The Treatment Of Diabetes Using Alternative Medicine

Although there have been considerable advances in conventional medicine, many people believe strongly in the use of complementary and alternative medicine for many conditions and this is certainly true in the case of diabetes.

Complementary and alternative medicine use a number of products and practices which are not presently considered to be part of the mainstream system of healthcare and the main difference between the two is that complementary medicine is designed to be used alongside conventional treatment while alternative medicine is used instead of conventional treatment.

There are many forms of both complimentary and alternative medicine which are believed to produce beneficial effects but there are others forms can be extremely harmful and, in the case of a potentially serious condition such as diabetes, you should not use either without the knowledge of your doctor. Indeed, you should talk to your doctor about any form of complimentary or alternative medicine which you wish to use so that he can advise you of any possible medical consequences of such treatment.

There are a large number of different types of complimentary and alternative therapy for diabetes including:

1. Guided Imagery. Guided imagery is technique which relaxes the mind and body and develops an awareness of, and an ability to deal with, the body's response to pain using peaceful images. This can be particularly useful for diabetes suffering with nerve damage.

2. Acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into different parts of the body and can be used to trigger the release of natural chemical painkillers. It can be especially helpful for diabetes suffering with often painful nerve damage (neuropathy).

3. Magnesium. The exact part played by magnesium in controlling diabetes is poorly understood but it is known that this mineral, which is found in green leaf vegetables, whole grain foods and nuts, plays an important role in many of the body's functions including functions of the nerves, heart, muscles and bones. It also plays a part in the helping the body to handle glucose and low levels of magnesium are often found in people suffering from diabetes.

4. Ginseng. Ginseng has become very popular popularity recently for the treatment of a whole range of different conditions and is sold widely. There is some evidence from studies using American ginseng that it can reduce glucose levels, but this evidence is not strong enough yet to say just how effective it is as a form of therapy. One problem with ginseng is that it comes in a variety of different forms and strengths and nobody really knows just what amount or strength is needed for therapeutic purposes.

Whatever form of complimentary or alternative medicine you would like to try it is important to remember that you treating a serious and potentially life-threatening condition and that you should consult your doctor before trying any form of therapy.

For more information on all aspects of diabetes including taking a diabetes test and diabetes treatment please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com

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Long Term Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes is often easy to ignore especially in the early stages. The body will appear to work well. But what actually happens is that the excess glucose in the blood keeps eroding the inner lining of the blood vessel threatening major organs like heart, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Though you may not feel the effects right away, you will eventually feel it.

Compared with people who don’t have diabetes people with diabetes are

• Two to four times more likely to die of heart attack
• Two to four times more likely to have a stroke
• Likely to become blind
• Likely to suffer kidney failure
• Likely to have gangrene of the feet

If the blood glucose is maintained close to normal you can reduce the risks of complications. Diabetes can cause both short term and long term complications.
The long term complications of diabetes include

• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
• Kidney damage ( Nephropathy)
• Eye damage ( Retinopathy)
• Increased risk of infection

Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. Diabetes causes narrowing of the blood vessels by a process called atherosclerosis. When the blood vessels to the heart get narrowed down the blood flow is obstructed and it causes chest pain and heart attack. It is usually treated with aspirin, cholesterol lowering drugs and blood pressure drugs.

Stroke
Stroke is another long term complication of diabetes which occurs when the blood supply to apart of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced and the brain tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes to few hours, brain cells begin to die. The interruption can be from a clogged or blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or from a leaking or ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Ischemic stroke is more common.

Peripheral arterial disease
With peripheral arterial disease the arteries supplying the limbs, more commonly the legs, becomes clogged or partially blocked due to atherosclerosis. It causes pain, cramping in the legs while walking. The treatment includes control of cholesterol and high blood pressure and surgery to bypass obstructed vessels.

Nerve damage (Neuropathy)

High levels of blood glucose can damage the delicate nerves. Excess glucose weakens walls of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the nerves.

• Damage to the sensory nerves may leave you unable to perceive pain, warmth, coolness and texture.
• Damage of the autonomic nerve can increase the heart rate and in men can interfere with their ability to have erection.
• Damage of the motor nerves causes weakness of the muscles.

The symptoms include tingling feeling, numbness, burning pain, stabbing and aching pain, a crawling sensation. It is treated with pain relievers, Capsaicin, acupuncture, biofeedback and relaxation exercises.

Kidney Damage (Nephropathy)
Diabetes damages the filtering system of the kidneys. Up to 30% of the diabetics eventually develop kidney disease called nephropathy. The longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk of kidney damage. The signs and symptoms of this long term complication of diabetes include

• Swelling of the ankles, feet and hands
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Poor appetite
• Metallic taste

It is treated with drugs called ACE inhibitors, low protein diet, dialysis and in final stages kidney transplant.

Eye Damage (Retinopathy)

High blood glucose affects the tiny blood vessels in retina of the eye. In fact among the long term complications of diabetes, they are the first to be affected. Almost every one with Type I diabetes and 60% of those with Type II diabetes have some sort of eye damage. The signs and symptoms of this long term complication of diabetes include

• Tiny specks floating in your vision
• Blurred vision
• Dark spot in the centre of the vision
• Flashes of light
• Poor night vision
• Blindness

There are two types – non-proliferative which is more common and the proliferative types. The eye damage is treated with laser procedures and surgery.

Increased risk of infections
High blood glucose impairs the immune system putting you at a higher risk of infection. Your gums, lungs, skin, feet, bladder and genitals are the common infection sites. The signs and symptoms of this long term complication of diabetes depend on the site of infection.

• Gums- redness and bleeding
• Bladder – frequent urination and burning sensation while passing urine
• Vagina- itching
• Foot- redness and pus collection

They are usually treated with antibiotics. In severe infection of the foot, debridement is done.

DiabetesCondition.com provides information on diabetes management, diabetes treatment, diabetes supplies, glucose meters, diabetic testing supplies, self-help, identification and prevention of immediate and long-term diabetes complications, and other information to help with the prevention and management of diabetes.

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