If you’re looking for alternate choices for your health other than conventional medicine the choices you have are endless. Regaining your health through alternative medicine is becoming more and more common today as people find that conventional medicine doesn’t always work. Chinese medicine and medical practices are very popular among all cultures. Acupuncture has proven to be effective in the treatment of many medical conditions including cancer, arthritis, weight management, diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy. Acupressure is also a common form of alternative medicine that is being heard about more often in western cultures. As well as acupuncture and acupressure, the use of Chinese herbal medicine is used for any number of ailments and symptoms.

The use of a variety of relaxation techniques are another form of alternative medicine that more and more people are using for use in pain control, lowering their blood pressure, controlling the symptoms of arthritis, headache control, and many other medical conditions. Some of these relaxation techniques include yoga, tai chi, meditation, visualization, chanting. Another alternative health method used by many people is managing the chakra system of the body. The chakra points are fully concentrated on until both mental and physical health is obtained. Many times this requires the use of chakra therapist to help with each level of the chakras.

When it comes to choosing alternative health options you might want to talk to a naturopathic doctor so that you can find out what choices you have for your medical symptoms or if you just want to maintain good health. Alternative medicine means feeling a strong interest in the methods that you choose. You can also look in your local natural health bookstore for books on alternative medicine so that you see the great strides that this discipline has made over the years. You might be surprised to find that this field of medicine has claimed its place in medical care as firmly as it has.

Diabetes is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year: without the proper management, diabetes can keep people from leading healthy, productive lives. Diabetes disease management, however, is not only difficult but costly. People with some types of diabetes need frequent insulin shots, or have to take oral insulin, both of which can be expensive. As a result, discount diabetic supplies are in high demand.

What diabetic medical supplies are required, and why are they needed by diabetics? Because diabetics can also suffer from a wide variety of complications, they also need to undergo different treatment regimens that can help ease these complications. Such complications can include cardiovascular disease, renal or kidney failure, liver failure, hypertension, and general organ and tissue damage.

Why is Insulin So Important?

There are three principal types of diabetes, and all of them involve the inability of pancreatic cells to produce the metabolic hormone insulin. Insulin aids in the breakdown of complex sugars and carbohydrates into forms that the body can use for energy. If insulin is not present in large quantities, or if insulin is not present in functional form, sugar levels can increase substantially in the blood. This can cause widespread tissue and organ damage, and, in extreme cases, result in sugar shock and eventual coma.

Type I Diabetes

Type I diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes, as it was often found and diagnosed in children. Type I diabetes is essentially an autoimmune disease. People with Type I diabetes have overactive immune systems that destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, so that they require constant doses of insulin.

Type II

Type II diabetes develops in adulthood, and is often associated with obesity, which scientists find is a large risk factor for this type of diabetes. In Type II diabetes, the body’s tissues and organs are resistant to insulin. This condition is similar to the third type of diabetes, which is called gestational or pregnancy-induced diabetes. Gestational diabetes arises because higher levels of pregnancy hormones can make organs more resistant to insulin; this diabetes type, however, generally disappears after delivery.

Insulin therefore has to be produced in large amounts in order to cater to the needs of rising numbers of people suffering from diabetes. This important hormone was once sourced from cadaver pancreases, which was a highly inefficient method that made insulin shots expensive. In the advent of recombinant DNA technology, however, microbial cells are used to produce large amounts of human insulin, which can then be harvested and purified from the microbial culture.

Today, insulin is available in oral or tablet form, which can be useful in dealing with all types of diabetes. However, insulin shots work best for Type II diabetics who are too far advanced in the disease and whose bodies do not have adequate resources to respond to tablets. Recently, insulin has also been approved in inhaled form, although this type of insulin is prescribed for people suffering from Type I diabetes.

What are Diabetic Supplies Used For?

In general, diabetic insulin supplies can be expensive: if not in oral form, people suffering from diabetes need syringes and specifically designed inhalers to deliver insulin. For people who are far advanced in the disease, dialysis machines can be in demand in order to clean out the kidneys or liver, and generally rid the body of toxins that its organs can no longer properly dispose of.

Many corporations and insurance companies can be contacted to provide information on diabetes supplies, as well as free diabetes supplies for patients who are in immediate need of therapy. For instance, Liberty diabetic supplies and Medicare are common examples of providers that work closely with doctors in ensuring proper medical care for diabetics, as well as efficient disease management.

Supplies For Diabetic Complications

There are also medical supplies that are used in therapy regimens that deal with complications of diabetes. For instance, diabetes can impede blood circulation and can damage the nerves of the feet. People with diabetes often need to undergo foot amputation in order to get rid of gangrenous tissue or foot ulcers. To prevent this from occurring, physicians will often prescribe physical therapy, which can require special machines to carry out. Physical therapy can keep nerves active, and muscles toned.

If you are suffering from any form of diabetes, you might be recommended some forms of therapy that will require you to purchase discount diabetic supplies. Always consult with your doctors and insurance company about them, as well as low-cost or free alternatives that are reliable and matched to your needs. With good maintenance, you can keep your diabetes in check, and you can still be healthy.

Meditation is a means of awareness. Whatever you undertake with awareness is classed as meditation. Controlling your breathing is meditation, listening to music is meditation. Whatever activity you undertake which is free from other mind distractions, is effective meditation.

Meditation has many health benefits. It increases blood flow in the body, lowers the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, making it good practice for women that have cardiovascular problems.

Meditation can also decrease virus activity and emotional stress, which in effect helps to keep away colds and flu symptoms and kick start the immune system.

Meditation techniques are quite simple. All that is needed is a quiet place, good posture and a positive attitude.

The most common techniques in meditation are:

1. Sitting or lying in a relaxed position with the eyes closed.

2. Breathe regularly. Breathe in deep enough to receive enough oxygen. When breathing out, relax the muscles so that the lungs are well emptied, but without straining.

3. Stop thinking about everyday problems and matters.

4. Concentrate your thoughts upon a certain sound or image. Then all of your attention should be pointing to that object.

5. If other thoughts try to step in, you simple return to the object of meditation.

Movement meditation incorporates mindfulness with motion. Squat down and allow your limbs to loosen and swing and shake them to release tension.

Meditation often goes together with other mind-relaxing activities such as yoga and tai chi. It is only necessary to undertake approximately five to fifteen minutes of meditation each day, several days a week in order to have a positive outcome on your well-being.

People meditate in order to bring peace and serenity into their lives and to be at one with their inner selves. It is also a way of healing and improving the mental and physical state of those people. Therefore, no matter what reason you have for meditating, it has become a universal thing.

Meditation techniques are different from different cultures. Meditation techniques depend on the type of personality held by the individual. Some important things to remember when using meditation techniques in order to improve your health are:

• Structured Meditations – it is important to set aside a time for meditation and follow a specific routine. This important for our balance, health and sanity.

• A meditation place – this need to be a comfortable, quiet place where your meditating will be undisturbed. It can be your living room, garden or even in the park.

• Posture – it is important to have the correct posture, with the head, neck and back straight, feet flat on the floor and hands and palms cupped upwards, which signifies your openness to the procedure.

• Breath – the rhythm of our breathing is vital for our body, mind and emotions. The effectiveness of correct breathing has shown in scientific studies that the correct breathing techniques help with a variety of health issues, such as migraine headaches, back pain, high blood pressure, asthma and tension.

• Clothing – it is also important to remember when meditating to wear comfortable clothes. The more comfortable you feel, the better the results.

DIABETES

Definition as stated by Dr Miriam Stoppard

Types of diabetes

1- Type 1

2- Type 2

Causes

1- Lifestyle

2- Disorders

3- Gestational diabetes

DIABETES MELLITUS

Long term complication

1-Heart problem

2-Eye

Treatment

1-Insulin Prevention

2- Good lifestyle 1-healthy diet

3- Monitoring blood glucose 2-blood pressure measurement

3- healthy lifestyle

Symptoms

1-excessive urination

2- weakness

3- weight loss

Notes from readings

- pancreas either produces insufficient amounts of insulin or body cells become resistant to the hormone’s effects.

- Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

- Although dietary measures are also important, it must be treated with insulin injections. About 60,000 people in the UK have this type of diabetes.

- The pancreas continues to secrete insulin but cells in the body become resistant to its effects.

- Diabetes mainly affects people over the age of 40 and is more common in overweight people.

- Condition may be treated with dietary measures only.

- Diabetes mellitus can sometimes develop during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes and is usually treated with insulin to maintain the health of the mother and baby.

- Type 1 diabetes is usually caused by an abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas.

- Type 2 diabetes are less well understood, but the genetics and obesity are important factors.

- The symptoms of type 2 may not be obvious or may go unnoticed until a routine medical check-up. The main symptoms of both forms may include:

- Excessive urination

- Thirst and a dry mouth

- Insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

- Lack of energy

- Blurry vision

- Weight loss

Symptoms of type 2 may go unnoticed until routine medical check up.

The main symptoms of both forms may include:

- excessive urination

- thirst and a dry mouth

- insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

- Lack of energy

- Blurry vision

- Weight loss

The main symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

- nausea and vomiting, sometimes with abdominal pain.

- Deep breathing.

- Acetone smell to the breath (like pear drops or nail polish remover)

- Confusion.

Living with diabetes:

- A healthy diet

- Drinking and smoking

- Special care for your feet.

- Exercise and sports.

- Strenuous exercise

- Moderate exercise

- Medical check up

- Eye examination

- Blood pressure measurement.

Treatment for:

Type 1

Insulin can be injected into any fatty area, such as upper arm.

Source: Dr Miriam Stoppard , Doling Kindersley Ltd 2002 ‘Family Health Guide’, pages 504 to 507.

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

- Diabetes is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide.

-A considerable proportion

of people either have impaired glucose tolerance with a significant

risk of development of diabetes, or have undiagnosed Type 2

diabetes.

-Pivotal to reducing the risk of morbidity and the development

of complications and mortality is the normalisation of both fasting

and postprandial blood glucose levels.

-diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions

worldwide, with between 5 and 10% of the world population

affected.

- People with diabetes have approximately twice

the prevalence of hypertension compared with non-diabetic

patients

-40% of subjects were defined as hypertensive on entry

(receiving antihypertensive treatment or with a mean systolic

blood pressure ? 160 mmHg and/or a mean diastolic blood

pressure ? 90 mmHg)

-People with diabetes are 17 times more prone to kidney disease,

with diabetic nephropathy being the most common

complication [11]. Diabetic nephropathy may eventually

lead to end-stage renal disease and thus significant mortality.

-Approximately 30-40% of people with diabetes develop

retinopathy, and diabetes is the most common cause of blindness

in the working years of life in developed countries

-According to a 1997 estimate [12], 120 million people

have Type 2 diabetes (approximately 2% of the world population)

and an additional 4 million have Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 85% of all cases of

diabetes in developed countries and almost all cases in developing

countries. It appears to be epidemic (affecting a high

and increasing proportion of the population) in many parts

of the world, and represents a serious and growing global

health challenge primarily as a result of increased obesity,

ageing populations, increasing urbanisation and a more sedentary

lifestyle [34, 35]. However, data from many parts of

the world with high and increasing prevalence (Asia, Latin

America, China) are not broadly based, and so this estimate

is likely to be markedly low.

-Type 1 diabetes

is one of the most common childhood diseases in developed

European countries and the incidence has increased dramatically

in some newly prosperous countries

-The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in particular is expected

to increase considerably as developing countries become

more Westernised in terms of availability of healthcare and

modernisation of existing resources, as well as a result of

substantial improvements in diabetes surveillance and

screening. Growth is projected to be greatest in Asia and

Africa, where diabetes could become 2-3 times more common

than it is today [12]. By 2025, more than 75% of people

with diabetes will be from developing countries, compared

with 62% in 1995

-Type 2 diabetes suggests a need for continuing

attention to control of blood glucose, blood pressure

and blood lipids through medication, diet and exercise.

People with Type 1 diabetes, and increasingly those with

Type 2 diabetes, have the additional burden of subcutaneous

insulin injections, self-monitoring and care of their insulin

supplies and equipment.

Direct Quote

Dr Miriam’s definition of diabetes is:

“the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Paraphrase

The body uses glucose as energy in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin (which is essential for the absorption of glucose) or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

Summary

Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by- products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Plan

1- Introduction

a- Definition

b- Types of diabetes

c- Brief description of each diabetes

2- Causes

a- Causes of Type 1 diabetes more frequent in children

b- Causes of Type 2 diabetes more frequent in adults

3- Symptoms

a- Both short term and long term consequences in case of non treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

4- Treatment

a- The use of insulin to control diabetes in both Type 1 and Type 2

5- Short Term and Long Term complications.

a- Short term and long term effect in Type 1 diabetes

b- Short term and long term effect in Type 2 diabetes

6- Conclusion

a-healthy diet

b- healthy lifestyle

7- Bibliography

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is developing in epidemic proportions in today’s world with 5 to 10% of the worldwide population affected. This disease is defined by Dr Stoppard, “as the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin”. Which means that the body uses glucose in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes:

1- Type 1 which is caused by the abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin secreting cells in the pancreas. It is more common in childhood.

2- Type 2 which causes are less understood. However, genetics and overweight are important factors.

Causes

Diabetes of Type 1 is usually caused by some viral diseases which affect the immune system of the child, though the genetic factor of one parent suffering from type 1 diabetes may have some effect, however most children who develop type 1 diabetes do not have parents with diabetes. As for Type 2 diabetes it is the increase in food intake which leads to overweight and obesity as well as the living of a sedentary lifestyle and it mostly affects adults.

Symptoms

Both types of diabetes have the same symptoms where there is excessive urination which account for the thirst and dry mouth but also for the insufficient sleep at night because of the need to go to the toilet. This state is paralleled by the lack of energy; blur vision and quick weight loss, abdominal pain, deep breathing and acetone smell breath may also consist of symptoms of diabetes.

Treatment

While the Type 1 diabetes have to submit themselves to the burden of insulin injection, self monitoring and the care of their insulin supplies and equipments, though the Type 2 diabetes have the need to control their blood glucose, their blood pressure and their blood lipids these may be done through medication, diet and exercise but sometimes in addition the Type 2 diabetes have to make insulin injections as the Type 1’s diabetes with all the inconvenience attached to it. As for treatment by insulin Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by-products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Hence, no complete cure of diabetes exist, for it is a chronic disease but it can be controlled so as not to cause more severe damage to the body which is affected by it. For that a healthy diet with special attention to avoid excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Special care should also be taken with the feet and the eyes. Medical check up as well as blood pressure measurement should be regular. While sports should be practiced excessive strenuous exercise should be avoided.

Short Term and Long Term effect

If left unattended the diabetes mellitus may give rise to both short-term and long term complications. In case of Type 1 neglect of treatment may lead to nausea and vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain and deep breathing, while an acetone smell breath is noted. If left untreated the subject quickly enter in a confusion state where dehydration may lead to coma and death. As for the Type 2 diabetes if left untreated as is often the cause long term diseases like cardiovascular diseases occurs which may end up in a stroke. These are consequences of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol in the blood. There is an increase risk of cataracts in the eyes and symptoms of dizziness upon standing and poor circulation because of nerve damage may lead to ulcers and gangrene.

Conclusion

In conclusion it can be said that the Diabetes mellitus is a disease that compel the one suffering from it to adopt a healthier lifestyle so as to control the devastation that the disease may cause to the body and to avoid the shortening of one’s life.

(810 words)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1- http://www.e2med.com/dm

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

2- Dr Miriam Stoppard, 2002, Family Health Guide, Doling Kindersley Ltd, England

Meditation is a group of mental training techniques. You can use meditation to improve mental health and capacities, to improve your motivation for your goals and also to help improve the physical health. Some of these techniques are very simple, so you can learn them from a book or an article; others require guidance by a qualified meditation teacher.

 

WHAT IS MEDITATION

Most techniques called meditation include these components:

1. You sit or lie in a relaxed position with closed eyes.

2. You breathe regularly. You breathe in deep enough to get enough oxygen. When you breathe out, you relax your muscles so that your lungs are well emptied, but without straining.

3. You stop thinking about everyday problems and matters.

4. You concentrate your thoughts upon some sound, some word you repeat, some image, some abstract concept or some feeling. Your whole attention should be pointed at the object you have chosen to concentrate upon.

5. If some foreign thoughts creep in, you just stop this foreign thought, and go back to the object of meditation.

The different meditation techniques differ according to the degree of concentration, and how foreign thoughts are handled. By some techniques, the objective is to concentrate so intensely that no foreign thoughts occur at all.

In other techniques, the concentration is more relaxed so that foreign thoughts easily pop up. When these foreign thoughts are discovered, one stops these and goes back to the pure meditation in a relaxed manner. Thoughts coming up, will often be about things you have forgotten or suppressed, and allow you to rediscover hidden memory material. This rediscovery will have a psychotherapeutic effect.

 

THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION

Meditation has the following effects:

1. Meditation will reduce stress and give you rest and recreation.

2. You learn to relax.

3. You learn to concentrate better on problem solving.

4. Meditation often has a good effect upon the blood pressure.

5. Meditation has beneficial effects upon inner body processes, like circulation, respiration and digestion.

6. Regular meditation will have a psychotherapeutically effect.

7. Regular meditation will facilitate the immune system.

8. Meditation is usually pleasant.

 

 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYPNOSIS AND MEDITATION

Hypnosis may have some of the same relaxing and psychotherapeutic effects as meditation. However, when you meditate you are in control yourself; by hypnosis you let some other person or some mechanical device control you. Also hypnosis will not have a training effect upon the ability to concentrate.

 

A SIMPLE FORM OF MEDITATION

Here is a simple form of meditation. By this meditation technique, you should concentrate in an easy manner. This will allow foreign thoughts to pop up. These are handled one by one as they appear. You proceed as follows:

1. Sit in a good chair in a comfortable position.

2. Close your eyes and relax all your muscles as well as you can.

3. Stop thinking about anything, or at least try not to think about anything.

4. Breath out, relaxing all the muscles in your breathing apparatus.

5. Repeat the following in 10 – 20 minutes:

– Breath in so deep that you feel you get enough oxygen.

– Breath out, relaxing your chest and diaphragm completely.

– Every time you breathe out, think the word “one” or another simple word inside yourself. You should think the word in a prolonged manner, and so that you hear it inside you, but you should try to avoid using your mouth or voice.

6. If foreign thoughts come in, just stop these thoughts in a relaxed manner, and keep on concentrating upon the breathing and the word you repeat.

As you proceed through this meditation, you should feel steadily more relaxed in your mind and body, feel that you breathe steadily more effectively, and that the blood circulation throughout your body gets more efficient. You may also feel an increasing mental pleasure throughout the meditation.

 

THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION UPON DISEASES

As any kind of training, meditation may be exaggerated so that you get tired and worn out. Therefore you should not meditate so long or so concentrated that you feel tired or mentally emptied.

Meditation may sometimes give problems for people suffering from mental diseases, epilepsy, serious heart problems or neurological diseases. On the other hand, meditation may be of help in the treatment of these and other conditions.

People suffering from such conditions should check out what effects the different kinds of meditation have on their own kind of health problems, before beginning to practise meditation, and be cautious if they choose to begin to meditate. It may be wise to learn meditation from an experienced teacher, psychologist or health worker that use meditation as a treatment module for the actual disease.