Diabetes Blog

Diabetics are forever on alert for complications to their disease

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:44:20 +0000

Diabetics are forever on alert for complications to their disease, changes within their bodies, highs, lows, diets and exercise. Now recent news comes from a study in a British Journal “Human Reproduction” showing that diabetic men now face a decrease in fertility.
The study analyzed samples from 56 men and noted that 52 percent of these men who are diabetic compared to 32 percent of men who are not had fragmented sperm DNA.
The study seems to deliver numerous issues that diabetic men may encounter in regards to reproduction. Not only is the sperm DNA fragmented it also shows that they have higher rates of DNA deletions in the Mitochondria. (These are the tiny, energy-generating structures in the cells). This can cause both infertility in them as well as pregnancy failure and miscarriage.
With Diabetes rapidly becoming an increasing disease, notably in Type One men this raises a major concern for couples who are hopeful to start a family, therefore it is indicated that further studies will need to be conducted to better understand the DNA damage to the sperm. It is suspected that Type One will rise by 50 percent over the next ten Years and the Diabetes effects will hit many of these young men prior to and during their reproductive years.
Other small scale studies have shown that the female egg has a limited ability to repair damaged sperm DNA. Although diabetic men have a lower than normal semen volume there to be no difference in sperm concentration, structure or movement.

Sources www.health24.com www.inthenews.co.uk www.ivanhoe.com

Cherry Pickin’

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:42:50 +0000

Now this is the kind of news that I love to hear about. Not only is it useful and hopeful, but it fills the belly as well. What is it? Well, it’s the healing properties of Cherry Pie!!! How sweet can it be? Not only that- yes there is more, in the news this week, coffee apparently has some advantages to healing as well. So now, its pie and coffee. Yes it can’t get much better.

Your slice of pie can set you off to the races for combating heart disease, lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of diabetes. Pucker up though; it’s all in the sour cherries, not the sweet candied ones.
Researchers from the University of Michigan conducted experiments giving powdered cherries to the food of rats. Just after three months the little rodents had significantly lower cholesterol levels than their little friends who did not get the treat in their dinners. The rats with the cherries in their diets also measured much better for levels of insulin and other factors linked to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic Syndromes often increase the risk toward Heart Disease and Diabetes.
This is great news for those who love their treats. Just know that
Darker the pigment is where you will find the better health effect. Throw some Pies, jams and juices in your shopping cart this week, along with your favorite java.

Happy Mothers Day!

admin — Sun, 13 May 2007 05:36:48 +0000

Happy Mothers Day
This note goes out to my mum with much love and appreciation for all she is, all she has given of herself and for everything she has taught me. The biggest success in life is that of raising children who are good, honest and caring people. You have shown me devotion, unconditional love, understanding and compassion. It is your strength and love that has given me the tools needed to be a mother, to live by your example and raise my child to be the wonderful young man he is. You are

My strength, my voice, my hero, you always see the best in me and give me the courage to get through anything. Without you I wouldn’t fly, without you, I wouldn’t love the way I do.

Happy Mother’s Day
I Luff You
Bear

On a very special and very happy note for this Mother’s Day is the announcement that my brother David, his Colleen and my niece Kerri are adding to our family this year with twins. This has to be the happiest news for all of us. As our mum says, “It is the icing on the cake”. We are blessed with Kerri and now we will have more babies to love. Congratulations to my brother, who is a wonderful dad and to Colleen for being a great mom and being apart of our lives,
Happy Mother’s Day Colleen!!

Ps…no peeking david

Diabetes Impotence

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:29:56 +0000

Diabetes Impotence

A lot can go wrong when you’re diabetic - ( yes, even.. aahh! Diabetes Impotence ). The complications, the highs, the lows, the daily grind of just being vigilant to stay on top of it. It is by far one of the most taxing diseases I believe is out there.

I know that you can be diagnosed with anything and that anything can be really something to have to live with. By taxing I am really referring to the fact that it is chronic. Type one especially. That is said simply because it starts at such an early age and is life long. Type two is again no exception to chronic, but the one saving grace is I guess that there was a time when it wasn’t there and it does enable you more power over it. (Every little bit adds up to a happier perspective).

So with that being said, I am not taking away from anyone their suffering. I am empathetic to all and hope that not only you champion for yourself, but that others champion for you as well. (more…)

Stem-Cell treatment cures Diabetics

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 03:34:49 +0000

Author: David Rose
Source: Times Online

Diabetics using stem-cell therapy have been able to stop taking insulin injections for the first time, after their bodies started to produce the hormone naturally again.

In a breakthrough trial, 15 young patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were given drugs to suppress their immune systems followed by transfusions of stem cells drawn from their own blood.

The results show that insulin-dependent diabetics can be freed from reliance on needles by an injection of their own stem cells. The therapy could signal a revolution in the treatment of the condition, which affects more than 300,000 Britons.

People with type 1 diabetes have to give themselves regular injections to control blood-sugar levels, as their ability to create the hormone naturally is destroyed by an immune disorder.

All but two of the volunteers in the trial, details of which are published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), do not need daily insulin injections up to three years after stopping their treatment regimes. (more…)

Dya-Betus Dance Mix!

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:52:27 +0000

Found this funny video on youtube.
Enjoy!

Betus, Betus, Dya-Betus!

Theres more! (more…)

Diabetes and Reiki

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:07:08 +0000

Diabetes and Reiki

How do you measure the flow of universal energy and exchange?
I suppose by conducting a study.
That I am assuming would involve practitioners of the art as well as an actor to do a mock a reiki treatment to prove or dis-prove its validity. Hmmm, this would be exactly the point where I would raise an eyebrow and wonder “how do you mock that which is done naturally, without thought?”

When you bang your knee and instinctually reach down to hold it, do you think,” Well I am healing this, or is it just holding my boo boo?” I am guessing you are thinking the latter. (more…)

Gangrene

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:08:23 +0000

One of the most serious complications of Diabetes is gangrene and it can have devastating consequences.
It is defined as the death or decay of body tissues caused by a deficiency or cessation if the blood supply. When you think of this a vision of an unstoppable and untreatable condition comes to mind. This is not always the case, but it does emphasize the importance of vigilant foot care.
Proper foot care is a top priority when diabetic and such things as cuts, ingrown toenails, and blisters as well plantar warts need to be closely monitored. A seemingly minor problem can has the potential for a bacterial infection.
Nerve loss is common and leads to a dulling of sensation in the feet. Therefore the potential for impending problems is higher as the awareness is not present. (more…)

Okay I surrender!!!

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:56:53 +0000

I am not one who likes to offend anyone ever!!! In fact, I am an extremely introverted and caring person, but I do have a sense of humor and that comes in line with the sarcastic kind, not the “slap happy” comedic type.
I have a big concern when people don’t want to make changes, not just for themselves but for their children as well. Our children are now bigger candidates for Type Two Diabetes then ever before!
I see the damage of it, I care for those who have been damaged and I urge those in the line of fire…WHO CAN MAKE a change, too make a change. And sometimes, unfortunately it takes a kick in the pants and a sarcastic humor to get them thinking.
I know that Type Two is not caused from laziness or gluttony; I do know that there are many fit and active people with it and that genes play a major role as well. So if you fall under this category don’t think even for a second that I lay any blame on you, I most certainly don’t. (more…)

Chump Change: getting two steps away from type two

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:40:49 +0000

I have an “issue” and that’s putting it delicately with pre diabetes.
I’m biased, and I admit it fully without hesitation, In fact, this is my second venting article on it in just a matter of days.
(Still a little residual pent up anger.) Now wait just a minute, I am not angry at the predisposed genetic kind, I am angry at the “I can’t make the changes to prevent it kind.”
That’s the one that gets me going…. Ignorance is not bliss when you actually develop a full fledge type two disease. We all have our faults, and I am no exception here, but I live with a Type One and see daily the struggle of lows and highs, injections, blood testing strips, drips of blood on my freshly washed floor and little paper labels from needles all over the place. (more…)