The pathophysiology of diabetes is characterized by the body’s ability to produce or use the insulin hormone to metabolize carbohydrates, specifically blood glucose. To understand diabetes pathophysiology, it is important to understand the different types of diabetes mellitus.

There are three specific types of diabetes that we will address. These are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Each of these conditions is caused by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to problems with insulin production or insulin absorption.

Diabetes Mellitus Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin dependant/juvenile onset diabetes) is caused when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to properly metabolize blood sugar. The insulin hormone allows the fat cells and muscle cells in the body to absorb glucose and utilize it as fuel (energy). When the pancreas does not produce the insulin needed for this process, the levels of glucose in the blood …

Many people wonder if diabetes and weight loss affect each other in any way. The short answer is yes. They can affect each other. The next question might be, “How do they affect each other?”

The answer to that question depends on the type of diabetes diagnosed, and the recommendations made by your physician. In regards to weight loss, there are two different types of diabetes we should address.

Type I diabetes, also referred to as insulin dependant or juvenile onset diabetes, is typically diagnosed in childhood or as a young adult. This condition occurs when the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin to metabolize blood sugar properly. Treatment for this condition requires insulin injections several times per day or an insulin pump.

Type II diabetes, also referred to as insulin resistant or adult onset diabetes, occurs when the body is unable to utilize the insulin produced …

There are distinctive signs and symptoms that usually precede a diabetes diagnosis. If you are unsure of whether your symptoms could be due to diabetes, consult with a physician immediately to discuss your diabetes symptoms. Your physician will most likely have you come into the clinic for some testing.

Diabetes can be fatal if left untreated. There are several warning signs to watch for if you suspect you may be suffering from diabetes. Some of these symptoms are very subtle and others are fairly harsh. Several of these symptoms can also be caused by other ailments. Thus, many people ignore them because they figure the symptoms are being caused by something fairly simple. If you start having symptoms and they continue or you notice the same types of symptoms coming and going often, be sure to consult your physician immediately.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

According …

Diabetes is a very serious disease that can affect people of all ages. Regardless of your age or the age of your child, if you suspect diabetes be sure to contact you physician to schedule testing immediately. Diabetes can cause serious damage to the organs, limbs, nervous system, and eyes if it is not controlled properly. Uncontrolled severe diabetes can also result in death.

The signs and symptoms of diabetes can be fairly obvious but it can also come on subtly. The early signs and symptoms of diabetes can mock other illnesses or conditions. For instance, extreme thirst, frequent urination and profuse sweating can be symptoms of diabetes. However, these can also be symptoms or signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

Recognizing the Early Signs of Diabetes?

The early signs of diabetes can be mellow and can mock other ailments. If you have some of the signs and …

Diabetes and kidney pain are often linked, as the kidneys are responsible for cleansing a person’s blood. The small organs are about the size of a fist and resemble kidney beans. Tiny units inside the kidneys, called nephrons, tubules, and glomeruli cleanse approximately two hundred quarts of blood per day and out of it, remove about two quarts of excess water and waste. These fluids are then processed through the ureters into the bladder where it waits to be excreted through the urine.

When a diabetic has an extreme blood glucose level, the excess sugar builds up. This abundance of sugar damages the nephrons and inhibits the kidneys from functioning. The process isreferred to as diabetic nephropathy and can be very dangerous. Without the ability to secrete water and waste, these materials build up inside the body. They then act like toxins, which can cause intense diabetes kidney pain.

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Diabetes episodes can be frightening for individuals who experience the literal highs and lows of blood sugar maintenance. Some people may notice the warning signs early and can take precautions in order to stabilize their blood glucose levels while other people may not experience any symptoms until they are in a dangerous situation.

Diabetes episodes, also referred to as hypoglycemia, consist of times when a person’s blood sugar may become too low, while their insulin is too high. This imbalance may be due to several factors. It can occur because a physician prescribed a new medication to an individual and they are not used to it, or it could simply be that the person skipped a dose of their medicine. An individual could easily forget that they already took their medicine and repeat their dose. This issue can happen more than one might expect due to the secondary problems that …

Diabetes joints are a condition that affects individuals with diabetes who develop profuse musculoskeletal changes in their muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and joints. These vast changes can cause impairment and affect an individual’s hands, feet, arms, legs, wrists, shoulders, knees, and spine. As a result, the individual can experience pain, stiffness, throbbing tingling, or numbness in any of these extremities.

About 75% of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus will encounter some form of diabetes joints and related conditions due to the nerve damage, or neuropathy that is associated with having prolonged episodes of high blood glucose levels. When the diabetic’s insulin function is deficient or impaired, the body is unable to transfer sugar out of the bloodstream and into muscles, tissue, and other cells for use as fuel. The excess sugar remains in the blood where it can wreak havoc on blood vessels and all of …

Diabetes outbreak is a term that medical professionals use to explain the harrowing increase of people who develop the disease diabetes mellitus. Normally, the term outbreak is reserved for sicknesses that are uncontrolled, frightening, and affect mass quantities of people such as malaria and tuberculosis. Unfortunately, all of those terms also describe diabetes as well.

According to data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 18.8 million children and adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. In addition, researchers estimate that another 7 million people have the disease,but have not been properly diagnosed. To make matters worse, 79 million more people are pre-diabetic, which means that they have impaired glucose functioning, or uncontrolled blood glucose levels. If they do not modify their lifestyles, they, too, will soon be diabetic.

Each year, 1.9 million more people contribute to the diabetes outbreak. The majority of these people are suffering from Type 2 diabetes, …

Diabetic bowel is a condition that diabetes patients suffer in which they experience severe pain in their abdomen and gastrointestinal tract. They may suffer short-term incidences like food poisoning, diarrhea, and constipation or long-term issues like irritable bowel, gallstones, or peptic ulcers. Diabetes can affect each part of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the oral cavity, esophagus and the anorectal area.

As diabetes affects the entire body, including the vast organs, it may present side effects that seem to be unrelated. Depending upon an individuals’ case history, their complications may be heightened. If they have suffered from diabetes for an extended period and have had numerous episodes of elevated blood sugar levels, they may have increased risks for developing intestinal issues, like diabetic bowel, as well as other well-known problems.

Researchers believe the same nerves that cause pain in the extremities and loss of visionmaycause diabetic bowel. Because many …

Diabetic coma death can happen to any individual suffering from diabetes when their blood glucose levels become extremely elevated and their body becomes dehydrated. Normally diabetic coma commonly referred to as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome can cause a decreased state of consciousness. This condition affects type 2 diabetics, but it can occur in people who were not even aware that they had diabetes or those that have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels.

Diabetic coma can be brought on by a variety of factors, including illness, infection, and certain medications. Medications that diabetics need to be aware of are steroids and heart medications and those that promote fluid loss or lower sugar tolerance. Other conditions that may influence this condition are blood clots, bleeding ulcers, kidney failure, heart attacks, and old age. It is important to check blood sugar levels every four hours when experiencing any infection or illness to …

Diabetic headaches are a condition that diabetic patients suffer when they feel intense pain on both sides of their head. The headaches may be caused by a variety of reasons. The first reason may be due to the side effects of oral medications that are prescribed to treat the disease. These medications are prescribed to lower blood pressure. A person may need a lower dose or they may have simply taken their pill and forgot to eat, which will drop the sugar level quickly. This issue is the next reason why diabetics may suffer from headaches.

Prolonged stints of unstable blood glucose levels can cause a myriad of problems and diabetic headaches are no exception. When blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL, it is vital to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Failing to treat the cause of the headache, which is the poor glucose level, can cause seizures, …

Diabetic heart problems are the most common issue in type 1 and type 2 sufferers and it is the leading cause of death. Diabetes is a systemic, metabolic disorder in which a pancreas is defective. Either it may produce too little or inadequate insulin or the body may develop a resistance to the insulin that is produced. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes has numerous side effects that can affect any nerve, tissue, or organ in the body.

The heart is the most impacted organ in the body due to other risk factors of diabetes. For example, people who are overweight or obese tend to be at risk for diabetes and heart disease. People that fit into both categories most likely have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels. High blood pressure causes increased strain on the heart as it has to work extra hard to pump blood, …

Diabetic joint pain is yet another ailment that diabetics must endure.Joint problems may arise due to being overweight, arterial disease, and nerve damage, referred to as diabetic neuropathy. These conditions cause secondary problems such as Charcot joint and DISH. Charcot joint is what happens when there is nerve damage to the feet resulting in numbness and tingling. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, or DISH is caused when ligaments and tendons harden and cause tenderness and stiffness in the neck, back, and spine.

Other conditions of diabetic joint painthat are wellknown and negatively affect diabetics are osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and frozen shoulder.Osteoarthritis causes inflammation to all joints throughout the body whether from repetitive motion or from a body being at rest too long. Osteoporosis cause bone loss and over time, individuals may endure numerous bone fractures and hunched position. Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain in usually one shoulder only. The individual will …

Diabetes and Double Vision often occur together due to diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage. Movement of the eye is controlled by muscles connected to the eye, which are controlled by nerves emerging from the brain. There are twelve pairs of these cranial nerves, which need a steady supply of oxygen in order to work properly. When the blood vessels that transport the oxygen become damaged, the ability to see correctly is impaired, and often people experience double vision.Diabetes double vision,also called diplopia,can also result from cataracts, which are cloudy substances on the lens of the eye, which decrease visual acuity.

Double vision and diabetes are related because people with diabetes often suffer from nerve damage to various areas of their body, including their eyes. When blood glucose levels become extreme, the cells and blood vessels in the body become defective and no longer function, as they should. As there …

Diabetes exhaustion is a typical symptom of people who suffer from diabetes. To understand the disease is to understand why a person would feel fatigued. Diabetes occurs when either a person’s pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or they cannot utilize the insulin that they have. They are said to be insulin deficient, Type 1, or insulin resistant, Type 2. Insulin is used to transfer sugar from the blood into the cells in the body and use it for fuel. When the muscles and other cells cannot use this converted sugar, there is no fuel available for the body. When this process does not happen, it is easy to see why a person would suffer diabetes exhaustion and feel tired. They literally have no energy available to use.

Diabetes Exhaustion – How to Alleviate this Symptom

When individuals start to notice diabetes exhaustion, they should always consult their doctor …

Diabetes muscle aches are classified as any type of pain or discomfort experienced in the muscles. As there are numerous types of muscles, including skeletal, smooth, and cardiac, aches, and pains may be felt throughout the entire body. Skeletal muscles are the muscles that are connected to bones via tendons and are responsible for major movement. Smooth muscles are muscles that form the autonomic nervous system and may be inactive or responsive to certain hormones and stimuli while cardiac muscles are the muscles that make up the heart, but are regulated in the same manner as smooth muscles.

Individuals may feel pain or diabetes muscle aches in their heart, legs, feet, or brain, just to name a few areas that may become inflamed.There are numerous ways which diabetes can contribute to aches and pains. One way is through atherosclerosis, which is what happens when muscles and tissues have decreased blood …

Diabetes reflux is just another symptom that individuals must endure. When a person eats, the food travels from the mouth to the stomach via the esophagus. Enzymes in the esophagus are highly acidic in order to break down the food so that nutrients may be absorbed and waste can be excreted. A valve found inside the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter controls the regulation of food from the mouth into the stomach and then acting like a valve, closes to prevent food from returning to the esophagus and mouth.

This process is how a normal digestive tract handles the passage of food. For diabetics, however, when diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage, occurs, the sphincter and esophagus become damaged. They are then unable to stop the backup of food in the wrong direction and the food coming back causes pain and burning sensations.Diabetes acid reflux can also occur when …

Diabetes tremor, which is an involuntary shaking or muscle movement, is just one side effect of diabetes.Tremors are the result of blood sugar levels falling to dangerous levels, which may be between 40 mg/dL and 70mg/Dl, depending on the individual. The brain becomes deprived of glucose and is unable to control the movements of the body.These diabetes tremors may be mild, moderate, or extremely violent and can occur while a person is at rest, standing, or engaged in physical activity. Some patients may also experience twitching, spasm, and painful muscle cramps.

Tremors can affect a person’s entire body or just one area, such as the hand, foot, or head being the most pervasive. Experiencing a tremor while gripping an object with the hand may cause a person to drop the object or they may be unable to let go of it. Foot tremors may temporarily immobilize a person while …

Diabetic chronic is a term used by medical professionals to describe the widespread prevalence of the condition diabetes mellitus. Currently, the disease affects 25.8 million people, or 8.3% of the population in the United States. Each year doctors diagnose another 1.9 million people with diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that if this epidemic continues at its current rate that by the year 2050, at least one in three people, or 30% of the population will have diabetes.These results are staggering, especially considering that diabetes has profound impact on an individual’s life, health, and longevity.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body has an impaired ability to produce and use insulin in order to convert blood sugar into energy for the body. When the excess sugar remains in the bloodstream, a person can experience a multitude of ailments, additional diseases, and shortened life expectancy. Statisticians …

Numb toes diabetes is a symptom that people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can suffer. Many diabetics have neuropathy or nerve damage to their feet and other extremities due to elevated blood glucose levels. About 75% of all diabetics endure some form of diabetes numbness in toes, feet, and hands at some point. The numbness is due to a loss of blood circulation to the area and it results in a lack of sensation. In addition to numbness, the individual may also feel tingling, burning, throbbing, or aching.

All of these symptoms are serious and signal that glucose levels need to be stabilized immediately. Over time, damage to these nerves will increase to the point where there is no treatment available. Sometimes, the only way to medical professionals can stop the infections or pain is to amputate the affected area.

Numb Toes Diabetes – Prevention

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Numbness in toes diabetes is a condition that people with insulin dependent and insulin resistant diabetes mellitus experience when they have prolonged episodes of raised blood glucose levels, which results in nerve damage. When a person has an impaired insulin function, the body is unable to transfer glucose from the bloodstream into other cells in the body where it is necessary for absorption as energy. The extra sugar remains in the blood and acts like a poison to the blood vessels and nerves. The sugar will eventually block the circulation to the extremities, which can lead to diabetes numbness in toes, fingers, feet, and hands. Left untreated, the portion of the body that is affected will eventually die and require amputation in order to prevent further nerve damage.

Nerve damage, or neuropathy, affects approximately three quarters of all diabetic patients at some point during their illness. The numbness is a …

Pre-diabetes symptoms in women can be disturbing or they occur with no warning at all. Pre-diabetes, also known as impaired glucose testing, is a condition in which a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetic. This stage is when women need to re-evaluate their lifestyle and modify anything that can be contributing negatively to their overall well-being.

Considering that there may be no signs or women may be ignorant of what the symptoms are, it is vital that women educate themselves about this deadly disease. Females need to be aware that their health and vitality is at stake. Symptoms are only the initial signs of the disease. As diabetes progresses, it will systemically affect the heart, liver, kidney, eyes, nerves, bowels, and any other organ that is fed by a blood supply. Once the damage has occurred, there is no reversing …

Borderline diabetes symptoms occur in people who have uncontrolled blood sugar and are on the verge of becoming diabetic. Their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but they are not high enough to warrant a diabetes classification. These individuals have many risk factors for developing the disease, but they still have the ability to prevent or reverse the disease with lifestyle modifications. Medical professionals refer to these people as pre-diabetics.

According to the American Diabetes Association, seventy-nine million people are pre-diabetic in the United States alone.Out of this number, almost two million people will develop Type 2 diabetes each year. The rest of the individuals are doomed to develop Type 2 diabetes within ten years if they do not change their eating and exercise habits.

Borderline Diabetes Symptoms – How They Present

When the disease starts to progress, these individuals will start to notice marked changes in …

Diabetes and chest pain are related at least 50% of the time due to the risk factors for both diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease being so similar. Most people who develop diabetes will also experience some form of heart disease throughout their life. The effects of poorly controlled blood sugar levels can wreak havoc on the heart and blood vessels, which leads to further cardiovascular issues. According to data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 68% of diabetics over age sixty-five had heart disease when they died. In addition, diabetics are also three times more likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke compared to non-diabetics.

Individuals who have Type 2 diabetes usually have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. All of these factors further complicate coronary artery disease leaving people prone to constriction and damaging of blood vessels, and build-up of plaque. As a result, …

Many people with diabetes dread the frequent testing necessary to monitor their glucose levels—testing that generally involves pricking their fingers to draw blood. A diabetes sensor offers an efficient and less-painful alternative to the traditional glucose meter. Formally known as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), this sensor for diabetes is inserted under the skin, where it continuously checks the patient’s glucose levels for up to seven days. The monitor sends a signal every few minutes to a device similar to a pager. This device then displays the diabetic’s glucose levels and alerts the patient if dangerously high or low blood-sugar levels are reached.

These continuous glucose monitors have gained popularity as technology continues to improve. In the last few years, federal officials have approved the use of this type of diabetes sensor for children, and scientists are currently testing monitors that can remain implanted in a diabetic’s body for more …

With so many people affected by diabetes, there has been increasing interest among the scientific community and the public at large in discovering how diabetes traits may be inherited, and who is at greatest risk of developing the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, two factors influence the development of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: a genetic predisposition to the disease and environmental triggers.

Family history appears to play a greater role in developing Type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association points to cases of identical twins: When one twin has Type 1 diabetes, the other twin develops the disease at most only half the time. However, when one twin has Type 2 diabetes, the other’s risk of developing the disease can climb as high as 75 percent. Whether or not this risk is directly attributable to genetic diabetes traits is unclear; unfortunately, lifestyle factors that contribute …

Many people are familiar with the classic symptoms of diabetes: excessive thirst, frequent trips to the bathroom and fatigue. However, fewer people are familiar with diabetic hair loss and thinning, another common symptom of diabetes. For diabetics, dealing with hair loss can be embarrassing and frustrating; however, hair loss may be reduced or prevented by addressing its causes.

Often, the culprit behind diabetic hair loss is poor blood circulation, an effect of diabetes. Hair growth follows a natural cycle; new strands of hair form in the follicle, pushing out the old strands when they die. Poor blood circulation can prevent new hair from forming in the follicle, leaving nothing to replace the old hair when it falls out and leading to thinning of the hair.

Diabetics also have a harder time recovering from bruises and skin conditions. When small cuts or infections occur on the scalp, they can disrupt normal …

Diabetes can affect the bones and joints in various parts of the body. For a diabetic, hands may be affected in several ways. Poor blood sugar control, characteristic of diabetes, can change the protein and collagen in a patient’s tissues, damaging small blood vessels and causing musculoskeletal disorders of the hands. In addition, diabetic neuropathies, or nerve disorders common in diabetics, can damage the hands over time. People with diabetes may experience problems with their hands including numbness, stiff-hand syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. While not all diabetics will develop these conditions, those who do may find it increasingly difficult to carry out day-to-day activities.

Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms: Hands

For a diabetic, hands related issues can indicate a problem with the nerves in the body. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes experience some form of nerve disorders, or neuropathy, with the highest rates among patients …

For men living with diabetes, diabetic impotence can be one of the more difficult side effects to endure. Unfortunately, studies have shown that men with diabetes have an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction. People with diabetes possess high levels of blood sugar, which can damage blood vessels and nerves in the body. In a man’s body, when blood vessels are damaged, nitric oxide is not released, causing blood vessels to be constricted and ultimately reducing blood flow to the penis, preventing an erection.

Other causes of diabetic impotence include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which are common problems for men with diabetes. High blood pressure may damage blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the penis. High cholesterol can prevent blood vessels from dilating properly, also preventing circulating of blood to the area.

It’s not just lack of proper blood flow that causes erectile dysfunction in diabetics. …

For a diabetic, numbness in the feet, hands and other areas of the body may be a symptom of diabetic neuropathies, or nerve disorders caused by diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), approximately 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes experience some form of neuropathy, with older patients being at higher risk for the disorder, along with people who have had diabetes for 25 years or longer. Causes of nerve damage vary, but may include high blood sugar levels, certain inherited traits, autoimmune factors that lead to inflammation in a diabetic’s nerves and lifestyle factors including smoking and alcohol use.

Diabetics should be aware of the symptoms of nerve damage, as left untreated, this damage can lead to pain and more severe problems. Early symptoms may include numbness, pain or tingling in the toes, feet, legs, hands and arms. People experiencing diabetic numbness should consult with …

According to the American Diabetes Association, detecting and treating diabetes early can decrease one’s chances of developing the complications of the disease. Early signs of diabetes in women are slightly different for type 1 versus type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, weight loss, irritability and fatigue. Signs of type 2 diabetes may include those of type 1 diabetes, as well as blurred vision, slow-healing cuts and bruises, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet and frequent infections.

Many people have trouble recognizing signs of type 1 diabetes as these symptoms can be easily attributed to other medical conditions or lifestyle factors. It can be even more difficult to recognize early signs of diabetes in women, as some type 1 diabetes symptoms, such as fatigue or irritability, can frequently be attributed to premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy.

In addition to the …

Pregnant women may have higher-than-normal levels of glucose in their blood, placing them at risk for diabetes in their pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are few symptoms of gestational diabetes during pregnancy. These symptoms may include increased thirst, excessive hunger and more frequent urination. However, many women never experience these symptoms, and those who do sometimes attribute them to the general experience of pregnancy. As such, doctors generally screen for this condition sometime during the second trimester, even if the patient is exhibiting no symptoms of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Sometimes doctors will test for this condition even earlier in the pregnancy if the patient is at risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for gestational diabetes include age, family history, elevated blood sugar levels or a personal history of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy. Other factors may include obesity or race, with black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian …

Diabetes and muscle pain, muscle pain and diabetes, no matter the order, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, chances are your increased pain was one of the tell-tale signs. Now that you are sure you have it and are being treated for it, diabetes determines your how little or how much pain you feel each day. Diabetes muscle pain can range from numbness in the fingers and feet, tingling in the legs, to more serious, yet unfortunately frequent locked shoulders. There is no reason to sit and wait for muscle pain and diabetes to tie you down. But if diabetes is just about “the sugars,” why does it hurt so much?

Through Thick or Thin?

The pain you are feeling is caused by the reduced blood flow in your body. When blood is prevented from circulating optimally to all the muscle groups, your soft tissue can …

Diabetes paralysis goes by many names. When it strikes, it is often without warning, but is it really? People with diabetes have known increased risk factors for Stroke, Neuropathy, Transient Ischemic Attack, and Gastroparesis. Establishing a treatment regime with your doctor and sticking to it will play an important role in keeping your insulin levels steady, thus greatly reducing the chances that you will experience lasting effects of paralysis. Let’s take a closer look at each type.

Stroke

Diabetics are two to four times as likely as a healthy individual to have a stroke. A stroke, simply put, is a “brain attack” caused by a blood clot blocking an artery or an artery collapsing or breaking on its own. Poorly managed diabetes leads to a thickening of soft tissue which cause the increase in chances to suffer a stroke.

When the brain attack occurs, blood flow is disrupted to …

A spasm is a jerky, involuntary movement of a muscle, often in a pattern not associated with that particular muscle. In the person suffering from diabetes, spasms can be far more severe due to the already diminished elasticity of the muscle. For example, a foot could appear to turn “backwards” or fingers could be forced into extended straight positions, bending “upwards.” Muscle spasms are usually associated with strained and overused muscles. World class athletes and dancers, for example, walk a fine line between training for high performance, and pushing their muscles beyond their limit. But when a diabetes muscle spasm strikes, it is rarely due to overuse of the muscle.

Dehydration is a frequent cause of muscle spasms; diabetes’ presence makes this all the more likely. While too much water intake can have a horrible result, especially if your bladder has been compromised by your diabetes, it is a good …

One of the many unfortunate consequences of disease progression, diabetic bladder occurs in individuals whose nerve endings in the digestive system have been compromised. Where a normally functioning bladder sends and receives signals about 4 – 6 times a day indicating it is full and needs to be emptied, a diabetic neurogenic bladder remains full, unable to complete the cycle of urination. This can mean that urine is held in the body or leaks uncontrollably. Either scenario is not only embarrassing, but life threatening.

Urine held in the body increases fluid volume, which is dangerous for the diabetic. Excess urine can back up into the kidneys and cause renal failure. When the body is incapable of voiding, soon thereafter other systems begin to rapidly shut down.  It is important to alert your doctor if you are having any problems urinating. There are several steps to take to diagnose and then …

Common wisdom about depression dictates that the issue is a problem of missing brain chemicals, but in the diabetic patient, depression can occur because of a deep frustration with the management regime. Diabetic depression has many sources. Face it, living with diabetes can be hard. Your entire way of life must shift radically, effectively and STAY there. Daily blood sugar tests, keeping the food journal, counting points, timing strolls, even avoiding certain holiday gatherings and people can stack up like empty containers on a dock, blocking the sunlight that was once your easy going life.

And then there’s the realization that the easy going life might have contributed to the onset of diabetes.

Diabetic depression can best be understood as a frustration with managing diabetes developing into poorly managed diabetes. When you feel like your doctor is not listening, your blood sugar is never where it should be, the food …

Diabetes affects your nerve endings throughout your body. Diabetic feet pain occurs in tandem with diabetic neuropathy: because of the feet’s great distance from the higher nerve center in the brain, compromised nerves cannot send messages back and forth signaling pain, excessive force, or weakness. The biggest call that your feet may no longer be able to make is a call for help: diabetic foot pain simply cannot signal the brain when something is wrong.

Walking can become a very risky task. Uneven surfaces, nails, glass, tree roots, bed frames, just about anything on the floor can trigger a cascade of misfortune for the diabetic patient who is oblivious to their surroundings. Not only are the nerves in the foot compromised, but the overall blood circulation is also compromised for people with diabetes. Looking down all the time can cause dizziness or problems with vision, not to mention that it …

Chronic high blood glucose may lead to dry, cracked skin. This becomes a breeding ground for infection which causes diabetes sores. Nerve problems and blood vessel damage from diabetes often causes diabetes sores in the feet and legs. These diabetes sores often lead to amputation if not correctly. With diabetes one must take care of one’s body both inside and out with diabetes.

Diabetes and Foot Sores

A diabetic foot ulcer is a serious wound. Neuropathy (nerve damage) is one of the main causes of diabetes and sores on feet. Nerve damage leads to loss of feeling, and without much feeling in your feet sores may go unnoticed. If the sore(s) go untreated it often leads to further infection. Diabetes and foot sores may eventually lead to amputation.

Foot sores diabetes treatment is crucial in diabetes. Whether there is feeling loss or not a diabetic person should take …

An inactive lifestyle and unhealthy diet often leads to diabetic and weight loss problems. If left unchanged, these problems can lead to serious health issues that cannot be reversed. Exercising on a daily basis, eating healthily, and getting plenty of rest can help you avoid diabetic and weight loss problems in the future.

Diabetic Weight Loss Diets

Diabetic weight loss is one of the most important aspects of the disease. Being overweight increases your risk of blood pressure problems, high cholesterol, and depression. Weight loss for diabetic issues should begin with a talk with your physician or a dietician.

A diabetic weight loss diet can help you to lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, as well as lighten the stress on hip, knees, ankles and feet. Recommendations on weight loss for diabetic people usually include:

Increased water intake­ – Any diabetic weight loss diet should include …

At times, diabetic pain can be immense. It can come from a number of different sources, but for the most part it involves the legs and feet. Diabetic pain from these sources often comes as a result from nerve damage. Staying active and keeping a healthy diet can keep these types of complications from occurring.

Diabetic Foot Pain

What is diabetic foot pain? There are several different types of foot pain in diabetic people. They are as follows:

1. Diabetic pain caused by sensory neuropathy. The majority of foot pain in diabetes is due to sensory nerve pain. In sensory neuropathy the pain is not proportionate to the action causing it. So, even placing a sheet on the foot may be extremely painful.
2. Diabetic pain caused by motor neuropathy. This type of nerve damage mostly affects the shin muscles and the small muscles of the foot. It impacts a person’s

Conditions of foot ulcers and diabetes can be a serious situation. Diabetic sores are the leading cause of lower extremity amputations. The risk of amputation to the lower extremities is 15 to 46 times higher in diabetics, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

It is best to take preventative actions before diabetic foot ulcers have the chance to appear. Keeping blood sugar levels down and staying active are the two most important actions that you can take to prevent problems in diabetes and foot ulcers. Diabetics must inspect their feet daily in order to catch any redness, blisters, cuts, and the like before they become infected.

If anything is found during a foot inspection, it should be properly treated. At the very least, a cut should be bandaged with an antibiotic ointment. Most physicians prefer you to make an appointment with them to ensure proper treatment, however. …

Pain and diabetes are related in several different ways. Diabetes can destroy small blood vessels and cause nerve system damage. Neuropathy (nerve damage) is the most common form of pain in diabetes. This nerve damage often begins to manifest itself at the hands and feet; this pain can make it different to even wear socks or gloves. This is because the nerves are now hypersensitive and cause pain which is not proportionate to the source of that pain (Health.howstuffworks.com, 2011).

Peripheral neuropathy is the type of nerve damage that occurs in the toes, feet, legs, hands and arms. Diabetes pain can be caused by other types of nerve damage as well. Proximal neuropathy is nerve damage of the thighs, hips, and buttocks and often leads to weakness in the legs. Finally, focal neuropathy is a type of nerve damage which occurs in one single area, leading to localized weakness or …

Diabetes and dizziness are related in several different ways. A diabetic person may become dizzy due to low blood sugar, high blood sugar or autonomic dysfunction. When diabetes and dizziness occur together, it is a sign that something is wrong and immediate actions should be taken.

Diabetes dizziness occurs in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because the brain lacks the glucose to properly function. Dizziness diabetes occurrences may also be because of Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) because there is not enough insulin to allow the cells to use the glucose. This can cause a variety of metabolic responses such as changes in acid-based balance.

Autonomic dysfunction is another cause of dizziness in diabetes. This is a person’s inability to compensate for changes in the body’s positioning. Normally, when a person stands blood vessels will contract and blood pressure will slightly increase. This pushes the blood up to the brain. In cases …

If someone were to put sugar in your gas tank, your car would not be able to run properly. The same thing happens with diabetes and fatigue. When your cells resist glucose, they don’t have enough fuel to run on. Also, if there is too much sugar in your blood, blood doesn’t flow as well, which causes tiredness and diabetes fatigue (Diabetesselfmanagement.com, 2010).

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is another cause of fatigue. People with low blood sugar will often feel shaky or weak, be dizzy or light headed, feel like they may pass out, or have an intense urge to sleep. A diabetic may also have trouble sleeping at night because of low blood sugar, which also contributes to their fatigue diabetes symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue Diabetes

Diabetes chronic fatigue is generally linked to hypoglycemia. In fact, hypoglycemia has been found to be one of the major causes …

Diabetes and numbness is often caused by neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. About 60 percent of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes have had some form of damage to the nerves. Although there is some contradiction of what the exact cause is, many scientists believe that damage to the smaller blood vessels causes a depletion of the oxygen supply to the nerves. People often describe diabetes numbness as a feeling of a hand or foot going to sleep which does not go away, as it normally would (Diabeticlive.com, 2010).

Diabetes Numbness in Feet

One of the first things a doctor tells a patient that has been found to have diabetes, is to keep a careful eye on their feet. This is largely because of diabetes and numbness. If a person has numbness diabetes problems in their feet, then cuts, scrapes, burn and such may go unnoticed. This …

Diabetes bladder problems are fairly common. Many of these diabetes bladder problems are bound to come with age anyway, but having diabetes can mean an early onset or increased severity of these problems. Keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels on target can lower the risk of complications.

People with diabetes bladder problems should drink lots of fluids and go to the bathroom every two hours. Drugs that have been known to help are Betanechol, Terazosin, and doxazosin. In rare cases, some people are taught to catheterize themselves when they need to urinate.

Diabetes Bladder Problems

The most typical diabetes bladder problems are overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, and neurogenic bladder, which are bladder problems that are associated with nerve damage. Common symptoms of bladder problems associated with diabetes are a feeling of urgency to urinate, urinating frequently, and urine leakage. Some people have difficulty urinating or …

A diabetes injury is not something that should be over looked. Diabetics often have poor circulation and lack of sensation, particularly in their legs and feet. This can cause them to overlook cuts and scrapes, which if left untreated can lead to infections and complications.

Diabetes Injury Importance

Diabetic injuries, especially those of the toes, legs, and feet, can take longer to heal because of nerve or blood vessel damage that prevents oxygen and blood from reaching the ailment and healing it. So, even small injuries can lead to severe infections. If the ailment goes unnoticed, or left untreated, this could eventually lead to tissue damage, organ damage, or amputation.

If a person has diabetic neuropathy (diabetic nerve damage), often they will not notice cuts, scrapes, burns, fractures, or sores. So, these injuries get left untreated. On top of that, they will also have more coordination problems because …

Seizures occur because of a bursting of simultaneous and contradictory signals from brain cells. Diabetes and seizures are two conditions that go hand in hand. In fact, both high and low blood sugar levels can cause diabetes seizures, as well as convulsions, coma, or even death.

If you know or are close to someone who is prone to seizures in diabetes, learn as much as you can so that you can help them through their seizures and diabetes attacks. Seizures diabetes characteristics may (but not always) include:

• Violent convulsions
• Muscle twitches or jerks
• Loss of muscle tone
• Rigid muscle
• Altered behavior, sensations, or awareness
• Numbness
• Brief loss of memory
• Detection of a strange odor or flash of light when there is none
• Panic attack like symptoms

A seizure can last just a few seconds, or it may continue until medical attention is received. There is really no telling. All …

Diabetes tingling hands are usually a product of peripheral neuropathy. This is nerve damage that affects nerves that are distant from the spinal cord, often in a person’s hands or feet. Diabetes is the cause of nearly 30% of all diabetic neuropathy cases and about two-thirds of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, although it may be mild (Webmd.com, 2011).

Often these symptoms are the first sign of diabetes. If you are having tingling hands or diabetes symptoms, it will be best to visit a doctor as soon as possible. The physician will perform blood tests to detect if it is diabetes or another disorder, such a vitamin deficiencies, liver or kidney dysfunction, or other metabolic disorders.

Diabetes hands and feet nerve treatment usually revolve around lifestyle changes that you make to keep your blood sugar levels under control. In many cases, when blood sugar levels are …

Diabetes and smell are related in several ways. Though there is no specific diabetic smell, having this condition can cause some recognizable odors. These odors are produced by your sweat. Smell and diabetes odors can usually be maintained by good hygiene. Use anti-bacterial soap, antiperspirants, and body powders to lessen the amount of sweat and bacteria that you produce, alleviating the smell of diabetes. This article will help you learn about the different smells of diabetes and what they can mean.

Diabetes Sweet Smell

One way that they are related is a sudden change in body odor. This diabetes smell is usually described as a sweet-smelling odor that is almost fruit-like. If diabetes evolves to ketoacidosis, the patient will actually taste sweet. This condition produces and unmistakable pungent odor. Finally, acetone type smells can be produce when diabetics take insulin (Infobarrel.com, 2011).

Diabetes Breath Smell

Another …

What is the relationship between headaches and diabetes? Diabetes and headaches are often seen together, and there are several reasons for this. Diabetes often leads to nerve damage (neuropathy). Sometimes it can affect the cranial nerves, or the nerves that run through the head, which often result in severe headaches.

Yet another reason for diabetes and headaches is glaucoma and other eye problems which may also be caused by diabetes. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which there is excess fluid built up inside the eye. This raises pressure in the eye and pressure on the optic nerve. This pressure, put on the optic nerve, is sometimes the cause of headaches with diabetes.

Headaches and diabetes problems have also been known to be caused by high blood pressure, which is often seen in diabetes patients. Headaches are a common symptom of hypertension (high blood pressure), and occur whether the …

Diabetes and itching are a common combination. Blood vessel damage, nerve damage, and dehydration are caused by high blood glucose. These conditions often lead to dry skin problems. If left untreated, dry, cracked skin may lead to infection that in turn may lead to more severe diabetic complications (Dlife.com, 2011).

Diabetes itching may also be caused for a number of different reasons. Learning about these conditions can you to avoid the progression of these problems and decrease the severity of where they might lead. Yeast infection, poor circulation, fungal infection, and bacterial infections are all potential reasons for itching diabetes.

Diabetes and Itching Skin

Itching with diabetes should be taken seriously because of the risks involved. As was mentioned above, infections that get out of hand can lead to more severe problems, including amputation. There are however ways to avoid itching-related infections caused by diabetes and itching skin. Much …

Diabetes and stroke are both serious conditions that may be debilitating to a person who suffers from them. Unfortunately, a person who is at risk of diabetes is most likely at risk for stroke as well. A diabetes stroke is likely to occur in a diabetic who has high blood pressure or smokes. This is yet another reason to quit smoking and start exercising more.

Diabetes Stroke Risk

People with diabetes are more likely, than the general population, to have a stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. According to the American Diabetes Association, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke. This is not a death sentence, however. There are ways of reducing your chances of having a stroke in diabetes. High blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, smoking, and history or family history of a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) are all risk factors of …

Is diabetes a disability? Many people have questions about diabetes and disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not consider diabetes as a disability if it is well-controlled and has not caused any damage to any organs. When evaluating the claims, the SSA looks at what affects the disease has on the person’s health. A more detailed description of SSA requirements can be found at TheDisabilityExpert.com, however, (in short) the SSA evaluates the following:

• If the diabetes is not being controlled, but the person is not following prescribed treatment the person will not be considered for diabetes disability.

• In children who take insulin, diabetes is considered disabling if the child has had recent recurrent hospitalization with acidosis or episodes of hypoglycemia. As long as prescribed treatment is being followed they may consider this diabetes a disability.

• Children with diabetes may also be found disabled and receive disability for diabetes,and

Diabetes and foot pain commonly occur together.  Nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy is the most common contributor to diabetes foot pain. Furthermore, there are 3 types of peripheral neuropathy: sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy. Most of the time foot pain in diabetes is caused by the sensory type. In this type of nerve damage the pain is disproportionate to the amount insult that is causing the pain. So, in this case merely touch the skin or putting a blanket over your feet can be very painful. A person with type of foot pain from diabetes may also feel burning, tingling, or stabbing pains in their feet.

The combination of foot pain and diabetes can be found in many different instances. Motor neuropathy, another type of peripheral neuropathy, causes foot pain with diabetes as well. In this type, nerves in the muscles become affected and they begin to feel weak and …

Someone in the world loses a lower limb every 30 seconds due to diabetes, according to Webmd.com. This shows how important it is to take care of diabetic sores. Diabetes leg sores and foot sores are the mostcommon types of sores found in diabetes. This is because conditions occur in which blood flow to the legs and feet, often causing numbness, tingling and pain.

In diabetes even minor sores should not be ignored. For example, person can have a small scratch which goes unnoticed, and leads to a serious infection. If this small sore turns into an ulcer, and not properly treated, amputation of the limb will likely follow. The risk of amputation for diabetes is 10 times greater for diabetics than for those who are not affected with the disease.

Diabetic Leg Sores

Diabetic sores on legs are most likely venous stasis ulcers. These diabetic sores are …