Constipation in Newborn Babies

Constipation in Newborn Babies

By Anselm Anyoha

She was only seven days old. 'For three days, my baby has not passed stools,' the mother said, anxiously. The infant squirmed in discomfort and strained to the point of turning red.

She had been on baby formula since birth. While in the hospital she had passed stool regularly every day, mostly after each feed, sometimes several times a day, until three days ago when suddenly she stopped moving her bowels and had been mostly crying and uncomfortable.

While the baby was on the examination table, and after I had watched and saw how uncomfortable she was, twisting her abdomen from side to side, I knew I had to intervene to relieve her of the discomfort.

When to intervene

I don't always choose to interfere with the natural process of bowel evacuation in newborns.

When to intervene or help with bowel movement in the newborn depends on a clinician's experience and the mother's anxiety level. Where a mother or a caretaker is very anxious, I tend to intervene more readily.

Two options

For very young newborns, say babies in their first four weeks of life, there are two main options available to aid with bowel movement. Rectal stimulation with a thermometer is one option. Inserting a glycerin suppository in the rectum is the second option. Both procedures are easy to learn.

A glycerin suppository is a medicine formulation that can be inserted into the rectum. When used it can temporarily relieve stool passage. Glycerin is inserted into the baby's rectum the same way a Tylenol suppository may be inserted to lower fever.

It is important to make sure the glycerin suppository goes inside the rectum. The suppository can be shaved down to a smaller size so that it can more easily be inserted. Usually once or twice a day for a couple of days is all that is required. If one suppository does the magic, there is no need to repeat.

Since I did not keep glycerin suppositories in my office I decided to do a rectal stimulation. What I actually was looking for was an immediate relief. Had I used a glycerin suppository on the baby, she may not have moved her bowel until she got home, and that would have been less desirable for the mother and the baby.

Rectal stimulation

After explaining to the anxious mother my plan, and obtaining her approval, I put on my gloves, took out a rectal thermometer from the side cabinet, and lubricated the instrument with Lubriderm. Vaseline can serve in place of Lubriderm to lubricate the tip and distal part of the thermometer. Any person capable of taking a good rectal temperature can learn to do a rectal stimulation on babies.

As the baby lay on the exam table, butt over diaper, I said to the mother, 'Hold the baby's legs apart.'

Gently, I introduced the tip of the lubricated thermometer about one inch into the baby's rectum, similar to what a practitioner would do when taking a rectal temperature. I held the thermometer in the baby's rectum for a moment until she began to push against it and with it the stool in the rectum.

The baby continued to make concerted efforts to push, and moments later an avalanche of stool came rolling down. Thank goodness there was a diaper in place! More stools came down when I wiggled the thermometer a little while it was still in the rectum.

The first part of the stool that came down was dry, and hard enough to have clogged the toilet. Fortunately, together with the underlying dirty diaper, it was discarded into the garbage bin. Later, the stool became soft, but kept rolling down for a minute or two. Thereafter the baby sighed, then smiled and then fell asleep on the exam table. All the body twisting and crunching went away.

'My baby is okay now,' the mother smiled.

Based on my clinical practice experience, I did not think there was anything wrong with the baby in discussion except that for some reason she was unable to pass stool. Temporary intervention was all that was needed.

When I saw them a week later, mother and baby were happy and baby had continued to pass stool regularly.

What else could constipation mean?

Many maladies that can afflict a baby -- none of which was applicable in this particular case -- fill a pediatrician's mind when confronted with constipated infants. Could it be Hirschsprung, a congenital disorder in which parts of the colon and rectum lack the nerves necessary to propagate stool movement down and out of the rectum? Is it anal stenosis, in which the anal canal, the distal part of the rectum, is too narrow to allow a free passage of stool?

What other pediatricians think

Pediatricians differ widely in the way they treat otherwise healthy babies who are unable to pass stool. I spoke to a few pediatricians about this particular case. Some said they would have done nothing, others said that babies are never constipated, while a few said they would have waited for seven days before intervening.

The varied answers are not surprising, since clinicians act based on their experience, scope and length of practice.

Tips on preventing newborn constipation

Consider breastfeeding your newborn. Breast milk may possess laxative properties, and breastfed babies are less constipated than formula-fed babies. No matter whether you choose breast milk or formula, feed baby very frequently, on demand---when baby is crying due to hunger, and certainly every 2-3 hours. Follow instructions carefully while mixing powdered baby formula.

The older a baby gets, the more ways clinicians have of intervening during periods of constipation. In my next article I will discuss constipation in older babies and in children as a whole.

The above article is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Take your baby to a pediatrician if you are concerned that he or she is constipated.

If you have benefited from this article, please donate a small amount of money to a nonprofit organization helping elders in my home town [ Akokwa, Nigeria] live out their lives in dignity. Website: http://www.eldershelpinghands.org

Article Source: Constipation in Newborn Babies

8 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

8 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

By Ann Pryam Bagongon

Yes, Diabetic Neuropathy is nasty. It happens once in a while then goes away, leaving you without a clue. It bothers the hands and feet described as weakness, tingling sensation, sometimes paralysis and occasionally a throbbing pain. But what is really distressing about it? Think about those days when neuropathy runs your life. It's like an animal biting your nerves, muscle, and organ that you cannot catch because it hides everywhere. It stops you from doing what you ought to do and as if it detains you with an excruciating feeling like no one else can define what kind or where that pain came from. It's never easy to live with it. Its kinda typical to find some remedies that can help relieve it. You mean ease it now, or else suffer the entire period.

In this post, we are going to talk about the following:

Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

What do you mean by Diabetic Neuropathy? Including the cause, types and the actions to be done when you have experience it.

Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy
"Is there a cure for diabetic neuropathy?" Well, until now there is none but the good news is, there are ways to manage it, even delay or lessen its effects and halt its progression. Not all diabetic people have develop neuropathy to some extent, however, majority of diabetic cases were able to live through it. For some diabetics, its only mild symptoms like numbness of the feet and prickling sometimes, but there are others who felt the most painful share of it like unbearable pain in the lower back/hips, high blood pressure and tachycardia on moderate exertion, inability to ambulate and even loss of life if major organs are affected. This is such an upsetting problem to deal with but fortunately some people were able to keep it under control.

Here are the 8 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

1. Operation Blood sugar control

Keep your blood sugar level at least close to normal in every way as possible. There is not much guarantee you can ever take from controlling your blood sugar except the prevention of unrelenting consequences of diabetes complication. Now, when to start this operation of blood glucose management? The decision immediately starts right away, as in, at this moment while you are asking yourself. It is urgent. For the reason that all of the bad prognosis of diabetes come from prolong high blood sugar, sedentary lifestyle and uncontrolled eating, then its time to make it up to your body. The benefits are proven by DCCT 10 years investigation.

2. Look after your Diet

Remember the Carbohydrate Counting and glycemic index in your meal planning and snacks. Low carbohydrate diet can be an effort to some who are used to getting almost all the food that they like in the store but this time, cutting your carbs is one of the primary solution. There are also diets that may be indicated to you like Atkins Diet which can massively lessen your weight and High fiber diet with direct supervision of a registered dietitian, or diabetic educator. There is nothing wrong with cutting yourself from too much carbohydrates because it is super good for you.

3. Exercise or Team up with your physical therapist

Exercise has a lot of benefits like weight loss or weight control, increase insulin sensitivity in your body, enhance your sense of well-being and body circulation, reduce cholesterol, helps you manage stress and high blood pressure, increase your strength and flexibility and lastly,boost your immune system. It goes to show that exercise will help your body become lively again and again. But most of all, regular exercise gives you a narrow focus of controlling your blood sugar and prevent sudden approach of complications.

4. Quit smoking and alcohol intake

When you are a smoker, your chances of getting a nerve damage is higher than those who are non-smokers. Alcohol intake makes your body insensitive to hypoglycemia episodes. Both smoking and alcohol will take you towards a threat of getting a heart attack, diabetes complications like DKA, hypoglycemia, and neuropathy.

5. Refrain exposure to toxic materials

This is a way of taking good care of your kidneys and lungs. Please be careful of what you eat and keep your diabetic diet in your presence of mind, avoid excessive and careless intake of over the counter medications and keep yourself away from the pesticides and lead containing products. Do not give diabetes an opportunity to take you down and hurt you by exaggerating a debilitating disease condition like kidney stones and anemia.

6. Stress Management

Stress will make your body insulin resistant plus unhealthy coping will make you eat unconsciously. Take into account that healthy food will grant you a healthy mind and exercise will energize your body and boost your self-worth. Whatever it takes, never ever forget the responsibility of taking good care of you. You can also try acupuncture, a Chinese traditional therapy of relieving pain cause by neuropathy.

7. Keep your blood pressure under control

Your risk of developing neuropathy and macro vascular complications will jump up if your blood pressure is high. Simply because, high blood pressure damages your blood vessels leading to a reduce blood flow on vital organs and nerves.

8. Lower Pain through alternative treatments

Alternative medicine can aid in alleviating the peripheral neuropathic pain. These are the natural substitute which will help minimize the symptoms:

Alpha-lipoic Acid, Gamma linolenic acid and fatty acids are found to be effective in improving micro-circulation of nerves resulting to a better blood flow and reduction of symptoms. (Alternative Medicine Therapy Review by Kathleen A. Head. 2006)

Vitamin B complex is a supplement form that can help in glucose conversion and its utilization by the body tissues, helps boost immune system and strengthens the body in times of stress. However, consider consulting your doctor for the proper dosage and prevent untoward side effects. Studies also shows that neuropathies can occur to those people who have vitamin B deficiency.

Capsaicin is a topical anti-inflammatory cream that lessens burning sensation to those people who are experiencing muscle and joint pain.

L-Carnitine is an amino acids or a building blocks of protein which can be acquired via intake of red meat, peanut butter and dairy products. This is a type of protein that helps the body produce energy for the heart, brain and muscles to function well. There are also L-carnitine supplements available in some pharmacies and other stores.

By the way, What is diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is a disease affecting all the types of nerves characterized by impairment of movement, sensation, and organ function, depending on the what type of nerve is affected. The incidence increases with age and the duration of the disease. This means that if you have diabetes for about 20 years and above, the higher your risk for developing neuropathy. This disease is more appealing to women than men in terms of painful neuropathic symptoms. In addition, those who have diabetes type 2 are more likely to manifest neuropathy and aching symptoms than those who have diabetes type 1 in spite of differences in age adjustment. The cause of diabetic neuropathy is due to elevated blood sugar for many years and controlling the blood glucose level to normal or at least close to normal shows a decrease prevalence of neuropathy by 60% as shown in DCCT study. Other diseases like alcoholism, Vitamin B deficiency, autoimmune illness (lupus,rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) tumors, Lyme disease, diphtheria, bone marrow disorders, and cancer treatments can cause also neuropathy.

What are the types of Diabetic Neuropathy?

Peripheral Neuropathy/ Diabetic Nerve pain

This type of neuropathy commonly occur among diabetes population. It attacks the nerves in your extremities like feet, hands, arms and legs.The nerves going to your feet is so long and is most frequently damaged. The nerve fiber deterioration is more likely related to hyperglycemia reducing its ability to transmit nerve conduction signals from the brain. It also weakens the capillary walls of the vessels that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. The matter of fact is, this is the common cause of lower leg amputation. The usual signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are: paresthesias, tingling and burning sensation, and numbness. That is why a diabetic is prone to undetected injury and foot infections. Moreover, it is important to inspect your foot everyday, cut your toe nails carefully, apply lotion when dryness of skin is noted and most of all, wear a well-fitted and comfortable shoes.

Proximal Neuropathy/ Diabetic Amyotrophy

The word "myo" means muscles because this can bring about muscle weakness affecting thigh, hips, buttocks and lower legs described as muscle wasting, weakness, pain and dull sensation of the legs. This degeneration of contractile cells is due to hyperglycemia over a period of years and smoking leading to a poor circulation and nerve damage. The possible complications are severe muscle weakness and inability to stand up without assistance. The treatment include are medications to manage pain and physical therapy. This is why it is necessary to control the blood sugar as close to the normal level, proper diet, exercise to maintain a healthy body weight, quit smoking and for the last time, limit alcohol intake.

Focal Neuropathy

Focal neuropathy is a "focused"neuropathy affecting one specified nerve. It quite opposite to polyneuropathy which involves many nerves like peripheral, proximal and autonomic neuropathy. It affects the nerve located in the head, torso and leg. The symptoms include eye pain, bell's palsy, severe lower back or leg pain, serious aches around the abdomen or chest, weakness and pain located on the lower back extending towards the thigh that sometimes causes paralysis. It is way better to avoid putting points on the joints and muscles like leaning your elbow on a hard surface or crossing your legs towards the other.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy causes damage on your autonomic nervous system. Autonomic nervous system is also known as involuntary nervous system that involves in the proper functioning of the heart, lungs, kidney, liver, stomach and brain without your own knowledge. It is a part of the body that solely maintains balance especially whenever you feel sick, stress or in a trauma. It automatically works to keep you alive. However, due to many years of having diabetes, high blood sugar affects the autonomic nervous system causing problems on the affected organs.The signs and symptoms depends on the affected organ system. For example, urinary problems like urinary tract infection due to difficulty of urination or inability of sensing a full bladder; loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation and cardiovascular problems such as tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension and hypertension.

For more information can check out my Diabetic Guide website at http://www.mysweetawareness.com or email me in case you have article suggestion  ann@mysweetawareness.com

Article Source: 8 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Nutrition - Meal Planning In Action

Diabetic Nutrition - Meal Planning In Action

By Ann Pryam Bagongon

Diabetic nutrition, diet, and weight control are the foundation of diabetes management. The most objective in dietary and nutritional management of diabetes is control of total caloric intake to maintain a reasonable body weight and stabilize the blood glucose level. Success of this alone is often with reversal of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. However, achieving this goal is not always easy. Because nutritional agreement of diabetes is so complex and a registered dietitian who understands diabetes management has major responsibility for this aspect of therapeutic plan. Nutritional management of diabetic patient includes the following goals stated by American Diabetes association, Evidence-Based Nutrition Principles and Recommendations for the Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Complications, 2002:

Provide all the essential food constituents like vitamins and Minerals needed for optimal nutrition.

Meeting Energy needs

Maintaining reasonable weight

Avoidance of huge daily fluctuations of blood glucose level, with blood glucose level close to normal as is safe and practical to reduce risk or prevent the possibility of complications

Decrease serum lipid levels to reduce the risk of macro-vascular complication

For those diabetic people who require insulin to help control blood glucose levels, maintaining as much consistency as possible in the amount of calories, and carbohydrates ingested at the different meal time is essential. Additionally, precision in the approximate time intervals between meals with the addition of snacks as necessary helps in preventing the hypoglycemic reaction and maintaining the overall glucose control.

For obese with type 2 diabetes, weight loss is the key treatment. Obesity associated with an increase resistance of insulin is also a main factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Some obese who requires insulin or oral anti diabetic agents to control blood glucose levels may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for medication through weight loss. A weight loss as small as 10% of total weight may significantly improve blood glucose. In other instances wherein one is not taking insulin, consistent meal content or timing is not as critical. Rather, decreasing the overall caloric intake assume most importance. However, meals should not be skipped. Pacing food intake throughout the day places more manageable demands on the pancreas.

Long-term adherence to meal plan is one of the most challenging aspects of diabetes management. For the obese, it may be more realistic to restrict calories only moderately. For those who have lost weight, maintaining the weight loss may be difficult. To help diabetic people incorporate new dietary habits into lifestyle, diet education, behavioral therapy, group support and ongoing nutrition counseling are encouraged.

Diabetic Nutrition Meal Plan
Diabetic Meal plan must consider one's own food preferences, lifestyle, usual eating times, ethnic and cultural background. For those who are under intensive insulin therapy, there may be greater flexibility in timing and content of meals by allowing adjustments in insulin dosage for changes in the eating and exercise habits. Advances in insulin management permit greater flexibility schedules than previously possible. This in contrast to the older concept of maintaining a constant dose of insulin and requiring the a diabetic person to adjust his schedule to the actions and duration of the insulin.

The first step about meal planning is thorough review of a diet history to identify eating habits and lifestyle. A careful assessment of weight loss, gain or maintenance should also be undertaken. In most circumstances, those with type 2 diabetes requires weight reduction.

Diabetic meal Planning [The Making]

In teaching about meal planning, you must coordinate with a registered dietitian and if possible he must use educational tools, materials and approaches so you can fully grasp the idea of your nutritional requirements. Your initial education approaches the significance of consistent eating habits, the relationship between the food and insulin and the provision of an individualized meal plan. Then in-depth follow-up sessions which focuses on management skills, such as eating at the restaurants, reading food labels and adjusting the meal plan for exercise, illness and special occasion. An instance like there is an aspect of meal planning such as the food exchange system which may be difficult to learn or understand. You may ask him every meeting for clarification or might as well, leave him a message. Just remember that the food system provides a new way of thinking about the food rather than a new way of eating. Simplification as much as possible grants a good understanding during the teaching session and provides an opportunity to assess doubts and a need for repeat activities and information.

Caloric Requirements
Caloric requirements or your calorie-controlled diets are planned by means of calculating your energy needs (individual energy needs that varies in every person) and your caloric necessity based on your age, gender height and weight. Activity element is factored in to provide actual number of calories required for maintenance.

In the Diabetic Exchange List compiled by American Dietetic Association and American Diabetic association 2008, the appropriate amount of calorie controlled diets are depicted but you must approach a registered dietitian to closely assess you with your current eating habits and achieve realistic and individualized goals. This is so important because practically, developing a meal plan should be based on individual's usual eating habits and lifestyle to effectively control the glucose level as well as the weight loss maintenance. The priority for a young patient with type 1 diabetes, for example, should be a diet with enough calories to maintain normal growth and development. Initially, the target aim may provide a higher calorie to regain lost of weight.

Here is a reliable and simple Food Exchange List For Diabetic Meal Planning I got from Diabetes Teaching Center at University of California, San Francisco via Google.

Please Take note of all these and believe that there's no harm in trying!

Diabetic Nutrition Caloric Distribution
Diabetic nutrition in your diabetic Meal Plan also focuses on the percentage of calories that come from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In general, carbohydrates have the greatest effect on blood glucose levels because they are more quickly digested and converted than other foods.

Carbohydrates

The American Diabetes Association recommends that for all levels of caloric intake, 50% to 60% of calories should be derived from carbohydrates, 20% to 30% from fats and remaining 10% to 20% from protein. Carbohydrates are consisted of sugar and starch. Most of the carbohydrates that are generally consumed came from starch, fruits and milk. Vegetable has also some carbohydrate. All carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation to prevent postprandial high glucose level. Foods high in carbohydrates such as sucrose are not totally eliminated from the diet but should be taken up in moderation up to 10% total calories only because these foods are typically high in fats and lack in vitamins, minerals and fibers.

Carbohydrate counting method is very important because it makes you conscious about your approximate amount of serving. The more carbohydrates you ingested, the more your blood glucose goes up. It is also a tool use in diabetic management because carbohydrates are the main nutrients in the food that influence the blood glucose level. This technique provides flexibility in food choices, can be less complicated and allows more accurate management with multiple daily insulin injections. When developing a diabetic meal plan using carbohydrate counting, all food sources should be considered. Once digested, 100% of your carbohydrate intake are converted to glucose. Around 50% of protein foods (meat,fish and poultry) are also converted to glucose. The amount of carbohydrates in foods is measured in GRAMS so you have to know which foods contain carbohydrates,learn to estimate the number of grams of carbohydrates in each food you eat and sum up all the grams of carbohydrates from every food you eat in order to get your total intake in a day. Examples of common food that contains carbohydrates; potatoes, legumes (e.g peas), corn, grains, dairy products (e.g milk and yogurt), snack foods and sweets (e.g cakes, cookies, deserts), and Juices (soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks with sugar).

Lets say, you aim 50% of your total calories must come from carbohydrates. One gram of carbohydrates is about 4 calories. So, divide the number of calories you want to get from carbohydrates by 4 to get the number of grams. Example, you aspire to eat 2000 calories a day and get 50% of calories from carbohydrates.

Computation:

0.50 x 2000 calories = 1000 calories

1000 / 4 = 250 grams of carbohydrates

Take note that there are people who has lower tolerance of physical activity and there are also those who needs low-calorie diets and therefore, the carbohydrates need in every person really varies. In order to further master your caloric intake and your diet, feel free to contact a professional dietitian.

In terms of estimation on the amount of carbohydrates in every serving, you can refer to Food Exchange List or here are some examples taken from the food exchange list:

These Foods contain 15 grams of each serving:

Biscuit - 1 (1 1/2 inches across)

Bun (hot dog or hamburger) - 1/2 bun

Pancake (1/4 inch thick) - 1 (4 inches across)

Pita bread - 1/2 pocket ( 6 inches across)

Waffle -1 (4 inch square or 4 inches across)

Cooked barley 1/3 cup

Cooked Pasta - 1/3 cup

Cooked quinoa 1/3 cup

Cooked white or brown rice - 1/3 cup

Cassava - 1/3 cup

Corn 1/2 cup

Green Peas - 1/2 cup

Animal Crackers 8 crackers

Rice cakes, 4 inches across 2

Dried Apple 4 rings

blueberries 3/4 cup

dates 3

Fruit cocktail 1/2 cup

Mango juice 1/2 cup or 1/2 small

papaya 1 cup cubed (8oz)

Grape Juice - 1/3 cup

Although carbohydrate counting is now commonly used for blood glucose management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, to some extent it affects the blood glucose to different degrees regardless of equivalent serving size. Thus, you have to be consciously noticing the fluctuations of your own blood glucose level and take action against any warning signs.

Diabetic Food Pyramid
The Diabetic Food Pyramid is another tool use to develop meal plan. It is commonly utilize for those with type 2 diabetes who have difficulty in abiding with calorie controlled diet. The food pyramid is consist of six food groups: 1.Breads, grains and other starches; 2. Vegetable (non-starchy vegetables); 3. Fruits; 4. Milk; 5. Meat, meat substitutes and other proteins; and 6. Fats, oils and sweets. The pyramid shape was chosen to emphasize that the foods in the largest area, the base of the pyramid (Starches, fruits and vegetables) are the lowest in calories and fats and highest in fiber and should make up the basis of the diet. For those with diabetes and as well as the general population, 50% to 60% of daily caloric intake must be from these three groups. As you move up the pyramid, foods higher in fats (particularly saturated fats) are illustrated; these foods should account for a smaller percentage of daily caloric intake. The very top of the pyramid comprises of fats, oils and sweets that should be sparingly by the people with diabetes to attain weight and blood glucose control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Fats and Diabetes
The recommendation regarding the fat content for the diabetic diet include both reducing the total percentage of calories from far sources to less than 30% of the total calorie and limiting the amount of saturated fats to 10% of total calories. Additional recommendations include limiting the total intake of dietary cholesterol to less than 30 mg/day. This approach may reduce risk factors such as elevated serum cholesterol levels, which are associated with the development of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death and disability among people with diabetes. The meal plan may include the use of some non animal sources of protein to help reduce saturated fats and cholesterol intake. In addition, the amount of protein intake may be reduced to those who have early signs of renal disease.

Fiber Has a Lowering Glucose power
The use of fiber in diabetic diets has received an increased attention as the experts study the effects on diabetes of a high carbohydrate, high fiber diet. This type of diet plays a role in lowering the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. Increasing fiber diet may also improve blood glucose and decrease the need for exogenous insulin.

There are two types of dietary fibers: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers in foods such as legumes, oats and some fruits plays more of a role in lowering blood glucose and lipid levels than does insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is thought to be related to the formation of a gel in the gastrointestinal tract. This gel slows stomach emptying and the movement of food in the upper digestive tract. The potential glucose lowering of the fiber may be cause by the slower rate of glucose absorption from the foods that contain soluble fibers. Insoluble fiber is found in whole grain breads and cereals and in some vegetables. This type of fiber plays more roles in increasing stool bulk and preventing constipation.

One risk involving the increase of fiber intake is that it may require adjustment of insulin dosage or oral anti diabetic agents to prevent hypoglycemia. If fiber is added or increase in the meal plan, it should be done gradually and with the actual consultation with a dietitian.

Misleading Labels
Food labeled as "sugarless" or "sugar-free" may still provide calories equal to the equivalent sugar-containing products if they are made with nutritive sweeteners. Hence, for weight loss, these products may not always be useful. Additionally, you must 'not' consider them as "free" to be eaten in unlimited quantity because they may elevate your blood sugar. Foods labeled "dietetic" are not necessarily reduced calorie foods. They may be lower in sodium or have other special dietary uses. They may still contain significant amounts of sugar or fats. Snack foods with labels like "Health Foods" may often contain carbohydrates like honey, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Additionally, these supposedly healthy snacks frequently has saturated vegetable fats, hydrogenated vegetable fats or animal fats which may be contraindicated if you have elevated blood lipids level.

So read the nutritional labels carefully to count the nutrients that your food contains...

Sweeteners
Using sweeteners can be acceptable for the diabetic people especially if it assists their overall dietary adherence. Moderation in the amount of sweetener used is encouraged to avoid potential adverse effect. There are two main types of sweeteners: nutritive and non-nutritive. The nutritive sweeteners contain calories and non-nutritive sweeteners have few or no calories in the amounts normally used.

Nutritive sweeteners include fructose (fruit sugar), sorbitol and xylitol. They are not calorie free; they provide calorie in amounts similar to those in sucrose (table sugar). They cause less elevation in blood sugar levels than sucrose and are often in "sugar-free" foods. Sweeteners containing sorbitol may have a laxative effect. Non-nutritive sweeteners have minimal or no calories. They are used in food products and are also available for table use. They produce minimal or no elevation in glucose level. Saccharin contains no calories. Aspartame (Nutra Sweet) is package with dextrose; it contains 4 calories per packet and losses sweetness with heat. Acesulfame-K (Sunnette) is also package with dextrose; it contains 1 calorie per packet. Sucralose (Splenda) is a newer non-nutritive, high intensity sweetener that is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. The Food and Drug administration has approved it for use in baked goods, non alcoholic beverages, chewing gums, coffee, confections, frosting and frozen dairy products.

For more Diabetic tips, feel free to visit http://www.mysweetawareness.com

Article Source: Diabetic Nutrition - Meal Planning In Action

14 Weight Loss Tips for Type 2 Diabetes

14 Weight Loss Tips for Type 2 Diabetes

By Ann Pryam Bagongon

To loss weight actively is considered to be a hard time unless if you are getting use to the gym life then only a minimal push through is needed for compliance in the program. But if you're not, or never been to a workout plans in your whole life then you better get some compelling reasons to do so here. Going to the gym for the right ground is not forceful but it's a graceful move of saying "Yes, I still want to live healthy", or "Yes, I want to feel great about myself", in spite of diabetes. Once you got an illness that you have to go through in a lifetime, it requires an invisible drug called "self-accountability". Self-accountability means you own the responsibility of taking good care of yourself for the sake of many noble reasons. What is good about this is, simply, you are in control of what is going on with your time and can deliberately choose where efforts will be spent. In the most part, you can easily distinguish if you are exactly doing the important things that help you progress and does it gives you fulfillment? Are you happy at the end of the day?

Weight loss Fitness for Type 2 Diabetes
Weight loss for type 2 diabetes is like a goldmine idea but thinking about the efforts of going towards the ultimate goal of weight loss makes you slouch your back. Asking yourself, "Can I do it? Really.", "Am I going to look funny in the gym?". If all these speculations are right, then of course, you can do it. Being confuse about doing it or not is an opportunity. Making a choice of enrolling yourself is already a half chance of losing weight and making a baby steps of pulling and pushing yourself to the gym or in a workout area in your community is already a bit by bit of accomplishment. Make a choice first before asking your partner about your workout plans. Might as well, he/she will join you in your journey, and that would be fun. Carrying yourself to walk in the park each morning or jog for a while in the street doesn't just happen without a choice, and so make your choice to be fit now.

On the other hand, wherein a thought of exercise will just keep you jolting yourself with indecision, take note of what will happen to you along the way with diabetes. Have it come across your mind when your doctor just confirmed to you that you have Diabetes type 2. Right on that moment, the reality is just about to be unfold to you. If you think that it is just a joke, then it is not. Bear in mind to take life seriously although there might be sometimes wherein you make mistakes in the past but diabetes type 2 can put you down if you let it. However, the good news is, you have all the right thoughts to condition your mind so that your disease will not defeat you. The matter of fact is, you and only you can save yourself to prevail from your illness. Diabetes type 2 is like a partner that will guide you to execute your exercise plan in your program and get fit because it is necessary.

The 14 tips for a type 2 Diabetes to stick with exercise and lose weight:

Ask your doctor to make an evaluation prior to enrolling to an exercise program. He might need to check your laboratory results before advising you.

Take the baby steps first. It all starts with preparing your shoes, bag, diabetic kits (e.g gluco-meter),sugar-free candy, jelly beans, and diabetic snacks a night before going to exercise in the morning. Be sure to check your sugar before going for exercise and never skip meals and insulin doses.

Check your blood sugar 30 minutes before exercise and 30 minutes after exercise. Beware of the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia like tingling sensation, weakness and confusion. If this will occur, stop the exercise and take some snacks.

Do not start the exercise if your blood glucose is equal and above 250mg/dL or equal or below 100mg/dL. Eat first before commencing your exercise at the baseline of 100mg/dL while have yourself a check up if it is above 250mg/dL beyond 2 hours after eating your meals.

Set the bar low. You have to begin with a warm up to moderate exercise then to the extreme level as tolerated. You can hit the streets for a walk or go to the gym 2 to 3 times per week for the first month and then you can eventually set your own standard higher.

Bring a partner, if possible. There are times wherein you have to walk alone without someone with you but if there might chances that a friend can join you, so why not? That would be enjoyable. A friend can also cause you to go for exercise because he/she is simply waiting for you there. It's so easy to absent but with a friend, you need to catch up on him. Working out with a friend will also make you to stay in the gym in a longer period.

Talk less do more. Stay focus with your exercise to wholly move your body and absorb energy in every step in your workout program. Inform people about your accomplishment only when they ask about it.

Track your workout achievements. You can write something about your exercise achievement in your journal or you may use an app to check how many steps you made while walking or running and how many calories you have burned.

Make your workout moments fun. Enjoy your body as it does something for you to get you a good shape. Entertain yourself by looking forward to the rewards that you will get from your workout. Imagine, walking, running, weight lifting for a few minutes will burn your fats out and will use your excess calories. Just make sure that you won't burn out your body.

Stack a playlist song. Music is life and it will fire you up when the beat is just right for you. Sometimes, listening about your favorite audio books during exercise will make you absorb information that you need and gives you more strength to finish your exercise period.

Set a small sustainable and achievable goal. It's like aiming for 3 kilograms deduction from your present weight after a month or two. Be careful when conducting an extreme workout. Take into account that a small goal achievement matters especially when you accomplish it. It will boost your confidence to the next level.

Make an agreement with your love ones. You can involve your kids, husband/wife, partner and brothers in this arena. In some point, they can help you maintain the workout by their supports. There might be times wherein you need their help to take over some responsibilities so you can work out.

Plan your workout schedules. If you want to exercise 3 to 4 times a week then start organizing and plotting it through your calendar, or planner. This method will help you visualize a long-term goal and complete them. Picturing your success in your mind will keep you up, carry on and get use to your routine exercise schedules.

Reward yourself. Hang-out with your friends or buy a new pants or shirt. You may also eat an indicated amount of your favorite food, but not too much. Or else, you know what will happen when you celebrate too much.
Don't forget to wear the right shoes during exercise!...

For more Diabetic tips you can check out http://www.mysweetawareness.com. I hope this will help you. Take care!

Article Source: 14 Weight Loss Tips for Type 2 Diabetes

Self-Esteem: A Booster Dose for Diabetes Self-Care

Self-Esteem: A Booster Dose for Diabetes Self-Care

By Ann Pryam Bagongon

Self-esteem is a complete realization and expression of your self-worth. It's how you view yourself and it reflects your own attitude towards others. It can be your "self-image" beliefs, emotional state, and "self-worth" or "self-concept" that mirrors positivism or negativism. The world echos your self-respect. This is vitally important in the aspect of self-care because of the following:

Your compliance to treatment depends on your self-worth

It helps you manage your emotional state especially when you are just newly diagnosed

You will seek solid educational foundation regarding Diabetes for the long-term management

You will adhere to the dos' and don'ts' to prevent the dreadful consequences of diabetes

You will make time for the people who matters to you like your family or significant others

You will become skillful in taking good care of yourself because you find happiness on this effort and you fell in love with life

You look forward to thrive more and diabetes is not a hindrance to your growth.

It helps you understand yourself, your disease and your environment

Why Self-esteem is important in diabetes self-management?
Diabetes Mellitus is a life-long disease wherein its complications are merely preventable. In the previous discussion, the integral goal of diabetes management is as much as possible to normalize the glucose along with heartfelt obedience to diet, exercise and anti diabetic drugs. This is to say that, once you have diabetes, it will be a lifetime requirement to take a special care of yourself as part of the diabetic population and it's not bad thing, because it will keep you conscious all the time to supervise your own self. It's like you just become a CEO or Chief Executive Officer of your own life. Do you know the job of a CEO? He look forward to the survival of his company 10 or more years from now. So, it's what you are just about to do with your own life and time. You keep learning the ways of healthy living and even shake off the others because of your adherence to your regimen. Hence, others will turn their head on you for the right and wrong reason but it doesn't matter because happiness is already inside you and not in their hands.

Self-image is has an immense effect on you. Self-image can be positive or negative and it molds your self-worth. A negative self-image happens when you fuel your life with ideas according to the opinions of others. Actually, this is inevitable, because people were raised by parents, and were brought into an environment that nobody can choose to be. Some were born poor in a slum area and some were born rich but overall, the impact that were brought into the world by each person depends on how they react to different stimulus whether it be positive or negative reaction towards their inner self. Lets take an example of a negative self-image from a freshly diagnosed man with diabetes type 2. Of course, he will be amazed and deny it at the moment but eventually it will just sink in. His negative self-image will then put him to shame. That would be for the following reasons: 1. He is thinking that his family might be worry about him because he has diabetes and diabetes is a sign of weakness/illness/debilitating disease; 2. His friends will undermine him more because he is sick; 3. He cannot give up his reckless lifestyle in terms of food choices and alcohol; 4. People might consider him helpless; or 5. He prioritize his family and disregards himself and so he acted as if nothing happens (prolonged denial). In an ample span of time when diabetes will be left unattended it will get worse. Diabetes will always let your body know that it exist at any given time. Remember that this is chronic and even prediabetes  stage can lead to type 2 diabetes when ignored. Once the distressing complication appears it might be too late to apologize to your body or either turn back the hands of time. Bear in mind that, a disease is will never hamper your life routines and things to do, only your self-imposed limitation and unconditioned mindset.

Talking about the positive self-image of a recently diagnosed man with type 2 diabetes, denial is expected in a few minutes, hours and for a few days but in those times, he is trying to get to know his disease. After researching about it and admitting it to himself, he will then talk to his significant others. After then, he asks for instructions on how to take good care of himself and what are the things that needs to be done in order to keep himself on the track of life, like he can function well in work and decided to stay healthy as much as possible. He knows the contributing factors that would lead to an increase of his blood sugar level and follows the check up schedules with his physician. He spares time for a moderate walking exercise with his wife, or girlfriend and manages his diet although he cheats at times but not excessively.

Positive Self-esteem or self-worth will help you survive whatever it is along the way that will challenge you whether it be a disease or other problems. Living life with diabetes is a turning point wherein it calls you to change your old ways to improve your life more. If you do not do anything about it then it will not bother disturbing you anytime, and anywhere. Loving yourself positively means you don't have any worry about other's flawed opinions because what really matters is you take action to control your life in spite of your disease. In fact, you can still afford to enjoy. Self-confidence is not at stake because you are well assured of your own value in this earth. Regardless of your situation, loving, living and believing in yourself and others is your ultimate hobbies.

How to enhance your self-esteem?
Nothing is more important in your everyday journey than how you feel about yourself. How you deal with your relationships starts in your inner self. Life gets simple, happier and stable when you have high self-esteem. Validation from others is not your thing anymore because you have a strong sense of self-reliance. Now, here are tips on how to increase your self-esteem.

Stop your inner sabotage or just put an end/period about criticizing yourself. This method is not helpful for you. Instead, approach yourself through positive self-talk with a solution focus conversation. It's like "No, I should stop eating more carbohydrates because for sure my sugar will shoot up later", then make a constructive planning like "I can try to eat a little of vegetable salad then I'll eat more of it if it tastes good". "No, no, no, I am only allowed for 1 slice of cake"
Remind yourself about what you really love to do and recap its importance and benefits. Like your good health, good relationship and wealth goals. As you are aspiring to be a great inspiration to others, your attention will be refocus on your goals instead of breaking them bit by bit.
Congratulate yourself when you did a good job for today. Reward yourself.
Be grateful everyday.
Learn to forgive and move on.
Accept that there are situations wherein it's better to be happy than to be right. Remember, you can never change people. Only people can change themselves.
Perfection is a myth. Practice is the mother of skills. Necessity is brings about inventions/creativity. Love what you do with all your heart.
Failure is a state of mind. You will only become a failure when you quit. Adversity gives you seeds of lessons that will help you hone your talent and growth. Those seeds could be ideas,new plans or revision of approach towards your best interest of challenge.
Be kind. "We rise by lifting others".
Be your own best-friend. Instead of criticizing yourself, ask yourself, "how to be a good friend to me?" Be supportive to yourself.
Stop comparing yourself to others because it's a big insult. You can appreciate the greatness of others but please be reminded that you can do great things too in your own ways.
Spare some time to learn something new. Expand your comfort zone and make it larger than you can ever imagine.
Guard you mind. Be with the people who will help you grow and support you with your chosen field.
Be a master of your own self and know exactly what you want to achieve. This is also an opportunity for you to lead others.
Remind yourself all the time about what you want by feeding your mind with books, and people who will keep you on the track.

You can check out http://www.mysweetawareness.com for more diabetic productivity tips.

Article Source: Self-Esteem: A Booster Dose for Diabetes Self-Care