Diabetes

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• December 29, 2012 11:54 a.m.

  I miss your first the first 5 myths could you repeat them? Thank you! JM

  - Jerome

• July 31, 2012 9:58 a.m.

  Jeanne: People with Type 1 diabetes must be on insulin from the start. However, because of the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes, many people with type 2 diabetes are started on insulin once oral agents fail or are not enough to control blood glucose.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 26, 2012 1:34 p.m.

  Thank you so much for your list of diabetes myths. I don't have it but my husband does although I'm the one that manages it for him. I think he is in denial. Now that we are able, I intend to take him to a class at the local hospital for diabetes. I'm hoping that once he hears how serious it can be he will take an active roll in caring for his condition. There were several on the list that educated me but the one about if using insulin means you are a type I diabetic caught my eye. We were just asked by a medical professional what type he was and when we told them he took insulin they said if you take insulin you HAVE to be a type I. This concerned me and couldn't wait for his next appointment with his Dr. Thanks for clearing this up for us. Your information is very helpful. Keep up your good work!

  - Jeanne

• May 20, 2012 Noon

  My doctors informed me I am a diabetic and am meeting with him next week. I am not sure what foods I can eat and what I must avoid. I feel good am some what over weight - I take a walk 4 or 5 times a weak (30 to 40 Minutes) . I'm 71 years old until I was I was in my early 60's ran about 20 to 25 miles a week. What foods can I eat and what must I avoid?

  - Chuck

• May 2, 2012 4:58 a.m.

  It is important that you talk with your phciiysan or dietician when designing you meal plan, coz the dietary needs of individuals may vary. So it's better to get professional advice. The followings are a general guideline.•Lower the fat intake, especially saturated fat.•Limit the use of refined sugar•Select carbohydrates with low glycemic index (GI) value. Low glycemic value means they increase our blood sugar level slowly, not very dramatically, which is important in diabetes. Carbohydrates rich in fiber are examples for these: like whole grain bread, rice and grains still with the seed cover.•Eat regular small servings, spreading the daily portion of carbohydrate throughout each meal.•Avoid over-consumption of highly processed food; you know food like fast food, instant noodles, white bread etc.•Eat three to five servings of vegetables daily. But don’t eat too much starchy vegetables like potato, yams. Choose beans, cucumber, cabbage, green leafy vegies etc.•Fruits can be taken in moderation. Avoid too much of sugary fruits though.•Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can cause two special problems. One is that it contains lots of energy that may not have been included into your meal plan. Also alcohol may impair your judgment about what food is good for you and what is bad.It is important that you take regular moderate exercises. Exercises help you manage diabetes properly. But speak with your phciiysan first, before you start an exercise plan. Get his advice on which

  - Angel

• April 11, 2012 4:13 p.m.

  Generally, people will gain some weight after starting insulin, especially if the blood glucoses have been very high, because they have not had enough insulin around to use calories eaten. To maintain weight, calories consumed need to equal calories used. People with diabetes have the added responsibility of balancing insulin, food, and activity in order to keep the blood glucose in target range. Not an eay job.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• April 4, 2012 2:45 p.m.

  Thanks for the informative article. As a nurse of 8 years and mother of a T1D, I learned a few things I wasn't aware of so kudos to you! My question is for my son, who is almost 8, and was diagnosed with T1D 1 year ago. He has always been a "small" boy, on the slim side, never an ounce of fat on his body. Since he started on insulin, he has put on probably 8-10 pounds in a year. I might attribute it to growth spurt except that he hasn't gained much height. He is terribly active; he gets outside absolutely every chance he gets and we eat healthier than your average American family- lots of fruits and vegetables. I hope he isn't going to struggle with weight just because he has to use insulin. He has enough to contend with having both T1D and Celiac Disease. Thanks for your input.

  - Amanda

• April 2, 2012 5:33 p.m.

  Very nice blogs. Thanks :)

  - Roli

• March 7, 2012 6:38 p.m.

  does drinking 100 % juice can cause diabetes type 1 in children

  - liz

• December 27, 2011 1:35 p.m.

  What does it mean when my blood sugar spikes in am?

  - Susan

• July 11, 2011 7:28 p.m.

  I have Type 2 diabetes. I have been taking first Metformin and then Janumet. They were controlling my blodd sugar nicely. But the gastrointestinal side effects were such that my body cannot tolerate the Metformin. It appears that i need more meds. I am allergic to sulfa drugs so my physician says that I have to go on insulin. Are there any other drugs that can be used?

  - Lyn

• March 22, 2011 12:28 p.m.

  I am sick of the blame game - diabetes causes weight gains and not the person - I have worked hard of 20+ years and have only gained weight when my medications were changed. Insulin is specifically a problem and the medical profession would prefer to blame us than to admit they cannot and will not find a cure as this is a money disease. Please stop saying that weight is causing the diabetes because it is not. I was 150 pounds when diagnosed and now 20 years later I am 220. The meds caused my weight gain. I have been through a lot of different procedures in the process and none have worked for more than a few years. I am type 2 diagnosed when I was 31 years old. Why are you guys so judgemental toward people that trying very hard to get better? The medical system is designed around treatment not cure.

  - Glen

• March 11, 2011 9:06 a.m.

  I have been thirsty for over a year now. About 3 months into this I went to see a doctor just to be sure. He took a simple blood test and said my blood sugar was normal and basically passed me off. So now about 15 months later the thirst is as persistent as ever and this past weekend I noticed my calves were swollen. I went to a new doctor this morning and she took another blood test and is sending me to an endocrinologist.... I guess my question is, is it possible to make the conection between my symptoms and diabetes even if my blood sugar tested normal? My doctor said the tests can me extensive.

  - Julie

• February 28, 2011 2:50 p.m.

  I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic a year and a half ago but I had been sent to the emergency room in 2006 with a blood sugar reading of 47 and during a routine blood test in 2003 my blood sugar was measured at 60. Now my blood sugar fluctuate at times from 500 to 50 in a single day I am wondering if there were early signs missed.

  - Sam

• February 18, 2011 7:00 a.m.

  I am diabetic & hav bn on Metformin-1000 SR daily. I find my glucose level fluctuating wth 146mg one day & 179 (both fasting readings) the nxt day wth no change in diet & exercise pattern. Cd u tell me wat cd b causig it? Thanx

  - Anushua

• February 3, 2011 10:13 p.m.

  Diabetes will never be cured as the drug companies make billions off of treating - they will buy any cure and destroy it. Just as GM bought the 50 mph carb to keep gas selling. It is sad that we will continually be at the drug companies control as they will not allow a cure to be published.

  - Glen

• January 29, 2011 1:57 p.m.

  Jane, that person with Type 1 diabetes needs to do some research. Type 2 diabetics do not need to get that rap. I have type 2 diabetes. I am NOT overweight. I weigh 145 and am 5'6" tall. I do not have a bunch of medical problems. I don't overeat. My body just does not know how to use the insulin it produces properly. Have him/her check the MayoClinic website and see what they have to say about Type 2 diabetes. Tell him/her to tell her doctor her wrong theory of Type 2 diabetes and see what he/she tells him/her. I find this statement to be a great insult to those of us with Type 2 diabetes and are suffering, are not able to enjoy ourselves at parties and family get togethers as they are always centered around the food, have to constantly be concerned about the future, etc. We do have diabetes and all the health problems and concerns associated with it, as well as the social stigma that is thrust upon us from people like this person.

  - Cindi

• January 17, 2011 6:39 p.m.

  Someone with type 1 diabetes told me that there really isn't a type 2...that Dr.s use this term for people who are obese and have developed medical problems. that if I would just stop eating so much, and lose weight, I wouldn't be "diabetic". She's upset, because she says "type 2" is taking funding away from the real diabetes cure. Pleas respond.

  - Jane

• January 12, 2011 4:08 p.m.

  I think that another myth regarding diabetes is the "if I eat too much candy (or other high sugar) foods,I will get diabetes. True or false?

  - Keith

• December 4, 2010 6:51 p.m.

  Hi everybody. I am a 42 year old female. I writing because I have been reading several of the post and I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I am very confused. In Sept of this year I went to see an endocrinologist for feeling very exhausted off and on after taking a hydrocortisol shot for allergies. I thought it was my thyroid or hormones. She took an A1C test on a hunch. The results were 6.4. I asked her if I was diabetic and she said yes. I asked her if I was type 1 or 2. She said I looked like I was type 1. I recently lost over 151lbs rapidly and unvountarily in June, from 155 to 135. I am assuming because I switched from pasta to whole grains, fruits, etc .She then took a metabolic panel. fasting glucose was 87. lipids all in normal range. GAD was .8. From this she said I was officially now a Type 1. Problem is I went to get a second opinion this endocrinologist stated I didnt have diabetes at all from what she could see!!! I dont know who to believe. I do have to admit. I must eat every 3-5 hours and I must have some sort of low sugar in order to get rid of what I call brain fog almost daily. no other symptoms. I am not on any type of insulin or medication and my blood pressure is 135/80. thanks

  - linnette

• September 1, 2010 8:45 a.m.

  I am a type II diabetic and I know the benefits of exercise. What about type I diabetes? Does exercise help?

  - Vern

• August 11, 2010 12:49 a.m.

  Why is Starlix contraindicated for type 1 diabetics

  - Joanne

• June 25, 2010 11:00 a.m.

  I heard from a Dr. they are finding out different things about diabetes and are more concerned about high blood pressure and high colestrol;(sorry about the spelling) and not so much about blood sugars.

  - Joan

• June 23, 2010 12:23 a.m.

  Thank you very much for discussing this topic as am one of those struggling with diabetes. I will be with you through out this month to learn more. It all started as gestational but didnt go with my second child. I am struggling to increase weight just a bit but its going lower many times. What do i do. Am quite keen on my diet and quantity.

  - Frashiah

• June 1, 2010 6:14 p.m.

  Are there genetic factors associated with diabetes 2? What are the origins of RNA/DNA mutations in Diabetics? If so, what role do they play in the disease? Has there been any progess in the field of stem cell implants and Diabeties treatment? If i eat the same meal as a non diabetic why are our blood readings different? Am I bigge because I have diabetes or do I have diabetes because I am bigger? If I lose the weight will I lose the diabetes? Does taking Insulin increase my quality of life?

  - Ray