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Diabetes Testing & Education

There's so much information about diabetes floating around on the Internet. Everyone thinks they have all the answers on managing the disease, which products are the best, preparing diabetes-friendly meals. This information may be good but it may also be a blogger recounting information he or she heard somewhere and posted on the Internet. What information is trustworthy and which is questionable? This resources section is devoted to giving you the best possible answers when you need them the most.

We've gathered great information that has been provided by authors qualified to be giving information. That includes folks like the American Diabetes Association, National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, Centers for Disease Control, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, among many other experts. These are the people who know the disease the best and have been working on keeping diabetes sufferers as healthy as they can be.

Here, we even offer valuable information about Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how they relate to people who have diabetes. Not only do we provide the contact information for the various agencies for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but we provide all kinds of information you can read about day or night.

And don't forget about our Frequently Asked Questions links. That can be of great help for people who may not computer savvy. It can be difficult to find answers to the questions on the Internet and it can take hours to get through to someone at a government agency. The information you need is right here. There's even information on how to file grievances and appeals to Medicare claims that are denied.

Ready to get started? Just click on any of the information or recipes you see.

What is Diabetes?

A condition that affects millions on a worldwide basis, diabetes is marked by the inability to regulate sugar in the blood. There are three primary types of diabetes - gestational diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in women who are pregnant. Unlike the other forms of this condition, it often disappears as soon as the baby is delivered. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease in which the pancreas is unable to produce the needed insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is, by far, the most common form of the illness. It develops as a result of insulin resistance. In all cases, careful management of blood sugar levels is a must.

Treatment & Tips On Amputation, Foot Neuropathy & Ulcer Prevention For Diabetics & Their Caregivers

In 2004, 71,000 diabetics had a lower limb amputated. In fact, 60% of all non-trauma amputees are diabetics. Almost one half of the diabetics that lose a foot will be dead in five years. Two causes of diabetic amputations are neuropathy and reduced blood flow. By following prevention measures, diabetics can reduce their risk for amputation.

Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage. This nerve damage can affect 60% to 70% of all diabetics. The resulting impaired sensation can cause the person to be slow to notice wounds and respond to the pain. The shape of their feet may change requiring them to wear special shoes to avoid blisters. The nerve damage may cause dry, cracking skin which can create openings for infection.

Diabetes can also result in reduced blood flow as blood vessels narrow and harden. The reduced blood flow impedes the person’s ability to fight infection and slows healing. Smokers who are diabetic can significantly decrease their blood flow and are at a significantly higher risk for amputation than non-smoking diabetics.

Prevention is key to reducing the need for amputations. Glucose control is paramount. Diabetics should work closely with their health care professionals to establish a glucose control regiment that is appropriate for them. Blood pressure needs to be controlled and, if possible, monitored at the ankle to detect clogs. Feet need to be bathed and dried daily. Shoes and socks should be well fitted. Daily inspection of the feet and contacting a medical professional immediately if any sore develops is essential. If you are diabetic, don’t smoke.

There are several things that can be done to prevent diabetes, and possible amputation, but sometimes the signs aren't as clear and diabetes can go untreated. Some of the symptoms to watch out for, according to the American Diabetes Association, are as followed:

Type 1 Diabetes

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Although the signs for type one are self evident, symptoms for type two can sometimes be much harder to pin point and sometimes those with type two may not show any symptoms. Those who have experienced type two diabetes symptoms have reported the following:

Type 2 Diabetes

• Any of the type 1 symptoms
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

One of the main target areas on the body, to first be affected by diabetes are the feet. Foot care is absolutely critical if you have been diagnosed with diabetes or if you have a genetic predisposition to the disease. Diabetes can alter and impair circulation in the feet and ultimately cause nerve damage. In order to prevent such drastic measures, such as foot amputation, foot care is very important. Diabetes makes even the tiniest of infections or injuries, sometimes very difficult to treat. Immediate attention to anything abnormal, such as cuts or infections around the feet, is absolutely key in preventing future amputation.

With the right foot care, amputation can be prevented by following some very basic foot hygiene regiments. Ways of keeping up with foot care are as followed:

• Washing feet, whenever possible.
• Daily foot inspection.
• Wearing shoes and dry socks (as much as possible).
• Make daily appointments with foot care specialists.

There are several other ways to keep up constant healthy foot care. Listed above, are just some of the simplest ways to maintain healthy foot hygiene and prevent amputation. Sometimes, diabetics aren't as fortunate to prevent foot disease or infection. If an abnormality develops on or around the feet, you should refer to your physician immediately.

Diabetics face daily struggles to keep up a healthy lifestyle, to ultimately prevent serious infection that may lead to amputation or even death. The upside is that diabetes can be treated and handled properly. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it's key to manage the disease, starting with basics, such as foot care and diet. Diabetes is not a disease that can be controlled or fought alone. Those diagnosed with diabetes should seek out help from a physician or diabetes specialist.