Diabetes Can Be Sweet Once You Bury It

Below are selected excerpts from Diabetes Can Be Sweet ... Once You Bury It, by Julie Wanner Rossetti, followed by some statistics on diabetes. Self-Diagnosis "It just so happened that we were studying diabetes in our health education class ... I went up to my teacher and said, 'I have just diagnosed myself with Type 1 diabetes.'" Diabetes “Mis-treatment” Center Experience "I was able to see how these people handled their diabetes out in the real world. I did not like what I saw, so I made a decision to live my life in a different way. This diabetes treatment center felt more like a torture chamber than a place to get help. I would listen to all of these people (that were older than me and had diabetes for many years) that wanted to live a better life, but just did not get the help that they needed. So many of them were there again and again to try and get their diabetes under control. I don't know what happened to any of these great people that I met at the diabetes treatment center. I can only pray that they are all doing well! I made a major decision that day to never step foot in that place again." Keep Dreaming “When dreaming, I think of things I want to have. I have a vision that's on a mission to obtain those dreams and make them come true. It seems like my dreams keep my eyes filled with gleam. Life without a dream is like a stream that never flows.

Dreams are wonderful and can come true. If we learn to visualize them and put forth the work it takes to make our dreams come alive. Strive to keep your dreams alive, for they will provide you with the life you want to have." Lose The Diabetic Label "You have a full life ahead of you no matter what your age is, and diabetes can be made to fit into your daily schedule. It's all up to you, and your diabetes consultant can guide you in the right direction. With a little organization and skill, you can do it. If you fall down (I have many times), get back up and start again. It's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What's even more important is that you start over and make the necessary changes. Every decision you make will determine the outcome of how diabetes affects your life. Making no decision is still a decision and a negative one at best. Now is a good time to evaluate the words or colors that you are choosing to use everyday. What does your life portrait look like so far? Choose the right words and lose the labels, then you will win!"

Diabetes Statistics:
There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes.(90-95% with Type 2).

Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes. Two million adolescents (or 1 in 6 overweight adolescents) aged 12-19 have pre-diabetes.

1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older in 2005

About 1 in 400 to 600 children and adolescents has Type 1 diabetes.

Age 60 years or older: 10.3 million, or 20.9% of all people in this age group have diabetes.

Men: 10.9 million, or 10.5% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes although nearly one third of them do not know it.

Women: 9.7 million, or 8.8% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes although nearly one third of them do not know it. The prevalence of diabetes is at least 2 to 4 times higher among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among non-Hispanic white women.

Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2002. This ranking is based on the 73,249 death certificates in which diabetes was listed as the underlying cause of death. According to death certificate reports, diabetes contributed to a total of 224,092 deaths.

Diabetes is likely to be underreported as a cause of death. Studies have found that only about 35 to 40 percent of decedents with diabetes have diabetes listed anywhere on the death certificate and only about 10 to15 percent had it listed as the underlying cause of death. * Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of a similar age. Source: American Diabetes Association, reprinted with permission.

4 Vital Tips To Better Health With Diabetes

Julie Wanner Rossetti knows about how to seize control of her health and how to live a full life, despite being diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, such as diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13, but rather than feel helpless, sick, or doomed, she embraced a positive attitude and willed herself to better health. She took concrete steps to gain control of her life - and health – as outlined in her book, Diabetes Can Be Sweet…Once You Bury It. Lose the Label, she suggests, “You have a full life ahead of you no matter what your age is, and diabetes can be made to fit into your daily schedule. It’s all up to you, and your diabetes consultant can guide you in the right direction. With a little organization and skill you can do it. "If you fall down (I have many times), get back up and start again.

It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What’s even more important is that you start over and make the necessary changes. Every decision you make will determine the outcome of how diabetes affects your life. Making no decision is still a decision and a negative one at best. Now is a good time to evaluate the words or colors that you are choosing to use every day. What does your life portrait look like so far? Choose the right words and lose the labels, then you will win!”

1. Establish Your Health Goals For Exercise. Determine where you want to be as far as your health is concerned. Decide on an exercise program. What’s important is that you set a goal to begin with and consistently do the activities so the end result is favorable. Keep a logbook so you can make changes in your daily activities.

2. Regularly Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels. In order to be healthy and not feel like you have diabetes, you will need to gain control over your blood glucose levels. Become a pro at blood glucose testing by keeping your blood sugar in the normal range. Many people carry a cell phone. I recommend you carry your blood glucose meter.

3. Eat Well. Eat right with an individualized meal plan. Eat foods that make you not only healthy, but happy too! Quality is important here. Remember, everything that you put into your body is either a positive or a negative, and yes, that includes all foods. Eat the right foods and you will feel fabulous! You should eat a diet that’s based on your blood type, just as Dr. Peter D’Adamo lays out in his book, Diabetes: Fight It With The Blood Type Diet. There are vitamins, supplements, herbs, and food that fit your blood type, rather than consuming those that destroy your body. Your blood type is the main component to your body’s entire immune system.

4. Stay Stress-Free! If you don’t get rid of the stress, it will get rid of you. There are lots of natural remedies that you can use. Have your naturopathic physician assist you in what vitamins, supplements, and herbs to take. Laughter, of course, is the best medicine of all.

Some stress-busters may include: exercise, prayer, rest, relax on a beach or in a hammock, light some scented candles and take a long bubble bath or go to a spa and order every treatment available, listen to soothing music, and/or watch a funny movie, and keep smiling. Any information provided in this article is not medical advice and should not be substituted for consulting with your own physician.

Common Myths About Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a very widespread disease today, but even then very little people have the right information on it. The reason behind the various misconceptions behind diabetes mellitus is the lack of proper knowledge on the subject. This article tries to dispel the various myths that are associated with diabetes mellitus. It seems like everywhere I travel I continue to hear the five diabetes myths. The myths are circulating from one generation to the next. Everyone seems to believe these folklores. I have decided to take all of the mystery out of these myths and give you what actually works with the new technology today.

1. All diabetes is inherited. Not everyone who gets diabetes inherits it. People tend to inherit the risk of type 2 diabetes more than type 1. You are considered at risk for developing type 2 if any first-degree relatives have diabetes.

2. If you do have diabetes, you cannot have any sugar, it must be sugar-free. This is a myth, and the truth is our bodies not only recognize sugar, but they know how to use it. For me, personally, wheat raises my blood sugar more than white sugar. If you do want a safe sugar substitute, I would recommend vegetable glycerin.

3. People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes.

4. Insulin causes impotence. Some men who have diabetes may become impotent, but not because they take insulin. Impotence or erectile dysfunction is caused by damage to nerves caused by many years of high blood glucose.

5. There are no early symptoms of diabetes.

Fact: The early symptoms of untreated diabetes mellitus are related to elevated blood sugar levels, and loss of glucose in the urine. High amounts of glucose in the urine can cause increased urine output and lead to dehydration. Dehydration causes increased thirst and water consumption. The inability to utilize glucose energy eventually leads to weight loss despite an increase in appetite. Fluctuations in blood sugars can also lead to blurring of vision early in the course of diabetes.

6.Type 1 diabetes is more serious than type 2

This myth is also widespread and its origin is historic. Before the discovery of insulin in 1922, the diagnosis of type 1 signified certain death within months. And while all people with type 1 require insulin to survive, it is possible to control type 2 without insulin. However a person may have type 2 for months or years before diagnosis, therefore serious complications, such as eye damage or kidney failure, may have already developed, making it more serious than type 1 in certain cases.

7. There are many jobs that people with diabetes can't do. False: Almost all jobs can be done by people with diabetes. In the past, some positions in the military, and occupations like airplane pilot or interstate truck driving were not available to people with diabetes. Today, many of these professions are changing those requirements.

8. Myth: I don't need to change my diabetes treatment program if my A1c count is lower than 8 percent.

Fact: The reason for any diabetes treatment plan is to get your numbers as close to normal as possible and to gain tight control of your diabetes. The closer your A1c is to normal range - less than 7 percent - the lower your chances for complications, such as nerve damage and eye disease.

Diabetes Diet Information - Diabetes Health

One of the most frequent questions people with diabetes ask is “What can I eat?” After all, diabetes is at root a metabolic disorder, affecting the way your body derives energy from food. Myths abound when it comes to diabetes and food—one of the most common being that there is a “diabetes diet” that prohibits sugar and lists other items to avoid. If you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. This leads to high blood glucose, or sugar, levels in your blood. Healthy eating helps to reduce your blood sugar. It is a critical part of managing your diabetes, because controlling your blood sugar can prevent the complications of diabetes. Wise food choices are a foundation of diabetes treatment.

Diabetes experts suggest meal plans that are flexible and take your lifestyle and other health needs into account. A registered dietitian can help you design a meal plan. Diet acts an important role in controlling the diabetes. The diabetic diet may be used alone or else in combination with insulin doses or with oral hypoglycemic drugs. Main objective of diabetic diet is to maintain ideal body weight, by providing adequate nutrition along with normal blood sugar levels in blood. The diet plan for a diabetic is based on height, weight, age, sex, physical activity and nature of diabetes. While planning diet, the dietician has to consider complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels. Here the patients require something which can provide all the information about the calories, sugar level that can calculate the calories and sugar level. Effective diabetic-management requires a healthy regular lifestyle which should include- Working towards obtaining ideal body weight Regular balanced diet & following a diabetic diet Regular exercise Sensible weight control Diabetic medication if needed Diabetes can be controlled by the daily activities, patient should know that what, when, and how much eating will affect the blood glucose level.

Following are some advices that are very beneficial for the diabetes - Eat the same amount of food each day. Eat at about the same times each day. Make sure the gaps between your meals are short. Take the medicines at the same times each day. Exercise at the same times each day. Drink a lot of water that will help flush the toxins off your system. Take good sleep daily. Every day, choose foods from these food groups: starches, vegetables, fruit, meat and meat substitutes, and milk and yogurt. How much of each depends on how many calories is need a day. The Diabetes Diet can be a catalyst for maintaining your desired weight, avoiding heart disease and managing blood sugar. The ADA does not offer a specific dietary plan, just smart goals to meet. More than half of your daily caloric intake should result from carbs, 30 percent fat and 12-20 percent protein, per the American Diabetes Association (ADA). It's suggested that for those following the Diabetes Diet, you consume each day at least six servings of starch and five servings of veggies and fruit.

The Diabetes Bracelet: Jewelry For A Cause

Probably the last thing on anybody's mind when dealing with diabetes is jewelry. After all, bracelets, necklaces and anklets may not seem to serve any purpose beyond being decorative. However, when it comes to chronic diseases like diabetes, being identified as having a medical condition is often necessary. This is why diabetes bracelets are often worn not just to inform anyone about the wearer's health status but also to alert people, such as rescuers, first-aid staff and medical professionals of the appropriate action to perform when the wearer is involved in an emergency. When Knowledge Can Save a Life When diabetics were first encouraged to wear diabetes bracelets, some people were not very supportive of getting "tagged" as a diabetic. However, the fact that the bracelets were medical alert tags quickly showed why it was a necessity.

Today, it still is. Diabetes requires special medical care and attention. In some emergencies, the patient may not always be able to speak or communicate or he may even be unresponsive. Furthermore, an emergency may occur when a relative or a friend who has knowledge about the patient's diabetes may not be around. In these cases, a diabetes bracelet can silently inform the attending medical personnel of the patient's disease. This way, the proper treatment and medications can be administered without worrying about possible side effects or drug interaction. Imagine being in a situation where medical treatment that is otherwise safe and effective can actually put your health and your life at risk. This is often the case when a diabetic is treated without the medical staff's knowledge that he or she has diabetes. Preparing for an Emergency Diabetes can be a tricky and rather deceptive condition to have, primarily because blood sugar levels can fluctuate unpredictably.

When blood sugar levels suddenly drop or sharply rise, blackouts can occur, requiring medical attention. Having a diabetes bracelet will let the medical staff know how to make the appropriate medical decisions that can save your life. In case you ever figure in an accident, any medications that may be necessary in order to treat you won't affect you in a negative way. Always ensure that you or your loved one is wearing a diabetes bracelet before leaving the house. If necessary, pack an extra bracelet especially during special trips, particularly if you will be traveling alone. Always wear the bracelet where it can be spotted easily and avoid taking it off. It might cramp your style, but it can mean the difference between living a healthy life and suffering the consequences. Bracelet for a Cause One simple diabetes bracelet can actually make a big difference in the fight against diabetes. Certain groups sell bracelets, donating proceeds to support associations dedicated to helping people with diabetes. Often, the proceeds even fund further research about the disease.

The diabetes wristband that states, "Insulin is Not a Cure", for example, is being promoted by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation to support the foundation of the Education for Children with Diabetes. So now when you buy a diabetes bracelet, you might want to consider purchasing from groups that actually help push the struggle against diabetes forward. Further research is necessary in order to understand the real causes of this disease and probably even more in order for scientists to produce a cure. Getting "Tagged" These days, different bracelets are available for different medical and non-medical concerns but the need for a broader awareness of diabetes is still an important and necessary issue. Diabetes bracelets can be as simple as those made with rubber or as detailed as those made with metal and beads. Some diabetes bracelets can also be customized, including not just a simple alert but also other information such as your name, address, contact number or contact information of a person you'd like to contact in an emergency.

If you would like to help support the diabetes cause by using a diabetes bracelet, buy from groups and associations that actually donate proceeds or at least a portion of it to a related cause. Organizations who do this will state it in their websites, brochures or company ads. If you're buying from a retail shop, you can also ask the salesperson if the proceeds from the sale are actually going to fund diabetes research or support groups. This is an excellent way to do your part in the fight against diabetes.

Gymnema Sylvestre - 'Sugar Destroyer'

Gymnema sylvestre is originally an Indian vine widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also found in Northern Africa. It is grown commercially in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Uses Of Gymnema Sylvestre Many studies of Gymnema have been carried out.

These indicate that the herb: - Reduces or removes the sense taste of sweetness for several hours - Reduces the absorption into the body of sugar in the gut - Increases insulin production by the pancreas - Reduces blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol These effects make Gymnema sylvestre a powerful aid in blood-sugar related ailments such as: - Weight loss - Diabetes, or pre-diabetes Gymnema Sylvestre And The Sweet Taste The effect of Gymnema sylvestre on the sense of taste is all the more remarkable because it is instantaneous. A few drops of a fluid extract or a little of the leaf powder dropped on the tongue makes it difficult or impossible to taste sweetness for up to several hours.

For people with a craving for sweet foods, this could be a godsend. After taking Gymnema, putting a pinch of sugar granules on the tongue feels like putting sand in your mouth; and chocolate tastes like putty! The use of Gymnema is also said to reduce any cravings which might be present for chocolate or other sweet foods. For someone who feels they are 'addicted' to sugar carrying a bottle of Gymnema drops around would certainly strengthen resolve not to eat sweet - or, to some extent, fatty - foods, as the sweetness will have just vanished.

Gymnema is a remarkable herb which can be a huge benefit both to those who truly want to cut down their consumption of sweet foods and those with blood sugar issues. Of course, if on medication you should consult your doctor before taking Gymnema: but if you have 'blood sugar lows' and are not on medication, try Gymnema. The main treatment for low blood sugar is in changing diet and getting more exercise: but if you do these things, Gymnema is a great help to have in your pocket. In addition, taking 3-6 capsules of raw Gymnema herb (as opposed to extract, for which follow the manufacturer's instructions.)

Taken from: Max Hill has been a practitioner for 20 years. See his other articles about Metabolic Syndrome; and others at the popular Alternative HealthZine (A free gift here for every new ezine subscriber).

Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease and is occurring more rapidly now than ever before but the good thing about this disease is that it can be controlled and regulated with the proper precautions and medications. The main thing is to always keep up to date on your physicals with your physician Getting the right medications for your health conditions is very important. With the right medicines and a good exercise program, along with a good diet, you should be able to take care of yourself with only some limitations. You can lead a very normal life if you have diabetes. Of course you do have to take the right care of it.

Some people are choosing to only try natural remedies, which can benefit your diabetes symptoms almost as well as a prescribed medicine, but others may not have a choice but to have insulin injections, sometimes as often as six times per day. Listening to your health care physician is vital after being diagnosed with diabetes. He will be able to assist you on what types of medicines that you will need. He will also talk to you more about which kind of exercise program you will need to start on. And, of course, your diet which is vital to maintain. After being diagnosed with diabetes you will have to monitor your blood sugar levels every single day.

Keeping your doctor up to date on your daily readings will help him or her monitor your health more efficiently. This will keep him informed on your progress and allow him to make any slight adjustments that may be needed to your medications. He will be able to determine by these daily readings if your medications,diet and exercise program are helping you as much as they should be. If not, then he will know what needs to be done from there. It is important to keep up with this kind of information for him so you will have the proper treatments. Different Types of Diabetes There are three different types of diabetes that are very common today.

Type1 Type2 Gestational: When a woman becomes pregnant she will find that during the last trimester of her pregnancy her doctor will be checking her for what is called gestational diabetes. Usually if a woman is diagnosed with this type of diabetes during pregnancy, after giving birth, their glucose levels will go back to normal. The risk of diabetes is still there, up to 10 years after delivery or if she has a family history of diabetes. If a woman develops this type of diabetes during her pregnancy, her child will be at higher risk of becoming diabetic sometime throughout their life. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. This is the kind of diabetes where the patient is not dependent on insulin shots. Being overweight has a lot to do with someone getting this type of diabetes, however, that is not the only thing to blame for it.

With some people it may be genetic while with others it is caused by a high blood pressure level. Becoming physically active can help when treating this type of diabetes, along with a proper diet and medicine that your doctor will prescribe. He can give you an exercise program to follow along with the right kinds of food you should be eating. It is important that you follow everything that he informs you to do. The other kind of diabetes is Type 1 diabetes. This type is usually caused by pure genetics or your diet. This type of diabetes means that you are insulin dependent. Depending on the severity of this type of diabetes will determine how many shots you will need each and every day. As with the other types of diabetes it is vital that you put yourself on a regular exercise program along with a proper diet. Seeing your doctor on a regular basis in absolutely necessary on order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The patients pancreas is not producing any amount of insulin at all and that is the reason it is called autoimmune diabetes. If not treated properly and promptly, this can be the most dangerous one of all.

Enjoying Sweets With Your Diabetes Many people believe that people with diabetes can not, in any way, have the enjoyments of indulging occasionally or ever, in getting to eat sweets. Those of you who are suffering with diabetes, if you do not already know, will be very happy to hear that you can in fact enjoy those sweet pleasures once in awhile. It is all about moderation, not just for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. The problem with any foods that are bad for us, is that so many of us eat entirely too much. Studies have shown that people with diabetes that do enjoy the occasional sweets do have to worry about their blood sugars rising a little bit too quickly, but that also happens with any kinds of fatty carbohydrate foods that a diabetic might eat. I am not telling all diabetics to go out and get sweets anytime they please but just that if you choose to, if you crave it, if you feel like you need it, go for it, just do not over indulge yourself too much ok.

It is important to keep your blood sugar in check at all times when you have diabetes. If you do decide you want sweets one evening, just plan for the occasion, eat less carbohydrates throughout the day to give your body a fair shot at a tasty treat. Just remember to watch your portions. If you are creating your own special sweets then perhaps you could consider substituting the real sugar for one of the new substitues . That is very helpful when trying to watch your weight and also keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels. You can satisfy some of your cravings some of the time if you are careful aboutwhat you eat and how much. Drinking Coffee For Diabetes Now for the really good news for coffee drinkers. It has been discovered that drinking caffeine coffee actually reduces your risks of becoming a diabetic and it also helps in the many types of treatments for people who have type 2 diabetes. Many people may not be aware of this, so you should all consider doing a little research on the ways that coffee can actually help your health and talk it over with your family doctor.

Several studies have been done on whether or not this is really accurate and the results are overwhelming in the ways that coffee can actually help your health. Usually women have more of a resistance to insulin than men do, so women may benefit from this knowledge more than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that with these studies, they have actually found that the risks for diabetes is going down somewhat with the increase of coffee consumption. Many people might be really happy with these findings because drinking coffee is something that many people all around the world enjoy, usually on an everyday basis. If you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, drinking coffee several times a day will help with your insulin secretion because of the effects coffee has on your gastrointestinal hormones throughout your body. Coffee can lower the absorption rate of your glucose, reducing your chances of suffering complications down the road with your type 2 diabetes. Not only does your consumption of caffeine coffees help reduce your risks of diabetes and helps in treating some diabetes, it will also help in controlling a woman's cholesterol levels.

Five Ways To Bury Diabetes

“I buried diabetes a long time ago, so it could never bury me,” says Julie Wanner Rossetti, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a 13-year-old a quarter century ago. “Diabetes is dead, but I’m alive. I’ve learned to live my life as if I don’t have the deadly disease.” She shows us how to “bury” diabetes in her new book, Diabetes Can Be Sweet…Once You Bury It.

1. Don’t Accept The Label of “Diabetic.” Remember, you’re a person, not a disease. Choose the words that you want to define your life. Be positive. Lose the label of “diabetic.” Decide today that diabetes will not define who you are, but you will define what diabetes is to you.

2. Dig A Hole And Bury It. Go to your local hardware store and buy the biggest shovel that they have. Once you buy it, all you need to do is find a place to start digging a hole. Make it big enough to place diabetes and anything that is negatively associated with it in the hole. Be sure it is all in the hole. Now bury it. It’s dead, and you are alive! Let’s keep it that way.

3. Take Responsibility. Taking 100% responsibility means no more excuses. We can no longer blame our parents, spouse, friends, co-workers, the family pet or even the mouse in the house. Invest now in diabetes education that works - and act on this advice – or pay later in medical bills or with your life.

4. Choose Faith Over Fear. Denial is totally based on fear. Instead, we can become pro-active, by inviting faith to come in. Faith and fear do not go together. Choose faith and you will start feeling better.

5. Eliminate Negative Self-Talk. Don’t say what you “should” do – just do it! Speak pro-actively. We all talk to ourselves throughout the day. Unfortunately, most of it is negative. Such comments include: “I can’t get organized, I’m always late, I will never be healthy again.” And the list goes on and on. These comments affect our attitude and keep us from becoming pro-active. We start to believe all of these lies and they become very real to us. At this point, we then have absolutely no energy or motivation to even get started. Now, even though we want to become healthier, we don’t. The spoken word, including self-talk, is very powerful. You believe the lies and soon you get everything you never wanted. Start today, self-talking what you want!

Taken from: Julie Wanner Rossetti is the author of Diabetes Can Be Sweet ... Once You BURY It, and President of Diabetes Done Right, where she specializes as a diabetes consultant. Visit Diabetes Done Right