Saturday, May 28, 2011

Diabetes - Causes And Home Remedies

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by improper utilization of glucose by the body. The disorder forbids the body from using glucose either completely or partially. As a result, glucose builds up in blood and the person is diagnosed with high blood glucose or blood sugar levels. The hormone insulin produced by pancreas is the primary blood glucose regulator. If the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, blood glucose levels soar high, resulting in Type 1 diabetes.

The patient with Type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections. In other cases, the cells of the body become non-responsive to insulin, thereby causing glucose levels to rise. This is true in the case of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes produces symptoms like increased thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination, skin infections, delayed healing of wounds, fatigue, weight loss/gain, irritability and erectile dysfunction. Some of the causes of diabetes may be listed as follows:

1. Heredity
2. High intake of carbohydrates
3. Inactivity or lack of exercise
4. Stress
5. Overeating habits
6. Insulin resistance
7. Inadequate insulin production
8. High cholesterol
9. High blood pressure
10. Surgery in pancreas
11. Disease of pancreas

Home Remedies for Diabetes

1. Boil 10-15 mango leaves in a glass of water. Leave overnight. The next morning, strain the liquid and drink it in empty stomach. This helps to cure diabetes.

2. Remove seeds and extract the juice of a bitter gourd and drink daily. This is an effective home remedy for diabetes.

3. Chew curry leaves twice daily to get rid of diabetes.

4. Drink the juice of crushed fish-berry early in the morning. This relieves diabetic conditions.

5. Pour 3 tablespoon cinnamon powder in 1 liter water and simmer for 20 minutes. Then strain and drink the solution regularly. This checks diabetes

6. Mix half teaspoon powdered bay leaf and half teaspoon turmeric powder. Add the mixture to aloe Vera gel and take before lunch and dinner. This is beneficial in treating diabetes.

7. Eat garlic regularly to keep glucose level under control.

8. Grind fenugreek seeds in to a fine powder and take 2 tablespoons every day. This prevents diabetes.

9. Feast on grapefruit to dismiss blood glucose.

10. Bean pod is the storehouse of natural insulin. Bean pod tea should be taken daily to do away with diabetes.

11. Mix 2 teaspoon of Greek clover seeds powder in to a glass of milk and drink daily. This is an effective diabetes cure.

12. Boil 4-5 leaves of sweet potato and 1 tablespoon ash gourd in water. Strain the contents and drink to ward off diabetes.

Read more Home Remedies for Diabetes. Also know useful Home Remedies for Dark Circles.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Best Herbal Supplements to Aid Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a commonly found health disorder due to rise in blood sugar level. This chronic disease may induce several problems like blurry vision, frequent urination, thirst and fatigue. At present, diabetes is incurable and can be controlled only by leading a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding alcohol consumption, following a healthy balanced diabetic diet and regular doing of exercises are some of the measures by which you can control diabetes. Today, lots of herbal supplements are easily available in the market to aid diabetes. Let’s see the details of some of the herbal supplements commonly used for the treatment of diabetes.

Bitter Melon is one of the best known herbal supplements to aid diabetes. Charantin, an active component present in bitter melon is responsible for its therapeutic property. Usage of this traditional medicine helps to a great extend in lowering the blood sugar level. Intake of bitter melon shows the same effect of taking insulin drugs. Momordica is another active ingredient present in bitter melon promoting hypoglycemic activity. Due to bitter melon’s potent capacity in lowering blood sugar level, it is recommended to use in correct dosage level so as to prevent the risk of hypoglycemia. Fenugreek is another commonly used herbal supplement to aid diabetes. Intake of fenugreek also helps in lowering the level of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Today, fenugreek is commonly available in the market as fenugreek seed powder. Enhancing HDL cholesterol level, decreasing fasting blood glucose level and increasing glucose tolerance are other benefits in using fenugreek as the herbal supplement.

Cinnamon, scientifically termed as Cinnamon Verum is an important herbal supplement for diabetes. Intake of cinnamon helps in better interaction of body cells with insulin. Methylhydroxy chalcone, the key ingredient present in cinnamon is responsible for its therapeutic properties. Powerful anti-oxidant property of cinnamon helps in lowering the effect due to diabetes. Enhancing insulin efficiency, faster conversion of glucose to energy are other advantageous in taking cinnamon to aid diabetes. Panax ginseng is another herbal supplement commonly used to aid diabetes. It is a well known support f or cardiovascular functions. Intake of panax ginseng enhances the number of insulin receptors and its secretion there by lowering the rate of blood glucose level.

Milk thistle, else known as bull thistle, St Mary's thistle or sow thistle is one of the important herbal supplements to aid diabetes. Seeds of milk thistle are widely used for the production of medicines. Milk thistle complex by vitabase and Milk thistle liquid by vitabase are two examples of milk thistle supplements available in the market used to aid diabetes. Goldenseal is an important supplement to aid diabetes best known for its strong hypoglycemic properties. This herb is a commonly cultivated herb in the north eastern parts of United States. It is best recommended to intake goldenseal as a premeal supplement for enhancing glucose tolerance. Roots of this small perennial herb are mainly used for preparation of medicinal products. Juniper, bilberry, black walnut, alfalfa, cat's claw, white horehound and maritime pine bark are other herbal supplements to aid diabetes.

Read more about Herbal Supplement to Aid Diabetes. Also know about Cholesterol Lowering Supplement.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Diet, Symptoms and Causes of Hypoglycemia, Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar level in human body, medically termed as hypoglycemia is a sudden condition occurring among diabetic patients. Healthy lifestyle with proper medication is very important for controlling this diabetic situation. Let’s see versatile symptoms shown by patients with low blood sugar level. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are unpredictable and will vary from one person to another depending upon vivid parameters like patient’s age and the amount of blood sugar level. Proper awareness of these symptoms helps in easier recognition of hypoglycemia.

These symptoms are developed in order to counterpart the reaction due to secretion of stress hormones. Lowering of blood sugar level creates many impacts like nervous and mental problems. A patient with low blood sugar may show eagerness, clamminess and anxiety in his or her behaviour. Patient will be prone to irritability, nervousness and will be in a state of confusion. Jerking while sleeping and jitters are some of the symptoms due to hypoglycemia shown by new born babies.

Hypoglycemia during sleeping hours induces sweating and night mares among patients. Upper stomach complaint followed by vomiting is yet another symptom seen in hypoglycemic patients. It may also cause eye problems like blurred vision and flashy lights in vision. Dizziness, rage, appetite, pricking feel effect, mydriais or dilated pupil, ataxia, paresthesia and stroke are other signs of low blood glucose level.

Now we will see various causes for the formation of low blood glucose level in the body. Carbohydrate concentration in food intakes plays a key role in promoting blood glucose level. Lowering of carbohydrate components in food intake is one among the main cause for hypoglycemia. Rice, fresh fruits, vegetables and milk products like ice creams and fruit salads are some food items rich in carbohydrate. Alcoholism and over consumption of fast and processed foods lowers blood sugar level. Do you know the reason behind this?

Food items like sugar candies made up of simple sugar components make digestion faster. Due to rapid increase in blood glucose level, various stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are induced in the body. These stress hormones are responsible for lowering of blood sugar level in the body.

Low blood sugar level or hypoglycemia can be easily controlled by planning a healthy diabetic diet. Prepare diet for a week or two in advance and try to follow meals as per the diet. It helps in eliminating unnecessary food intakes there by maintaining blood sugar level. Smaller meals in regular intervals of time can be preferred over larger meal. Try to maintain a balanced diet with the inclusion of snacks in between meals. Nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables are some of the food intakes supporting hypoglycemia.

Consumption of protein rich food items make metabolism slower and helps in maintaining blood sugar level for a longer interval of time. Always stay with consuming food items with complex carbohydrate concentration. Cereals, legumes, pastas and vegetables are examples of food items with complex carbohydrate concentration. Avoid consumption of alcohol and other sugary beverages like coffee, tea and wine. Hypoglycemic problems occurring in diabetic patients can be well managed with proper medication and healthy diet.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies.

Know About Kidney Disease (Nephropathy) of Diabetes

Nephropathy due to diabetes is a kidney disease induced as a result of capillary dysfunction in kidney glomeruli. This diabetic condition discovered by Wilson and Kimmelsteil is also known by name Kimmelsteil-Wilson syndrome. If not diagnosed in earlier stages, disease may later induce the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation. Diabetic nephropathy is more frequently seen among diabetic men than in women. In some diabetic patients, disease may even result in chronic kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients are equally affected by this kidney trouble.

Do you know how detection is done for nephropathy? Detection of kidney diseases due to diabetes is done mainly by conducting urine test. Urine of patient with kidney disease will contain traces of albumin. Albumin is a plasma protein formed due to thickening of glomerulus. Medication is made depending on the intensity of albumin level in urine. Albumin concentration with less than 30 mg per day in urine is referred as microalbuminuria and those with albumin concentration greater than 300 mg per day in urine is referred as clinical albuminuria or macroalbuminuria. Growth of nephropathy increases albumin concentration in urine. Intensity of nephropathy can be checked by conducting kidney biopsy in patients.

Now let's see various causes for the occurrence of nephropathy. Increase in blood sugar level is considered as the primary cause of nephropathy. Hyper tension, a factor of nephropathy effects normal renal function and creates an increase in plasma volume. Nephropathy acts as a silent killer in earlier stages and shows its symptoms only at later stages. Edema or swelling of body parts is one of the symptoms shown by nephropathy. Nephropathy may some times block normal blood circulation in patients causing arteriosclerosis. Vomiting, headache, itching, frequent hiccups and poor appetite or anorexia are some other symptoms shown by a patient with nephropathy.

Preventive measures for controlling nephropathy can be started by controlling blood sugar level. Do continuous blood sugar monitoring and plan diet according to glucose level in blood. Prepare a diabetic diet by seeking the help of your diabetic specialist. Make your meals special by including food items rich in protein. Soy beans, legumes, whole grains and legumes are some of food samples rich with protein concentration. Try to maintain cholesterol level and hypertension under control by proper medication.

Today, several antihypertensive drugs for reducing growth of nephropathy are easily available in market. Taking ACE inhibitors reduces the risk of diabetic nephropathy. Use of ACE inhibitors helps in reducing albumin concentration in urine. Studies say that ACE inhibitors contribute mainly to type 1 diabetic by retarding the growth of nephropathy. In case of type 2 diabetic patients, both ACE inhibitors and ARB are used for treatment. Patients should limit intake of food items with rich iodine concentration. Do not take non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs while taking treatment for nephropathy. Taking drugs like naproxen creates negative impact on patients. If not treated in earlier stage of disease, nephropathy even results in premature death of patient.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies.

Benefits of Green Tea for Diabetes Patients

Green tea, commonly used by diabetic patients is famous for its medicinal value. It is a composition of unfermented leaves which can be used as beverage and as medicine. Camellia sinensis is the alternate name given for this medicinal tea. Drinking green herbal tea is an effective way for controlling sugar metabolism. Studies made on diabetic patients prove that those who drink herbal tea had a controlled blood sugar level. It promotes insulin production, blocks glucose absorption and helps in managing blood sugar level. Controlling high blood pressure is another advantage of drinking herbal tea. Presence of antioxidants like polyphenols in green herbal tea takes control over high blood pressure which in turn helps regulating sugar level. Slight bitter taste of herbal tea is due to the presence of these polyphenols.

Functioning of antioxidants prevent action of free radicals in body. These free radicals are responsible for cell damage and ageing functions. Regular drinking of herbal tea promotes normal functioning of body cells. Tea, composed with catechins and polysaccharides slows down the growth of blood glucose level. Major six compounds of catechins equipped in green tea include catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallogatechin, epicatechin gallate and apigallochatechin gallate. Out of these six catechin compounds, apigallochatechin gallate commonly known as EGCG is the abundantly present and most functioning one in green tea.

Green tea can be added in patient's diet as a regular natural food supplement. Feel free to contact your health practitioners when ever you need help regarding dosage level. Nutritionists suggests in drinking at least two- three cups of green herbal tea a day. Green tea plays a vital role in reducing body weight of a person. Low body weight lowers blood sugar level and prevents consequences due to diabetes. Experiments had revealed that usage of green herbal tea had helped many diabetic patients to control their body weight.

Drinking green tea promotes excretion of urine, prevents flatulence, maintains body temperature, improves heart function and helps in healing wounds. Magical power of green tea in suppressing stress helps in preventing hypertension there by reducing the risk of diabetes. L- theanine amino acid present in green tea is responsible for this anti stress property. Proper digestion control power, reducing risk of constipation and improving mental health are other advantages of using green tea in diet.

Leading role played by green herbal tea in regulating postprandial hyperglycemic condition is remarkable. Postprandial hyperglycemia is a diabetic condition occurring due to increase in blood sugar level after intake of meals. Drinking green and fresh tea after meals helps in reducing blood glucose level due to postprandial hyperglycemia. Diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes are often advised to drink green and fresh tea for maintaining their blood glucose level. Today, extracts from green herbal tea are added in many food supplements in order to improve nutrient level. Powdered form of tea leaves are mixed with food supplements. It is also available in capsule and liquid form in market. Caffeine free supplements of green tea are preferred for better health provision. It helps in leading a healthier lifestyle with no side effects.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies.

Diet for Hypoglycemia, Low Blood Sugar Level

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level can be well managed by following a regular diabetic diet. Most of hypoglycemic issues are happening due to uncontrolled food intakes by diabetic patients. Complications related to hypoglycemia can be easily made under control by tracing patient's diet. Hypoglycemic diet should be properly planned with the help of a dietitian. A hypoglycemic patient can start his or her day by having a good diabetic breakfast. Never try to skip breakfast, as it is necessary for maintaining the blood glucose level. Always self control and keep a limit in food intake.

Consuming according to the preplanned diabetic diet will do well. Eating small amounts of meals in regular intervals with inclusion of snacks in between diet helps in regulating blood sugar level. Try taking small meals in every three hours or as prescribed by nutritionist. Prepare regular note of every small bite and do continuous glucose monitoring for better result. Ripened fruits, boiled meat, and raw vegetables are some of the favorable food items for a hypoglycemic patient. Alcohol consumption and tobacco effects negatively in maintaining normal blood glucose level. Alcohol consumption in empty stomach promotes rapid metabolism leading way to sudden fall in blood glucose level.

Devising a healthy diabetic diet is very important for hypoglycemic patients. Hypoglycemic diet should be natural, slow and gradual. But in case of artificial fast food it is just reverse. Nutritionists highlight their preference in taking fruit and vegetable juice than other sugary beverages like coffee, tea, chocolate and wine. Some food items rich with carbohydrate concentration induce sudden spike in blood sugar level after eating. In order to counterpart high blood sugar level, body makes use of hormones which may some times result in hypoglycemia.

Today, many food supplements capable of reducing stress hormone formation are available in the market. Vitamin B complex capsule is an example for anti stress hormone which helps in preventing adrenalin and cortisol formation. Production of these stress hormones in body creates emotional changes leading way to mental problems. Headache, muscle pain, insomnia, cold sweat, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, faintness and weakness are some of the symptoms shown as a result of hypoglycemia.

Dietitians prefer protein cum fat rich dishes for hypoglycemic patients. Protein and fat helps in maintaining blood glucose level by reducing metabolic rate of the body. Eggs, soybeans, fatless creams, fatless cheese, fishes and white meat like chicken comes under protein cum fat rich food items. Yogurt mixed with fresh vegetables is considered as a special recipe for hypoglycemic patients. Doctors often advice hypoglycemic patients to carry a sugar candy with them so that patients can use this sugar candy in case of emergency.

Consumption of sugar candies comprised with simple sugar components create sudden spike in blood sugar level. Eating foods with complex carbohydrate proportion prevents retardation of blood sugar level for a longer period of time. Cereals, legumes, whole grains, pastas and vegetables are examples of complex carbohydrate food items which help in slow sugar metabolism. Maintaining diet with proper medication reduces hypoglycemic consequences to a maximum level.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia, Low Blood Sugar Level

Hypoglycemia is a diabetic condition induced as a result of low blood sugar level in human body. Prolonged fasting, less carbohydrate concentration in food intake are some of the main causes behind hypoglycemia. This silent killer is unpredictable and can happen at any time even during our sleeping hours. If not seriously taken and untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to death of patient. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia vary depending upon the diabetic condition of patient. Some diabetic patients feel shakiness, weakness and dizziness due to hypoglycemia. It may induce nervousness and faintness among some other patients. Often hunger is another sign shown for hypoglycemia.

People suffering from this diabetic condition may frequently ask for food due to hunger. Rumbling sound which is produced as a result of movement of gas in stomach can be heard in some patients. This condition is medically termed as Borborygmus. Hypoglycemia creates upper stomach complaints and induce vomiting tendency in patients. Hypoglycemic patients may prone to several emotional changes like eagerness and anxiety. Situation creates tongue twisting problem and difficulty in normal speaking.

Hypoglycemia occurring during night time sleeping hours is dangerous than daytime hypoglycemia. Here patient may not feel or know about the situation in his sleep. Formation of cold sweat, night mares, crying out, confusion, irritability and tiredness after waking up are some of the signs and symptoms due to night time hypoglycemic condition. These signs and symptoms are formed in order to counterpart the reduced blood sugar level. Studies say that stress hormones like adrenalin and occurrence of neuroglycopenia induced due to reduced blood sugar level in brain are responsible for these signs and symptoms.

Increased heart beat or tachycardia can be seen among some hypoglycemic patients. If palpitation persists for a longer time even after taking medicine, never hesitate to consult a diabetic specialist. Pupil of patients may appear dilated in some cases. Dilated pupil condition is medically referred as mydriasis by doctors. Double, blurred vision and flashy lights in vision are other commonly seen eye problems related to hypoglycemia. Pallor caused due to reduced oxyhaemoglobin in blood is another symptom of hypoglycemia. Patients may show behavioral changes like clamminess and rage. Some patients feel Paresthesia or pricking feel effect during hypoglycemic conditions.

Hypoglycemia may even lead way to certain neurological dysfunctions like ataxia and stroke in age old patients. Ataxia stops muscular movements due to its lack of co-ordination with neuron cells. Patients with ataxia may appear like drunkard. Severe hypoglycemia results in stroke condition or paralysis of body parts. In new born babies, hypoglycemia creates jerking effect and jitters while sleeping. Certain type of hypoglycemia worsens situation by the formation of epileptic seizure.

As a result of this unwarned seizure typically known as epilepsy, patient losses his or her awareness. Automatic behaviour or automatism characterized by loss of self control is another disorder exhibited by patients under this category. High emotional stress induced in hypoglycemic patients tempt in developing amnesia or loss of memory especially in elder people. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia vary with age and intensity of hypoglycemic condition. Hypoglycemia can be well managed with proper medication by analyzing these signs and symptoms.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies.