Health Tips for a Better Life

As with any disease, diabetes is surrounded by a plethora of myths regarding the disease itself. The following are common myths for diabetes and a few facts to debunk them on the spot.

First Myth: You have to give up all sweets, including the well loved chocolate bar.
Myth debunked: Are you exercising and eating healthy meals catered around being diabetic? A dessert or sweet treat now and then are okay. Don’t make it a regular habit and go easy on the portion, as anyone making healthy food choices should be doing, diabetic or not.

Second Myth: Diabetes is contagious.
Myth debunked: The cause for diabetes may still be a mystery, but it is not contagious. There may be a play in genetic make up, but not the ability to catch the disease from someone else. So go ahead – hug that diabetic!

Third Myth: Don’t overdose on the carbs.
Myth debunked: Again, it’s not necessarily the type of food, but the regularity of consumption and the amount consumed.

The body needs some carbs, so eat a good meal and a good meal means appropriate sized portions.

Fourth Myth: There are no boundaries on fruit intake.
Myth debunked: Fruit is a great source of fresh vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but it’s also drenched with natural sugars and carbs. It’s okay to partake, but in moderation. Ask your doctor if you’ve got concerns.

Fifth Myth: Sugar intake causes diabetes
Myth debunked: Not! It doesn’t cause diabetes, but it sure can complicate it if too much sugar is consumed. Besides, sugar will add weight quickly and excessive weight is hard on the body, plain and simple. If diabetes runs in your family, it’s even more important to watch your weight and exercise regularly.

Sixth Myth: Diabetic food is the best choice
Myth debunked: Not (again) Diabetics, like everyone, need a healthy meal plan that is low in fats.

Salt and sugar should be used in moderation. Whole grains, veggies and fresh fruits are all a plus.

Seventh Myth: Life-expectancy is short.
Myth debunked: Whereas the life-expectancy of a diabetic diagnosed with childhood diabetes was not good years ago, great advances have been made for the newly diagnosed to live a long and normal life if they follow their doctor’s guidelines and treatment plan. Good news!

Eighth Myth: Once diagnosed with diabetes, life as you knew it is over.
Myth debunked: Whoever said that is behind the times. Life is different – you’ve got a disease to manage but it does not have to manage you. Live as if you believe it.

Hardening and narrowing of the arteries is a result of uncontrolled diabetes. Strokes and coronary heart disease are common among diabetics. Approximately 17 million Americans are diabetics.

The first thing you need to do is find yourself a good internal medicine physician in general practice. You will not survive if you try to treat yourself. This physician can tell you in quite exact terms what your condition is and work out a treatment and diabetic diet plan, not one that will cure your disease, but one that will control it and keep you alive with the least possible damage to your system.

This disease requires a lot of self-management, and that means that you need to educate yourself and take charge. No one else can make the changes in lifestyle that will determine whether you will come down with all or any of the adverse effects. Only you can do that.

Those changes include daily monitoring of your blood-sugar levels with a meter, lancets, and diabetic testing strips. You will also need to keep a log of your readings.

The second change will be dietary in nature. It’s probably true that if you have diabetes, your diet is not keeping you in very good shape. This will be one of the hardest changes to make, but is also the key to surviving diabetes. You need to read a lot about the relationship between diet and blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association is your friend now. Become an expert on carbohydrates, types of sugars, the role of protein in a healthy diabetic diet, and learn how dairy products can be your friend and play a useful role in your new life plan.

Where you obtain your diabetic supplies and your medications must be decided by you.

You’ll find a lot of companies offering free meters, but look at the whole picture. That company will also require that you buy your lancets and strips, and they may be much more expensive than with other sources. Talk to your doctor and to other diabetics for guidance and advice in these matters.

Your life is going to change, so you might as well accept it. You must now get more involved than you’ve ever been in your health care if you want to survive.

Whether you are diabetic or not, maintaining normal blood glucose levels is something which you must pay attention to ensure healthy life. Many people don’t think about their health condition with reference to blood sugar in their body. It’s rather insensible to justify themselves that variation in body’s blood sugar is not a matter to concern much. It’s ok! But what about the normal levels of blood glucose to maintain? Is,t not a very serious matter if you are not able to keep a check on your blood sugar levels? Sure it’s because Glucose is your prime energy source that decides your diabetic condition.

Glucose is produced in your body from what you eat with much of carbohydrates. However, the glucose levels are controlled by insulin so that you have normal levels. The normal levels should lie between 70 – 170 dl/ml. It is the work of your pancreas to produce insulin needed to your body.

If the release of insulin falls short of the required level the problem starts to tell upon your normal blood glucose levels. The glucose content in the blood stream varies beyond normalcy.

Normal levels of blood glucose

The glucose level in the morning before eating food may sometimes be under 70. After eating it may shoot up fast and glide towards 170. If it is somewhat more above it is not a matter to be worried. Though the glucose levels do not fall in the range 70 – 170, it happens so in many cases of diabetics. So, there is nothing for serious concern. However it will be safe for you if the levels fall in the range 80 – 150

Abnormal levels of blood glucose

If the glucose level stays below 70dl/ml when measured after eating food it is the indication of hypoglycemic condition with low sugar.

If it is in an elevated level above 170dl/ml in empty stomach in the morning it is a condition of hyperglycemia. These two conditions are to be seriously viewed. These are diagnosed as abnormal levels of blood glucose in the bloodstream.

How to treat diabetes?

People that are having consistently low or high blood glucose levels are diagnosed as diabetics. They should learn efficiently to manage diabetes with them. Diabetes can be prevented or managed without any risky consequences if early treatment is started with warning symptoms of diabetes. There are tablets and insulin injections to take depending on the type of diabetes.

In recent years the advancements in the management and control of diabetes have grown drastically. Diabetes as a condition is one of the most common and expensive conditions currently affecting Americans. Each year millions are affected by the impacts of diabetes on patients and their families. Luckily for those people suffering with diabetes they are now able to lead productive, fulfilling lives with the help of diabetes testing supplies and a firm understanding of how diabetes works.

Of the types of diabetes, type-1 diabetes is by far the less common of the lot. This type of diabetes is more severe and less frequently seen than the other forms of diabetes currently manifesting themselves. This kind of diabetes is usually identified by the bodies lack of natural insulin production and inability to break down sugars and foods. This form of diabetes requires much more management than type-2 diabetes.

Currently affecting 57 million Americans, the most common and costly type of diabetes in the medical world is Type-2 diabetes.

In this case, the body is unable to use the insulin it produces naturally and thus is unable to digest sugars and foods properly. This form of diabetes tends to be far more manageable than type-1 diabetes.

Despite all the fancy testing supplies and meters currently on the market, the truth is that the fight against diabetes is long and never truly ends. However many patients have found that by empowering themselves and staying on top of their diabetes that they are able to fully manage their condition and lead fulfilling lives. Truly, the ability to manage oneself is key in the struggle with a medical condition like diabetes.

Detecting diabetes early can greatly change the severity and dangers of the condition itself.

In order to ensure you catch diabetes early it’s important to be aware of your body and health and watch for warning signs. These signs include feelings of exhaustion and being tired as well as cravings for sugary foods and drinks. If problems like these persist for any duration of time you need to contact a professional immediately.

Internal body functions are also very telling when it comes to detecting diabetes early. These types of symptoms should be viewed as a dangerous red flag and be taken very seriously. Blurred vision, stupor and lethargy are all extremely telling sensory symptoms that are direct and frightening indicators of an internal problem such as diabetes. These symptoms may be accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss or nausea.

As one of the most important factors in the management of diabetes, the early detection of the disease and taking the appropriate steps to manage it are chiefly important. By catching and identifying diabetes early patients get an invaluable jump on the condition and are better able to manage it as time goes on. Catching diabetes early can quickly get it into a manageable state that will seldom inconvenience a patient’s life.

Table of Contents :

1. Overview 9
1.1 Statement of Report 9
1.2 About this Report 9
1.3 Scope of the Report 11
1.4 Methodology 11
1.5 Executive Summary 12

2. Diabetes 15
2.1 Demographics of Diabetes 17
2.1.1 Worldwide Diabetes Incidence 17
2.1.2 Diabetes in the U.S. 19
2.2 Economics of Diabetes 22
2.3 Understanding the Metabolic Conditions Underlying and Associated with Diabetes 31
2.3.1 Pre-Diabetes Syndrome 33
2.3.2 Metabolic Syndrome 33
2.3.3 Diabetes and Inflammation 33
2.3.4 Progression of Diabetes 33
2.3.5 Complications and Co-Morbidities in Type 2 Diabetes 34
2.3.6 Hypoglycemia and Treatment 36
2.3.7 Risk Factors and Diabetes 36
2.3.8 Cardiovascular Disease Facts 37
2.4 Glucose Control in Diabetic Patients 43
2.5 Tight Glucose Control in Treating Diabetes 44
2.6 Glucose Monitoring Devices 45
2.6.1 Key Issues Identified for Glucose Monitoring 45
2.6.2 Device Description 45
2.6.3 Precision 47
2.6.4 Limitations of Existing Glucose Monitoring Products 48

3. Glucose Measurements 50
3.1 Glucose Monitoring Markets 50
3.1.1 Overview of Market Segments 50
3.1.1.1 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Self-Testing Glucose Market 52
3.1.1.2 Professional Glucose Testing Market 53
3.1.2 Market Analysis: Size, Growth, Share and Competitors 54
3.1.2.1 Worldwide Market 54
3.1.2.2 U.S. Market 56
3.1.2.3 European Market 59
3.1.2.4 Asian Market 60
3.2 Glucose Analytical Test Methods 74
3.2.1 Glucose Oxidase 74
3.2.2 Glucose Hexokinase 75
3.2.3 Glucose Dehydrogenase Pyrroloquinoline quinone (GDH-PQQ) 75
3.2.4 Amperometric Biosensors 76
3.2.5 Interfering Substances 76
3.2.6 Monitoring HbA1c Levels 77
3.2.7 Quality Control Criteria 77
3.3 Reagents and Equipment 77
3.3.1 Lancets 79
3.3.2 Blood Glucose Test Kit 87
3.3.3 Blood Glucose Monitor and Insulin Doser 89
3.3.4 Diabetes Tracking System 89
3.3.5 Blood Glucose Sensors 89
3.3.6 Blood Glucose Reagent Test Strips 92
3.3.7 Control Solutions and Calibrators 93
3.3.8 Sharps Devices 94
3.3.9 Needle Destruction Devices 94
3.3.10 Urine Strips 95
3.3.11 Blood Ketone Testing 96
3.3.12 Voice Operated Glucose Meters 97
3.4 Glucose Meters 100
3.4.1 LifeScan 100
3.4.2 Roche Accu-Chek 102
3.4.3 Bayer 104
3.4.4 Abbott 106
3.4.5 Acon Laboratories 109
3.4.6 Quest Diagnostics Company 109
3.4.7 Agamatrix 110
3.4.8 AiMedics 110
3.4.9 Apex Biotechnology 111
3.4.10 77 Elektronika 111
3.4.11 Arkray 111
3.4.12 Accurex 112
3.4.13 Axis-Shield 112
3.4.14 Home Diagnostics 112
3.4.15 Hypoguard 114
3.4.16 Metrika 115
3.4.17 Biopeak 115
3.4.18 BioTex 115
3.4.19 Integrity Applications 116
3.4.20 Calisto Medical 116
3.4.21 Allmedicus 117
3.4.22 Diabetech 117
3.4.23 Diagnostic Devices 118
3.4.24 DIRAmed 118
3.4.25 Entelos 118
3.4.26 Fifty50 Pharmacy 119
3.4.27 Fluent Biomedical 119
3.4.28 GenExel-Sein 119
3.4.29 GlucoLight 119
3.4.30 GluMetrics 119
3.4.31 Glucoplus 120
3.4.32 GlySens 120
3.4.33 HMD BioMedical 120
3.4.34 InLight Solutions 120
3.4.35 Insulet 121
3.4.36 IntelliDx 121
3.4.37 Kumetrix 122
3.4.38 Lein Applied Diagnostics 122
3.4.39 Cholestech 123
3.4.40 LighTouch Medical 123
3.4.41 LG Electronics 123
3.4.42 Luminous Medical 123
3.4.43 Menarini Diagnostics 124
3.4.44 OrSense 124
3.4.45 Pelikan Technologies 125
3.4.46 Polymer Technology Systems 126
3.4.47 PreciSense 126
3.4.48 Sensys Medical 126
3.4.49 Smiths Medical MD 127
3.4.50 TaiDoc Technology 127
3.4.51 U.S. Diagnostics 127
3.4.52 VeraLight 128
3.4.53 Zyvex 128
3.4.54 Health Hero Network 128
3.4.55 IN4 Technology 128
3.4.56 Nipro 129
3.4.57 Teco Diagnostics 129
3.4.58 Uchain Industrial 129
3.4.59 GlucoStats System 129
3.4.60 Sanko Junyaku 130
3.4.61 International Technidyne 130
3.4.62 Medtronic MiniMed 130
3.4.63 Diacare 130
3.4.64 Tyson Bioresearch 130

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From:Aarkstore Enterprise
Contact: Neel
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