Diabetes is a disease that is the result of your body not producing enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by your body that helps to turn sugars into energy. The symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, constant hunger, weight loss, irritability, blurred vision, and fatigue. While each symptom alone is harmless, the combination of symptoms could mean that you have diabetes. And, if left untreated, diabetes can become a serious illness and can put you at a higher risk for other, more serious illnesses, such as heart disease and stroke.

Before you begin treatment for any disease or illness, you should see your physician so that you can be sure you are treating the correct illness. There are a series of tests that your physician can perform in order to make a diagnosis of diabetes.

Types of Diabetes Treatments

There are several types of diabetes treatments including medicines, insulin treatments, surgery, alternative treatments, and lifestyle changes. The most important diabetes treatment will be changes in your lifestyle – eating healthy and exercising. A change in your lifestyle should work hand-in-hand with other diabetes treatments to get the most benefit from the treatments.

If your doctor recommends medications for treatment of your diabetes, you should discuss with him/her the potential side effects of the medications and the potential interactions with other medications you may be taking and potential interactions with foods. Many people choose not to take the risks that are involved with some medications and choose to use alternative treatments. You should discuss your choices with your physician and come up with a diabetes treatment that will work for you.

Treating Diabetes with Medicines

Some of the types of medications used to treat diabetes include the following:

* Medicines that are used to decrease the amount of glucose the liver produces
* Sulfonylureas – medicines used to increase the output of insulin
* Symlin and Byetta – medicines that have an effect on glycemic control
* DPP-IV inhibitors
* Medicines used to decrease the amount of carbohydrates absorbed by the intestines
* Meglitinides

Some forms of insulin treatment are:

* Injected by needle
* Pre-filled pens
* Insulin Pump
* Inhaled Insulin

Treating Diabetes Naturally

Many people choose to avoid the risks associated with medications. There are natural treatments for diabetes. You should discuss with your physician so that you can come up with a natural diabetes treatment that is right for you. Some natural diabetes treatments include:

* Cinnamon
* Ginseng
* Magnesium
* Chromium
* Aloe Vera Gel
* Zinc

The Most Important Diabetes Treatment

The most important aspect of your diabetes treatment, whether you choose to treat your diabetes with medications or whether you choose to treat your diabetes more naturally is a healthy diet and exercise. Beginning a healthy diet early in life can help you to avoid many illnesses and diseases that are associated with your body’s digestive system, immune system, and your body’s overall performance.

While some diseases are hereditary and a healthy diet may not prevent them, a healthy diet can delay the onset of the disease. You should begin at an early age to eat a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Eat regular meals as close to the same time each day as possible. Be sure you have plenty of time to eat your meal so that you can chew your food sufficiently.

A daily exercise regimen is also important for your overall health and will help you prevent or delay the onset of many illnesses and diseases. By adhering to a regular exercise regimen, you are keeping your body in good working condition – and should the onset of an illness or disease occur, your body would be better able to fight the illness. So, the best plan of action should you be diagnosed with diabetes is a healthy diet and exercise combined with the diabetes treatment that you and your physician feel is right for you.

Not sure what Type 2 diabetes is? Well to start with, even if you have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes,

you have probably been living with it for many years. Often it is not diagnosed until it is found by a routine blood

test, or maybe by a symptom such as a slowly healing infection. The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can be so

subtle they slip past the radar, pretty much unnoticed in an otherwise healthy person.

Type 2 diabetes is different to Type 1, in that there is plenty of insulin. During the 1950′s medical researchers

discovered insulin resistance and so Type 2 diabetes was born. Insulin resistance is where, although there is

plenty of insulin in the bloodstream, the cells no longer respond to the body’s insulin.

Type 1 generally develops in childhood or in young adults, and occurs when the body’s white blood cells attack

the cells of the pancreas and destroys it’s ability to produce insulin. Therefore very little or no insulin is produced.

In both cases glucose is unable to enter the cells, therefore, in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes blood sugar levels

rise and there is too much sugar in the bloodstream. The key thing is to control these levels and bring them back

as close to normal as possible.

Your diabetes care plan will include learning how to monitor your blood sugar levels each day. Blood sugar

testing is one of the most important self-management tools you can ever have as it allows you to know exactly

where your blood sugar levels are at any given time. This means you will be able to spot problems pretty much

straight away.

Suggested Times to Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels:

* when you are newly diagnosed
* if you give yourself insulin injections it is ideal to check before every meal and at bedtime
* if you start a new medication
* if you start reducing calories, reducing starches and carbs, you may want to check before and after some

meals to see the effect
* if your blood sugar levels are between 75 to 125mg/dL (4 to 7mmol/L) and you are taking oral medications,

or following a diet and exercise plan, test your blood sugars twice daily
* when you blood sugar levels become stable, your doctor may suggest testing three times a week, rotating

the times around
* if you eat foods not usually in your diet or
* if you exercise, be sure to test your sugar levels then to see if it’s really working

It’s rare for people with Type 2 diabetes to experience low blood sugar reactions, which can include fainting at

unfortunate times, such as while driving. Exceptions to this may include diabetics who are taking hypoglycemic

drugs and particularly those who are taking insulin.

Blood Sugar Levels:

* non-diabetics usually have levels between 80 to 100mg/dL (4 to 5mmol/L)
* diabetic’s blood sugars can bounce around during the day but tend to follow a trend
* illnesses or infections can raise blood sugars
* it’s normal to have up/down swings but if levels are high for long periods, there’s the possibility of

complications
* levels will vary for every diabetic and so will the control… it depends on the age of the diabetic

The American Diabetes Association suggests:

* fasting levels or preprandial (before meals)… 90 to 130mg/dL (5 to 7.2mmol/L)
* two hours postprandial (after eating)… below 180mg/dL (10mmol/L)
* just before bedtime…100 to 140mg/dL (5.6 to 7.8mmol/L)