Diabetes And Sexual Health - A Few Pointers To Never Forget

Diabetes is defined as a condition in which the individual is unable to transform the glucose he consumes, into the energy his body thrives on, thus bringing about incessantly high levels of sugar in his bloodstream. The implications of this disease are far reaching and encompass cardiovascular diseases, renal disorders and even neural damage.

However, what many diabetics are still relatively unaware about is the impact their condition has on their sexual health. This subject, although a very pertinent one, is as of yet a delicate matter on account of the victims’ reluctance to discuss it with their physicians. As a result, many victims of diabetes continue to subject themselves to sexual dysfunctions even though help is readily available, and close at hand.

Diabetes-induced sexual dysfunction affects members of both sexes equally, and with an alarming regularity. The root cause underlying these complications is the damage which the glucose-sated blood brings about to the nerve endings in the body. As a result, neural responses, which are signals sent by the brain to the various parts of the body and back, are hampered, making it difficult for your body to respond in accordance with the instructions your brain gives it. Diabetics are also prone to poor blood circulation, which plays another crucial role in undermining their sexual performance. When the flow of blood to the genitals is reduced, it decreases the sensation in these areas as well, impairing the victim’s sexual desire and sexual functioning.

Men are most commonly plagued by erectile dysfunction, which is the term used to describe the condition in which the victim is unable to attain or hold an erection which is firm enough to allow sexual intercourse. This disorder affects almost 85% of all diabetic men across the world, and is further complicated by the unforeseen side-effects of certain forms of diabetes medication, or external factors like smoking, uninhibited consumption of alcohol and even kidney disorders. Treatment of this disorder is with the use of oral medication, vacuum pumps and even surgical remedies depending on how severe the condition is.

Besides erectile dysfunction, diabetic men also suffer from a condition called retrograde ejaculation, which occurs when their semen is diverted to the bladder instead of the penis at the time of ejaculation. This semen dissipates into the urine and is excreted from the body, which poses several fertility-related issues over the course of time. The initial signs of this disorder are if your urine appears cloudier than usual or if the amount of semen you discharge at the time of ejaculation is lesser than before. It is here that you need to consult with your physician, and even get a urine sample tested, to check for retrograde ejaculation, after which your physician will prescribe medication to strengthen the muscles of your bladder neck

Women who suffer from diabetes are also subject to a gamut of sexual problems which arise from the damage to the nerve cells which line the vagina. The most common hindrance is vaginal dryness, which causes discomfiture during intercourse, inhibiting sexual desire over time. Diabetes medication may further reduce sexual responses in women, affecting their ability to become or stay aroused and reach orgasms.

The most important aspect of the process of recovery is to be honest about your condition with your physician, to enable him to pronounce an accurate diagnosis. Your physician may also want to study your medical history and conduct physical examinations to isolate the very root of these dysfunctions and then prescribe vaginal lubricant creams for pain relief. Kegel exercises are also very effective in strengthening the muscles which hold urine in your bladder, thus allowing you better control over your blood circulation.

Although the diabetes-induced sexual dysfunctions are many, the primary cause of all of these is a poorly managed disease, which is the perpetrator of nerve damage or poor blood circulation. If your body does indicate any signs of diabetes-related sexual dysfunctions, it is advisable you seek treatment immediately, while also getting more serious about you’re your diabetes management routine. No matter how nascent your dysfunction may be, you are still at a risk of succumbing to its more devious aspects if you continue to allow your diabetes to get the better for you. So, if you haven’t begun already, master your diabetes today, to ensure a future bereft of health complications and compromises that your disease forces you to undergo!

 

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

Insulin Pumps: Scientific Fact, Or Popular Fallacy?

Once heralded as the absolute cure to every woe that a diabetic faces, insulin has now come to be regarded as one of the grimmer aspects of diabetes treatment. the reason for this lies largely in the conventional method of administering insulin, via injections, which are either dispensed to make up for the deficit caused by a faulty pancreas, or to enhance the natural production in an individual whose body has developed a resistance to this enzyme, which is then bolstered with insulin-sensitizing medication.

However, when faced with the prospect of having to administer endless injections, the individual may be intimidated enough to shy away from treatment altogether, or be incessantly irregular which makes the treatment more harmful than it is beneficial. Fluctuating levels of insulin may first bring about exceedingly high levels of glucose in the bloodstream, especially after mealtimes, which then plunge down as the insulin is administered leading to intermittent hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic states either of which can prove fatal to the diabetic.

The age bar with Type 1 diabetes is also a lot lower than in other variants, with a large majority of its victims being very young children. Not surprisingly, their parents often express their apprehension at having to subject a young child through the trauma of multiple injections, out of fear of inadvertently hurting them. Insulin injections can also take a great deal of time to get used to, leading victims to develop a bitter and resentful perspective of their condition. In light of these severe disadvantages, the positive attributes of insulin are very easy to overlook, making insulin a far greater threat to deal with than diabetes in itself!

Although diabetes is no modern ailment, recent times have seen an alarmingly large number of victims succumb to diabetes, on account of their skewed lifestyles and dietary patterns. And so, researchers and diabetes experts have begun to invest a great deal of time and thought in developing alternative techniques of administering insulin, to make the process of treatment less tedious and a lot easier to incorporate into daily lives. Of these, a clear forerunner that has gained both medical and popular approval is the insulin pump.

An Insulin Pump is a device that is comprised of a catheter that is inserted under the skin, the pump itself and a disposable insulin reservoir that is placed inside the pump. Once the catheter is affixed, you can carry the pump, tucked into your waistband or in a segment of your clothing after which the pump administers a steady dose of insulin to our body. To counter a sudden surge of glucose in your bloodstream, especially after a meal, the pump can also be adjusted to deliver bolus doses, which are spurts of fast-acting insulin, helping your body to regularize blood glucose a lot faster than in the case of regular insulin injections. The steady basal dose keeps your glucose levels in check between mealtimes and while you are asleep.

Both the bolus and the basal doses are determined after careful consultation with your diabetes practitioner. Your physician will also determine how often your condition requires you to administer bolus doses, while also keeping a regular check of how effectively your treatment is advancing on the basis of which future doses are established. The steady dose of insulin which the pump provides ensures that you can keep a constant check on your glucose levels all through the day, fine tuning your dosage at a minute’s notice when the need arises.

Insulin pumps have gained immense popularity in recent times, as the need for a more flexible and less time-consuming regime has developed in leaps and bounds. Many diabetics who have made the switch to insulin pumps commend them for the freedom they grant from having to schedule their day around meal times and insulin injections. Individuals whose career or lifestyle requires them to travel frequently have also welcomed the idea of insulin pumps, given the fact that they no longer need to carry injections with them wherever they go, and also that they no longer have to live in a constant fear of missing a meal time, or an insulin dose.

As with any unfamiliar device, insulin pumps do take some getting used to, in terms of carrying one with you wherever you go. However, getting used to the pump is a lot easier than it seems, and the benefits of converting to insulin-pump therapy, far outweigh this minor disadvantage. The popularity of insulin pumps is not confined to medical practitioners and diabetics alone. In recent times, many healthcare providers are rising to the increasing use of insulin pumps as an integral part of diabetes treatment and are making amendments indicating the same in their policies. And so, insulin pumps are not only an incredibly efficient, but also a cost-effective alternative to controlling your diabetes. If you’re looking for help in combating your condition, remember that inspiration is all around you sometimes, all it takes is to look hard enough! Assume responsibility of your diabetes today and convert your most dreaded foe into your greatest ally!

 

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

Hearing Loss And Diabetes - What You Should Know!

One of the most notorious modern-day killers, diabetes is a disease which is deceptively innocuous in its development. What first begins as feelings of fatigue, dizziness and nausea, are quick to compound into a vast hoard of ailments, many of which can even be life-threatening if not diagnosed on time.

High blood glucose levels are the mainstay of this disease, triggering its onset in the vulnerable, and also complicating it until diabetes leaves virtually no part of the body untouched. However, the most alarming aspect about these developments is that they, like diabetes, are surreptitious in their growth, often leaving the victim in the dark until they are at their mature, and most devastating, phases.

High glucose levels, which are the hallmark of diabetes, are also fertile ground for a host of other diabetes related complications. The reason behind this lies in the thickening of the arteries this glucose-satiated blood leads to which impairs circulation, hampering the processes of oxidation and nourishment. Extremely high blood glucose also causes tremendous nerve damage which, in turn, impairs sensation and responsiveness to stimulus.

The ear is undoubtedly the most severely affected by this diabetes-inspired nerve damage, given the fact that the vascular tissues play a major role in the process of hearing. When the glucose levels in the blood rise dangerously high, the damage that they cause is amplified by the narrowness of the capillaries of the inner ear, eventually leading to the destruction of the outer ear cells which magnify the sounds that the cochlea picks up. Diabetes also induces a significant amount of micro-vascular damage to the inner ear, which results in a gradual loss of hearing and even complete deafness.

The cochlea is located within the temporal lobe, which makes surgical examination imperative to detect any auditory damage. To gauge the extent of the diabetes-inflicted damage, your physician would also need to examine the neural pathways, which is only possible if advanced surgery is conducted.

Diabetes brought-about hearing loss is also very hard to gauge, in spite of the fact that individual’s auditory functioning may be a lot lower than the clinically determined optimal levels. And thus, even while clinical tests may prove otherwise, the individual continues to suffer from auditory damage until the condition is exacerbated to its most severe, treating which proves to be a lot more difficult than curbing this condition at its nascent phase would be.

Diabetes also goes on to affect the auditory nerve, which relays auditory signals transmitted from the cochlea to the brain. This damage delays the brain’s reaction time to these auditory signals, making it difficult for the individual to comprehend complex patterns such as speech. Thus, as the auditory damage continues to develop, the victim experiences severe debilities in his communication, which are further compounded by the confusion this process leads to.

As of today, the most effective way to counter this auditory damage is to schedule a regular pattern of testing with your physician. This simple step will go a long way in allowing you to arrest any signs of hearing loss before it progresses to its more severe and even permanent stage. However, preventing this complication from arising at all is a lot easier and less stressful than waiting for this condition to arise before taking any curative steps. And hence, if you are still lax about keeping your blood glucose within the prescribed range, there’s no better time than right now to the diabetic principles of monitoring your dietary intake, exercise, medication and regular testing of your blood glucose. Assume responsibility of your diabetes today - it will go a long way in ascertaining a long, healthy and fulfilling life!

 

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

Inhaled Insulin: The Pros And Cons Of This Wonder Aid

Insulin, a hormone produced by the Islets of Langerhans in your pancreas, plays an integral role the process of digestion, enabling your body to recognize the presence of glucose and thus assimilate and utilize it.

Diabetes occurs either when your body fails to produce the requisite amounts of insulin, or fails to discern the presence of this hormone altogether, which leads to the unused glucose flooding your bloodstream. And thus, the most effective way to regulate these wayward blood glucose levels is to administer insulin to the body, which prevents diabetes from complicating into its more advanced stages.

Modern-day methods of treating diabetes aim bridge this discrepancy by allowing your body the requisite amounts of insulin when it is incapable of producing any of its own. This insulin has hitherto been administered solely through insulin injections, which are used in keeping with your body’s requirement of this hormone. Insulin injections are addled with one major drawback which is the discomfort and uneasiness they pose to the diabetic, especially if he is very young, or even elderly. This apprehension leads many victims of diabetes to delay managing their disease with insulin, until the disease finally progresses to its more menacing phases.

As the death toll claimed by diabetes increases with every passing day, researchers have begun to realize the urgency that the dilemma of having to use insulin, but not wanting to use it, creates and have focused their efforts at devising alternative means of administering insulin, which are easy and convenient to use, while also bringing about the desired level of glucose control. Of the many theories that have been developed and tested and approved by diabetes experts, inhaled insulin is a forerunner, having gained as much popularity amongst its users as with the medical fraternity.

Inhaled insulin is administered through a device, which lets you breathe in this hormone through your mouth. The amount of insulin that is to be inhaled depends on the specific dosage that has been recommended to you, as per the extent to which this disease has developed and how diligent you are with your diet and exercise regime. Scientists have also considered, and discarded, the option of inhaling insulin through your nose, as the membranes of your nasal cavity prevent a large percentage of this insulin from assign through. This, in turn, would compel you to ingest tremendously high doses of insulin, just to make sure that your body is receiving the amount it needs.

These inhalers make use of insulin blisters, which you can moderate as per your physician’s instructions. Once inhaled, the insulin immediately begins to take effect, bringing down your glucose levels in as little as 20 minutes after it is administered. The glucose regulating effect that this insulin brings about lasts for an average of 6 hours, which has also given rise to the problem of this method being more of a quick-fix than a steady, reliable method of insulin administration.

Inhaled insulin is also off-limits for individuals who suffer from respiratory disorders like asthma, while also those who tend to smoke excessively. This is because this form of insulin administration can bring about after effects like chest pain, nosebleed and a sore throat. In individuals who are particularly prone to allergic reactions, inhaled insulin can also cause wheezing, itching, hives and rashes, which makes it an unfeasible alternative for pregnant women.

Inhaled insulin has a number of conspicuous advantages over its injected counterpart, however, to guard against the possible after-effects, make sure you physician is well-aware and approving of your decision to switch to inhaled insulin. Certain medical practitioners also strongly recommend a thorough physical examination to ward off any unpleasant surprises. Diabetes therapy is only effective when practiced on a regular basis and with diligence and here, inhaled insulin is no exception. Broaden your horizons with regards to diabetes treatment today you’ll be surprised at how simple and trouble-free treating this disease can be!

 

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

The First Five Indications That Diabetes Is Around The Corner!

Diabetes can be loosely termed as a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood rises to dangerously high levels, either because your body isn’t making the amount of insulin it needs to metabolize the glucose or if it does not acknowledge the presence of insulin and is thus unable to use the glucose as energy.

This glucose, which then accumulates in your blood, is responsible for a gamut of complications, some of which can even be life-threatening. However, what makes diabetes one of the most threatening of all diseases is the fact that its initial stages are very hard to detect, leading victims to ignore them until the more severe conditions set in. and although there is no foolproof sign to determine if you have diabetes or not, without submitting to a laboratory test, there are a few initial indicators that characterize diabetes, and the fact that it is on the prowl!

The glucose, which remains unused by your body, accumulates in the bloodstream, making the blood-sugar levels rise to alarming levels. Your kidneys then try to strain out the glucose from your blood and discard it, which they do by diluting it with a large amount of water, which is then excreted in the form of urine. The large amounts of water and unwaveringly high levels of glucose mean that the amount of urine produced is a lot higher than is usual, and so, you will find that you need to urinate almost all through the day.

The next symptom, which is excessive thirst, is a direct consequence of urinating more than is usual. When the water levels in your body are depleted, your body faces a state of dehydration, making your brain send thirst signals. However, this is a vicious cycle that your body is trapped in, as irrespective of the amount of water you drink, you are still excreting a large percentage of that same water out of your system, making your body as parched as it formerly was.

When your body is starved of energy, on account of the mal-utilization of glucose, you may begin to feel lightheaded and weak. Many people assume that this weakness is just a passing phase which needs rest to get better. However, it is the silent signal your body is sending to you, indicating that the food you have consumed is not being used by your cells, which is making them weak and fatigued.

The rising glucose levels in your body affect your nervous system, causing gradual numbness at first, and then a complete loss of sensation as the blood glucose levels continue to escalate. This condition, which is termed as Diabetic Neuropathy, is particularly discernable in your fingertips and your feet.

Diabetes is also responsible for the thickening of veins in your body, which hampers the process of blood circulation. Subsequently, any cuts and wounds you develop during this stage will take a lot longer to heal. Also, these wounds will be more susceptible to infection, given the high glucose content of the blood which encourages fungi and bacteria to develop.

The pre-diabetic phase, which is a summation of all these symptoms put together, is variable in the amount of time it takes to develop into diabetes. In some cases, the pre-diabetic phase lasts for more than a decade, often developing into diabetes only once the individual has reached middle or old-age. In a few other cases, however, the re-diabetic phase is a fleeting occurrence which lasts for barely a couple of months before diabetes sets in. the good news is that by recognizing your disease at it’s earliest stages and taking appropriate precautions can arrest your disease for the rest of your life. And so, if any of these conditions sound familiar to you, notify your physician immediately it may save from you a host of complications in the years to follow!

 

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

Juvenile Diabetes: How To Raise A Healthy Kid

It can be tough to be a kid. Growing pains can come in all shapes and sizes, from sibling rivalries and playground bullies, to growth spurts and acne. But of all the challenges kids face, none are as unforgiving as a severe medical condition.

Juvenile diabetes is a disease that hinders childhood, and brutally changes the shape of adulthood. Even healthy, active kids with juvenile diabetes must face challenges every day of their lives. When kids have juvenile diabetes, they can face greater difficulties as they grow into adults. However, parents can take necessary steps today to help ensure good health in the future.

It’s easy to misinterpret and misunderstand the symptoms and causes of juvenile diabetes. Here are some of the facts that every parent needs to know:

The Basics

First and foremost, it’s important to realize that your child’s diabetes is not your fault, and you need to make sure that your child does not feel that he or she has brought about the disease. Popular to contrary belief, Type I or “juvenile” diabetes is not caused by childhood obesity or sugar overload. This is a genetic disease.

When kids have juvenile diabetes, an autoimmune response to pancreatic antigens is created, causing these proteins to break down. The pancreas delivers the insulin that breaks down glucose and converts the glucose into energy. In the United States alone, approximately 1.4 million people suffer from this form of diabetes.

Effects and Symptoms

There is a long list of possible side effects associated with juvenile diabetes. Kids can suffer with foot ulcers, digestive problems, possible kidney failure, difficulties with eyesight and even blindness. Symptoms of juvenile diabetes can include weight loss, blurred vision, excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue or lethargy and a numbing or tingling sensation in the hands and feet. If your child talks about having one or more of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your physician right away.

Juvenile Diabetes Treatment Options

The cause of juvenile diabetes cannot be prevented, but there are treatment methods available to help to control the disease and lessen your child’s discomfort. If your child is diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, find out of there is a diabetes clinic in your area. Insist that your doctor provide a referral to see a physician specializing in juvenile diabetes. This specialist will prescribe insulin and provide a special diet and exercise regime for your child. You will learn how to regularly monitor your child’s glucose levels.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the medications are administered properly, and that your child eats the right types of food. You also need to be sure that your child stays healthy and active, as exercise will help to stave off any complications from this illness.

Parents naturally want to prevent our children from harm and suffering; but unfortunately, some things are simply out of our control. Juvenile diabetes is a genetic disease that cannot be prevented. There are, however, precautions that may be taken.

If you are concerned that your child may have juvenile diabetes, see your family doctor or pediatrician right away. If there is a history of juvenile diabetes in your family, you must know the signs and symptoms.

Be prepared to take steps to help keep your child healthy. Smart food choices and plenty of exercise can help ensure that your child enjoys the healthy, carefree lifestyle that every kid deserves.

 

About the Author:

Essayist Venus Enock contributes to several popular web magazines, on healthy living and health diet fitness subjects.

 

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