According to the National Diabetes Education Program, there is a current epidemic of diabetes among African Americans.  African Americans are one of the largest groups in the population in the United States that are contracting Type II diabetes.  In addition, diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death and disability among African Americans in the United States. 

There are certain factors that are believed to cause Type II diabetes, which accounts for nearly 95 percent of all cases of the disease.  The causes are generally someone with a close relative with the disease, being an African American or being overweight.  Other factors include having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and having gestational diabetes while pregnant.  It is estimated that about 3.2 million African Americans have Type II diabetes and about one third of them are undiagnosed.

No one is quite sure why African Americans are more likely to get Type II diabetes than any other ethnic group.  One thing is certain, however.  Poor African Americans are more likely to die from complications of the disease than those in other ethnic groups.  This is most likely due to poor health care in certain communities, limited access to drugs that can potentially save their lives and less education.  Affluent African Americans have the same chance as other ethnic groups of dying from complications of the disease.

Many people who live in poor communities, in addition to receiving substandard medical care, little education about disease and limited access to lifesaving drugs, also are inundated with fast food restaurants that seem to target certain ethnic groups.  Fast foods are usually very high in carbohydrates, fats and offer very little in the way of nutrition.  They are inexpensive, however, and many people with little money find this to be the only way they can feed their family on a limited budget.  Unfortunately, most of the foods found in fast food restaurants, particularly French fries, are at the top of the Glycemic Index when it comes to foods that should not be consumed by diabetics.  French fries are pretty much the staple of any fast food restaurant.  They are high in carbohydrates, high in fat and low in protein.  But they are filling.

African Americans can prevent acquiring Type II diabetes in many different ways.  One-way is to take a look at the Glycemic Index and realize which foods are harmful to them and which to avoid.  Another way is to start an exercise regime and, if they are overweight, lose some of those excess pounds.  If they are without health care, they should contact their local municipality about screening tests for diabetes.  Many clinics and health care facilities offer screening tests for diabetes for those with low income for free.  This small step may end up saving the life of someone who is on the verge of getting this potentially life threatening illness.

African Americans can also start saying no to fast foods that, in addition to being precursors for diabetes, are also linked to heart disease, high cholesterol and even cancer.  Many fast food restaurants prey on people in low-income areas without regard for the health of those individuals.  African Americans need to realize that they are experiencing an epidemic of Type II diabetes in their community and do all that they can to stamp it out.

Upon first being diagnosed with diabetes, many patients ask can a good diet keep diabetes at bay.  Most doctors will agree that a good diet, low in carbohydrates and sugars can help a person with diabetes avoid many of the complications that often accompany the disease.  While a good diet cannot necessarily cure the illness, a good diet can keep diabetes at bay.

People who have diabetes have a difficult time processing foods such as sugars and starches.  Instead of processing normally through their system, they stay in the system and turn end up increasing the glucose in the bloodstream.  When this occurs, it is called glycemia  - which is too much sugar in the blood.  People with Type I and Type II diabetes both suffer from having too much glucose in the blood.  As the glucose does not digest normally, it causes problems with the kidneys, liver, eyesight, heart, and blood circulation in general. 

Depending upon the stage of their diabetes, a physician will normally prescribe either medication or insulin.  Both help the body process the sugars in the blood, to break them down and allow the patient to expel them.  However, insulin and medication are no substitute for a healthy diet.  Just because a person is taking medication or insulin does not give them carte blanche to consume all of the sugar and carbohydrates they can get their hands on.   It is absolutely essential that a person with diabetes not only takes medication or insulin as directed, but also adheres to a diabetic diet.  This means getting familiar with which foods should be avoided and which foods can be eaten sparingly.

The Glycemic Index was established in 1981 to rate which carbohydrates are the worst for those with diabetes.  The carbohydrates that are high on the list, such as white bread, take longer to digest and should be avoided.  Carbohydrates that have low scores, such as brown rice, can be eaten in moderation.  It is very difficult for anyone to avoid carbohydrates completely, which is why familiarizing oneself with the Glycemic Index is so important in the treatment of diabetes.

In addition to carbohydrates that rate high on the Glycemic Index as well as low, there is also an intermediate group.  It may surprise people to know that a chocolate bar is rated in the intermediate group on the Glycemic Index.  This does not mean, however, that one should feel free to consume all the chocolate they want.  The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to help individuals establish which foods should definitely be avoided and which foods are okay in moderation.

So, can a good diet keep diabetes at bay?  The answer is yes.  While it cannot cure a patient of diabetes, a good diet low in foods that have high ratings in the Glycemic Index and high in proteins can help an individual with this condition live a longer, healthier life.  Until there is a cure for this potentially life threatening condition, it is important for all people who suffer from diabetes to familiarize themselves with the Glycemic Index so they can better understand how to control their disease.

Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes are overwhelmed with an onslaught of new information, medications, doctor visits and a feeling of helplessness.  Diabetes can be frightening, particularly for anyone who is not familiar with the disease.  We read about complications and insulin and medication and feel hopeless. 

Many diabetics experience a period of denial when first diagnosed with diabetes.  They refuse to believe there is anything wrong with them.  While they remain in denial, the condition worsens.  This can often lead to depression.  Depression and diabetes often go hand in hand.  According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have a greater risk for developing depression than other individuals.  

The stress of management of diabetes can take a toll on an individual.  There are new medications to take, blood sugar must be monitored frequently and a record kept for your doctor.  There are frequent doctor visits and there may be several different medication combinations needed before your blood sugar is kept under control.

On top of that, people who have diabetes are often faced with sudden lifestyle changes.  Foods that they once enjoyed are now taboo.  An exercise regime is often recommended, which can be good for depression, but people with depression often have little energy to begin an exercise regime.  As the depression continues, people often lose interest in monitoring their blood sugar levels and may even skip their medication. 

Symptoms of depression include a loss of pleasure in every day activities you used to enjoy as well as a change in appetite.  You may have trouble concentrating and have trouble sleeping.  Or you may even sleep too much.  Many people suffer from depression, but for a diabetic, it can be life threatening.  Depression and diabetes is a dangerous combination. 

People who are diagnosed with diabetes can empower themselves by learning as much about the disease as possible from the beginning.  This can alleviate the feeling of helplessness that often accompanies the diagnoses.  Ask your physician questions.  Do research.  Find out how you can help manage you disease.

If you feel you are suffering from some of the signs of depression, ask your doctor to recommend a therapist who is familiar in dealing with people with chronic illness.  Therapy can be crucial for a diabetic patient who feels isolated because of all of the extra work involved in treating their illness.  Do not be afraid to discuss your illness with family and friends.  Diabetes is a nothing to be ashamed of; it is a disease that affects millions of people.

If at all possible, join a support group for others who also have diabetes.  Here you cannot only find kindred spirits who are experiencing some of the same fears as yourself, but you can also learn new information. 

Any time someone is diagnosed with an illness puts him or her at risk for depression.  Their world has changed and no longer feels safe.  Worse of all, they feel out of control.  If you are diagnosed with diabetes, take back the control and learn how to manage your disease.  By empowering yourself, you will not only be able to effectively manage your diabetes, you will eliminate the depression.

As if people with diabetes do not have enough to worry about, they also have to contend with sexual problems.  Diabetes and sexual problems affect both men and women but in different ways.  Because your body responds to sexual stimuli through your nerves and high blood glucose levels affect your nervous system, it is understandable that even sexual response is affected by this potentially life threatening condition.

In men, diabetes and sexual problems often focus on erectile dysfunction.  It is estimated by the American Diabetes Institute that as many as 85 percent of men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction.  This can cause problems in marriage but more importantly, can cause severe depression in those who are contending not only with the disease of diabetes, but also what they deem the loss of their self-esteem.

Erectile dysfunction can also be a symptom of diabetes.  If a man continues to experience this malady, he should discuss this problem with his physician to make sure that he is not suffering from undiagnosed diabetes.  Fortunately, there are certain medications and other treatments available to men who experience this common side effect to diabetes.  The key to eliminating the problem is for the patient to discuss this with his physician.

Diabetes and sexual problems does not stop at erectile dysfunction, however.  Retrograde ejaculation is a more potentially dangerous situation that can happen to men with diabetes.  In this condition, the semen can go into the bladder instead of being dispelled out of the penis during ejaculation.  A man who is experiencing this side effect of diabetes should seek consultation with an urologist who can help with medication or surgery to correct the problem.

Men are not the only ones affected with sexual problems as a side effect to diabetes.  Diabetes and sexual problems also affect women.  Because of damage to the nerve cells within the vagina by high levels of blood glucose, dryness can occur that can make intercourse very painful.  Many women also report that the nerve damage caused by the hyperglycemia also causes them to lose interest in sex and have no sensations in their genital area.  Needless to say, the lack of sexual desire can cause psychological problems for both men and women and may lead to marital difficulties as well.

Many people are embarrassed about speaking to their physician when it comes to problems relating to sexual relations.  People with diabetes should be aware of the fact that their condition makes them prone to these side effects and should discuss them with their doctor so they can get treatment.  There is a variety of treatment for those experiencing diabetes and sexual problems. 

One way to prevent such problems from occurring is to maintain your blood glucose levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising and taking your prescribed medication or insulin.  Monitor your blood sugars as instructed by your physician.  If you experience any side effects related to your condition, discuss them with your physician.  By keeping informed of the disease and the side effects as well as complications, you can empower yourself in managing your illness and lead a happier as well as longer life.

Vigilance regarding your diet cannot only help you control your diabetes, but can also eliminate the need for insulin.  Many people with Type II diabetes are often prescribed tablets or pills in an attempt to control their condition prior to having to use insulin.  By following a proper diabetic diet, someone diagnosed with Type II diabetes, which has reached epidemic proportions throughout the United States, can either prolong the need for insulin or continue to treat their condition with more convenient medications.

People with diabetes have a difficult time breaking down carbohydrates in their system.  Carbohydrates are a large group of foods that are necessary for a balanced diet.  While many people assume diabetics must avoid sugar, this is just one example of carbohydrates.  In addition to foods rich in white sugar, carbohydrates include white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, some vegetables and fruits as well as anything rich with white flour.  Carbohydrates are a complex group of foods and different groups cause different effects to the blood stream.  While diabetics have a difficult time breaking down any carbohydrates in their blood stream, those with the highest Glycemic Index rating take the longest to break down in the blood stream and cause the most harm. 

By following a diet with limited amounts of carbohydrates, being aware of the Glycemic Index and learning which carbohydrates are the most harmful to a diabetic diet, someone with this potentially life threatening condition can keep this disease at bay.  If you have recently been diagnosed with Type II diabetes and have been given medication by your doctor as well as diet suggestions, follow the doctor's instructions.  Diabetics tend to be in denial more than any other group of patients and remain the most non compliant.  By following a good diabetic diet and taking your prescribed medication, you can live a full and normal life span.

A diabetic diet should include limits on carbohydrates and increases in protein.  Sugars should be eliminated as well as white flour.  Pasta and rice are also rich in carbohydrates.  One way someone can follow a good diabetic diet is to follow some of the low carb diets that were popular some years back.  Many of these diets either eliminated or limited carbohydrates.  There are also many different diabetic cookbooks for those with this condition that can help a person live a happier, healthier life.

It is unfortunate that so many people are continuing to be diagnosed with diabetes.  The good news is that there is plenty of information out on the market with regard to cookbooks and even on the Internet regarding how a diabetic diet can help someone with this disease.  Diabetes takes a toll on the human body after a certain period of time.  By following a good diabetic diet, one can reduce the toll of the disease and live a longer and more fruitful life.

Those with diabetes should become aware of the gylcemic index, follow a diabetic diet, see their doctor regularly, monitor their blood sugar and take their medications as prescribed in order to avoid complications that can arise from this disease.

Diabetics do not process sugars and starches though their systems like other individuals.  These substances stay within their system and enter the blood stream.  The high amounts of sugars in their blood, also called glucose, are called glycemia.  Glycemia is a condition when someone has an elevated amount of blood glucose.  This is often determined by a blood test.  People with diabetes have monitors and are supposed to test their blood glucose levels periodically throughout the day to monitor for glycemia. 

Glycemia can cause many complications in the body of a person with diabetes.  Some of the complications include those with the heart, circulation, blood vessels, kidneys and even eyesight.  Because of the high blood glucose levels, a person with diabetes risks having problems with their eyesight.  Eye complications of diabetes include those affecting the retina, the vitreous, the lens and the optic nerve. 

Eye complications of diabetes take a long time to develop.  The first is usually damage to the retina.  Tiny blood vessels make up the retina and too much blood glucose cause these vessels to swell.  They gradually begin to weaken and the person begins to experience vision problems.  For this reason, a person with diabetes should have an eye exam once a year.  During the exam, the eyes should be dilated to see if the condition has become worse. 

The name for eye complications of diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy.  A person with diabetes should rely on a qualified ophthalmologist who is familiar with this condition. 

Some of the signs of retina damage from diabetes include blurry vision, flashing lights, dark spots in front of the eyes, pain in the eyes, or pressure and trouble with peripheral vision.  If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and are experiencing any of these problems, see your ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam.  There are surgeries available that can enable diabetics to be able to regain the sight in their eyes and certain treatments can prevent further damage.

One way a person with diabetes can avoid eye complications of diabetes is to become familiar with the Glycemic Index that rates different foods that should not be included in a diabetic diet.  Exercise is also helpful in diabetic control as is the elimination of alcohol and smoking.  Maintaining a desirable weight is crucial to managing your diabetes.

Other eye complications of diabetes include cataracts and glaucoma.  While cataracts are relatively easy to cure, glaucoma is a precursor to blindness and needs to be treated.  This is why it is so important that someone with diabetes manages his or her disease with the help of a qualified ophthalmologist. 

Many eye complications of diabetes can be avoided if a person with the condition maintains a healthy lifestyle and is compliant in their diabetic treatment.  Maintain your weight.  Exercise.  Eat a proper diet that eliminates carbohydrates and sugars and become familiar with the Glycemic Index.  Avoid alcohol and do not smoke.  Take prescribed medications as directed by your physician and see your physician at intervals suggested by him or her.  Monitor your blood glucose level as often as prescribed.  By being compliant in the care of your disease, you can avoid eye complications of diabetes as well as other more life threatening complications of this disease. 

Whenever we think about people with diabetes, we often think of them as having problems with their feet.  This is one of the most common complications of diabetes and diabetes, more than anyone, need to make certain that they address any problems with their feet early on as such problems can result in a life threatening condition.

Foot complications of diabetes are caused by neuropathy.  Because the high glucose levels in the blood of a diabetic person affects the central nervous system after a period of time, it also affects nerves in various parts of your body.  Most often affected are the nerves in the feet.  The furthest from the brain, it is here where people with diabetes who have nerve damage, often do not feel cold or pain or even heat.  People with diabetes that is uncontrolled often can injure their feet without feeling it.  The injury may result in a blister or wound that will be slow to heal.  The blister or wound becomes infected and the foot complications of diabetes begin.

In addition to not having the proper nerve sensations in their feet, people with diabetes often develop very dry feet because the nerves that secrete oil into the feet no longer work.  Their feet may peel and crack, which only makes it even more probable for them to get sores and wounds in their feet.

Because high blood glucose levels make it difficult to stave off infection, a diabetic with a sore on their foot must be treated differently than a person without diabetes.  The sore may be very slow to heal, if it heals at all.  Infection often sets in.  This can lead to gangrene and, in some cases, amputation. 

Foot complications of diabetes work like this.  A person who has diabetes and who has not been keeping their blood glucose level under control gets an injury on their toe.  It begins to bleed and crack.  Then bandage it, hoping it will heal.  It does not heal and soon the wound becomes infected.  They go to the doctor who begins to treat the wound with antibiotics.  Sometimes this works, sometimes it does not.

When the wound does not heal and the infection begins to spread, gangrene can set in.  Gangrene can kill a person, and the doctor knows this.  So the person with diabetes has a choice, they can either lose their toe or their life.  In most cases, they choose to lose the toe.

In some cases, however, the gangrene has already spread to the foot.  Plus, the amputation risks more infection.  In many cases, not only does the person lose their toe, but their entire foot.  And this can continue until they lose their leg.

This information is not meant to frighten anyone with diabetes.  It is only to make a person realize how vital it is for anyone with this condition to be aware of the feet complications of diabetes.  No one has to lose a toe or a foot or a leg.  They simply need to manage their disease so that they can retain a healthy blood glucose level that will enable them to fight off any infection that may arise from a bump on the foot and stave off neuropathy.  By maintaining a healthy glucose level and avoiding glycemia, a person with diabetes can lead a full life.  The trick is to follow the rules dictated by the condition.

Avoid foods that are high in starch and sugars.  The Glycemic Index is an excellent tool that can inform a diabetic about which foods should be avoided.  Maintain your weight and exercise regularly.  This will also boost your immune system.  Be sure to visit your doctor regularly and monitor your blood glucose level.  Keep a record of the levels to present to your doctor so he or she can adjust your insulin or medication if needed.  By complying with your physician, you an avoid many of the complications that accompany diabetes.

Diabetes does not have to be a killer.  Glycemia is life threatening but can be controlled.  If you or a loved one has this condition, see the doctor regularly and follow the plans to manage the disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about four percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.  Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman who has never had diabetes develops high blood glucose levels while pregnant, usually within the later term of the pregnancy.  It is estimated that there are about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes every year in the United States.

In most cases, women who develop gestational diabetes will not develop Type II diabetes.  This is a condition affected by the pregnancy and the inability of the mother to use the insulin naturally developed in her body.  It is caused by hormones triggered by the pregnancy and causes the mother to become insulin resistant.  Gradually, the mother develops high blood glucose levels, referred to as hyperglycemia. 

Normally, a woman with gestational diabetes will be treated for the condition while pregnant.  While there are no birth defects associated with this sort of illness as there are with women who have had diabetes prior to being pregnant, there is generally not a large cause for alarm for the child.  However, if the condition is left untreated, it can hurt the baby.  Because the mother is not getting rid of her excessive blood glucose, the child is getting more than his or her share of energy and fat.  This often results in macrosomia.  Macrosomia is simply the clinical name for a fat baby.

While some people think a fat baby is the sign of a healthy baby, a child born too fat may have a problem fitting through the birth canal.  This can cause shoulder damage and may require a cesarean section birth.  In addition, babies who are born obese can develop breathing problems and, if they remain obese, may themselves develop Type II diabetes.

Fortunately, there is treatment for gestational diabetes.  Insulin injections are usually given to the mother to keep the blood glucose levels intact.  A woman who is planning on becoming pregnant, however, can avoid the complication of developing gestational diabetes prior to becoming pregnant.  Some of the ways a woman can do this is to lose weight if she is already overweight prior to becoming pregnant, develop a healthy exercise routine and follow certain food guidelines.  The Glycemic Index is an ideal tool for a woman who is thinking about becoming pregnant to use to determine which foods to avoid.  The Glycemic Index was developed for diabetics to categorize carbohydrates for those with diabetes. 

When you become pregnant, follow the advice from your doctor regarding diet and exercise as well as any carbohydrate diets.  Prior to becoming pregnant, discuss any concerns you have regarding weight or diabetes with your physician as he or she can probably give you some advice on how to avoid this pregnancy complication. 

Even if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, chances are that you will not develop Type II diabetes, neither will your baby and both of you will be just fine.  Gestational diabetes is not a reason to panic.  There is plenty of care available for women with this condition.  Just be sure to follow any instructions given to you by your doctor.

The Glycemic Index is a concept developed in the University of Toronto in 1981.  The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to measure the effect carbohydrates have on blood glucose levels.  The Glycemic Index is imperative for anyone who needs to monitor his or her glucose level due to diabetes or hyperglycemia.  With diabetes reaching epidemic levels in the United States, the development of the Glycemic Index could not have come at a better time.  Each year, more people are diagnosed with this potentially life threatening disease that can cause many serious complications.  It is important for anyone with this condition to familiarize them with the Glycemic Index so they can empower themselves and learn which foods should be avoided.

Carbohydrates are a diverse group of foods and all have different ways of breaking down in the system.  People with diabetes have a difficult time breaking down certain foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, in their system.  Digestion is slow and sugars and starches are absorbed into the blood stream, causing an excess in blood glucose.  Diabetics are often warned to limit their carbohydrate intake because it takes such a long time for most carbohydrates to digest.  However, this is easier said than done and it is difficult, if not impossible, for many diabetics to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet.  This is one of the reasons many diabetics are non-compliant in their treatment.  Because diabetes does not often cause serious complications at onset, many patients refuse to take their medicine and continue eating foods that are high in sugar and starch. 

The Glycemic Index is very helpful because it rates different carbohydrates based upon their effect on the different levels of blood glucose.  Those foods that digest rapidly cause the less harm to the system and have a low glycemic index.  The carbohydrates that take a longer time to digest have a higher rate as they cause more harm to the blood glucose level.

The Glycemic Index ranges from one to one hundred.  A low food in the glycemic index has a rating of below 55.  These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and some pastas.    Foods that fall between the 56 to 69 ranges are considered "medium" in the Glycemic Index.  They include candy bars, croissants and some rice. 

Surprisingly, although a candy bar scores in the medium classification of the glycemic index, it is not as harmful as those carbohydrates that score in the high glycemic index range.  These include corn flakes, white rice, white bread and baked potato.  In other words, it is easier for a diabetic to digest a candy bar than a baked potato.

Knowledge of the glycemic index is imperative for anyone who has diabetes or who has been diagnosed as borderline diabetic.  To be able to understand which foods have the most impact on blood glucose levels is crucial for anyone fighting this potentially life-threatening condition.

If you or a loved one suffers from diabetes, become familiar with the Glycemic Index so that you learn about the different categories of carbohydrates and which groups should be avoided.  There are many substitutes for carbohydrates that rate high in the Glycemic Index and are available at most grocery stores.  While diabetes is currently without a cure, there are many different ways that people with this disease can life long, productive lives.

The Glycemic Index was discovered in 1981 and is the basis for many recently popular diets, including the South Beach Diet as well as others.  The Glycemic Index determines how long certain carbohydrates take to break down and digest in the system.  Those with a high rating, take the longest time to break down and do the most damage to the system of someone with diabetes.  The good glycemic foods; that is, those with the lower rates, are more desirable not only for diabetics, but for those who are watching their carbohydrate intake through such diets as the South Beach Diet, they should also be aware of what the good glycemic foods are.

Good glycemic foods tend to absorb slowly into the system, allowing the body to break down the refined sugars and starches so that the body can digest them properly.  People with Type I and Type II diabetes have a difficult time digesting carbohydrates, particularly those that are high on the glycemic index, and this lack of proper digestion makes it difficult for the diabetic to expel glucose from their blood.  While most diabetics are wise to avoid most, if not all carbohydrates, as these are what are the most difficult to digest and break down, certain carbohydrates are better than others for diabetics to consume.

Good glycemic foods tend to have a low score on the Glycemic Index that was developed in 1981 at the University of Toronto.  Good glycemic foods are still carbohydrates, but make it easier for the diabetic to digest and are much healthier and preferable than those glycemic foods with high ratings on the Glycemic Index. Substitutions are available for foods that rate high on the Glycemic Index and are widely available in supermarkets and other food stores.

Some of the foods that rate low on the Glycemic Index include most fruits and vegetables.  Although fruits and vegetables contain sugar, the sugars contained in these good glyceic foods digest into the system at a lower rate and also provide valuable nutrients to the diabetic, or just about everyone.  The only vegetable that a diabetic should avoid is a potato, as it has a high glycemic index.  Other fruits and vegetables, however, are preferable than white rice, white bread, corn flakes and anything made with white refined sugar or flour.

Other good glycemic foods include wholegrain breads and pastas.  If you or a loved one has Type I or Type II diabetes, you should switch to whole grain breads and pastas made from wheat flour.  This can be tremendously helpful to anyone who wants to manage their glycemia as well as anyone who wants to follow such low carb diets.  Basmati rice is also considered one of the good glycemic foods.

Often, it is not a matter of eliminating carbohydrates when one is using diet to control their diabetes, but understanding which carbohydrates rate high on the glycemic index.  Diabetes is a disease that can be controlled by proper diet, monitoring one's blood sugar and following doctor's orders as far as medication.