TYPE II DIABETES CAN BE CAUSED BY STRESS

Health experts and medical researchers warn that even simple stress could make one diabetic. The good news is Diabetes can be cured and controlled by reducing stress levels. But if it goes untreated, the consequences are serious.
Stress is defined as a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes physical or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. It can worsen diabetes. Blood sugar levels are mainly controlled by two groups of hormones, the first group consists only of one hormone that is insulin which reduces blood sugar. The second group called counter-regulatory hormones, opposes the action of insulin and increases the sugars. These hormones include cortisol,adrenaline, noradrenaline, glycogen and growth hormone. Stress tends to increase the levels of these hormones, particularly cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. If their levels are elevated, this can precipitate diabetes in a predisposed person or worsen it in someone who is already a diabetic.
It is important to detect high stress levels in a patient, since the blood sugars come down only if stress is controlled. Reduction of stress often leads to a dramatic improvement or even cure of diabetes. It is important that a diabetic learns to manage stress by leading a healthy social life, relaxing with family and friends leading to reducing the risk of developing diabetes and helping people to cope up with their problem.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Try to come to terms with the situation. Practice better time management. Improve your organisational skills. Try and resolve all conflicts. Include exercise in your daily routine also practice yoga (pranayam) regularly. Eat moderately and at proper intervals. Try and practice relaxation techniques and get adequate sleep.
The World Health Organisation(WHO) has declared that diabetes is no longer a problem of adults.Children and young people are increasingly turning diabetic and WHO attributes it to unhealthy eating habits, lack of proper sleep and absence of exercise.
WHO says diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.After 15 years of suffering from diabetes, about 2 percent of people become blind and about 10 percent develop severe visual impairment.
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves as a result of diabetes, and affects up to 50 percent of people with diabetes. Common symptoms are tingling, pain,numbness,or weakness, in the feet and hands.

EFFECTIVE HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES.
Nutritionists and diabetologists are looking towards a wonder herb(Stevia) that is 300 times sweeter than sugar, to help diabetics, who are otherwise barred from eating sugar. Stevia, the sweet herb plant's leaves are sweet to taste. unlike natural sources of sugar that come in form of glucose or fructose, the leaves of Stevia contain a special chemical that is not absorbed by the body but is excreted, the advantage here is the 'sugar' obtained from Stevia is for the palate only and not for the stomach. This herb is neither toxic nor carcinogenic and is safe for human consumption.WHO has confirmed the effectiveness of Stevia in controlling diabetes. People treated by Stevia proudly declare their blood sugar level has been controlled by this wonder herb.

FENUGREEK

These seeds not only lower blood glucose but reduce insulin levels, total cholesterol and increase HDL(good cholesterol)

ALOE VERA:Jelly inside the leaves or Aloe Vera juice are effective.

PRICKLY PEAR:Contains fibers which enclose glucose molecules slowing down their entry into blood stream.

GREEN TEA:Some constituent components enhance basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

GARLIC:Lowers glucose levels, increases free insulin.

CINNAMON:Triples insulin efficiency.

COCOA:Rich in flavonoids, improves body's processing of sugar.

BITTE MELON: Increases glucose uptake; decreases blood glucose production; uses juice of fruits and seeds.

STINGING NETTLE:Roots and leaves are effective against high blood sugar levels.

LEAD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
DIET
Eat meals on time. Eat meals at regular intervals of three to four hours. Have enough fibre in the diet. To avoid post-meal sugar level shoot up, the meal must be balanced with the right quantities of vegetables, both raw in salads and cooked, cereals, and proteins including pulses and curd. Colas ad fruit drinks must be cut down to the large extent.

DO'S

Exercise more; a 30-min brisk walk five days a week can work wonders. Substitute white rice with brown rice. Eat more vegetables and add fibre in the form of legumes and pulses. One fruit a day helps.

DON'TS
Do not smoke. Avoid use of tobacco products in any form.Drink alcohol in moderation.

DIABETES-TYPE II

A person is said to be suffering from diabetes when his pancreas stops producing insulin or fails to effectively utilise the insulin it produces.Insulin breaks down the sugar to give energy to the body. In a diabetic sugar is not digested and thus accumulates in the blood.
As a person with diabetes, you are at risk for heart disease, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, nerve damage, infection, blindness and slow healing.
Each person reacts to diabetes in his own way and needs constant doctor's monitoring. A diabetic regimen has three cornerstones: that is nutrition,weight control and exercise and the good news is one can control it and eliminate all the symptoms by carefully following the regimen prescribed by the
doctor.
Each person's diet should be according to the individual needs and lifestyles. The ADA diet includes up to 50 to 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are either simple sugars or complex starches. Each gram of carbohydrate produces 4 calories. Protein should amount to about 12 to 20 percent of calories and each gram of protein equals to 4 calories. Fat should be completely cut out and should not be more than 30 percent of your calories.
Each gram of fat produces 9 calories. It is better to replace artery clogging saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat or with complex carbohydrates.
Around 40 grams of natural fiber should be consumed in a day. Whole wheat products,barely,oats,legumes,vegetables and fruits are the best sources of fiber, as well as essential nutrients.
This way cholesterol level can be lowered.
Fiber also helps the person from getting hungry and adds bulk to the diet.
Fiber foods are generally high in vitamins and minerals.
Meat, egg yolks and dairy foods must be drastically cut down.

Research has shown that when sucrose and table sugar used in equal amounts with starches do not hike blood sugar levels any more than other starches such as potatoes and wheat.
ADA recommends modest amounts of refined sugars if your diabetes is under control and you are not overweight. Alternative sweeteners
are also safe. Noncaloric sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin and sweeteners with calories, like fructose and sorbitol are approved by ADA.
The diabetic body can handle smaller meals more easily because the smaller the meal, the less insulin is needed to handle the glucose influx from each meal. Less glucose equals less insulin equals more constant blood sugar levels.
Fat and alcohol consumption should be drastically cut down. Weight should be lost because obesity may obliterate insulin receptors so sugar cannot enter the cells and remains in your blood. Weight control which includes improved eating habits and exercise and this helps to control blood sugar and blood
fat levels.
For a Type II diabetic who is not on insulin or oral anti diabetic drugs fasting does not make any difference.
Exercising is a must because it is like a dose of insulin.

STRESS SHOULD BE REDUCED.
Diabetes with its constant emotional and physical demands is a stressful disease. If a person is having some very stressful life events they are having trouble coping with they should take the help of a mental health professional.
Stress can be relieved by relaxing such as controlled breathing and visualization which can be learned from professionals or books.
NEGATIVE THINKING SHOULD BE STOPPED to improve your mood and positive attitude and outlook should be inculcated by doing things which you enjoy doing most.
Regular Blood sugar testing is more accurate than urine testing for Type II diabetes because you can get quite a high blood sugar level before sugar spills into the urine especially if you are older.
Some over the counter drugs can disturb blood sugar levels. Doctor's advise should be taken before consuming them.

Few ingredients to be wary off:
ASPIRIN: Large quantities of aspirin taken for chronic pain can lower blood sugar levels.

CAFFEINE: The main ingredient in OTC appetite suppressants is caffeine, which can raise blood sugar levels when taken in large amounts. Many headache and cold medications are also loaded with caffeine.

EPHEDRINE OR EPINEPHRINE-found in preparations used to treat respiratory illnesses, but they can increase blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes. So can phenylepinephrine a drug found in nasal sprays and cold preparations.