of researchers from the University of Alberta perfected a method for isolating these islets: the Edmonton Protocol. This method simplifies the isolation of islets; they managed to make much cells survive by using a combination of less aggressive anti-rejection methods. “We are not afraid”, says my Italian doctor. “The research continues”. They have to find other methods to let islets survive longer. Some years ago many scientists tested whether injecting insulin could prevent type 1 diabetes. The hypothesis postulated that by injecting small doses of insulin in persons at risk of developing the disease, the body would develop antibodies to fight the destruction of its beta cells. Unfortunately a few years after the scientists concluded that injecting insulin did not prevent type1 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. The factors contributing to this kind of disease are well known. Generally it depends on the age, on the genetic family history or being overweight. An high – fat diet makes you on the “road” to become diabetic. However, nobody can really completely prevent diabetes even with good lifestyle habits. Scientists says that certain ethnic groups are at higher risk than others. For example they talk about Hispanics, Asians and people of African. Obviously people who live in the industrialized world are more at risk… But I can say that most part of type 2 diabetics are overweight. One of the most important symptoms can be that diabetes might not be diagnosed for a long time. A varied and well-balanced diet is very important to prevent diabetes. The secret to healthy eating is to select low fat foods, not to add sugar while you eat something and increase the consumption of high-fibre foods. Diabetics have to be followed in their diet by a specialized doctor. They should have a precise individual meal plan. A dietician can provide one and also review your food habits. Make some exercise to have more health benefits. Just 30 minutes of exercise are sufficient. When you increase the amount of exercise, you raise your metabolism. By moving more, you expend more energy. For a diabetic, this means more efficient use of the insulin injected or produced by the pancreas.

Diabete e fumo

2008-10-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

Salve. In questo intervento mi va di parlare del rapporto che c'è fra il fumo e il diabete.
Alcune ricerche che ho fatto su alcuni siti americani mi portano a pensare che i diabetologi siano divisi in due scuole di pensiero:

la prima sostiene che il fumo aggravi in parte la salute delle persone diabetiche, mentre l'altra afferma che il fumo, pur provocando i danni che conosciamo in ogni normale fumatore, non apporta ulteriori danni se il soggetto fumatore è anche diabetico.

Tuttavia chi vuole consultare un sito inglese che affronta in maniera dettagliata il problema può farlo cliccando sul link seguente:

http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/smoking_and_diabetes.htm

La cosa più interessante che ho notato in questo sito è un grafico che mostra l'andamento della curva dell' H1c, ovvero, l'indice che controlla l'emoglobina glicosilata in una persona diabetica. In effetti pare che sia possibile calcolare come cambia la pendenza della curva proporzionalmente al numero di sigarette fumate ogni giorno. Quindi a quanto pare il fumo può aggravare leggermente il valore dell'emoglobina glicata.

In conclusione una persona diabetica può decidere se dare ascolto o meno a queste statistiche, di cui non si conosce in maniera precisa la veridicità.
Ad ogni modo il fumo fa male a tutti, diabetici e non, attivi e passivi.

Tutto sta nella scelta...

In base a degli studi statistici fatti in Gran Bretagna negli ultimi tempi, pare che il tabacco abbia degli effetti negativi su chi fuma, senza contare che ogni anno nel Regno Unito muoiono 10,000 persone a causa del fumo passivo.

How to get a free glucose meter

2008-10-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be the one who explains what is good and what is wrong for diabetic people. I just want to ask people what they know and think about diabetes. In this way we can share our experiences.

Here in Italy everyone who is affected by diabetes must be registered; then he is able receive his free glucose meter, withouth any kind of assurance. How is it in your country? What about your diabetic services? How much do a glucose meter cost?

First Answer: Here in the uk we have all our medical needs funded by the nhs so everything a patient needs is free including machines like this. it is a great thing as we never have to worry about paying medical bills when we get ill but is a bad thing as it is abused by lots of people.

What do you know about diabetes?

2008-09-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Paolo T.: Million of people all over the world are affected by diabetes. Do everyone know that they are affected by this disease?

First answer:

I know that it has to do with sugar and urine found in the blood stream.. It is a deadly disease that kills right in target. I know that I don't have Diabetes.. I had my test done in May of this year. My doctor said that I was okay, and I wish for it to stay that way..

Paolo T.: no, it is not a deadly disease. If someone is affected by diabetes has to be more carefull than others when he eats.

Second answer:

If we are brisk,do not worry much,Timely meals,Controlled alcohol,we need not worry about this disease.In my personal experience doctors create panic.I know my grandma still there with 30+ years with diabetics.She has not restricted any diet.When the level exceeds 300 she is a bit careful.she is 75+ strong,so when we give too much importance and keep worrying this becomes a demon.Nothing to worry should be the attitude.regular walking will help us lot fight this .

Paolo T.: I wanted to say that i agree with you, even if I think that 300 is a high level of glucose.

Your diet

2008-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

If you are affected by diabetes

you will have to follow a rigid diet.

Anyway it could be a danger to completely eliminate carbohydrates from your diet.

You can continue eating them, but less than before.

Obviously try to add to your typical diet any kind of frut and vegetables.

A glucose meter

2008-09-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you are affected by diabetic

disease, you need to check it daily.

It is not difficult to have a glucose

meter.

Generally it is given to you for free, but in some countries it could be different.

Having a glucose check is very simple and painless. Believe me!

Diabetes ans smoke!

2008-02-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

Hi! Here is Paolo Trucillo.
We made a research on the net, asking people a question about the links between smoking and diabetes.

Our question :

"Let's do a survey about smoking and diabetes. Could smoking create more damages in a diabetic patient?"

First answer

Smoking does not give you satisfaction. If it does then why do you smoke every time? In addition, it is a waste of money. If you total the amount you spend for a year, you will be amazed at how much you have saved. Quit for your good and those close to your heart!

Second Answer

Smoking is dangerous period! Especially if you have diabetes! In order to control your diabetes you need to have excellent health, and you will not have that if you smoke. Talk to your doctor about ways you can quit.

Third Answer

Yes, if you value your health, my advice would be to give it up. I am saying this because my Mother was a diabetic who smoked, and she had terrible health problems and died from them, all because she smoked as a diabetic. The Doctor explained to me that smoking when you are diabetic causes the arteries to age very much more quickly than normal, which causes all kinds of problems. Life is worth living, even without smoking - so be brave and give it a try without. There are lots of things you can get these days to help you kick the habit! Good Luck!

Fourth answer

Well both are potentially deadly! 1 there is a the possibility to prevent any serious damage in the long run without drugs!... just by stopping (much easier said than done!) the other there is only methods to control it!. as far as smoking is concerned 1 in every 2 smokers WILL die from it. the same can not be said about diabetis. but you can lose a limb, or your eyesight etc if you don't keep it under control.