Not too long ago, many of us didn’t know anyone who had diabetes. Now, it’s almost impossible not to know someone who has it. Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, has exploded and continues to do so in the western world. A disease once rarely seen in children, type 2 diabetes is now affecting them in large numbers, grossly affecting their health as adults.
According to the American Diabetes Association:

24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes
57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with …read more

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or you’re considered to be prediabetes, you likely have many questions. While your best bet to answer questions about your health care is your own doctor, nurse, or dietitian, sometimes they’re not available or can’t give you the one-on-one time that you feel you need. To deal with this, online coaching services have begun to spring up for particular illnesses, such as diabetes.
I received an email from one such service, Fit4D, a personalized diabetes coaching service. In it, they announce a free 2-day On-Line Open …read more

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. It’s one of the diseases afflicting humans that is often preventable. Preventable because lifestyle plays a large role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 – it’s caused by the pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin but either not enough or the body can’t properly use the insulin that’s being produced.
It used to be that type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes and then the name changed to insulin-dependent diabetes. Originally, it …read more

The FDA in the United States has approved a new medication for the management of type 2 diabetes. Onglyza (saxagliptin) is taken once a day to help normalize blood sugar levels.
Currently, management of type 2 diabetes includes a lifestyle component (healthy diet and exercise) as the first part. If lifestyle changes don’t help regulate blood sugar issues or the diabetes is too severe, doctors have a few options for medications.
Usually, type 2 diabetes is managed first with oral antihyperglycemics, pills that help the pancreas and insulin work more effectively. The main difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes …read more

It didn’t take long after Judge Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as President Obama’s first nominee to the Supreme Court for questions to arise based on the fact that she is a Type 1 diabetic. Time Magazine says, “The nominee’s chronic condition is worth noting, since it puts her at increased risk of several serious medical conditions, including heart disease, kidney problems, blindness and nerve damage — and an increased risk of early death.”

I disagree. I don’t think it is worth noting, unless they want to go down the line of judges on the court to access their lifestyle …read more

A new study suggests that over one third of women with “Type 1 diabetes have some form of sexual difficulty.” Depression seems to be a key factor in this, unlike men with diabetes, who often have sexual difficulties in association with complications. The study looked at 652 diabetic women after a ten-year time frame.

Overall, 35% of women had some sort of sexual dysfunction. Various problems included loss of libido, problems with orgasm, reduced lubrication, reduced arousal, and pain. The study reinforces the belief that doctors should make sexual function a part of their routine …read more

Every once in a while I get this question from one of our readers:
What is the cause of Type 1 Diabetes?
With Type 1 Diabetes, (which used to be called “Juvenile Diabetes” because it most commonly hit people under the age of 30) the body no longer produces insulin. As you saw in the video the other day here, we need insulin in order to move the food (carbs, sugar) from our body into our cells. That’s how we live and have energy and function.
According to one source, “Doctors say it could be caused by a virus or an …read more

Many people get confused when it comes to the different types of diabetes. Type 1 used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, because children were often the ones who got the disease. However, over the years the name was changed because adults were also getting the disease.
Type 2 diabetes is also called adult-onset. It is preventable and often comes with poor diet and exercise. Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1.
Here’s a video explanation with more information about both types of diabetes, what research is currently being done, and what you can do to help …read more

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Have you heard the thought that aspirin, specifically anti-inflammatory aspirin, is helpful in preventing diabetes?
Well researchers took this same concept and applied it to low-dose aspirin. The result? That low-dose aspirin, while having many other healthful benefits, does not help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
David S. H. Bell, MD, an Endocrine Today Editorial Board member, said:
“This finding is not surprising since low dose aspirin was utilized. High dose aspirin or other salicylates, which are truly anti-inflammatory, have been shown to decrease insulin resistance and perhaps improve beta cell function. Clinical trials to evaluate …read more

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A new study found that “nearly three-quarters of youths with diabetes insufficient in vitamin D.” The study will appear in the January 2009 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics.
Calcium is needed throughout our lives for strong bones and teeth, but is especially important in children. Now that this information is known, I wonder if we will see documentation of diabetics breaking bones or developing other related problems.
This is also evidence of just how much diabetes affects our bodies. It takes a toll, more than we even know at times.