Diabetes Mellitus Weight Loss Nutrition Tips Guide

Diabetes Mellitus Treatments Improving Your Life

By Myfawny Craighter

The word "diabetes" was coined by Aretaeus Cappadocia and stems from the Greek verb "diabaínein," ("dia" meaning "across/apart" and "bainein" meaning to stride with legs asunder"). The literal translation means "one that straddles" or "a compass, siphon," referring to the main characteristic of diabetes, which is the excessive discharge of urine.

The first version of this word appeared in text in 1425, but the word "mellitus" was added by Thomas Willis in 1675, which translates to "honey;" a reference to the sweet taste of the urine from excess sugar in the bloodstream, which had been written about by the Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Indians and Persians.

Life For Diabetics Is Much More Tolerable

In the past, diabetes was a death sentence, as Aretaeus commented, "[For diabetics], life is short, disgusting and painful." Today, diabetes mellitus still has no cure, although lifestyle modification, medication and insulin treatment can make life much more tolerable.

Diabetes mellitus is a world-wide disease afflicting 171 million people as of 2000 (or 2.8% of the population), although many people remain undiagnosed. It’s estimated that the number of people affected will double by 2030.

Unhealthy Diets And Sedentary Lifestyles

Unlike many other diseases, the scope of diabetes is most encompassing in developed countries, like the United States, Australia, Sweden, Finland and the UK, where unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles may be contributing factors.

Over the past thirty years, the rate of type 2 diabetes has increased substantially to include 24 million diagnosed, 5.7 million undiagnosed and another 60 million overweight, sedentary and borderline diabetics.

1 In 3 Americans Born After 2000 Will Develop Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association reports that over 18% of Americans over 60 have diabetes. As a result, the Center for Disease Control has dubbed the change an "epidemic" and predicted that 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will develop the disease during their lifetime.

If treatments for diabetes are not sought, many complications may ensue. Up to 50% of people with the disease suffer diabetic neuropathy, which causes tingling, pain, numbness and weakness in the hands and feet. Sometimes this can lead to reduced blood flow, ulcers, gangrene and amputation.

Most Diabetics Diet Heart Disease Or Stroke

After 15 years, 2% of diabetics go blind and 10% suffer severe visual impairment as a result of damage to the retinal blood vessels. Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure, causing 10 to 20% of diabetic deaths. Another 50% die from heart disease or stroke.

The best way to review your options and manage diabetes mellitus is through healthy eating, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication, immunizations and regular checkups. Patients with diabetes will need screenings for kidney/renal failure, cholesterol and retinopathy. Visiting the podiatrist and the dentist several times a year is also important for the diabetic.

By working with a primary physician, individuals can learn about warning signs of low or high blood sugar levels and how to treat this. They can also improve the quality of their lives and stop the body’s degeneration through exercise and a conscientious diet.

This Article was about Diabetes Mellitus.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

About the Author:
Myfawny Craighter is an author of articles on health, exercise, dieting, weight loss and nutrition including Health Fitness, Weight Loss Success, Total Fat, Acid Diet, Binge Eating.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

Did You Know?

Right now the number one preventable death is cancer caused by smoking. The second most preventable death is complications related to obesity. Being fat is not just a punch line of a joke anymore. People spend millions each year on gym memberships and fad diets in the hopes of losing that excess weight.

The sad fact is that most will fail at their dieting attempts. Some will turn to surgery and others will struggle to survive. If you are overweight and having health issues related to your weight, you need help.